Contributor: Jamie Richardson
An innovative menu, tequila galore, and margarita flights make this a local favorite dining spot.
đź“Ť Birritaco, 226 Cabarrus Avenue West, Concord, NC 28025
Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Tacos, tequila, and a whole lot of flavor — that’s what you can expect when you step into Birritaco, located in Concord, NC! Owned by Marco Ruiz and his mother, Maria, Birritaco is a family-run restaurant that offers a unique blend of traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern twist.
Located at 228 Cabarrus Avenue West, Birritaco stands out with its bright pink building adorned with a beautiful mural of Frida Kahlo, painted by local artists. As soon as you step inside, you’re greeted with a warm, family-oriented atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
Photo credits: Birritaco Facebook
Birritaco’s journey began when Marco decided to transform the space previously occupied by his family’s supermarket and restaurant, Lupita’s. When the time came for a change, Marco took the reins and transformed the space into what is now Birritaco.
- The transition wasn’t just in name; it was a complete reimagination of the space, from the decor to the menu. The space is filled with lively music, colorful decor, and the unmistakable aroma of authentic Mexican cuisine.
Be sure to take a pic in front of the Instagram-worthy “Love-Live-Drink Tequila” wall!
Birritaco prides itself on offering a modern take on traditional Mexican food. With a vision to create something fresh and exciting, Marco wanted to honor traditional Mexican recipes, while infusing them with contemporary flair. And let me tell you, he’s succeeded.
- While the recipes remain true to their Mexican roots, the presentation and style are undeniably modern.
So, let’s talk about the food. Birritaco’s menu features all the flavors of Mexico, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. The No. 1 item on the menu is the Birria Taco, made of slow-roasted beef and Chihuahua cheese in one of Birritaco’s handmade corn tortillas.
Other must-try items include:
- Birria Pizza: A double-decker delight topped with a variety of delicious ingredients such as onions and cilantro.
- Al Pastor Pizza: A TikTok sensation, made famous by Mr. Chimetime, this pizza features layers of flour tortillas, Chihuahua cheese, chile-marinated pork, and charred pineapple. (📹 See Local Food Influencer, Mr. Chimetime’s Al Pastor Pizza experience video)
- Mexican Ramen: A unique twist on a classic dish, Birritaco’s Mexican Ramen features birria broth, tender beef, Maruchan noodles, corn, onions, and a perfectly cooked egg.
The restaurant’s impressive bar is stocked with more than 150 tequilas and 25 different margarita flavors, including guava, habanero, coconut, watermelon, strawberry, spicy mango, and many more. If you can’t decide on just one flavor, opt for a margarita flight and sample four different flavors in one sitting.
- Flights are $16, but if you visit on a Monday, you can grab a flight for ONLY $10! Or stop by on Thursdays, when regular-sized margaritas are on special for $5.
During our visit to Birritaco, we sampled a variety of dishes and drinks, and we were blown away by the flavors and presentation. Check out how cute the margarita flights are! The queso was the perfect start to our meal, and the El Pastor and Carne Asada tacos were delicious.
As for the drinks, we couldn’t get enough of the margaritas. We sampled their wide range of flavors, including Horchata, Hibiscus, Passion Fruit, Blood Orange, Cucumber, Dragon Fruit, Desert Pear, and, of course, the house margarita.
- My personal favorite was the blood orange margarita, but honestly, they were all fantastic.
Photo credits: Jamie Richardson
Birritaco has some exciting things in store for the future. In addition to expanding their brunch menu and introducing new margarita flavors, they will soon be offering pupusas—a thick griddle cake from El Salvador and Honduras—served with birria!
Whether you’re craving tacos, margaritas, or just a good time, be sure to stop by Birritaco and experience the best that modern Mexican cuisine has to offer. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed. Viva la Birritaco!
Planning to visit? Tell ’em Cabarrus Weekly sent ya!
