• Home
  • Blog
  • World's Best
  • Rankings
  • Merch
  • About
  • Contact
Menu

scallionpancake

Food. Pugs. Fun.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • World's Best
  • Rankings
  • Merch
  • About
  • Contact
Iconic Charlotte 

Iconic Charlotte 

Selwyn Pub

June 14, 2017

This article also appeared in the May/June 2017 edition of Epicurean Charlotte magazine. 

A cold beer, Bee Sting wings, and lounging in the sunshine on a sunny Carolina afternoon? That’s just what the doctor ordered--Doc Foster, that is. Regulars of Selwyn Avenue Pub will know Jim Foster as Doc, the co-owner of Myers Park’s number-one neighborhood destination for gathering with friends to eat, drink, and cheer on a Duke vs Carolina game. It’s no happy accident that Selwyn Avenue Pub is the premier destination for those searching for a grown up bar in Charlotte. Doc and and his father, Jim Foster Sr., also known as “Coach,” credit their long-lasting success with listening to their customers since they opened the pub in 1990. As Doc puts it, “We have stayed in business for 27 years because we listen to our customers--we want people to feel welcome and comfortable. What you see here is the result of 27 years of improv with audience participation.”

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Bee Sting Wings

Bee Sting Wings

The results of customer input can be seen everywhere from the menu (customers asked for the Ahi Tuna Wrap that’s now one of their best selling items), to the enclosed TVs on the patio (a customer suggested the alcove for housing the TVs back in the early 90s when no other bars had outdoor televisions). The customers are the heart and soul of Selwyn Pub and play a central part in its identity. “We want people to feel welcome here, and to feel comfortable,” Doc says, and he believes it’s impossible to become stale in the restaurant business unless “you become tone deaf” to your customers’ demands. Doc has watched many fads in the Charlotte dining scene come and go, but he and Coach maintain a steady focus on a business model that cultivates longevity and customer loyalty. The equation is simple, says Doc: “If you want to hang out in Myers Park with a lot of nice people, we’re it.”

New awning vibes

New awning vibes

Slider nation

Slider nation

There is a comfortable familiarity about Selwyn Pub that resonates with its customers, but Doc never stops innovating. Case in point? A brand new retractable awning (AKA the “Selwyn Pubadrome”) was recently installed to replicate the beloved oak tree that had to come down in November of 2015. Doc knows how important the tree was to so many of his customers, and he did everything he could to salvage it. The tree, he notes, had more “check-ups” than his own children. Ultimately, however, all of the experts Doc consulted agreed that the tree could not be saved, and the soil was not amenable to planting a fresh tree in that spot. Doc spent many hours searching for a viable replacement that could replicate the feel of the tree, if not the exact look. The new awning provides many qualities the tree provided-- the sun shines through when the awning is out and allows in some warmth, but it will block heavy rain and much of the blistering heat of the sun’s rays in the height of summer. The awning stands tall at 11 feet high, so it never feels suffocating, and it maintains the patio’s open and breezy feel . Doc feels that the awning “keeps the spirit of the tree” in that the patio remains a comfortable gathering spot for the Myers Park community, and he knows his customers will be relieved to not have to cover their beers and race inside when a summer rainstorm blows in. Along with the awning, the outdoor heaters and comfy new seat cushions will ensure that Selwyn Pub remains a year-round destination (yes, all year--even on Christmas and “snow days”).

Class 'n Sass

Class 'n Sass

 

Once you are comfortable and climate-controlled no matter the weather, it’s time to focus on food, and diners know Selwyn as a reliable spot for quality pub food. The focus, Doc says, is on “shareable items, because they support our main purpose--people come here to meet their friends.” The food, like the pub itself is “communal” and Doc and his father know that customers crave simple and high quality menu items, so their focus is straightforward: “Buy absolutely the best ingredients and don’t screw it up.” What does this mean in practice? Angus chuck beef for hamburgers, fresh not frozen hand-breaded chicken tenders, sashimi grade Ahi tuna, and Boar’s Head meat products. Their most popular item, according to everyone from the rich and famous of Charlotte to the Myers Park teenage set, cast a unanimous vote: that pizza. With unlimited free toppings and a thin and crispy crust, you really can’t go wrong with a Selwyn Avenue Pub pizza.

Veggie Pizza 

Veggie Pizza 

Dougbert's Dirty Martini

Dougbert's Dirty Martini

Doc is the first to admit that the menu is a bit schizophrenic, but it’s merely the result of listening to customers’ demands over 27 years. Initially, Doc and Coach, who are of Irish heritage, had the idea of opening up “a little Irish pub in the neighborhood.” They quickly found, however, that as much as people enjoy Irish food here and there, or as a novelty on March 17th, most customers don’t crave that type of food on a day to day basis while they watch the game with a beer. So, true to their mission, they switched up their menu to what the customers craved. And while it’s mostly wings and pizza, sometimes it’s that fancy tuna wrap that’s now a bestseller, or anything else a customer might suggest in the near future. Selwyn is unpretentious quality at affordable prices. What to wash it down with, beyond the beer, of course? “Many people” Doc says, “are surprised at our wine menu--it is a wide selection of high quality wines at pub prices.” The drink options range from ciders to cocktails to a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Jim "Doc" Foster 

Jim "Doc" Foster 

If you’re looking to peruse a menu online, though, you won’t have any luck; “the customers” Doc says, “are our social network.” One of Doc’s daughters did hook up the pub with a Snapchat Geofilter, but that’s as far their media presence goes. This philosophy meshes with one of the challenges Doc often finds himself pondering in his other gig, where he is a tenured professor of Law and Ethics at Queens University’s McColl School of Business. He notes that for all of the social media savvy today’s students demonstrate, they sometimes struggle with talking to one another face to face, and he believes that Selwyn Avenue Pub provides that place of social connection. Selwyn Avenue Pub harkens back to an earlier time of the village green, where people would gather together to discuss local issues and politics face to face, and not over Facebook or text; “People come here primarily because they want to socialize with their friends and meet new people, and we provide that comforting and inviting place for them to do that.” Doc believes that people crave that gathering place in their community, and Selwyn Avenue Pub is more than pleased to provide that space for the Myers Park and Charlotte community.

Did you see Selwyn Pub on Southern Charm?!

Did you see Selwyn Pub on Southern Charm?!

The only snafu? The notorious parking situation: “We proudly acknowledge that we’ve got the worst parking in the state,” Doc says with a laugh, but he notes that the upside is that everyone who manages to get here is “paying us the greatest compliment--they had to go through a lot to get here” he jokes. But seriously--take an Uber or hitch a ride with a friend and get down to Selwyn Avenue Pub ASAP to enjoy a few of those quintessential sunny southern afternoons this summer. And don’t waste any time, as Doc notes, “your friends are already here.”

 

 

 

 

 

In Charlotte Tags Epicurean Charlotte, Selwyn, Myers Park, bar, Bar food, Pizza, Chicken Wings
1 Comment

New Merch!

Click here to score this shirt

Click here to score this shirt

Subscribe to the pod

Listen on Google Play Music

Latest Posts

  • July 2024
    • Jul 23, 2024 DiverXo: A review of Dabiz Muñoz's Madrid Masterpiece Jul 23, 2024
  • May 2023
    • May 15, 2023 Noma Kyoto: A Review of Rene Redzepi's Japanese Pop-Up May 15, 2023
  • August 2022
    • Aug 9, 2022 Jordnær Aug 9, 2022
  • October 2021
    • Oct 4, 2021 Noma: A Review of the Game and Forest Season Menu Oct 4, 2021
  • September 2021
    • Sep 5, 2021 Counter- Sep 5, 2021
  • January 2021
    • Jan 9, 2021 The Catbird Seat Jan 9, 2021
  • May 2020
    • May 19, 2020 Casa Tabachin May 19, 2020
    • May 5, 2020 Pujol May 5, 2020
  • April 2020
    • Apr 21, 2020 Quintonil Apr 21, 2020
    • Apr 7, 2020 How Roots is Giving Back During COVID-19 Apr 7, 2020
  • March 2020
    • Mar 24, 2020 Peppervine Shines in SouthPark Mar 24, 2020
  • February 2020
    • Feb 25, 2020 Where to Eat in Plaza Midwood Feb 25, 2020
    • Feb 11, 2020 The Porter's House: Not Your Traditional Steakhouse Feb 11, 2020
  • January 2020
    • Jan 28, 2020 Sweet Lew's, It's You Jan 28, 2020
    • Jan 14, 2020 Best Coffee Shops for Chilling in Charlotte Jan 14, 2020
  • December 2019
    • Dec 31, 2019 Top 25 Restaurants in Charlotte: 2019 Edition Dec 31, 2019
    • Dec 17, 2019 Top Five Dishes of 2019 Dec 17, 2019
    • Dec 3, 2019 Top Five Restaurants of 2019 Dec 3, 2019
  • November 2019
    • Nov 19, 2019 Anomaly Charlotte Pop-Up Nov 19, 2019
    • Nov 5, 2019 Schwa Cleans Up Its Act Nov 5, 2019
  • October 2019
    • Oct 22, 2019 Alinea: A Review of Grant Achatz's Flagship Chicago Restaurant Oct 22, 2019
    • Oct 8, 2019 Flip-a-Lo's Gives Charlotte a Taste of Buffalo Oct 8, 2019
  • September 2019
    • Sep 24, 2019 Capishe Real Italian Kitchen Upgrades Charlotte's Fast Casual Game Sep 24, 2019
    • Sep 10, 2019 Chef James Knappett's Kitchen Table Sep 10, 2019
  • August 2019
    • Aug 27, 2019 Queen City Classic Wine Tour with Big Fat World Tours and NC Wine Gals Aug 27, 2019
    • Aug 13, 2019 Piedmont Culinary Guild's Sensoria Food & Wine Aug 13, 2019
  • July 2019
    • Jul 30, 2019 Enigma: A Review of Albert Adria's Barcelona Culinary Adventure Jul 30, 2019
    • Jul 15, 2019 The Updog Kombucha Origin Story Jul 15, 2019
    • Jul 2, 2019 Haar Restaurant: Dean Banks' St. Andrews Star Jul 2, 2019
  • June 2019
    • Jun 11, 2019 El Celler de Can Roca Review: The Roca Brothers Deliver Jun 11, 2019
  • May 2019
    • May 28, 2019 Dorothy Creamery Scallionpancake Loaded Nachos May 28, 2019
    • May 14, 2019 Harper's Restaurant May 14, 2019
  • April 2019
    • Apr 30, 2019 Noma: A Review of the Seafood Season Menu Apr 30, 2019
    • Apr 16, 2019 Yume Ramen Sushi & Bar Apr 16, 2019
    • Apr 2, 2019 Buxton Hall + Hello, Sailor Collaboration Dinner Apr 2, 2019
  • March 2019
    • Mar 26, 2019 Blue Hill at Stone Barns Mar 26, 2019
    • Mar 19, 2019 Legion Brewing Brunch Mar 19, 2019
    • Mar 12, 2019 Meat & Potatoes: Redefining Charlotte's Stereotype Mar 12, 2019
    • Mar 5, 2019 Flour Shop Mar 5, 2019
  • February 2019
    • Feb 26, 2019 JuneBaby Feb 26, 2019
    • Feb 19, 2019 The Waterman Feb 19, 2019
    • Feb 12, 2019 Charlotte All Stars - NBA Edition Feb 12, 2019
    • Feb 5, 2019 Eden Hill Feb 5, 2019
  • January 2019
    • Jan 29, 2019 Inizio Pizza Napoletano Jan 29, 2019
    • Jan 22, 2019 Adana Jan 22, 2019
    • Jan 15, 2019 The Stanley Jan 15, 2019
    • Jan 8, 2019 Top Five Dishes of 2018 Jan 8, 2019
    • Jan 1, 2019 Top Five Restaurants of 2018 Jan 1, 2019
  • December 2018
    • Dec 18, 2018 PCG Farm to Fork in the Garden Dec 18, 2018
    • Dec 11, 2018 Chef Alyssa's Kitchen Dec 11, 2018
    • Dec 4, 2018 Bulla Gastrobar Dec 4, 2018
  • November 2018
    • Nov 27, 2018 Top 25 Restaurants in Charlotte: 2018 Edition Nov 27, 2018
    • Nov 20, 2018 Never Doubt Phil Rosenthal: Go to Langer's Delicatessan Nov 20, 2018
    • Nov 13, 2018 Majordomo is David Chang's Latest Food Mecca Nov 13, 2018
    • Nov 6, 2018 Angeline's: Uptown Charlotte's Modern Italian Gem Nov 6, 2018
  • October 2018
    • Oct 30, 2018 Greg Collier Lifts Up Loft & Cellar Oct 30, 2018
    • Oct 23, 2018 Behind the Lens with Scoop Charlotte & Scallionpancake Oct 23, 2018
    • Oct 16, 2018 The Experience of Taste Oct 16, 2018
    • Oct 9, 2018 littleSpoon: A Tale of Inconsistency & Pork Belly Oct 9, 2018
    • Oct 2, 2018 The Case for Atelier Crenn Oct 2, 2018
  • September 2018
    • Sep 25, 2018 The Truth is Out There: Siggy's Good Food Sep 25, 2018
    • Sep 18, 2018 Bardo Ushers in New Era of Fine Dining in Charlotte Sep 18, 2018
    • Sep 11, 2018 Gene Kato Infuses New Life Into SouthPark's Upstream Sep 11, 2018
    • Sep 4, 2018 Hi Tide Poke & Raw Bar Offers a Fresh Take on Charlotte's Poke Scene Sep 4, 2018
  • August 2018
    • Aug 28, 2018 Experience Authentic Italian in Ballantyne with Zinicola Aug 28, 2018
    • Aug 22, 2018 108: Noma's Little Brother Holds Its Own Aug 22, 2018
    • Aug 14, 2018 Sanchez: Rosario Sanchez Brings Mexican Food to Copenhagen Aug 14, 2018
    • Aug 7, 2018 Osteria Francescana: A Review of Massimo Bottura's #1 Restaurant in the World Aug 7, 2018
  • July 2018
    • Jul 31, 2018 More Time for Me with Harris Teeter ExpressLane Jul 31, 2018
    • Jul 24, 2018 Grön: A Review of Finland's Best Restaurant Jul 24, 2018
    • Jul 17, 2018 Sea Level: Making Lobster Rolls Cool in the Queen City Jul 17, 2018
    • Jul 11, 2018 Noma: A Review of the Vegetable Season Menu Jul 11, 2018
    • Jul 3, 2018 Ollie's Bites: Charlotte's Donut Fix Jul 3, 2018
  • June 2018
    • Jun 26, 2018 Mister Jiu's Jun 26, 2018
    • Jun 19, 2018 Global Restaurant Jun 19, 2018
    • Jun 12, 2018 Fleming's Prime Steakhouse Jun 12, 2018
    • Jun 5, 2018 Fin & Fino Jun 5, 2018
  • May 2018
    • May 30, 2018 The Daily May 30, 2018
    • May 22, 2018 Brunch at Haberdish May 22, 2018
    • May 14, 2018 Seafood Connection May 14, 2018
    • May 8, 2018 Omaggio Pizzeria May 8, 2018
    • May 1, 2018 Crepe Cellar May 1, 2018
  • April 2018
    • Apr 24, 2018 Dot Dot Dot Apr 24, 2018
    • Apr 17, 2018 DeSano Pizzeria Apr 17, 2018
    • Apr 10, 2018 Eleven Madison Park Apr 10, 2018
    • Apr 3, 2018 Ollie's Bites: Charlotte's Best Bar Eats Apr 3, 2018
  • March 2018
    • Mar 27, 2018 Fork! Mar 27, 2018
    • Mar 20, 2018 Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth Mar 20, 2018
    • Mar 13, 2018 Chima Mar 13, 2018
    • Mar 6, 2018 Zeppelin Mar 6, 2018
  • February 2018
    • Feb 27, 2018 Launderette Feb 27, 2018
    • Feb 20, 2018 Hello, Sailor: Exploring One of Eater's Top 18 Restaurants in America Feb 20, 2018
    • Feb 13, 2018 Robin Feb 13, 2018
    • Feb 6, 2018 Dilworth Tasting Room Feb 6, 2018
  • January 2018
    • Jan 30, 2018 Franceschetta 58 Jan 30, 2018
    • Jan 23, 2018 Lincoln's Haberdashery Jan 23, 2018
    • Jan 16, 2018 Charlotte Gets Social Jan 16, 2018
    • Jan 9, 2018 Top Five Dishes of 2017 Jan 9, 2018
    • Jan 4, 2018 Top Five Restaurants of 2017 Jan 4, 2018
  • December 2017
    • Dec 27, 2017 Oak Steakhouse Dec 27, 2017
    • Dec 19, 2017 Terrace Cafe Dec 19, 2017
    • Dec 13, 2017 Geranium Dec 13, 2017
    • Dec 8, 2017 Franklin BBQ Dec 8, 2017
  • November 2017
    • Nov 29, 2017 Burtons Grill & Bar Nov 29, 2017
    • Nov 21, 2017 Ollie's Bites: A Pizza my Heart in Charlotte Nov 21, 2017
    • Nov 15, 2017 NOMA Under the Bridge Nov 15, 2017
    • Nov 8, 2017 Luca Modern Italian Kitchen Nov 8, 2017
    • Nov 1, 2017 Essex Nov 1, 2017
  • October 2017
    • Oct 24, 2017 Your Pie Oct 24, 2017
    • Oct 17, 2017 Tea Fusion Cafe Oct 17, 2017
    • Oct 11, 2017 Aliño Pizzeria Oct 11, 2017
    • Oct 5, 2017 Restaurant Tim Raue Oct 5, 2017
  • September 2017
    • Sep 29, 2017 Ollie's Bites: Charlotte's Best Sweet Spots Sep 29, 2017
    • Sep 20, 2017 Astrid & Gastón Sep 20, 2017
    • Sep 13, 2017 Ollie's Bites: Brunching in Charlotte Sep 13, 2017
    • Sep 6, 2017 Caffeinated Charlotte Sep 6, 2017
  • August 2017
    • Aug 30, 2017 Wu's Cajun Seafood Aug 30, 2017
    • Aug 21, 2017 Charlotte's Best Bites: Guest Post for Off the Eaten Path Aug 21, 2017
    • Aug 16, 2017 The Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden Aug 16, 2017
    • Aug 10, 2017 Bad Daddy's Burger Bar Aug 10, 2017
    • Aug 3, 2017 Brixx Wood Fired Pizza Aug 3, 2017
  • July 2017
    • Jul 26, 2017 Ollie's Bites: Top Sushi Spots in Charlotte Jul 26, 2017
    • Jul 20, 2017 Central Jul 20, 2017
    • Jul 13, 2017 Maido Jul 13, 2017
    • Jul 5, 2017 Ollie's Bites: Date Night in Charlotte Jul 5, 2017
  • June 2017
    • Jun 29, 2017 Soul Gastrolounge Jun 29, 2017
    • Jun 21, 2017 Baku Jun 21, 2017
    • Jun 14, 2017 Selwyn Pub Jun 14, 2017
  • May 2017
    • May 31, 2017 Yamazaru May 31, 2017
    • May 24, 2017 Firestorm Pizza May 24, 2017
    • May 17, 2017 Animal May 17, 2017
    • May 10, 2017 Kato May 10, 2017
    • May 3, 2017 Here's Looking at You May 3, 2017
  • April 2017
    • Apr 26, 2017 Yafo Kitchen Apr 26, 2017
    • Apr 20, 2017 Ivan Ramen Apr 20, 2017
    • Apr 12, 2017 Tavolo Apr 12, 2017
    • Apr 5, 2017 Momofuku Ko Apr 5, 2017
  • March 2017
    • Mar 28, 2017 Evoke at Le Meridien Mar 28, 2017
    • Mar 22, 2017 Haberdish Mar 22, 2017
    • Mar 14, 2017 Good Food on Montford Mar 14, 2017
    • Mar 8, 2017 Nomad.pdx Mar 8, 2017
    • Mar 1, 2017 Stoke Mar 1, 2017
  • February 2017
    • Feb 16, 2017 Buxton Hall Feb 16, 2017
    • Feb 8, 2017 In Situ Feb 8, 2017
    • Feb 2, 2017 Saison Feb 2, 2017
  • January 2017
    • Jan 29, 2017 Eat Globally; Dine Locally Jan 29, 2017
    • Jan 1, 2017 Top Five Restaurants of 2016 Jan 1, 2017
  • December 2016
    • Dec 26, 2016 State Bird Provisions Dec 26, 2016
  • September 2016
    • Sep 24, 2016 The French Laundry, part 2 Sep 24, 2016
    • Sep 18, 2016 The French Laundry, part 1 Sep 18, 2016
  • August 2016
    • Aug 29, 2016 Icy Margaritas & Hot Salsa: Mexican Eats in the Queen City Aug 29, 2016
    • Aug 22, 2016 Best Places to Eat in San Francisco Aug 22, 2016
    • Aug 5, 2016 The Flipside Aug 5, 2016
  • July 2016
    • Jul 25, 2016 Babalu Jul 25, 2016
    • Jul 14, 2016 Best Restaurants in Charlotte - Summer 2016 Edition Jul 14, 2016
    • Jul 5, 2016 Comida Jul 5, 2016
  • June 2016
    • Jun 27, 2016 Batch Craft Jun 27, 2016
    • Jun 19, 2016 Asolare Jun 19, 2016
    • Jun 5, 2016 The Longboard Jun 5, 2016
  • May 2016
    • May 12, 2016 Momofuku Noodle Bar May 12, 2016
    • May 2, 2016 Toro May 2, 2016
  • April 2016
    • Apr 24, 2016 The Mandrake Apr 24, 2016
    • Apr 18, 2016 Evoke Redux Apr 18, 2016
    • Apr 15, 2016 Freud Apr 15, 2016
  • March 2016
    • Mar 13, 2016 Ru Sans Mar 13, 2016
    • Mar 9, 2016 The Pump House Mar 9, 2016
  • February 2016
    • Feb 24, 2016 Seoul Food Meat Co Feb 24, 2016
    • Feb 22, 2016 Kid Cashew Feb 22, 2016
    • Feb 12, 2016 Kindred Feb 12, 2016
  • January 2016
    • Jan 21, 2016 FIG Jan 21, 2016
    • Jan 3, 2016 Top Five Restaurants of 2015 Jan 3, 2016
    • Jan 2, 2016 Rose's Luxury Jan 2, 2016
  • November 2015
    • Nov 29, 2015 Funky Gourmet Nov 29, 2015
    • Nov 4, 2015 Rhubarb Nov 4, 2015
  • October 2015
    • Oct 26, 2015 Lexington Barbecue Oct 26, 2015
    • Oct 19, 2015 The Cellar at Duckworth's Oct 19, 2015
    • Oct 14, 2015 Danny's Midwood Challenge Oct 14, 2015
    • Oct 12, 2015 Founding Farmers Oct 12, 2015
    • Oct 4, 2015 Shake Shack Oct 4, 2015
  • September 2015
    • Sep 27, 2015 King Daddy's Sep 27, 2015
    • Sep 20, 2015 The Summit Room Sep 20, 2015
    • Sep 14, 2015 BLT Sep 14, 2015
    • Sep 6, 2015 Ajbani Sep 6, 2015
  • August 2015
    • Aug 30, 2015 Biscuit Head Aug 30, 2015
    • Aug 23, 2015 White Duck Taco Aug 23, 2015
    • Aug 17, 2015 Evoke Aug 17, 2015
    • Aug 14, 2015 Customshop Aug 14, 2015
    • Aug 13, 2015 Local Loaf Aug 13, 2015
    • Aug 12, 2015 Futo Buta Aug 12, 2015

© 2023 SCALLIONPANCAKE, LLC  Privacy Policy