Charlotte’s Central Avenue Corridor

January 17, 2018

La Avenida Central de Charlotte revela una demografía cambiante de la ciudad, desde la clase de trabajadores de raza blanca de las fábricas textiles a principios del siglo veinte hasta una ola de inmigración en la década de los noventa. Estos nuevos sureños llenaron negocios abandonados y subdivisiones, uniéndose a lo largo de este pasillo, … Continued

The Crossroads of Church and Plate

December 19, 2017

People come from across Charlotte to eat Aunt Beaut’s pan-fried chicken at The King’s Kitchen.

Pig cookies: Zhenia Martinez of Charlotte bakes the best of Mexico at Las Delicias

December 8, 2017

Zhenia Martinez co-owns Las Delicias, a Latino panaderia (bakery) on Charlotte’s Central Avenue.

Lavender chicken for the win: Majid Amoorpour translates Iran in Charlotte

December 7, 2017

Majid Amoorpour was born in Iran. He left with his family, to escape the Iraq-Iran Wars in 1980, moving to Sweden where he was introduced to a whole new world of tastes.

It all began at the bullfights: Juan Sanchez Gonzalez cooks carnitas for Charlotte

December 6, 2017

Juan Sanchez Gonzalez co-owns Carnitas Guanajuato with his wife, Rosario Vásquez Reyes. Mr. Gonzalez is from Dolores Hidalgo in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. He was only twelve years old the first time he cooked them, helping his dad fry up the pork and sell it to folks at jaripeos, which are bull-riding events.

From Old City Jerusalem to the Queen City: Izzat Freitekh grills at La Shish Kabob

December 5, 2017

Izzat Freitekh was born inside Old City Jerusalem, Israel, as was his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In 2007, when political tensions grew in Jerusalem, Mr. Freitekh made the decision to move his family of eight to the United States. He chose Charlotte to be close to his son, Tariq.

Salvadoran, Honduran, Mexican, and Charlottean: Hally Chirinos serves all at El Pulgarcito

December 4, 2017

Hally Chirinos grew up working the register at her parents’ (Henry and Delmi Chirinos) restaurant El Pulgarcito, where her heritage is showcased in a menu featuring Honduran, Salvadoran, and Mexican foods that keep customers returning weekly for a familiar taste of home.

Refugee Kitchen: Dino and Mesa Mehic cook Bosnian in Charlotte

December 1, 2017

Dino Mehic owns and operates Euro Grill & Cafe and Bosna Market. His son, Mesa Mehic, helps run the restaurant and market. He tells his story in the Charlotte’s Central Avenue Corridor oral history project.

From Vietnam to Charlotte: Dan Nguyen talks pho and life in North Carolina

November 29, 2017

An “Dan” Nguyen owns Lang Van, a Vietnamese restaurant in the Shamrock neighborhood of Charlotte. Ms. Nguyen is from Saigon, Vietnam and arrived in Charlotte in 1999. Listen to her story of setting out on foot to find work in a restaurant and her path to eventual ownership of that restaurant.

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Charlotte

Charlotte’s Central Avenue Corridor

The Crossroads of Church and Plate

Pig cookies: Zhenia Martinez of Charlotte bakes the best of Mexico at Las Delicias

Lavender chicken for the win: Majid Amoorpour translates Iran in Charlotte

It all began at the bullfights: Juan Sanchez Gonzalez cooks carnitas for Charlotte

From Old City Jerusalem to the Queen City: Izzat Freitekh grills at La Shish Kabob

Salvadoran, Honduran, Mexican, and Charlottean: Hally Chirinos serves all at El Pulgarcito

Refugee Kitchen: Dino and Mesa Mehic cook Bosnian in Charlotte

From Vietnam to Charlotte: Dan Nguyen talks pho and life in North Carolina

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Oral History

Since the mid-1990s, an influx of Latino immigrants has radically transformed what Southerners expect of Mexican food. In this oral history project, we focus on Kentucky.

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