Unearth The Voyage
If Sunday dinner had a street address, it would be 214 N College St in Charlotte. Mert’s Heart And Soul wraps you in warm colors, skillet cornbread aromas, and Lowcountry comfort the moment you step inside. Boomers love it because it tastes like memory, and newcomers love it because it feels like home. Ready to sit down to something soulful and satisfying you will talk about all week?
1. Skillet Cornbread Welcome
At Mert’s Heart And Soul, the first hello is a warm slice of skillet cornbread that tastes like a hug. The edges are crispy, the inside is tender, and a pat of butter melts into every nook. You get that sweet-savory whisper of corn that immediately slows time.
It is simple, familiar, and exactly what Sunday dinners used to be. Tear it open, share a piece, and you are already part of the table. The cast-iron charm tells you you are in the right place, and the meal has barely started.
2. Shrimp And Grits Comfort
This is the dish that makes eyes close after the first bite. Plump shrimp sit on creamy, buttery grits with a Lowcountry kick, and the sauce brings gentle heat without stealing the show. It feels like Sunday because it is unhurried, balanced, and deeply comforting.
You taste smoke, you taste cream, and you taste care. Nothing fussy, just right. If you have been chasing the memory of a grandmother’s kitchen, this bowl gets you close. Add a splash of hot sauce, then let the hush fall over the table.
3. Salmon Cakes Like Home
Mert’s salmon cakes feel like the kind of recipe passed down on a stained index card. Lightly crisp outside, tender inside, and seasoned to taste like both coast and comfort, they pair beautifully with remoulade and a squeeze of lemon. Each bite says careful hands made this.
There is nostalgia baked into that golden crust. You will think of Sunday plates that were made to share. Order them for the table, then watch forks wander. It is the kind of appetizer that turns strangers into family by the second round.
4. Soul Roll Signature
The Soul Roll is Mert’s playful handshake and a Charlotte classic. Imagine egg rolls stuffed with collards, black-eyed peas, and chicken, then fried to a perfect crunch. Dip them into a tangy sauce and you get Sunday flavors in a party format.
They capture the spirit of leftovers reinvented, like your aunt’s creative day-after magic. Crisp, savory, and undeniably fun, they bridge generations at the table. If you have never had a Soul Roll, do it first, then watch how quickly the second order happens.
5. Fried Chicken The Classic Way
Mert’s fried chicken keeps things honest. The crust crackles, the seasoning sings, and the meat stays juicy without grease weighing it down. It tastes like a Sunday you did not have to cook, which is always the best kind.
Pair it with collard greens and mac and cheese for the full memory. You will hear compliments around the table before the plates are half-finished. It is comfort that never goes out of style, and boomers will swear it is how it used to be. They are right.
6. Collard Greens And Cornbread Harmony
The collard greens at Mert’s are tender, smoky, and just vinegary enough to brighten everything else. Spoon some potlikker onto your plate and use cornbread to mop it up. That balance of bitter, salty, and sweet recalls long-simmered pots on quiet Sundays.
These greens tell a story of patience and practice. They add backbone to fried chicken, ribs, or salmon cakes without stealing the spotlight. If you know, you know. If you do not, one forkful will make you a believer in slow-cooked greens for life.
7. Blackened Pork Chop Supper
When you want hearty, the blackened pork chop arrives sizzling and fragrant. The spice rub delivers smoky heat, while the chop stays tender enough to cut easily. Pair it with yams and cabbage, and the plate reads like a full Sunday spread.
This is a meal that asks you to slow down. It is robust without being heavy, nostalgic without feeling old. You will pass bites across the table and nod in quiet agreement. That is the Sunday dinner test, and it passes beautifully.
8. Lowcountry Catfish And Fritters
Mert’s knows catfish, frying it to a shattering crunch with flaky, mild fish inside. The cornmeal brew gives texture without overpowering, and a side of hushpuppies or fritters brings the coastal whisper. A lemon wedge and tartar set the tone just right.
It is the kind of plate that reminds you of church clothes and Sunday naps. Nothing fancy, everything satisfying. You will taste care in the seasoning and skill in the fry. Bring an appetite and maybe a friend who loves seafood done right.
9. Mac And Cheese Hug
The mac and cheese here is baked until the top goes bubbly and browned. Inside, the noodles are coated in a creamy, tangy-cheddar sauce that stretches with every forkful. It feels like a casserole carried from the kitchen to the table with oven mitts.
You taste real cheese, patience, and a pinch of pepper. It pairs with everything, but sometimes it is the main event all by itself. Order one for the table and watch it disappear. That golden top is a promise Mert’s keeps every time.
10. Sweet Tea And Lemonade Ritual
Some Sundays are measured in refills. Mert’s sweet tea hits the classic Southern balance without tipping into syrupy, and the lemonade brings fresh tartness that wakes up the meal. Ask for an Arnold Palmer and you get the best of both worlds.
It is simple, but it matters. The glass sweats, the ice clinks, and conversation slows down. You sip, nod, and settle in. That is the ritual that ties every plate together and makes the table feel complete.
11. Dessert: Peach Cobbler And Pound Cake
Save space for desserts that taste like they were baked for neighbors. The peach cobbler has syrupy fruit under a buttery crust, perfect with vanilla ice cream. The pound cake slices tall and tender, with that fine crumb only a practiced hand achieves.
These are not showy, just deeply good. You will pass plates and negotiate extra bites. It feels like someone loved you enough to bake. End the meal warm, sweet, and a little nostalgic, exactly the way Sunday should close.
12. When To Go And What To Know
Mert’s sits at 214 N College St, a colorful mom-and-pop soul food spot with Lowcountry roots. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, later on weekends, making brunchy lunches and relaxed dinners easy. Expect a friendly crowd and be ready to wait during peak times.
Prices are $$, service feels like family, and the vibe is pure Charlotte hospitality. Call +1 704-342-4222 or check mertscharlotte.com before you head in. Bring friends, share plates, and leave with stories.
