Pictured left to right: Chris Carnes (Bartender) Amber Valentine (Fit Foodie) Will Ray (VP of Operations) and Jena Henderson (President)
Michael Waltrip Taproom: The Race City Bar Serving Up Mooresville’s Best Wings, Beer, and Football?
When you think of a NASCAR driver, “delicious food” might not be the first thing that comes to mind—but at the Michael Waltrip Taproom in Mooresville, that’s exactly what you’ll get. The moment I took my first bite, my expectations flew out the window. This place doesn’t just serve food—they serve dangerously good food. And trust me, after reading this, you’ll want to rev your engines and speed over for a bite.
Waltrips Taproom – LKNConnect Featured Business
A Beer Was Born on the Golf Course
Let’s start with a fun backstory. I sat down with Jena Henderson, the President of the Michael Waltrip Taproom, for lunch, and she shared how the whole thing got started. Michael Waltrip, former NASCAR driver, was out on the golf course with friends when he wasn’t impressed with the beer being served. His response? “We should make our own!” And just like that, an idea was born. Three and a half years later, what started as beer has expanded into multiple locations, including the Mooresville location of the Michael Waltrip Taproom.
Now, I’ll be honest—after hearing that story, I thought the focus would be all beer and no substance when it came to food. Oh, how wrong I was.
The Twist & Turn: Pretzel Meets Doughnut
Let me introduce you to the Twist & Turn—Jena described this to me as “a pretzel and a doughnut had a baby” And let me tell you, it is DANGEROUS. I don’t eat bread, I don’t eat pretzels, and I certainly don’t eat doughnuts… but I ate every single one of these. I’m warning you—these things are a temptation you’ll have to face if you step foot in the taproom. Also, I don’t know what they did to the honey mustard but it’s amazing, take a dip of it with your “dangerous” twists and turns pretzels. You’re welcome.
Championship Sliders: Farm-Fresh Wagyu Beef
As if the Twist & Turn wasn’t enough, Jena recommended the Championship Slider Flight. Even before my first bite, I was sold. Why? The beef comes from W8 Ranch in Ennice, NC—locally sourced Wagyu beef. As the Fit Foodie, I’m all about supporting local farms and eating real, high-quality food, and this was a big win in my book. Then, I took a bite, and it was everything I hoped for. One of the sliders, the Mac Daddy, is topped with mac and cheese and a crunchy layer of BBQ chips. It’s a flavor bomb that will leave you wondering why you haven’t had burgers this way your entire life.
Finally, Did I find The Best Wings in Mooresville?
Now, let’s get real for a second—I am a wing snob. I drive all over LKN to find decent wings, but those days are over. Michael Waltrip Taproom has officially claimed the title for Mooresville’s Best Wings in my opinion. They’re big, crispy, and cooked to perfection. You can bet I’ll be coming back for these. The MW Dust is a house made dry rub and it was awesome on the wings! I hear it comes on the fries too!
Brisket Flatbread & Fried Oreos (Yes, Fried Oreos)
We also tried the Brisket Flatbread, which was a limited-time menu item. So if you want to experience it, hurry up! And for dessert? Well, let’s just say Jena “forced” me into trying the Fried Oreos. They’re coated in pancake batter, and despite my best intentions to resist, I devoured them all. These are the kind of sinful treats you just have to give in to every now and then.
Let’s Talk Beer (Because, Duh, It’s a Taproom!
Of course, you can’t visit the Michael Waltrip Taproom without trying their beer. Bartender Chris Carnes served us a flight of Waltrip’s brews. My partner Steven Paul is into sours and loved the Key Lime Pie Sour (I’m personally not a fan, but he swears it’s good!). As for me, I’m more of a light beer drinker, and the Talladega Light was perfection. We also tried the Sunshine Tangerine Ale and TBo (named after a big race crash)—both solid choices, but Talladega Lights won my heart. And the best part? You can take home your favorites in cans or a growler.
Left to right : MW Talladega Light, MW Key Lime Pie Sour, MW Bristol Sunshine Tangerine Ale, MW TBO “The Big One”
Meet Amber Valentine, a bold and empowering speaker known for her 300 pound transformation story. She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Weight Loss Coach, and an expert in helping women unleash their inner Bad B. As the CEO of Hotmess 2 Hotness, LLC, Amber specializes in mindfulness techniques, healthy eating, and conquering your own B.S.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.Hotmess2Hotness.com
Phone Number: 540-539-4998
