Take a peek at Maize, Agua, Sal — also known as M.A.S — opening soon in Charlotte
A new Mexican-inspired tortilleria and agave bar with a patio view of uptown Charlotte’s west side, Maiz, Agua, Sal, is opening Thursday, April 11 at the Lower Tuck adaptive reuse development.
The restaurant — also known as MAS — will feature a lineup of non-alcoholic drinks you can spike with spirits and scratch-made food to pair with them. It will be open Tuesday-Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and in the future you’ll be able to stop by and pick up fresh tortillas, too.
The beverage program: Beverage director Amanda Britton has crafted a lineup of agua frescas you can buy by the glass ($5) or by the pitcher ($16). You can enjoy the horchata, Jamaica, Pina or Tamarinda as-is, or add the tequila of your choice.
You can also order a frozen tepache, a fermented drink that comes in watermelon jalapeno, tropical mango chile or spiced pineapple ($4.75). Cocktails will include palomas and margaritas, of course, along with brunch options such as Bloody Marias.
Flights of agave spirits will be available, too.
The food: Chef Jonathan Olvera will lead the kitchen at MAS, showcasing recipes that reflect the Salisbury native’s family’s roots from the Michoacan region of Mexico. He has previously worked at some of Charlotte’s most beloved restaurants, including Peppervine, Bardo, Leah & Louise and Dot Dot Dot.
Each dish on the menu he created at Maiz, Agua, Sal is something he’s had growing up.
“It may be food that I have vivid memories about ... it’s all, like, food that’s left an impact on me, that’s culturally important,” he said.
At breakfast, you’ll find huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. Later in the day, look for a menu stacked with dishes such as carnitas ($15), pozole rojo ($13) and flautas de tinga ($10). The tacos ($5 each) will be made with fresh tortillas crafted with masa harina, sourced from heirloom corn grown by Mexican farmers.
Taco choices include:
De trompo (adobo pork)
Asada (steak)
Carnitas (confit pork)
Lengua (beef tongue)
Camaron (shrimp)
Maiz pico (corn)
Hongos al pastor (adobo oyster mushrooms).
House-made sweets for dessert are churros ($8) and fruta ($6).
The design: Co-owner Alyson Davis founded ARDRHospitality together with her husband, Dan Davis, and they operate Craft Tasting Room, Lincoln Street Kitchen and Cocktails and The Green Room. She decorated the space at MAS with natural elements including terra cotta, wood and woven materials.
“We just tried to be really thoughtful about the elements and make a cohesive experience,” she said.
Maiz, Agua, Sal
Location: Lower Tuck, 1018 Jay St., Suite 110, Charlotte NC 28208
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cuisine: Mexican
Instagram: @mas_tortilleria
