Los Arcos

Moving into the area not too long ago, I’ve been on the hunt of trying to find a good Mexican restaurant. I read many reviews about this place and about their lunch buffet. I decided to do that on a random Thursday afternoon. There weren’t many people when I got there, but it quickly got busy within 10 minutes. The food wasn’t too bad for what it was. Lots of different things to try, which is great. One thing that would have been nice is if they had signs of what some of the items were. I’m not sure if they switch things out throughout the day, but it would be nice to know if my enchilada had chicken or beef before grabbing it.
Overall it was decent. I wouldn’t mind coming back again during another random day throughout the week, or even try their Sunday buffet.

Great area! They have outside sitting and inside. Relaxing and good service. The food was amazing as well. I also had a drannnk. And it was very good. I heard they have a lunch buffet. I’d love to try that. I would recommend if your in the area.

Went in for lunch. Nice interior. Staff was friendly. Food was very good. Had the choir-​sauce appetizer and it was great. Will go back the next time I’m in town.

Great idea to have a Mexican buffet! Good was hot a fresh and they had a great variety! Would definitely go back when we’re in the area!

The food was delicious and the service was excellent. I really enjoyed my dinner here. I had the shrimp chimichanga and let me tell you… magnificent! If you’re in the area, definitely check this place out. I think this will be my new go-​to place for Mexican food here in the University area.

Roaches galore!!! Never have I been to a restaurant where there are nearly as many roaches as employees! When I mentioned the roaches to the employee, he completely failed to acknowledge my concern and instead started speaking Spanish to his co-workers…it was very unsettling. Additionally, the service is hit or miss… but that is no longer an issue for me as I will NEVER visit this restaurant again.

We went to the Panthers game and stayed near this location. The food was great the restaurant was nice and clean the staff was very friendly BUT due to there being a lack of understanding English (smh) made it ruff! He brung the wrong drinks food cuttery instead of napkins water instead of drinks from the bar ect… but the food was GOOD!

Food is always great. I’ve never had any issues here and always look forward to coming back

By far my Favorite Mexican restaurant in Charlotte! Being raised here and having been to many of the places to eat here that’s a big compliment. This place is always clean, friendly, and fast with service! You have to try the buffet which is always hot, full, and delicious. The good here is fresh, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere is so relaxing. The buffet is extremely affordable (under $ 8) b/​w 11−3pm and great options for all. I’m a vegetarian and I love it! I used to go here everyday before I moved to Cali and I’d always request Sylvia! She’s a sweetheart and very sufficient. This place is a must go, whether with a group, family, friends, or alone.

Charlotte University Location.
Reading the other reviews here on Los Arcos, I’m going to believe that we visited this location on a bad evening. This was the first visit to this location of Los Arcos, and we were not as impressed as with some other local locations of the namesake restaurant.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is very nice, actually much nicer than any other local Los Arcos location visited previously. Service was acceptable, nothing spectacular but adequate.
We both ordered the same entrée, the Arroz Camerones. On the entrees arrival, we found the temperature of it to be lukewarm. It obviously had set several minutes before being picked up to be brought to our table.
I assume their shrimp used in this dish was that of Gulf shrimp. Both orders large shrimp had a very strong iodine taste to it, as typically found in the Gulf of Mexico Brown shrimp variety.
Unfortunately, there was a inordinate, overwhelming large amount of onions mixed in with the remaining ingredients. My companion asked the waitress if this was a normal amount of onions and about the coolness of the plate. The waitress graciously offered to take it back and have the plate remade, which we accepted.
I’m believing that we just visited on an off night and perhaps this location will be better on our next visit.

Second time here, lunch buffet, traveling through the area. The place was very busy, so someone was enjoying their food, right?
I was not so lucky. It looked like Mexican fare, but tasted like bland food. Soon after I finished my meal, an uneasiness set in my stomach. Ill hours later as I type this.
Just wasn’t worth it.

I was here for a business trip near IBM center. I was craving Mexican food as always and was staying in the Druery Hotel which is across the street. The food here is absolutely fantastic! As always I order ACP. Now the interesting thing about their recipe is that they put Monterey Jack Cheese on top of the rice and chicken and baked the cheese rather than pour cheese dip on top. Very interesting ! I have to admit it was very good !
I also ordered queso dip with beef (no charge!). My waitress was very friendly and had a nice chat with her. I was totally full after my meal (NO MAS!). Prices were fair. Overall just a great place, friendly staff, excellent but interesting food, what more can you want? I was a little confused why this place wasn’t packed because it was 5pm and there wasn’t much people there. Hopefully they get business because I will certainly be back when I’m in Charlotte !’

We found this place last year when we visited Charlotte for the dirt races and was looking forward to a return trip this year. We opted for the lunch time buffet, and were once again delighted with the offerings provided. I’m not usually a fan of buffets as I find things tend to sit around too long, but that simply isn’t the case here as most items are put out in small quantities and replenished often. We opted for the margaritas with an upgrade to 1800 tequilia and were not let down as they were fabulous.
The staff members are absolutely some of the friendliest people you could ask for as there seems to be a family that works there that remembered my friend and I from last year…“You’re from Pheeely, no ?“
Not sure that we are coming back next year, but if we return to Charlotte, we will definitely make a return trip to Los Arcos.

Based on my carnitas dish alone this place should be a five star.
The restaurant itself is very inviting and roomy and comfortable. We munched on chips and salsas while we ordered our food and waited for it to arrive. Delicioso! Our waitress was very nice and friendly. The menu itself is very affordable with many different, classic options.
I went with Carnitas and the man went with enchiladas. As far as taste, they were both spot on. My plate was so huge, there was no way I could eat it all. I was able to share my food and still have plenty to take home.
Sadly, we ordered the queso fundo dip with chorizo for an appetizer and it was so disgusting. I have had this previously in other places but I was appalled at the taste. We did not finish it.
The kid menu is okay. Not the best but still kid friendly.
We definitely will come back.

Would’ve been 5 stars if the food wasn’t overly salty. My husband and I didn’t do the buffet we actually ordered from the menu and I felt there was no excuse to mess up the food.

First visit to Los Arcos. I don’t live in the area and was excited to try this place out with my brother. He ordered the #1 dinner combo which is a taco, burrito, and enchilada. I ordered the carnitas. We were really excited to see all of their draft beers were $ 1. When the food arrived, we only had one set of silverware and didn’t notice until she left. My carnitas were awful. I could hardly cut them. I ate a small piece and had to tell the waitress that I couldn’t eat it. They were over cooked and extremely fatty. Hugh disappointment. I reordered the taco combo which ended up being okay. About half way through my brothers meal, he realized it was wrong. There was no taco, but an unknown item instead. That aside, the three items were weak and small in size.
If I go back, I think the buffet is the way to go. Other reviews say it’s only $ 8! The family next to us got the buffet and it looked amazing. Between the dollar beers and the buffet, this could be a solid place for a Saturday lunch, but today was not a good experience.

It is so so so so good! For $ 8, all you can eat mexican buffet? Heck yeah! They bring you warm chips and salsa and then you can attack the yummy buffet! There are premade items like mini chimichangas, taquitos, quesadilla, enchiladas etc, then there are entrees like creamed chicken, pork, shrimp etc. And then the taco bar!!! With beef, cheese, sour cream, fresh guacamole, pico de gallo and other toppings. They also have fresh fruit and a couple of sweet items like rice pudding and fried plantains. What’s not to like? It’s so great! This is my new favorite lunch place! It’s not gourmet, just really good mexican lunch food and I am in love!
Update: ok it’s not as good as I remembered the first time. The food is low quality. After eating here a few times I have had my fill and get sick at the thought of going back.

Los Arcos is a solid Mexican restaurant. It is located behind Taco Bell (kind of ironic). The restaurant inside is pretty big. I’m not sure if they built this building specifically for Los Arcos or if it was an existing structure, but if it was already there, they did a great job renovating. They have a chevron pattern floor — anyone else obsessed with the current chevron craze???
We got the cheese dip to start, which was big for $ 4.50! I got a combination plate of 2 tacos and rice and beans. Everything has that signature Mexican restaurant flavor. My roommate ended up getting deep fried butterfly shrimp (weird for a Mexican restaurant but that’s what she wanted when she saw it on the menu). I think they were frozen out of a box. She enjoyed them though. Overall the food was what we were expecting. Nothing bad but nothing special. It is a great place to hit up when that Mexican craving hits.
While there, I saw that they have a buffet Monday through Saturday for lunch. I will definitely be going back to check it out! I also will have to check out their margaritas and update my review!

This place used to be located on N Tryon Street way back in the day (2009 – 2010) and it was pretty much the go-​to Mexican place for UNCC students. Then it mysteriously and suddenly closed. Everyone was bummed.
Magically during my last year of undergrad, a new restaurant was being built near the boardwalk… and guess what it was? LOS ARCOS.
The anticipation was real. I drove by about once a month to see when the heck they were going to open!
Finally, I came in for my first meal. The chips and salsa were on par and the drink specials weren’t bad either… it didn’t feel like the old Los Arcos though.
If fact, in the years Los Arcos vanished from the scene, the other places triumphed over their absence. No longer were they the go-​to Mexican place for UNCC students.
I then developed a love-​hate relationship with the restaurant. Sometimes it would be good, but many times, I would feel like eating at another place instead.
I don’t avoid Los Arcos, but it is definitely not my first choice for Mexican food in the area either.
Tori and I did get sick from eating here last year. It seemed to be mild, nothing that kept us home from work or school, but it wasn’t pleasant!
It was probably an isolated experience though.

Two words: Lunch Buffet!!! I usually associate buffets with chinese/​asian cuisine, but Los Arcos does it up big with their own lunch buffet.
Sadly, I did not partake in the buffet… I ordered off the regular menu which didn’t seem overly priced or too big. Had a Chicken Taco Salad and it was just the right size for my lunch that day. Have to say, I was a little jealous of the buffet eaters since they seemed to be enjoying each and ever trip back to the buffet.
I believe this site used to be where Max & Erma’s was… but they did a complete gut job. The space is divided with lots of turns and individual booths so no really big open spaces (unless you count the outdoor patio). The inside still has the «new paint/​construction» smell and everything has been kept clean and tidy despite the number of people that come in and out on a daily basis.
I’m assuming the buffet is only offered for lunch, but it seems to be quite the popular spot. One of these days, when I stop running and training for races, I will be a frequent buffet guest here.