My son and I visited one Sunday evening in December. It was cold outside, but warm and inviting upon entering Mal Pan. We were seated quickly and greeted by a spunky and lively server, who went by the name Lil Ducky. She was just as cute as she could be. Lil Duckie, the bar manager and our host for the evening. She's giving hospitality like you don't get anywhere else. She created a welcoming environment by telling the story behind the restaurant. They are family owned and very big on sustainability. The staff as a whole were very welcoming. My son and I ordered some drinks. He had a house special Margarita, at the recommendation of our host. I had the Old Oaxacan which is similar to an Old Fashioned. We also shared a Butternut Squash Tamale and man it was delicious! For our main course, we both went with burritos. I had the Surf and Turf Cali Burrito and my son had the Shrimp Burrito. They both came with a side of rice and beans. The burritos were huge and full of flavor! We both were able to have half of them for lunch the next day. Two meals in one...you can't beat that! We ended the night with a dessert recommendation of one of there seasonal flan. It made you want to kick the spoon afterwards. I really loved the vibe of the place and look forward to dining there again. Major props to the staff for making our evening so enjoyable! See you guys soon! read more

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Not sure about all the buzz this place gets ... while it may be trendy, for us it just missed on being authentic Mexican food. Mal Pan is sort of like "nouvelle cusine" but applied to Mexican food ... more about presentation than the food itself. At the risk of sounding like an overwrought Midwestern foodie, we thought the portions were small, the prices were high, the food was just alright, the rice and beans presentation was silly, and the margaritas were more show than go. And chips and salsa, priced at over $5 for a serving, seemed a bit over the top since most Mexican restaurants offer that free. An example of the nouvelle cuisine: they have fancy butternut squash and sweet potato tacos, but no real tacos made like mamá or mami used to prepare. The rice and beans that come with most meals were presented in the form of yin-yang symbol in a tiny saucer ... couldn't have been more than a tablespoon of each ... come on, it's rice and beans not frankincense and myrrh. The highlight of the meal was the waitstaff, attentive without being intrusive. Don't think we'll be back. read more

Mal Pan is a great place to take a lunch around the mall if you're looking for something either light or heavy. The chilaquiles burrito was a great way to try that dish. Having the burrito be a little crispy is a good call. I also think they could probably serve me a bowl of the green salsa as a meal and I'd be happy. The service was fantastic and had good recommendations. I was never without something I needed for long, but I also didn't feel like they were looking over my shoulder. read more

The vibes here are top notch. This cute quaint Mexican restaurant was so good! We tried out several of their tacos and a burrito and they were all stuffed with protein and made to perfection. The OG margarita was a delicious flavor as well. Our waiter was so kind and respectful as we had a few children in tow. This is a must try when you are in Charlotte! read more

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I came here for brunch with a friend and we split the blue corn, buttermilk pancakes, and a burrito. One of my stars is for the pancake alone.. They were really good. The burrito was a bit confusing... we ordered the burrito + steak as our protein and assumed since we were there during brunch at the server, we know we wanted the brunch version (eggs, crema, salsa, chips) Instead, we received a burrito that was simply steak, guac, rice and black beans. It wasn't what we expected and didn't seem to match anything we had noticed on the menu. Other than that, the restaurant has a nice outdoor area for eating. read more

Mal Pan - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The brunch menu is awesome. Everything we had was so good. I'm obsessed with their burritos- especially the Cali and chilaquiles brunch burrito. They probably have some of the best margaritas in charlotte. read more

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This place is a home run or a grand slam in the eating world. Really enjoyed the blue corn pancakes and blue corn tacos. read more

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Lovely waitstaff. However, they are not using the authentic names for items. While I am white, I am educated and well traveled. Please use the appropriate names for items and not the white-washed versions. The surf and turf burrito was quite good. The margarita was average. Overall, a ridiculously high price meal for what was received. We asked to be seated under the umbrellas as opposed to in the semi outdoor seating which felt stuffy. read more

Mal Pan - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

MainPan is probably the best Mexican food I've ever had! The flavors of their seasoning are magical. I had the shrimp tacos and they were excellent. The food is fresh and beautifully presented. The service was amazing As they are very accommodating. Angel was an amazing waitress making sure we had everything we needed and gave great advice. I can't wait to go back! Highly recommend! read more

Extremely accommodating and knowledgeable on allergies. Able to make almost everything gluten free. Food is very fresh and extremely flavorful! Been eating here since they first opened, even though out Covid, Mal Pan consistently provides an exceptional allergy friendly meal. read more

Overall, the food is pretty good. I went for dinner once, I didnt love what I got, but I'm open to try and the other menu items but I will say the brunch is fire. Their drinks are also really good. The service and staff is great and it feels real authentic in there. I've been a few times. No complaints. read more

Best Mexican food in Charlotte hands down. Consistent, reasonable price, good service, great food. Sure, it may not be "authentic Mexican" but what are you expecting not being in Texas, Arizona or California? They do a great job here and will be long time customers! read more

Relaxing patio and environment with good food. Two of us came on Fri around 5:30 and had no issues getting seated on the patio. Beer selection was okay. Most can/bottle with only two options on draft - no local options. This remains an opportunity for them. Started with chips, guac and salsa ($11). My bride went with the portobello quesadilla with chicken ($20) and said is was very good. I went with the Mal Pan Bowl with chicken ($19) and it was better than I expected! Patio environment was really nice and service from Adrienne was very hospitable! read more

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A staple whenever I'm in Charlotte. Truly authentic Mexican food, and I highly recommend their burritos. I was craving one for days and held on knowing I'd be here; no regrets. The staff is also very engaging and interactive with their guests. They also have a crazy mixology scene going on. Stop in. read more

Mal Pan - Shrimp Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Just looking at the menu. I was concerned I wouldn't find anything I'd like. We had a great and energetic server - loved her. I had the Paloma Cocktail & Camaron Royal. Those shrimps in the Camaron Royal were massive. I mean you literally get bang for your buck. Each bite you bit into, had shrimp and slaw. My only downfall, wish they added more Chipotle aioli. They went light handed on it. Make sure add for sides of lime/lemon to squeeze on - it gives extra flavor! The Tommy margarita - it's like a regular margarita...no explanation why...but it was just better...there's was something that made it different. If you're a fan of cheese dips..can't go wrong with the Queso Fundido. I've heard multiple raving reviews on it from hubs and coworkers. Whether you want to sit indoors, bar top or outdoors, you really can't go wrong. The vibe is just perfect. There are personal reasons we opted for 4 vs the 5 stars. Aside from that, if you're down for simple yet "modern" Mexican food. This will be your spot. read more

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Stopped in for dinner on Saturday evening. Called upon arrival and was told the wait would be about 15-20 minutes. Once we arrived, we waited a little less than 10 mins. I hadn't been here in at least 2 years. Food and service were both great! It was my first getting a drink. I tried the rum punch, and this had to be one of the BEST rum punches I've ever tasted. I could go back there for this drink alone. Our waiter was very friendly, can't remember his name though. It was the first time I've eaten here for dinner. Cute little chill spot with a vibe! read more

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The food was very fresh, flavorful and yummy! We split the breakfast tacos, Esquites, blueberry pancakes, taquitos, and The Nooner burrito. Our server Evelyn was kind, attentive, and gave us great recommendations. Lots of outdoor and indoor space with a fun jungle vibe! read more

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Nice selection of tacos and burritos. Steak tacos were tender. Guacamole fresh. Accommodated our group of 12 people with no problem. Freshly made church's with chocolate dipping sauce was a good way to finish the meal. read more

Mal Pan - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Really cute Mexican restaurant in South Park. There is lots of free parking in the parking deck which is great! Service was great! Our server was very helpful and friendly. We started with the chips and queso. The queso was a little hard to get on the chip because it was super thick. The flavor was good though. I like that it came with guac and some salsas as well. For my entree, I got the California burrito. I loved the steak and all the toppings, but there were too many fries in my burrito. I ended up taking some out because some bites were just fries. Overall, the place is nice and a great option for a more affordable spot in the South Park area! read more

Mal Pan - California Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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They do everything fresh and in-house which I love! The atmosphere was lively and fun. Our server, Bree, was awesome, super friendly, and very helpful. We ordered drinks, and I had the Paloma with a Tajin rim and the flavor was bright and refreshing. We started with the basics, chips-salsa-guac, because if you can't do the basics, there are problems. The chips are on the thicker side but quite good. The salsa is pretty solid, flavor-wise, but the guac was a little bland. We also tried the molé tamale. The molé had a rich, chocolatey note to it, but the spices still had that graininess to them that felt as if it could have been cooked a little longer. The tamale itself needed the mole because it was over cooked and dry. It's a shame because the flavors were good. For dinner, I had the carnitas platter. The portion of pork was generous and the heirloom charro beans were cooked perfectly. The avocado mousse were a few very small dots on the plate. The pico de gallo was great and I enjoyed it, but again, the accompanying tomatillo salsa was served in a super small dish. There was maybe an ounce. The star of the dish was the Sonoran-style flour tortillas. I could eat those all day, every day. When everything was combined, it was delicious and I enjoyed dinner there. I would certainly go back. read more

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Very quality Mexican spot. I got the Cali Burrito Bowl and it was rather delicious. The only thing that was of an inconvenience was the lack of outdoor patio seating as it was raining and the porch outside had leaks in the canopy. We still enjoyed our time inside and we were able to grab some great drinks at the bar. Our bartender was also our server and I recall his name being either Joe or Rob, I cannot specifically remember. It was JR's (Joe/Rob) last day at Mal Pan as he was headed off to another life adventure in Raleigh. Thank you for your service JR and good luck in your future endeavors. read more

Food was good and the service was quick. Definitely a trendier Mexican spot where there's a lot of emphasis on decor and ambience. Portion sizes leave much to be desired in my opinion. I asked for a side of rice and beans and my beans were served to me in the TINIEST ramekin I've ever seen. Good food, attentive service, but that just put a bad taste in my mouth. read more

I had not visited this restaurant since they first opened. The restaurant is welcoming. The service was good and our food was delicious. My wife and I enjoyed our brunch. I had the Ensenada Fried Fish Taco Plate (special of the day) which was really good. My wife liked her chilaquiles with beef which she pairs with the Morning Warrior drink. I also asked for the Cafe de Olla, which is a coffee combined with cinnamon and some other spices. Really good drink for a chilly morning. I will start going more often. read more

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Queso fundido came out sizzling hot but as soon as it cooled down the cheese separated and had no flavor. As I was eating the queso there was HAIR in it. The posole had no flavor, the meat was BEYOND chewy. The steak taco I ordered that came with rice and beans, was unseasoned and there was more cheese in the taco than steak. To put into perspective how much rice and beans I got, I only got a small bowl that had the black beans and rice together. The salsa bowl that came in the appetizer with guacamole was bigger than the amount of rice and beans I received. All of the drinks were amazing, the mariachi band was really good, and so was the salsa and guacamole. The presentation of all the meals were great as well but the experience is the only reason we stayed. Would not recommend unless you want overpriced, low quality, flavorless food. read more

WOW! Papí wow, some of the best food I've eaten. Period! I want to go back every week. Mouth watering while I'm eating type food. Service was excellent too, thank you again for having us! read more

Mal Pan - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Needing a place to land for a much needed "date" lunch, me and the hubby ended up at Mal Pan, a place that has been on my list of places to try for a while. Knowing that Mexican food has many variations, I was a little hesitant to add it to the list because you don't always know what you're gonna get. Even so, Mal Pan has some high points.Starting with the salsa and guac, both were fresh and full of flavor. They were simple yet didn't add anything unnecessary. We shared a few bites of Torta De Cochinita (which we mostly got to take home to the kids), and was good, but was essentially just a biiiiigg sandwich, and definitely meant to be shared. The bread tasted great but it was a lot to handle when it came to putting it in your mouth. It wasn't my favorite on a flavor scale but the meat was made well and it didn't seem like it had been sitting for days and days. We also shared the California burrito and it was so good. I loved the fries in every bite. Lastly, we had the Chilaquiles burrito which, to put it bluntly, was pretty boring. And the added chorizo (+$3) was super crispy and overcooked, had zero flavor and hurt my teeth from the crunch. Nothing made it special or memorable. Yes, it was hot and made to order but I could get that sort of burrito anywhere. I was debating between that and the Pozole tacos and chose the burrito. Should have tried that tacos. The service was great, the restaurant was clean and the wait wasn't really long at all. Since finding fresh to order food that's good is rare, I count this as a win even though it wasn't my favorite. Check it out! read more

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Karen gave amazing service at Mal Pan! The chilaquiles burrito was unforgettable & Andre the manager made brunch perfect. Very positive experience!!! read more

Mal Pan - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This was a great find. Food is a mix between real Mexican options and some tex Mex. Blue corn pancakes in brunch are a real deal. Drinks were also very good. Nice place to brunch. Totally recommended. read more

Mal Pan - Drink - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This place is sooo cute! I love the decor and the restaurant is so clean. My sister and I sat on the patio. There was music playing and a fan to keep us cool. We ordered the queso with chorizo, breakfast tacos and a bottle of cava to split. Our service was phenomenal and the food was delicious. We were easily able to split everything. The patio is kid friendly as well. We will be back! read more

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Delicious! We flew into Charlotte for our National Parks trip so didn't get to stay in the city for too long. However, after looking through a list of casual eats on yelp this place stood out the most for us. The choices are unique, not something you'd see commonly. We got the torta de cochinita pibil which is a roasted pork shoulder dish and the surf and turf cali burrito. Both were equally delicious and the dishes come in halves so we actually just ate one of each to compare. I highly recommend sharing if you can't decide on which options to pick! I do have to say both the torta and burrito are very filling and rich, so you might want to share them so you don't get overwhelmed. If you like spicy, the torta does have some heat. The burrito was more mild. read more

Mal Pan - Surf and Turf California Burrito - yum! - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Shrimp Enchiladas!!! Very delicious. Mal Pan has established itself as one of the best options amongst the many Mexican options in the Charlotte area. Maybe my favorite. Good environment and service. read more

We came to have a meal and were not disappointed. The California Burrito is enormous and beyond tasting good- made of flavors and good ingredients.The coffee is also very good here, which is a pleasant surprise. This is the ideal place to have a brunch or lunch. The prices are slightly above a typical taco store however the quality is worth the cost. Highly recommend! read more

Mal Pan is a Taqueira with great Mexican dishes! They have tacos, burritos, salads, and more here! The drinks are also really good. The bartenders and staff know what they're doing and are super friendly and helpful! I've never had a bad experience here. There is seating inside, as well as outside on the patio. If you have a really large party, reservations are suggested. But if just a few, it's not usually a long wait. Definitely check them out! It's the perfect Taco Tuesday location! IG/TikTok: @JBEatzCLT read more

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This scratch kitchen will be the go to every time in CLT. Fun location & kind staff. I enjoyed the outdoor seating & the steak taco! read more

Mal Pan - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Quality: 5/5 Service: 3/5 Ambiance: 5/5 One of my absolute favorite spots. The surf and turf burrito is to die for. To this day, my favorite burrito and haven't found better. The ambiance is also great with plenty of seating and beautifully decorated. I wasn't impressed by service. I've had waiters forget to bring me water or not come by, however the food is so good that I still had to give it five stars. Plus, I decided to just do delivery or pickup. read more

Mal Pan - Surf and Turf California - so delicious! - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I don't hear a lot about this spot, but I'm so glad my husband and I decided to get takeout from here. We shared: - Torta de Cochinita Pibil - Surf & Turf Burrito Both were fantastic. Between the two, the burrito was my favorite, but you can't go wrong with either. The bread on the torta got slightly soggy which is to be expected with takeout, but the sandwich was still so good. I'm impressed by any sandwich that holds up to takeout. I would love to go back here and dine in to get the full experience. There were plenty of other menu items I wanted to try. read more

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Chips, salsa, guac, and shrimp bowl were good, but the margaritas were the real standout. Flavorful, and not too sweet. Wish I got a photo! They have a decent amount of outdoor seating as well. Courteous and attentive staff. read more

Mal Pan - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Came in for a big family dinner. Service and food were quick. Food presentation was beautiful and taste was good. I got the Mal Pan bowl which was very flavorful and filling even without added protein. The restaurant felt lively yet cozy. Would definitely try again if I'm in the area! read more

Mal Pan - Enmoladas de Pollo - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Mal Pan is a place that will please any guest. Its food, drinks, and ambience are some of the area's best. The seasonal mango margarita was expertly prepared. The cinnamon-y hard horchata, so good it was not shared. The California Burrito is worth all the fuss. Stuffed with steak, fries, and guac, it truly is a must. Likewise the tacos will have you singing with glee. Cochinita pibil, camaron royal, flavors and textures ideal to me. The inside is pretty; there's outdoor seating too. So do yourself a favor. Come over and have a few! read more

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I ordered the 'bowl' for lunch. There is nothing that is even remotely Mexican about this. The roasted vegetables were Julian zucchini and carrots. Zucchini gives off a lot of water so it made what little rice that was in the bowl mushy. I was expecting to have a Mexican lunch not something far from it. Salsa, guac, and zucchini don't exactly go together in my book. Very disappointed. read more

Mal Pan - A whole lot of zucchini - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina