The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar in SouthPark is celebrating 14 years in the Queen City this month. Located in the Village at SouthPark, the family friendly spot is a longtime neighborhood favorite known for its unique menu mix of sushi and burgers, served separately or together in a bento box, and burgushi, a combination of the two. One of Charlotte’s most popular selfie spots, the restaurant features an oversized, bright yellow cowfish statue parked out front for guests of all ages to pose on.
After 14 years, what lies ahead for this locally owned, neighborhood spot? According to co-owner Alan Springate, not much will change as far as the core menu goes: “Our group has worked with our longtime beef purveyor, Niman Ranch for years to provide all natural, beef burgers from sustainably raised, certified humane cattle that have never, ever been given antibiotics or hormones. We are incredibly proud of the fact that we have not wavered in our commitment to quality, whether it is our burgers or our sushi. Our longtime tuna purveyor, Hilo Fish Company, is well known for its seafood sustainability & conservation practices as is our salmon partner, Bakkafrost”.
That being said, the fall season signals the annual return of the Oh My Pumpkin Pie Shake and The Gobble Gobble Ooshi, a burgushi spin on Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, green beans and more in sushi form; both of these seasonal items are available through November 27. A handful of new menu items have also been added to the mix, including Miso Soup and Crispy Rice with Tuna on the appetizer side, along with two refreshing mocktails, the Don’t Call Me Shirley and the Cuke Skywalker.
The biggest change of all for the Cowfish team in Charlotte lies even further ahead…a long overdue, major interior renovation. Originally slated for September, the project is now on target for after the holidays. Upon completion, a sleeker, much more modern interior will feature an upgraded bar and sushi bar, as well as intimate dining spaces paired with unique light fixtures, fun details in the ceiling and floors and a dash of fun, Cowfish-style pop art. A newly expanded patio area will be both family and pet friendly.
Known for burgers, sushi and burgushi, this locally owned concept was named the #6 burger in the U.S. in 2023 by Yelp and best sushi in Raleigh in 2023 by The News & Observer. In May, 2024, it was named one of the 20 best sushi restaurants in Charlotte by Axios Charlotte and just this month it was named one of Charlotte’s Best Places to Celebrate a Birthday by The Charlotte Observer. The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar can be found in Charlotte at SouthPark, in Raleigh at North Hills and at Universal’s CityWalk in both Orlando and Beijing. It is the sister concept to eeZ, found at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, NC, which was also named Best Sushi in Charlotte in June of 2023, as well as Best Asian Cuisine. The Cowfish/eeZ Group is currently nominated for Best Locally Owned Restaurant Group in Queen City Nerve’s annual Best of the Nest, Best of Charlotte poll, amongst other accolades.
