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Categories: Barbeque, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhood: Dilworth
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I love Mac's! I am there every Wednesday night for bike night with the other 100+ bikers! Very fun environment, it is noisy but with as many fans are trying to pack into the place it is understandable. The BBQ is great, the beer selection is unheard of, and the mac and cheese is to die for! Nothing like hearing a big burly biker order a side of mac and cheese! ;)
5 stars!!!!
Having grown up in North Carolina, I've had lots of Barbecue (and I also smoke my own), so I feel I can adequately judge the quality of BBQ.
I probably went on an "off day" or at an odd hour (4pm), but this particular BBQ sandwich was not what I would recommend to my friends and family. In particular, the sandwich was clearly overcooked and lacked any sort of flavor typical of NC BBQ. This likely is because they do not cook their barbecue long and slowly enough. I will say that supplementing the sandwich with the sauce on the table improved the taste slightly, but overall I was disappointed. If you haven't tried NC barbecue I would hesitate to make this your first experience, as you may walk away disappointed unnecessarily.
The hushpuppies were typical of North Carolina and the Mac and Cheese (which resembled a casserole) was good.
The "biker bar" atmosphere was interesting, with large HD TV's perfect for football watching (why it gets 2 stars).
I am confused. I decided to try Mac's because of all of the great ratings. I showed up for lunch with two others. The place had a large lunch crowd and the sports bar, biker bar, lots of TV's going on. I thought the place looked cool.
They cut corners on the tables and bar stools. Cheap and uncomfortable. The beer selection is very impressive but I was not drinking at lunch so i did not try any unusual beers.
The service was slow and it was still not full at 11:40 AM. I ordered the BBQ based on the reviews. My choice was the brisquet with slaw. The food showed up in reasonable time.
I was not impressed with the dried out meat and really weak sauce. The slaw tasted dated and was very dry. Needless to say I was not a happy customer. My two other dining partners were not impressed either.
I have this place pegged for the yuppy biker crowd getting together for some outrageous choices of beer. The food is just an after thought and probably taste good after 6 or 7 beers.
I would recommend checking it out particularly with a big group since it is unique but don't plan to have a great meal at Mac's.
OMG.
This place is phenomenal. Watching Sunday afternoon football we indulged in three different orders of wings, hush puppies, and onion rings. The quality of everything was OUTSTANDING.
As an Atlantan, I expected something similar to Taco Mac or Buffalo Wild Wings. No way. This a sports bar that you go to FOR THE FOOD!
Our server was extraordinarily helpful. We ordered as we would in Atlanta (wings + 1 side per person). She recommended we reduced the number of sides. Portions here are definitely huge. From the size of the wings to the plethora of sides. I don't know how they keep the quality up with this level of volume.
I'm willing to drive 3.5 hours for this restaurant. And to see my Charlotte friends :-p
I had high hopes for the bbq here, but I guess getting the texas brisket was the wrong choice. The flavors of the suace were good, but the brisket itself was tough, overcooked, dry and kind of a dissapointment. The green bean casserole was really good though?
One of my colleagues is a big fan of this place and it was his turn to choose lunch, so here we went. This time, a big party - 9 - and we were seated outside. Drinks orders were taken by the attentive waitress who came back with the drinks and took lunch orders.
I chose the Absolutely Ridiculous BLT and I was sincerely impressed with the size! Plenty of romaine lettuce and tomato and of course, thick bacon on toasted sourdough with mayo. A side of really good macaroni and cheese (though not as good as my own homemade) filled the plate. I added a little of their table BBQ sauce to the sandwich which made it a little messy. Good sweet tea.
The waitress did an amazing job of organizing the checks and refilled drinks often. She also quietly picked up the plates so we could hang and chat for a bit. Very good service! For $12.50 including tip, a little expensive for lunch, but it was good food. I'll be back!
Co-workers and I got stuck in I guess what is called Steele Creek, NC (right outside Charlotte) on our way a trade show in Atlanta and stumbled upon this place while trying to find a place that was open and still serving. Hard to miss this place at night as they usually have *live music *and is the only place to go late night without going to a strip club. Didn't eat but their beer list was very extensive and more than satisfied our needs.
Wait staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable on their wide selection. Jeff the manager knows how to treat his guests and wont hesitate to talk to you. First place where I've seen a Patron machine.
If I ever end up in this area (hopefully not anytime soon) I will definitely make this the place to nd my night.
Great beer selection including "high octane" beers. Had BBQ Pulled Pork which was acceptable, but nothing special. Fresh, tasty apple pied for dessert.
5 Stars for food. 2 stars for service.
Must go if you ever go to Charlotte, as much for the atmosphere as for the food. Our server prompted my friend to say to her "You're so pretty, I can't understand anything you just said". BBQ wasn't anything earthshattering, but good.
A side note: if you have more than 2 people in a cab in Charlotte, EACH additional person is TWO DOLLARS ($2!!)
Every time I drive past Mac's around lunch hour, it's packed. I decided to skip the crowd and go on a weekend.
The decor is casual, warm, hip and energetic. The story goes that it was once a auto repair building, now turned restaurant. It's spacious, but they try to pack as many people in there as possible.
They have the usual burgers, sandwiches and BBQ. I ordered a small pulled pork sandwich with onion rings. Both were solid. While the mac and cheese seems to be a favorite, this was not too long after a Thanksgiving dinner overloaded with too much good eating and too much mac and cheese, so I opted to pass.
Our server, moved quickly, smiled and was on top of clearing and delivering the check. My pulled pork sandwich was pretty good. I'm still getting used to this whole pulled pork sandwich thing, so I'm probably not the best judge of this stuff. The onion rings were thick, well-battered and crisp. All in all, not a bad lunch spot and worth a second visit.
After writing a review about a BBQ chain restaurant Red Hot & Blue that has a location in Pittsburgh, I started thinking back to the best barbeques I've ever had. Two stand out - Mac's Speed Shop in Charlotte, NC and Jack's in Nashville, TN. It's been a few months since I've eaten at Mac's, but I think my memory will serve me right.
Mac's is, so I've been told, authentic North Carolinian BBQ. It's not the same as southern BBQ, nor is it the same as Kansas City BBQ, for those who know the difference. Like all good BBQ places, they have their own versions of BBQ. I forget which one it is, but one of them was really good. (helpful, right?)
II had the Beef Brisket ignoring one of my dining friends' warning that it was fatty. Little did he know that I love my beef brisket marbled! It was pretty good, just the right amount of fat for me, which is usually too much fat for a normal person. So, that was both my plug and my warning to those of you who would consider ordering the brisket. I also tried the pulled pork, which was really moist and tasty. If you're undecided about the brisket now, you won't go wrong with the pulled pork. Better yet, order a combo platter and taste it all. As for the sides, I think Mac's does it right. The top two sides are Hush Puppies and the Mac and Cheese.
Beer. If you like beer, you will like the Mac's beer list. They have a lot of beers both on tap and bottled.
As for the biker image, yes, Mac's Speedshop is supposed to be some big biker joint. Roll up on your Harley's and eat some bbq like real tough men (and women). Inside the restaurant is just like an old converted garage, like many themed restaurants. This one isn't any better or worse, but it's nothing to really mention one way or the other. The night I was there, it really did just seem like young 20/30-somethings out drinking with their friends in t-shirts, maybe button downs for those who strut the work look, and jeans. I didn't see any leather jackets, but i could have just gone on a non-biker day.
Either way, it's BBQ tough enough for bikers, enjoyable by all.
The food at this place is shockingly overrated. Populated by a bunch of aging HOG members who like to pretend they are gangsters on Friday and Saturday nights. Nothing wrong with that but the food is honestly pretty bad. Fun atmosphere though which is the draw. It's really a great bar but a mediocre restaurant.
Definitely a fun place and worth a visit! I was staying downtown or uptown or whatever they call it. It's easy to get to from the light rail. The BBQ is good (not great), cheap, and plentiful! - I left fat and happy. They also have a preatty good beer selection. The best part of this 'Biker Bar' is the people watching. Yuppies, preppies and 'bikers' (yuppies on motorcycles) all in one place. What more could you ask for?
It's mostly been covered in the 37 other reviews before mine.
I just wanted to add my vote for the Mac and Cheese, it's like homemade style, they must use some really good tasty kinda cheese on it, it was soft and yum.
If you are coming from downtown it's on the left side, I had trouble finding it in the dark.
And the parking lot was very full, but there is a street behind you can probably find parking on.
My favorite part was the 80's hair metal deep cuts that were playing, I assume off Satellite radio. Twisted Sister(some song I've never heard, not a hit), Dokken(Dream Warriors), Scorpions, Warrant(not my favorite part), Judas Priest.
Can I help you push your stool in?
I don't like Stand up Tables with Stools, they hurt me after 10 minutes. They have just a few booths but outside in a Tent Room there are about 8 picnic tables with Heaters, it was still cold outside but worth it for not having to sit on a wooden stool.
one of the BEST pulled pork sammies EVAH. the lil pig will do since the big pig was quite piggy. won't even talk about the mac daddy.
exactly what you'd expect from a down home bbq place. with real bikers & everythin. note the rules:
no cigars, no colors, no patches
first time there so we covered off on some key sides:
hush puppies - not too heavy, tasty corn goodness
mac & cheese - nice crusty top
green bean casserole - fried onion thingies on top were mushed in. otherwise felt a tad bit healthier
deviled eggs - lucifer would be proud
collards greens - a bit salty but still good
wings - they came plain but i think it's bc we ordered them that way. nice sauces...like the mustard best. teriyaki rice rocket was a little sweet and i'm too weak to have fully drenched the bird in the hot version.
Well, I was going to give them 3 stars due to the great beer selection(all in bottles) but the more I thought about the food, the more I was reminded of my disappointment.
After all the hype and hearing from the locals that this was the place to go for BBQ, I just have to say that I feel sorry for the folks here that haven't experienced REAL BBQ.
Here's the run down:
The good:
The waitress was cute and somewhat attentive.
They have a fantastic beer selection in bottles(very little draft) and I mean it is huge, I was in beer lovers heaven.
The appetizers and sides were really good (nachos, hush puppies, chili, onion rings, chicken fingers)
The Bad: Parking sucks
The Ugly: Their BBQ is a great disappointment. The beef brisket was dry and flavorless, I felt like I was biting into some soft beef jerky. The ribs were just plain bland. The chicken was mediocre and the pulled pork was just plain crappy, talk about dry and tasteless, I had to add a ton of sauce(also not the greatest) to make it palatable. oh, i can't forget, don't get the mac and cheese either, it was nothing great, my niece actually turned her nose up at it and shes a mac and cheese freak!
The short of it, this is a great place to meet a few friends, have some beer and appetizers, then go somewhere else for dinner.
What's amazing is how highly the locals feel about this place, my brother-in-law was given a ration of shit from his pals that had recommend this place when he told them it sucked! Come on! There truly is better, you are being deprived! If you look hard enough, you will be amazed at the flavors you will find!
Ok, maybe we just happened to go when the cooks were having a bad night. But I won't be going back to find out.
What more can I say about Mac's that hasn't already been said? How about this: it's probably my favorite place in town. If you want some authentic North Carolinian BBQ, Mac's is where you should head. If you have friends in town who aren't from NC and you want to show them a fun time, come to Mac's. I swear, I don't work here or have a financial interest in the place. Promise.
The BBQ is awesome. Go with the meat-and-three (as explained elsewhere). I always get the pulled pork, mac n' cheese (best in town perhaps), the collards, and deviled eggs. The food just keeps on coming, and it's not expensive, so prepare to leave Mac's about 20 pounds heavier. Make sure to sauce your food up with at least one of the two options available. You won't regret either of those.
Cool place to have a meal--outdoor picnic bench seating if you want it, tv-studded indoor area, motorcycles galore outside. Truly an experience. You'll definitely go back.
In terms of beer selection, price and location (2 miles from my place), this place is a 6/5.
What brings it down is the food, service and clientele.
The food, like every bar we've have been to in Charlotte is forgettable. So I wasn't expecting much to begin with. The service is mediocre as well. We had to wave down our waitress almost every time we wanted anything. The place was busy and it was a hot day, so I am willing to give them a pass on the service but somehow I doubt it will be better the next time we go here.
The clientele is quite eclectic, we saw everyone from families, college kids, professionals and real bikers.
My main problem with this place - the annoying lame wannabe bikers who rev their bikes in the parking lot. i had no idea how cool it is to go up and down South Blvd and pull in the Mac's parking lot and make as much as noise as possible.
Thus forgettable service and food and failure to control nuisance gets Mac's a 3/5.
I definitely recommend this place for its amazing beer selection and prices but don't expect to be blown away by the food or service.
We knew we were getting close when we saw all the leather wearin', tattoo lovin', Harley ridin' bikers cut us off and speed into a little pit stop they like to call Mac's Speed Shop. They weren't lying when they said bikers are there at all times. And with brew-in-hand. You feel a little left out if you don't do the same... even if it is a Sunday afternoon.
We ordered the sampler plate and got a little bit of everything, with FishTacos on the side. From the Green Bean Casserole to the down-home beef brisket, you can't really go wrong here. I am a little bias because I do love my BBQ- but this place is top down one of the best BBQ joints I've been to. The atmosphere does help a little, you feel right at home with sauce all over your shirt and corn stuck in your teeth- but what better way to do BBQ??
The beer is cheep too, compared to Michigan! They had a MI native, Oberon, on the list for only $3! You throw an orange in there and you have yourself the perfect summer brew. BUT, we had to try something new- Mac's Ape Hanger Ale was mmm mmm good.
You'll find some bikers inside and their motorcycles waiting loyally outside. But Mac's is definitely more of a yuppie BBQ joint than biker bar. Mac's serves up great barbecue and the requisite mac and cheese and other unhealthy sides. But southerners often suggest you try Bill Spoon's or another spot for true Carolina barbecue.
I particularly like the beer can chicken. You can order it with certain sauces or get it dry and add your own - either the vinegar-based or tomato-based sauce. Get the side salad with blue cheese dressing. It comes with crumbled blue cheese and bacon bits! They've got an extensive beer selection, which is always a plus.
It's loud, crowded and generally uncomfortable since most seats are at high tables with bar stools. Sometimes the wait for a table is long, especially on Panthers game days or during big events like Speed Street.
Parking there is also pretty frustrating. There is a tiny lot, and diners end up packing their cars in the alley and nearby side streets.
A good staple and have been here twice; tonight being the second time. I shared a sampler plate with someone and I am so glad that I did because the portions are large (so, for those that appreciate larger portions, take note). I prefer quality over quantity though and this place does have good quality.
Tonight the chicken wings (mustard sauce) were amazing. The interesting thing about the wings here is that they are not fried. To me non-fried wings are always interesting and they are especially interesting when you can find such a thing in the South!
The ribs were also extremely good. They were probably my favorite tonight.
Service was prompt and extremely friendly too!
Would you like some sass with that pulled pork sandwich? You're going to get it--and love it. This fast-paced biker bar is a BBQ staple of Charlotte that caters to as mixed a company as you'll ever see around seasoned road warriors. And get there early as Mac's indoor and outdoor spaces get packed...unless you want to see the bikes, then come and enjoy your wait.
When choosing your grub, stick to the BBQ, it's what they do best. Chicken, pork, brisket, just writing about it is making me drool on the keyboard. And with a varied mix of sides: collards, Texas toast, and hush puppies (a personal favorite) your plate and stomach will be in hog heaven.
The only problem comes when deciding on what to have to wash it all down--Mac's has an enormous list of worldly beers--150 to be exact. I say try them all just so long as you eat plenty of hush puppies to soak up the brew before you drive home.
When I first went to this place, I thought it was a little over-rated but over the years, I've come to enjoy the food and atmosphere. Service is usually a little slow but friendly enough. The food is served in pretty big portions and the prices are okay because of that reason.
I doubt anything you eat here will be mind-blowing but you won't complain. It's just a cool spot to hang out and people watch.
Great bar, beer selection is one of the best in town. Food is good, but not great.
Based solely on lunch, this place takes the cake. Their bbq is top notch, & their sides don't disappoint. The parking lot will always be filled with Harley's, but this is by no means a biker bar. I've only tried the bbq & was impressed, & I'd suggest ordering the side items that state "till they last"...these never disappoint.
They have a lot of seating, with a pretty large outdoor patio, so you'll never have to wait long for a table at lunch. The only hassle is with the parking, because if you don't find a space in their small lot, expect to park a good bit down the road.
Mac's is a definite lunch or dinner visit & the food seems to have everyone coming back for more.
So perhaps if I ordered something a little more BBQ-ish I wouldn't have a low review.
This is why I'm reserving only 3 stars and not lower or higher...but I got a black beanburger. Which, was not BAD, but was also not the best. I've had some mean black bean burgers in my time and this wasn't one of them. But, the salad was good - came with bacon pieces, they didn't have italian dressing so I had to go with Ranch.
Also got some hushpuppies which were mighty fine but most hush puppies are.
I really like it here. It's a lot of fun, and the food is really yummy. It's fun to see grandmas and bikers hanging out in one place. The picnic tables out front are a great place to get a beer, and there are a lot of beers to choose from. I am not a big pork eater, so I can't really comment on the barbecue stuff, although the people I am with always rave about it. I actually had a great veggie burger - there are tons of toppings to choose from. I also ended up eating my son's mac and cheese and it was amazing! We have been taking out of town visitors here, and they all enjoy it.
This place is definitely fun. Like an upscale biker bar. That doesn't mean food is pricey at all. Generous helpings and good sides. Mac's is a good Charlotte staple.
This was the first meal I went out to eat while on my road trip south. My high school friends who recently relocated to Charlotte took me to Mac's for an early birthday lunch. Everybody else appeared to be there on their lunch breaks, so we sort of looked out of place being that we'd just rolled out of bed. Everybody was in a great mood and both the customers and staff were really friendly. I know people in Charlotte are probably used to that, but to a NY born, Boston living gal like me, it's a pleasant surprise.
We sat at a big picnic table outside. If you don't like to make friends with strangers, you should probably stick to eating inside, because outside they place as many parties as they can fit at each large table. (I believe they can hold 6 - 8 each.)
The first thing that blew my mind was the beer list (I think they said they had 180???) Next, I was blown away by the prices of the beer! $3 for a Hoegaarden?!? My, I love the south. I was also amused by the fact that the section of the menu for canned beers was labeled "If you take it in the can..." but that's because I have the sense of humor of a 13 year old boy.
Next up, appetizers. My friend Lilly introduced me to Hush Puppies, and I'm glad she did. I mean, honestly, you could fry a shoe and I'd probably eat it, but I doubt it would taste this good. They came with butter, but I was more interested in drizzling BBQ sauce all over them. Lots of firsts on this day, and this was my first time having Carolina BBQ. I was surprised by how vinegar-ish it tasted, but it was definitely enjoyable. Had some real kick to it, too.
For the main course, we were all in the mood for pulled pork. My friends went for the sandwich and I got the platter, with a spicy salad and green bean casserole on the side. Now, I've said before that I'm not a really picky eater and that the total experience at a restaurant frequently shapes my opinion more than just the food, but I certainly know when something tastes extra good. The salad was super fresh, and the spicy dressing was great. If I wasn't so full already, I probably would have asked for a bucket of the green bean casserole. And the pork was delicious. Soft, tasty, and I drenched it in tons of BBQ sauce (it's my favorite condiment!)
This was the perfect way to kick off my Quarter Life Crisis Road Trip!
Mac's has a very impressive beer list. I like that - beer makes me happy. No frou-frou drinks or red wine for me. I like that their lager list is more substantial than other places we've been to with large beer selections AND they have 22oz Sapporo in a can for $4. Niiiiice. :)
Food was so-so. We ordered deviled eggs, mac & cheese, a black bean veggie burger and fries. Nothing was good enough that I'd return for the food. My grandma makes a mean deviled egg and these couldn't compare. Mac & Cheese was good but the veggie burger - ugh, I'm sick of black bean burgers. Yuck yuck yuck. The burgers are much too thick so the center is mushy. I wasn't impressed. French fries were average.
This place has one hell of a diverse crowd - bikers, professionals, college kids, families, a few Sex and the City (women)/Miami Vice (men) wannabes, etc. A few of the bikers did feel the need to rev their engines a bit excessively - which if you're sitting outside is *really* loud, I wonder if the family sitting about 5 feet away suffered any hearing loss.
Service was mediocre - the waitresses keep pulling disappearing acts. We actually thought we might need to go inside to place our initial order because we weren't approached by anyone quite awhile.
The food (black bean burger, deviled egg, fries and mac & cheese) along with 4 beers total came out to less than $30 which is a *great* deal. Their beer is really reasonably priced. We'll be back for the kick-ass beer menu but we don't have too much interest in their food.
Mac's calls itself a biker bar, which it isn't quite. The atmosphere inside is cool with high tables and stools and there are interesting quotes and music to listen to (definitely not biker music). I ordered the pulled BBQ pork small and had more than enough food to eat. I also got the green bean casserole and Brunswick stew both of which were great. As an appetize we also got hushpuppies with honey butter. The hushpuppies are quite delicous and I could have probably eaten the whole plate. The had two different sauces to choose from and I used the spicer one. I don't know if this was the best BBQ I've ever had but it was sure good! Also the place was packed so be prepared to rub shoulders with your fellow diners.
Tuesday night, 7:30pm. No one spoke to us when we came in, so we seated ourselves, which appeared to be what everyone else was doing, and then it took over 10 minutes for a server to come to our table. Then we were delivered the wrong beer with our drinks.
Now mind you, I always give places several tries but tonight it seemed like destiny waved her hand and made it impossible for us to enjoy ourselves even though we were by no means in a rush and had waited for the right day and time to check it out.
The pork sandwich was just so-so, as were the hush puppies. The Brunswick stew was the best thing all evening, too bad it comes in a tiny cup. But the mac n cheese had no salt and the dinner salad was overpowered by cayenne. The barstools and small tables keep turnover high because nobody can sit in them for very long. So you'd expect a little more attention to basic details for the limited duration you'll be there.
But now I know why places like Hooters are still around. They greet you when you walk in the door and they get your drink order correct and fast, no matter how crowded the dining room becomes. I don't particularly like Hooters but those two details go a very long way. I'll give Mac's another shot but the first attempt was very low on the customer service scale.
Tip: If it's the least bit crowded, don't sit near the windows. Servers seem to neglect the wall and pay attention only to tables nearest the walkway. By design the setup makes it hard for them to get to everyone. But this place is definitely popular. They could double the size of the dining room and still keep it as full, if they could keep everyone happy. Aye, there's the rub.
Not the best bbq joint I've been to; could have gotten the Lil Pig or the Big Pig pulled pork sandwich, but opted to go for the ribs. Wasn't cooked well, nor was the sauce even worth the price - it was trying to be tangy but the flavor wasn't infused in the meat nor was it tasty to begin with. An interesting place that was packed with customers; service was mediocre, and the food was way less.
Great BBQ spot in Charlotte! I love the brisket sandwich to death! Be sure you give yourself enough time for lunch though, there is always a line out the door.
I must start with the disclaimer that I'm from Massachusetts so by no means am I BBQ authority. But... the brisket was delicious and the mac 'n cheese is divine. Two thumbs up!
With a trip to Charlotte on the horizon, I called out to Yelpers for advice. Tony C. and others (but mostly Tony C.) came to my rescue. Noticing the recommendations started with barbecue, it was easy to see I would definitely have to enjoy some while on my trip down South.
What I wasn't quite prepared for was how incredibly attached North Carolinians are to their barbecue joints. As I polled every single person I met in Charlotte on "where to go for the best bbq experience," I was met with a bevy of responses - and even stirred up a few fights! I really don't think I could count how many places people named for "the best barbecue if you could only choose one."
Easy, fellas. There's enough 'cue for everybody.
That said, I think it is extremely important to choose your atmosphere. All things being equal in the world of 'cue (at least for an inexperienced out-of-towner like myself), it really should come down to what type of atmosphere you'd like to combine with your wet nap.
We will be using wet naps on this excursion, so roll up your sleeves.
Tony C. had recommended Mac's for "not super traditional, but very good" BBQ, and Bill Spoon's for traditional Eastern NC-style BBQ enjoyed minus the frills (alongside the old timers at picnic tables with zero atmosphere and no credit cards accepted). Most people I talked to had heard of or had been to Mac's, and had enjoyed it, so I figured it was the "safe bet". After reading Rick P.'s review of Mac's I was soooo ready to enjoy a brisket sandwich with my side of hush puppies (which is exactly what I did).
This was a short trip, so I really could only choose one 'cue joint. As I drove up to Mac's I noticed the parking lot is packed and overflowing into a dirt lot next door. Construction workers, moms, Uptown business men, and all other walks of life were viewed pouring into the place. The Harleys parked out front were a bit deceiving, because I expected to find more bikers inside. Instead, I found Mac's to be mostly full of khaki-panted business men wearing ties, and groups of plump women laughing and talking with a sweet Southern drawl. The atmosphere felt like a Chili's or a T.G.I. Friday's with a "biker theme". I guess not as many bikers want to attend their own theme restaurant. Either that, or I wasn't there at an appropriate time to see Harley Hogs enjoying some hog. Yikes, sorry for the painfully bad play on words.
Because the place was packed, we choose to sit on one of approximately 10 picnic tables out on the heated patio. I would have probably had a more well-rounded experience having sat inside with all the loud conversation and music, people-watching. However, the patio was calm and comfortable: a perfect place for undivided appreciation of Mac's food. This seating arrangement probably made it more akin to Bill Spoon's anyway, so maybe I got the best of both worlds. I could eat at a picnic table but still use my Yankee debit card.
My brisket (as Tony C. had warned) was slightly dry. But I think I had come a little too late in the lunch rush for fresh 'cue. I won't make the same mistake again twice. However, my husband's pork sandwich was amazing, as were my side of green bean casserole and of course, the hush puppies. I have to say I laughed out loud when they sat the brisket sandwich down in front of me. It's the size of a horse, and definitely should not be picked up.
Because the portions are so huge, we even had enough of the pork to take with us on the plane. Sorry to the fellow airline passengers who we made drool upon opening our Mac's takeout container. By the time we ate the leftovers, the BBQ had taken time to settle in, and the juices and smell were enough to make us want to plan another trip to Charlotte very, very soon.
Mac's, Mac's, Mac's....my friends absolutely love this place and insist that we go often, so I have been here several times whether I want to or not. I do enjoy some of their food...mostly the side dishes and the homemade daily Brunswick Stew that is really yummy. The green bean casserole is also tasty and so are their hushpuppies. I think their BBQ is a little overrated though. The ribs were really oily and the brisket was dry. All in all, not a great combo. The beer selection is outstanding, however. But, if you are looking to experience a real biker bar, look somewhere else. Mac's is about 30% biker and 70% frat boy/hot girl/yuppie. The BBQ isn't NC authentic and neither is the clientele, but I have definitely been to worse.
"Mac Daddy (with a Side of Cheese)"
Mac's has a biker bar pedigree. If you don't know, they'll tell you. Harley signs and pictures of motorcycles are everywhere, and some of the waitstaff go a little too far out of their way to demonstrate their indifference as far as customers go. This isn't to say that Mac's doesn't have street cred, though. About half of the clientel were wearing some biker gear (bike logo t-shirts, biker boots, chaps, etc.), and there are motorcycles lined up outside, waiting to carry their BBQ-stuffed owners home.
Our waitress, Kathy, was cool, and the food was really, really good. The pulled pork can't be beat, and the people in Buffalo would be nervous if they tasted these wings.
And then there's the beer selection. I can only think of a handful of places in the entire country that have this broad a selection (Chimay? Abita? Pabst?)
If Mac's were a little less self-aware of its biker-ness, I'd give it 5 starts. But based on the food, beer, and (some) service alone, the Fonz says, "Aaaa".
Most of their bbq is excellent...I grew up in Oklahoma, so you can trust me when I say...the brisket is definitely not up to par. Pulled pork and ribs are very good, though. There's quite a bit of seating both in and outside, but every time I'm there (and I go quite a bit) there's hardly ever anyone to take your name down for a table. It always creates confusion at the door, especially since there's not much room to stand around and wait. Also, the waitresses have been hit or miss...a couple of them are always fast and as sweet as can be...there are a few that are always worthless...then, there are some that you just never know. The big deal for me, though, is they have every beer under the sun available!!!
All in all, a very good lunch spot with TONS of beers available for after work and weekends. Definitely give it a try and I'd bet you'll be going back for more!!
Neighborhood: Starmount
Category: Barbeque
Neighborhood: Cotswold
Category: Barbeque
Charlotte, NC
Category: Chicken Wings
Cornelius, NC
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: South Park
Category: Southern
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