Mal Pan

First of all, food was unbelievably delicious. You can easily tell it is fresh and made in house, the flavor was extremely authentic. Secondly, the service was undeniably the best I have received in Charlotte. Our server, Kat, was extremely polite and friendly. It felt as if we had her undying attention. Despite booking a reservation through open table on Valentine’s Day. I called to let them know I was running late and they were extremely accommodating. Upon arrival we were sat immediately on their beautiful patio with heaters and quite the view of downtown Piedmont. The skirt steak was indescribably tender and flavorful with hints of whichever fat was used to perfectly cook the steak. The roasted chicken tacos were extremely refreshing and had a slight twist of citrus that was not overwhelming at all. I cannot recommend Mal Pan enough and I will 100% undoubtedly be returning.

Loved the food! The portions are large and so delicious. The queso fundido is the best cheese dip we have had. There were 5 of us and we all thought the food was great. We enjoyed tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and the Mal Pan bowl. We highly recommend eating at Mal Pan!

I had one of the best brunch experiences at Mal Pan today! From start to finish, everything was spot on. Our server, Karen, was absolutely amazing—warm, attentive, and on top of every detail without ever feeling rushed. She made us feel right at home. I ordered the Chilaquiles Burrito and it was packed with flavor, hearty, and perfectly balanced. Truly one of those dishes you keep thinking about after the meal. So I save my other half for later... Big!!!!! shoutout also to Andre, the manager, who checked in on us to make sure everything was perfect. That extra touch of hospitality really set the tone. If you’re looking for a brunch spot that hits all the marks—great food, welcoming service, and a team that genuinely cares—Mal Pan is the place. Definitely coming back!

Best, Mexican food in Charlotte by far. quality ingredients. yummy food. good drinks at very reasonable prices. I highly recommend.

Great spot and delicious food! The only thing that’s holding me back on a 5 Star is the music was a little too loud. Very hard to hear the waitress and carry a conversation with my husband.

One of the best Latin spots in Charlotte, hands down. The food is great and flavorful, drinks are creative, strong, and delicious, and the service is phenomenal. Everytime I visited (which was frequent) bartenders/hostesses remembered me and were sooo kind. Shoutout to Alex, Duckie, Rob, and Jamie(I’m pretty sure that’s his name :/) for being hardworking, kind, friendly, and great at their jobs :)

Sat on the patio for lunch. Quick service and delicious food. Tacos were authentic and fresh. Pricier for lunch, but good food. Server was very kind and accommodating to our children. The shrimp taco was my favorite. The kids steak quesadilla was well loved. Surf burrito was great as well.

The food was super delicious. It was just a little uncomfortable we had to sit outside it was a little chilly we saw some tables empty inside but the overall food was amazing the cheese dip is smaller than what it appears on the pictures. But overall we loved and will be back with reservation, to make sure we can have full experience.

A staple whenever I'm in Charlotte. Truly authentic Mexican food, and I highly recommend their burritos. I was craving one for days and held on knowing I'd be here; no regrets. The staff is also very engaging and interactive with their guests. They also have a crazy mixology scene going on. Stop in.

Relaxing patio and environment with good food. Two of us came on Fri around 5:30 and had no issues getting seated on the patio. Beer selection was okay. Most can/bottle with only two options on draft - no local options. This remains an opportunity for them. Started with chips, guac and salsa ($11). My bride went with the portobello quesadilla with chicken ($20) and said is was very good. I went with the Mal Pan Bowl with chicken ($19) and it was better than I expected! Patio environment was really nice and service from Adrienne was very hospitable!

Just looking at the menu. I was concerned I wouldn't find anything I'd like. We had a great and energetic server - loved her. I had the Paloma Cocktail & Camaron Royal. Those shrimps in the Camaron Royal were massive. I mean you literally get bang for your buck. Each bite you bit into, had shrimp and slaw. My only downfall, wish they added more Chipotle aioli. They went light handed on it. Make sure add for sides of lime/lemon to squeeze on - it gives extra flavor! The Tommy margarita - it's like a regular margarita...no explanation why...but it was just better...there's was something that made it different. If you're a fan of cheese dips..can't go wrong with the Queso Fundido. I've heard multiple raving reviews on it from hubs and coworkers. Whether you want to sit indoors, bar top or outdoors, you really can't go wrong. The vibe is just perfect. There are personal reasons we opted for 4 vs the 5 stars. Aside from that, if you're down for simple yet "modern" Mexican food. This will be your spot.

The food was very fresh, flavorful and yummy! We split the breakfast tacos, Esquites, blueberry pancakes, taquitos, and The Nooner burrito. Our server Evelyn was kind, attentive, and gave us great recommendations. Lots of outdoor and indoor space with a fun jungle vibe!

Nice selection of tacos and burritos. Steak tacos were tender. Guacamole fresh. Accommodated our group of 12 people with no problem. Freshly made church's with chocolate dipping sauce was a good way to finish the meal.

Food was good and the service was quick. Definitely a trendier Mexican spot where there's a lot of emphasis on decor and ambience. Portion sizes leave much to be desired in my opinion. I asked for a side of rice and beans and my beans were served to me in the TINIEST ramekin I've ever seen. Good food, attentive service, but that just put a bad taste in my mouth.

Really cute Mexican restaurant in South Park. There is lots of free parking in the parking deck which is great! Service was great! Our server was very helpful and friendly. We started with the chips and queso. The queso was a little hard to get on the chip because it was super thick. The flavor was good though. I like that it came with guac and some salsas as well. For my entree, I got the California burrito. I loved the steak and all the toppings, but there were too many fries in my burrito. I ended up taking some out because some bites were just fries. Overall, the place is nice and a great option for a more affordable spot in the South Park area!

They do everything fresh and in-house which I love! The atmosphere was lively and fun. Our server, Bree, was awesome, super friendly, and very helpful. We ordered drinks, and I had the Paloma with a Tajin rim and the flavor was bright and refreshing. We started with the basics, chips-salsa-guac, because if you can't do the basics, there are problems. The chips are on the thicker side but quite good. The salsa is pretty solid, flavor-wise, but the guac was a little bland. We also tried the molé tamale. The molé had a rich, chocolatey note to it, but the spices still had that graininess to them that felt as if it could have been cooked a little longer. The tamale itself needed the mole because it was over cooked and dry. It's a shame because the flavors were good. For dinner, I had the carnitas platter. The portion of pork was generous and the heirloom charro beans were cooked perfectly. The avocado mousse were a few very small dots on the plate. The pico de gallo was great and I enjoyed it, but again, the accompanying tomatillo salsa was served in a super small dish. There was maybe an ounce. The star of the dish was the Sonoran-style flour tortillas. I could eat those all day, every day. When everything was combined, it was delicious and I enjoyed dinner there. I would certainly go back.

WOW! Papí wow, some of the best food I've eaten. Period! I want to go back every week. Mouth watering while I'm eating type food. Service was excellent too, thank you again for having us!

I had not visited this restaurant since they first opened. The restaurant is welcoming. The service was good and our food was delicious. My wife and I enjoyed our brunch. I had the Ensenada Fried Fish Taco Plate (special of the day) which was really good. My wife liked her chilaquiles with beef which she pairs with the Morning Warrior drink. I also asked for the Cafe de Olla, which is a coffee combined with cinnamon and some other spices. Really good drink for a chilly morning. I will start going more often.

Stopped in for dinner on Saturday evening. Called upon arrival and was told the wait would be about 15-20 minutes. Once we arrived, we waited a little less than 10 mins. I hadn't been here in at least 2 years. Food and service were both great! It was my first getting a drink. I tried the rum punch, and this had to be one of the BEST rum punches I've ever tasted. I could go back there for this drink alone. Our waiter was very friendly, can't remember his name though. It was the first time I've eaten here for dinner. Cute little chill spot with a vibe!

Karen gave amazing service at Mal Pan! The chilaquiles burrito was unforgettable & Andre the manager made brunch perfect. Very positive experience!!!

Needing a place to land for a much needed "date" lunch, me and the hubby ended up at Mal Pan, a place that has been on my list of places to try for a while. Knowing that Mexican food has many variations, I was a little hesitant to add it to the list because you don't always know what you're gonna get. Even so, Mal Pan has some high points.Starting with the salsa and guac, both were fresh and full of flavor. They were simple yet didn't add anything unnecessary. We shared a few bites of Torta De Cochinita (which we mostly got to take home to the kids), and was good, but was essentially just a biiiiigg sandwich, and definitely meant to be shared. The bread tasted great but it was a lot to handle when it came to putting it in your mouth. It wasn't my favorite on a flavor scale but the meat was made well and it didn't seem like it had been sitting for days and days. We also shared the California burrito and it was so good. I loved the fries in every bite. Lastly, we had the Chilaquiles burrito which, to put it bluntly, was pretty boring. And the added chorizo (+$3) was super crispy and overcooked, had zero flavor and hurt my teeth from the crunch. Nothing made it special or memorable. Yes, it was hot and made to order but I could get that sort of burrito anywhere. I was debating between that and the Pozole tacos and chose the burrito. Should have tried that tacos. The service was great, the restaurant was clean and the wait wasn't really long at all. Since finding fresh to order food that's good is rare, I count this as a win even though it wasn't my favorite. Check it out!

This was a great find. Food is a mix between real Mexican options and some tex Mex. Blue corn pancakes in brunch are a real deal. Drinks were also very good. Nice place to brunch. Totally recommended.

This place is sooo cute! I love the decor and the restaurant is so clean. My sister and I sat on the patio. There was music playing and a fan to keep us cool. We ordered the queso with chorizo, breakfast tacos and a bottle of cava to split. Our service was phenomenal and the food was delicious. We were easily able to split everything. The patio is kid friendly as well. We will be back!

This scratch kitchen will be the go to every time in CLT. Fun location & kind staff. I enjoyed the outdoor seating & the steak taco!

Chips, salsa, guac, and shrimp bowl were good, but the margaritas were the real standout. Flavorful, and not too sweet. Wish I got a photo! They have a decent amount of outdoor seating as well. Courteous and attentive staff.

Delicious! We flew into Charlotte for our National Parks trip so didn't get to stay in the city for too long. However, after looking through a list of casual eats on yelp this place stood out the most for us. The choices are unique, not something you'd see commonly. We got the torta de cochinita pibil which is a roasted pork shoulder dish and the surf and turf cali burrito. Both were equally delicious and the dishes come in halves so we actually just ate one of each to compare. I highly recommend sharing if you can't decide on which options to pick! I do have to say both the torta and burrito are very filling and rich, so you might want to share them so you don't get overwhelmed. If you like spicy, the torta does have some heat. The burrito was more mild.

Came in for a big family dinner. Service and food were quick. Food presentation was beautiful and taste was good. I got the Mal Pan bowl which was very flavorful and filling even without added protein. The restaurant felt lively yet cozy. Would definitely try again if I'm in the area!

Mal Pan is a Taqueira with great Mexican dishes! They have tacos, burritos, salads, and more here! The drinks are also really good. The bartenders and staff know what they're doing and are super friendly and helpful! I've never had a bad experience here. There is seating inside, as well as outside on the patio. If you have a really large party, reservations are suggested. But if just a few, it's not usually a long wait. Definitely check them out! It's the perfect Taco Tuesday location! IG/TikTok: @JBEatzCLT

I ordered the 'bowl' for lunch. There is nothing that is even remotely Mexican about this. The roasted vegetables were Julian zucchini and carrots. Zucchini gives off a lot of water so it made what little rice that was in the bowl mushy. I was expecting to have a Mexican lunch not something far from it. Salsa, guac, and zucchini don't exactly go together in my book. Very disappointed.

Great food for lunch and dinner! Very authentic and full of flavor! Tried the Surf and Turf and Taquitos.

Mal Pan - Piedmont, Charlotte Had dinner at Mal Pan and overall, it was a solid experience. I ordered the carne asada, which had great flavor and was cooked perfectly. It came with grilled onions and a generous serving of queso--both delicious. The only downside was the tortillas--only two for a big portion of meat, and they were cold and a bit stiff. The rest of the family got burritos, and the standout was the shrimp burrito, packed with plenty of shrimp and served with fresh cream. The wait was a little long, but the food was worth it. Definitely coming back to try more!

I don't hear a lot about this spot, but I'm so glad my husband and I decided to get takeout from here. We shared: - Torta de Cochinita Pibil - Surf & Turf Burrito Both were fantastic. Between the two, the burrito was my favorite, but you can't go wrong with either. The bread on the torta got slightly soggy which is to be expected with takeout, but the sandwich was still so good. I'm impressed by any sandwich that holds up to takeout. I would love to go back here and dine in to get the full experience. There were plenty of other menu items I wanted to try.

Quality: 5/5 Service: 3/5 Ambiance: 5/5 One of my absolute favorite spots. The surf and turf burrito is to die for. To this day, my favorite burrito and haven't found better. The ambiance is also great with plenty of seating and beautifully decorated. I wasn't impressed by service. I've had waiters forget to bring me water or not come by, however the food is so good that I still had to give it five stars. Plus, I decided to just do delivery or pickup.

Mal Pan is a place that will please any guest. Its food, drinks, and ambience are some of the area's best. The seasonal mango margarita was expertly prepared. The cinnamon-y hard horchata, so good it was not shared. The California Burrito is worth all the fuss. Stuffed with steak, fries, and guac, it truly is a must. Likewise the tacos will have you singing with glee. Cochinita pibil, camaron royal, flavors and textures ideal to me. The inside is pretty; there's outdoor seating too. So do yourself a favor. Come over and have a few!

Favorite spot in town! The rice bowl is just spectacular. I can usually get 2-3 meals out of it, so perfect for sharing. The homemade corn tortillas are excellent!

Sadly Mal Pan has gone downhill. This has been our favorite place to eat since we first visited four years ago and moved here three years ago. The menu has changed, the quality has diminished. We will not be going back as the last two visits were subpar. New ownership, cost cutting measures, what is the reason? They got rid of the delicious enchilada sauce that was dairy free. The chicken tacos last night were overfilled mayonnaise slaw and a combination of leftover chicken pieces. The corn tortillas no longer seem house-made as they are dried out. Meals are saturated in oil. They now serve flour tortillas instead of corn. The flour tortilla is too large for the limited filling provided.

We had a great date night here! Service was friendly and attentive, and they made great recommendations. The shrimp burrito was incredible. Everything was beautifully presented, came out quickly, and was fresh and tasty! I would definitely return and recommend to anyone looking for a great fresh and fun vibe for a date night.

I came here with a friend for a late lunch in Cinco de Mayo and was disappointed. After hearing so many good things, I was saddened that it didn't live up to the hype. The ambiance is old Mexican style and quite charming. The patio is great on a beautiful day. The service was terrific. Our waiter was very attentive. The drinks were decent, as were the chips and dips. But the tacos left much to be desired. The tortillas and fillings were lackluster at best and overpriced. The flavors were nowhere close to authentic, even for Tex-Mex.

Ambiance - it's a cute place in South Park. Surrounded by all the steakhouses and seafood restaurants, it does offer descent Mexican cuisine with a handful selection of drinks. Patio seating was great - inside it's a bit dark. Guacamole and chips was just okay but the Mal Pan bowl was great - would recommend; we went with steak as protein. Our server was nice and helpful with choosing the drink.

I've enjoyed the tacos I've tried! Sweet potato taco was filling and had great flavor. The side of rice was fine. Chips and salsa are not included, but worth ordering. They come with red salsa and each taco is paired with a salsa to add on! I love salsa and wish I could have picked more that suit my tastes. I wasn't sure if that was an option. Taco, half an order of chips, and a beer totaled $22 - I felt like I could've received more bang for my buck. Interior has some cute decor. I've felt like I'm missing something at Mal Pan on both trips in and hope to find an entree that wows me on my next visit.

It's relatively quiet. I was seated immediately. A friendly waitress greeted me, and the service was terrific. The Aztec enchiladas were absolutely fire . It's a scratch kitchen, and the food is delectable. As I was leaving, more and more customers were pouring in for tacos, enchiladas, burritos, etc. I'll definitely be back when visiting Charlotte!

The California Burrito and the Surf & Turf Burrito is very good. The surf &turf burrito is very filling and in the right way. You feel full without feeling heavy. It comes with a salsa that enhances the burrito. The Cali burrito is good too but I love the added shrimp in the surf&turf burrito.

waitress was fine. she pushed California burrito and I was busy but I obliged. supposed to be steak. but steak amounted to about one fifteenth of the burrito if that. the rest? filler. common complaint I know. but this was bad. won't go back.

This is a very cute spot for girls night or a date. There were a lot of families in here the day I went. They offer indoor and a covered patio seating options. The margaritas were SO GOOD. I simply ordered the steak tacos. My friend ordered a burrito which was too big to finish. We ordered queso which was the only thing that I did not like. It came out sizzling but when I went to stir it I thought it would've been creamier but it was really thick cheese dish. The customer service was amazing though. I'd recommend it!

I've heard so many people hype this place up. Went tonight for the first time and was underwhelmed. Nothing really wrong just wasn't all that great. Wasn't worth $80, better off going to Sabor

Another solid pick while visiting Charlotte. Went for Sunday breakfast and cannot say enough great things about Mal Pan. Service superb, food high quality and fresh. Will definitely go back

A top choice for Mexican in Charlotte. Excellent service. Good margarita options. Shrimp enchiladas were exceptional.

Yummy spot! Great decor/ambience and yummy drinks and food. Seasonal margarita was strawberry and delicious. I had the shrimp burrito as a bowl and ate the entire thing. So good! Server was attentive and friendly too. No free chips n salsa, so be prepared.

This place is great and gets a 5-star review. MENU & DRINKS Great menu with an affordable and decent variety of items and drinks. We ordered the California Burrito, the Surf and Turf Cali Burrito and the Tres Leches for dessert. All three items were AMAZING! The restaurant also has a nice small bar area. LOCATION Mal Pan is located in a small shopping area with upscale restaurants and coffee shops. You can have a nice walk around for a bit after eating here. There is a free parking garage with plenty of spaces, but there are also some free street parking available. Overall, 100% recommended.

i have odered Togo a couple of times and each time I hope there is plastic ware in the stapled bag and each time I am disappointed. The food itself is very good and I will order again. the staff has always been very polite as well. please include plastic ware in Togo orders. thank you.

A go to date night spot for my husband and I. We always over order and end up with leftovers. The California burrito is amazing, as well as every taco I've tried.

Loved the food especially the malpan bowl as well as the sweet potato tacos. Definitely give this place a try.

Came here for the breakfast burrito. I was excited to try the nooner burrito unfortunately they couldn't substitute egg whites so I just got it without eggs. The burrito was very flavorful and our server was very nice and helpful with suggestions. Overall it was a great experience and nice atmosphere!

To me, this is the best Mexican spot in Charlotte! I live in Univeristy, and I make the 25min drive to Southpark when I need a taco or burrito in my life. Their ingredients are SO fresh, and the flavors are amazing. The hand-made tortillas are the icing (or shall I say "salsa") on top of everything...it truly does evelate the Mexican food experience. I'd highly suggest the chicken taco and steak taco, and be sure the request some chimichurri salsa on the side...it's tangy goodness. The interior is super cute and intimiate...it transforms you into a more authentic vibe, even though you're in a sort of generic "plaza" type area. The staff is also super, super kind and helpful. There's even convenient and free garage parking right next door to the restaurant. I brought my family here once and they all loved it. Five stars for one of my fave spots in Charlotte!!

I've eaten at Mal Pan twice now for lunch with a friend who lives in the Piedmont Row condos, and I was such a fan that I brought my husband for dinner one Saturday evening. I've raised my initial four star rating to five, because of their flavors, portions, and service. Both times for lunch, my friend and I sat outside. The patio is partially covered from the sun (depending on the time of day), and they have oscillating fans to help provide a breeze. For dinner, we sat inside to avoid the afternoon sun. I've tried the Cameron Royal (fried shrimp taco) for lunch, and shrimp enchiladas for dinner. You get one taco for $12.50, including a side. It's a bit expensive for lunch, but you have to consider where they are located and what you get. Their shrimp taco comes in a homemade flour tortilla that is lightly fried. The one taco was pretty large, too, filled with three giant shrimp, fresh avocado, fried leeks, and cabbage slaw. The chipotle aioli sauce on the taco is spicy and adds the perfect kick. This taco is one of my all-time favorites! Their black refried beans with queso fresco are also AMAZING. Their shrimp enchiladas are also fabulous. You get two large enchiladas served in homemade flour tortillas, topped with a poblano cream sauce and a sour cream drizzle. Half of one of these babies is the usual enchilada size from most other places. These enchiladas come with small sides of refried black beans and their garlic basmati rice. Of course, I had to bring home some leftovers. My husband tried their surf and turf cali burrito. It was so huge that he could only eat half. It was over-filled with perfectly cooked steak, shrimp, and other yummy accompaniments. A big thing for me is the seasoning on their food. Most Mexican food is too salty, but Mal Pan uses the perfect seasonings. And their flavors are creative and absolutely delicious. I've had the same server every time. He seems to know when you are there for a leisurely meal, or when you want to eat a bit quicker. He was always attentive, but also left us alone when he could see we just wanted to hang out. Mal Pan has a lot of adult beverage options, and we tried the machete and jaguar. Served in large glasses, these drinks were refreshing, delicious, and not too sweet. I definitely want to try their brunch one day, since Mexican breakfasts are my favorite. I wish I lived here myself so I could go more frequently!

I came here for my friend's birthday gathering, and we all had a great time. The atmosphere is unique and pretty - a good place to get together for ladies night. I had the horchata, which I was pleased with. It was creamy and sweet with a hint of spice. Everyone else seemed happy with their drink. For my entree, I had the California bowl with chicken. If I go back, I would get the steak instead. The base was fries, which I'd never had before. It was different, but good. Overall, Mal Pan is good. Not the best for Mexican food, but I nice place to get together with your friends.

Likes: Cute indoor and outdoor spaces. Staff are nice. Food is ok, but the California burrito is amazing and the only reason I keep coming back. Definitely get the California burrito if you come here. Homemade tortilla is delish. Dislikes: Feels like a franchise. Food is ok overall. Pricing a little high.