Due to circumstances beyond my control, my plans to spend Thanksgiving in Orlando were disrupted, sending me to North Carolina to be with my family there. Relishing the opportunity to cook and bake with my family, I did not get to do much restaurant exploration. Realizing that I’d have an opportunity to explore Charlotte, NC before flying out the next day, I decided to research gluten-free restaurants to check out.


Those of you who have followed my blog for awhile might remember that I passed through Charlotte earlier this year for the Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event and discovered the gluten-free friendliness of Maggiano’s Little Italy and Zoe’s Kitchen. Returning to the city, I wanted to find a non-chain restaurant to check out, especially since I visited on Small Business Saturday. Sabor Latin Street Grill caught my eye on Find Me Gluten Free with several positive reviews, so I decided to try them out.

Sabor is nestled in a quiet residential part of town mere minutes from the heart of downtown. The menu features street food from a variety of Latin traditions, and is pretty gluten-free friendly (make sure to avoid flour tortillas). Another bonus, is that prices are very budget friendly, allowing diners to eat around the menu and build a meal from a variety of small plates. When I let the staff member taking my order know that I was gluten-free, she affirmed my selections were gluten-free and instructed the line cooks to minimize cross contamination. 


Currently, I’m in a serious taco-loving phase, and couldn’t pass up ordering a duo of chicken tacos in the authenticos style (with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime). The tacos were double wrapped in sturdy corn tortillas- just the way I like them- and were laden with an abundance of toppings. The chicken was tender and spiced well and the cilantro and onions were fresh and flavorful. These tacos did not disappoint in the least, even after a string of amazing taco experiences I have had recently. 

Not wanting to miss an opportunity to try something new, I decided to order an arepa, a delicacy I have been wanting to try for awhile. Don’t let the $4.95 price tag fool you, because the portion was amazingly huge. Sandwiched between two ground maize cakes that were crispy on the outside and soft in the middle was a hearty serving of pulled chicken, accompanied by tomato and onion and deliciously spicy rosada sauce. The sandwich (but it’s so much more than that) was satisfying and reminded me of sloppy joes, but the arepa was much, much better. It definitely was a protein powerhouse and won over both my mom and me. Definitely ask them to hold the cheese for dairy-free preparation. 

Although I normally do not order beverages besides water when I eat out, I made an exception here when I spotted bottles of Redemption Brew Works ginger and lemongrass brews sitting in the beverage cooler. I first found these locally made fermented beverages at the GFAF Wellness Event I attended previously in Charlotte, and was happy that I could indulge in their delicious lemongrass brew again. 

Overall, Sabor completely won me over, earning top marks for dishes both familiar and new and jumbo portions for a fair cost. Although my meal was meat-heavy, I did not have the slightest bit of discomfort from cross contamination, which I am quite sensitive to. My mom enjoyed fish tacos, and declared them the best she’d ever had, which is quite a compliment coming from her. Future Charlotte trips for me will not be complete without stopping at Sabor, and I look forward to sampling more around the expansive menu. It’s finding places like Sabor that make me so proud to support locally-run restaurants and travelling to unfamiliar cities. 

Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.