Update to my first review:
I could not have been happier with my first time to Al Mike's. The second time in less than a month, was a totally different experience. My dad came into town and I had talked this place up as one of the best restaurants in Charlotte. It wasn't even close. Our waitress was less than thrilled to be serving us. She spoke in short rushed sentences and took what felt like a lifetime to take our order. Apparently, her approach is to carry just one dish at a time from the kitchen to the table. She's also a pro at ignoring a table that has its menus closed and has been that way 10 minutes. She just seemed annoyed to be there. I chalked this up to her just having an off night.
My dad was seated facing the kitchen and witnessed pure filthiness. Someone with gloves on in the kitchen handled money from the waitress, and then passed her a tray full of food to be served without taking off or changing the gloves. Revolting and unsanitary.
Our meals were very underwhelming as well. I got the What It Is, my dad got the Penne Athena, and my girlfriend got a build your own pasta. Mine was alright, the sauce tasted like pure butter and not much else. The build your own pasta seemed to be fine. The Penne Athena was a disgrace. The "sauce" was beyond watery and the overall flavor was lacking. I could not have been more disappointed this time around, and will probably not be back for quite a while if at all.