Great Road Trip Stop on the Way Back to Charlotte…read more
After an epic day exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, I found myself rolling through Shelby on the scenic route back to Charlotte. Traffic through town was moving slower than expected thanks to the endless stoplights, but in this case, it worked out in my favor because Papa's & Beer appeared on my right just as my stomach started demanding attention.
The restaurant itself is bright, colorful, and festive. The dining room is filled with vibrant Mexican décor, colorful tile accents, booths and tables, and plenty of personality. They had a FIFA soccer match on the TVs, which was fun to watch while I ate. The volume was low, captions were on, and it added energy to the room without becoming distracting.
One thing worth mentioning: it was pretty warm inside during my visit. There were fans running throughout the restaurant, but the air conditioning seemed to be struggling. It wasn't unbearable, but on a hot North Carolina afternoon, a cooler dining room would have made the experience more comfortable.
The menu is huge. Tacos, quesadillas, seafood, combination plates, house specialties--you could visit several times and still have plenty left to try.
I settled on the Carne Asada Combination, which came with grilled steak, Mexican rice, refried beans, salad, and a cheese enchilada. Before my meal arrived, my server brought complimentary chips and a warm bean dip that was downright addictive.
One of the highlights was discovering their salsa bar. Nobody mentioned it to me, but curiosity paid off when I saw other guests gathered around it. The selection was excellent, with everything from tomatillo salsa and creamy sauces to chile de árbol varieties that brought some serious heat. As someone who loves spicy food, I was in heaven.
My only criticism was that the salsa bar temperature seemed off. One container had a large chunk of ice floating in it, and a few of the salsas were colder than they should have been, which diluted the flavor a bit.
The entrée arrived quickly. Portions were generous, and there was no way I was finishing it all after attacking the chips, bean dip, and salsa bar.
The standout was the cheese enchilada. Loaded with melted cheese and packed with flavor, it was easily my favorite part of the plate. The carne asada was also generously portioned and cooked well.
The rice was the weakest link for me. It needed seasoning and lacked the rich tomato flavor I expect from Mexican rice. The salad was also overdressed, although mixing some of it with the rice actually improved both.
One small annoyance: I requested a side of white onions and later discovered there was a $1.50 charge. Not the end of the world, but I would have appreciated a heads-up before it was added to the bill.
Service was friendly and efficient throughout, and when I left with a very full takeout box, the cashier happily provided a bag for the road.
If you're passing through Shelby, stuck in traffic, or heading back from the mountains, this is a solid place to pull over, grab a cold beer, enjoy some chips and salsa, and recharge before the drive home.
Life is too short to eat mediocre food. Keep exploring and find the places that surprise you.
