When a popular brewery in Plaza-Midwood named Legion Brewery opened its second location near the Capitol Towers in SouthPark, it was met instantly with success. Being the first, and still only, brewery in this upscale area with thousands of office workers and residents just minutes away, the new location tapped into instant demand for the ever-popular brewery/restaurant concept that has made its mark in many US cities in recent years. Now, SouthPark area workers and residents no longer need to travel 20-30 minutes to the plethora of breweries in areas like SouthEnd and Plaza Midwood. And the area is predicted to attract at least two new breweries in developments underway on the old Sharon Methodist site and across the street in another massive mixed-use project under construction at Sharon & Colony Roads.
When we first went to Legion, the focus was mainly on its beers. Food seemed like an afterthought. But more recently, they have taken their food service up a few notches with a full-scale menu which changes seasonally.
There are a wide variety of appetizers from which to choose such as the handmade beer pretzel to blistered shishoto peppers and pork belly steamed pork bao buns. Sandwiches options are plentiful like the Grilled Salmon Gyro, Pork Belly Reuben, Pimento Bacon Cheeseburger, Cuban Medianoche, and my favorite, the Pho Mi Dip.
There’s a generous offering of salads like the Steak Cobb Salad, Baby Spinach & Avocado Salad, the Juicy Jay Chicken Chopped Salad, the seasonal Fall Harvest salad.
If you are wanting something more substantial, you can go the healthy route for something like the Wood Grilled Scottish Salmon or something more decadent like the Bison Mac n Cheese.
On our most recent visit, we were there with our longtime friends from Florida, Tommy & Katie Mayes. Katie, Beth, and I each had the Pho Mi dip which we unanimously pronounced excellent. Side dishes are not included but there are lots from which to choose. Tommy had the Cuban sandwich. Having lived in south Florida for a number of years, Tommy knows what a good Cuban sandwich tastes like, and he was complimentary of Legion’s version. For side dishes, Beth & I ordered some roasted broccoli and the braised collards to share while Katie got the wood charred fingerling potatoes. My sandwich tasted a lot like the Vietnamese classic, Banh Mi. As a side note, Charlotte has several good Vietnamese restaurants. For the names of our favorites, reply to this email or give one of us a call.
Legion is not likely a place you will try if you do not like beer. For wine lovers, you will be disappointed since their offerings are essentially 1-2 whites and 1-2 reds. But if you like drinking good craft beer and you would like to do so over a good meal, give this place a try. When the weather warms, you can even enjoy doing so at one of the tables on their large patio. The SouthPark location is also a good spot to host a party or corporate event as they have three private event venues.
There will be a third location opening later this year, in the up & coming area of WestEnd. Located in the old Mitchem Quality Snacks building, for you Charlotte old-timers like me, you will find the spot near the corner of West Morehead and Freedom Drive.
Comments