Popular Mexican chain opening new restaurant in buzzy Raleigh development
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mezcalito will open at The Exchange in Raleigh early 2026, expanding in NC.
- The Exchange adds diverse food and bar tenants including Mezcalito, Peregrine and Capulet.
- Mezcalito operates six NC restaurants and plans new Rolesville, Raleigh and Cary locations.
A Mexican restaurant chain with several locations in North Carolina is expanding its Triangle footprint.
Mezcalito is under construction at The Exchange, a mixed-use development in Raleigh’s Midtown area, the restaurant announced on social media.
Known for its traditional Mexican dishes including tacos and ceviche, alongside a bar highlighting tequila- and mezcal-based cocktails, the restaurant chain serves diners at six North Carolina locations, including in Apex, Durham and Clayton.
In addition to the Raleigh restaurant, the chain has plans for locations in Rolesville and Cary.
The restaurant at The Exchange, located off St. Albans Drive just outside the Beltline, is expected to open early next year, according to Triangle Business Journal.
Mezcalito menu
Mezcalito offers “a unique take on Mexican cuisine with a Tex-Mex heart,” its website says.
The restaurant serves a variety of grilled meats, including fajitas and carne asada, along with burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tortas and quesadillas.
It has previously partnered with James Beard semifinalist chef Oscar Diaz on concepts, including Aaktun Coffee + Bar and Durham’s Little Bull.
Restaurants and bars at The Exchange
Mezcalito will be the latest tenant in the hospitality industry to open at The Exchange, a project by the Raleigh-based development firm Dewitt.
Coffee shop WRK by The Optimist has a spot in the lobby of the 1000 Social building. It’s from the team behind The Optimist, which has two coffeehouses in Raleigh.
The Exchange is also home to Peregrine, a restaurant from Raleigh chef Saif Rahman and Patrick Shanahan, serving new American dishes with South Asian flavors.
Shanahan is also working on a new cocktail bar at the development. Capulet Cocktail Club, expected to open this fall, takes its name from the Shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet.” It will feature both an indoor and an outdoor bar and serve European spirit-driven cocktails.
Another tenant, Toastique, also plans to open at The Exchange this month. The cafe will offer cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, smoothies, coffee, espresso and toasts topped with ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, meats and cheese. It’s the second Toastique location in North Carolina, joining a cafe in Charlotte.
Chef Michael Bongiorno of the Raleigh deli and market Bongiorno & Son, who recently unveiled an outpost at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, is opening a new spot at The Exchange.
Bongiorno & Son will take a 2,193-square-foot space on the ground floor of the 1000 Social building, featuring a market with grab-and-go salads, meals and pantry staples. Customers will also be able to get freshly prepared sandwiches, Italian pastries, breads and deli selections at the counter.
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM with the headline "Popular Mexican chain opening new restaurant in buzzy Raleigh development."
