Kim Spies' Local Favorites in Kannapolis
From a downtown steakhouse and cocktails with friends to a classic night at the movies, Real Estate Broker Kim Spies shares three of her favorite places to enjoy Kannapolis, North Carolina.
One of the best ways to understand a community is to spend time in the places locals choose again and again.
That is the idea behind our monthly Where We Eat, Sip & Play series.
Each month, someone from The Sarver Group shares a few of the restaurants, gathering places and local experiences they genuinely enjoy throughout Charlotte, Lake Norman and the communities we serve.
This month, Real Estate Broker Kim Spies is taking us to Kannapolis, North Carolina, where downtown makes it easy to build an afternoon or evening around local food, drinks and entertainment.
Her three picks offer three different reasons to spend some time downtown: a steak dinner, a relaxed cocktail with friends and a movie night inside one of Kannapolis' most recognizable landmarks.
Meet Kim Spies
As a Real Estate Broker with The Sarver Group, Kim spends plenty of time helping people navigate our local communities. But knowing an area goes beyond streets, neighborhoods and homes.
It is also knowing where to grab dinner, where to catch up with friends and where to go when you want a simple night out close to home.
For this month's feature, Kim chose three Kannapolis favorites that cover all three.
Chophouse 101
For Kim, a night out in Kannapolis can start with a steakhouse right in the heart of downtown.
Chophouse 101 is a locally owned restaurant serving hand-cut steaks, seafood, cocktails and other steakhouse favorites. It works just as easily for a casual dinner as it does for a date night or celebration.
“I always want to start with the Twisted Ribs. They are SO good! If I'm in the mood to splurge, the Filet Mignon is my go-to because it's incredibly tender. And if I somehow save room for dessert, the Carrot Cake is absolutely worth it.”
All three remain on Chophouse 101's menu. The Twisted Ribs are baby back ribs fried and tossed in the restaurant's sauce with a spicy chipotle ranch drizzle, while the Filet Mignon is offered in multiple sizes. The Carrot Cake is served warm with salted caramel sauce.
Visit Chophouse 101 →
West Loop Local
West Loop Local gives Kim a place to slow things down and settle in with friends.
The cocktail kitchen was created by three lifelong friends and combines a relaxed atmosphere with handcrafted cocktails and a food menu that includes sandwiches, salads, snacks, dips and charcuterie.
“West Loop Local is one of my favorite places to meet up with friends for a drink. I love the laid-back atmosphere and usually pair a glass of wine or one of their signature cocktails with a charcuterie board. If I'm going for a cocktail, the Afternoon Delight is one of my favorites.”
It is the kind of place where you can stop in for one drink, share something from the food menu or settle in and catch up without needing the night to feel overly planned.
Kim's description might say it best: it is a place to relax, catch up and stay awhile.
Visit West Loop Local →An easy night out, all within downtown Kannapolis.
Part of downtown Kannapolis' appeal is how naturally food, drinks and entertainment can fit into the same evening. Kim's three picks make that easy: dinner, a cocktail and a movie can all become part of one local experience.
Gem Theatre
Kim's final pick comes with nearly a century of Kannapolis history.
The Gem Theatre originally opened on December 31, 1936. After a fire damaged the theatre in 1942, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1948. Today, it remains one of the country's oldest single-screen movie theatres in continuous operation.
The theatre has also been renovated while retaining the Art Deco character that has made it a recognizable part of downtown Kannapolis for generations.
“I love that you can still enjoy a classic movie-night experience without spending a lot. It's such an easy, affordable date night and a great local spot to check out.”
That affordability is part of the appeal. Adult tickets are currently $5, and a concession combo with a large popcorn and two medium drinks is $8.50.
In an era of enormous multiplexes, the Gem offers something different: one screen, an unmistakable marquee and a movie-night experience tied directly to the history of the city around it.
Visit Gem Theatre →Planning a day or night in Kannapolis?
Where is a good place for a steak dinner in Kannapolis?
Chophouse 101 is a locally owned downtown Kannapolis steakhouse offering hand-cut steaks, seafood and cocktails. Kim Spies' favorites include the Twisted Ribs, Filet Mignon and Carrot Cake.
Where can you get cocktails in downtown Kannapolis?
West Loop Local is a cocktail kitchen on West Avenue featuring handcrafted drinks, wine and a food menu that includes charcuterie, sandwiches, snacks and other shareable options.
What is an affordable date-night idea in Kannapolis?
The historic Gem Theatre offers a classic movie-night experience in downtown Kannapolis. Adult tickets are currently $5, and a large popcorn with two medium drinks is $8.50.
What can you do in downtown Kannapolis for an evening?
Downtown Kannapolis makes it easy to combine dinner, drinks and entertainment. A night could include a meal at Chophouse 101, cocktails at West Loop Local and a movie at the Gem Theatre.
Is the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis historic?
Yes. The Gem Theatre originally opened in 1936 and was rebuilt after a 1942 fire. It remains one of the oldest continuously operating single-screen movie theatres in the United States.
Love Kannapolis? See what it could be like to call it home.
The places you return to are part of what turns an address into a community. If Kannapolis is on your radar, explore homes currently available or connect with one of our local real estate advisors.
