Matthews-Mint Hill Munch Madness Thirsty 32 | Monroe Road

CHARLOTTE – Higher seeded restaurants in the Monroe Road region of 2024 Munch Madness fared much better than their lower seeded counterparts except in one instance. 

No. 13 Roppongi Ramen Bar overtook No. 4 Boardwalk Billy’s to advance to the Thirsty 32. 

Second-round matches are as follows: 

• No. 1 New Zealand Cafe, which doubles as a seafood grill and sushi bar, takes on No. 8 Juliana Pizza, a restaurant of more than 20 years that combines Italian and Greek tastes.

• No. 5 Royal Biryani, a restaurant that specializes in authentic Indian cuisine, squares off against No. 13 Roppongi Ramen Bar, a restaurant that elevates ramen noodles and serves Korean fried chicken and wings.

• No. 3 Mi Pueblo Mexican Grill, a restaurant with 10 locations across North Carolina including Sardis Road North, takes on No. 6 Bé-Em Asian Kitchen, which serves hibachi plates, poke bowls, pho noodle soup and other entrees.

• No. 2 Community Culinary School, which has a cafe where the public can try baked goods in the morning and specials for lunch, goes up against No. 7 Rios Brazilian Steakhouse, where you can order Brazilian pork sausage, garlic picanha and bacon-wrapped filet mignon.

Vote for second-round match-ups below.

Looking to eat at one of these restaurants? Here is where they are located: 

• No. 1 New Zealand Cafe, 1717 Sardis Road N., Charlotte

• No. 2 Community Culinary School, 9315 Monroe Road, Charlotte

• No. 3 Mi Pueblo Mexican Grill, 1820 Sardis Road N., Charlotte

• No. 5 Royal Biryani, 9624 Monroe Road, Charlotte

• No. 6 Bé-Em Asian Kitchen, 1848 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte

• No. 7 Rios Brazilian Steakhouse, 1605 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte

• No. 8 Juliana Pizza, 9858 Monroe Road, Charlotte

• No. 13 Roppongi Ramen Bar, 9626 Monroe Rd, Charlotte