Here’s when a Charlotte-based steakhouse chain will open in the Lake Norman area

A Charlotte-based steakhouse chain will open its first Lake Norman-area restaurant next month.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill opens Nov. 9 at 16641 Birkdale Commons Pkwy. in Huntersille at Birkdale Landing, the company said Thursday. The revitalized mixed-use development is across from Birkdale Village.

The redeveloped retail and office project by Fairway Investments, north of Charlotte off of Interstate 77, includes a two-story office building and several retailers.

Firebirds joins other restaurants that opened there this year, including Shake Shack, Clean Juice and Inizio Pizza Napoletana.

What to expect

The 5,600-square-foot Huntersville restaurant opens with a new contemporary look designed by Charlotte-based Starrdesign, according to Firebirds. The open layout features floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed steel, abstract artwork and pops of color with orange, red and teal.

Every seat in the dining room and bar has a view of the open kitchen, wood-fired grill and charred black brick fireplace, according to the company. There are also dozens of seats in the enclosed patio.

Firebirds is known for its 21-day aged steaks and half-pound burgers, plus signature dishes like grilled shrimp and strawberry salad, wood-grilled salmon and lobster spinach queso.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a Charlotte steakhouse chain known for its aged steaks, will open in Birkdale Landing in Huntersville with a new contemporary look.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a Charlotte steakhouse chain known for its aged steaks, will open in Birkdale Landing in Huntersville with a new contemporary look.

Hiring for more than 100 part- and full-time employees is underway, offering benefits including health insurance and sign-on bonuses. The general manager is Crystal Keatts and the executive chef Rashaune Davis, a Johnson & Wales graduate, according to Firebirds.

Firebirds Huntersville will be open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Along with reservations, diners can order online for curbside pickup or delivery through DoorDash.

Since Dennis Thompson opened the first Firebirds restaurant 21 years ago in StoneCrest at Piper Glen in Charlotte, the restaurant has expanded with more than 54 restaurants in 19 states under the ownership of J.H. Whitney Capital Partners. Firebirds Huntersville will be the fourth location in Mecklenburg County with other restaurants at 3920 Sharon Rd. and 6801 Northlake Mall Dr.