Charlotte: Whisky River (December 2016)



My spouse and I visited Dale Jr.’s Whisky River for breakfast on a Saturday morning (Christmas Eve) in late December 2016 during a flight layover. Whisky River is open daily from early until late, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and snacks. Whisky River opened in May 2015 in the E concourse at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Another location of Whisky River is located at uptown Charlotte’s Epicentre. HMSHost operates the airport location. In March 2016, Whisky River was named Best Airport Bar in America.

The bar and restaurant are the creation of NASCAR notable Dale Earnhardt Jr. Rustic décor includes a giant mechanical-looking bull, a stage for live music, a wall covered with belt buckles, black-and-white cowhide-covered chair backs, and stone and wood finishes. The restaurant space is expansive, and you can sit at the large bar, at low tables, or at high-top tables that are arranged around the cavernous, high-ceilinged room. 

Whisky River offers American cuisine with a slant toward barbecue. The lunch and dinner menu offer options such as chili, wings, “dirty” tater tots (covered with pulled pork, queso, green onion, and BBQ sauce), a Carolina Q Burger (topped with shredded pork, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles); and a BBQ brisket entrée. We planned to try some of the restaurant’s signature items, but because we visited at breakfast time, only the morning menu was available. We shared two dishes: the “Rebel Biscuit” (two deep-fried white meat chicken tenders served atop eggs on flaky buttermilk biscuits with jalapeno honey butter, and served with a side of seasonal fresh fruit) and the “Big Country” (cheddar grits [which had an odd taste and color] topped with fried eggs, and served with a side of smoked bacon and a buttermilk biscuit). The chicken and biscuit dish was definitely the winner! Whisky River offers a full bar, including beer, wine, and cocktails.

We enjoyed our breakfast at Dale Jr.’s Whisky River and will probably return next time our travels take us through Charlotte.
















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