Q: Any thoughts on the continued understaffing of our restaurants? I was particularly surprised by the Luna Living Kitchen announcement. 
Kristen: Yes, I’m actually working on a story about that right now — stay tuned! There are a lot of factors to the current labor shortage. I think the biggest is that when restaurants closed down during the pandemic, a lot of industry professionals moved into careers outside of hospitality. Many of them will likely not come back until adjustments happen in the industry, including higher pay, benefits, and a better work-life balance. And I think those adjustments are happening slowly as employers add more and more perks to their hiring packages. Some restaurants can’t fill the hours with the staff they have right now, so they’re choosing not to reopen during slow times — we heard that frequently in our recent story about lunch, and I’d guess that’s what happened with Living Kitchen’s decision to pause weeknight dinner service.

Q: What are you sippin’ on?
Kristen: Our IG promo photo for Concierge Thursday was a barkeep’s call cocktail from Brittany Kellum of Fin & Fino, though to be honest,  I can’t quite recall what is was other than delicious.

Q: Best deli in Charlotte?
Kristen: Personally, I’d say Common Market. I’m a big fan of their Darby’s Roast Beef sandwich, and as they’ve trimmed their menus down a bit, I think the sandwiches have only gotten stronger. Travis’s pick is Phil’s Deli for the tongue sandwich, Reuben, and Matzo ball soup — not as good as New York, he says, but pretty good. Justin is eagerly awaiting the opening of Meshugganah’s brick-and-mortar spot.

Q: Will the public understand the spirits shortage at the ABC?
Kristen: As you’re an industry professional, I’m going to answer this in regards to bars and restaurants not having certain liquors on their shelves right now. I think (and hope) so. If there’s one thing people seem to enjoy in North Carolina, it’s bashing the ABC system — not that it will do much. During the pandemic, we’ve heard about shortages all over the place — this shouldn’t come as a surprise to many people. For diners to better understand Mecklenburg County’s issue specifically, however, and why their favorite restaurant might not be able to make a signature cocktail, they’ll have to ask servers and bartenders. Hopefully, there’s a transfer of knowledge that helps customers get a better grasp of what’s happening — and why it’s not the bar or restaurant’s fault when they’re out of something.

Q: Can you do a Q&A on where to find decent breakfast tacos in CLT until Chilitos opens their brick and mortar with Resident Culture in South End? I have searched long and hard for breakfast tacos but they are all trash. I don’t think the Rhino Market Breakfast Burrito counts, I don’t want the super Americanized, Charlotte version of breakfast tacos, I want one like L.A. or Austin (yes I know those are American too).
Kristen: This is a hard one — one we get asked about frequently, and unfortunately, I don’t have many good answers. The only two breakfast tacos I’m aware of are at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen (but they’re not yet re-opened for brunch and wrapped in pancakes, not tortillas) and The Degenerate in NoDa. The latter might be what you want: scrambled eggs, pulled pork, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, crema, and home fries or grits. Otherwise, QC Grounds has a good breakfast burrito, with eggs, corn cob-smoked bacon, pico, avocado, and hot sauce with corn chips for added crunch. Another good substitute might be Carnitas Guanajuato, with multiple locations around Charlotte, for their chilaquiles — something like a breakfast taco melt. I haven’t had their burrito yet — you’ve inspired me to shortly — but Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters in Plaza Midwood has a vibe that leans toward West Coast, and a few breakfast burrito options. Readers, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section if you’ve found — or not — some good breakfast tacos.