Okay - so this place is a Charlotte institution not for the reason that it's exceptional but it's definitely a throwback. If you go into your experience at Open Kitchen with the idea that you'll have a culinary revelation, you'll be disappointed. This is, what I would expect, would have been the same menu in the 50's and 60's and prepared the same way. In the days where eating "ethnic" was Chinese or Italian, this was your Italian option.
Everything you've head about this place is true. Yes, the waitresses turn the table cloths over between servings and the drinks are served in clear solo cups. One little irk I always have with places that offer bread that isn't warm and cold butter. The bread would have been 100 times better if it warmed however the waitress did provide a plate of balsamic and olive oil.
I had the spaghetti and meatballs and it was pretty good. The meatballs were large and the sauce was pretty good. The eggplant parm was also decent but was served with meat sauce; so not exactly an option for vegetarians.
I would highly recommend trying this place at least once. When all the new restaurants are offering a new interpretation of what Italian food could be, this is Italian without pretense and it's not bad at all. Plus, they have pebble ice.