2024 Matthews-Mint Hill Munch Madness Final Fork | Voting

Metro Diner, New Zealand Cafe as well as the Matthews and Mint Hill locations of El Valle Mexican Restaurant have advanced to the Final Fork of Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly's Munch Madness.

For the past several weeks, readers have been voting for their favorite restaurants in the Matthews-Mint Hill area in a bracket-style challenge. Now it’s time to decide which two restaurants will move on to the championship round.

Match 1: El Valle Mexican Restaurant vs. Metro Diner

• No. 13 El Valle Mexican Restaurant’s Matthews location has reached the Final Fork for the second time (previously in 2020). Located at 305 W. John St., the family restaurant has been serving authentic dishes in the area for more than 20 years. El Valle won the Downtown Matthews region by defeating No. 3 Santé in the Edible 8, No. 1 The Exchange Pizza Depot in the Savory 16, No. 5 Jekyll and Hyde Taphouse Grill in the Thirsty 32 and No. 4 Kristopher’s Sports Bar in the opening round. 

• No.14 Metro Diner is making its Final Fork debut in 2024. The chain has locations in 12 states, including seven in North Carolina. The Matthews diner serves comfort-food favorites like Chicken Pot Pie, Fried Chicken & Waffle, Iron City Meatloaf and Metro Shrimp & Grits, and Roasted Turkey Plate. It is located at 10412 E. Independence Blvd. Metro Diner secured the Greater Matthews region with wins over No. 9 Cantina Louie in the Edible 8, No. 7 Steady Eddy’s Pumphouse in the Savory 16, No. 6 Azteca Restaurant in the Thirsty 32 and No. 3 Chicken Salad Chick in the first round. 

Match 2: New Zealand Cafe vs. El Valle Mexican Restaurant

• No. 1 New Zealand Cafe has reached the Final Fork each year since Munch Madness launched in 2019. Sushi is a big draw to New Zealand Cafe but the Sardis Crossing restaurant also serves a variety of dishes off the grill. It is located at 1717 Sardis Road N. New Zealand Cafe claimed the Monroe Road region by holding off No. 7 Rios Brazilian Steakhouse in the Edible 8, No. 13 Roppongi Ramen Bar in the Savory 16, No. 8 Juliana Pizza in the Thirsty 32 and No. 16 Romeo & Juliet Brazilian Cafe in the first round. 

• No. 15 El Valle Mexican Restaurant’s Mint Hill location reaches the Final Fork for the first time. The restaurant within the Lawyers Square Shopping Center offers house specials like Cazuelon, Chilaquiles Mexicanos, Chile Colorado and Chile Verde. It is located at 9229 Lawyers Road. El Valle took over the Mint Hill region by taking down No. 4 Dunwellz Custom Kitchen and Pour House in the Edible 8, No. 3 Jake’s Good Eats in the Savory 16, No. 7 Vintner’s Hill in the Thirsty 32 and No. 2 Stooges Pub & Grub in the first round.