Raíces Mexican restaurant opens in Charlotte’s South End

A new Mexican restaurant is opening in Charlotte’s South End. Here’s what to know

Raíces, a regional Mexican restaurant focused on the cuisines of Jalisco and Oaxaca, is set to open in early September at the Railyard in South End. The concept comes from husband-and-wife restaurateurs Alfonso Bravo and Amalia Macias, marking their first Charlotte venture.

The Carne en su Jugo Tacos at Raíces. Evan Moore CharlotteFive

Here are key takeaways:

Raíces will open at 1422 S. Tryon St. and is the Bravos’ sixth concept overall, following five restaurants the couple has built across South Carolina over more than 15 years in hospitality.Chef TJ Steele, who lives part-time in Oaxaca and previously worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Claro in Brooklyn, will lead the kitchen.The dining room, designed by Black Dove Interiors, pairs charcoal walls and dark wood paneling with a large-scale botanical tree installation by The Floratorium, a New York City-based design studio, as its focal point.The menu highlights handmade tortillas, seafood, moles and open-fire cooking, with starters like Guacamole Tatemado and roasted bone marrow served with mole negro, plus larger plates such as Barbacoa de Borrego and whole fish with mole verde.Standout dishes at a preview tasting included the Carne en su Jugo Taco with ribeye, heirloom beans and bacon, and Mole Verde made with scallops and seasonal vegetables.An agave-focused cocktail program developed with award-winning mixologist Edson Sanchez features drinks like the Paloma Verde with sotol and the tropical Agave de Seda, alongside a non-alcoholic Carajo made with spiced coffee and cocoa.

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