The Planet Grill - Out of This World
by Diane Goldberg



Planet Grill
1531 East Boulevard
Suite A
Charlotte, NC

Open: Monday through Thursday 11:30 -- 10:00
Friday and Saturday 11:00 -- 11:00
Closed Sundays

Telephone: 704-372-1818 Accepts: Visa, AmEx, MasterCard

Where on earth can you get exactly what you want to eat? The Planet Grill in Charlotte's Dilworth neighborhood may be the only place in the solar system. Offering "improvisational dining" for a fixed price of seven dollars at lunch and eleven for dinner, the restaurant is a unique experience. Choice is the essential concept.

The Planet Grill offers do-it-yourself dining. All the ingredients you need to create dishes from the four corners of the world are on the buffet table.

Pick up a bowl and select your food from an eclectic array of oriental, Italian, and occidental veggies. Pasta, Italian sausage, beef, and a range of chicken from Caribbean to Asian share space with the garden fresh green stuff. Shrimp and scallops are also on hand. After choosing your uncooked food, toss on one or two of 20 sauces - red curry, wine sauce, tomato parmesan, garlic sauce and lemongrass sauce are a few of the goodies.

Hand your bowl over to the cheerful chef who grills it at the speed of light and you're ready to eat. One of the efficient servers will drop off rice and tortillas to complete your meal.

If you don't opt for the bottomless iced tea, standard beers and sodas are on hand. Wine is available on an "honor system." Just refill your glass from the jug and let your server know the final score. Must have a margarita? All the standard mixed drinks and a few surprises are served.

Did you love the shrimp, salmon, snow pea pods, and water chestnuts in curry sauce? Or did your partner's plate of olives, alfredo, peppers, and sausage make your mouth water? Do you hanker for a tiny Southwestern taste after some frankly French treat? Not to worry - The Planet Grill is an all-you-can-eat fresh food bazaar with tastes and treats from all over Earth. Go back through the line as often as you like.

If you've never tried Thai spices or haven't a clue what goes in mole sauce, Planet's staff has many suggestions to help you cook up a masterpiece. You can follow handy pre-planned menu cards or go wild creating your culinary masterpiece.

The Planet Grill boasts both indoor and outdoor seating.

Dessert choices are heavy on the ice cream and coconut. However, with all the options and the eat-all-you-want policy, it takes a committed sweet-lover to consider dessert.