Generally, since we only had dessert, I wouldn't review Midnight Diner until I went back for a full meal. The thing is I don't see that happening. While the decor is completely charming (a clean, bright rendition of the classic diner vibe), the hours are where it's at (all of them), and the cake that I tasted (a bite of chocolate and many bites of carrot) was rich and delicious the overall experience was soured by the service.
Our waiter hovered over our booth (his only table at the post-midnight time) and kept asking if we were ready to order even though he was literally watching us still discuss what to split. Only once we decided on the brownie sundae, which he had suggested, did he tell us they were out of some of the ingredients. Maybe it's because I really hate feeling rushed or doing things twice, but by the time I ate fraction of my huge piece of cake I really had no desire to return. The food may be good, but there are other places to get good diner food in the wee hours in CLT.