Mexican restaurant El Malo opens in Plaza Midwood, speakeasy-style bar coming soon
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El Malo is next to Dave's Hot Chicken in Plaza Midwood. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
El Malo takes inspiration from traditional Tijuana-style taco shops like the ones you see in San Diego and other parts of Southern California, owner Andre Lomeli tells Axios.
Why it matters: Lomeli has a history of bringing Southern California food to Charlotte. His other restaurant, Taqueria Mal Pan in SouthPark, has some of the best burritos in North Carolina, according to Yelp. Its California burrito is a San Diego staple.
Dig in: El Malo's menu consists of tacos like al pastor and Tijuana-style birria tacos, to name a few, plus quesadillas, burritos, nachos and California fries.
- On its drink menu, you'll find bottled Mexican sodas, agua fresca, margaritas and Mexican beers.
What's next: Hermanita, a speakeasy inside El Malo, will open later this month. "It'll be very New York, or, speakeasy-style," Lomeli said.
- Hermanita's cocktail menu will be mainly tequila and mezcal-based, but you'll find cocktails with all sorts of liquor. "[We'll have] sangritas, some miches (micheladas), cantaritos (a Mexican drink made with juices and tequila) with the clay pots," Lomeli said.
- El Malo will serve as the kitchen for Hermanita, offering late-night bites in Plaza Midwood. "There'll be a pass-through window from El Malo to Hermanita for the food," owner Andre Lomeli tells Axios.
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Stop by: 1308 The Plaza, in the renovated Midwood Corners shopping center next to Dave's Hot Chicken and Cold Hearted Gelato.
- Open 11am-10pm daily.
- Once Hermanita opens, they will start late-night food service on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on Sep. 26, 2023 and last updated on July 8, 2024 to reflect the restaurant's opening.