Your ultimate guide to where to get solid birria tacos in Charlotte
Once upon a time in Charlotte, you had to look hard to find what’s affectionately known as “birria tacos” or “quesabirria.” Birria means “worthless” or “useless” in Spanish, a paradox or contradiction to the actual labor of love involved in the experience wherein the taco is ceremoniously dipped in a slow-cooked consommé made of ingredients like goat meat, chili peppers, garlic, cumin, bay leaves and thyme.
The taco phenomenon, which has roots in Jalisco, Mexico, made its social media debut on TikTok last summer, which led to an explosion of its popularity across the United States. That’s not to say that it wasn’t popular previously, as it has been a culinary staple on the West Coast for years. However, the viral boost it received from TikTok created the trend that has people not only wanting to taste this delicious dish, but to make it, as well.
Mariah Brown is the owner of Mariah’s Taco Spot, a Charlotte ghost kitchen that specializes in quesabirria tacos. Brown, who is a self-described “foodie at heart” started to notice the popular West Coast dish as she followed food pages on Instagram that are based out of Los Angeles.
“I can eat tacos all day, and I had never seen these before,” Brown said of the dish. “I started doing more research and found a Mexican chef on YouTube who had an hour-long video on how to (make birria).”
Brown wanted to commit fully to the dish’s authenticity by using every pepper the chef used when making her first attempt at the dish. “I was captivated. They were mind-blowing” Brown said about the final result, which she found delicious on her very first try.
She lets the consommé slow cook for about 4 hours, the timeliest part of the prep work but her favorite due to its significance to the dish.
“I love the combination of flavors – the cilantro, onions, peppers,” Brown said of the final result.
She did notice one thing though – when dipping the corn tortilla in the consume, it almost always fell apart. So, she decided to remedy this by taking a flour tortilla, dipping it in a homemade chili oil and then grilling it to achieve a crispiness that stands up to the consommé when filled with meat and dipped.
“I steered away from the traditional corn shells because when you dip them in the sauce, the corn shells become so soggy to eat, so I started serving them the way I want,” Brown said.
Birria is traditionally made with goat or beef, and Brown acknowledges that not everyone eats meat but everyone deserves the experience. For this reason, customers are offered a choice of chicken, shrimp, salmon or vegan.
“Regardless if you order salmon, chicken or beef, my quality is consistent,” she said.
Brown operates Mariah’s Taco Spot out of City Kitch West End – a commercialized kitchen, or “Ghost Kitchen,” which allows patrons to place and pick up food orders in a contact-free experience. She’s also preparing to open her first brick-and-mortar location at 4090 Raleigh St.
“I love the community aspect of working at City Kitch” Brown said. “And I hope and pray that ghost kitchens get the exposure they deserve.”
Working alongside other Charlotte chefs only adds to the experience, Brown said. “I’m about to work around like-minded chefs. We’re all there for eachother and want to see each other win.”
As for Brown and her future, she remains committed to making tacos that customers always come back for.
“I love the process of building flavors. It’s a beautiful process, I enjoy cooking.”
Here are some other Charlotte spots where you can get birria tacos.
Birritaco
Location: 228 Cabarrus Ave W, Concord, NC 28025
What to know: Birritaco welcomes you into its bright pink building, offering a wide range of birria-inspired entrees and vegan and vegetarian options. Along with birria tacos, you can also get birria pizza and birria ramen.
How to order: In person or online.
Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
Location: 5234 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217
What to know: Maria’s was among the first few restaurants in Charlotte to serve quesabirria tacos. Maria’s offers the “meat-packed quesadilla/taco hybrid filled with melted cheese and tender beef stew slow-cooked for 8 hours,” but also includes options like chicken, mushroom and shrimp. Each taco is served with consommé for dipping. The restaurant is also offering a Birria Burrito, which includes beef birria, rice, beans, cheese, onion and cilantro, served with lettuce, sour cream, avocado and consommé for dipping. Also worth a try is the Birria Ramen, made from a homemade beef Birria broth and includes ramen, cilantro and onion.
How to order: In person or call (704) 525-5075.
[MORE TO EAT: Birria, paneer and even pumpkin: Unusual, creative takes on pizza found in Charlotte.]
Mariah’s Taco Spot
Location: 2200 Thrift Road, Charlotte, NC 28208
What to know: Located in City Kitch, Meals by Mariah offers the popular Mexican dish in its classic beef form, but also includes options for chicken, shrimp, salmon or vegan.
How to order: Order online for pickup.
Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar
Location: 1500-A W. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28208
What to know: Que Fresa has launched an entire Birrialicious menu, with nearly everything you could think of to dip. There’s Birria Taquitos, Birria Rolls, Birria Tacos, Birria Ramen, Birria Empanadas and even a Birria Dip Torta.
How to order: In person or online
Sabor
Location: Multiple locations in Ballantyne, Davison, Elizabeth, Huntersville, Indian Trail, Kannapolis, Mooresville, NoDa, Pineville, Steele Creek, South End, SouthPark, University, Uptown, Wesley Chapel; Fort Mill, SC
What to know: This Charlotte-based and locally owned chain includes two griddled tacos, barbacoa, shredded cheese and chili broth in its quesabirria orders.
How to order: In person, online for pickup or delivery, or call the location nearest you.
Taqueria Los Altos
Location: 8625 Monroe Road, Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28212
What to know: Located on Monroe Road, this authentic Mexican eatery offers the traditional quesabirria taco in orders of three. Each order includes cheese, onions, cilantro and consommé. A chicken option is also available.
How to order: In person or call 704-910-3979
Tacos El Peladito
Location: 349 Copperfield Blvd. NE, Suite K, Concord, NC 28025
What to know: Tacos El Peladito offers the popular quesabirria, which are served in quantities of four and include cilantro, onion and consommé for dipping. The tortillas are marinated in the consommé and stuffed with melted cheese and barbacoa. Birria tacos can be ordered hard or soft, and are just one of 20 different styles of taco offered at the restaurant. Although the restaurant started out specializing in tacos, it now focuses on both tacos and southern Mexican cuisine.
How to order: In person or call 704-787-8518
Tacos Rick-O
Location: Varies
What to know: This food truck serves up authentic Mexican cuisine, including quesabirria tacos, served the traditional way with braised beef and a cup of consommé.
How to order: In person or online.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published Aug. 11, 2021, and has been updated.
This story was originally published August 11, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
