A giant waffle-shaped sign, complete with a pat of butter on top, now towers over 700 Atando Ave. in north Charlotte, drawing eyes and sparking local buzz. The eye-catching marker signals the upcoming debut of No Knife: Chicken & Waffles, the first restaurant venture from Charlotte-born rapper DaBaby.
Opening next summer, DaBaby that is Jonathan Lyndale Kirk steps into the food scene with a Southern-style eatery rooted in his “No Knife” kitchen concept. Mid-July 2026 marks its debut just north of Charlotte, tucked beside a busy retail area. Running every day except Monday, it serves from early morning until four in the morning, giving night owls plenty of time. A full liquor selection joins the menu, matching the long hours. Inside, guests pick between booth lounging or counter spots by the bar, while outdoor tables may come later down the road.
The menu centers on chicken-and-waffles dishes and other down-home recipes, developed with direct input from DaBaby himself. He has shared cooking videos on social media for years under his “No Knife” alter ego, turning a personal passion into this business move. Local reports note he is not the head chef but has a major hand in shaping the offerings.
This marks DaBaby’s expansion beyond music into hospitality in his hometown. He has frequently highlighted Charlotte in his career and recently teased the project on Instagram, posting videos of the sign installation. In one update, he called it a “new landmark just landed in the city” and described it as the first location in a franchise concept.
Out by the building, new signs went up sometime between June 25 and 27 in 2026. Hiring is now moving forward for people to work in the kitchen, as servers, even managers. Videos showing the place have started appearing across his online platforms. Reporters from nearby news spots have stopped by, seen things firsthand. Still, there’s no official word yet on when it will fully open.
Surprise spread fast online after DaBaby’s move into Charlotte. Excitement bubbled up from followers who welcomed fresh ideas in their neighborhood. His own cooking stepping into the spotlight drew positive comments. Praise arrived for branching out beyond music. Not every voice cheered though. Doubts popped up around how these spots run day to day. Late shifts need workers will they stay? A bar means guests till close who handles the flow when it gets loud? Questions lingered like smoke after closing time.
Charlotte’s food scene continues to grow with such ventures, offering new late-night options and boosting foot traffic in north Charlotte. For DaBaby, it represents an evolution in his career, building on his “Be More Grateful” ethos and local ties. As the mid-July target approaches, residents and visitors will watch to see how the concept lands. Updates should come directly from DaBaby’s official channels or verified local reporting.
