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    San Jose

    3.7 (109 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 11:00 am - 10:30 pm

    San Jose Photos

    Business Info

    SAN JOSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - San Jose

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    chicken burrito
    Debra S.

    I would not eat here again if the food was free. The drink had so much syrup that the straw stood up in the middle. The food came out semi warm if not cold was sent back to be replaced but the same exact food on the same plate was back in a few minutes. The server was accommodating by removing the food off the bill. Not good at all. Disappointing.

    Tacos supreme
    Travis C.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant here in Columbia. The staff here is very friendly and the service is great. Food is always good and fast.

    Chips and salsa
    Jennifer B.

    We came on a Friday night and the parking lot was packed. We thought for sure we would have a wait. This location has a sign on the door stating that the patio is closed because of lack of staff, so we expected a long wait for our food as well. Wrong on both accounts! We walked in, was seated immediately. Waitress came with chips and salsa seconds later. We ordered queso to go with the chips. Once we ordered, the food came out quickly as well. My husband ordered the pollo something (we can't remember the name) that included grilled onions, bell peppers, and jalapeños; it came with beans and rice and the salad. I had the mushroom quesadilla with the beef tostada with the salad. I also had a huge pina colada. All of the food was delicious, except for the tostada. I didn't care for how the beef was textured or seasoned. This still remains one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Columbia. The staff was super nice and efficient on a busy Friday night.

    Ashley S.

    This was a good Mexican joint that I would frequent while I was stationed at Ft. Jackson. I never got a disappointing taco here. The prices were great, service was fast. They also had really good combo platters!

    Carnitas meal with extra carnitas, no tortilla
    Davlon S.

    Great spot for Mexican food in NE Columbia. There are several San Jose restaurants in and around Columbia, but this is the only one I've ever visited. This place is always crowded, but service is fast and the workers are always very friendly. The food seems to be of authentic Mexican quality and is reasonably priced. Outdoor dining and takeout are both available.

    Strawberry margarita
    Mary C.

    Came here for my sons birthday, his choice!! I love me some Mexican so I was super excited so exited we were the first ones here lol. Came in and was greeted right away and seated at a corner booth to accommodate all of us, actually I asked for the booth (I always prefer booth so much more cozier). Our waiter came over and immediately asked us if we knew what we wanted to drink, of course I had to try the strawberry margarita (it's 5 o'clock somewhere right?? Don't judge me) As he left to fill our drink order I seen the most beautifulest waitress coming our way. My mouth begin to water, my stomach started growling omg it was the........ you guessed it the chips and salsa lady!!!! She placed in front of us 2 big baskets of the most golden brown corn chips, and each of us a little bowl for our salsa( so excited about the individual bowls as some of my little ppl love to double dip and after a certain age it can get kinda nasty, yep not for me). Well needless to say I pigged out (as I'm stuffing my face I kept telling myself well technically it's not Monday so I'm not on my diet yet so "carry on") by this time our drinks have been filled and I try and slow myself down on the chips by drinking the margarita yeahhh that's a great idea! Well the food has arrived and the presentation was great, food looked so appetizing and even tho at this point I was stuffed from the chips and salsa I had to eat it! The eggs were cooked exactly as I requested, the chicken was moist and seasoned well, and my tortillas were warm to the touch. My food was delicious, so Yummy that somewhere in my head I forgot I was full and ate it all (yep I'll live to regret all those beans and eggs later maybe not me but those in my household) so I try and make it a point to ask the others what they thought about their food as well I was assured that their food was just as delicious! Even had me a bit taken back since my son who is the pickyest eater I know gave it a thumbs up!! So I give this San Jose 5 stars, the cleanliness of the restaurant was exceptional, my waiter was amazing in making sure everything was perfect, and all our needs were met, and the food was yummy and worth every penny we paid!! If you haven't go check it out!!

    The fajitas is a large portion cones either a full side of rice and beans and your choice of tortillas.

    The food was great it was well seasoned and cooked. The Fajitas were very tasty and cooked in its sauce. The portion was big it can easily feed two people. The tomatillo salsa was very spicy I loved it, you rarely get spicy salsa now a days. The Service was good on point very attentive, they're bilingual so no one should have a problem of communication. The ambience as expected got a Mexican restaurant friendly busy and music in the background that's not too loud.

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Excellent food and the service was phenomenal. Great atmosphere upon entering the restaurant. Recommend this restaurant.

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    4 years ago

    A solid Mexican restaurant. Good food, service and atmosphere. I recommend it. I usually order the burritos combo.

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    5 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food, superior service and a customer focused family restaurant. Best Mexican restaurant in Columbia!

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I had great service and food was up to par. Our server was amazing and very attentive. Nice and clean environment.

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    4 years ago

    I love San Jose. I usually get the steak quesadillas. My daughter absolutely loves the tacos and beans and rice.

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Good and drinks are top notch and the service is always great.I will definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone I know.

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Food is delicious. Me and my husband went on a date here one time and yeah the rest is history

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    This is the worst Mexican food I've ever had. Way overpriced too. Service isn't bad but the food is terrible

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This is the best Mexican around! I love the owners and their kids are just adorable! We eat here far to often!!

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great Mexican restaurant - my favorite in Columbia. Nice variety of offerings and excellent service.

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    9 years ago

    Great service and excellent food. Good value for $. Variety of selections including vegetarian. Enjoyed very much.

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

    The food is ok. Got a grilled chicken quesadilla and the chicken was super charred, and lots of oil in my food.

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    10 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    Page 2 of 3

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    Review Highlights - San Jose

    I moved to Northeast Columbia and discovered several weeks ago, San Jose was here.

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    Real Mexico Restaurant Y Tienda

    Real Mexico Restaurant Y Tienda

    4.5
    (877 reviews)
    14.5 mi
    $$

    Our Romeo lunch group went here for the first time today. We had seven of us, arrived at 11:15 and…read morewere immediately seated in a table for 8. The waitress took our order as soon as we walked in. She brought out chips and individual cups of salsa for each of us (the salsa was excellent with just the right amount of heat). Three of us ordered the #3 special (taco, enchilada and burrito), 1 ordered Fajitas, 1 order for #2 Lunch special(Taco and enchilada, one order the huge Cubana Torta. Service was very good. Food was great and authentic. The Cubana Torta is another thing in itself! Huge, with hot dogs sticking out the side and the kitchen sink ingredients on the inside. Freddie got half of it down and packed up the other half to take home to his wife. It's a cultural experience trying to eat the whole thing yourself. Since the last time I was here they have added a very nice outdoor covered area to the left of the restaurant...nicely decorated and a perfect place to enjoy Mexican food weather permitting!!! We'll definitely go back.

    This place holds up to the name…read more Authentic, fresh, and comforting. You can find all the classics you'd typically expect from a good Mexican food spot and more. Starting off with the chips, hand cut, and tasting very fresh with the salsa that was pretty ok. We tried the birria tacos which were fantastic. The consume was on point. We also tried the Real Mexico Enchiladas with rice and beans. The rice and beans were actually really good unlike most spots. Sopa was great. We also got to try the chicken finger plate for the kids and couldn't help but notice the chicken and fries were actually solid. All in all Real Mexico lives up to the hype and is a spot that I'd come back to next time I'm in the mood for any Mexican cravings.

    Photos
    Wall mural
    Wall mural
    Fajitas Monterrey
    Fajitas Monterrey
    New sign same great spot!

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    New sign same great spot!
    Coa Agaveria Y Cocina

    Coa Agaveria Y Cocina

    4.3
    (252 reviews)
    12.5 mi
    $$

    Coa was definitely a fun restaurant! I went during happy hour, and I'd say that the major thing…read morethat stuck out to me was the awesome customer service. Although I don't remember the bartender's name, he was such a cool guy and did a great job of introducing me to the restaurant. I got a margarita to drink, which was a little more expensive than most other margaritas I've gotten, but the quality easily made up for the price. To eat, I simply got three (3) cheese quesadillas, as the rest of the menu was a little too complicated for me. Although they're a simple dish, they were still really good! As for the ambiance, Coa was also a really cool, upscale, and atypical Mexican place! I think it nailed the vibe it was going for, and there are few, if any, comparable places in the surrounding area (that I've been to at least!) Overall, Coa was an awesome upscale Mexican restaurant. I loved stopping in, and I will be back in the future. As such, I'd recommend it to anybody looking for the same vibe!

    Went here last night with my husband. We were excited about the reviews and menu…read more The service was fine, but the food was only mediocre. We ordered 3 small plates and the octopus. 2 of the small plates came out and were each missing a component that was on menu description. The tamale was a dry very benign item, that was needing some type of accompaniment. If you are looking for small portions at high prices, this is your place. The 3 small plates and the octopus with an ice tea and a coke was a little over $100 with tip. Columbia is severely lacking an upscale Mexican dinner option and unfortunately Coa continues the trend.

    Photos
    Queso
    Queso
    Elote
    Elote
    Coa Agaveria Y Cocina

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    San Jose - mexican - Updated July 2026

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