Mediterranean restaurant returns to Charlotte area after its Rock Hill spot closes

Catherine Muccigrosso
·3 min read

A Mediterranean restaurant that closed one Charlotte-area store is making its debut in Pineville with foods like kebabs and shawarma.

Jasmine Grill opened Friday at 10601 Centrum Pkwy. in the former Captain D’s spot near Carolina Place mall. The family-owned restaurant has seating for over 50 people and a drive-thru for pickup orders, owner Feras Jaber told The Charlotte Observer on Monday.

“We’re not fast-food,” he said.

Jasmine Grill opened April 12, 2024,​ at 10601 Centrum Pkwy. in Pineville with appetizers like the veggie delight including hummus, baba ganoush, grape leaves and falafel. Heidi Finley/hfinley@charlotteobserver.com
Jasmine Grill opened April 12, 2024,​ at 10601 Centrum Pkwy. in Pineville with appetizers like the veggie delight including hummus, baba ganoush, grape leaves and falafel. Heidi Finley/hfinley@charlotteobserver.com

What to expect at Jasmine Grill

The Jasmine Grill’s menu includes appetizers like baba ganoush, hummus and falafel, and salads like taboleh and fatush.

Main dishes include kebabs with chicken, beef, lamb and shrimp, as well as shawarma plates and wraps.

Jaber, a native of Jordan, said he does all the meat seasoning himself.

There also are two dessert options: baklava and knafeh, a traditional Arabic pastry. The Pineville store also offers family meals for four or six people starting at $29.99, according to the online menu.

Jasmine Grill has about seven part-time and full-time employees. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Jasmine Grill in Pineville offers several kababs including beef, kofta, chicken and shrimp with jasmine rice. Heidi Finley/hfinley@charlotteobserver.com
Jasmine Grill in Pineville offers several kababs including beef, kofta, chicken and shrimp with jasmine rice. Heidi Finley/hfinley@charlotteobserver.com

Jasmine Grill still available in Rock Hill

The Pineville restaurant was intended to be Jaber’s second Jasmine Grill location, he said. However, his first store that opened seven years about 15 miles south in Rock Hill closed before the new year.

The Cherry Road property was sold and the new landlord did not want to renew the lease, Jaber said in December in a video on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

There’s also a Jasmine Grill on South Boulevard in Charlotte that Jaber co-owned when it opened in 2013. However, he is no longer affiliated with that restaurant, which is owned by his brother-in-law Mohammed Mahrousa.

Jasmine Grill in Pineville menu includes a marinated half chicken with side salad, as well as other Mediterranean dishes like kebabs and shawarma. Heidi Finley/hefinley@charlotteobserver.com
Jasmine Grill in Pineville menu includes a marinated half chicken with side salad, as well as other Mediterranean dishes like kebabs and shawarma. Heidi Finley/hefinley@charlotteobserver.com

Many Rock Hill customers lamented over losing Jasmine Grill on the restaurant’s Facebook page but are glad it has reopened just over the state line.

“Glad to see you have a place again! Looking forward to visiting,” Cristina Sanchez said on Facebook.

“I too would’ve preferred for you to remain in Rock Hill, but will visit Pineville soon,” Christina Hidalgo said.

But customers can still find Jasmine Grill in Rock Hill. In February, a food truck debuted. It is open every day, except Thursday, at 275 S. Charlotte Ave.

And, Jaber wants to reopen a permanent spot in Rock Hill. “I’m still looking for a good spot,” he said.