Rob Duckworth, the owner of Duckworth’s Grill and Taphouse and Link & Pin, is set to bring the flavors of Chili Willi’s, a beloved Tex-Mex cantina from Huntington, West Virginia, to Charlotte. This partnership is particularly sentimental for Duckworth, who has fond memories of the restaurant. It was the place where he went on his first date with his wife and where he made several key business deals early in his career.
Even though it has been over a decade since Duckworth last tasted the food, the flavors and memories remain vivid for him. He tells Axios, “Even though it’s been over a decade since I’ve had the food, I can just remember how it tasted.”
A Taste of West Virginia in Charlotte
Duckworth has acquired the recipe rights to Chili Willi’s and is collaborating with the restaurant’s former owner and chef, Ron Smith, to bring the iconic flavors to Charlotte. Duckworth describes Chili Willi’s as “elevated Tex-Mex,” and the menu will feature a mix of classic Tex-Mex favorites made from scratch in-house. Some of the standout dishes that Duckworth fondly remembers and will feature on the menu include:
- Pork Carnitas Tacos
- Coffee-Rubbed Hanger Steak
- Grilled Salmon Over Smoked Grill
- Enchiladas
- Flautas
- Chimichangas
- Huevos Rancheros
The aim is to bring the best of Tex-Mex with a fresh, elevated twist that captures the essence of the original Chili Willi’s experience.
The Legacy of Chili Willi’s
Chili Willi’s first opened in 1983 and quickly became a favorite in Huntington, West Virginia, known for its chili and authentic Tex-Mex cuisine. It earned a loyal following before closing in 2011 after nearly three decades in business. Duckworth’s decision to resurrect the restaurant in Charlotte comes after almost 14 years of the original location’s closure.
Duckworth moved from West Virginia to Charlotte about two decades ago. In 2004, he opened his first Duckworth’s Grill and Taphouse in Mooresville, and since then, he has expanded his restaurant portfolio across the Charlotte metro area.
Changes in Duckworth’s Business Portfolio
While Duckworth is expanding with Chili Willi’s, he recently announced the closure of two of his restaurants: Link & Pin in South End and the Duckworth’s Ballantyne location. Duckworth explained that Link & Pin struggled to perform after the restaurant became more elevated and steakhouse-centric, saying, “Markets change and you gotta keep the business healthy.” However, other Duckworth’s locations, including Link & Pin in Huntersville and Arboretum, will remain open, along with the other Duckworth’s locations in Uptown, South Park, Mooresville, and Rea Farms.
Duckworth is also working on placing staff from the closed locations at his other businesses, such as The Comedy Club at Duckworth’s, which just opened.
Looking Ahead: New Beginnings for Chili Willi’s
Duckworth has plans to bring Chili Willi’s to Charlotte, and while he is considering Link & Pin’s South End location as a possible spot, he is still in the early stages of the search. He also mentioned that he’s looking at other potential sites around Charlotte and the Lake Norman area.
As Duckworth and Smith continue to plan, Ron Smith will be traveling to Charlotte next week to meet with Duckworth and his team.
The return of Chili Willi’s to Charlotte promises to bring back a cherished piece of West Virginia’s culinary history, now elevated for the Queen City’s dining scene.
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