Tios Mexican Cafe
921 Sumter St, Columbia, SC, 29201
Tios Mexican Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
921 Sumter St
Columbia, SC, 29201 - Phone (803) 252-7229
- Website https://www.tiossc.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : 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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Wendi G.
Ordered a meal from Grub Hub and it was pretty great. The service was fast and my West Coast Trio Taco was tasty. The best was the shrimp with the fresh avocado ,,, real fresh with corn and bean salsa. Definitely worth a try if you are looking for delivery beyond pizza.
(3)Peter L.
Dear Tio's , Your tacos are pretty solid, but charging $8.99 for a small guacamole that clearly comes from a bag is ridiculous. Thou art shamed! As an aside, you may want to consider buying your salsa from Aldi. It's delicious and nowhere near as insipid as yours. Sincerely yours, Peter
(2)Chris S.
The restaurant is conveniently located and I have ordered and enjoyed their guacamole (truly is good) but that's where the positive remarks must end for me. I inquired about whether or not they make their salsa in house. I was told, "well, sort of -- we use the jar salsa and add some things to it." Uh, no thanks guys, I'll pass. I ordered a "lunch size" pork/bean wet burrito and I bit into, wait for it, a rock. Yes, a rock about the size of a dime and black in color. I was rather shocked as I've never had a rock in my food before. I asked for another wet burrito and they were kind and apologized about the scenario. I was told that because they use fresh beans, sometimes rocks get in the beans. I'm not sure I believe that explanation but I really don't want to think about the other ways a rock may have ended up in the burrito either. The food also just lacks flavor and I have a difficult time finding a good reason to recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Taylor S.
Worst margaritas ever. Worst chips and salsa ever. Worst queso ever. I recommend not even thinking about eating here.
(1)Brandon D.
Tios is the absolute worst Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. First, every Mexican restaurant I've been to fries their own chips in house. Not Tios, instead I saw large bags of premade chips sitting on a shelf. Even then the chips were not that tasteful. The salsa was not tasteful either. I got a wet burrito that had beef and beans in it with queso on top. I was impressed, I've had better burritos at Taco Bell. The part that turned me off the most was the beef, it had an odd taste to it and I could not stand to finish it. The service was not that great either, I had to keep asking for refills and napkins. Diffently avoid this place at all costs. If you want decent food go next door to Beezers.
(1)Mackenzie F.
TIo's is so delicious, and especially if you're a vegetarian or vegan. I've eaten at Tio's for the last 5 years+ and it's consistently delicious. This food is 100% homemade. The owner and chef is always checking in to see how the food is. I would be suspicious of anyone who didn't like Tio's, especially some of these one-star reviewers who absolutely aren't saying anything that's true. if you're looking for healthier mex, this is definitely the place.
(5)Chloe O.
The service is great, everyone is very friendly, but the food is nothing close to authentic mexican. I ordered enchiladas and I actually think they dumped a can of tomato purée and called it "mild sauce". It was very disappointing. The waitress even said sometimes people dump their salsa on food, I'm assuming to taste at least something. The salsa tasted like it came straight from a pace jar and the beans were everything from a rosaritas can, except heated. If you do anything don't order the wet burrito. It is the most disgracing combination of Mexican food with (yet again) tomato sauce. A hybrid Italian burrito. Nasty.
(2)Vli S.
WHAT HAPPENED??? I have eaten here several times at lunch and it was terrific. Today I walk in at 1:20 pm the sign says wait to be seated (always has) and a waiter walks up and says sit anywhere we are cleaning off tables - There are not ten people in the place (including the tables outside). Hmm, ok, I choose my seat - and just sit. A bit of a lunch show took place when a man in the back of the kitchen area (unseen) yells a waitress' name and she got nasty with him yelling back! The waiter who first greeted me at the door apologized to his customer saying, "its not always like this". (LOL) I finally get up and get my own menu - there is no lunch menu in it. After several more minutes a waitress comes and asks if I would like a drink, I order water with lemon and got it quickly. I asked if they had done away with their lunch menu. She apologized and got a lunch menu for me. Asked if I would like chips - I said yes and they came quickly. Salsa was good, chips were stale. I was finally asked for my order and ordered the tilapia taco with guacamole. It was back in about three minutes. Either they had this plate waiting for someone who never picked it up or the cook is THE FLASH, I vote for the first supposition because the fish was not exactly fresh tasting and the guac was bleh... Now guacamole is something I have made for years and it is EXTREMELY easy. It is hard to keep fresh guac from turning brown unless you add a preservative (lemon, lime and salsa all do the job very well when mixed in) OR you can buy a premixed bag of factory made guac with some unpronounceable preservative and pretend its freshly made. Tios opted for the latter choice and it tasted like - mushy cardboard. I stirred a forkful of my salsa in and it was improved - a bit. OOOO did I mention I also had to ask for a napkin (which came without silverware) and so when my food came I had to ask for silverware. (Didn't I already say this place was NOT busy??) The staff was very nice and helpful to each other because after I ate I could not see a soul for several minutes, including my waitress, and when I did see one, I asked for my check (different waitress) and she happily found it for me. I got my money out and sat it on the table and within minutes - what to my wandering eyes should appear - my waitress who collected the check, asked if I needed change and thanked me for coming. They are looking for help - there is a big sign in the window that says so...I say they really need it!
(2)Jennifer B.
It was national tequila day, so I was excited to be at this venue. Tacos we're pretty good. Shrimp in my friend's West Coast taco was pretty tasteless. The chips seemed store bought instead of homemade. When there was an issue on the bill, the manager became rude saying, "She's my best server." Implying that the customer is wrong, something you never do in business. Won't be returning to this establishment.
(2)William B.
They are okay, seems a lot of folks around USC like to eat there. I've never tried their margaritas, which they claim are the best, but the food is pretty standard. I find them a bit pricey considering the amount of food you get. Most Mexican restaurants give complimentary chips; sadly Tio's does not. The no chips thing really bothers me, especially when I can pay less and get more somewhere else.
(2)Stephen R.
Ok never been to the restaurant but I used the grub hub app twice when I was confined to the room to study while going to USC. They delivered SUPER fast and the food was good! I will use them again and again!
(5)Michael V.
I love this place. The food is always great and the staff is always friendly. The owners are wonderful and always sweet to my young son. They have several unique menu items you won't find at the other Mexican places, like the Mexican sandwich and the wet burrito. I've been coming here ever since it opened around the corner about ten years ago, and it has been consistently good with wonderful staff ever since. My only complaint is that they switched up their wet burrito sauce and the new one isn't very good. They used to top it with your choice of salsa. Now your choice comes on the side and the burrito is topped with something that tastes like pizza sauce, not salsa.
(5)Matt W.
Tios is the worst Mexican food I have ever experienced. Having grown up in California and lived in Texas, there is a certain expectation when it comes to Mexican, and tios misses that mark entirely. Bland salsa, bland, canned "hot sauces", pre packaged chips. I don't know about you, but if I order a taco, I fully expect it to come in either a steamed or fried corn tortilla. Or if I order enchiladas, I expect them to also come in a corn tortilla, with a flavorful molle or chile sauce and queso fresco sprinkled over the top. Not so at tios. I got flour tortillas, bland red sauce and disappointment. Do yourself a favor, if you want good Mexican food in the area either go to Real Mexico on Bush River or La Estrella over by the airport.
(1)Patrick M.
It's a Sunday in the South, thank goodness this place was open about 6 blocks from my hotel.
(4)Martin V.
Unless you want margaritas, avoid this place entirely. Every single thing we ate tasted like it had just been microwaved from a frozen package. They claimed the guacamole was made 'just this morning' but I am positive that their idea of hand made was to squeeze it out of the pouch and add three pieces of onion to the top. The food was waayyyy overpriced for the quality, and extremely bland. I can't say 'no' enough. Service was OK, and the margarita was actually pretty damn good, which is the saving grace. One star = one decent margarita.
(1)Erica J.
Good place to go with friends. Has a parking lot. Good Queso dip. Loved the Strawberry & Mango margarita. Burrito bowl with shredded chicken was bland at first but sour cream makes everything better! Lol. No pressure to leave when having a good time. Good music.
(4)Tony G.
First off, they tried to charge me $1.50 EACH to add pico and guac to the burrito, bringing it to $13. I declined and it was still$10 before tip. When I got the burrito it was soggy and barely wrapped. It was almost all beans and no pork. Completely unsatisfied. Would never eat again.
(1)Annie F.
Worst Mexican I've ever eaten! Definitely don't go here, everything tastes like it's out of a can, really awful!!!! Taco Bell is even better, I've had a wet burrito here, the tomato sauce tasted like marinara pasta sauce and the meat just tastes strange??? Terrible food! Then I decided to try the nachos my second visit...just as bad I will not be returning
(1)Andy P.
Will not be back. Terrible burrito. Tasted in line to a microwave wet burrito. Chips were nothing special, salsa was ok. So I figured they can't screw up dessert?? I ordered sopapias. What I received was a plate of 16 chips covered in powered sugar and chocolate syrup. Seriously??? Was not impressed, at all, and will not come back. More choices to explore in the area. Thanks.
(1)Sean S.
Sucked. Burrito looked like a soggy Mexican diaper. Couldn't pick it up and since they didn't give me a knife, had to hack it apart with a plastic fork. Can't believe I paid $10 for this. Boo hooter!
(2)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Think some old reviews should be overlooked. This place has great food and really spent time with my family to make sure we were taken care of. They offer kids deals all the time too so great for families! Excellent service and really good authentic food at a great price.
(5)Swetha G.
This place would get fewer stars for environment (kind of dull) and portion size (not enough), but b/c the food was decent and we had a really good server, I'm giving it three. My cheese enchilada tasted great and got inhaled in minutes. I also really liked their tortillas with the pico gallo salsa, was very fresh and tasty. Our server was seriously on top of it and had an amazing memory. He didn't forget a dish or bring food to the wrong person (our group was over 12!). I was especially impressed at the end when he split checks for every single one of us and knew whose check went to whom! Others have said the place is pricey. I don't agree with that. My dinner w/tax came out to $8 and change! I personally don't think that's pricey.
(3)M W.
High price, poor quality food. One salsa was from a jar and the other salsa tasted like marinara. Chili con queso tasted like cheesy marinara, no sign of chili. Nachos were all beans. Terrible service. Half of our party was ignored and didn't get to eat until the others were done eating. Food didn't come out as stated in menu. Go down the road to Monterey's for half the price and triple the quality.
(1)Lauren F.
Unique Tex-Mex place. So much food, and it was good too! Not authentic, of course, but tasty.
(3)Katie R.
Two dollar margs! Food is ok, but Tios has my favorite margaritas in Columbia. I've had the tacos and they're decent, but I go for the queso and margs!
(5)Joshua R.
On any other day, sure, Tio's is average. But on Wet Burrito Day it is the freaking jam. You get the biggest burrito in Columbia for a radical price. Plus, it's a great vegan option!
(4)John B.
Worst mexican food ever. Expensive place for a college town mexican joint, but the food doesn't reflect. Small portions and bad food. I went once and will never go again. Save your money and walk over to beezers.
(1)Laura A.
Low on taste, high on price. Looks like they spent more energy on the decor than the recipes. I've tried it two or three times, hoping I just caught the chef's day off, but no dice. You might as well just go to Moe's, or better yet, hop over the bridge to Monterrey's for inauthentic Mexican the way it was meant to be experienced (I guess). Boy, I sure do miss the Basil Pot.
(2)Jason H.
The food isn't all that great and it is a bit pricey for a Mexican restaurant. It is however a great place to go when you can't get into nearby Hunter Gatherer and you are really hungry. The waitstaff is hit or miss (honestly so is the food), but they can be very friendly. I have to agree with Laura A's suggestion to head to Monterrey's if you want better food though.
(2)ChristiAnn B.
I came here on a Tuesday night. There were a few people sitting outside and only one person dining inside. Our service was slow considering that factor. Chips aren't impressive. Salsa isn't good. I came here for a shrimp dish, but shrimp is not on the menu. My chicken fajitas tasted like a microwaved frozen dinner. NOT real mexican food. Only thing I would come back here for is a margarita. I had the golden margarita and it was decent.
(2)