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‘Holistic’ Charlotte restaurant to fill former Jamaican spot devastated by fire

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JuaMoto Sunfired Cuisine, a Black-owned restaurant specializing in vegan and plant-based offerings, is moving to Charlotte, its owner told CharlotteFive.

The eatery will bring its kale wraps, salads and smoothies to University City, and is slated to open in January 2026. It will occupy the former Cocoa’s Authentic Jamaican Jerk restaurant, which closed indefinitely after a devastating fire ripped through the business in June.

Chef and owner of JuaMoto Sunfired Cuisine, Tau Khamisi Mkweli, said he’s looking to expand the restaurant and its mission of “health and a holistic way of living.” Its moniker blends two Swahili words: “Jua” (sun) and “Moto” (fire).”

A hand holding a large, sliced-in-half green-hued wrap, wrapped tightly in clear plastic film. The cross-section shows a very dense filling dominated by finely chopped kale, sun-dried tomatoes, diced avocado, and a chunky, plant-based filling.
At JuaMoto Sunfired Cuisine, customers can find an assortment of wraps, salads, smoothies and other raw vegan dishes. Tau Khamisi Mkweli

“Food is nature’s most perfect medicine,” Mkweli told CharlotteFive. “That’s what I live by. So the food, the restaurant, the atmosphere reflects those qualities.”

After five years, JuaMoto Sunfired Cuisine closed the doors on its original location in downtown Concord on Sept. 28. Its new Charlotte restaurant will provide more space for food and fellowship, plus an outdoor patio for exclusive events, Mkweli said.

The menu is also expanding, offering customers more grab-and-go options and prepared meals including soups and lasagna.

A hand holding a large, sliced-in-half green-hued wrap, wrapped tightly in clear plastic film. The cross-section shows a very dense filling dominated by finely chopped kale, sun-dried tomatoes, diced avocado, and a chunky, plant-based filling.
At JuaMoto Sunfired Cuisine, customers can find an assortment of wraps, salads, smoothies and other raw vegan dishes. Tau Khamisi Mkweli

“There will be more options available for those who like to have things that aren’t just raw (vegetables),” Mkweli told CharlotteFive. Smoothies and other drinks are also on the menu.

Beyond the restaurant, there will be a retail space for artwork and herbs. Customers can buy from local vendors while they munch on a kale wrap, or attend a workshop on the patio.

“It’s gonna be a cultural hub, so to speak, where we can exist and be in our own spiritual energy without having to apologize for it,” said Mkweli, a self-described “culinary alchemist.”

After bidding adieu to Concord, the chef and holistic practitioner said he’s taking some time to reset.

A close-up of a vibrant, colorful salad or bowl in a clear, square plastic to-go container. The base is chopped green lettuce, topped with a large mound of dark brown, savory plant-based “meat” crumble and sliced mushrooms. Surrounding the crumble are distinct toppings: diced red bell peppers on the left, a scoop of orange sauce or puree, a small scoop of yellow sauce or puree, a large scoop of chunky guacamole, and diced tomatoes on the top right.
JuaMoto SunFired Cuisine’s raw taco salad is made with seeds nut meat and plenty of veggies. Screenshot courtesy of Tau Khamisi Mkweli

“Since opening, we’ve rarely taken a day off and now we’re looking forward to a much needed pause before stepping into our next chapter,” Mkweli said in a statement via Instagram.

“We are so excited for what’s ahead!”

JuaMoto Sunfired Cuisine

Location: 6316-A Old Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269

Location: 11 Union St S Suite 101, Concord, NC 28025 (now closed)

Menu

Cuisine: Vegan, vegetarian

Instagram: @juamotosunfiredcuisine

A large, brightly colored orange wrap, sliced in half, revealing a densely packed, vibrant filling. The filling consists primarily of chopped kale, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted vegetables like onions and peppers, and a textured, seed-and-nut-based crumble, all bound together with a light sauce.
“Food is nature’s most perfect medicine,” Dr. Tau Khamisi Mkweli Sunfired, chef and owner of JuaMoto Sunfired Cuisine, told CharlotteFive. Tau Khamisi Mkweli

Tanasia Kenney

Sun Herald

Tanasia is a service journalism reporter based at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She recently joined the NC Service Journalism team and covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide stories. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.

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Tanasia Kenney

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