Culinary Dropout - Charlotte

4.5

700 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a booking

2 people

16 Mar 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 91 times today

Lively
Hot spot
Great for creative cocktails

Culinary Dropout serves classic meals done right. With crowd favorites like our pretzel bites and provolone fondue, 36-hour pork ribs, and our famous fried chicken drizzled with honey you’ll want to taste everything. Thirsty? Wash it all down with an ice-cold craft beer or a killer house-made cocktail. And don't forget to stick around for games and free live music with a laid-back vibe. Culinary Dropout is for anyone who loves damn good food and drinks. Hosting a private event? Culinary Dropout has three unique private dining rooms, perfect for any occasion!

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Comfort Food, Cocktail Bar
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu 11:00 am–11:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–12:00 am Sat, Sun 10:00 am–10:00 pm
Phone number
(980) 215-9005
Website
https://www.culinarydropout.com/locations/charlotte-nc/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate event, Culinary Dropout - Charlotte can accommodate all your special event needs.
Private party contact
Our Special Events Team! : (980) 595-3979

Location
1120 S Tryon St suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28203
Area
Southend
Parking details
Public Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Private dining

Popular dishes

Yesterday's SoupUSD 10.00
it's better the next day
Soft Pretzels & Provolone FondueUSD 17.00
sea salt
Spicy Shrimp Crispy RiceUSD 19.00
avocado, kimchi rice, chili crunch, sweet soy
Wagyu Pigs In a BlanketUSD 17.00
honey mustard crème fraîche
Hot WingsUSD 18.00
buffalo sauce, honey mustard seed, shaved carrots & celery
Crispy Popcorn ShrimpUSD 18.00
zucchini, grilled lemon, roasted garlic aioli
Whipped Feta & Tahini DipUSD 14.50
caramelized squash, apple, date, roasted pistachio, grilled ciabatta
Crispy Brussels SproutsUSD 12.00
gochujang, mint, cilantro
BBQ Pork Belly NachosUSD 18.00
black bean, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo
House Potato ChipsUSD 9.50
famous onion dip

Antipasti

Snacks

Grilled AsparagusUSD 6.00
Marinated OlivesUSD 5.00
Crusty Bread, Garlic Oil & BalsamicUSD 5.00
House Smoked Salmon Dip, Crushed PretzelUSD 10.00
Marcona AlmondsUSD 4.50
Prosciutto Deviled EggsUSD 7.00

Meat & Cheese

Molinari SopressataUSD 6.00
Hot CoppaUSD 7.00
Prosciutto di San DanieleUSD 9.00
Dolce GorgonzolaUSD 5.50
Prairie Breeze CheddarUSD 5.00
Truffle CrescenzaUSD 6.00
Aged ManchegoUSD 5.50
Pimento CheeseUSD 6.00

The Slicer - Episode 163

The Slicer - Episode 163USD 29.50
Chef Board: chef's selection of thinly sliced meats, cheese & snacks

Salads

add salmon* $9, steak* $9, chicken $7, or shrimp $8

House SaladUSD 9.50
grape tomato, cucumber, heirloom carrot, parmesan, buttermilk ranch
Asian CrunchUSD 16.50
purple cabbage, avocado, sesame, roasted cashew, fresno, dried mango, thai curry vinaigrette
Classic CaesarUSD 13.00
toasted cheese croutons
Butternut Squash & KaleUSD 15.00
bartlett pear, ancient grains, date, pistachio, toasted mulberry, white cheddar, maple tahini vinaigrette
Chopped ChickenUSD 20.00
avocado, bacon, heirloom tomato, white cheddar, deviled egg, bacon bbq ranch

Sandwiches

Served with Fries or House Salad

Turkey PastramiUSD 18.00
pretzel roll, swiss, coleslaw
Shaved Prime Rib Dip*USD 23.50
fontina, au jus
The Pub Burger*USD 19.00
havarti, bacon, house bbq sauce
The M.A.C. Burger*USD 19.00
double cheeseburger, onion, lettuce, pickle
Crispy Chicken KatsuUSD 19.00
japanese milk bread, spicy miso aioli, napa slaw, hoisin

Detroit Style Pizza

Pepperoni & Italian SausageUSD 21.00
di napoli tomato, mozzarella cheese
Black Truffle MushroomUSD 22.00
smoked onion alfredo, mozzarella cheese, arugula
CheeseUSD 20.00
provolone, havarti, mozzarella cheese, parmesan, di napoli tomato & lots of fresh basil

Entrées

36-Hour Pork RibsUSD 31.00
jalapeño, molasses, fries
Pasta BologneseUSD 24.00
tagliatelle, italian meat sauce, parmesan, basil
Mongolian Short RibUSD 25.00
charred scallion, broccolini, soft egg, crispy rice, thai chili
Korean Style Ribeye Cap*USD 37.00
very limited availability
Steak Frites*USD 36.00
prime skirt steak, black truffle butter, french fries
Chicken Cacio e PepeUSD 23.00
spaghetti, pecorino, cracked peppercorn butter, parmesan broth
Fried ChickenUSD 24.00
buttermilk biscuit, smashed potato, gravy (be patient - it's worth it!)
Peking Duck & Shrimp Fried RiceUSD 25.00
orange miso sauce, red chili sesame butter, cashew, and a little bit of smoke
Beer Battered Fish & ChipsUSD 21.00
coleslaw, tartar sauce
Spicy Vegan CurryUSD 21.00
griddled sweet potato, eggplant, snap pea, cauliflower, shiitake mushroom, black rice
Roasted Salmon*USD 29.00
butternut squash farro risotto, garden herb pesto, crispy brussels sprouts

Cocktails

Paloma SpritzUSD 15.00
silver tequila, fresh grapefruit, combier pamplemousse, sparkling wine, himalayan pink salt
Abandoned CadillacUSD 17.00
patrón tequila, grand marnier, pomegranate redux, tart lime
Two to MangoUSD 15.50
tito's, orange, guava, mango white claw
Peaches & RyeUSD 15.50
redemption rye, combier pêche liqueur, puréed peach, wild mint
Margarita, Por FavorUSD 15.00
ana maria tequila, three citrus sour, orange curaçao
Dropout Classic MuleUSD 14.50
american vodka, ginger agave, lime
Signature Old FashionedUSD 16.00
kentucky bourbon, luxy cherry, aromatic bitters, orange peel
Campfire VibesUSD 14.50
100 proof bonded ky whiskey, chai jacked apple cider, spanish vanilla, roasted five spice
Evil Jungle PrincessUSD 15.00
rum blend, spiced orgeat, pineapple, guava, lime, pineapple rum float
Cali & Tay Skinny MargaritaUSD 15.00
jose tradicional blanco, serrano spiced agave, fresh lime, chili dusted rim
Full Moon PartyUSD 14.50
lemongrass-soaked tanqueray, velvet falernum, thai basil leaf, english cucumber
Tijuana Spa WaterUSD 14.50
blanco tequila, jalapeño, mint, pineapple, cilantro
Giddy Up Espresso MartiniUSD 16.00
vodka, caffe borghetti espresso liqueur, spanish vanilla, cinnamon spiced cold brew
El MatadorUSD 15.00
gran centenario añejo, elderflower, ginger agave, orange bitters
Pretty Easy*USD 15.00
corazón tequila blanco, banhez mezcal, pomegranate & yuzu sour, egg white
Sweater Weather SangriaUSD 13.00
Spiced Peaches, Passion Fruit, Apple Brandy, Lemon, Red Wine

Zero Proof

Yuzu Orchard Spritz
pomegranate yuzu, ginger-soaked organic agave, bubbly water
Sicilian Lemonade Stand
puréed strawberry, fever-tree sparkling lemonade
Vida Verdita
jalapeño, mint, pineapple, cilantro, bubbly water
Garden Mule
cucumber, mint, pressed lime, craft ginger soda

Wine

Red

Red Blend - The Prisoner Wine Co. "Unshackled" - CaliforniaUSD 15.00
- 6ozUSD 15.00
- 9ozUSD 22.50
- BtlUSD 58.00
Red Blend - Daou "The Pessimist" - Paso Robles, CaliforniaUSD 12.00
- 6ozUSD 12.00
- 9ozUSD 18.00
- BtlUSD 46.00
Pinot Noir - Sokol Blosser "Evolution" - Willamette Valley, OregonUSD 14.00
- 6ozUSD 14.00
- 9ozUSD 21.00
- BtlUSD 54.00
Pinot Noir - Rickshaw - CaliforniaUSD 11.00
On Tap
- 6ozUSD 11.00
- 9ozUSD 16.50
Cabernet - Illicit - CaliforniaUSD 11.00
- 6ozUSD 11.00
- 9ozUSD 16.50
- BtlUSD 42.00
Cabernet - Bonanza "Lot 7" by Chuck Wagner - CaliforniaUSD 14.00
- 6ozUSD 14.00
- 9ozUSD 21.00
- BtlUSD 54.00

Rosé & Bubbles

Rosé - Fleurs de Prairie - Languedoc, FranceUSD 11.00
- 6ozUSD 11.00
- 9ozUSD 16.50
- BtlUSD 42.00
Prosecco - Fiori d'Acacia - Veneto, ItalyUSD 12.00
- 6ozUSD 12.00
- 9ozUSD 18.00
- BtlUSD 46.00
Sparkling - Mumm Napa "Blanc de Blancs" - Napa, CaliforniaUSD 62.00
- BtlUSD 62.00

White

Sauvignon Blanc - Crossings - New ZealandUSD 12.00
- 6ozUSD 12.00
- 9ozUSD 18.00
- BtlUSD 46.00
Sauvignon Blanc - RS "Sundress" - CaliforniaUSD 11.00
On Tap
- 6ozUSD 11.00
- 9ozUSD 16.50
Chardonnay - Duckhorn "Decoy" - CaliforniaUSD 13.00
- 6ozUSD 13.00
- 9ozUSD 19.50
- BtlUSD 50.00
Chardonnay - Hahn Family - CaliforniaUSD 10.00
- 6ozUSD 10.00
- 9ozUSD 15.00
- BtlUSD 38.00
Pinot Grigio - Bollini - Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, ItalyUSD 11.00
- 6ozUSD 11.00
- 9ozUSD 16.50
- BtlUSD 42.00
Riesling - The Seeker - Mosel, GermanyUSD 10.00
- 6ozUSD 10.00
- 9ozUSD 15.00
- BtlUSD 38.00

Beer

Sycamore Brewing "Beach Candy IPA"USD 7.00
Legion Friends & Beer "Juicy Jay IPA"USD 7.00
Protagonist Beer "Dolly Honey Blonde Ale"USD 6.50
Hi-Wire Brewing "Lo-Pitch Hazy IPA"USD 6.50
Heist Brewing "Druid Pils South" PilsnerUSD 6.50
Olde Mecklenburg Brewing "Hornets Nest Hefeweizen"USD 6.50
Sugar Creek Brewing Co. "Big Blood Orange IPA"USD 6.75
Fullsteam Brewing "Paycheck Lager"USD 6.75
Bull City Ciderworks "Local Rotating Cider"USD 7.00
Sierra Nevada "Hazy Little Thing"USD 6.50
Noda Brewing "Pitchside Pils"USD 7.00
Monday Night Brewing "Dr. Robot Berry Lemon Sour"USD 7.00

Draught

Coors Light - ColoradoUSD 5.50
Dos XX Lager - MexicoUSD 6.00
Peroni - ItalyUSD 7.00
Tap EighteenUSD 0.00
- MPUSD 0.00

Cans, Roadies & Shiners

Birdsong Brewing "Rewind Lager"USD 7.50
- 16ozUSD 7.50
Coors OG - ColoradoUSD 4.50
Paperbag SpecialUSD 2.95
who knows where
Modelo "Especial" - MexicoUSD 5.50
Deschutes Brewing "Fresh Squeezed IPA" - OregonUSD 5.75
Miller High Life - WisconsinUSD 4.50
Guinness - IrelandUSD 6.50
Tecate - MexicoUSD 5.25
Michelob Ultra - MissouriUSD 6.00
- 16ozUSD 6.00
Pabst "Blue Ribbon" - WisconsinUSD 4.00
Yuengling Lager - PennsylvaniaUSD 4.50
Corona Extra - MexicoUSD 5.50
Coors Light - ColoradoUSD 5.50
- 16ozUSD 5.50
White Claw - Assorted FlavorsUSD 6.00
Athletic Brewing - Non-AlcUSD 5.00

What 700 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Charlotte
Hot spot
Charlotte
Most Booked
Charlotte
Hot spot
Charlotte
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Culinary Dropout in Charlotte is a lively spot offering "excellent food and service" with a diverse menu and delightful atmosphere. Guests rave about the live music and cocktails. While some mention service inconsistencies, the "friendly staff" and "great vibe" encourage return visits. Popular dishes include ribs, roasted brussels, and breakfast burritos.

700 Reviews

M
Michelle
Miami1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Apps and desserts were 10/10. The salmon was a little dry but it probably would’ve been better with more of the sauce that came on it. Overall, me and my family will definitely return. Our waitress was amazing. She had braids. She was very attentive. This was a great place to celebrate my mother’s birthday. The ambience was a nice vibe but very relaxed. Drinks were 10/10.
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AH
AlyH
Charlotte5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food. Awesome place to meet friends and catch up. We got one wrong dish, but the server took care of it for us. Thanks!
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D
Danielle VIP
Chicago2 reviews
2.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
They get two stars for really listening and doing their best to make things right. The service just wasn’t where it needed to be, but we’re hopeful they’ll improve.
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B
Brent VIP
Charlotte3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always great food and excellent service. Celebrated birthday and experience was unforgettable.
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S
Shawn
London7 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The 36 hour ribs can not be missed. Amazing. And the monkey bread for desserts is worth the wait.
Culinary Dropout - CharlotteResponded 5 days ago
Hello Shawn, Thank you for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you loved the 36-hour ribs and monkey bread. We strive to provide the best food and service to our guests, and your feedback is a testament to our efforts. We look forward to serving you again soon! Best, The CDO Management Team
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A
Andrew VIP
Charlotte40 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I went here for the first time tonight. The cocktail menu is excellent, my wife and I had two drinks each and they were top-tier. For appetizers we ordered the cheese board and for mains I had the short rib and my wife had the vegan curry. Everything we had was outstanding, some of the best food we have had at a Charlotte restaurant. The only downside for the evening was a long (nearly 30 minute) wait for the appetizer (the cheese board). To compound this, our main course was brought out first and just as the server tried to give us the mains, another server brought over the appetizer. I had to ask the server to take our mains back to the kitchen because of their timing error. The server didn’t apologize and seemed annoyed. This incident was never followed up on. If this hasn’t happened this would have been a 10/10 restaurant but I’m not sure we would go back for a while due to our experience.
Culinary Dropout - CharlotteResponded 7 days ago
Hey Andrew, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're thrilled to hear that you and your wife enjoyed our cocktail menu and the quality of our appetizers. It's great to know that you and your wife found everything else to be outstanding. We apologize for the mix-up with your main course and the service issue you experienced. We appreciate your feedback and will definitely address these issues to ensure a better dining experience in the future. We hope to see you again soon for another round of our top-tier cocktails and outstanding food. Best, Sean Simon General Manager
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love this spot, they never cease to amaze! Our server Wesley was the best.He was knowledgeable about the menu, had great recommendation’s, and made our night amazing. He was accommodating and understood the flow of service perfectly. The food is always great and unique. Truly a gem in Charlotte. Tonight we tried the Korean style ribeye and if you like spice you will love this dish! 10/10 experience
Culinary Dropout - CharlotteResponded on 8 March 2025
Thanks for the feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience. Your kind words about our unique and flavorful Korean ribeye have made our day! We're also glad to know that our team was able to provide the perfect service for you. We strive to make every visit a gem like yours and your feedback reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to serving you again soon. Sean Simon General Manager
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KB
KatieB VIP
Greensboro10 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
An excellent dining experience! My parents had never been and our server Jordan made them feel so welcomed! Food was fantastic and can’t wait to come back again!
Culinary Dropout - CharlotteResponded on 8 March 2025
Thanks for the feedback, KatieB! We're thrilled to hear that you and your parents had an excellent dining experience. It's great to know that our team made you feel welcome and that you enjoyed our food. We can't wait to welcome you back for another fantastic experience! Sean Simon General Manager
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K
Kristin
Pittsburgh34 reviews
5.0
Dined on 6 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food, great service and always such a great vibe! The spot is one of my favorites
Culinary Dropout - CharlotteResponded on 7 March 2025
Hello Kristin, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food and service. We always strive to create a great vibe for our guests and it's wonderful to know we're succeeding. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to serving you again soon! Best, Sean Simon General Manager
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D
Dan VIP
Charlotte33 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic experience! I wanted to try a new dish instead of always getting the fried chicken, although I love it. I decided to try the Korean Ribeye cap, and it was delicious but incredibly too hot for my taste. I hated to send it back because it was exactly what I asked for and it was my fault for not asking how hot it might be. The waitress and the manager were more than gracious to take it back and give me the fried chicken instead. They could not have been nicer about it. Both dishes were amazing!
Culinary Dropout - CharlotteResponded on 5 March 2025
Thanks for the review, Dan! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience. It's great to know that you tried a new dish and loved it! We appreciate your understanding regarding the heat level of our Korean Ribeye cap. We're glad it didn't affect your overall experience and that our team was able to accommodate your request. Your kind words are greatly appreciated and we look forward to serving you again soon! Sean Simon General Manager
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FAQs

Culinary Dropout - Charlotte offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (980) 215-9005.

Culinary Dropout - Charlotte is rated 4.5 stars by 700 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

16 Mar 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 91 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Culinary Dropout - Charlotte

1120 S Tryon St suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28203

Dining areas

Additional information

Area
Southend
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu 11:00 am–11:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–12:00 am Sat, Sun 10:00 am–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Comfort Food, Cocktail Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.culinarydropout.com/locations/charlotte-nc/
Phone number
(980) 215-9005
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate event, Culinary Dropout - Charlotte can accommodate all your special event needs.
Private party contact
Our Special Events Team! : (980) 595-3979

Culinary Dropout - Charlotte

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Private Dining at Culinary Dropout

Custom inquiry

Fried Chicken

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Cheese

Starters

Yesterday's SoupUSD 10.00

Soft Pretzels & Provolone FondueUSD 17.00

Spicy Shrimp Crispy RiceUSD 19.00

Wagyu Pigs In a BlanketUSD 17.00

Hot WingsUSD 18.00

Crispy Popcorn ShrimpUSD 18.00

Whipped Feta & Tahini DipUSD 14.50

Crispy Brussels SproutsUSD 12.00

BBQ Pork Belly NachosUSD 18.00

House Potato ChipsUSD 9.50

Antipasti

Snacks

Grilled AsparagusUSD 6.00

Marinated OlivesUSD 5.00

Crusty Bread, Garlic Oil & BalsamicUSD 5.00

House Smoked Salmon Dip, Crushed PretzelUSD 10.00

Marcona AlmondsUSD 4.50

Prosciutto Deviled EggsUSD 7.00

Meat & Cheese

Molinari SopressataUSD 6.00

Hot CoppaUSD 7.00

Prosciutto di San DanieleUSD 9.00

Dolce GorgonzolaUSD 5.50

Prairie Breeze CheddarUSD 5.00

Truffle CrescenzaUSD 6.00

Aged ManchegoUSD 5.50

Pimento CheeseUSD 6.00

The Slicer - Episode 163

The Slicer - Episode 163USD 29.50

Salads

House SaladUSD 9.50

Asian CrunchUSD 16.50

Classic CaesarUSD 13.00

Butternut Squash & KaleUSD 15.00

Chopped ChickenUSD 20.00

Sandwiches

Turkey PastramiUSD 18.00

Shaved Prime Rib Dip*USD 23.50

The Pub Burger*USD 19.00

The M.A.C. Burger*USD 19.00

Crispy Chicken KatsuUSD 19.00

Detroit Style Pizza

Pepperoni & Italian SausageUSD 21.00

Black Truffle MushroomUSD 22.00

CheeseUSD 20.00

Entrées

36-Hour Pork RibsUSD 31.00

Pasta BologneseUSD 24.00

Mongolian Short RibUSD 25.00

Korean Style Ribeye Cap*USD 37.00

Steak Frites*USD 36.00

Chicken Cacio e PepeUSD 23.00

Fried ChickenUSD 24.00

Peking Duck & Shrimp Fried RiceUSD 25.00

Beer Battered Fish & ChipsUSD 21.00

Spicy Vegan CurryUSD 21.00

Roasted Salmon*USD 29.00

Cocktails

Paloma SpritzUSD 15.00

Abandoned CadillacUSD 17.00

Two to MangoUSD 15.50

Peaches & RyeUSD 15.50

Margarita, Por FavorUSD 15.00

Dropout Classic MuleUSD 14.50

Signature Old FashionedUSD 16.00

Campfire VibesUSD 14.50

Evil Jungle PrincessUSD 15.00

Cali & Tay Skinny MargaritaUSD 15.00

Full Moon PartyUSD 14.50