Heavenly coffee

 

Lately, I’ve been indulging my passion for coffee shops. I suppose it all began back on Long Island, when I was young and I’d hop on the Long Island Railroad heading into Manhattan looking for adventures. My first stop? Chock-Full O’ Nuts—the place with that heavenly coffee.

Sure, the coffee was good. But what really stole my heart was their date-nut bread and cream cheese sandwich—it was one of their most iconic offerings. This sweet, simple sandwich featured two slices of dense date-nut bread slathered with cream cheese, often with chopped walnuts mixed in. Divine doesn’t even begin to cover it. And the ambiance, if you could call it that, was oddly comforting. Just a continuous lunch counter, no frills. You’d hover behind someone seated, waiting for them to finish so you could slide into their spot. No reservations, no pretense.  No booths, no baristas, one kind of coffee served black, with just cream or cream and sugar and sandwiches. Simplicity at its best.

Chock-Full O’ Nuts wasn’t just a coffee shop—it was a New York institution born from resilience. William Black started with roasted nuts in Times Square, pivoted during the Depression, and created a chain that served affordable lunches to working-class New Yorkers. Jackie Robinson even joined the company after baseball, a quiet nod to its progressive spirit.

Charlotte, NC is full of cafés that serve excellent coffee and creative food, and I am on a mission to try as many as possible. Amélie’s on Pineville-Matthews Road holds a special charm. I visited recently with a friend, and despite the ongoing renovation—yes, it’s a bit messy—the experience was delightful. The coffee was rich, the food good and the decor is eclectic and whimsical   It’s the kind of place where mismatched furniture, a collection of art and chandeliers made from rolling pins or upside-down cakes feel perfectly at home.

I returned with my daughter not long after, and she captured a quick video that sums it up beautifully

Check this YouTube short by my daughter. 

If you have ever been to Chock-Full O’ Nuts in Manhattan, please share your experience and tell me your favorite sandwich.  Also, if you are in Charlotte try Amelie's.  They have 4 locations in the area and let me know what you think.

1. Uptown – 380 S College Street

2. Park Road – 524 Brandywine Road E

3. Carmel Commons – 7715 Pineville Matthews Road (the one you visited)

4. NoDa – 136 E. 36th Street