Among the more inventive builds at Tacos 4 Life (left) are the Crab Cake Taco and Chicken Bacon Ranch Taco. The menu at Matcha Café Maiko (right) includes lattes, soft-serve, layered desserts and baked goods.

Stops 5 and 6: Tacos 4 Life and Matcha Café Maiko

Dumplings, dim sum and Sichuan spice

Although this trip to Charlotte focused on locally owned and grown restaurants, Tacos 4 Life and Matcha Café Maiko did warrant a quick visit. Founded in Arkansas a decade ago, the former distinguishes itself in the sea of taco restaurants through its mission (a portion of proceeds are used to combat childhood hunger) and unconventional builds like the Crab Cake Taco, Chicken Bacon Ranch Taco and limited-time Nashville Hot Taco.

Specializing in all things matcha (including tiered frozen desserts), Matcha Café Maiko is still headquartered in its hometown of Honolulu but now comprises about two dozen stateside outposts, plus one in Canada. For beverage orders, the matcha is made to order with servers blending the fine powder by hand before serving or incorporating into a latte. The café also offers a lesser-known Japanese green tea, hojicha, with a nutty, almost barley-like flavor that’s the perfect balance to sweet treats.

Feeling a bit of wanderlust? Our Flavor Postcard series spotlights markets around the world for culinary inspiration.

Flavor Postcard: Charlotte