New build-your-own bowl restaurant opens in Ballantyne Village, and it’s gluten-free

DeAnna Taylor
·3 min read

Partners in love and partners in business — that is how Keith and Gail DuPont describe their union. The husband and wife duo recently opened their latest restaurant concept, Mahana Fresh, in the Ballantyne Village area.

The DuPonts relocated to Charlotte from Philadelphia two years ago after becoming empty nesters. Opening a restaurant wasn’t initially included in their moving plans, but in those two years they have now managed to open two.

“After sending our last child off to his junior year of college, we decided we wanted to do something together as a couple,” Keith DuPont told CharlotteFive. “Once we saw how fast the city was growing, we knew there was an opportunity there.”

Their first business was a Marco’s Pizza in the Cornelius area (19732 One Norman Blvd.), which they opened to gain experience before diving into another concept. While doing research for their next business, they stumbled upon the Mahana Fresh brand, which until now only had 3 locations across the country — two in Florida and one in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Mahana Fresh is a fast-casual, build-your-own bowl restaurant with a 100% gluten-free menu. All items are made in-store daily and are suitable for any dietary need. Choose from seven bases including sweet potato noodles and basmati rice, veggie options such as sesame ginger broccoli and honey sriracha Brussels sprouts, a variety of proteins, multiple sauces and add-ons to create your bowl. The basic Mahana bowl starts at $9.29 plus tax and can go up or down based on bowl size and add-ons.

For those with a sweet tooth, there are zucchini brownies, and chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies, which are also gluten free.

Options for sauces at Mahana Fresh include cilantro vinaigrette, citrus ginger, coconut sweet potato and creamy wasabi.
Options for sauces at Mahana Fresh include cilantro vinaigrette, citrus ginger, coconut sweet potato and creamy wasabi.

“We like to think of the bowls as a well-rounded meal that can be customized any way you want,” DuPont said.

According to the DuPonts, Ballantyne Village was the perfect location for the first Charlotte location because of the new offices and businesses springing up in the area. In their short time of being open, they have seen an influx of construction workers and employees from essential businesses in the area coming in for takeout.

The DuPonts also purchased rights to additional Mahana Fresh restaurants across more than half of North and South Carolina. They plan to open between 21-30 locations across their region over the next 7 years, with University City being at the top of the list for their second Charlotte-area store.

Opening a Mahana Fresh location during the COVID-19 pandemic has meant an empty dining room. But carryout, curbside pickup and delivery are available until North Carolina restaurants can reopen for dine-in service.
Opening a Mahana Fresh location during the COVID-19 pandemic has meant an empty dining room. But carryout, curbside pickup and delivery are available until North Carolina restaurants can reopen for dine-in service.

Opening a restaurant during COVID-19 is something the DuPonts wrestled with. However, they decided this was the best time so their team wouldn’t be overwhelmed later down the road when things get back to normal and coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

As of now, you can come in for carryout, place your order online for contactless pickup, or you can order via a third party delivery app such as Postmates and Grubhub. The store is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Once Gov. Roy Cooper issues the latest updates for Phase two of North Carolina’s reopening, the DuPonts are hoping to welcome guests into their store and on their patio.

Mahana Fresh

14815 Ballantyne Village Way

Instagram: @mahana.fresh