El Malo Tacos — Restaurant in Charlotte

This place was awful, from the service to the food and drinks. the tacos were so small, the loaded fries were not only cold, but quite literally raw potato. the tortillas are 4 inch tortillas and are thin as paper, with absolutely ZERO flavor. the birria meat has no flavor, and the birria “salsa” tastes like their consume was thickened with corn starch, over powered by the cumin and pepper flavor, you can barely taste an authentic birria like taste. the onion and cilantro taste pre chopped, soggy almost. the tortilla the burrito was wrapped in was not only not cooked, it was cold, and so soggy. the contents of the burrito were also cold. the loaded fries consisted of raw potato’s and chewy asada, that also had no flavor whatsoever. the “crema” sauces were overpowering and excited upon receiving guacamole, it was one “dollop” of avocado, not guacamole. not to mention, the “guacamole” meant to come from with tacos, was blended, and still had no flavor.

The service was also not great, we walked in and placed our order, the woman was nice at first, but when we brought our issues with the food to her attention, instant attitude and offense was taken, and she refused to refund our tacos, which we only ordered 2 of and i had one bite & my partner had two bites of, literally, because they’re so small, and one taco was completely uneaten. she only refunded the burrito and the loaded fries.

the drink machine was also completely out of order except for dr pepper and lemonade, the lids didn’t fit the cups we were given. and we were not informed of any of the drinks not working before we got our cups.

everything was cold, i’m disappointed in the fact we didn’t get a refund for our entire order, considering not only is that how you run a business properly, but the customer always comes first, and they’re always “right,” so for a new growing business to not put their customers and their satisfaction first shocked me, because these are genuine and real things to complain about when paying for overpriced, unflavored, and unseasoned food. paying $60 for lunch to have it be this awful is ridiculous.

there was also a foul odor as well as...

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...

🌮 El Malo Tacos is an absolute gem in Plaza Midwood! This neighborhood taco shop brings the bold, vibrant flavors of Tijuana street taquerias and San Diego surfside taco dives straight to your plate.

Every taco here is a celebration—made with heirloom corn tortillas or Sonoran-style flour tortillas that are handcrafted and free of additives. The adobados and birria Tijuana-style options are sensational: perfectly seasoned meat, topped just right, and bursting with authentic flavor. I’m always torn between the shrimp and birria tacos—they’re both that good.

The atmosphere is unmatched: casual, lively, and full of local energy. Plus, hidden inside is a speakeasy-style bar that adds a fun surprise with live music, DJs, sports on-screen, and top-tier Mexican cocktails like micheladas and cantaritos. It’s the perfect spot for tacos and drinks after dark.

Service is efficient and genuinely friendly—the kind that makes you feel welcome every time. Yes, the tacos are street-size, but they pack a punch—so go for a few and savor each bite.

Bottom line: El Malo Tacos is the real deal—a top-tier taco shop with authentic tortilla craftsmanship, killer fillings, and a hidden bar that elevates the whole experience. Highly recommend this authentic, fun, and...