Scoop: Tacos Rick-O food truck owner opens RiCkO's Churro Bar in NoDa
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Churro stuffed with dulce de leche. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
RiCkO's Churro Bar opens in NoDa on Sunday, Aug. 11.
Why it matters: The build-your-own churro shop is Charlotte's first churreria, according to owner Ricky Ortiz, best known for his popular Mexican food truck Tacos Rick-O.
Dig in: RiCkO's Churro Bar has every kind of churro, any way you like it — stuffed (with dulce de leche or Nutella), topped (with sprinkles, cookie chunks, cereal, coconut flakes), or doused (with chocolate, marshmallow, crème brûlée).
- In addition to BYO churros, you'll also find espresso drinks, horchata frappes, and refreshers "which are sort of like a lemonade, that come in passion fruit and strawberry, with edible glitter," Ortiz said.
- The shop will also offer traditional Mexican breads, ten types of tres leches cakes and soft-serve ice cream.
- There'll also be savory options on the menu, like sandwiches, avocado toast and croissants.
- Of note: All the churros are made to order because they're best served warm.
The vibe: The 1,000-square-foot space has bar seating for about six people inside and a few tables outside. It's meant to be a grab-and-go spot.
Flashback: Ortiz was born and raised in Durango, Mexico, where he says you can "find churros on every corner."
- He moved to Charlotte about 13 years ago and opened Tacos Rick-O about a decade ago.
- "I built this for [my mom]," Ortiz explained while pointing at a mural of his mother inside the restaurant. "She's been by my side, helping me with everything and she's going to be running this."
Zoom out: There's an influx of Hispanic food coming to NoDa soon, including Dominican restaurant MaBí and Peruvian Nikkei restaurant Panko.
Stop by: 3100 North Davidson, between Happy Camper and Haberdish.
- Open daily 10am-10pm. Closed on Mondays.
What's next: Ortiz wants to expand RiCkO's Churro Bar to South End. But first, he has a few other projects in the works, including a Latin restaurant lounge in Plaza Midwood.
- Right now, you can find Tacos Rick-O at the Charlotte Premium Outlets from Friday to Sunday. Eventually, he plans to open a bar where he can keep the food truck parked permanently and open six days a week.
Go deeper: The most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte