Kid Cashew
Flame-Grilled Domestic Lamb Burger. Red onion marmalade, arugula, kasseri cheese, and tzatziki on a brioche bun
I feel like Kid Cashew is an often forgotten-about restaurant in Charlotte, and I’m not sure why. Perhaps it’s the non-central location? Or the unassuming atmosphere? Regardless of the reason, it shouldn’t be forgotten! I’ve eaten there a couple of times now, and the food is excellent.
Freshness to die for
I love that the food is FRESH! Unlike in many restaurants, there is no microwave at Kid Cashew. Everything is made fresh — and it shows in the quality of the food. For a restaurant that cooks everything fresh, the menu is expansive. In terms of cuisine, it’s somewhere between tapas, Mediterranean, and Southern-style food. They offer everything from tzatziki and gyros to mac and cheese (unbelievably delicious mac and cheese, I might add).
I can’t get enough of my go-to’s
I always want to branch out when I come here, but they make certain things so well, it’s hard for me to veer away from my usual order:
Wood-Fire Grilled Spanish Octopus. Lemon vinaigrette & oregano leaves served on a bed of quinoa with a lemon. Make sure you add the lemon, as that really completes the dish. The octopus is flavorful and incredibly tender — no chewiness whatsoever. I wish there was a bit more char on it, but it’s a great octopus nonetheless.
Cast Iron Mac and Five Cheeses. Homemade mornay sauce, creamy leeks, shallots, and five cheeses served gratin. Yes. That’s all you need to know. There’s a nice crispy layer of cheese on the top, and a creamy, oozy cheese sauce below, which perfectly coats the pasta. One of my favorite mac and cheeses in Charlotte! A must-order, in my opinion.
Creamy Polenta. Super fresh and served PIPING hot. As a result, the consistency is “off” at first. Patience is a virtue... save it to be the last item you eat; it just needs time to set up. The flavor is great, and the texture becomes spot on (if you can wait).
Rotisserie Lamb Gyro. Herb-marinated sliced leg of lamb, tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, and onion served on a toasted pita. It comes with a side of house-made kettle-cooked chips. It’s a solid gyro. I think The Mad Greek has a better one, but this will definitely hit the spot if that’s what you’re craving.
Flame-Grilled Domestic Lamb Burger. Red onion marmalade, arugula, kasseri cheese, and tzatziki on a brioche bun. This is my favorite thing on the menu. It’s super flavorful with a great char to it. AND it’s not something you usually see on a menu… so it’s a must-order, in my opinion.
One day I’ll try something else – it’ll just take time before I’m ready because I’m nowhere near tired of my usuals yet.
Don’t miss the lunch special
They offer a special lunch deal during the week: “Pick 2” for $9.99 (a KILLER value if I may say so), where you can choose two different dishes from a list to enjoy as your meal. The lamb burger isn’t on the list; however, they have the mac & cheese, beef burger, meatballs, ½ chicken sandwich, and a few other items that all look tasty. One day I’ll do it.
Great value all around
All in, what’s my verdict? 8/10. The value for the money is unbeatable. The service is great. The food is delicious. It definitely feels like a hole in the wall, but if you go in knowing that it’s nothing fancy, you’ll be in for one heck of a tasty meal!
