8 Shots Cantina in Aberdeen is officially on my "worth putting on real pants for" list. And that's saying something.
We went on a Saturday evening, and while parking can be a little sporty thanks to the gym next door, we lucked out and snagged a spot. Walking in, my first impression was fun and funky in the best way -- big, bold tropical flower wallpaper mixed with modern decor. It feels lively without being chaotic. Basically, your margarita already tastes better just sitting there.
Full transparency: the host wasn't around when we arrived, and we stood there awkwardly for a few minutes wondering if we were invisible. I had a brief internal monologue of, "Oh no... is this a sign of things to come?" Thankfully, it was not. Once we were seated, our waitress jumped in quickly, got our drinks ordered, and the rest of the night ran smoothly.
We started with the chunky guacamole -- because smashed avocado + salty chips is basically mylove language. It was fresh and came with a side of chopped jalapeños, which we immediately dumped in like responsible adults. It was slightly under-seasoned, but a little salt and pepper fixed that easily.
Now let's talk about the real star: the flautas. Beautifully plated and somehow tasted even better -- honestly rivaling the best flautas I've ever had. The chicken had this subtle smoky flavor like it had been simmering in a magic sauce somewhere in the back. The crema and salsa on top? Straight to downtown flavor town. No speed limits. No regrets.
They describe themselves as a Mexican fusion menu, and while there were a few pineapple-forward items, it leaned more toward a classic Mexican lineup. But honestly, when the food is this good, I'm not here to argue semantics.
Bottom line: this just landed in my top two Mexican restaurants in Moore County. We'll absolutely be back -- and next time I'm trying something different... assuming I can emotionally detach from those flautas. read more