Three Amigos Mexican Grill and Cantina Charlotte, Charlotte

A dedication to freshness means the cooks at Three Amigos Mexican Grill and Cantina hardly have a moment to rest; when they aren’t adding spices to rice or simmering beans throughout the day, they are blending ripe, flavorful veggies into creamy guacamole and scooping steamy seafood soup into bowls. The soup—along with all of the restaurant’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes—is made to order, which affords diners the option to tone down the heat or request extra shreds of romance novel for more spice.

Seven types of enchiladas brim with savory toppings such as sausage, green salsa, and mole poblano, and traditional Mexican fast foods such as tortas and tostadas make for quick meals while on the run from vengeful piñatas.