I was sad to see that the Good Ol' Days Cafe/Diner had closed... Not that I went there daily, but it had been an Arboretum staple for me ever since I moved to Charlotte way back in the day.
Pleasantly surprised that in its place was a Sonny's. Yes, it's a chain that spans over a couple states, but I've never really had any issue with the fact - I know some BBQ purists are rolling over in their graves as I type this review, but there is a reason why there are so many Sonny's locations.
Don't come here semi-hungry! There is a lot of food to be eaten at this place. I opted for the special (on a Tuesday night) for the all you can eat ribs. The first batch were a little tough, but the 2nd batch fell right off the bone. There are a plethora of sides (or on the menu: "Side-kicks") to choose from, I went with the corn on the cob and the mac and cheese. Needless-to-say... my fingers and mouth area were totally covered in sauces by the time I was done.
Since this location is brand-spanking new, the dining area is super clean and the tables are very shiny. It was like a high end country saloon with a nice bar in the middle of it. Because of the shape of the space, there are other little dining room nooks where tables were, but we opted for the high top near the bar.
Would I go out of my way to go to this restaurant? Maybe not, but it's a good option whenever I am in the area.