I love Barberitos! I eat there at once or twice a week. Their chips and salsa are the best in town! For those on a diet, you can get a 10 inch wheat tortilla. All fresh ingredients and fast staff for a quick lunch. Prices are reasonable. One of the best Lunch/Dinner places on James island.
Zocalo is back open for lunch! just had the braised goat burrito, it was absolutely delicious! The goat was so tender it melted in your mouth. Sat at the bar and Kelly (bartender) was a pleasure to spend an hour with. If you're in park circle i highly recommend Zocalo. And if you're not, i suggest you make the trip. Prices are incredibly reasonable too.
This is the real stuff exactly like I get in Mexico. I don't like menudo but I could actually eat theirs. The coctel de camaron was a touch sweet for my taste, but it was the closest of anywhere in Charleston to what I get in Guadalajara. The huarachas and tacos were outstanding, especially the lengua and cabeza. The two salsas they provided were both delicious. One was a smoky tomato and chili, the other was a tamatillo and jalapeno. Both had a nice amount of heat.
Even though it's Mexican home cooking everything is clearly made with finesse and skill. It makes me so happy having something this delicious and authentic available here.
Even though this is not your typical Charleston restaurant it fits right in with the North Charleston "culture". The charcoal cooked chicken was delicious and plentiful, the ribs were perfectly seasoned and fell off the bone, the plantains were delicious. For the amount of food you get, the prices are quite reasonable- a whole chicken plate serves 2 people for $14.99. While the restaurant itself could use some updating, it is the food that will make me want to go back. Also, the waitress was very nice and allowed be to substitute black beans for french fries - and she just kept bringing food out for us to try.
I've been a Zia "frequenter" since they opened, and while it took me a while to warm up to the "system"...I can now say that it doesn't bother me the least bit and they've gone through many steps to improve it to where I can say it probably works better than it would if it were a more traditional "system." Zia is almost always busy, yet I've rarely every had to wait for a table. Their staff is now at the point where after you've sat down you don't have to get up for extra drinks/food. Everyone can now take your extra drink/food orders after the initial purchase (my order was actually taken BY THE OWNER while I was in line last time...so I didn't even have to go through the initial line...where in Charleston do you see the actual owner busting his ass busing tables and taking orders?!). And as a sign of good business and ownership, they have retained a majority of their same employees since they opened. Poorly run restaurants have high turnover rates. I'd rather go to Zia and know exactly what kind of service experience I'm going to get (which is extremely satisfactory) than suffer through a bad service experience that I get at about 70% of the restaurants in Charleston. Kudos to Zia for bucking the normal Front of House "system" and being successful at it.
I don't know how you could say this is like any strip mall Mexican restaurant. It is so far ahead of those places I can't even go to them anymore. You can see everything cooked on the stove right in front of you. There aren't 15 microwaves going like any other Mexican places. Everything is big and delicious, and the pork is great. Its like stewed pork chunks and lots of them. Best Mexican food I have ever had, I just wish there was one of James Island. Thank you so much for opening a good Mexican restaurant, why would anyone ever eat at La hacienda ever again.
i've had a different experience at zia.. i think the bartenders are charming and some of the female ones are drop-dead beautiful. they've served me with grace and charm, and sometimes even pretend to flirt with me despite how obnoxious i can be. i've had nothing but a pleasant experience, but then again i'm easily blinded by beauty. the food is pretty good too
Absolutely...the BEST chicken torta in town, price $5 even.
AWESOME!!!
They made a chicken burrito for me even though it was not on the menu, again most excellent. Eat-in lacks atmosphere, but when the food is this good... does it matter? Reminds me of eating in Mexico and Arizona at family run joints.
Now, a standard stop on a trip to far North Chuck, usually to go.
Give it a try...
Myself and some friends had dinner at Zocalo earlier this week, the food was great , the service was awesome and drinks were jam up. If you want to go somewhere that has authentic street food this is the place, i have eaten a lot of Mexican food in this town and this place hits it on the nose, and as a far as the service goes, we had the big guy as our server, i think his name is dillon(sp?), he is def the go to guy for awesome service and knowledge of tequila. we will definitely be back to zocalo often for great service and food !!!
caliente's location is out there.. but SO good! the puffy tacos are awesome & the entire menu is reasonably priced. Random- but their fried ice cream is really good too!!
BEST MEXICAN I HAVE EVER HAD!!! The chicken tostadas were quite tastey. The chicken is juicy and everything else is fresh. At other mexican restaurants is seems like all the dishes are made in the morning and when you order them they just stick the entire dish in a heater and boom...your meal. Definitely not the case at Santi's! Love this place and I've gone back again and again. Great atmosphere and wait staff!
Best "standard" Mexican food in Charleston, hands down. The vegetables and meat seem MUCH more fresh than at La Ha, Senor Tequila, etc. Awesome salsa and MUCH friendlier service than any of these places, as well.
Zia's is amazing! They often have the pollo verde on special and it is basically shredded, amazingly flavored chicken with I believe a tomatillo sauce. Their margaritas are an exceptional value and they use fresh lime juice. Also, their salsa is the best I have ever had in a restaurant. Just the right amount of spice.... I think I may go there for dinner tonight!
1.1.11
I'm back again just making sure I start this New Year off right; I just posted a comment about this little gem of an eatery and somehow forgot to give it the FIVE STAR review it deserves.
So, I just DID give it five stars. If you haven't tried it, you're definitely missing out... and they even have live music by Dangermuffin on Wednesday evenings sometimes... so radddd!
Signed,
Jadegirl (A.K.A. Greenway Studio)
Have no idea what the other two reviewers are talking about. The food is GREAT and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The portions are generous. This place is definitely worth the 25 minute drive from downtown any day.
This is a really cool spot! My husband and I are now regulars. We have tried almost everything on the menu and are thouroughly satisfied. Things are definately different from your typical Mexican restaurants so don't bring your preconcieved notions about what you think it should be. Instead, be open to trying some great quality, creative food.
One of our go to places for lunch. Always good, cheap, and fast. Haven't had anything that I didn't like.
Loved it! After spending half the day in the water boogie boarding with the family, we made out way to The Taco Boy. Service was great and so was the food!
Anyone that is local, or loves Mexican, knows that Santi's is the Shiz. The wait staff never gets it wrong, they are seriously good at what they do. Very friendly, attentive, etc. The drinks are SERIOUSLY awesome. KILLER chips and salsa, for real.
Always a good time.
BUT: Beware when ordering to go. Not recommended for Santi's. They do not pack stuff correctly, and it somehow doesnt make it to the other end...but that is Mexican..its hard to keep hot and fresh and not messy.
Anyway, back to how yummy it is.
Good prices.
WAYYYYYY better than Taco Boy!! Not even close really, and those who are local and really know, know.
Re: “Raul's Taqueria & Mexican Grill”
Don't miss out on this place! Some of the best Mexican food I have had in a loooong time!