Charolais Steakhouse

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Hickory Institution Since 1969

Charolais Steakhouse has been serving hand-cut, char-grilled steaks at its original location on 4th Street Southwest in Hickory, North Carolina since 1969. That kind of longevity is earned — and it shows in the details. In 2019, Cranford Hospitality acquired and renovated the space, preserving the old-school steakhouse character while adding a warmer atmosphere, an in-house dry-aging program, and a penny bar encased in lucite stocked with over 200 whiskeys. The beloved soup, salad, and cheese bar — a fixture for decades — remains very much a mainstay.

The Steaks

The menu centers on beef, handled with clear intention. Steaks are hand-cut tableside from the cart, with New York Strip and Ribeye available starting at 10 ounces. From the menu, the Dry-Aged Ribeye is aged in-house for a minimum of 28 days, yielding what the kitchen describes as a more rich and abundant beef flavor, trimmed and cut to 12 ounces. The Wagyu NY Strip sources Akaushi American Wagyu from Heartbrand Beef, prized for its exceptional marbling and buttery character. A rotating Butcher's Cut showcases unique breeds, grades, and aging profiles at the chef's discretion. Prime Rib — herb-crusted, slow-roasted, and carved to order — rounds out the steakhouse classics.

Beyond beef, the kitchen offers Land & Sea options including Bourbon Glazed Steelhead Salmon, Twin Lobster Tails, and a Surf & Turf pairing cold-water lobster tail with beef medallions. Appetizers run from Escargot roasted in garlic, white wine, and butter to a Seafood Melt of scallops, shrimp, lobster, and crab.

The Cellar and the Bar

The wine program earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and the cellar reflects that ambition — an extensive bottle list complemented by a thoughtful selection by the glass, including Coravin pours of bottles like a 2015 Carpazo Brunello di Montalcino and a 2016 Priest Ranch Napa Cabernet. Local draft beers from City Walk Brewing in Hickory sit alongside a cocktail list that ranges from a Proper Sazerac to seasonal originals.

Recognition

Garden & Gun named Charolais a 2025 Finalist for the South's Best Steak House — recognition that places this American steakhouse among the region's most serious destinations for beef. The restaurant has also been cited among "25 Outstanding Restaurants Worth the Drive," a designation that speaks to its draw well beyond Hickory's city limits. Under Chef Frank Abromsom and Manager Michelle Sorrell, the kitchen continues to honor what has made this address a dining destination for over five decades.

Private dining is available for special occasions and larger gatherings.