Italian
Three Brothers Restaurant
Location
Three Brothers is part of a family tradition of more than 50 years. The family actually had four brothers, all of whom eventually were partners, but the sign was already up when the fourth brother joined the business. Since money was tight, the brothers left the sign the way it was. Today, it is still run by sons of original brothers. The menu has plenty of variety, including steaks, Greek specialties, seafood, and fried chicken, and the sandwiches and hamburgers are tasty and modestly priced.
Hrs: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat., 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
From I-40
Take I-240 into Asheville, Exit 4-C.
Westbound: Turn L on Montford Ave.; then R on Haywood St. Three Brothers is on the right.
Eastbound: Turn R on Haywood St. at the end of the exit ramp; Three Brothers is on the right after the first traffic light.
The Open Kitchen
Location
Stephanie Kokenes is part of the fourth generation of her family to work in the restaurant business in Charlotte. Her father Alex manages the Open Kitchen. Her grandfather Steve and his brother opened the restaurant in 1951. And her great-grandfather Constantine ran the Star Lunch in downtown Charlotte beginning in the early 1900s. All that tradition comes together at Open Kitchen, which got its name because Steve Kokenes wanted his customers to feel free to look inside the kitchen to see how the food was being prepared.
From I-77
Southbound: Take Exit 10A (Morehead St.). Turn R on West Morehead St. Go 3 blocks.
Northbound: Take Exit 9C (Wilkinson Blvd.-U.S. Hwy. 74 West). Go R on Freedom Dr.; continue .25 miles to West Morehead St.
Soprano’s
Location
The man responsible for Soprano’s and its reputation for solidly good Italian dishes is not Italian at all. Ossamma Hashish hails from the Mediterranean region — Alexandria, Egypt — but he has been in North Carolina for some time, managing a restaurant in Asheboro for about five years before he opened Soprano’s in 2000. You don’t have to sing for your super, but you might sing Soprano’s praises after a meal. The Italian food is great, and lots of customers order the lunchtime meat-and-two-vegetables special.
Hrs: Daily 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Fri. and Sat.)
From I-73-74, take the Academy St. –Randleman exit.(Planned Exit 67) Head east on West Academy St. for about .5 miles.
Interstate Eateries is published by Our State magazine.
