El Malo Tacos

El Malo has such a fun, festive vibe — the space is cool, colorful, and full of energy. We came for the Mexican food and were not disappointed. The chips were super fresh and crisp, and every salsa we tried was packed with flavor. The tacos were amazing — super flavorful with great texture and fresh ingredients. It’s a great spot for a night out with friends or just to enjoy some seriously tasty food in a lively atmosphere. Can’t wait to come back!

Absolutely loved the food here! Got some chips and salsa to share with my brother and got myself a birria burrito. This has to be one of the best burritos I've ever had! Cocktail was refreshing as well!! Definitely coming back to try more!!

Tried this new place in downtown Charlotte for lunch on a weekend. When we first got there, it took a while for someone to take our order, but after that, the service was good. The flavor of the tacos is good, the style of the Al Pastor meat is not 100% authentic however, it has good flavor. I liked the tortillas and the guacamole. The decoration and the environment of the restaurant is fun! It is a small though, so we had to put two tables together to fit a party of five. The price and the amount of the food are very fair for this area of town.

A foodie friend suggested this spot because he knows I love tacos. We went met here on a week day and dined outside. Indoors the restaurant is clean, the staff is friendly and yes, the tacos were tasty. It’s a great addition to the Central Avenue food scene. I look forward to trying more items off their menu!

Delicious!!! Highly recommend the taco with the chorizo & steak. All were very good. Will definitely be back to try other tacos. :)

Delicious. Food truck vibes inside a bar, it was enjoyable. A first time visit, we ordered two tacos each just to try. Followed by another round of two tacos each. Followed by a third round of two tacos each. The burrito and quesadillas apparently give you a better bang for your buck, especially when you add extra meat. The salsa was fresh, everything tasted same day freshness as it should. We sat in the hidden bar portion (go inside the door with the face-of-girl-sticker on it after 5p). Dark, moody, and gave the vibes of enjoying a food truck inside a bar. Definitely worth coming again — we ran into friends on the way out who stumbled upon it a month ago and they’ve been repeats ever since.

Food was amazing ! Since we left California , we have never found anything like California until now . The tortillas and the salsa make it for me. The problem , prices are outrageous. Drinks are in small cups and $3-$4 . Each taco is $4+ Cali burrito said $12 but that’s before you add the meat which was an additional $4 . We spent $70 on two cali burritos and a bean and cheese burrito with 2 tacos , 2 drinks . Maybe because of the area you guys feel you can get away with it and I’m sure you do … or that’s the price range in Cali …. but man …. I’m glad I didn’t bring my two teenagers . We could have taken them to a steakhouse for the price of them added to the bill. You guys nailed in the food for sure though . We drove over an hour away . I’d eat here again if we were near but thankfully we are far enough away that it won’t tempt us . Put another shop near Concord , Mooresville, hickory …. Then we would have a problem . Haha

Without question- the BEST burrito I have ever had!! I was headed to the hospital and needed something to eat. As I was driving down central ave I spotted this restaurant. It is located in a plaza. As such, the parking lot is shared with the other businesses. The staff at the counter was friendly, I opted to order the Burrito Pollo adobado. It was made to order so it took about 15 min to be ready. I ordered this to go since I needed to get to the hospital. When I took the first bite I was hooked! I don’t know what they put in this to make it so great, but It was everything! The food tasted fresh and it was well seasoned. If you are thinking of going- stop thinking and just go- you will be glad you did!

it was Sunday out with extra sun and mostly humid and otherwise uncomfortable so after some aimless driving I wound up near elizabeth on pecan and central and eventually here at Danger Tacos... have heard good things about this place and had a sampling of their wares at an event in the spring so I waddled up to the counter and was perusing the menu board a little too long before deciding on two carne asada. way too many people in the restaurant so I asked about going into the less crowded bar where I could get a tall glass of ice water and a refreshing cocktail (maybe.) tacos were fabulous even if they were a little messy. seasonal grilled steak, whack-a-mole-ee, pickled red onion, cilantro, and a radish all come together for a festival of flavors dripping out of your mouth and you don't even care because it's just that good. comes standard with lime and a pleasant salsa verde or a slightly more assertive rojo to suit your mood. also available in a flour tortilla option for those so inclined. (tide pen not included but strongly recommended)

Breakfast tacos are not great. I lived in Austin during OG times... Tamale House 2 original and Juan in a Million former customer (among other things). I have to give this a poor score. No bacon, lacks umami, cheese and potatoes just aren't right. There actually is a format here. Lmk, if there is a feedback form to give free advice on making more authentic "Austin" breakfast tacos, and...I'll probably improve profitability at the same time.

Barria FTW Love the option to be el Malo or vibe at Hermanita. Easy, fast service, and a great place to hang with friends. Must get their birria options- delicious consume.

My hunt for So Cal style Mexican food has brought me to El Malo. It was good but still not exactly what I have been looking for. But.... it is way better than many other places my hunt has taken me to. You can either use the walk up counter and sit in the restaurant part or you can go to the bar area that is hidden behind a door. Service in both areas is good. Bar drinks were good and the bar is really cute. The tacos and burritos were good as well as the chips, salsa, and guac.

I'm a fan of this spot! While here this past week for a work event, I also ordered additional food to enjoy a full meal. I got the steak taco and shrimp taco. They were so good, I devoured them in like 2 bites and later ordered the same thing again lol. I love the chill vibes on this side and then when you cross over to their speakeasy called Bar Hermanita its a whole other vibe! The food is top tier, staff is cool and funny! I loved my time here, meal and drinks. They have seating inside and outside. Highly recommend!!!

This is one of the only places in Charlotte with true Austin breakfast tacos... so thank you El Malo!!!! I haven't had a bad taco or cocktail from here. It can get pretty busy from time to time and it's a smaller place so plan accordingly. Tables turn pretty fast though and they have the other side if you're just looking to get in and out. I love that you can pick your vibe but get the same food on both sides. Overall, such a cool concept and delicious food!

The food is really fresh and the service is really quick! The vibe is great here they have a speakeasy in the back and it's really cool! The margs are incredible! They have a ton of different and classic margaritas- decent priced too!

Purely by chance we happened to arrive right when they opened--what perfect timing! The menu is simple and easy to follow, which made ordering a breeze. We decided on the camaron, carne asada, and birria tacos, and they were all absolutely delicious with just the right amount of kick. The Al pastor burrito, on the other hand, was massive--definitely a meal in itself! The interior is simple and has a relaxed vibe, making it a great spot to enjoy a casual meal. The friendly customer service added to the experience, and I loved that you can watch them cook right in front of you since the kitchen is adjacent to the dining space. The only thing I'd change? I wish they'd fill my cup all the way to the top--I love horchata and wanted every last drop! Overall, El Mano Tacos is a great spot for delicious, no-fuss Mexican food. Highly recommend!

So the reviews had us, however the food did not. It's a cute little place. Plenty of seating inside or out. The service was quick. The food lacked seasoning. I ordered the nachos with carne asado. The cheese wasn't what I expected at all. All I could eat was the meat and the beans and pico. There was no way to eat it as a true nacho. I ordered a taco just so I wouldn't be hungry. The guacamole was the star of the show.

I love mexican food, and can never get enough. So I'm glad this spot opened up in the neighborhood. You walk in and order at counter, and then they will call your number when the food is ready. I really liked their chips and hot sauce. I got the quesadilla and it was HUGE. They definitely fill it up. My boyfriend also liked his tacos. For a quick bite to eat, this is a good spot to check out!

Without question- the BEST burrito I have ever had!! I was headed to the hospital and needed something to eat. As I was driving down central ave I spotted this restaurant. It is located in a plaza. As such, the parking lot is shared with the other businesses. The staff at the counter was friendly, I opted to order the Burrito Pollo adobado. It was made to order so it took about 15 min to be ready. I ordered this to go since I needed to get to the hospital. When I took the first bite I was hooked! I don't know what they put in this to make it so great, but It was everything! The food tasted fresh and it was well seasoned. If you are thinking of going- stop thinking and just go- you will be glad you did!

A solid spot for some solid tacos. Recently opened, staff was friendly and attentive. Decent amount of indoor/outdoor casual seating. Great spot for quick lunch, easy dinner or if you're craving some authentica tacos. Tacos are the way to go or get the quesillaburriato and you can't go wrong. Flavorful, tender and with the sauce it's all you need. Reasonably priced. Have been a few times and will be back for more.

Hands down the best burrito and horchata I've had since leaving California. The flour tortilla was a little chewy and stretchy just like it should be; all ingredients were there in the right proportions, and the flavors in my Al pastor burrito were outstanding. We did counter service. It was quick and the woman at the register kindly asked if I had any allergies. If you think you don't like burritos, please try El Malo. If you know you like burritos, please try El Malo

A tough one... my family is born and raised San Diego. This spot is pretty good, but it feels like a direct attempt at knocking off The Taco Stand in SD... and it's not it at all. Anyways, service was great and friendly. The place is clean and nice aesthetic. I ordered a carne asada and a pastor taco. Tortillas were good. Meat was flavorful, but tasted overcooked. Also expected the pastor to come off a spit, it definitely did not (if it did, it wasn't fresh). Chips and salsa were tasty. Similar to mal pan, the prices are high for the amount of food. I would still come back because it's better than some other places in CLT and I want to try the burrito (mal pans flour tortillas are so good, so hoping this is the same!).

Probably the most authentic Cali burrito in the area! I lived in SD from 2016-2021 and I still talk about how much I miss the Mexican food on a weekly basis! Well I can fill that void with el Malo. I found the burrito to be of good size and heft. All ingredients were present in good quantities.. including the guac! The tortilla was so delicious as well and it held all the ingredients together so it didn't make a mess. I enjoyed the green salsa which had a medium spice. My only qualm, and reason for 4 stars, is that it is a little pricey. They get you by saying it's $11 for the burrito but then you have to choose your meat. I didn't know Cali burritos were served with anything other than carne. Anyways, the burrito came out to $15!! Yikes. My favorite burrito spot, on the beach in PB (La Perla), is still only $11 out the door (I just checked their website) I enjoyed this burrito but unfortunately can't justify getting it on the regular due to the cost. I will be back to try other things in the menu though!

When I learned from local media that there was a new taco spot on the scene that "brings a menu and vibe inspired by the Tijuana-style taco shops of San Diego and other parts of Southern California," I was all about it. Authentic tacos bursting with yummy Latin flavors are my JAM! Unfortunately, that was not what I experienced at El Malo. Centrally located in Plaza Midwood, El Malo fits well with the several other fast casual restaurants taking over the Pecan Point strip. Decent parking, an ample outdoor seating area, solid service, & an array of menu offerings highlighting standard Mexican fare make El Malo one to watch. Ordering the El Pastor, Carne Asada, & Campechano tacos and finding them to taste as if not one drop of salt/seasoning was added, was a serious party foul. I'd love to return to give El Malo another chance, but can't promise it. Giving three stars because, the preparation of the tortilla & meat were spot on, minus the salt. Pro Tip: Get the Delicious (brand name, not descriptor) IPA--it will not disappoint!

First off, these folks are SO friendly! The atmosphere is cute authentic looking and comfortable. Love the soda fountain! There's a decent sized front porch too for outdoor dining. The food I think is great. Fresh, super tasty (especially the pork!) and huuuuuge portions. Anyone wanna share?? I plan on working my way through the menu on multiple visits.. My favorite so far is the Al Pastor Quesadilla - super tasty, especially if you're hungover. ;) And what's thus about a secret bar? Im heading in to check it out...

Wow, this place is the perfect addition to the Plaza neighborhood. I tried the bean burrito and a taco. Both were so fresh and reminded me of California. The speakeasy is a fun addition with great drink prices.

Looking for a quick bite and decided to stop here was the best decision. I try to limit my carbs so they graciously adjusted the burrito with keto friendly foods. The burrito was filling and the perfect mix of spicy. There was no where to sit and a guest adjusted his table to allow us to sit. This restaurant is a 10 out of 10!

House Margarita's were very good. Service was fast and friendly. The vibe was fun. I went on a Monday and it felt like a weekend vibe. I would go again.

Yall. Best nachos. Best birria. Best tacos. Best staff. Love love love. Such a good experience. Cravings satisfied.

Food was okay, breakfast burrito with chorizo and a steak quesadilla came to $35. Way overpriced for what we got. Burritos are massive though! Can definitely make two meals out of one of them.

Had 2 different types of tacos and can't wait to go experience the rest is the menu. Tasted fresh and authentic.

Colorful, with graffiti bombs on the wall. Pictures on the wall paying homage to Mexico My family loved their food and salsa. A+ Excellent tortillas , cute tables and chairs

The pollo abodobo the best quesadilla I've ever had, and I've had a lot of quesadillas. Super fresh everything, they don't own a freezer

Was so excited for this taco shop to come to plaza and have loved trying the menu so far. I've tried almost all the tacos at this point and have loved them all. I will say the birria taco shell was falling apart bc of the wet birria meat, but the flavors were delicious. The burritos here are amazing. Delicious large flour tortillas stuffed with rice, beans, cheese, and meats. I definitely want to try the quesadillas next, I'm sure the birria one would be amazing. The Al Pastor is also amazing, delicious in a taco or burrito. I also love the casual ambiance here. You walk in and order at the counter then they call your order number when it's ready. There's some indoor seating and outdoor picnic tables on the patio as well. I'll definitely be a regular here!

The California carne asada burrito is as close as you going to get to a real California burrito here in Charlotte! I'm from San Diego and have lived in Charlotte for 10 yrs and this is the first taco shop that actually brought me back so SD! The habanero salsa is so good! My only small complaint ... For $15 burrito I need more meat and guac, thats all. Other things I tried (they were good but just needed more guac) Carne asada taco Al pastor taco Carne asada fries Definitely will be back again for more California carne asada burritos!

Today I had a serious craving for tacos or a burrito and was in the mood to try somewhere new. After hearing mixed reviews about El Malo, I figured it was time to finally check them out. This Plaza Midwood spot opened a few months back, and I had been curious about what they had to offer. First off, the interior gives off serious Tijuana taqueria vibes, with every detail on point, right down to the Coca Cola-branded folding tables that really complete the look. There's even a cozy patio if you're in the mood to dine al fresco. Be prepared for a bit of a parking challenge though, even on a Monday at lunchtime--it took me a few extra minutes to find a spot. When it came time to order, I was torn between grabbing tacos or going all in with a burrito. I ultimately decided on the Carne Asada Burrito, and let me tell you, this thing was hefty--exactly like the mission-style burritos I used to devour at taquerias around the Bay Area. The burrito came with a side of pickled beet and onion salad, along with verde and rojo salsa (though I'm not one for spicy, so I passed on those). Now, onto the burrito itself--it was loaded. We're talking rice, refried beans, a good amount of melted cheese (just the way I like it), tender steak, guacamole, crema, and a soft, warm flour tortilla that held up surprisingly well under the weight of all that goodness. I opted out of the onions and cilantro, but even without those, this burrito packed serious flavor and had me reminiscing about the West Coast. If you're looking for a solid, no-frills spot to grab a burrito that really satisfies, El Malo might just be your place. Just remember to allow some extra time for parking!

My sisters and I stopped by for lunch, and we weren't disappointed! The restaurant was super clean, and the staff was really friendly. We ordered tacos and a carne asada burrito -- the burrito was definitely my favorite. The tortillas were amazing, that soft, slightly gummy kind that's just so good. One of the employees even showed me the bar next door. It was closed since it was midday, but the space and decor looked great -- really big and inviting. I'm looking forward to checking it out one evening!

Absolute garbage! I firmly believe nobody who has eaten here has ever had a taco in their entire life. Worst tortillas in existence. I cannot dissuade people enough to avoid this place An insult to taquerias

Finally, some true street tacos in Charlotte. Try the birria, it's fantastic. The serving sizes are ample and they don't skimp. Burrito is also substantial. I've already been twice in the past few weeks.

meh I will give it another try and dine in instead. Flavors were good overall but unfortunately as the business is still new i waited over 25 minutes for my takeout order and when i got home I was missing a taco (pastor.) Salsa is a little too spicy for my taste personally, and you're not provided with choices. If you're sensitive to spice be aware. Beans are good and taco flavors seemed to be on point. Again, I will visit another try in-person. edited to add that once i got into the asada taco the meat was a bit bland. Also, I know these are meant to be traditional tacos but i find them a bit light and was still hungry after two tacos beans and chips.

The food was just ok the first time I came. Today they have fully changed my mind. I had carne asada tacos and they were 10 out of 10. Service was great. The patio was perfect to soak up the gorgeous spring weather.

Worth going to. Would go again. Had nearly every taco and all were good. A little under salted, but all pretty satisfying. House made hot sauce is delicious, the pickled onions on the side were generous enough and a nice touch.

Well....this place lived up to its name ( the bad) one) but not its ratings. The asada burrito was full of fat, grissel and chewy meat with no real flavor. The rice in the burrito was crunchy like sand and the beans had a distinct lard taste (not in a good way). The place was also really noisy and spartan. The quesabirra was ok but I've had way better even from local food trucks in Charlotte. Their food is decent to look at in the pictures and on the plate but not for eating. Whoever is giving this 4 or 5 star ratings has never been to SoCal, Mexico or anywhere that has remotely legit Mexican food.

Where do I even begin with El Malo? The food, atmosphere, and service are all absolutely incredible. As a fellow Californian, it truly felt like a taste of home. Their California burritos are outstanding! My family and I gladly make the hour-long trip once or twice a week just to enjoy their delicious food--it has definitely become a staple for us. They also have an awesome rewards program, though they haven't quite mastered the process yet. Hopefully, I'll still be able to get my points! It would be amazing if they opened a location closer to Concord, NC!

I'm a fan of the new taco and burrito spot in the neighborhood. While we have other options around for that food, this was a different spin inspired both by Mexican and Californian influences. I shared a burrito al pastor and an order of chips and salsa plus an ice cold MX Coke. The chips and salsa were ready first which was great so you don't have to wait for them along with your entree. Generous basket of warm, thick and crunchy chips alongside a bo of jalapeño salsa. The burrito was a hit and hefty! It was pork laden with adobo Rojo tucked inside a tortilla with the right amount of chewiness with onion, guacamole, pineapple (from the spit with the pork), rice, beans, cheese served with a red salsa, which tasted like habanero, and more green salsa. It was pretty fast too even on a Friday at 1 pm. I think they offered a beer or two and drinks like horchata too. No frills interior but it does the job.

Had the Quesabirria, which was simply excellent. The loaded fries were also really good and heavy, and my wife were able to share them. My wife had the papa taco and chicken adobado taco, she liked the chicken more than the potato one. But overall, great spot for some Mexican eats.

My husband and I were so excited for this to open being from Southern California and so glad it finally is! We each got a burrito (carne asada and California burrito). They are a great size for the price; service was friendly and my order was completed in a timely fashion. It is kind of noisy in there as I sat and waited for my order to go but love that you can watch them cook/prepare orders. My only complaint (a small one) - more guac in the California burrito! Can't wait to go back to try other items!

Best street tacos in Charlotte! Super easy order and sit down spot. My favorites so far are the birria, chicken, carne asada, and the potato. Also the California fries are everything your mouth has dreamed of.

These are hands down the best tacos in Charlotte. For context the guy who claims he's from San Diego has no idea what he's talking about. I've lived in California most of my life and this place has got it going on. This is more authentic than most the places in San Diego. The flavors are unreal and the tortillas for the burritos are the best I've had. This is our new spot and love that it's down the street. Can't ask for more good food, clean space, and really enjoyed the space.

I've gotten the chicken burrito 4 times in a row now because it's THAT good! Switched it up today with the quesabirria tacos and was not disappointed! Generous amount of well-seasoned birria with super fresh toppings. Excited to keep coming back to try more of the menu!

Amazing taste and good portion Fast service ! The environment is really good! Recommend

Incredible burrito! Very casual dining experience with great food that will definitely have you coming back.

I really want to like this place. I really do. Which is the only reason I can even give 3 stars. Context- I lived in San Diego for 5 years and had a California burrito on average once a week (don't judge me). I also was just there 2 days ago and got one, so the quality of The infamous "The Taco Stand" in SD is fresh in my mind. That said: Price- The taco stand has arguably the best California burrito you'll ever have in your life and is on the beach in SD. Why then does a burrito from there cost $10 and one from here cost over $15? I'll never be able to answer that. Burrito and horchata cost be $20 here, $12 in San Diego with the "higher cost of living" Horchata- the horchata was most disappointing. The taste leads me to believe they are making it with regular milk instead of the traditional rice milk....A shocking surprise for the lactose intolerant of us. Idk if that's a commonly accepted thing, but it's certainly not San Diego style and it makes me sad. The California burrito- disappointed. The little bit of meat ("carne asada") that was on my burrito was not as tender or flavorful as the meat in the usual California burrito. Just tasted like regular steak chunks. Burrito was mostly cheese with undercooked fries. The guac was pretty decent. The sauces- the light orange or whatever color sauce tasted exactly like the one they use in SD. The green was good also. Overall disappointed but holding out hope they change some things (good god please do something about the horchata) that makes this a go to spot for me. Customer service- great. Very friendly. Very straight forward ordering and pick up. If you haven't had "San Diego style" Mexican food before it's worth a try to see the concept which is different than most other Mexican food places here. But unless they make some improvements to their food quality it's likely you won't be returning often

California style burritos, yum and massive. Ate on the speakeasy side and it was wonderful.

I had to check this place out and then immediately went back twice more within a week. And I live about a half hour away!! Really great burritos. We're tried the breakfast burrito, the California burrito and a few tacos. All of it was excellent!

My honest fair opinion: The taste of the food is great! Clean place / nice staff The price you pay for the size / portion you get is TERRIBLE!!! I legit felt ripped off after I opened my bag. If it wasn't for me touching the food I would've took it back and got my money back. I included a lighter next to the ($5 each) tacos I got. I've seen egg rolls bigger than these things. You'll get the best bang for your buck at Sabor Latin or La Authentica both are down the street.

I'm from California, born and raised, and I truly have not found a place that rivals if not supersedes California Mexican food in NC - UNTIL COMING HERE. Some of these other negative reviews are wack, and makes me wonder if they're written by a charlotte competitor, or maybe just someone who doesn't know good authentic Mexican food. I ordered one Al pastor taco and one carne asada taco. The meat was unmatched, incredibly tender, intense flavor, and melted in my mouth. The corn tortillas are handmade everyday and you can immediately tell upon taking one bite. The verde sauce on the al pastor was rich in flavor but didn't over power the meat. The hot and mild salsas that came with the tacos were phenomenal as well, but the hot one definitely packed some heat and my nose was running after a few bites, which is fine because I love the extra spice. Overall 10/10. I will be back often. And not to mention, they serve alcohol and have a sweet speak easy in the back that also serves late night bites. I cant wait to come back on a night out and enjoy that part of El Malo too. It's a MUST TRY and truly puts all other Charlotte Mexican food to shame.