TacoTime

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.

Real Mexico is a staple of the community and been solid throughout the years. The atmosphere is…read morefun, energetic and definitely busy with customers. Families, dates or just team gatherings fill the room along with the beautiful bright murals on the walls. The staff is super attentive and the service is absolutely exceptional. The pork belly chicharones were definitely the star of my meal. Fried perfectly and a good ratio of fat to lean meat, it was a 10/10. Hit it with some fresh lime juice and it sets it off! The esquites and carne asada taco were a miss for me. The esquites lacked depth of flavor, tasted like they just had canned corn that was warmed up and topped with condiments. Not terrible but again, nothing special. The carne asada taco was tough, literally and figuratively. It wasn't seasoned and tasted like it had been sitting for a while. This is still a go to spot...not pictured are the AMAZING soups they make.

Wall mural

Fajitas Monterrey

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New sign same great spot!

Tacos Nayarit

4.6(497 reviews)

5.9 mi

The tacos at Tacos Nayarit were flavorful, fresh, and packed with well-seasoned meat. We ordered a…read morefew different tacos to share, and each one had a great combination of tender meat, onions, cilantro, and salsa. The tortillas were warm and held everything together nicely. We also tried some rice and beans on the side, which rounded out the meal perfectly. A great casual spot when you're craving authentic-style tacos.

A great taco out of nowhere. I stumbled on this spot while driving down I-77 passing through…read moreColumbia. Got out Exit 15 and there it is. The parking lot was jammed packed and there was along line to order your food. Great services and the dining area has plenty of seats. Love the grilled pepper that had a great kick. Next time I will ask them for more. This place will be my favorite spot if I am on I-77 again.

Horchata, Birria tacos , refried beans

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Birria taco

El Salto Mexican Cuisine

4.4(71 reviews)

9.4 mi

Suggested for lunch with four of my friends. Everyone loved their food. It's delicious. Price point…read moreis very good. It has a huge menu. Typical Mex. Third time back.

A great choice for Mexican. The inside is nice and more spacious than I expected. They do have…read morehappy hour specials. The food is seasoned well and the portions are great. The margaritas were pretty decent too. The service was good and efficient. Overall, a really good experience and I would definitely return.

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Moctezumas Taqueria

4.0(234 reviews)

3.1 mi

Great service, food, drinks and live music. What else could you ask for. The restaurant was very…read moreclean and a nice atmosphere.

The food was flavorless and the place smelled old. I don't think I've ever had worse Mexican food…read more Giving it an extra star bc the bathrooms were clean and the service was decent.

Inside. Bit small but delicious!

Chicken Mole street corn and Blue Lagoon margarita

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Cocos and Beer

3.9(172 reviews)

2.9 mi

Update: 09/04/2026…read more Let me tell you how good this food was today! When I tell you I wasn't in a sharing mood, haha believe it! My husband made all the advances. I have dined here before but today the food was so delicious, there were no crumbs whatsoever:) I ordered the Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon. It's served with crispy potato, asparagus, steamed corn and white rice. The taste was heavenly! Everything was prepared perfectly. My husband ordered the Chicken Tacos. It was served with black beans, garnished with mixed greens and chipotle with cheese. He stated his food was full of flavor with an earthy crunch from the radish. He raved so much about the food while eating. I promise it was good in a short time! We loved our food so much and can't wait to try something different on the menu next time:) Customer service was great! Everything was amazing. We truly enjoyed it. See you soon Cocos and Beer!

Decided to drop in after being in the area for a meeting. They were super busy! It seems like they…read morehave some happy hour specials, but the day for the margarita special are Tuesdays. Everyone was nice. Even though it was packed it didn't take too long to get seated. The salsa was delicious, The margarita was just okay. It was extremely sour mix heavy. I ordered the coco and beer quesadillas. They were delicious. The steak was so tender and flavorful. I'm glad to see that they are still rocking with some delicious faves.

Grilled chicken Tacos

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El Charro

4.7(53 reviews)

19.6 mi

Oh my goodness, y'all!! This was the BEST Mexican I have had…read morein so long! & I eat a lot of Mexican!! We both had the fajitas nachos but I always substitute chips for rice. I cannot express myself enough how great this was! Our server was Luis C & he made sure that we were taken care of! Great server!! Very spacious in seating & of course it's family oriented. The bathrooms were super clean!! Plenty of parking & handicap spaces & handicap accessible seating. We live about 30 minutes from here & will definitely drive that again to come back. Also most reasonable in pricing that I've seen in a while.

We only had take-out here which may not represent the actual presentation of meal. Located in…read moreshopping center of Walmart Ballentine. I chose Burrito Loco for carnitas and as you can see based on pic it was 2-3 servings worth for $14.99 I believe. My wife got fish tacos which she was not as satisfied saying was salty. Based on the food itself it was not bad. We got chips and salsa included in to-go order. Additional trip needed to make complete assessment.

Dining room

Enchiladas, rice and beans

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Al pastor tacos are my go to

Coa Agaveria Y Cocina

4.3(253 reviews)

6.4 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.

Queso

Elote

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Cantina 76

3.9(389 reviews)

6.1 mi

Ok, so I've neglected Cantina 76 for a while. Looked like a chain. Corner of Lady & Main. Stopped…read morein while I was on the bicycle. Decided I would only stop at a place with a bike rack. Wow. Great happy hour. Wonderful service. Some of the margs are a little too crafty for my taste but the one I settled on was delicious. Loved the music and everyone looked to be having a good time. Yeah, I Yelp, and I Yelp hard but this was a good spot. Happy hour, 2 tacos, chips and salsa OR queso for $11

Came here for dinner and really liked the seating--there are plenty of TVs, which makes it a great…read morespot to watch sports. I started with the chips and salsa, which were fantastic and full of flavor. Our waiter was very friendly, attentive, and checked on us often, which made for a great experience. I ordered the steak nachos--they were pretty good overall. The chips were fresh and the cheese was tasty, but there was a bit too much lettuce, and the steak had a slightly jerky-like texture. It wasn't terrible, but not the best either. Overall, it was a good experience, and I would definitely come back.

Inside restaurant

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Strawberry Margaritas

Casa Maria

4.6(40 reviews)

16.8 mi

4.5 stars. The food was solid overall. I tried the Carne Asada Hondureña, and it was a nice taste…read moreof Honduras in South Carolina. The Carne Asada was a bit stringy and harder to cut with the regular table knife, but the flavor was good. Service was good, and the restaurant itself had an open feel and was fairly relaxed for lunch. I would return, and I think I would try something from the Mexican Food side of the menu.

Mi Casa Latina (previously Casa Maria) offers a delicious and authentic blend of Honduran and…read moreMexican cuisine. The staff is incredibly welcoming, and the food consistently impresses--with flavors that stand out and prices that are very reasonable. If you're looking for a fresh take on traditional Latin fare, I highly recommend giving them a try. You won't be disappointed.

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Masa Mexican Street Food

4.5(66 reviews)

4.1 mi

A fan favorite the fan is me you see come here you will much glee. One of the best Mexican lunch &…read moredinner spot in Columbia in my rankings. Love the people here warm and friendly always. Table or bar you get the best service.

Nice decor. Friendly staff and good customer service. Food was good, chips and salsa and queso were…read moregood. Definitely had a kick to it. The cocktails were good and a little strong lol. Overall good food. Will try again

Hostess at entrance of restaurant

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Mezcal cocktail

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Cheri D.

4 years ago

The only truly Mexican restaurant in and around Columbia. I have visited Mexico a number of times and know what genuine Mexican food is. They make everything from scratch. The staff speaks Spanish as well as English. My son was visiting us, and Taco Time, the only restaurant in southeast Columbia that has class and knows what good Mexican food is. where we decided to go. It is not Texican as most others in our city serve. We brought our adult son there tonight and it was the usual good food. He enjoyed the Linda Quesadia and enjoyed it so much, another meal came home with us. Their margaritas are perfect, the medium is perfect every time my husband and I visit. When we have out of town company, this is the restaurant we usually visit. If you should have room after eating your meal and feel like dessert, the flan is nice and light and tastes the way it is supposed to. They now serve Mexican sodas as well as their beer. read more

Melanie F.

12 years ago

Taco Time is one of my family's favorite places to go out to eat. The staff is friendly and the food is fabulous. My 7 year old chooses Taco Time every time we have a "vote" as to where to go out to eat. We have a large family too, so it's very affordable and the atmosphere is family friendly. read more

Anthony P.

1 year ago

disgusting!! no stars..never again.. waste of time money and appetite. they are not worth it. listen to my words...terrible. we got to go trays just to feed it to our dogs.this is a 0 star type situation unfortunately i'm being forced to 1 star this mess!!!! read more

John C.

4 years ago

The best Mexican food. The service is excellent and fast for lunch. The only Mexican restaurant here serving Mole, the best sauce in existence. Clean and nice restaurant atmosphere. You won't be disappointed. read more

Carson F.

12 years ago

My family and I go to Taco Time at least once a week and we love the food and service we receive.

Michael W.

2 years ago

yummy mimi so good please try serving is so nice i love it so much yumyum yum yum yumyum

Sharon L.

9 years ago

Service was good the food was great! I will be going here again and again.

Bill L.

5 years ago

EXCELLENT food and great prices, great service, highly recommend!

TacoTime - mexican - Updated September 2026

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Chavela's Mexican Restaurant

4.4

(76 reviews)

Stopped in for a quick bite & was pleasantly surprised! Service was quick & friendly, our server…read morewas so sweet. I'm a bit picky with my salsa & think it could've been just a touch hotter, but the flavor was still soooo good! And our food was delicious! I got an enchilada & burrito combo with beans & rice. The rice was a bit plain but still good, the beans and burrito were both awesome, and the enchilada was aaaamaaaaazing! We're only in town for a few days to visit family, but this place is definitely on our list to return to when we're in the area again!

This is the best Mexican you're going to find around Elgin, seriously dont waste time anywhere…read moreelse. This is NOT a chain, so you're getting some of the best home-cooked food. The staff and owners are AWSOME!! Super friendly, pleasantly attentive, and people who will remember you with a smile the next time you come in. Chavelas has it's own private parking along the side of their building. They offer limited seating outdoor (which is covered) and ample seating indoor with both booth, tabletop, and Bartop options. It's football season, but dont worry as Chavelas has several T.V.'s for your viewing pleasure throughout the restaraunt and at the bar. The restaraunt is always clean which is one thing I always admire about here, they truly care at Chavella's. Lets talk food!! Today I ordered the Chavella's Special which is "a little bit of everything"; absolutely hit the spot!! The menu has all your favorites and some new ones you didn't know about, but be sure to look at the "Specials board" at the front as you walk in. Chavella's offers your normal fountain drinks, Jarritos (my favorite), Horchata, and many others. The full bar can bring a smile as well whether it's a beer, Michelangelo, or their own Sangria!!! If you are loving the fall weather and are looking for soup try their Carne En Su Jugo, it's one of their specials and for a great reason. Ask for their "House hot sauce" if you want a bit more Ying; it's soooooooo goooooooooood and not overbearing. If you make it into South Carolina, and find yourself close to Elgin, be sure to make Chavella's one of your planned stops.

La Fogata Mexican Restaurant

3.9

(89 reviews)

I went for lunch on Friday with a coworker friend and was quickly met by good prices, great…read moreservice, and an insanely huge margarita. We both got the Friday special (two burritos - one beef, one chicken, with a side of delicious rice) for $9.99 and I'll be back for just that. The meat was delicious and had the perfect amount of seasoning (and the chicken wasn't dry!), the rice was perfectly done, and the burritos filled me up. Also, the MARG? My god! When they say large, mama, they MEAN IT! Also the music playing was fantastic, and although it was pretty busy, it was clean and we could have a good conversation. I'm definitely coming back!

terrible service. didn't even get drinks 30 minutes in and ignored me literally had to leave.read more

La Fogata Mexican Restaurant

3.8

(69 reviews)

2nd time and a screwed up order again. I literally showed the order to the guy and he literally…read morewrote them down...still screwed it up. How do you do that twice? So another trip to pick up what they obviously couldn't handle. Keeps going downhill

Excellent Mexican food with amazing flavors and fast service. Everything tasted fresh, the staff…read morewas welcoming, and the restaurant had a great atmosphere. Highly recommend this place!

Rica Mex

4.5

(51 reviews)

I've ordered from here a few times, and it's only sheer will-power that it's not once a week. We…read moreget the same thing every time, and we should probably branch out, but it's hard when your favorite is perfect each time. All meat burritos! Carne asada burrito with pico de gallo, no rice/beans/cheese Carnitas burrito with pico de gallo, no rice/beans/cheese Birria tacos Chips & guac The first time I ordered, I got double meat. That was unnecessary, because the next time I got regular and there was still so much meat. The burritos lasted us 2 days. Birria tacos are amazing. Chips are plentiful. The guac is pretty standard, but nothing wrong with that. No pics because I always forget. Just imagine a burrito that looks unassuming, but feels like an 8lb baby when you pick it up, and you know there is no way you can finish it in one sitting unless you are a dockworker or other likewise hungry person.

This is my third time coming here and I'm very disappointed. The other times I came I got the…read morebirria tacos and they were pretty good. No complaints but they could've been better. However, this time I wanted to try the carne asada tacos and all I need to say is if you like flavor don't get them. Water has more flavor than these tacos, even after I used the limes (which I had to use very sparingly because they only gave me two slivers of lime and I ordered four tacos). At first I thought the lack of flavor was the only problem but then as I ate I had to spit out multiple bites because there were large pieces of PURE fat throughout the tacos- which already didn't have a lot of meat. So we're looking at four tacos- half carne asada, half fat. These tacos were made with zero love or effort and they're so bad that it almost seems like they put more effort into trying not to put effort in than actually putting in effort. If it weren't for their birria tacos this review would be a 1/5 stars. Not to mention every time I go there they're very rude and if you try to go an hour before they close they'll find an excuse not to take your order. The restaurant itself is nice.

La Fogata

4.1

(39 reviews)

Greasy, rude staff, watered down fajitas that didn't even taste like fajitas. Tacos were broken by…read morethe time they came to the table because they were so greasy. Tea was not sweet and the chips tasted old.

Loving this place! The bar has me very impressed. The menu…read moreis full of delicious options. The environment is comfy and welcoming. The staff are professional and patient.

San Jose

3.7

(109 reviews)

San Jose on Hard Scrabble has been a part of my family's life for as long as I can remember. Every…read moremajor milestone has been celebrated here--birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, new jobs, and everything in between. It's always the first restaurant we recommend to friends and family visiting Columbia. One of the things that makes this location so special is that it's family owned and operated. Every time you visit, you're likely to see a member of the family working, whether they're serving tables, bartending, or greeting guests at the register. That personal touch is something you don't find everywhere, and it's one of the reasons we keep coming back. Most recently, my boyfriend and I celebrated both of us starting new jobs here, just like my family has done for so many other milestones over the years. It felt like the perfect place to mark another exciting chapter. As for the food, you really can't go wrong. The fajitas are always a favorite, especially with the chunky guacamole and queso. If you're looking for a huge sandwich, the Tony's Torta definitely lives up to its reputation. And of course, the margaritas are always a must. Great food, friendly people, generous portions, and a welcoming atmosphere keep us coming back year after year. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food in Columbia, this is the place I always recommend.

Loved our waiter, he was on top of things & provided the best customer service (we left a nice…read moretip), but the food was only okay: Chips & salsa: the chips were GREAT, the salsa was boring. The meat needed more seasoning on both our dishes, the beans were fine, the rice was the perfect texture but lacked flavor as well. We may come back to give it another go, we'll see...

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What a really neat spot. Very nice ambiance, excellent drink menu, ability to do mezcal flights…read moreand they even service drinks in glass purses and mini bathtubs. Service was attentive and smiling. The food is definately above par, I had the Pollo Grande and also sampled the Birria tacos, everything came out hot, and excellent. I sat at the bar, the seats are very comfortable, the TV layout is nice for a Mexican spot. Definately a fan and if i found myself back in the area, definately would make it a goto.

4/10/26 Excellent lunch today. Sat outside which was very…read morepleasant at around 75*F, and was served by Christina who knew her menu and gave us excellent service. She was on point with waters and chips and taking our orders. I had the lunch Fajitas (no peppers, extra onions) and my beautiful wife had the enchiladas. Very good. $23 for an excellent lunch! Bring cash if you want to save a "service fee". Highly recommend and we will be back!

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