Brian Nagele
Charlotte is the biggest city in Northern Carolina and home to several notable sports teams, museums, and more.
There are also many fine restaurants influenced by the local Tex-Mex cuisine.
As such, it’s not hard to find some of the most popular Mexican dishes in Charlotte, but I wanted to find out which restaurants deliver food with rich flavor and an authentic taste.
So, whether you’re looking for traditional Mexican food or interested in trying the popular Tex-Mex cuisine, the following is my list of the best Mexican restaurants in Charlotte.
Azteca
Multiple locations
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Azteca is a family-owned Mexican restaurant with locations in Gastonia, Matthews, Smith Corners, and Woodlawn.
The owners place a great deal of importance on being family-oriented, making Azteca an ideal destination if you have kids.
You’ll find all the traditional Mexican dishes here, including fajitas, nachos, and more.
They also serve seafood and have an American food menu with hamburgers and sandwiches.
This diversity of foods ensures everyone can find something they like to eat.
As I was in the mood for something full of zest when I last visited Azteca, I ordered their jalapeno nachos.
They have all the usual ingredients you’d find in a nacho, but the jalapenos add that extra flavor I’m always appreciative of.
Cabo’s Mexican Cuisine & Cantina
6676 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
Phone: 704-759-9886
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Cabo’s Mexican Cuisine and Cantina is always busy, and for a good reason.
The restaurant boasts a wide range of dishes, including seafood, grill, and more.
However, I think the stars of the menu are the Latin delights that explore traditional meals from each country, like Costa Rica, Cuba, and Ecuador, among others.
The restaurant also has plenty of vegetarian delights, such as spinach enchiladas, and one of my favorites at Cabo’s, veggie burritos.
Moreover, both the lunch and dinner menus are of a decent size to give you plenty of options to either stick to familiar delights or try something new.
In addition, sports fans may be pleased to hear the restaurant has multiple TVs.
However, I think the tasty food at Cabo’s provides plenty of entertainment.
Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina
2917 Central Ave A, Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 704-536-1851
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Three Amigos has been serving authentic Mexican delicacies since 2010.
The restaurant prides itself on being a tour of regional Mexican flavors, as you can choose between a variety of meats, seafood, and more.
Moreover, rice, beans, and tortillas accompany almost every meal.
I love the chimichangas here, but also the mouth-watering tostadas.
It’s also worth noting that the restaurant runs some great promotions.
You can enjoy the perks of the family Monday at Three Amigos, as kids can eat for free.
And for sweet tooths, Thursday has 50% off on all desserts.
Paco’s Tacos and Tequila
6401 Carnegie Blvd #8a, Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone: 704-716-8226
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Paco’s Tacos and Tequila is true to its name, offering both traditional Mexican food and an astounding amount of over 100 types of tequila.
In addition, the restaurant is gluten-free friendly, with a separate menu dedicated to providing delicious options for those dietary restrictions.
While deciding which tequila to order may be challenging, I think that task is, fortunately, easier when it comes to food, as it’s always a safe bet to go with any of the two Paco’s signature tacos.
Aside from tacos, you’ll also find fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas, soups, and salads on the menu. Moreover, the dinner menu provides more Texas options, paying homage to the Tex-Mex-style cooking that is extremely popular in the area.
Superica
1801 N Shepherd Dr #B, Houston, TX 77008
Phone: 713-955-3215
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Superica is a popular destination among the locals, whether it’s going there for lunch, dinner, or brunch.
Even a trip for just a drink is well worth it, with Superica’s enviable atmosphere.
Mexican and American dishes, otherwise known as Tex-Mex cuisine, thrive at Superica. Dine on quesadillas and enchiladas, and sip cocktails and margaritas at lunch or dinner.
The rotating menu at Superica offers different choices from midday to evening.
Come by at dinner to try a savory street taco!
Anita’s Mexican Grill
2904 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: 704-329-0321
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Anita’s Mexican Grill is the perfect stop for lunch or dinner. It’s a faster restaurant, so you can grab and go!
The fare is traditional and familiar, so even the pickiest of eaters can find something on the menu they like.
Anita’s Mexican Grill has an amazingly wide variety of quesadillas – 11 in total when I last visited.
You can also decide between eight flavors of tacos, eight types of nachos, and seven types of burritos, and then choose between chicken or beef for enchiladas.
Anita’s is the place to go if you can’t sit down; you can even call to order ahead and pick it up while en route to your next vacation adventure.
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila
Multiple locations
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Que Onda Tacos and Tequila is a lively Mexican restaurant with locations in University City, Matthews, and Highland Creek.
I love coming here for their boozy brunch.
Moreover, the restaurant offers lunch specials and runs daily promotions on food and drinks.
Though the menu at Que Onda has plenty of great choices, the section with comfort Mexican food stood out to me the most.
They also serve Latin-inspired cocktails and an extensive selection of tequilas.
So if you are looking for a complete dining experience or to host a party with your friends, consider heading to Que Onda.
Ru Ru’s Tacos & Tequila
715 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Phone: 704-946-8161
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You’ll find RuRu’s at the historic Reynolds-Gormajenko House.
However, that’s not the only distinct thing about this restaurant.
They named every menu item after a famous line in a movie or TV show.
While RuRu’s menu features Mexican fare, they also draw inspiration from Korean, Latin, American, and Greek cuisine.
I would highly recommend any dish with marinated meat.
And if you’re looking for something lighter, consider the Mary Samsonite salad with romaine, Bibb, and iceberg lettuce, among other ingredients.
Besides the impressive food selection, RuRu’s also has all types of drinks, including craft beers, cocktails, and various tequilas.
Sabor Latin Street Grill
Multiple locations
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Sabor Latin Street Grill prides itself on expressing Latin culture through Authentic street food.
You can order a meal here that would be a staple in the streets in El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia.
This menu is also ideal for those with dietary restrictions, as it’s designed to be customizable.
Many menu options allow visitors to pick everything about it, such as proteins, toppings, add-ons, and such.
From street food to all the popular Mexican fare, such as burritos and quesadillas, Sabor Latin Street Grill offers something for anyone.
SouthBound
2433 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: 704-912-1889
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If you enjoy listening to live music while eating your favorite Mexican food, consider visiting SouthBound.
This energetic restaurant regularly hosts live music in the music yard; just make sure to buy a ticket to the show that interests you.
In addition, there is a gorgeous Studio available for private events, complete with a self-pour tap wall. South Bound has daily drink specials and all types of Mexican dishes.
My favorite is Build Your Own Bowl, as I can fill the bowl with ingredients of my choice, including chicken adobo, grilled sweet potato, and more.
37 Sol
8724 Outlets Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28278
Phone: 704-588-4305
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37sol showcases how well Southwestern and Southern cuisine blend together.
So if you’re a fan of Mexican food but looking for a bit different flavor, influenced by the local recipes, I highly recommend visiting 37sol.
The menu here is quite flexible, complete with burgers, sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, small plates, and much more to accommodate your palate, regardless of your preferences.
They also serve an array of beverages, including craft beers, wines, cocktails, and, of course, tequilas.
And if you’re looking for something for your sweet tooth, I would recommend the Ancho Chocolate brownie, which pairs well with just about anything. The 37 Sol Menu is flexible, complete with.
Bakersfield
1301 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: 980-938-8565
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Situated on East Blvd, Bakersfield is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Charlotte if you wish to experience the local nightlife.
They serve some of the most popular Mexican fare as well as over 100 different tequilas and American whiskeys.
Of all the tacos you can order at Bakersfield, huitlacoche is arguably my favorite.
Also known as Mexican truffles, it’s a delicacy with a rich history dating back to the Aztecs.
In addition, if you want to host a hip, vibrant, and fun private event, Bakersfield has modern roll-up doors, which help constitute a great setting for up to 30 people.
If your party is slightly larger than that, full restaurant buy-outs are available.
Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant
Multiple locations
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Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant can be found at four locations in Charlotte, South Tryton, the University Area, Pineville, and Gastonia.
They are renowned for amazing traditional Mexican food, and you can’t go wrong picking any of their restaurants.
However, if you’re a fan of karaoke, consider heading to the University or Pineville restaurant.
Moreover, the latter also features a mariachi band. Don Pedro’s menu is perfect for any party.
My favorite dinner has to go to be their super nachos.
In addition to coming in large portions, they have the always flavorful combination of ingredients, including beans, chips, guacamole, and sour cream.
Johnny Burrito
301 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28282
Phone: 704-371-4448
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Located below the Two Wells Fargo Atrium, Johnny Burrito has built a reputation among the locals for bringing hot and spicy food.
As the restaurant’s name would suggest, Johnny Burrito makes some of the best burritos in Charlotte.
However, they also have refreshing nacho salads, and I’m a huge fan of their tamales.
Notably, homemade tamales are only available on certain days of the week, Tuesdays and Fridays, and they are everything a tamale should be.
Crispy, hot, juicy. I’m particularly fond of the vegetarian and BBQ pork variants.
There are plenty of places to enjoy delicious Mexican food in Charlotte, North Carolina.
From all the traditional dishes and unique spins on old favorites to all the different types of tequilas and more, these Mexican restaurants offer a memorable dining experience.
If you’re more in the mood for breakfast, then we’ve got you covered there, too!
Did we leave your favorite Mexican restaurant out of this list? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll make sure to check it out!
