What kind of place is The Improper Pig?
The Improper Pig is a restaurant (barbecue with asian influences) in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte. Barbecue with Asian influences in a former service station at 1600 Central Avenue.
Restaurant · Central Avenue
The Improper Pig
Barbecue with Asian influences in a former service station at 1600 Central Avenue.
Category
Restaurant
Kitchen
Barbecue with Asian influences
Price
$$
Address
1600 Central Ave, 28205
About The Improper Pig
The Charlotte-born barbecue group opened its flagship here in February 2026, replacing The Pizza Peel & Tap Room, which closed in May 2024. The building has been a service station, a tire shop, and a pizzeria; it now runs two bars, one inside and one out.
A Flagship for Barbecue with an Asian Twist
The Improper Pig describes its concept as American barbecue with an Asian twist. Its Plaza Midwood flagship opened in February 2026 in the former Pizza Peel space, with Axios Charlotte reporting a February 16 opening date. That coverage traced the brand back to a Cotswold debut in 2014 and described the flagship as a new chapter rather than the business's first restaurant. Brisket and St. Louis style ribs sit within a concept that also incorporates Asian inspired preparations. The official locations page identifies Plaza Midwood as the flagship, so visitors should select this branch deliberately when exploring the brand online. The useful distinction is both culinary and local: this is an established Charlotte restaurant concept entering a familiar Central Avenue building with a different menu.
The Pizza Peel Corner Becomes a Barbecue Stop
The Plaza Midwood restaurant is at 1600 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, in the former Pizza Peel building at Central and Thomas avenues. Painted Rooster is listed at 1601 Central, making the pair easy reference points for anyone learning this portion of the dining strip. Workman's Friend at 1531 Central adds another nearby restaurant landmark, while Dish and Thomas Street Tavern have their own Thomas Avenue addresses. Do not use the former pizza restaurant's menu or ordering links when planning a visit to this replacement. If barbecue is the purpose of the outing, Midwood Smokehouse at 1401 Central is another listed destination on the corridor, not a second name for this business. Compare the official menus and confirm the Plaza Midwood location before placing an order.
Getting there
The Improper Pig is at 1600 Central Ave, inside the Plaza Midwood area and reachable on foot from much of the residential grid. Street parking near Central Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue is in demand on weekend evenings, and some adjacent residential blocks carry permit restrictions, so check posted signs before parking.
Good for
- Groups
- Patio
- Families
Official website
Current hours, menus, and reservation details: theimproperpig.com
Walk from here
Closest to The Improper Pig
Distances are straight-line approximations from published locations, for orientation only.
Restaurant · $$
Painted Rooster
A chicken-and-beer restaurant on the corner of Central and Thomas avenues.
a block or so away
Bar · $$
Workman's Friend
An Irish-American pub at 1531 Central Avenue with scratch-made food and an open-air bar.
a block or so away
Restaurant · $$
Midwood Smokehouse
The barbecue restaurant at 1401 Central Avenue, in the middle of the corridor.
a block or so away
Bakery · $
Amélie's L'Express
A small grab-and-go outpost of Amélie's French Bakery at 1511 Central Avenue.
about 0.15 mi — a short walk
Bar · $
Thomas Street Tavern
A neighborhood bar at 1218 Thomas Avenue with American food and outdoor seating.
about 0.17 mi — a short walk
Restaurant · $
Moo & Brew
Burgers and beer at 1300 Central Avenue.
about 0.18 mi — a short walk
Green space
Parks within reach
Dog park
Neighborhood Dog Runs
Where a famously dog-heavy neighborhood actually walks its dogs.
about 0.3 mi — walkable
Neighborhood park
Midwood Park
The green heart of the historic district, ringed by bungalows and mature hardwoods.
about 0.4 mi — walkable
Recreation center
Veterans Park
The neighborhood's active park: recreation center, courts, playground, and pool.
about 0.6 mi — walkable
Interactive map
The Improper Pig on the map
Location is approximate and provided for orientation only.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Point locations are approximate and provided for orientation only.
Nearby
More like this
Restaurant · $$
Midwood Smokehouse
The barbecue restaurant at 1401 Central Avenue, in the middle of the corridor.
Barbecue
Restaurant · $
The Diamond Restaurant
A diner at 1901 Commonwealth Avenue with roots going back to 1945.
Southern diner
Restaurant · $$
Dish
Southern comfort food in the yellow brick building at 1220 Thomas Avenue.
Southern comfort
Restaurant · $$
Painted Rooster
A chicken-and-beer restaurant on the corner of Central and Thomas avenues.
Chicken & beer
Restaurant · $$
Intermezzo Pizzeria & Cafe
A European-style cafe on East 10th Street serving handmade pizza and Serbian dishes.
Pizza & Serbian
Restaurant · $
Bang Bang Burgers
Scratch-made burgers, hand-cut fries, and house sauces on East 7th Street in Elizabeth.
Burgers
Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Where is The Improper Pig located?
The Improper Pig is at 1600 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, within the Plaza Midwood area.
How do I check The Improper Pig's current hours and menu?
Hours, menus, and reservation policies change, so use The Improper Pig's official website for current details. This guide does not publish hours.
Sources & verification
Figures and descriptions on this page are compiled from the public sources listed above and reviewed periodically. Conditions change; verify anything you plan to rely on with the responsible authority before acting.
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Continue through the guide
Plaza Midwood Restaurants
The verified dining directory — barbecue, diners, bars, and neighborhood institutions.
Plaza Midwood Bars & Nightlife
Dive bars, cocktail rooms, breweries, and live music.
Things to Do in Plaza Midwood
Murals, markets, festivals, and a month-by-month calendar.
Living in Plaza Midwood
Walkability, daily rhythm, dogs, porches, and neighbors.