Armored Tacos open for business in Spring Lake

Beware El Tucan, Mi Casita and Taco Bell, you have new competition in Spring Lake from Armored Tacos and Grill.

The business, which opened at the former Baldino's location May 22, is on the main drag through town at 110 S. Bragg Boulevard.

"We don't really consider ourselves much of a competition," said Margaret Field, who is manager of the restaurant and a partner in the business. "We've got our own little style going on."

Besides such South of the Border fare as tacos, chalupas, fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and tortas, Armored Tacos accommodates the more traditional American eater who prefers their hot dogs, burgers and fries.

Some come with a Mexican twist.

Take the Pico Dog for instance, which at $3.99, is an all-beef frank that's fried and topped with fresh pico de gallo and served with fries on the side.

Take it for what it is, but according to one of the restaurant reviews posted on the Armored Tacos and Grill Yelp site: "Armored Tacos has (a) unique taste to compete along with Fayetteville's Taco Giants."

The 41-year-old Luis Gonzalez is another partner in the restaurant's ownership group. He said a big difference between this place and the plethora of Mexican restaurants that operate in the area is that "we are cooking everything on the moment. When people asking for food," he said. "The flavor is different because we cook everything on the grill. The seasoning we use is different compared to other restaurants.

"They all do the same recipes. The same ingredients. We just decide to make a little (menu) where we make everything for the moment."

Breakfast is served, too.

Although the doors already have opened for business, a grand opening is planned from 1 to 7 p.m. on June 30, complete with Aztec dancers.

Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday.

Armored Tacos and Grill is closed on Sundays.

This doesn't do us taco-eating civilians any good, but military and Spring Lake employees receive a 10-percent discount.

Starbucks may close 150 stores in U.S.

Earlier this week, Starbucks announced that it intends to close roughly 150 underperforming stores nationwide in 2019.

The company has said it normally closes about 50 on a yearly basis, even as it opens others. But Starbucks is evaluating whether to shut down an additional 100 "with a focus on underperforming stores in densely populated urban areas," a company spokeswoman said via email on Friday.

She did not address a question asking if any of those stores will be in Fayetteville, where the mammoth coffee retailer has a significant presence of both company-owned and licensed locations.

Starbucks has more than 9,000 company-owned stores and more than 14,000 total stores in the United States, the spokeswoman said.

Mac's Speed Shop earns top honor for ribs

The Mac's Speed Shop team took home the Best Ribs trophy a weekend ago at the Twin City RibFest in Winston-Salem. Founded in 2005, the RibFest has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Bureau.

Why is this relevant to our readers?

If you like ribs like my wife, Mac's Speed Shop has a Fayetteville location at 482 N. McPherson Church Road. The company opened its first restaurant in a renovated transmission shop on South Boulevard in Charlotte.

In May 2017, the team representing Mac's Speed Shop earned a second-place finish for its whole hog cooking at the prestigious Memphis in May competition in Tennessee.

To check out the restaurant's menu, signature sauces and rubs, go online to MacSpeedShop.com.

Equal opportunity for vegans

Now here's a heads-up for those who forego the meats.

Fayetteville's inaugural Vegan Festival — billed as family and dog friendly — is scheduled Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of Anderson and Old streets.

Activities are free and open to the public.

The Prima Elements Holistic Wellness Center is hosting the outdoor festival where an anticipated 20-plus vendors will be promoting vegan food, juice and lifestyle products. Educational speakers and entertainment, too, are on the agenda.

The event is all about introducing people "to the joys of delicious, health, plant-based foods."

For additional information, go to veganfestivalfaync.com or call 483-8406.

And while on the subject of healthier food, a reminder that the CoreLife Eatery has opened its first North Carolina location in Fayetteville at the Freedom Town Center. The restaurant offers "a healthy and affordable eating alternative" for those who are making or have established lifestyle changes.

Now if I can just stop eating good barbecue, fried chicken and cheeseburgers.

See something sprouting up around town, have tips, questions or comments for Strictly Business? Contact staff writer Michael Futch at mfutch@fayobserver.com or 486-3529.