Plaza Midwood’s Dairy Queen site may be occupied by an Optimist Hall favorite soon
An iconic Charlotte building in Plaza Midwood could soon have a new tenant.
According to city permit reports filed Tuesday (and spied by several local publications), Velvet Taco has applied to modify the former Dairy Queen at 1431 Central Ave.
Velvet Taco, which first opened at Optimist Hall in December, operates on the premise of elevating tacos beyond standard Tex-Mex cuisine. As its website says, “Velvet Taco is where ‘anything goes meets the art of the possible.’”
Velvet Taco offers a variety of tacos, divided into Chick, Veg, Pork, Beef and Fish, and includes a “WTF” — Weekly Taco Feature. For July 8 through 14, Velvet Taco is featuring a fried green tomato BLT taco, made with remoulade, goat cheese and micro greens.
The existing building will be converted for restaurant use. Space will be added to the back of the building for an accessible bathroom and walk-in cooler. Other modifications to the building include an altered facade for the doors, windows and an added canopy along the front of the building for an outdoor seating area, situated in front.
The surrounding parking and roads along Pecan Ave., across the back of the building and along the interior side will remain.
The iconic walk-up style Dairy Queen closed at the end of October after first opening in the early ‘50s.
Velvet Taco did not respond to immediate requests for comment.
This story is developing and will be updated. Catherine Muccigrosso contributed to this report.
This story was originally published July 7, 2020 at 5:28 PM.
