In April, QCity Metro put together a list of six Charlotte brunch spots serving international flavors. El Puro made the cut, so we decided to give it a try.
Located in South Charlotte, El Puro is a Cuban restaurant owned by siblings Ana Acela Perez and Emmanuel Perez, who opened the spot in November 2021. They have a large covered outdoor seating area perfect for a warm day. Inside, it is dimly lit, creating a moody aesthetic, with walls adorned with Cuban flags and other decorations.
The drinks
We started with cocktails, of course—the Cafecito Martini ($15), a Cuban spin on an espresso martini, and a mojito ($13), exactly what you’d hope for in a classic libation. The Cafecito Martini was sweet — topped with whipped cream and cookie crumbles. We enjoyed the drink, but fair warning: they are strong, so if you plan to indulge, you might want to Uber.
The food
For appetizers, we ordered two empanadas—one stuffed with beef and one with guava and cheese. If that second combo sounds strange to you, trust that it works. The sweetness of the guava and the saltiness of the cheese come together well; you just have to try it.
For our mains, we went with the guava and cheese pancakes and the La Frita burger, which comes with both a chorizo and a beef patty. The pancakes were cloud-like—very fluffy— and the perfect size. Despite the large amount of guava and cheese topping, the flavors weren’t overpowering. The burger was topped with a fried egg and was gone within five minutes, not because it lacked in portions, but it was just that good. It was juicy and packed with flavor.
While we didn’t try it, El Puro is known for its Cuban coffee. Some menu favorites are the café cubano, cortadito and café bombón.
The verdict
The service was fast; we were never left waiting. The waiters were eager and happy to give details about the menu items.
El Puro offers many different seating options: outdoors, indoors, or at the bar. The food stole the show and was worth every calorie and penny…