Charlotte’s Top Dining Destinations: RuRu’s Tacos + Tequila
The Manager: Chelsea Kern
Chelsea Kern, RuRu’s general manager, has wanted to be a chef since she was a child. After working in a restaurant through high school, she knew her passion was one she wanted to develop into a career. In pursuit of that dream, Kern attended Johnson and Wales in Charlotte for culinary training and has also trained with many great chefs. She loves being able to create something from the heart and sharing these creations with others. She also enjoys hosting and having the ability to entertain. While the food served at RuRu’s is not authentic Mexican cuisine, boasting a menu including Korean style tacos and Asian inspired calamari, her team takes pride in serving fresh and modern tacos, burritos, and decadent brown rice bowls.
“Charlotte’s growing culinary scene is truly inspiring in itself; it’s incredible to watch new restaurants help mold the cities culture,” says Kern.
She and partner Martin Sprock plan to further develop RuRu’s brand to its fullest potential and, in the future, hopefully franchise.
The Look: Bright and Stylish
The interior design of RuRu’s Tacos and Tequila is a direct reflection of the space in which it resides. Located in the Reynolds-Gormajenko House, commonly referred to as “The Villa” amongst Charlotteans, RuRu’s has intentionally stayed true to the tastes of Blanche Reyonlds-Gormajenko, the original owner of the house. To counter the vintage Tuscan design of The Villa and make the space its own, the restaurant uses modern accents like hammered metal bars and contemporary art throughout the restaurant. While guests are meant to feel as though they are in a beautiful, classy establishment, it is also meant to feel like a place to have fun. RuRu’s environment is never meant to feel uptight. To better give this feeling to guests and emphasize the beauty of The Villa, the lighting during the day is sunny, bright, and upbeat. As night falls, the lighting is brought down while the music is brought up in the bar to give a more intimate and social feel.
The Dish: Specialty Tacos
Since opening, all of RuRu’s tacos have been a hit with guests. Every dish served at RuRu’s is made with two things, integrity and fresh ingredients. From organic jasmine brown rice to the best meats and cheeses, RuRu’s is proud to continuously offer quality alongside fun and deliciousness. All tacos on the menu are a spin of the classic taco, drawing inspiration from Greek, Korean, and other locations and cultures all around the world. Trendy ingredients like pickled onion or fried oysters are used to create delicious, yet unexpected combinations and, to make it easier for guests to taste different tacos and make their own combinations, the tacos are offered in an à la carte style.
RuRu’s Tacos + Tequila: 715 Providence Road, Charlotte.
This story was originally published April 25, 2016 at 9:10 PM.