CLT Eats – A Charlotte Restaurant Review

Seating is scarce but worth the wait

If you haven’t heard of the Penguin Drive-In you’ve been under a rock, seriously. Trying to get in to eat here is like what trying to get into Studio 54 was like in the late 70’s. So what’s the fuss all about? Comfort food on steroids is what. If it doesn’t come fried it’s at least shimmering in the glistening glow of melted fat dripping out of every nook and cranny.

I’ve been coming here for lunch pretty much since it was reinvented from the original dive it rose out of the ashes from and have been hooked ever since. A friend of mine and I actually did what we dubbed “Five Days of the Penguin” which got it’s name from the movie “Three Days of the Condor” which is quite good for a 70’s flick by the way, but I digress. The event was quite literally five consecutive days of eating lunch at the Penguin. At the end of the event we were given T-Shirts for our effort and dedication. The reason we did this was so that we’d branch out and try new things. We were both hooked on one particular menu item and there was no way we were going to pass up an opportunity to snack on our own personal greasy Holy Grail unless we overdosed on the place.

The last year or so it’s become so difficult to get in that visits have dropped off precipitously. Today was a treat. I was able to feast on my favorite, the Winky Dinky. Unfortunately for you the picture of it is nothing more than a remnant since as soon as it was placed in front of me primal instinct took over and I inhaled most of it before I realized I need to snap off a pic real quick.

Despite really enjoying my hot dog and enjoying my visit back to the Penguin I have to admit things weren’t perfect but that’s not atypical for the Penguin. Occasionally things are slightly off. I suppose that’s part of the allure. When you hit that day where everything is 100% on the mark it’s as if the clouds parted and God’s light shone down upon you and nothing can be heard other than the voices of angels. Okay, so maybe that’s overstating it a bit but it is comfort food and everyone loves comfort food.

The staff are typically fast, courteous and friendly. Once seated, it’s usually a reasonably quick experience. The jukebox is usually serving up pearls as good as the kitchen’s and the roar of the crowd feeds the energy of the place. The vibe is very retro 50’s and the crowd that you’ll find varies significantly based on the time of day. Lunch is typically bankers, mechanics, police and nurses. Night time evolves to a more unique crowd.

The other draw is the price. Everything is pretty cheap but honestly it should be considering what you’re getting. These aren’t complex meals here people but they do tickle all the right spots at least until a couple hours have passed and then you may find your meal tickling all the wrong spots. Ah, the price of comfort food is not always felt in the wallet but sometimes quite close to there.

So bring an empty stomach, your antacid of choice and a decent helping of patience and check this little gem out. It won’t disappoint even if it isn’t always perfect.

Pros

• Usually Good Food
• Usually Good Service
• Great Menu
• Good price
• Grease lovers paradise

Cons

• Almost always busy
• Can sometimes be hit or miss
• Challenging to eat healthy

Rating: Recommended