Carrburritos opened Wednesday, with seating for 90 to 100 both indoors and on an outdoor patio. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

For years Davidson diners have been craving Mexican, something to add a little spice and fun to the expanding dining choices along Main Street. On Wednesday, the doors officially opened on the answer: Carrburritos

The Mexican taqueria has taken over half the ground floor of the building that also houses Wooden Stone Gallery, at 445 S. Main St. The 3,500-square foot restaurant has seating for about 100 people indoors and on a new outdoor patio, as well as a bar offering traditional and specialty margaritas. (We can’t stop talking about that Jalapeño Margarita.)

The staff at Carrburritos includes (from left) bartender Chad Whittington, manager Kim Fiori and Nikki King. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Carrburritos is the second location for the popular restaurant that got its start off Franklin Street in Carrboro (hence the name), not far from UNC Chapel Hill. Carrburritos was founded in 1997 by Gail and Bill Fairbanks, who missed the food they knew well from when they lived in Oakland, Calif.

Twenty-year Davidson residents Doug and Edie Surratt got hooked on the fare in recent years while visiting Ms. Fairbanks, who is Edie’s sister. And they vowed to bring it here.

The Fairbanks have been restaurant owners for more than 30 years, first with a vegetarian café in Oakland, then Carrburritos. The original Carrburritos has won many awards, including the Independent Weekly’s “Best Burrito in the Triangle” for seven years and “Best Mexican in 2011 and 2012” from Chapel Hill Magazine.

Despite their success, Ms. Fairbanks said the other day, “We weren’t particularly ambitious about expanding. Doug and Edie just talked us into it.”

The Surratts saw an opening in the market for fresh Mexican food. Ms. Surratt was a co-founder of the Davidson Farmer’s Market and works in fundraising for WDAV-FM, 89.9, the Davidson College-based classical public radio station. Mr. Surratt owns Baybridge Management, a physician management consulting firm in the Stowe’s Corner building in downtown Davidson.

Ms. Surratt said when she and her husband began thinking about opening a Carrburritos, they didn’t want to join the ranks of other shopping center burrito joints around the Lake Norman area. “We wouldn’t do this in a strip mall. We’re happy to be on South Main Street,” she said.

Adds Ms. Fairbanks: “I’m in love with this spot. I think it’s just going to be magic.”

Carrburritos features burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, tostadas, signature salsas and guacamole and specialty beef, chicken, pork and fresh fish (fish tacos!). Ms. Fairbanks says all produce and other ingredients are fresh.

A meal and a drink will run you less than $10, unless you’re going for a margarita or a Mexican beer. You can place your order at the counter and they’ll bring it to your table, or you can grab it to go.

They’ve got a full bar, with signature margaritas and Mexican beers. Eventually, they plan to offer local catering and to host special events. The bar area has a mix of stools at the bar, table seating and drink rails along the wall, as well as a couch and comfy chairs.

CARRBURRITOS

445 S. Main St., Davidson
HOURS: Mondays to Wednesdays 11-10, Thursdays to Saturdays 11-11704-237-3040
Website, carrburritos.com

See previous coverage of Carrburritos on this site.

The bar at Carrburritos in Davidson has Mexican beers and specialty margaritas (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)