Two weeks ago, we started the North Carolina Taco Tournament with sixty-four restaurants and food trucks from all across the state of North ...
Two weeks ago, we started the North Carolina Taco Tournament with sixty-four restaurants and food trucks from all across the state of North Carolina. Today, we're down to the Flavorful Four, the three restaurants and one food truck who still have a shot at taking home the title of the Best Taco in North Carolina. Here is some information on each of the Flavorful Four:
BURRITO SHAK
Address: 15489 US Highway 17 North Suite 1, Hamsptead
Owner(s): David and Kara Longo
Date business opened: July 2015
Signature taco: All tacos are signature. We also specialize in utilizing fresh local seafood when available.
Personal/business motto: Quick. Crafted. Coastal.
How they wound up here: Won the Pescado Region by receiving 58.1% of the vote in the Round I match-up against El Amigo Mexican Restaurant, 55.5% of the vote in the Round II match-up against El Burrito Loco, 64.2% of the vote in the Round III match-up against Burrito Bros., and 62.1% of the vote in the Round IV match-up against Black Cat Burrito.
CARRBURRITOS
Address: 711 W. Rosemary Street, Carrboro and 445 S. Main Street, Davidson
Owner(s): Gail and Bill Fairbanks, Edie and Doug Surratt (Davidson only)
Date business opened: Carrboro location opened in 1997, Davidson location opened in 2013
Signature taco: Signature taco in Davidson is Baja Shrimp Tacos. Soon, the Carrboro restaurant will feature it, too.
Personal/business motto: We do not have a "motto," but we do have an unwritten philosophy. Carrburritos is a family-owned restaurant and the staff has become part of an extended family. Some of the original employees from Carrboro still work there! And many of the people we hired in Davidson when we opened are still with us. We could even say that family philosophy extends to our customers as many have become good friends. We truly believe in quality, freshness, and engaged customer service. There is tremendous pride in the product we produce and the dining experience we provide.
How they wound up here: Won the Al Pastor Region by receiving 50.4% of the vote in the Round I match-up against Paco's Tacos & Tequila, 70.2% of the vote in the Round II match-up against Taqueria El Toro, 65.4% of the vote in the Round III match-up against Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn, and 68.6% of the vote in the Round IV match-up against Coyote Kitchen.
CRAFTED: THE ART OF THE TACO
Address: 219A S Elm St, Greensboro and 527 N Liberty St, Winston-Salem
Owner(s): Kris and Rhonda Fuller
Date business opened: Greensboro location opened in October 2012, Winston-Salem location opened in October 2016
Signature taco: The Big Truck: Pulled Pork, Pimento Mac N Cheese, Tobacco Onions, Scallion, and Bacon BBQ Sauce.
Personal/business motto: "Not your standard tacos!"
How they wound up here: Won the Carne Asada Region by receiving 50.9% of the vote in the Round I match-up against Chubby's Tacos, 52.2% of the vote in the Round II match-up against El Taco Loco, 52.1% of the vote in the Round III match-up against Sabor Latin Street Grill, and 56.5% of the vote in the Round IV match-up against Mamacita's Taco Temple.
EL TACORRIENDO
Address: Our food truck is at Farm Fresh Produce, 1507 Morganton Blvd. Lenoir and Footsloggers, 139 Depot St., Boone
Owner(s): Alex and Ashley Leon
Date business opened: March 15, 2016
Signature taco: Tacos Al Pastor, homemade corn tortillas filled with adobo marinated pork grilled with onions & pineapple, topped with fresh onion & cilantro. Served with grilled onions, grilled jalapeño, radish, lime wedge, and salsa on the side.
Personal/business motto: Tacos straight out of Mexico.
How they wound up here: Won the Pollo Region by receiving 57% of the vote in the Round I match-up against Fusion Mexican Grill Truck, 63.1% of the vote in the Round II match-up against El Camino Real, 57.4% of the vote in the Round III match-up against The Original Flying Burrito, and 58.5% of the vote in the Round IV match-up against Bakersfield East Blvd.
BURRITO SHAK
Address: 15489 US Highway 17 North Suite 1, HamspteadOwner(s): David and Kara Longo
Date business opened: July 2015
Signature taco: All tacos are signature. We also specialize in utilizing fresh local seafood when available.
Personal/business motto: Quick. Crafted. Coastal.
How they wound up here: Won the Pescado Region by receiving 58.1% of the vote in the Round I match-up against El Amigo Mexican Restaurant, 55.5% of the vote in the Round II match-up against El Burrito Loco, 64.2% of the vote in the Round III match-up against Burrito Bros., and 62.1% of the vote in the Round IV match-up against Black Cat Burrito.
CARRBURRITOS
Address: 711 W. Rosemary Street, Carrboro and 445 S. Main Street, DavidsonOwner(s): Gail and Bill Fairbanks, Edie and Doug Surratt (Davidson only)
Date business opened: Carrboro location opened in 1997, Davidson location opened in 2013
Signature taco: Signature taco in Davidson is Baja Shrimp Tacos. Soon, the Carrboro restaurant will feature it, too.
Personal/business motto: We do not have a "motto," but we do have an unwritten philosophy. Carrburritos is a family-owned restaurant and the staff has become part of an extended family. Some of the original employees from Carrboro still work there! And many of the people we hired in Davidson when we opened are still with us. We could even say that family philosophy extends to our customers as many have become good friends. We truly believe in quality, freshness, and engaged customer service. There is tremendous pride in the product we produce and the dining experience we provide.
How they wound up here: Won the Al Pastor Region by receiving 50.4% of the vote in the Round I match-up against Paco's Tacos & Tequila, 70.2% of the vote in the Round II match-up against Taqueria El Toro, 65.4% of the vote in the Round III match-up against Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn, and 68.6% of the vote in the Round IV match-up against Coyote Kitchen.
CRAFTED: THE ART OF THE TACO
Address: 219A S Elm St, Greensboro and 527 N Liberty St, Winston-SalemOwner(s): Kris and Rhonda Fuller
Date business opened: Greensboro location opened in October 2012, Winston-Salem location opened in October 2016
Signature taco: The Big Truck: Pulled Pork, Pimento Mac N Cheese, Tobacco Onions, Scallion, and Bacon BBQ Sauce.
Personal/business motto: "Not your standard tacos!"
How they wound up here: Won the Carne Asada Region by receiving 50.9% of the vote in the Round I match-up against Chubby's Tacos, 52.2% of the vote in the Round II match-up against El Taco Loco, 52.1% of the vote in the Round III match-up against Sabor Latin Street Grill, and 56.5% of the vote in the Round IV match-up against Mamacita's Taco Temple.
EL TACORRIENDO
Address: Our food truck is at Farm Fresh Produce, 1507 Morganton Blvd. Lenoir and Footsloggers, 139 Depot St., BooneOwner(s): Alex and Ashley Leon
Date business opened: March 15, 2016
Signature taco: Tacos Al Pastor, homemade corn tortillas filled with adobo marinated pork grilled with onions & pineapple, topped with fresh onion & cilantro. Served with grilled onions, grilled jalapeño, radish, lime wedge, and salsa on the side.
Personal/business motto: Tacos straight out of Mexico.
How they wound up here: Won the Pollo Region by receiving 57% of the vote in the Round I match-up against Fusion Mexican Grill Truck, 63.1% of the vote in the Round II match-up against El Camino Real, 57.4% of the vote in the Round III match-up against The Original Flying Burrito, and 58.5% of the vote in the Round IV match-up against Bakersfield East Blvd.
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