Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano
1302 Meeting St, Charleston, SC, 29405
Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano Menu
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Address :
1302 Meeting St
Charleston, SC, 29405 - Phone (843) 722-2633
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Rebecca A.
Stopped by Santi's after work with some friends for a few cocktails and some food. It's an odd intersection to have a patio, but it's covered with trees blocking most of the street noise and exhaust, so it's nice to have the sit outside option. I always go for the margarita when eating Mexican food and their's is good. I'd already had a couple drinks before getting here so I wasn't looking for a big meal. Lots of food and drinks don't mix for me. One or the other please and I was in a drinking kind of mood! So I ordered a three dollar taco. The tortilla was fresh and the fixing inside were too. Nothing spectacular, but it was all I was looking to have. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals and the guys really enjoyed the big draft beers.
(3)Tessa M.
I went to Santi's after class with a couple of friends last night, and all that I've ever heard about it was great things. Once I got inside, I immediately liked the vibe - cool decorations, a good amount of seating options, and a friendly staff! I ordered the Enchiladas Suizas which were amazing - the best I've ever had. The meat was cooked perfectly, the cheese was melted all over the top, and it was surrounded by rice - I ate every bite! I also got a strawberry margarita, which I highly recommend - a bit strong, but in a good way. This is by far the best Mexican food I've had so far in Charleston - I'll definitely be going back soon!
(5)Stephen W.
Use to love this place. Went tonight. Forever to get a table. Then after ordering a beer I get a mug that the bottom breaks out and soaks me completely. Only thing in return is a free beer and moving to a new table. My clothes underwear was soaked. Now doubt I will ever return.
(1)Kimber C.
I ordered take out. The food was ready quickly (10 mins). The people were friendly enough, but: Chimichanga: not good for take out b/c it was soggy by the time I got home. (I lived right around the corner). I can deal with the soggy though, b/c it was my bad for ordering it to go. The chicken inside: I love dark meat, but this was just kinda gross. It was mushy as if it were boiled/ cooked for way too long. There was an ok amount of rice, but only like 3 tbs of beans. Beans are cheap. Most mexican restaurants will be generous with them. They were simply refried beans... watered down at that. After moving here from California and having amazing Mexican, this is unacceptable. I can get better stuff in Florida. The Nachos: ok, kind of a saving grace for the place, but still missed the mark. The chips are some of the thickest chips I've ever seen. Great if you like it... I like mine a little lighter. The salsa was chunky (good if you like it, but I like the restaurant style of almost a puree). It seemed like the stuff I could get in a jar at HT. The steak was fatty and sparce. The chips were soggy by the time I got home. My recommendation to the store for takeout nachos: put the toppings separate from the chips. After the poor phone etiquette at the Mount pleasant place, and the subpar food at this one... I will not be back unless I eat there and try their margaritas. I'll probably just skip that and go to Taco Boy. They'll give you a buy-one- get one free margarita if you ride you bike. :)
(1)Kelly B.
Great food, great service. Try the Mama's Special soup! It will quickly make your mama's chicken soup pale in comparison. Winter or summer I get this every visit. You can't find this dish anywhere else and it's delicious and unique.
(4)Meredith V.
This is consistently one of my go-to spots in town. I love so many of their dishes. The guacamole is a great way to start off, very fresh served in a kind of tortilla chip bowl, topped with shredded cheese. Yum! Their queso fundido, basically a sinfully delicious puddle of melted cheese, chorizo sausage, onion, tomato, and cilantro is divine. Both of the soups on the menu, are fresh and full of fun surprises as you dig deeper into the bowl. And the meats they use are always very tender and flavorful. Can you tell I go here a lot?
(5)Paula B.
My daughter used to work very close to Santi's and raved about the place--she has eaten here more times than I can count so I decided to meet her for lunch one day. She recommended that I come early to beat the lunch rush. I'm glad she did, because shortly after we were seated, all of North Charleston entered the restaurant. Note: it had been raining that morning and the parking lot was very, very flooded. Deep puddles and we really had to walk around many of them that looked kind of scary. Pro: Good Mexican! I had the beef chimichanga which was enormous, crispy, and hot. The chlps and salsa are great. Con: sketchy area. Parking is a nightmare when busy. Our waiter was a college-age hipster kid who called us "guys" every time he came to our table. Very busy place, especially during lunch. Prices are decent, higher than LaHa and Los Arcos, but the food is of a higher caliber as well.
(4)Brandi B.
Santi's is really good! Fast and quick. We go here for lunch all the time. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is bc they didn't have queso.
(4)Katie B.
I went last night with friends. The chips were different, but they were good. The salsa was mild and a little bland. I ordered a margarita and it was strong, so I felt as though I got my monies worth. I ordered the Mexican tacos and they were very good. The corn tortillas were good too. My friends ordered some other dishes they did not like as much, but my dish was very good. I would go back for the tacos and the margaritas!
(3)Zohra B.
This is a great real Mexi restaurant. The ambiance is nice inside, a little crowded once it gets busy, but I loved the coziness of the place. The salsa is very good, more of a pico de gallo, which i love and prefer over runny salsa anyway. Nice chunks of onions and tomatoes. The chips are fresh and also hand made there. Not like the flat mostly stale ones you get at other places. I had the 3 taco dish, and bf had the enchilada. Both were delicious. The tacos were chicken tacos, and they were the typical shredded chicken, it was long chunked chicken that was mostly dark meat. DELICIOUS !!! another plus as I prefer the dark over the white meat. The rice and beans were authentic and not out of a can. All in all, I really liked the food. Bf's dinner of an enchilada, was delicious and more than even he could completely finish. The food - i give a 3 stars to the place for. Its the maragaritas that push that to a 4. We each had 2 small ones. and wow. they were not only delicious, but be warned, they sneak up on you!!!
(4)Sydney G.
Went here for dinner on Saturday. I still think it's kind of strange that they use flour tortillas for the chips instead of corn, but it's an interesting change. We got some queso with our chips, which kind of tasted like peanut butter, but in a good way. I don't know how else to describe it. I got the enchiladas verdes with chicken and a mexican taco with pastor meat. I was pretty happy with my meal. Their margaritas are on point, too. Although it's maybe not my favorite mexican restaurant in Charleston, it definitely beats the pants off of places like LaHa.
(4)Isabelle M.
The best mexican food in Charleston and honestly the best Mexican food I've had outside of Mexico. The staff is incredibly friendly and the atmosphere is really welcoming. The Camarones a la Diabla and the Huevos a la Mexicana are two of my favorite dishes but I haven't had anything there that I didn't like. The avocado salad that comes on the side of a lot of the dishes is to die for. Their homemade sangria and margaritas are so delicious it's almost impossible to have just one. I have been there probably around fifteen or twenty times and each time it gets better. If you haven't been, you're missing out, and if you're here on vacation you have to try Santi's!
(5)Ryan H.
We have been here many times. Not sure but feel it may have jumped the shark. I almost always get the flank steak and this time was not exception. Went with a group of 5. Got a table and waited a little longer than we should have for service. And this time I really thought the Steak was more tough and maybe smaller than usual. Might have shrunk from over-cooking. Decent but not as good as times past. The place has always been kind of a dive but the food made up for it. This time, not so much. Spent almost $150 including tip and thought I paid too much. We will come back as this is one of our regular stops but hope I just hit on a bad night. But another like this and may have to find my next favorite Mexican place to start frequenting.
(2)Lauren F.
Best Mexican in the area! The skirt steak is delicious as are the margaritas! Wait staff is also very friendly!
(5)Devan M.
I love Santis! By far my favorite Mexican restaurant in charleston. Margaritas are excellent! Ask for Javier he's the best!
(5)Evelyn E.
Had trouble finding this place but it was all worth it...OMG loved loved their margaritas. Had the strawberry margarita. The food tasted real good with friendly staff. Very affordable prices. The atmosphere is pleasant and inviting too
(4)Ryan B.
Stopped here today for the Fro Burrito. Did not disappoint! The food was awesome! Even better was the service the ambiance and the overall experience. Rumor had it the Fro Burrito is the go to and the must have. The rumor was right!
(5)Andie C.
Loved sitting outside. The queso was a little thick for our liking. The first time we went it was a little runnier, which I love. Our meals were okay; nothing bad, but nothing special. The flan was the best we've had. A great place to hang out after a game or for late night patio feel. There are other places in town that we prefer over this place. Would only go back if we were in the area and super hungry.
(3)Justin A.
Many people go above and beyond when praising Santi's, and while I'm not going to completely fall in line with that, I will say that I have really enjoyed every meal I've eaten there. Really, their $3 tacos are what had me hooked upon my first visit. They're hard to top for that price. Packed with meat and nice and sloppy. While it's not the most amazing Mexican food around, it is a cut above a lot of the seedier locations around Charleston. That being said, Santi's isn't in the best part of downtown, but they still inflate prices clearly due to their claim at downtown territory. My fiance loves the Margaritas. I'm not into tequila, but the drinks always look fantastic when they bring 'em out. It would also seem they tend to make them pretty strong. The rice and beans that come with many of the meals are pretty plain, and aren't worth paying extra for if you're mainly interested in the key part of a dish. I stick with ordering a few different tacos which leaves me pretty happy. The waiters that have attended me each time have always been really friendly, and service is usually pretty fast.
(4)Glenn B.
Tacos are good, but the service is atrocious! There are several other local places that have far better quality ingredients, customer service and prices. Their tortilla chips are less than desirable as well.
(2)Catey W.
First time popping in, cute little tacos...nothing crazy but perfect for hanging out on their patio and dining on the cheap. Had a nice margarita Too. All said I think it was $7 which works just fine for me. It was busy-ish, the world cup was on so most patrons were drinking their way through the day. I liked the relaxed atmosphere. A bit confusing that no one dropped a check but we had to go to the register to pay.
(3)Dan H.
Some of the best Mex I've had in a while. Guacamole should be a required starter - great taste and it comes in an edible bowl! (it's like half of a fried chimichanga wrapper). I was undecided between the mole poblano and the enchiladas verdes - the guy who was waiting on us said he liked the enchiladas verdes better but I could get 2 verde and one with mole...super handy - so I did that. Both were good but I wished I would have gone with 100% mole. It was very tasty with a deep flavor. I like this place.
(4)Scotty C.
Everyone raves about how amazing Santi's is, so I had to give it a try. A friend and I headed down into the ghetto and pulled into a mostly desolate parking lot. No fault to Santi's though, it was not your typical lunch time. Because of this, the service was great! I made a request to be seated by an electrical outlet if possible (picked up a new phone that day and it barely had a charge) and our waiter was very accommodating. We started with queso and chips.... nothing wrong with them... how queso and chips are supposed to be. I was eying a couple options on the menu and went with the waiter's recommendation between the two. He said I need to try the burrito if I have never been to Santi's before. I did and it was also just regular. Nothing special. Maybe I had Santi's up on "the pedestal" because of all the great things I had heard about it. I will need to try it again to get a better assessment and make an update. As far as I'm concerned, I have had amazing Mexican and Santi's just wasn't at that level. On the upside, I did get my phone charged up for the day.
(2)Sean C.
Santi's has a great patio. So relaxing and perfect for dining with family and friends. It is in a strange location, looks a little rough from the road, but don't let that fool you. The food is so worth it and the margarita pitchers are made really well. The chips and salsa are fresh and flavorful. The queso is not too thick or too thin. It stays on the chips nicely. The service is good and very friendly. priced moderately so you can go and not worry about expenses. Just a great place to hang out and eat in a very casual environment. Give Santi's one try and you will be back if you love good Mexican food!
(4)Linda G.
just had lunch, had to send back my first order which was menudo, a mexican tripie soup I love and order when a restaurant has it on the menu, it was so watery and tasteless, back it went and I ordered the taco lunch, one steak taco and one pork, the steak taco was not hot and too salty for words, and they put the pork in a big chunk on my tortilla kind of caveman style. The Beans also tasted burnt . Back it went, by this time it was time to go back to work, no lunch for me. My husband got the pork with cactus, I tasted it and though it was good. I spoke to the manager about what happened and they still charged my husband for his lunch special even though I ate nothing, very bad form for a manager to do this. I gave one star because our server was so nice.
(1)Jennifer L.
We had the chimingas & flautas, both were wonderful! Great atmosphere & excellent staff.
(5)Jillian S.
Ordered takeout and had it delivered by Quickfox. Service was fast and the food was great. I was hoping for shredded beef as an option but did not see that. Also, would have preferred corn tortillas for nachos and chips and salsa. Other than that food was very flavorful and well made. I'd recommend to anyone for local Mexican food!
(5)Jessica M.
Food is good. Better than la ha but have recently gotten more expensive. Not worth the money any more. Save a bunch of money and go to la hacienda or la carretA
(3)Nicole B.
Love the taco chicken salad and they make great margaritas! If you're choosing between any Mexican restaurant, definitely Santis is the way to go. There's also a shrimp appetizer that is super delish! Check it out (:
(5)Jeremy P.
Yucateca! - Hot sauce that's actually hot! I mean, that'll get you two stars right there, in my book. I have a mostly love, little bit of hate relationship with Santi's. The love part because of the immediate chips and salsa, the friendly service (Hi, Pablo!), and the laid back atmosphere. The hate part is because Santi's, combined with my lack of self control, is giving me a legit Dad-gut. And I'm not even a Dad, but I digress... The outdoor area is great, especially in nice weather, with lots of plants around the enclosed and shaded patio. Great spot for a day-buzz. Could you find better Mexican food? Absolutely. In Charleston? Eeeeh, maybe not so much. They do have legit (non-whiteboy) Mexican tacos, with corn tortilla, meat, chopped onion and cilantro and a squeeze of lime. And those are damn good if your looking for something authentic. Otherwise stick to a lard-whale Fro Burrito and you'll be a happy fatty. Tamales are also really tasty. Great refried beans on nearly every plate. If you're looking for a ton of really fresh ingredients, besides shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and avocado, you may be disappointed. This ain't health food. Oh yeah, stiff ass margaritas and long island iced teas. So all that's why I'm here about once a week, getting fat for the winter.
(4)Mark L.
Santi is an good example of authentic Mexican food with knowledgeable staff that really know the different types of Mexican food styles. There is indoor and outdoor seating and the ambiance is casual. You can order entrees, combos or a la carte. They are flexible based on your appetite. This is a great place to try if you have not yet had the opportunity.
(4)Melissa P.
The regular and beef tacos were authentic and very good.
(4)Dan O.
Some folks rave about this place but to me its very standard mexican fare at a premium price. I go back every now and then to see if it can change my mind but it never does. If you want to pay double the price for the same food as any nearby mexican restaurant, then Santi's is your place.
(3)D L.
Visiting from VA. This place was recommended by family as we wanted to eat out... The four adults and four kids. Yes four kids. Usually sounds like suicide de cuisine. But not on this evening. Sure, the plethora of electronic devices helped, but the service and food were equally responsible. Wife had soft tacos, I had something the server recommended... Still not sure what it was but it had local shrimp and Mexican kick that knocked my socks off. Cold beer and a funky atmosphere plus the Bama game on the TVs. Win win win and win... Well not for the Tide. But our two families had a blast at Santi's.
(4)Jack K.
READ THIS DO NOT JUST SCROLL PAST THIS Good. I walked inside and first impressions were good. We ate outside and got complimentary chips & salsa which tasted great! I got the taco lunch with chicken. It did not taste very good. This place is good for locals (kind of) but I'm from dc which has great Mexican food so this was a C-. Overall I will not return and don't come here, it's very cheap but they use very soft dark meat. I do not recommend this place.
(2)Chris S.
Always enjoy this place...friendly, responsive, fast service, great food, relaxed environment, and the best (free) chips & salsa in Charleston!
(5)Jim L.
Poor service. Wouldn't say rude but servers spoke in one word sentences and questions. Dirty, noisy, worn but for some reason very busy. I'll be kind to say the food was dull. Chips were stale. No reason to think anything was fresh on either my meal or my wife's. Went there on a recommendation. Been to lots of worse looking places that had lots better food.
(1)Joan H.
Service was terrible. Have been here previously on Sunday's nights where the service was good. Not tonight. Had to wait to wait for a long time for our server to come back to ask if we want to have t anything else to drink and to bring the refill basket of chips that we had asked for. Major disappointment.
(2)Dan L.
I've never gotten anything I didn't love or anything but great service from Santi's. I think it helps if you speak Spanish, though. I love the tacos but my last trip I got the camarones al ajo - think Mexican shrimp scampi - it came with an avocado salad that was AWESOME. I was funny - it came with some saltine crackers but they really were great to put the salad on. Massively tasty, garlicky shrimp but my breath was gone for quite a while. It was worth it (at least from my perspective!) The pitcher of sangria is BIG!
(5)Seth H.
Great food, service, and value. Their lunches come out quick, and the portions are just right. Parking is a little tight, but the food is worth it. Give it a try!
(4)Amy Yvonne H.
This is one of the best kept secrets in Charleston's Mexican cuisine. The service was AMAZING, drinks were delicious, & food was fabulous. I had the enchiladas and they were great! The atmosphere is very beautiful & cultural as well. Its a little bit pricey & the location is a little in the ghetto but its worth it.
(5)Tracy G.
Santi's came highly recommended by some friends who have been going there for years. A couple of weeks ago I was able to check it out with some co-workers and I was not impressed at all. The service was slow and mediocre. It was slightly busy for lunch time but most of the servers (and there were a lot of them) seemed to be hanging out around the bar. We were seated outside due to the large # of people in our group. The wind was blowing so hard it kept blowing our napkins and chips everywhere so we asked to move inside when a large table came available. The servers did not offer to help us move so we carted all of our food back inside ourselves which was several trips if you include, water, horchata, entree, basket of chips, salsa bottle, and plate of tortillas. I lived in California so I know my standard for Mexican food is pretty high, however I deem myself a fairly lenient judge and as long as it's tasty, authenticity can take a back seat. I ordered the chili rellenos with beans & rice. My plate came completely swimming in grease. The chili had a good flavor to it, but there was only one. The beans and rice were not impressive by other means. I honestly have had better beans straight out of a can, or at "lesser" Tex-Mex restaurants. The portions were small and for $8, not including drink, there are much better deals to be had around town. Of our party of 6 I don't think anybody thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The 2 people who enjoyed their food (they each ordered a veggie burrito) still had to deal with the crappy service. I'd be willing to MAYBE give this place a 2nd shot but as of right now, there are too many better and cheaper places to get quality Mexican food in the Charleston area.
(2)Glenn V.
How I stumbled across this location, I can not recall, I think I zigged when I should have zagged and found myself in the dusty parking lot of Santi. I really enjoy true and authentic Mexican food, so when I opened the menu and began reading it, I was quite excited. Everything on the menu was calling my name and I went with the safe play (chicken enchilada) before I plunged into a more authentic Mexican dish. It was delicious and fresh and served with a smile. In the times I had returned and tried other options, the location was more crowded each time, which is a good sign for them and a not so good sign for me, IE: more waiting, but Santi is worth the wait. It is probably the best Mexican food in a ll of Charleston and five lunches later, I still have every bit of an urge to go back to get my Mexican on.
(4)Jason S.
I have been going to Santi's for years and although the quality of the food has remainded the same( very good), the prices have doubled in a short period. In my opinion, their flagship dish is the cactus and pork. It is spicy, but very, very delicious. I was skeptical of the cactus at first, but I am a believer now. The chips and salsa are 2 notches above your regular Mexican restaurants and the staff is very responsive.
(4)Natalie K.
First they were NOT kid friendly and acted put out because I had a four year old. The chips were awful and tasted old. We ordered cheese dip asked for it three times. They finally brought us our cheese dip halfway through the meal. Our drinks weren't refilled at all not even water. The food was the worst I've eaten in a long time. It took forever for us to get there attention to get a box or pay our check. I miss the Santi's in Summerville. It was way better. Go to La Nortena in North Charleston. It's real mexican food with amazing service.
(1)Daniel S.
Absolutely the worst Mexican I've ever had and I view myself as a connoisseur. Watery margaritas and the chicken chimichanga has had me on the toilet for the last four hours!! Save your health and NEVER GO HERE EVER!!!
(1)Jeanne M.
Easily THE BEST Mexican in the Charleston area. I haven't had a bad meal and I've eaten there lots, especially when I lived downtown. The Shrimp wrapped in bacon is to die for. I've tried to replicate them at home and they were tasty, but not nearly as tasty as Santi's. The service is fantastic and if you go ore than once, you are remembered. That is always a bonus for me. Apparently I am not the only one who holds Santi's in high esteem as this place is packed lunch and dinner every day of the week. The chicken mole is awesome. Rustic, rich chocolate Mole....yummy! I cannot say enough good about the place.
(5)Jim B.
There seems to be an attitude among ethnic restaurants that all the servers have to do is pretend to understand English, then give indifferent or bad service. Today was my last meal at Mt. Pleasant Santi's. The food was fabulous, but with one table(us) in the dining room, we were ignored to death!!! Even to the point of having to go to the register, then the server had an attitude ringing us up!!! According to our receipt, our servers name was FRONT!!!!
(1)Tastybeverages T.
This is a review of Santi's Mt Pleasant, which is not on yelp's map. Had lunch there on a Thursday with my ladyfriend and our daughter. The place had a very inauspicious exterior, but is quite nice inside, decorated with chandeliers and some nice high top tables. The place was packed, and the service was pretty good considering the crowd. The chips and salsa were nice, with thick-cut chips and a little heat in the salsa. My wife got the flautas, which she enjoyed. I got a large chicken burrito smothered in cheese and sour creme. I polished off the whole thing. The refried beans were great as well. I also enjoyed the house margarita on the rocks. As Arnold said, 'I'll be back'
(4)Susie G.
With a strong referral from my hairdresser, Jamie at Salon Bellezza, and Jimmy Buffets lyrics, we decided to try Santi's Restaurante Mexicano. Jamie moved here from out west and is used to having great Mexican food. We were hungry anyway so we decided to give it a go. Near the entrance to the Ravenel Bridge (which thankfully, I walked this morning at 6:30 am), but far from the beaten path on Meeting Street lies a little slice of burrito, taco, enchilada - you name it, heaven. We arrived at noon to find a packed parking lot except for the one handicapped spot in the picture. Parking is free by the way. As you walk up to the restaurant, it's not much to look at. There are few signs in the window and it is flanked by an outdoor patio to your left. Upon entering the energy in the restaurant is contagious. Several waiters scurried about, and it was a little confusing to figure out how we were to be seated. We decided to sit at the bar as it was fairly empty. The restaurant is nothing to look at, a tad kitschy and designed like many other taquerias. The bar is a shotgun counter with the kitchen line directly behind it. For awhile I wasn't sure if they even served liquor, but then I saw a few beer taps and a margarita went by. There is no real mention of alcohol in their menu, which I think they can play up a lot more. But let's skip the beverages and move directly to the food, which was well worth the treasure hunt to find the place. Warm chips and salsa were quickly delivered. This was done by the dishwasher, who, by the way, was washing dishes right in front of us. The salsa is delivered in a small carafe, which is an interesting touch. You have a small pedestal to pour it into to mix hot sauce, if desired, which we did. The menu is a moderately priced, a two-sided laminated type with about 30 items on it. There is a lot to choose from and most of the items are accompanied by rice and beans - the usual suspects. The waiter took our order on small, paper pad and put the chit on a rail in the kitchen. He rings the check in later from the carbonless paper on his pad, but there is no delay to start to make your lunch. One thing about this place is speed. The cooking line is about 8' long and it has 5 line cooks working it. Five stock pots were on the stove with the gas cranked high. An assembly line of plates quickly moved down the line. You feel as if you are in someone's kitchen as lunch is prepared. Our food was served in about five minutes. I ordered the "Fro Burrito", which should have been called the OMG Burrito as it was easily the size of my forearm. My husband ordered the "Chicken Enchiladas" which were piping hot and packed with flavor. I thought he was going to lick his plate. It was just that good. We could have split either dish as the portions are more than generous. I could only finish half of the burrito - even with the 5+ mile walk this morning! Not since I lived in Texas have I had such authentic Mexican food. Remember that it is somewhat out of the way, but well worth the trip.
(4)Paula L.
I am new to Charleston relocating from California. Don't bother to go to this place. The refried beans were watery and loose. The salsa tasted like it came out of a bottle with some fresh tomatoes diced in. My taco had about 1 tablespoon of meat and some wilted lettuce. There is nothing authentic about this place except the name. We didn't drink so I can't comment on the margaritas. We went their based on the yelp reviews but who ever is rating this place with 5 stars has not eaten authentic mexican food.
(1)Nicol S.
Simple tasty mexican food. There are plenty of places in Charleston to get decent mexican cuisine, but not at fair prices. Santi's is fair and has a great atmosphere. It is just outside of downton and pulls in a pretty hip crowd. Sometimes it can be really crowded, so send someone ahead of you if there is a big group. I have never waited long for a table for two though. As far as the food goes, I have never been overwhelmed or disappointed. I typically go for the chimichanga and fill up on their delicious chips and salsa. I don't know why chips and salsa taste better here, maybe it is psychosomatic. My veggie loving friends always get the soup, so there are options when getting a group together.
(4)Thomas W.
Why is Santi's so great? Why is it so far from downtown? Both answers might have something to do with why this is the most underrated yet best Mexican food in the more historical part of Charleston. Every night I've had there has been a memory, whether it was a dinner during the holidays with one of my best friends, or a noisy birthday party that involved lots of margaritas and an entire sheet cake. It used to be a Huddle House, so that's why there's an open kitchen (although it's not hard to feel engaged with the staff), and that's why the layout of the place reminds you of a converted dinner (ah...now I get it). Santi's isn't the prettiest place (maybe that's why we haven't had Guy Fieri and everyone else show up there), but it's a consistent and lovable location. The inside of the restaurant's great, but what's even better (especially for a city that has an on/off switch for nice weather) is the outdoor patio. Sit outside with friends and share margaritas and salsa. Soon, la carta te pone indeciso. The menu makes you indecisive. How can you choose? There are two sides: "Favoritos Mexicanos," a more Tex-Mex style and "Comidas," which is the more authentic side. The favoritos side has chicken enchiladas poblanos, which are my favorite. Their mole is thick, spicy, and has just the right amount of chocolately-ness. "Comidas" has cactus pork, which sounds like something you'd try on a dare, but it's not spiky or something I'd need peer pressure to eat. If it wasn't so far north on the peninsula, I'd be there a lot more, but until then, I've repeated "volver," the word for returning.
(4)Jennifer R.
I tried Santi's two nights ago while in Charleston. I would rate it overall just ok - typical cheap, slightly authentic Mexican fare. The free chips and salsas were good -chips nicely fried, not too salty. The salsa I found somewhat bland, not super spicy. I should mention I don't like my chips to be super salty, so if you do you would likely want to add salt to them. We shared a pitcher of margaritas for about $20 - there were five of us. I thought the margaritas decent, though clearly made from a mix. However, they did have a fair amount of tequila in it. My mom had the chicken mole, she said it was just "so so", but the portion size was huge. She is not normally a big mole expert, so take that into consideration. Two of our party had the wet burrito (chicken) and felt it "ok". I had the carne dish (not asada) made with poblano peppers, I woud rate it as decent. It came with retried beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream and lettuce on the side. I thought the tortillas that came with it were quite good and tasted homemade. The service was efficient and friendly. All in all, ok Mexican food - not the best I have had, not the worst. I would back again.
(2)Deb B.
Santi's is some of the best Mexican around and definitely the best in Charleston. It used to be an old Waffle House and the counter's are still the same inside. They have a great back deck and make a righteous Mojito! The drawbacks are that you may have to step over a needle or two in the parking lot! Just wear something other than sandals. The food is worth it!
(4)Nicole P.
Perhaps I've been spoiled by the Southern California sun, but Santi's is an absolute disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I gave this place a fair shot more than once... however it's still just not good Mexican food. The food is only bearable after a pitcher of sangria. Even then, their queso fundido is cheap-tasting, tacos are mediocre, and the quesadillas are soggy (Mine was not only soaked in grease, but also very cold). It seems that Charleston doesn't have much going on (despite being a major foodie town) in the Mexican food dept. Guess I'll have to wait until my next trip to another city that can do it well.
(1)Colleen J.
Santi's is alright in my book. Prices are a little bit above what they should be for cheap Mexican, but I guess maybe that's in the location... which is on the ghetto side of downtown... so I don't really get that either. Eh, it's ok but definitely not a regular repeat for me.
(3)Amy N.
Truly one of the worst dining experiences I've had in Charleston. So many people here have told me that I "had to go to Santi's" for "the best Mexican food". I'm convinced they were all punking me. First, the place is a filthy dump. I've eaten in and enjoyed some run down places but I really can not tolerate dirty. Second, the sullen and clueless waitstaff. Ours seemed more interested in chatting up his fellow waiter than in any of his tables. When he did finally come over it was with much sighing and eye-rolling. Third, and most important, the horrible inedible food. The chips smelled like old cooking oil and didn't taste much better. Beyond stale. The salsa was passable but no oomph to it. We both ordered burritos. My dining companion has been calling it the "mushy wrap of grease". Honestly, she cut it open and this big gush of grease poured out. She took three bites and pushed it to the side. I managed to down about half mine before I gave up. One forkful of beans was all I could tolerate. Next time they should just open a can of Old El Paso refried beans and call it a day. 10 minutes in and we called for our check. It was the only thing the waiter was quick with. Don't put yourself through the torture.
(1)Josh A.
One of the better Mexican places around. They have very generous portions, which suits me fine, and the beverage prices are somewhat reasonable as well, considering it is downtown. Food was pretty solid, much better than what I was expecting. Food prices were a little high, but again, it is downtown. Why didn't it get a better rating? The noise! We sat outside, it was ridiculous. Speakers were super loud, could barely hear people at the end of the table. Couple that with the loud patrons and loud street noise, then you can barely hear yourself think. I don't expect it to be quiet or subdued, but the noise was over the top. I'll probably try the Summerville one and see how that is, hopefully quieter.
(3)Todd S.
I always fear reviewing ethnic food. People get very serious about the "realness" of ethnic restaurants. Hey, I get it. I wish I could find the real deal and not eat Americanized versions of another country's food. Let's face it, though, we're living in the Southeast and we've got to go with what we've got. With that said, I will venture to say that Santi's is the best Mexican food in Charleston. Yes, I know it's not like Mexico or even Southern California, but it's the best damn Mexican food you're going to find in the cradle of the Confederacy. The food is cheap and the beer is cold. I love the chips and salsa here. I'm not quite sure if the chips are homemade, but they sure don't look or taste like the refried Tostitos you get at all the other places. My two favorite dishes are the enchiladas verdes and the carnitas. This reformed Huddle House used to be a bit of a secret, but the secret's out now and you should definitely give Santi's a try.
(4)Christian B.
Had a bad service experience here last week when dining with my family. My entree came out not as I ordered it -- they gave me ground beef when I asked for cheese, so good thing I'm not a vegetarian. Anyway, I flagged down our server, she apologized and off went my dish to the kitchen. 5 minutes passed. 10 minutes passed. 15 minutes passed. I called our server back and she explained the kitchen was busy. Apparently, instead of putting my redo at the front of the line, she slotted it in after several large groups. 20 minutes later, I finally got my food...long after everyone else at my table had finished theirs. Don't know why I didn't get moved ahead of the other orders, but I can tell you they've moved to the bottom of my list because of it.
(2)Elizabeth L.
I think my butt gained 5 lbs from all the deliciousness. Adding to the anti-gravity is the chips and salsa. The salsa is blended and not very chunky. If you are looking for pico de gallo salsa, you aren't getting it here. If you want gooey cheese enchilada deliciousness you should stop here. The margaritas are strong, and the flamboyant male waiters will give you a little attitude (handflip and I swear a little air braids hairflip too). Don't try to order any meat dishes medium rare it will come out well done. Asked to have it redone and it came out the same the second time. Threw in the towel, didn't f eel like complaining a third time. Just have to make a mental note to order something else. They are quick to serve food. We got our food in less than 10 minutes and were in and out within 45 minutes. docking stars for attitude from waiters and the uncleanliness of the bathrooms.
(3)Michael T.
This is some of the worst mexican food I have ever had. I would need some serious amounts of tequila before I would enjoy the food.
(1)Katie R.
Probably the worst Mexican dishes I've ever had. The refried bean were so runny they tasted like soup, and the the taco meat tasted like dog food. Nice service though, just horrific food.
(1)Stephanie F.
I've been here once and I'm craving it like crazy. This place was popping when we went and the staff was very nice. The food was awesome. Even the chips and dip!
(5)Gordon S.
This former Huddle House has about the best Mexican food in Charleston. You know I''m not alone in my opinion because the place is most always packed. I'm a particular fan of their carne asada tacos, either mexican or american style (mexican tacos have only cilantro and onions in addition to the meat; american includes lettuce, cheese and tomatoes). The meat is tender and perfectly seasoned. I usually sit at the bar and the service is always prompt and friendly. Their margaritas are good, plenty potent and just the right amount of sour. Their prices are reasonable. I'd recommend Santi's to anyone who wants a good Mexican meal in Chuck Town.
(4)LIsa H.
I love this place! I never leave hungry or sober. Can't go wrong with their free chips and salsa appetizers. Probably some of the best tortilla chips I've ever had. Salsa is delicious as well.. I have two favorite dishes here: 1. Taco dinner, 3 soft shell tacos with beans and real Mexican rice (not the rice at Los Arcos with peas and carrots) 2. The Chile Relleno, best in town. The parking and seating can be a bit tough but the service is always fast and sassy (you'll understand once you go) and the food and drinks are high quality. This place really is as good as it gets in my book
(5)Patrick M.
It's all about the patio. Great music, chips and salsa included and thy let you pour your own salsa out of the kraft- margarita was good. Prices right. Accessibility and parking good.
(5)Chris G.
This place was great. Showed up with ten guys looking to get some Mexican food and drinks before going out. Wasn't expecting much but we were definitely pleasantly surprised at how good both the food, drinks and service were. The waiter even bought us a round of tequila shots. Definitely recommended.
(5)David C.
I had my doubts - my traveling partner had recommended garbage before - and my concern grew when the waiter made a confused face to my request for horchata. But then he went in the back to check (if they had any left, not if they offered it), and walked out with a tall glass of icy rice milk Cinnamon agua fresca, and things improved from there. The chips were old, served with a beaker of salsa and two pestles to pour them in, but still retained their crisp snap. The decor was fresher, hewn and polished logs for countertops and Mexican artifacts all around (along with some odd glass grape/pineapple hybrids hanging behind the bar). Guac was simple, no frills. Service was capably executed. I scarfed a lunch special of Enchiladas Poblanos - chicken enchiladas in a chocolate mole sauce. Rice and beans were underseasoned, but a variety of provided hot sauces brought them up to my speed. It is important to note that there is cheese on everything. I discovered this when a deep spoonful of beans brought up cheesy strings, followed in a similar form by my attempt on the rice. There was shredded lettuce on the plate, and that didn't have cheese to begin with, but after a few bites of everything else, was similarly adorned. I didn't sample the margaritas, though I hear they're impressive. The food was good enough that I'll probably head back for dinner at some point, after which I shall have more to report. Also, if you're feeling particularly trashy, Thee Southern Belle is within walking distance.
(4)Ben J.
The food is a type of gourmet style Mexican. Personally, I prefer spicier Mexican food. The entrees are a bit bland and uninteresting. The food is fresh and the service is good. It's not the worst but far from the best.
(3)Kimberly N.
We went here last night based on others' Yelp reviews, and were satisfied. I had the cheese enchiladas, and my husband had the veggie burrito. The veggie selections were about what we've come to expect for Mexican restaurants--that is, the two selections we ordered were about it. There was a vegetarian soup option too, which was nice. We were pleasantly surprised that the homemade salsa was brought out in a small glass bottle so that you could help yourself to refills. The chips are homemade as well, and are thicker than any I've had before--almost like pita chips. The food was adequate, and since this is the only Mexican place in Charleston we've eaten, I can't say how it compares, but I have eaten at many many Mexican restaurants across the US, and this one is pretty good. Not the Best Thing Ever, but it's nothing to sneeze at. Service was pretty slow, and we had to ask for water twice (the water came out AFTER our food did, if that gives you some indication). We ordered water and our alcoholic drinks when we were first seated, and the alcoholic drinks came out right away. It would have been nice to have water first; at other Mexican restaurants they'll often bring out water without asking, and then have a dedicated server who just goes around refilling everyone's glass with a pitcher. If they just did this one thing, they'd probably improve customer satisfaction quite a bit (especially during the hot, muggy summers!). However, I've noticed service in Charleston is rather slow in general, and apart from the water issue, their service didn't seem any slower than any other restaurant in town. Speaking of drinks, I ordered a traditional lime margarita on the rocks, and it was tasty (despite not using any kind of upgraded tequila) and STRONG. And big. It nearly knocked me on my butt. Granted, I was kind of tired and hungry after an afternoon at the beach, and we were sitting outside in the courtyard where it was hot and humid. Oh, and I'm a delicate flower, so it doesn't take much to make me tipsy. But this one margarita made me way more than tipsy. I've had margaritas at other restaurants that didn't have any effect whatsoever. This one made me have trouble walking up stairs to our apartment. I guess what I'm saying is, they don't skimp on the alcohol. I hate when restaurants do that with mixed drinks, and I nearly always order a margarita when I eat Mexican food. Overall, I'd say this was a very decent place for Mexican food, and we'll likely go back.
(4)Morgan S.
Just okay for me. Everybody and their mother was telling me how amazing Santi's is but I didn't LOVE it. I liked it but didn't have the godly experiece everyone had been making it out to be. The service was decent. The tacos were very good. I'd get them again. The big issue. No cheese dip. WHHHHHAAAAT! All I wanted was chips and queso. Nothing. So disappointing. I'd go again for sure but probably wouldn't go out of my way to choose Santi's over something else.
(3)Jüstinh A.
This is the best Mexican food near downtown Charleston. For starters, you get some delicious crispy tortilla chips with delicious salsa, for free. I recommend getting the guacamole with those chips. The fresh jalapenos add ample kick to the mix. You can't go wrong with any of the tacos, but that's not where the food shines. My favorites are: -Mama's Specialty: A delicious soup with chicken, beef-filled tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, rice, and chopped cilantro, onions, and jalpenos. -Guisado de Puerco: Pork chunks in a green tomatillo sauce. -Tripe Soup: For the slightly adventurous diners, there's a LOT of tripe in this. -Chimichanga: Who doesn't love a deep-fried burrito? For those 21+, the drinks are cheap and strong. The mojitos are flippin' delicious, everything else is all right. The service is fine. Some waiters are nicer than others. All in all, for the price and quality of the food here, you can't go wrong.
(4)Heather C.
I would have to give this place 5 stars if not for the service. The mexican tacos were like a dream come true. I'm assuming the taco salad was great, my sister ate every bite. The vegetarian soup was bland (aztec something) but I'm assuming that's not their forte.. the meat is where this place shines. So many of the traditional dishes looked delicious, I would have liked to have tried them all. I can't get over the mexican tacos though! Service left a lot to be desired, we weren't visited very often and I would have liked un limon partido and a drink or two, but we could barely catch anyone for napkins. Still, I would get up and get everything myself for the sake of those tacos.
(4)Sara S.
Stopped here to enjoy a quick lunch on my way out of Charleston. The building was once a Huddle House and is successfully converted to a eccentric Mexican joint with hanging plants, odd light fixtures and friendly staff. We got the chimichanga (deep fried grande burrito) & a mexican style pastor taco--both were amazing. Highly recommend the tacos, the meat is well-seasoned and delicious that the taco can stand on its own only being topped with onions, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. You have to try this restaurant!
(4)Andrew H.
Looking for some great Mexican food and potent margaritas? You can't go wrong with Santi's. Compared to many of the other Mexican restaurants in the Charleston area, this is by far the best. The chips are crispy and the salsa is FRESH! The portions are huge and presentation is appealing. The wait staff is more than attentive once you are seated. The atmosphere is very unique but I really dig it. The only problem with this spot is that is always crowded and we have never arrived without having to wait at least 20 minutes for a table. The wait time isn't a problem, it's just that there is no where to stand but right next to the door with 15 or so other people all waiting for a table. The guacamole appetizer is a nice addition to the awesome chips and salsa. I would highly recommend the taco dinner, burrito or chili relleno - they are all delicious. My parents who are not big fans of Mexican cuisine really enjoyed their dining experience here at Santi's. We also enjoy eating at El Dorado Mexican Restaurant (James Island), Los Arcos (Isle of Palms) and Uno Mas (Mt. Pleasant) if we are looking for some Mexican fusion. A few Mexican restaurants that we have eaten at but did not like are Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale and La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant.
(4)dan d.
I don't know why this place isn't getting better reviews. For fresh, cheap, authentic, Mexican food it doesn't get any better than Santi's. I've always found the waiters very responsive and have never left hungry. The chips and salsa keep coming until you actually refuse them. The food comes out quickly making this the perfect place for a quick work lunch. I made the mistake of taking a few guys I work with here one day, now I can't go at lunch time without bumping into someone from work. Some people I know like to go for the cheap margarita pitchers, but they're made from neon green margarita mix, so I'm not a fan. If you're going for lunch and have a big group, you better get there early otherwise you won't get a table.
(5)Kyle E.
I came to Santi's after hearing many rave reviews and confirming the reivews of yelp. For starters: Santi's isnt in the greatest of areas, not too scary but I wouldnt feel too comfortable walking around out there after dark. The parking lot can get chaotic and full too. We went on a Friday night and it was a madhouse. I guess you just seat yourself which can be hard when no tables area available. The menu seemed pretty standard Tex Mex but it did have some real Mexican dishes like soups and even menudo. My wife was bummed when they told her they didnt have plain queso dip. The chips and salsa are good but unlike other reviews here, we didnt get a endless basket of chips, just one and that was that. I ordered the burrito and a diet coke. They dont have a soda fountain so refills arent free. You just get a can, and its a dollar (what is this a gas station?) The food came out quickly and it was real good. Everyone at the table seemed happy with their food and nobody could finish it all. Bottom line: decent mexican food, bad location. Probably not enough to get me over the bridge as I suffer East Cooper Syndrome.
(3)Brent R.
I have to say I went in expecting good things from Santi's and I wasn't disappointed. The service was extremely great, the margaritas were FRESH and the food was good as well. It's a step up from most of our local places. Not the best you'll ever have, but probably the best in Charleston. My only recommendation, go with the pork over chicken.
(4)Andrew W.
Not sure how good the Mexican food is in general in Charleston, but this place was pretty good, although it could have been a little cheaper. I ordered a burrito that was plenty big and pretty tasty. One of the friends I was with ordered a quesadilla which turned out to be a joke: it was just one triangle (as opposed to the full semicircle)! The deck area was pretty cool, and the service overall was good. Wasn't in the best part of Charleston, I had someone approach me for money after I left. All in all a decent meal though.
(3)Whit R.
Yes, yes, some people think Santi's is the best mexican food this side of the border. Alas, no it is not, but it's still pretty darn good. The outdoor seating is one of the big draws here, and an extensive menu too. The customer service is a bit, um, lacking and the servers/cooks/cashiers are, well, they're nice folks who seem as if they couldn't care if you're there or not. Which is cool, because you don't go to mexican restaurants for the conversation. Huge burritos, very tasty salsa and a little fresh air are the reasons to head out to Santi's.
(3)Morgan K.
Santi's is the most authentic Mexican food you can get in the Charleston area. Its a very fun place to go with a few people when you wanna socialize (especially in the back outdoor area) and drink a few beers or margaritas- but careful, they make em strong! Their food is pretty good and authentic. Try the chicken enchaladas verde and you wont go wrong. Their tortillia soup is pretty good too with big chunks of tortillia in it. And if youre with a cute girl, chances are, one of the waiters will come by and fill up your margarita pitcher on the house.... that tends to be my experience! If you are a cute girl...or go with a group of cute girls... then god only knows what kind of royal treatment you get there!
(4)Crystal G.
Food was pretty good. This place was slammed packed on a Friday night and they got us seated pretty quickly! The chips and salsa were great, love the cilantro in the salsa to give it that great kick. Tried the Avocado stuffed shrimp appetizer that was excellent. My meal was the spicy cheese enchiladas, I thought these were a bit over priced about $9.50 but the flavor was good, just over priced for cheese enchiladas, rice, and beans. Also the margaritas were great too. Definitely a place to be seen! Give it a try!
(4)John S.
Consider me spoiled, working in Mexico for 10 years has made me a wee bit critical of Mexican places. That said, for Charleston, Santi was OK - not great, not terrible, just OK. Prices were fair, beer was ice cold, service was slow (Monday for lunch should be quicker than an hour, right?) Food was pretty good - I had the Chimi, that was OK. Better than La Ha, but not Mexico - sorry!!!
(2)Kim S.
Our absolute favorite place for Mexican. The Salsa and chips are excellent. Margaritas are tasty and an excellent price. Food is consistently great. Never any complaints. Wait staff is friendly and service is good. Pork Taco Salad is one of my favorites. This is definitely a place not to miss! We take friends here all the time. Atmosphere makes it a lot of fun.
(4)Brad T.
Great mexican food! Very authentic and reasonable prices.
(4)Kate Q.
Gross, dirty, and I couldnt get out of there fast enough. Trust me, save your money and time. I read tons of reviews with high hopes, after being dissapointed by other mexican places in the area. I moved from Georgia and am desperate to find a place like el sombrero's. I cant and i officially give up. dont go!!!
(1)Robert M.
Wow, some of the best Mexican food in the city. Located in a old waffle house in the industry part of the city. While it now has a patio and has expanded since i was first there. The chips and salsa are the bomb and may be the gold standard.
(4)Devon M.
Food is well priced and delicious. The chef and staff clearly know how to take care of the customers with the occasional house tequila shot
(4)sarah c.
Love their margaritas. Good food. My favorite mexican place around Charleston.
(4)Jessica P.
Great Mexican, good service, margarita's and environment! Great find!
(4)Ind R.
My second favorite restaurant that used to be a Huddle House (after Basil). Like Bekah, Juanita's will always be my source for fast cheap Mexican-inspired food (with vegetarian options). But I have a few good things to say about Santi's: Pro Actually run by Mexicans (con, who do not speak English) Outdoor seating actually outside (con, facing Morrison Dr.) Local Spanish-language newspapers (con, I don't understand Spanish) Menu cannot fit on index card (con, only 2 vegetarian entrees) Cool ingredients, including cactus (con, cactus & cow inseparable) Free chips & salsa (everybody wins) Santi's is the funky independent version of La Hacienda- a place where you can sit down, wait for a server to come to your table, eat off of a plate, and score rice and beans with your entree.
(3)Joel C.
Santi's is the best Mexican food in Charleston. So much better than anything else I have tried. They have awesome chips and salsa. The margaritas are great. The menu has a great selection and even some more traditional dishes that are not common at other Mexican places. Menudo anyone? Highly recommended. Oh yeah, the prices are pretty darn cheap too.
(5)Jaclyn R.
My husband is from SoCal so we are always on the hunt for good Mexican. This place was authentic and very good. We both had great meals and margaritas. Definitely worth checking out! yum!
(4)Paul F.
Great tacos al pastor, great service. Chorizo quesadilla was great. Margaritas were spot on. Chips and salsa were delicious. Will go back every time I'm in Charleston.
(5)mis h.
I love that Santi's actually has traditional Mexican food. Honestly, I've probably eaten about everything on the menu at this point. First of all, if a Mexican restaurant has bad chips and salsa, they are a bad Mexican restaurant in my book. Santi's does not disappoint. It's obvious their salsa is fresh as you can see the fresh cilantro in it. The tacos are super cheap and delicious. Queso fundito (sp?), delicious. Mama's Specialty soup, delicious. Tripe soup, delicious. Steak with any of the sauces, delicious. Enchiladas, delicious. Quesadilla, delicious. Burrito, enormous AND delicious. Margaritas, not made from a mix! And also delicious (and lethal, trust me). The absolute best thing on the menu is the shrimp stuffed avocado. Fresh shrimp and avocado with spicy mayo of some kind served with saltines. Definitely try it. Oh, and during happy hour you buy a pitcher of margaritas and get an app free.
(5)Mikell B.
I'm a big time Santi's fan. There's nothing better than lounging on their patio on a warm summer night with a margarita or two. The chips and salsa are fabulous, the salsa has tons of great flavor. I always get the same thing: the Veggie burrito, and it seldom disappoints. The wet pork burrito seems to be the go-to for everyone else I ever visit Santi's with. The servers are extremely nice (all 15 of them) and the food comes out lightening fast.
(4)Traci C.
Enjoyed a meal at this converted Waffle House a few weeks back. The chips and salsa to start were verrrry good, and we had a few refills :) Our party ordered a pitcher of margarita which was a good size for the money and tasty to boot. For my main dish I enjoyed the chicken flautas with all the fixins. The cost was decent and the service was efficient. Not the very best I've ever had, but I would go back for another taste and maybe give the outdoor seating a try.
(3)rebekah b.
I have a theory about Mexican restaurants. Everyone has a favorite, and that's where their allegiance is forever. Mine is Anna's Taqueria in Boston. Not a day goes by when I don't think about their super chicken burrito with extra beans, salsa and hot sauce, hold the cheese. I miss it so. Sniff... Anyway, back to Santi's. I know people who worship at the shrine of Santi's, saying it's the best Mexican EVER. I'm not calling anyone a liar here, but I've been a couple times, and I've kind of been underwhelmed by the whole experience. So far, my favorite place for Mexican is Juanita's, but if anyone has a recommendation for another place, I'm listening.
(2)c l.
I'm not saying it's the best Mexican food I've ever had, but I'll give it the best for Charleston. I'm thinking the most authentic for the area (would loved to be proven wrong as I'm on a quest for the yummiest i can get my hands on). If you find the nuclear green margaritas at "La Hac" truly disgusting, Santi's might just be the place for you.
(4)Daniel J.
Technically I'd love to rate Santi's a 3 and a half but, thats the current average rating so that will suffice for now and I'll give them a nice four. Why? Because I loved the food, and the totally eclectic decor inside! The tacos are great, and so is the chorizo quesadilla, but it's nearly identical to the tacos so I don't understand why it has to be a separate category and virtually the only option on the entire menu to get Chorizo. The less than 5 star review is that I've been told they are fast and sometimes they were, but when it was slow, they were really slow. Also because a chef, I think, came to tell me to make sure to tell them next time I didn't want the lettuce and sour cream "salad" thingy they put on the side. I did tell them, and 2 of 3 times they failed on that one. Oops! Also I don't know why the chorizo quesadilla is 25 cents less than the nearly identical tacos, but I'll take it! Basically everything is strangely inconsistent but decent prices and the food actually tastes realllllly good if you can stomach whatever they serve you regardless of your actual request :)
(4)Devansh S.
Just the restaurant one can dream of!!!! Awesome service, great food!!!!! And the hospitality the waiters efficiency....just amazed!!!
(5)Elizabeth B.
Having moved to Charleston from central Texas, I've had some really good mexican food over the years. I think this is the only mexican restaurant in Charleston that I have been to that would stand a chance surviving back in Texas. Every once in a while La Hacienda or Señor Tequila will do, but when I'm really feeling like mexican food, I head to Santi's. I think they have done a great job of turning an old Huddle House into a funky restaurant. I really enjoy the chile relleno and my husband usually goes for something involving the al pastor. If you are wanting mexican food in Charleston, I think Santi's is your best option.
(4)Rachel O.
Best Mexican food in town! I go here almost every week, great for a fast lunch or dinner, great for date night, great for meeting up with friends to kick it on the porch. Service is fast and friendly, food is always on point, not to mention... best margaritas in town!
(5)Molly B.
I love Santis! It's the only Mexican restaurant I go to downtown. It is authentic and cheap and the food never disappoints. If I'm feeling REALLY hungry (which is pretty much all the time) I always go for the we burrito. I can never finish it and I know this, but its my go to. If I'm not too hungry- I turn to the pastor Mexican Tacos. They are super cheap and you can not go wrong! The other day I went to lunch here and decided to mix it up! I got the Mamas Specialty soup and SURPRISE!- I was not disappointed. It was extremely filling for a lunch portion and I have been dying to try it and I was not certainly not mad about it. And while youre there... you might as well order a pitcher of margaritas!
(4)Scott P.
Don't stress with the overall location as it's not in the best neighborhood, but worth a trip. Service was great and the food was good and the prices are very easy on the wallet. However, the majority of the meats are precooked that day. Dishes are made to order then microwaved! Yes, microwaved! They do not have an oven or broiler. Very strange. I just find this to be a major let down. However, the food is good and i would have never known their cooking process if I didn't sit at the bar. Another downfall are their tortilla chips - they are literally hard as rocks. Very thick and difficult to eat. Literally thought I was going to break or chip a tooth.
(3)Michael T.
The service is NOT impressive. I can't just rate this place on its food alone. It appears there only only 2-3 waiters running around for the place. We placed our order and waited....and waited...and yes, waited. Many tables seated after us were served AND paid the check before we were given our meal. Will NOT come back or recommend.
(1)Cassie L.
I am visiting from out of town and my friend wanted to have dinner here. It was my first time! Once we pulled up and parked the car I was a little worried because the building is a mush-green color and the sign looks out of of date! But once in inside all my worries washed away! It looks clean inside! We also visited around Christmas time and the inside was so beautiful! We got both got the same dish and ordered cheese dip for our chips! Let me tell you, the chips are hand made! So good! So much better then the chips I am used to getting back home at our local Mexican spot! We both ordered the steak quesadilla, totally unplanned! But they have to have been the best quesadilla I have ever had! It was also happy hour and I had moejioes (spelling). All my drinks had real fresh mint! They where lovely! If I lived closer this would be my go to Mexican spot!
(4)Michael K.
I believe Santi's has made some changes for the better. My last visit I blasted them on thin, soupy queso, and this time their queso was on point. I will also reiterate that their chips and salsa are the best at any Mexican joint, particularly the chips. Just like when I was in Mexico, Santi's chips are fried in house and come with a superior crunch.
(3)Adam B. J.
This is purely my taste review. I love the location, the service, the staff were all great. Mexican food is not my favorite thing, and we drove past two places I'd rather have gone on the way. Sometimes I think I'm missing the boat on Santi's. Many of my friends rave about this place, and have taken my wife and I here. I've even ordered the things they told me are the best, and it just hasn't clicked. Like I said I think this a personal taste thing. They get a A++ on cleanliness, attentiveness, and friendly staff.
(3)Laura C.
Stopped at Santi's after an afternoon of performing some volunteering duties and I noticed it at weird intersection so I parked and went inside. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The decoration was old style Mexican and nice to look as I sipped on my glass of Chardonnay and wondered if those were actual artifacts and where did they come from. My Meal: For my Appetizer, I ordered the Shrimp Stuffed Avocado with crackers. The concept was good and the portion was huge but the copious amounts of mayonnaise killed the dish for me. Feeling dejected, I ordered a dinner to go. Redemption!!! The dinner was outstanding. I ordered the Carne Rajas which is grilled Skirt steak with white rice, black beans, poblano peppers, cheese, and tortillas. I will go back from time to time, I don't have anything negative to say about this place but the Taco's from the competitor just 3 blocks away on Huger Street were OUTSTANDING!
(3)Amy Lauren S.
I really didn't care for Santi's, especially for a restaurant that's won so many awards from the Charleston City Paper. I guess name recognition is a big thing, but I don't consider it the best Mexican in Charleston, far from it. The restaurant looks like a renovated Huddle House or Waffle House. There's an outdoor seating area, which is where we sat, along with a lot of others. The seating area is surrounded by bushes, and the bushes had trash in them. The parking lot isn't paved, and the whole place could use some TLC. The food at Santi's isn't bad, but to me, it seemed like typical Mexican. None of us got anything super adventurous, but the food was mediocre at best, just tasted like most other Mexican food. I also thought the prices were kind of expensive for what we got (I had the veggie burrito with rice and beans, they had taco salads, burritos, and enchiladas). The guac was impressive, very chunky and flavorful. Service was pretty slow and the waiter never came to check on us. I had to ask for more salsa and another to-go box. Also, when you check out, you must go inside to pay at the register, and they do not take American Express.
(2)Rachael B.
This is by far, hands down, without a doubt, the BEST Mexican restaurant in Charleston.. no.. the universe! (Excluding Mexico). First of all, it is located under the overpass in an ex Waffle House.. perfect location for this legit gem that is the best Mexican I've ever had in a restaurant. The no fuss, laid back atmosphere pairs perfectly with incredibly cheap and delicious margarita pitchers. I'm letting you in on a little known secret when I say that this is one of the best pre game spots before hitting the nearby bars on King Street. Go here immediately and feel privileged to be eating in this legendary spot.
(5)