From tikka masala tacos to family-style Ethiopian.
Charlotte’s very own happiest place on earth, Optimist Hall, has just gotten two brand new food stalls this summer, making it the perfect food market to spend a Friday evening. With over 25 different food stalls, bars, and specialty shops, Optimist Hall has a variety of different and specialized cuisine for any tastes–dumplings to fried chicken, a plant shop and stationary store–and now, give a big welcome to Velvet Taco’s newest location, as well as a new location to an Ethiopian spot sure to spice up your taste buds.
Velvet Taco doesn’t just offer regular run of the mill tacos, but instead, whips up together unique combinations and flavor profiles. This has made it a hit here in Charlotte. Think of dishes like tikka masala but in a taco, which you can experience with their Spicy Tikka Chicken Taco. If you’re vegan, you’ve got quite a few options like their Nashville Hot Tofu or their Beer Battered Cauliflower. We’d also recommend their Slow Roasted Angus Brisket if you’re a meat lover.
Their WTF (Weekly Taco Flavor) is a rotating taco that changes every single week, and their full June flavors are available at this calendar.
Enat Ethiopian is the perfect place for those who are looking for food from Africa, and is a great introduction to the cuisine if you haven’t had it before or more of a great ting is Ethiopian is something you enjoy.
Enat’s first location was in the Plaza in Shannon Park, but has now made a new home in Optimist Hall, making it the food hall’s 27th tenant. Enjoy their spongy bread, injera (the vessel for their amazing and flavorful spiced stews and veggies. Miser (lentil stew) and tikel gomen (cabbage and carrots) can be tried, as well as shiro (chickpea stew) and ater (split pea stew).
With all of the recent restaurant opening’s this year in Charlotte, we’re so stoked to see an expansion of these two delicious NC classics as well.