A tortilleria with fresh, authentic food is headed to a fast-growing corridor of Charlotte
Editor’s note: This story originally published in 2021 and has been updated to include new opening plans.
The tortillas of our dreams are on their way. A new Mexican tortilleria from the team behind Craft Growler Shop and Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails is coming to the Lower Tuck adaptive reuse development. Construction on the restaurant, originally set for summer 2022, is underway and set to open in spring 2024.
The restaurant Maíz Agua Sal, — Corn, Water, Salt in English — will be called MAS for short. (It’s an additional word cute: It means “more” in Spanish.)
What to expect: MAS will serve freshly pressed tortillas for its tacos, along with authentic Mexican cuisine.
Chef Jonathan Olvera, who has worked at Peppervine, Bardo, Leah & Louise and Dot Dot Dot, will lead the kitchen.
“There are some great Hispanic restaurants in Charlotte. Coming from a fine dining background, I’ve always wondered what I would do if I had the opportunity to make it more refined. What if that great taco was in an heirloom corn tortilla and the protein was sourced locally from the farmers that are all around us?
Look for menu that offers his personal influences, including pozole, mole, carnitas and al pastor, tacos al vapor (steamed tacos with shredded beef filling) and gorditas, plus pickled pork rinds and vegetables.
“There will be no Tex-Mex or fusion in the mix. Honoring my heritage has been a career goal, and the influence of my ancestors will be present,” he said.
Bar program manager Amanda Britton has curated a specialized agave spirits collection that includes mezcal and tequila, as well as non-alcoholic options.
The space: The 125-seat restaurant will spread across 5,000 square feet indoors and outdoors. Cluck Design is architect for the restaurant.
The clean and modern design will offer warm touches of natural millwork and adobe brick and tile, along with terrazzo countertops . A preserved tree will be incorporated inside.
The vibe: “The heart of our connection was forged over long, leisurely meals in Mexico City, where the laughter of friendship blended seamlessly with the clinking of glasses and the savoring of each bite. This is a testament to the power of shared experiences and the ability of a communal meal to create lasting connections,” owner Alyson Davis said.
More to come: Back in 2021, developer Third & Urban’s Caleb Brenneman said he expected the area to become a “foodie destination for Charlotte.” He wasn’t wrong.
A newly rebranded Lulu’s Express Fry House led the way on Tuckaseegee Road, along with the popular City Kitch commercial kitchen down the road on Jay Street, which allows for multiple takeout options. Not Just Coffee has a location nearby.
Now, Restaurant Constance has opened, too, as have another new slate of food and drink options that include Azul Tacos & Beer and Pizza Baby.
Maiz, Agua, Sal
Location: Lower Tuck, 1018 Jay St., Suite 110, Charlotte NC 28208
Instagram: @mas_tortilleria
This story was originally published February 15, 2023 at 12:08 PM.
