Plaza Midwood’s New Patio: La Vecina Brings Tulum-Inspired Tacos to Central Ave

Plaza Midwood is about to get a whole lot sunnier.

As we roll into May 2026, the neighborhood is buzzing about a new spot that feels more like a Mexican beach escape than a city block.

La Vecina is officially touching down at 1306 Central Ave.

This isn't just another taco joint. It’s an outdoor-only, Tulum-inspired patio concept that’s been years in the making.

If you’ve walked past the space next to Moo & Brew lately, you’ve seen the transformation.

The 'Coming Soon' signs are about to come down, and the smell of shaved al pastor is about to take over the corner of Central and Thomas.

To keep up with opening updates, you can check out La Vecina’s website or follow them on Instagram @lavecinaclt.

The Team Behind the Tacos

This project is a massive collaboration between some of Charlotte's heavy hitters.

We’re talking about Ken Thomas, the owner of Moo & Brew, and the creative minds of Carlos Nuñez and Victor Abad from Bocao Sushi.

It’s a 'best of both worlds' situation.

You have the neighborhood expertise of the Moo & Brew crew paired with the elevated Latino fusion flair that Bocao is known for.

They’ve spent nearly three years refining this concept to make sure it fits the soul of Plaza Midwood.

In a city that's changing at record speed, they wanted to create a 'neighborhood refuge.'





The Tulum Vibe on Central Ave

The first thing you’ll notice about La Vecina is that it’s entirely outdoors.

The owners took a 600-square-foot storefront and flipped the script.

Instead of a cramped dining room, they’ve built a massive, wraparound heated patio.

It’s designed to be used year-round, even when the North Carolina 'fake spring' decides to get chilly.

The aesthetic is pure Tulum.

Think hand-crafted wood, custom doors with Mexican inlays, and an atmosphere that encourages you to stay a while.

They worked with local favorites Cluck Design and Made Outside to bring the vision to life.

It doesn't feel corporate. It feels like your cool neighbor’s backyard: if your neighbor had a professional taco kitchen and a DJ booth.



What’s on the Menu?

Let's talk about the main event: the food.

La Vecina is leaning heavily into high-quality, authentic flavors with a few modern twists.

The star of the show is the walk-up taco counter.

You can walk right up from the sidewalk, grab a few tacos, and keep moving, or find a spot on the patio.

Here is what we are most excited about:

• Homemade Tortillas: No store-bought shells here. Everything is pressed fresh.

• Shaved Al Pastor: They are doing it the right way, with meat sliced fresh from the trompo.

• Latino Fusion: Expect some creative influences from the Bocao Sushi team.

• Breakfast Tacos: They aren't just for late nights. La Vecina is serving up breakfast tacos and burritos for the morning crowd.