New Mexican restaurant El Malo opens in Plaza Midwood, speakeasy-style bar coming soon

El Malo takes inspiration from traditional Tijuana-style taco shops like the ones you see in San Diego and other parts of Southern California, owner Andre Lomeli tells Axios.

Why it matters: Lomeli has a history of bringing Southern California food to Charlotte. His other restaurant, Taqueria Mal Pan in SouthPark, has some of the best burritos in North Carolina, according to Yelp. Its California burrito is a San Diego staple.

---

Dig in: El Malo's menu consists of tacos like al pastor and Tijuana-style birria tacos, to name a few, plus quesadillas, burritos, nachos and California fries.

• On its drink menu, you'll find bottled Mexican sodas, agua fresca, margaritas and Mexican beers.

The menu was designed by Lomeli's father, Rosendo Lomeli, who also designed the menu at Mal Pan, as CBJ first reported. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

What's next: Hermanita , a speakeasy inside El Malo, will open later this month. "It'll be very New York, or, speakeasy-style," Lomeli said.

• Hermanita's cocktail menu will be mainly tequila and mezcal-based, but you'll find cocktails with all sorts of liquor. "[We'll have] sangritas, some miches (micheladas), cantaritos (a Mexican drink made with juices and tequila) with the clay pots," Lomeli said.
• El Malo will serve as the kitchen for Hermanita, offering late-night bites in Plaza Midwood. "There'll be a pass-through window from El Malo to Hermanita for the food," owner Andre Lomeli tells Axios.

Hermanita rendering courtesy of southwick via Andre Lomeli

Stop by: 1308 The Plaza , in the renovated Midwood Corners shopping center next to Dave's Hot Chicken and Cold Hearted Gelato .

• Open 11am-10pm daily.
• Once Hermanita opens, they will start late-night food service on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Each space is about 1,400 square feet and the entrance to Hermanita will be through El Malo. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios California burrito with steak ($15). Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

Editor's note: This story was originally published on Sep. 26, 2023 and last updated on July 8, 2024 to reflect the restaurant's opening.