Mal Pan

My husband and I came here for the first time on date night. The food (forgive my “lingo”) absolutely SLAPS. Y’all, we shared 4 appetizers and everything was truly delicious. Cocktails were enjoyable and our server poured me a half glass of wine even though it’s not on the menu as a size option. The food was truly the star of the show. Atmosphere is fine, the inside is rather dark. But service was great. Definitely a new spot on our rotation!

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.

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!

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.

Alright, let's dive into this review. I have to admit that Mal Pan really impresses me. The atmosphere was really lovely, I must say. I heard some people raving about the location, so I went to check it out with a few friends. To start, the menu has something for everyone, and the meal was excellent. I adore tacos, so you know I had to try them, and they were really good. Although service was a bit slow, our server was excellent at keeping us informed on our order and ensuring we were well taken care of during our wait. His level of communication was outstanding!

I loved the food! It was sooo delicious. I ordered the chicken taquitos as a starter. I loved it. The flavor was so good. I wish I ordered more. I also ordered the Jardín tacos which is the veggie tacos. Those were also super good. They’re really good with bringing a lot of flavor to their food. I also appreciate gluten free options, I don’t digest gluten well so this always a plus. My server was super nice and attentive!!

Came to eat since weather was so gorgeous! Bri was our server and she was so amazing. Personality plus and them some! Super attentive and informative! Love this girl!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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!

Amazing experience. The food is incredible and all the different homemade salsas make the meal. Service was kind and attentive. Ambience is warm and unique. One of the best Mexican meals I've had. Can't wait to come back.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

Delicious Mexican food in the heart of Southpark! I came here with some friends on a Friday night and it was about a 20 minute wait for a table for 4. We passed the time getting a drink at the bar (which is first come first serve) so it wasn't a bad wait. We got seated outside which was extremely nice given the temperature and outdoor vibe. My friend even brought her dog. The service was extremely quick and we got our food way faster than I thought we would. The staff were all super friendly as well. The food was amazing! 3 of us got the California burrito, their most popular burrito, and I can see why. The tortilla was one of the best I have ever tasted and the steak and fries inside combined with the sauce were the perfect combination. I enjoyed everything I ate - even the chips, salsa and guac were in a different league than ones I have tasted at other places. Highly recommend this spot and I will be coming back!

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

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!

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.

We enjoyed Mal Pan and hope to go back. The food (queso fundido, California burrito, and beef torta) were excellent. The portion sizes were substantial. The server was very good despite it being a busy Saturday night. They have a covered patio, where we sat, which was very comfortable.

The food at this place reminds me of an upscale restaurant in Mexico City. Absolutely fabulous! The enchiladas were excellent. The cocktails were tasty. Everything about the food was almost perfect. When I left, I felt satisfied. The service was very good. Our server was very cheerful and helpful. I will go back!!!

Delicious food and very filling. Cute establishment and they have brunch items!! The surf & turf burrito was bomb! Their chips and salsas also good but not complimentary and they give you a small portion of salsa but a lot of chips. This isn't a typical taqueria so don't plan on getting a lot of food at a cheap price. Yes this is mexican food but Remember this is a S. Park business. Our waitress, KAYLA was a little bit short and inpatient however. She rushed us to order and I was shocked to see she had added a large gratuity tip to my check for a party of 3. I didn't notice it initially and I then tipped an additional 15%. So completely my fault for missing it but no way the waitress thought she deserved a 35% tip. Common sense would say this is an error or an indication to confirm we weren't aware of the large pity tip she conveniently decided to add without telling me. Thankfully since I made a reservation through open door I was able to call the next business day and speak to Andre who looked up my check by the reservation, apologized and reversed the gratuity charges. They have outdoor seating and plenty of parking in the adjacent deck.

Visited Thursday right as they opened (11 am). I was greeted/seated right away. People were gradually flowing in - by 12 the restaurant was nearly full. I would recommend calling/making a reservation for evening dining. The decor/ambiance was super cute!!! I ordered: $43.30 Guacamole, Salsa and Chips - $11.00 (they do not offer complimentary chips and salsa) Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita - $14.00 California Burrito - $15.00 The california burrito had glowing reviews, so I had to give it a try. The steak was delicious - however I wasn't a fan of the fries in the burrito. The cucumber jalapeno margarita had the refreshing taste from the cucumber then a heavy kick from the jalapeno! It was good - just kept my water handy!! All-in-all ... I enjoyed my meal. I plan to come back and try different menu items.

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.

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.

I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere is great. Excellent for a quick lunch or even a casual date. Staff is always friendly and helpful.

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 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.

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!

Servers very attentive; food is not your usual. Quite a fun adventure (French Fries in a Burrito? Surprisingly great) Parking is the one star drawback, either underground or on street which could be a distance. A number of restaurants all within 50 yards of each other exacerbate the parking situation. Will return, but only during low traffic hours like two to four in afternoon

Malpan is a great Tex mex restaurant with great choices of Mexican food . Their drinks are amazing and have an absolutely beautiful inside /outdoor place to sit . The tacos are too good . Would love to come back . Their service was amazing - the girl bunch had real fun