This list was first published in 2018 and was last updated on August 20, 2020.
After some intense debate and a whole lot of enchiladas — here are the 6 best Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in Charlotte.
(Note: Menus and hours may change due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.)
Three Amigos
Classic low-key, neighborhood Mexican restaurant.
Must-order dish: Enchilada Verde ($9.49) – three tortillas filled with Chicken covered with a green salsa, queso fresco, onion, sour cream, lettuce, tomato and avocado.
Money: $$. Dishes are about $10-$13.
Daily specials: Kids eat free on Monday, $2 Dos Equis Bottles and half-off tequila shots on Wednesday, $8.99 all-you-can-eat enchiladas on Thursday, $5.99 large house margaritas on Friday, $3 Modelo Especial and Negra Modelos on Saturday, and $2.50 Coronas and $1.50 Miller Lites on Sunday.
Location and hours: Plaza Midwood, 2917 A Central Avenue. Monday-Thursday: 10:30 a.m.- 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Paco’s Tacos
Casual Tex-Mex joint with over 100 tequilas near SouthPark Mall
Must-order dish: Outlaw steak fajita – giant portion of wood-grilled marinated skirt steak cooked to order on a wood-burning grill ($22). Fajitas are served with onions, green peppers, charro beans, lettuce, red rice, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños, shredded cheese, Mexican butter, and warm homemade flour tortillas.
Money: $$. Most dishes are in the $11-$15 range.
Agenda pro tip: If you’re a queso person, give their Volcano Queso a shot. It has a blend of cheeses melted with pineapple, jalapeño bacon, onions, and poblano peppers ($10).
Location and hours: SouthPark, 6401 Morrison Boulevard, Suite 8A. Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Takeout from Paco’s.
Maria’s
Low-key Mexican restaurant that went viral on TikTok for its QuesaBirria, a taco and quesadilla hybrid
TikTok fame: Wynee Bermudez of @wyneesworld posted Maria’s QuesaBirria on TikTok in June, and it quickly generated over one million views. Ever since, business has boomed for the no-frills restaurant on South Boulevard.
Must-try dishes: Obviously the QuesaBirria ($5.50 each), and don’t forget to dip it in the beef broth. Other go-to dishes include the enchiladas rancheros ($10.50) and chilaquiles mexicanas ($10.50).
Money: $$. Most of Maria’s specials are $10-$13.
Location and hours: 5234 South Boulevard near the South and Tyvola intersection. Monday-Sunday: 10:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
[Related Agenda guide: 8 Charlotte TikTokers to follow — covering food, dad humor, dance moves, and more]
Stuffed with a beef and cheese stew, the QuesaBirria is more of a fork-and-knife kind of dish than what you see on TikTok.
Superica
Atlanta-based Tex-Mex restaurant from chef Ford Frye
Appetizer: Skip the guacamole and go with the queso fundido — broiled Monterey Jack and Chihuahua cheeses, served with warm tortillas and salsa cremosa ($8-$13). Watch: The Agenda’s cheese pull challenge.
Cocktail: Go with the Matador — El Jimador Blanco, pineapple, lime, and cilantro, served up ($12) — or the Red Headed Stranger, made with Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka, Campari, and fresh grapefruit ($11).
Money: $$$. Most entrees range from $18-$38, fajitas $20-$28, enchiladas $13-$15 and tacos $13-$16. You get it. It’s not a cheap Mexican spot.
Location and hours: South End in the Design Center, 101 West Worthington Avenue, Suite 100. Monday-Thursday: 4:30-9 p.m. Friday: 4:30-10 p.m. Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
[Related Agenda story: 10 quick takeaways from my first trip to Superica]