Dare I say the best burrito in Charlotte?! My first time I came I only tried their tacos: 2 Pollo Adobado Tacos and Camaron Taco. They were both really good and a big full taco! My husband really enjoyed his burrito so I tried that my next time. I've been ordering their California Burrito ever since! It's not a saucy burrito so I have to ask for the Jalapeno Cilantro sauce. It reminds me of a sauce I used to get at my favorite taco truck in California (Leo's Taco Truck), Get it & Thank me later! I always get my order to go but there is seating outside. read more

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I finally got a chance to check out El Malo, and I'm glad I did. It's a cute little taco spot that is perfect when you're looking for a quick and flavorful meal. They also serve burritos, which looked really good. I asked the staff what they recommended, and I ended up getting the al pastor taco and one of the beef tacos. I can't remember the name of the beef taco, but both were delicious. They definitely do not skimp on the onions and cilantro, so if you like fresh toppings, you'll be happy. My beef taco was just a little tough, but it was still full of flavor and very enjoyable. The ordering process is simple. You order at the front, they give you a number, and then they call you when your food is ready. There are a few tables outside and small tables inside near the kitchen. During lunch, the other side of the restaurant was closed, but I could see the hidden speakeasy style dining area. It looked really cute, and I definitely want to check it out on my next visit. The only thing to keep in mind is the parking. I went during lunchtime, and the parking lot was packed. I had to drive around a few times before I found a spot, but it was worth it. Overall, I really enjoyed El Malo. The tacos were fresh, flavorful, and exactly what I was looking for. I can definitely see this becoming my go to spot whenever I'm craving a quick taco. I'll definitely be back. :::writing If you're posting this on Yelp, I'd probably give it a 4.5 or 5 star vibe based on what you described. read more

El Malo Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I visited after hearing a lot of chatter on this place and the tacos delivered. The guacamole and salsa were delicious. They only offer beers, however, they do have a hidden speak easy attached with additional options. I am a huge fan of the bar and highly recomment you checking it out. The menu includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. While not a huge menu, it does offer a good variety for all tastes. read more

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Absolutely great tasting quesadilla!! Authentic & restaurant looks amazing!! Also they have speak easy through the wall read more

El Malo Tacos - Quesadilla Pollo Adobado - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We were craving authentic tacos In the neighborhood and stopped by They have a section with tacos and beer and a side door that takes you to another red room They have a full bar We tried OG margarita (so so) Tamarind margarita was really good 2 chix tacks 2 carnitas tacks Chips and salsa Very casual and food was delicious read more

El Malo Tacos - Chis and salsa - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I love this place!!!! I get the chicken quesadilla and it's on my mind every time I come to Charlotte!!! The place is very clean and the staff are somewhat friendly but the food is the star of the show! read more

10/10 experience! Food was super fresh and service was really fast. I got the California burrito and it did not disappoint

While visiting in town, I just so happened to be parked right in front of the restaurant. As a born & raised Californian, I couldn't help but to try their food! The customer service was hospitable and I appreciate tI got a california burrito and Tre's leches cake. The California burrito was good flavor wise but lacked as it was a bit dry. Not enough crema on it. I think it should've just been a simple sour cream and not a chipotle crema. The tres leches lacked in flavor as well. Definitely will get the job done if you're hungry and not a picky eater. read more

Been wanted to try this spot out and was in the area. Glad we did because the tacos were so good. We ordered a couple different tacos. The best one of the batch had to be the al pastor. They had a ton of meat and the avocado salsa was a chef's kiss. Every taco we had was good. They also have a bar connect though it was closed at the time. The tacos are on the expensive side. About 4 ish to 5 dollar a taco but well worth it. If you in the central area and craving tacos hit this spot up! read more

El Malo Tacos - Taco Al Pastor QuesaBirria Taco Carne Asada - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The food was so flavorful I was honestly surprised. With it being my first time, I wanted to try all of the options (cept pork because I don't eat pork) The Adobado (chicken), Campechano (steak) & Cameron (shrimp) were cooked perfectly & packed with fresh toppings. I got the combo so it came with refried beans & rice. I'm normally not a big fan of refried beans but these had a great texture & tasted really good too. The Campechano taco was so good, I had to go get another one LOL. A friend of mine got one of the homemade tres leeches cakes & let me try it...it was so good I went and got my own too. It had a slight hint of cinnamon & the despite being wet, the cake was still dense. Some of the best tres leeches I've had (No diss to Manolos bc his are amazing too, but this is on the same level imo). I'm highly satisfied, so this gets a rare 5 stars from me. I will be back. Also, side note, they have a speakeasy hidden away in there. I didn't end up going in there but it had a consistent flow of traffic going in so I'll check that out when I come back. read more

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Amazing authentic food. A MUST try!!! Especially their carne asada taco and queso birria taco plate with consume. You dip the taco in the consume and get an explosion of flavor. Everything was house made, making it extra yummy. Next door is a speakeasy like bar. You enter to the left of the registers. What a find ! This tourist could not have been more pleasantly surprised. read more

Stopped into El Malo Tacos on a Friday night around 8:15pm. Honestly, we lucked out at other restaurants in Plaza Midwood without a reservation on a Friday but El Malo Tacos was happy to have us. We ordered in the fast casual section but then went to enjoy the speakeasy side for cocktails as we ate. Pro Tip: You can also just order food from the Speakeasy. I got the California Burrito with Chorizo, chips and salsa, and a horchata. That totaled about $23. The server seemed quasi annoyed with me (deserved? who could say?). We were with a group so it made sense that there was a healthy amount of time between the first person getting their food and the last. My burrito was delicious. We were really jam packed into our table so I wasn't really able to sample the salsas that came with it. The chips and salsa was a hearty basket and the salsa was good with a nice little kick. The horchata was a delight. Soo soo good. Especially with a shot of rum in it. :) I'd definitely go back to El Malo Tacos. read more

Little taco spot with very tasty quesabirria. The quesabirria is served with hot sauce and consume. As a bonus, they have Mexican Coke! read more

El Malo Tacos - Mexican Coke - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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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. read more

El Malo Tacos - Barria tacos - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

one of the few excellent places to get a quality burrito in Charlotte. The downside is it's not cheap. I've been getting the Cali Burrito with Carne Asada as a "special indulgence" here since they opened, but at almost $17 for the burrito, I definitely have to ration things out a bit. Whether dining in or takeout, the service is always friendly, and the burritos taste fresh with quality ingredients, and amazing tortillas! read more

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!!! read more

El Malo Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This is my third time here. I have tried the different proteins with chicken being the clear winner-enough to only order this. Disappointed this time because the usual onions and radishes were not included. One of my favorite parts of the food here. The energy was loud but quick inside. read more

El Malo Tacos - None of the onions/radishes included this time. - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Pregame for CLTFC playoff game with Brody. We both order exactly what we got last visit a week and half ago. This is officially Brody fav spot in PMW and it's one of my favs also. Great food and service. 3 times in one month! Good times! read more

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So, being from southern Cali I was excited to try this place. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't smell anything on the grill upon arriving but at least the restaurant was clean. I ordered two tacos, one chicken, one steak. I feel like all street tacos should come wrapped in foil for the 'experience' but then I'd imagine the restaurant would have to charge the true price of $2.50-$3 a taco, what I feel they're worth. I do think the price was a bit much considering what I ordered but it wasn't terrible. I would appreciate fresh house made corn tortillas vs hard store bought ones but it's charlotte after all. And what's with the one tortilla? True Cali tacos come with two tortillas. The chicken taco was greasy and the loose guacamole wasn't able to absorb into the hard tortilla. It was messy! However, I'd order the steak taco again. I loved the pickled onions on the side, they were a nice addition to the steak. Not really a southern Cali thing but a nice twist I enjoyed. Overall, I'd try them again on payday . read more

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. read more

El Malo Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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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! read more

El Malo Tacos - Birria, camaron, and crane asada tacos - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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. read more

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Good tacos! There's not a ton of seating inside, but there is also some outdoor areas as well. I ordered the Al pastor tacos and they were very tasty. The service was pretty quick as well! Not my favorite taco shop ever, but I'd go back if I were craving tacos! read more

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! read more

El Malo Tacos - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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! read more

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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. read more

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Atmosphere was cool but my husband and I ordered the carne asada burrito and split it and 2 Al Pastor tacos and it was just ok only being because we had tasted better is all read 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 read more

El Malo Tacos - Al Pastor Burrito - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This place is the real deal. I haven't tried every Mexican place in Charlotte, but I promise you you're not gonna find much better than this place. Consistent, huge portions, and extremely delicious food. Everything I've had here. Even the owner is super nice. You are crazy not to like this place. Five stars all day. read more

El Malo Tacos - California Fries - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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!). read more

El Malo Tacos - Carne Asada taco and Pastor taco - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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) read more

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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! read more

El Malo Tacos - Cali burrito - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Great burritos! Big portions when it comes to the burritos and they are packed with flavor. I'm unsure if their tortillas are homemade but they tasted like they were. Comes with radishes and two salsas on the side and go so well with the burrito or a taco. Giving it 4 stars because we ordered birria tacos and they just fell a little flat in flavor which was disappointing. But still a good spot for a solid burrito. read more

El Malo Tacos - Burrito California - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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! read more

El Malo Tacos - Looks GREAT, needs salt - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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! read more

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... read more

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Good service and food. Sort of a mix between authentic and modern tacos. Friendly staff and clean place

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. read more

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! read more

El Malo Tacos - Shrimp burrito - Tacos Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This is my new favorite Mexican in Charlotte! I dine in the bar attached to restaurant! The bartenders are awesome, so friendly and welcoming, and create delicious, fresh and unique cocktails! The tacos ate delicious! Next time I am goung to try the burritos which look yummy as well! Vey affordable to which is so appreciated in today's restaurant's. I need to mention that they go "all out" in holiday decorations! I am daf i will miss the upcoming Valentine decor! read more