Comal Taco Co. Opening at Charlotte’s Optimist Hall in December

Comal Taco Co. will open its doors in early December at Optimist Hall in Charlotte. The restaurant takes over the spot vacated by Marina's Tapas, which shuttered this past weekend.

Fast-casual tacos anchor the menu. Arizona cheese crisps round out the offerings, with Southwest flavors driving the concept.

De La Vega Tortillas, a local supplier, provides all tortillas and chips for the restaurant. Queso, salsa, and made-to-order guacamole accompany the chips, said owner Shang Skipper, per The Charlotte Observer.

"They're really probably the best tortillas I've ever had, quite honestly, other than someone sitting in front of me in their home making fresh tortillas," Skipper said.

Chef Andres Kaifer joins Skipper as a chef partner. Kaifer previously ran Marina's Tapas and earned recognition from Michelin for his work at Customshop. He'll craft the menu and guide the new venture. Staff members from Marina's remain on board.

"It's been a privilege sharing my family's stories and recipes through Marina's. I love Shang's idea for a taco concept, and I believe it will be super successful at Optimist Hall," Kaifer said in a news release. "I'm looking forward to working with Shang and bringing his vision for simple high-quality tacos to life in the space."

Skipper spent years at Fox Restaurant Concepts in Arizona and Mac's Hospitality in Charlotte, building his experience. He and Kaifer traveled to several cities sampling tacos before they settled on their final menu.

The restaurant borrows its name from the comal, a traditional Mexican griddle cooks use to prepare tortillas.

Arizona cheese crisps stand as the signature dish. A 12-inch tortilla gets topped with cheddar cheese, green chilies, and queso fresco. "It eats like a pizza ... a thin-crust pizza," Skipper said.

"There are a lot of great tacos in Charlotte, but no one's doing cheese crisps — no one that I know of, anyway," he said.

Loaded versions feature carnitas, blackened shrimp, and chicken adobo. Jarritos Mexican sodas, Mexican beers, and red sangria fill out the drink list.

Skipper intends to work the food stall each day, greeting and serving customers himself. "It's gonna be fun — the concept's fun. And, I think, what better place to do it than Optimist Hall?" he said.

You can find the new spot at 1115 N. Brevard St. in Charlotte.