We LOVE Merts! What a great place to dine regularly & bring out of town guests. We've lived in Charlotte almost a year. Merts was the first place we dined in Charlotte & we continue to go back often & have taken almost all of our out of town guests. We just took my parents (from the Midwest) & they loved it, too. Great soul food and good service. Merts is always busy, but the food comes out quickly & is always tasty. The veg plates offer vegetarians or folks who just want to try a lot of sides a great dining option. Our guests have enjoyed the catfish, shrimp, ribs, fried chicken, & BBQ. And, the cornbread is to die for. Best cornbread I've ever had. We like that it always comes out hot & fresh & that you get real butter (instead of the packets most places serve today) to lather on your individual loaf. I can't say enough great things about Merts. Great place!