The titular “Harry” of Harry’s Grille & Tavern has never met a stranger, according to the restaurant’s website. And in February, “everybody’s friend” will open its second Charlotte location at Quail Corners.
Construction of the 4,673-square-foot space began in July 2021, and now signage is up, marking the restaurant’s storefront. The restaurant plans to open on Feb. 16, 2022, said Tyler Steele, chief operating officer for New Forum, the parent company of Harry’s and Piedmont Social House.
The gastropub, which first opened in Steele Creek in 2012, is known for its upscale casual menu, beverage program and personalized customer service paying homage to Harry — one of the best friends of New Forum’s founder, Charley Hodges.
“We think the world should be more like Harry so we’ve built our restaurant based on the way he lives,” the website states.
The restaurant will aim to serve as a true neighborhood spot for local residents of the Quail Corners area to gather with family and friends, Steele said.
“We just felt that there’s a little bit of a food void there for a good neighborhood restaurant, which we feel Harry’s can be,” Steele said.
Quail Corners is a neighborhood center that stood the test of time, food and beverage director John McGlone said. “For us, if we could become one of the anchors in that center, that would make us very, very happy and very, very proud.”
The menu
McGlone describes the food program as “casual dining plus,” with a variety of options.
The menu features hand-cut steaks, pasta, sandwiches and house specialties, including a black label burger and blackened salmon tacos.
“We also have a meatloaf that we’re pretty darn proud of,” McGlone said.
Harry’s has a brunch menu that will be available at the Quail Corners location. Options include shrimp and grits, French toast, breakfast bowls, crab cakes and eggs benedict, as well as a drink menu with mimosas, Bloody Marys and bellinis.
“Have yourself a cocktail and have yourself a rip-roaring brunch,” McGlone said.
Future growth
In the future, Harry’s aims to grow beyond Charlotte. Steele said the restaurant’s range is from Charleston to Asheville and up north to Richmond. New Forum is in the process of looking to open a third location of Harry’s, ideally within an hour’s driving distance of Charlotte, Steele said.
Harry’s is also hiring and offers employee benefits including a $15 per hour minimum wage, paid time off for hourly and tipped employees, and medical, dental and vision insurance for full time, Steele said.
“We are working to really build a good culture and try to bring the right people on,” Steele said. “None of this growth is possible without having the right people in the right seats.”
Harry’s Grille & Tavern
Location: 8426 Park Road Suite 9, Charlotte, NC 28210 (opening February 2022)
Neighborhood: Quail Corners
Location: 2127 Ayrsley Town Blvd Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28273
Neighborhood: Steele Creek
Cuisine: American gastropub
Instagram: @harrysclt