Highwise Business
Charlotte

Mexilove Tacos Opened in Former Arby’s Site

Restaurant operators in South Charlotte face a growing field of fast-casual competitors for local dining spend.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector editorial illustration of a converted fast-food restaurant building, representing the adaptive reuse of local commercial real estate.
Mexilove Tacos & Tequila opened a new location in South Charlotte this week, repurposing a former fast-food site to serve street-style tacos and birria. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mexilove Tacos & Tequila opened a new location at 8136 S. Tryon St. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The new restaurant occupies a former Arby’s site and adds to the recent density of Mexican-concept dining options in the South Charlotte market.

Why it matters

The rapid entry of new restaurant concepts in South Charlotte intensifies local competition for diners and highlights the ongoing repurposing of legacy quick-service real estate. Operators must evaluate how these new entrants impact their localized customer traffic and pricing power.

The regional market has seen multiple openings this month, including the third South Charlotte location for Cantina Louie on September 14 and the launch of Raíces at The RailYard South End. Planned pipeline activity includes a $2 million flagship location for Que Onda Tacos & Tequila.

The players

Mexilove Tacos & Tequila

A restaurant operator expanding in the Charlotte market by repurposing existing quick-service restaurant real estate.

Cantina Louie

A chain of Mexican-concept restaurants that recently expanded its footprint in South Charlotte.

Que Onda Tacos & Tequila

A local restaurant group preparing a $2 million flagship expansion project.

The details

Mexilove Tacos & Tequila has moved into the 8136 S. Tryon St. address formerly held by an Arby’s, utilizing the existing quick-service footprint to introduce a menu spanning street-style tacos, chimichangas, and birria ramen. The facility plans to incorporate drive-thru service to compete with established quick-service models. This shift reflects a trend of independent operators adapting existing fast-food infrastructure to accommodate higher-touch, sit-down menu concepts.

Timeline

  1. Cantina Louie opened its third South Charlotte restaurant on September 14, 2026.

  2. Mexilove Tacos & Tequila opened for business on September 16, 2026.

  3. Weekend brunch service is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  4. Que Onda Tacos & Tequila is scheduled to open in February 2027.

Market Landscape

The expansion of these concepts into South Charlotte follows the documented revitalization trend centered around projects like The RailYard South End. This activity highlights a broader shift where fast-casual operators are prioritizing established transit corridors to capture density.

Operators in the South Charlotte area should monitor localized foot traffic shifts as new competitors enter the market. Review your current marketing and menu positioning against these new concepts to determine if adjustments are required to maintain your customer base.

The takeaway

Restaurant density in South Charlotte is rising rapidly as independent concepts target converted commercial real estate. Operators should track the February 2027 opening of the Que Onda Tacos & Tequila flagship as a signal for potential shifts in local consumer dining preferences and pricing.

What happens next

Que Onda Tacos & Tequila is expected to open a new $2 million flagship restaurant in February 2027.

Further reading

For more on the changing retail and dining landscape, visit the Openings & Closings section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Charlotte Observer.

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Do you feel that new restaurant openings improve the dining options in your local community?