Is it Taco Tuesday yet?
About a month ago, Kyle and I flew to Cancun to celebrate my birthday. We had a whirlwind trip full of sun, sand, and of course, tacos. Let me tell you, after indulging in an incredible taco tour (which, by the way, you must read about—I’ll link it here), I realized something: Charlotte’s tacos? They weren’t cutting it anymore. The bar had officially been raised, and I couldn’t go back.
Enter Que Fresa, a charming taqueria + bar that appeared on our radar about a week after we returned home. With high hopes and post-vacation blues still lingering, we went in search of the best tacos in Charlotte. And I’m not saying Que Fresa has officially claimed the crown just yet, but let’s just say they’ve come pretty close.
Now, let’s set the scene: Picture walking into an Instagram-worthy spot where the energy feels light, but vibrant. A sleek bar lines one side, while cozy tables scatter across the floor. The buzz of casual conversation fills the space as patrons make their way to the back to place orders. It was our first visit, and we were already hooked by the vibes.
Kyle took the lead on the ordering (as he often does) and went all-in with:
- Bang Bang Camerones
- Birria Rolls
- Drunken Baja Fish (Tacos)
- Cameron Con Chicharron
- Campechano
Let’s break it down, one dish at a time:
Bang Bang Camerones:
This. This was an instant favorite. Imagine the classic bang bang shrimp you get at a spot like PF Chang’s, but fresher, tastier, and somehow more vibrant. Crispy shrimp, Chipotle bang bang sauce (perfectly balanced—just enough kick without the spice taking over), spring mix, radish, and toasted sesame seeds. And mind you, I was still in my first trimester at the time with acid reflux and heartburn constantly looming over me like a dark cloud. Yet, these? No flare-ups whatsoever.
Birria Rolls:
If the Bang Bang Camerones were my favorite, these were right up there, tied for first. Now, I had some phenomenal birria tacos in Cancun, so my standards were high. But birria in roll form? Color me intrigued. The fried tortilla was somehow light and flaky, and the braised beef, crispy cheese, red onion, and cilantro combo with the consome on the side was absolute perfection. It was a little greasy on the underside, sure, but honestly, I could overlook that because the flavor was worth every indulgent bite.
Drunken Baja Fish & Campechano Tacos:
Okay, I’ll be real with you—these were good, but they didn’t quite blow me away. I think my fish taco indifference might be showing here, so take my words with a grain of salt. But they were still leagues better than other tacos I’ve had around Charlotte. The Drunken Baja Fish came with beer-battered catch of the day, creamy cabbage slaw, radish, and Aji Amarillo aioli, while the Campechano was a heartier mix of grilled steak, chorizo, crispy cheese, guacamole, and Molcajete salsa. Solid, safe choices, but nothing groundbreaking.
Cameron Con Chicharron:
Now this… this was a revelation. I’m a sucker for shrimp (clearly), and these street tacos were everything I love about simple, flavorful food. Grilled shrimp, corn salad, pickled onion, Poblano crema, chicharron bits, and pickled chiles, all wrapped in a warm tortilla—it was everything I wanted in a taco. Hands down, I’d order these again in a heartbeat.
So, did Que Fresa meet my newly elevated taco standards post-Cancun? In some ways, yes, absolutely. And if you’re looking for a spot in Charlotte that’ll satisfy your taco cravings, this is a solid contender. Just be prepared for the shrimp to steal the show.
Charlotte’s taco scene just got a little spicier, and honestly, I’m here for it.
