Best Soul Food in Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
Mert's Heart and Soul has served Low Country and soul food in uptown Charlotte since 1998, when James and Renee Bazzelle opened a bright storefront on College Street. Shrimp and grits, fried chicken, salmon cakes and "Soul Rolls" made it a local favorite — and a "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" stop sealed its fame.
A beloved uptown institution and repeat best-soul-food winner, Mert's is the 2026 Centurion Award winner in Charlotte.
Each Centurion Award is a dated record tied to one year’s evaluation — earned annually, never carried over. Open a year for the full citation and verification details.
Awards run one calendar year and renew only if the business clears the bar again. Selection is by published criteria, never for sale.
Visit Mert's Heart and Soul
This page is the standing record for Mert's Heart and Soul (2026). It was not bought, voted on, or sponsored — only winners are published, and an award that stops holding up is revoked, not quietly removed. For hours, bookings, and live reviews, go straight to the business itself.
If you’ve put in the years, you may already clear the bar. Evaluation is free, private, and never for sale.