Hot Head Burritos opened Dec. 31 in the Fresh Market plaza. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Burrittos are suddenly big in the Lake Norman area, with two new restaurants: Hot Head Burritos in Cornelius, which opened Dec. 31, and Carrburritos in Davidson (opening Wednesday). Meanwhile, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream has begun hiring for its new store in Birkdale Village. And there’s a new doughnut shop in Huntersville called Donut King.

HOT HEAD BURRITOS OPENS AT FRESH MARKET

Jenny and T.J. Jones have opened Hot Head Burritos in the Fresh Market shopping center. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Hot Head Burritos is a popular “quick serve” burrito chain in Ohio, and it’s now in North Carolina thanks to Cornelius residents T.J. and Jenny Jones. The couple have opened up a shop in the Fresh Market shopping center. Mr. Jones says it could be the first of a half-dozen burrito shops in the region.

Hot Head Burritos started in Ohio and currently has 43 restaurants there and in Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Hot Head serves burritos, bowls, tacos, nachos and quesadillas. Like many other shops, you pick your own fillings as you walk down the line. A meal, with drink and nacho chips, comes in right about $10.

The husband-wife team said they were looking for an opportunity after T.J. retired recently. A friend came to them with the idea of opening Hot Head Burritos, and after “due diligence,” they and other partners became its local franchisees.

The restaurant opened Dec. 31. It’s at 20609 Torrence Chapel Road. Web: hotheadburritos.com/

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

CARRBURRITOS OPENS WED.

Carrburritos, a Mexican taqueria with North Carolina roots, will open Wednesday, Jan. 16, next to Wooden Stone gallery on South Main Street in Davidson. Davidson residents Doug and Edie Surratt.

The Davidson restaurant features burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, tostadas, signature salsa and guacamole and specialty beef, chicken, pork and fresh fish. Oh, and “killer” margaritas, which we had a chance to taste on Thursday. (We really liked the Jalapeño Margarita – can’t wait to get a full glass of that one.)

The 3,500-square foot restaurant has seating for up to 90 people indoors and on a new outdoor patio, at 445 S. Main St.

See previous coverage of Carrburritos on this site. See more on their website, carrburritos.com

BEN & JERRY’S HIRING FOR FEB. 1 OPENING

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is now accepting applications for employees in its new scoop shop, which is scheduled to open Feb. 1 in Birkdale Village, Huntersville. The shop needs day and evening part-timers. If you’re interested, visit the Ben & Jerry’s at 202 S. Main St., Davidson, to fill out an application.

NEW IN HUNTERSVILLE: DONUT KING

Love doughnuts? Donut King has opened off Gilead Road at I-77 Exit 23 in Huntersville. We had a chance to sample these the other day. Glazed, chocolate and maple frosted all held up under our doughnut-lover’s scrutiny. Donut King, 9905-A Rose Commons Dr., Huntersville. 704-948-0430 and Facebook.

WINE TASTING & SHOPPING

Wooden Stone Gallery in Davidson plans “Sip and Shop” wine tastings on Saturdays Saturdays Jan. 19 and Feb. 16. The tastings are 4-6pm, at the gallery, 446 S. Main St., Davidson. They’ll be serving a flight of North Carolina wines carried in the shop, along with appetizers. Meet friends and see what’s new at the gallery. $10 per person. Info: 704-892-1449

FARM TO FORK PROGRAM SEEKS SCHOOLS

Here’s an opportunity for your classroom: The Mecklenburg County Health Department is partnering with Fuel Pizza Café of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Fruit & Vegetable Coalition, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), Landsculptors, and EarthFarm Organics to bring Field to Fork Pizza Gardens to 15 CMS elementary classes. The Pizza Garden concept appeals to children by growing vegetables and herbs to make a healthy pizza.

The Field to Fork Program is designed for elementary school classrooms in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district. When a school is accepted into the Field to Fork program they will be awarded a raised bed garden, vegetable plants, gardening education class, nutrition education class, an in-classroom culinary demonstration, and a field trip to Fuel Pizza to make pizzas topped with garden grown produce.

Teachers interested in applying or seeking more information can do so by visiting the program’s web page on CharMeck.org. The deadline for submitting applications to F2FCLT@gmail.com/a> is Jan. 31.

HAVE NEWS?

Send dining news to editor@corneliusnews.net. Dining news appears on both DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.