MAY 13, 2020 10:17 AM
Three Amigos Mexican Cantina & Grill and Sabor Latin Street Grill fans, listen up: the popular restaurants’ owners, Raydal Hospitality, are creating a new Latin American food spot with a menu that will feature foods from El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina.
La Caseta (pronounced La Kah-seh-tah) is Raydal’s new food stall, scheduled to open in June at Camp North End, 1801 N. Graham St., Suite 203. The food stalls will be located on Keswick Avenue, the street that cuts through the Gama Goat Building.
Owners Miriam and Dalton Espaillat were inspired by Raydal’s diverse staff, with diverse family traditions. The menu is being created by Telma Moran, Miriam Espaillat’s mother, who owns a bodega in Queens, New York; and Alejandra De la Cruz, head chef at Three Amigos.
“We are Latin American immigrants who have made Charlotte our home,” Miriam Espaillat said in a statement. “We believe greatly in keeping our roots alive and we have found the perfect outlet: food.”
La Caseta follows the previous announcement of food stall neighbors Bow Ramen and Bleu Barn Bistro. Bow Ramen and Bleu Barn Bistro are also expected to open early next month.
At La Caseta, you’ll want to look at more than just the menu on your first visit to the 384-square-foot walk-up stall. It will be made from reclaimed materials sourced from Camp North End’s Gama Goat building during its renovation.
During the coronavirus pandemic era that has become 2020, the food stalls include a feature that may be the most important of all: outdoor, open-air seating.
In addition to fresh air, the dining area also has shade and seasonal heaters, and team members will be performing regular disinfecting during operating hours. For now, seating arrangements have been reduced and spaced in accordance with North Carolina’s phased re-opening requirements.
“Open-air outdoor dining will be critical to the successful return of restaurants post-COVID-19, and this move is a key example of our efforts over the last several years to proactively design our environment with community health and wellness in mind,” said Damon Hemmerdinger, co-president of ATCO Properties & Management, developer of Camp North End, in a statement.
MENU ITEMS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
Tacos al pastor: Traditional trompo style pork is marinated in a chile and onion-based sauce for 24 hours, then broiled with pineapple to create a sweet and hot experience. The meat is served in handmade corn tortillas and topped with onions, cilantro and avocado sauce.
Pupusas Revueltas: Handmade corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, grounded pork belly and beans, grilled to perfection and served with pickled cabbage and fresh salsa.
Pupusas de Frijoles: Handmade corn tortillas filled with cheese and beans, grilled to perfection and served with pickled cabbage and fresh salsa.
Arepa Reina Pepiana: White corn tortillas grilled to perfection then filled with chicken and avocado salad.
“La Caseta will serve items that our customers have long requested — like pupusas and handmade tortillas,” Dalton Espaillat said in a statement.
“Because of the size and complexity of the operation at Sabor, we have a hard time making those things happen consistently without compromising quality. La Caseta, with its relatively small menu and kitchen size, is a perfect place to make the food we make at home on the weekends.”
Ultimately, Camp North End will host nine food and beverage establishments located throughout the 1 million-square-foot complex. “The passionate team of people behind La Caseta embodies the resilience of Charlotte’s culinary community, and we are proud to welcome them to our Camp North End family,” Hemmerdinger said.
In addition to Bow Ramen and Bleu Barn Bistro, La Caseta will join Camp North End’s other culinary tenants, such as Subrina and Greg Collier’s new restaurant concept, Leah & Louise, Samantha Allen’s gourmet bakery Wentworth and Fenn, taproom Free Range Brewing, loose-leaf tea bar Birch Fine Tea, healthy food purveyor Chop & Chisel, Noda Company Canteen, and coffee bar Hex Coffee Roasters.
LA CASETA
Camp North End, 1801 N. Graham St., Suite 203.
The food stalls will be located on Keswick Avenue, the street that cuts through the Gama Goat Building.
Opening in June