Wong’s Tacos Opens First NC Location in Raleigh’s Glenlake

By Dathan Kazsuk

A bold new culinary concept has arrived in Raleigh—one that defies tradition, embraces cultural crossover, and delivers flavor with a wink.

Wong’s Tacos, the energetic full-service restaurant known for its unique blend of Asian and Mexican cuisines, opens its doors this July in Glenlake, bringing with it a new kind of dining experience to the Triangle.

The concept—internally dubbed “Mexanese”—originated in Richmond, Virginia, where it quickly developed a loyal following. The idea was sparked not in a boardroom, but in the back of the house—over shared staff meals among kitchen crews from different cultural backgrounds. From there, the team at Eat Restaurant Partners, led by founder Chris Tsui, began to refine the vision: a menu built around Asian flavors and presented in familiar Mexican street-food style, all served in an environment where fun and hospitality come first.

“Our people and our culture have always shaped our direction,” says Tsui, who began his career as a teenager working in his father’s Chinese restaurant. “This concept grew out of that—blending tradition and creativity in a way that’s personal to us. Raleigh felt like the perfect next step.”

Located at 4251 Park Lake Avenue, the new Wong’s Tacos is the first North Carolina venture for Eat Restaurant Partners. Since opening its first concept in 2002, the Richmond-based group has focused on experience-first dining, with each restaurant designed to stand on its own. That individuality is apparent at Wong’s, where bright colors, eclectic décor and high-tempo energy set the tone. Guests will find Day of the Dead motifs mingling with waving Chinese lucky cats, all accompanied by a lively soundtrack and a spacious patio built for extended afternoons with a margarita in hand.

The menu leans playful and globally inspired. Favorites include chorizo-stuffed egg rolls, chile lime chicken tacos and tuna poke nachos—but the standout may well be the braised Korean brisket taco, a rich and flavorful twist that perfectly captures the “Mexanese” ethos. Dishes are designed to be shared, explored and revisited often.

One of the more whimsical touches is Wong’s monthly special—WTF: Wong’s Taco Feature—where the kitchen dreams up unexpected new combinations with international flair. “It keeps our team creative and our regulars curious,” says Tsui. “It’s about having fun with food and not taking ourselves too seriously.”

That ethos extends beyond the dining room. Wong’s Tacos is positioned to be as comfortable a choice for weekday business lunches as it is for weekend family dinners. Catering services are also available, making it easy to bring the restaurant’s signature flavor to events and gatherings throughout the Triangle.

The Glenlake opening comes at a time of significant growth for the area, which continues to evolve as a destination for dining and retail. For Tsui and his team, the decision to plant roots here was as much about community as it was about opportunity. “We’ve been looking for the right fit in Raleigh for some time,” he says. “When we saw Glenlake, we knew this was it.”

Check out more stories from around the Triangle with Midtown magazine.

Wong’s Tacos Opens First NC Location in Raleigh’s Glenlake

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