The family behind Tacos El Nevado, one of Charlotte's most popular Mexican restaurants, is opening Sabores de Oaxaca, a new restaurant devoted exclusively to traditional dishes from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Why it matters: It's the latest chapter for a growing immigrant-owned business that started nearly two decades ago with a food truck and, its owners say, just $30.

What to expect: The new fast-casual restaurant will focus strictly on Oaxacan cuisine, unlike Tacos El Nevado, which draws flavors from across Mexico.

Dig in: The menu will feature traditional guisados (stewed dishes), sopes and torta de pierna (a pork leg sandwich).

• It'll also serve Oaxacan hot chocolate and other regional specialties rarely found outside southern Mexico.

Zoom out: Oaxaca is widely considered one of Mexico's culinary capitals, known for its tlayudas, moles and deeply traditional cooking methods.

• "Recipes are passed down from generation to generation," the family tells Axios. Oaxacan dishes haven't changed much from their origins centuries ago, they explain.

What's next: The team is targeting a late April or early May opening, pending final inspections.

Keep reading about the family's origin story

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Financial Accountant at Coley Home.
2. Senior Accounting Manager at Charlotte Country Day School.
3. Assistant Store Manager at Laura Park.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

After years of mediocrity and missing the playoffs, the Charlotte Hornets are arguably the hottest team in the NBA.

Why it matters: The team has often been an afterthought in the national basketball conversation — but now, everyone is talking about the Hornets. They aren't just winning, they're smacking their opponents around.

Case in point: On Wednesday night, the Hornets beat the Celtics, the No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference, 118-89 in Boston, marking Charlotte's 10th straight road win.

Flashback: The original Hornets began playing in Charlotte in 1988 — it was the city's first major league team. People wore tuxedos and evening gowns to games. They even gave the Hornets a standing ovation after the first game, despite how badly they lost.

• Charlotte's NBA team hasn't given its fans much to hope for in recent years, but the tide is finally turning.

What's next: The Hornets host the Miami Heat tonight at 7. Tickets start at $54.76.

The bottom line: NBA basketball is fun in Charlotte again.

Keep reading

🥪 Ricci's Hoagies, a Philly-based sandwich shop, opens next Wednesday, March 11, at 719 East 36th St. (Instagram)

🐟 An aquarium has been proposed as Charlotte leaders consider next steps for Discovery Place's future. (WSOC)

🎓 A $2 million project initiated by Dr. Dre will help upgrade West Charlotte High School's facilities. (Observer 🔐)

🍼 Charlotte-based startup Stork Exchange is planning a larger warehouse as demand for baby-gear rentals grows. (CBJ 🔐)

🌈 The "Caravan of Hope" project is rolling through Charlotte to offer legal help to LGBTQ+ residents for name and gender marker changes. (WFAE)

🍽️ L'Ostrica now offers bar seating reservations Wednesday through Saturday, serving an à la carte menu as opposed to its usual tasting menu. (CharlotteFive)

This week's hot homes lean into indoor-outdoor living, with outdoor showers and relaxing spaces for spending time outside.

Zoom in: The Plaza Midwood home pictured above sits on one of the neighborhood's most sought-after streets, across from The VanLandingham Estate and the Kilgo House, and within walking distance of its most popular spots.

• At 2,321 square feet, it has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and is listed for $1.19 million.
• Notable features include: wood-burning fireplace, wood floors, an outdoor shower, fountain, French doors, large shaded back patio and fenced-in yard.

More hot homes starting at $365K

📅 See what's going on around the city.

• Charlotte FC vs. Austin FC at Bank of America Stadium tomorrow: Charlotte FC is back to face Austin FC in the home opener. Arrive early for a limited-edition party shirt, presented by Ally. $58+.
• Shameless Improv Comedy at The Comedy Club at Duckworth's March 18: Charlotte's best comedy show. An unscripted comedy experience where the audience drives the chaos. Sharp riffs, wild surprises, and the kind of laughs that turn a random Wednesday into a core memory. $10.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Brittany Cochran, executive chef at Stagioni, is the only Charlotte-based chef competing on Season 23 of "Top Chef," a season filmed in Charlotte and across the Carolinas.

Why it matters: It's a national spotlight moment not just for her, but for Charlotte's evolving food scene.

• "Top Chef chose Charlotte for a reason," she tells Axios.

Flashback: Cochran grew up in Columbus, Ohio, spending summers in her grandparents' garden, where she first saw food "from start to finish."

• She moved to Charlotte to attend Johnson & Wales University, graduated in 2013, and stayed. She initially worked at Mimosa Grill in Uptown.
• She joined Stagioni in July 2020 after getting a text from restaurateur Bruce Moffett. Five and a half years later, she's still leading the kitchen at one of Charlotte's most popular restaurants.

Keep reading about Cochran, and how she describes Charlotte's food scene

The "Top Chef" production kept specific filming details under wraps while in Charlotte last summer, but public records obtained by Axios provided a glimpse into some of the locations Bravo planned to use to showcase the city.

Why it matters: The show's national spotlight made the city look really good, in part because it highlighted our prized landmarks, best restaurants and favorite neighborhoods.

Spoilers ahead