Mexi-Love Tacos and Tequila opens on South Tryon after Charlotte health permit

Overview

Updated Oct 7

Mexi-Love Tacos and Tequila is open at 8136 S Tryon St in south Charlotte. It filed its food establishment permit with Mecklenburg County Public Health on September 15 and held its official grand opening the next day with an 11 a.m. chamber ribbon cutting.

MexiLove was already welcoming customers before the ceremony, and its website lists daily hours from 11 a.m. with weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu covers street tacos, quesabirria, fajitas, and seafood, with margaritas and tequila cocktails. Mexican dining options are multiplying across Charlotte this fall, and MexiLove needs steady return customers to make it through its first year.

Why it matters

Charlotte's South Tryon corridor gains a new independent dining option, with jobs and local spending tied to whether it survives its first year.

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Key Indicators

Food establishment permit filed

Mecklenburg County Public Health record filed September 15, 2026 for 8136 S Tryon St.

Open

Restaurant operating

Open daily from 11 a.m. after its September 16 grand opening celebration.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Organizations Involved

Mexi-Love Tacos and Tequila

Restaurant

Open, serving customers daily since September 2026

Independent Mexican restaurant at 8136 S Tryon St in Charlotte.

Mecklenburg County Public Health

Local government agency

Issued food establishment permit

County agency that inspects and permits food establishments in Mecklenburg County.

Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce

Local Business Organization

Held Mexi-Love grand opening ribbon cutting on September 16

Business association that promotes local commerce through events like ribbon cuttings.

Timeline

2 events Latest: September 16th, 2026 · 2 months ago

September 2026
Grand opening celebration held
Latest Event

Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce held the 11 a.m. ribbon cutting. The restaurant was already welcoming customers and served food and drink specials, with a DJ from 5-8 p.m.
September 16th, 2026 • 11:00 AM
County records Mexi-Love health permit
Permit

Mecklenburg County Public Health files a food establishment record for Mexi-Love Tacos and Tequila at 8136 S Tryon St.
September 15th, 2026

Scenarios

Mexi-Love opens September 16 and operates through the fall

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce (scheduled grand opening)

The restaurant opens as scheduled, the chamber ribbon cutting goes ahead, and Mexi-Love builds a regular clientele through the fall. Most restaurants that clear permitting do open; the risk is building enough repeat business to survive the first year.

Opening delayed past the scheduled ribbon cutting

Deadline passed (Oct 1, 2026)

Discussed by: Common risk in restaurant launches; the health permit is not final approval

The permit is only one step, and restaurants sometimes need extra time for inspections, staffing, or supply deliveries. If the September 16 opening slips, the chamber event would be rescheduled or canceled, and the restaurant would open on a later date.

Mexi-Love closes within its first year

Possible Resolves by Q3 2027

Discussed by: National Restaurant Association data on independent restaurant survival

A meaningful share of independent restaurants close within their first year of operation. If Mexi-Love fails to draw enough customers in Charlotte's competitive Mexican dining market, the business registration could be canceled within twelve months.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

2026

Dos Caminos expands to Charlotte (2026)

Dos Caminos, a New York-based Mexican chain, opened a Charlotte location recently with a patio, fajitas, fresh guacamole, and margaritas. The brand marketed itself as a new party destination for the city.

Then

Added another Mexican dining option to Charlotte's competitive restaurant market.

Now

Showed that outside Mexican brands see Charlotte as an expansion market, raising competition for independent spots.

Why this matters now

Mexi-Love enters a South Tryon corridor where a national chain has just established a presence, so it faces immediate pressure on price, quality, and atmosphere.