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Top 3 Restaurants for the Best Mexican Food Near Columbia, SC

Mexican cuisine is a tasty treat any day of the week, and whether you're looking for an exciting Friday night outing or relaxed weekend family meal, the Mexican restaurants of Columbia, SC have you covered. We've narrowed it down to the prime three restaurants, and the best Mexican food in Columbia awaits you with a trip to any of the places listed below.

Top 3 Restaurants for the Best Mexican Food Near Columbia, SC

1. Real Mexico Restaurant

Real Mexico Restaurant serves some of the tastiest cuisine in town to the greater Columbia community. Start your meal with an order of either the Grande Guacamole that's made fresh to order and comes with cheese quesadillas and crispy chicken taquitos or the Carnitas BBQ Nachos sauteed with Chipotle BBQ. We're also big fans of the Real Mexico Salad with queso fresco and the Sopa de Mariscos (Fisherman's Soup) in chipotle pepper broth.   Taco lovers should go for the Baja Fish Tacos with beer-battered cod and cilantro-jalapeno coleslaw wrapped in corn tortillas while diners who prefer burritos are sure to love the Fajita Burrito with guacamole, queso, and your choice of chicken or steak fajitas. Additional entrees we enjoy include the Grilled Corn and Zucchini Quesadillas, the Mango Shrimp Ceviche, and the Pescado a la Diablo. End on a sweet finish with the Churros Fiesta served warm with honey.  

2. Cantina 76

Cantina 76 was founded by a group of college friends on a mission to provide a festive and welcoming atmosphere to enjoy top-quality Mexican food. Weekly specials change frequently, so be sure to check the menu before heading out to discover which flavorful options are available at the moment. Try the Bean Queso Dip for a starter, or go with a bowl of either the daily special or the house-made chicken tortilla soup as an appetizer.   All salads are served inside of a tortilla shell, and we especially like the Fried Chicken Salad with shredded cheese, tomatoes, and freshly made guacamole covered in southwestern ranch dressing. Cantina 76 specializes in tacos such as the Smoked Pork Taco with sweet mustard ancho BBQ, the Buffalo Chicken with feta cheese, and the Fish Taco with wild-caught cod, pickled jalapenos, and roasted poblano tartar sauce. Try the specialty fried ice cream for dessert!  

3. Publico

Publico is a restaurant on a mission to serve fresh and innovative twists on classic Mexican and Latin American cuisine with ingredients sourced from local and humane farms. They're also vegan-friendly, and we suggest that diners on a plant-based diet try the Vegan Cuban Nachos with black bean chili and pineapple pepper salsa for an appetizer, followed by an Agedashi Tofu Taco with marinated and flash-fried tofu, pickled red onion, napa cabbage, and vegan mayo.   Another one of our favorite starters is the Pozole Fries made with braised pork, queso, cojita, and a smoked bacon slab, while the Street Corn Off the Cob is an ideal side dish. Top-rated tacos range from the Tuna Tobiko with ginger salt to the Chapulines with flash-fried grasshopper and spicy chili sauce. The Crispy Fried Shrimp Burrito with citrus rice and the Shrimp & Chorizo Quesadilla with verde drizzle are two other entrees we can't help but love.   A trip to any of these Mexican restaurants promises flavorful entrees, tasty treats, and appetizers you'll have a hard time sharing. After you've finished your meal and cleaned your plate, stop by Burns Kia to browse quality vehicles and more!
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