The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar (Charlotte, NC)

4310 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211, T: 704-365-1922
 

 

I am always highly skeptical of restaurants trying to do two very different things, so a “Sushi Burger Bar” raises many red flags for me. However, the Cowfish comes so highly regarded that I had to try it. I visited the original location at Southpark Mall in a very upscale part of Charlotte on a drive north – they recently opened a second location in Raleigh, NC.

The cars and shops around the restaurant already indicate that it is going to be fancy. The inside is well-designed and the waiters are professional and curious. The menu reflects the schizophrenic nature of the restaurant: a class American bistro menu is combined with a classic sushi menu, although everything with an original twist. I am only interested in the burger menu, which includes many unique concoctions, like the Boursin Burger, Granny’s Southern Pimento Cheese Burger and the Apple, Berry & Brie Turkey Burger.

I start with an appetizer: Coconut Battered Onion Rings ($4), which includes four huge, and I mean H-U-G-E, and thick onion rings, perfectly battered and fried, with a subtle coconut aftertaste. Comes with an Asian sweet-sour and a horseradish dipping sauce. Delicious! I then go for the Jalapeño Popper Show-Stopper ($12), an absolutely amazing burger, actually medium grilled, with thick tasty bacon, fried jalapeño poppers and fresh jalapeños, tomato, lettuce on a soft bun. Even without sauce (I skipped jalapeño cream cheese) it is delicious. Tit comes with string fries, which were well made, but are not my favorites.

VERDICT: 96/100

Wow! Just… Wow! This is the perfect restaurant to take your health-conscious partner to, as you can share a unique starter, before s/he goes for (great) sushi and you binge on an awesome burger.