2024 Matthews-Mint Hill Munch Madness | Monroe Road

CHARLOTTE – The stretch of Monroe Road that leads into Matthews is home to several restaurants. We recognize these restaurants in the Monroe Road bracket.

This bracket used to be known as  Sardis but we renamed it to Monroe Road to better reflect the highway that serves as the main artery to get to these eateries. While some restaurants have Monroe Road or Sardis Road addresses, at least half are located within the Galleria Shopping Center. 

New Zealand Cafe takes the top seed after reaching the Final Fork last year. Mi Pueblo Mexican Grill, Boardwalk Billy’s and Community Culinary School also went on deep runs in the tournament. 

Five new restaurants are either new or returning to the bracket from previous years: Juliana Pizza, BR Cafe, Roppongi Ramen Bar, Margarita’s Deli and Romeo & Juliet Brazilian Cafe. Romeo & Juliet is the newest restaurant in the bracket, having opened in December 2023. Margarita’s Deli, which has roots from El Salvadoor, also opened last year. 

Here is how Monroe Road bracket restaurants are seeded:

1 New Zealand Cafe, 1717 Sardis Road N., Charlotte

2 Community Culinary School, 9315 Monroe Road, Charlotte

3 Mi Pueblo Mexican Grill, 1820 Sardis Road N., Charlotte

4 Boardwalk Billy’s, 1636 Sardis Road N., Charlotte

5 Royal Biryani, 9624 Monroe Road, Charlotte

6 Bé-Em Asian Kitchen, 1848 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte

7 Rios Brazilian Steakhouse, 1605 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte

8 Juliana Pizza, 9858 Monroe Road, Charlotte

9 Chili’s Grill & Bar, 2521 Sardis Road N., Charlotte

10 Chex Grill & Wings, 1609 Sardis Road N., Charlotte

11 Crepe Bistro, 1605 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte

12 BR Cafe, 1431 Sardis Road N., Charlotte

13 Roppongi Ramen Bar, 9626 Monroe Road, Charlotte

14 City BBQ, 1514 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte

15 Margarita’s Deli, 9010 Monroe Road, Charlotte

16 Romeo & Juliet Brazilian Cafe, 1605 Galleria Blvd. Charlotte

Vote for first-round match-ups below.