New restaurant taking up residence in downtown Cramerton

Chloe Collins, Gaston Gazette
Skillet Southern Bistro is expected to open in Cramerton in May. (Credit: Skillet 3B)
Skillet Southern Bistro is expected to open in Cramerton in May. (Credit: Skillet 3B)

Gaston County native and long-time chef Casey McElwaine is turning his food trailer Skillet 3B into a brick and mortar restaurant in Cramerton.

Skillet Southern Bistro is set to open at 119 Center St. by the end of May, he said.

According to McElwaine, God is the center of his journey to opening Skillet Southern Bistro.

McElwaine’s career did not start in the kitchen.

After graduating high school, McElwaine intended to go into business or finance.

Instead, he served in the United States Navy for four years, during which time he and a close friend vowed never to work nights or weekends again.

“Yet here I am,” he said.

After leaving the Navy, McElwaine enrolled in a business law class that turned out to be very challenging.

One morning after weeks of very little sleep and a lot of studying to pass the class, McElwaine was making breakfast for his now wife when he decided to change directions and attend culinary school.

McElwaine then spent years working different positions in several restaurants, going back to school for a business degree along the way, and in 2021, he decided to venture out on his own.

For just over three years now, McElwaine has served, “elevated soul food,” to Gaston County from his food trailer business Skillet 3B.

According to McElwaine, he sets the food prices a dollar or two higher than someone might pay for fast food, but he believes the quality is worth the money.

Examples of food customers can expect to see on the menu at Skillet Southern Bistro, located at 119 Center St. in Cramerton.
Examples of food customers can expect to see on the menu at Skillet Southern Bistro, located at 119 Center St. in Cramerton.

“I’ve had people come back and say they’ll pay that extra dollar every time,” he said.

Some menu items guests can expect include shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, burgers, ribeyes, and more.

McElwaine said he hopes to uplift other Cramerton businesses and provide an atmosphere of hospitality where families feel comfortable getting together for Friday night diner.

Skillet 3B food truck will be retiring when the restaurant officially opens its doors unless something changes, according to McElwaine.

After a soft launch of just lunch or dinner in the first two weeks of being open, Skillet Southern Bistro will be open 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“Get ready to try some stuff that you normally wouldn’t try,” McElwaine said. “Come with an empty belly and an open mind.”

Examples of food customers can expect to see on the menu at Skillet Southern Bistro, located at 119 Center St. in Cramerton.
Examples of food customers can expect to see on the menu at Skillet Southern Bistro, located at 119 Center St. in Cramerton.
Examples of food customers can expect to see on the menu at Skillet Southern Bistro, located at 119 Center St. in Cramerton.
Examples of food customers can expect to see on the menu at Skillet Southern Bistro, located at 119 Center St. in Cramerton.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: New restaurant taking up residence in downtown Cramerton

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