Fast-casual Mexican restaurant coming to North Myrtle Beach. Here’s how it’ll stand out

A fast-casual Mexican restaurant specializing in birria will open in North Myrtle Beach later this summer.

Bad Birria will open in the former Barefoot Bistro space, 3914 U.S. 17 South, said owner Lee Wells. The restaurant will serve birria tacos, tostadas and ramen as well as other typical Mexican foods, including al pastor tacos.

Wells said he hopes to open the restaurant in July.

Birria is a Mexican style of meat that’s typically made with beef or goat and dried chiles. It’s slow roasted until the meat is so tender it falls apart. Birria usually is served with diced onions and cilantro on top and consume, or the broth, on the side for dipping.

Wells is partnering with a few other Myrtle Beach-area restaurateurs to open Bad Birria, including Phil Goldman, Joey Mandia and Regino Barrios. Mandia owns Backyard Sports Bar and Grill. Goldman owns Wiseguys Bar and Grill. They both own Koi, which serves sushi and cocktails.

Barrios, who is from Cuernavaca, Mexico, has been making birria for his friends for a while, Wells said. The group was inspired to open a birria restaurant in Myrtle Beach because they don’t see many places serving it. The goal is to keep the food authentic.

Bad Birria is going to be fast casual, where you order food at a counter and it comes to your table.