Renowned Small Restaurant Business Thrives During DNC

Looking for the best food while in Charlotte for the DNC? Ask the locals - they know.

A resounding answer for breakfast and lunch was Mert's Heart and Soul. Opening for special hours during the DNC, they are opening their doors on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night for dinner from 4 to 11:30p.m.

The owner and Executive Chef James Bazzelle is known for his southern food and hospitality.

The eatery opened in 1998 and has been serving up fresh comfort foods at 214 N. College St. for 15 years. His previous location was located on N. Tryon for three years.

So fresh indeed, I met the man, Frankie, unloading a handcart of greens and crates of farm fresh vegetables from his truck from local farms to prepare for the boost in traffic that Mert's is expecting from the DNC crowds.

"I've been bringing food to Mert's since it has been in existence," said Frankie also a former military Veteran. "You should see my produce in the winter, it's even better."

The restaurant is actually named after Myrtle Lockheart, a customer who the Bazzelle family thought of like a grandmother, who frequented the old restaurant before passing away.

The owner's daughter,Tia Bazzelle, one of four siblings, but the only one who works in the family business and hopes to one day take it over. Tia fondly recalled that her aunt used to make her Peach Cloud, a pie with peaches and whipped cream. Those same family traditional type foods can be found at Mert's Heart and Soul.

Popular breakfast and brunch items include Sweet Potato Pancakes, Smoked pork chops served with two eggs and cheese grits, a Carolina Barbecue omelette and the special on Saturday was Caramel pancakes.

A few lunch fare items include Mert's Famous Salmon Cakes, Southern Fried Chicken, Low Country Shrimp Salad and the Fried Shrimp Po Boy on a Hoagie Bun.

At Saturday night's media event at The Music Factory, Mert's Heart and Soul served up their famous banana pudding as one of the many businesses being represented.