A new but quickly growing taco spot is expanding to a second location in Lake Norman

A second location of the hot new Lake Norman Mexican restaurant Tacos & Tortilla Factory is on its way this fall.

The fast-casual counter service spot where you can build your own tacos, nachos, burritos and bowls is set to open in November, and the menu will remain the same. The first restaurant in Huntersville opened May 24 and grabbed customers’ attention, making the Top 4 in CharlotteFive’s Readers’ Choice Best Taco poll.

Co-owner Alex Gutierrez, who is also behind the quickly growing Cuban restaurant Azucar in Lake Norman, describes it as, “like Chipotle, with more traditional Mexican cuisine.”

“The tacos are pretty good … it’s customized to your tastebuds,” Gutierrez said. “We make our own corn tortillas and have more typical dishes like chicken tinga, carnitas, pastor. It’s a little bit different than our competitors.”

More locations are in the works, as well. If all goes to plan, the restaurants would operate out of one commissary in the area.

“We’re expecting to open 16 locations in the next 5-6 years. We’re going to do private expansion first to see how it goes, and after that probably franchising. … We’re looking around Pineville, Matthews, Concord, Kannapolis,” Gutierrez said.

Tacos and Tortilla Factory

Location: 14013 North Creek Village Drive, Unit 600, Huntersville, NC 28078 (opening fall 2023)

Location: 9548 Mt Holly-Huntersville Rd E, Huntersville, NC 28078

Menu

Cuisine: Mexican

Instagram: @tacos_tortilla_factory

This story was originally published September 27, 2023 at 6:15 AM.

Heidi Finley

The Charlotte Observer

Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription