Minero
155 E. Bay St, Charleston, SC, 29401
Minero Menu
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Address :
155 E. Bay St
Charleston, SC, 29401 - Phone (843) 789-2241
- Website https://minerorestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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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Wendy F.
I hadn't been downtown in a while (parking is such a drag) but when a friend of mine suggested that we catch an early lunch at Minero I actually jumped on it. We arrived soon after it opened, were warmly greeted, seated and quickly approached by our friendly server, Samantha. We knew exactly what we wanted to eat (thanks, Yelpers) ... and what we wanted to wash it down ... Mexican Coca Cola ... sugary and icy cold. (Note: unless you don't mind waiting, plan to get there early ... the dining room was filled by 11:30 A.M.) We started with an order of Queso Fundido, ($9.00) a classic Mexican dish composed of ooey, gooey, melted cheese, loaded with chunks of chorizo and roasted poblano. It was served in what appeared to be a tiny cast iron skillet, piping hot, with warm, soft, handmade tortillas. The order was just the right size for two people to share. Next to arrive was a Taco Al Pastor ($3.50) ... a nice amount of tender marinated and grilled pork, pineapple and avocado piled on a warm tortilla ... beautifully plated and delicious ... and, an ample order of Chilaquiles ($9.00). The latter was brimming with large heirloom beans and tender pork, crunchy tortilla chips, chunky salsa, a perfectly cooked (yolk still runny) fried egg, small pieces of queso fresco (cheese), avocado and lettuce. (I asked to hold the crema.) If you haven't tried this dish ... don't wait ... every mouthful contains everything you love about Mexican cuisine ... crunchy, spicy, creamy. In fact, there are so many fabulous dishes I want to try at Minero (with prices that are easy on the wallet) ... I know I'll be back.
(5)Aleks K.
I didn't think it could be possible that Minero could be so different yet as good as Husk. It's a must visit. I wish I had nowhere to be and I could just stay, eat, have more room, eat and repeat. We ordered: the sangria - not sweet at all, refreshing. the catfish taco - crunchy, very fresh, exactly what you'd want in a fish taco the al pastor taco - so good I didn't want it to end the guac - small but plenty to share, radish on top is a nice touch the corn - get your own because you will regret having to share - salty, crisp, porky, sweet, smoky all at once the churros - oh, yes, the churros. I was full of everything we'd eaten and then it turned into Operation No Churro Left Behind and I ate all but one on my own. Everything was delicious. There was nothing more I could've asked for and I didn't want to leave. The decor of the restaurant fits the food and the wait staff was unobtrusive. This is a "come to Charleston, stop here no matter what" kind of place.
(5)Joseph P.
Went here on vacation after multiple recommendations. Did NOT disappoint. Some of the most delicious, fresh, & creative Mexican I've had in a long time. My favorite Al Pastor taco to date, and if you go here the corn is a MUST! My brother got the chilaques (spelling?). They were like pimped our nachos and were incredible. Friendly staff, great atmosphere.
(5)Shabba R.
If you burn $100's to light your cigars, this place is five stars all the way, because the price won't bother you. I just couldn't bring myself to give it five though because of the pricing, as the price will probably put the full Minero experience (which includes a bunch of awesome cocktails) past the range of what many visitors will be willing to spend. It's a small establishment. The interior is probably twelve four tops total, and the bar only seats eight. There's one unisex bathroom. The decor is a tastefully restored historic building where the exposed brick walls are a lighter than typical color, white painted wood, stamped metal ceiling tiles. The tables are that cool modern/retro trendy stuff that tries to look old when it's really new, but it's done tastefully. The bar and bathroom are about the only reasonably modern elements in the place with granite counters. A/C works great even in the mid summer 90's range of time. My wife and I visited two days in a row in July '15 because one day wasn't enough to sample all the cocktails we wanted to try and still walk back to the hotel. Our only mild food complaint is that you can only have corn tortillas, no flour, so if that's not your thing, too bad. That being said, we started with the nachos both days. They come with three varieties of salsa, all of which tasted excellent. We both had a random bunch of different tacos; fish, beef, chicken, hard, soft, etc. Those were also all excellent. Some reviews complain about the size; well, it's a good trade in my mind. The tacos are not expensive, and relatively small. Personally I'd rather try a bunch of tacos of different varieties than two huge tacos I may or may not like, and have the price work out the same either way. More variety and my belly full either way, for the same price, works just fine for me. I thought the catfish taco was particularly good. Their chicken wings are also great, and come in a paper bag that they'll squirt hot sauce into; cool presentation. The drinks are where they really excel. They're well made and have some very unique tastes. They are a bit on the pricey side though, well, with the exception of the $4 16oz Tecate, but if you want Mexico's equivalent of PBR, you could just stop at the local gas station. Anyway, the cocktails are where it's at, if your wallet can power you through, as most will set you back $10 to $11 and they're not exactly large. We had six or seven cocktails we wanted to try, so between those and our food, spread across two days, Minero received a decent amount of our dinero. I would recommend trying the El Satanico if you're not bothered by vinegar. I would also get it frozen. The flavors really come out and linger in the frozen format, as I tried both so I could compare. It's probably one of the stronger drinks on the menu. Very unique flavor. Very much enjoyed the Mr Niebla as well. The El Grande Diablo was very good but not quite as cool and unique as those other two. Their margarita was above average, but can be upgraded with Grand Marnier for $2 more, putting it up to $10.50 and what I'd call a great margarita. Their liquor selection is not particularly large, so if you want to switch back to your old standby, they may not be able to make it. They do have numerous tequilas, so at least on that front you can probably find something tasty. Anyway, two days and $150 or so later, we LOVED Minero. Get those unique cocktails into the $7-$8 range and I'll give you five stars.
(4)Tracy G.
This is definitely one of my favorite places for 2015! If you get a chance I would recommend to start at the bar with one of their signature cocktails. My favorite is the El Santanico on the rocks (though the frozen version is also good). The bar is small but bet stays very active and it's cool to watch the bartenders make all of the different drinks. The staff is all very nice and are happy to talk about their offerings or just chat about Charleston in general. From there you can go to the table to eat so you'll have more room. Items are a la carte so if you want to try a variety of things it can take up a lot of room. I haven't had a single item that wasn't delicious but do let your server know if you're not in to spicy food and they'll steer you clear of a couple of dishes. My favorite thing to start with is the queso fundido- chorizo, poblano pepper, cheesey goodness with fresh made tortillas. They're house-made corn tortillas are sooooo good! From there decide if you want to go for a variety of smaller items or for an entree. The green chorizo taco and the carnitas taco are my favorites and the boyfriend was mighty impressed with the catfish taco and the vegetable mula. The shrimp and masa is a cool twist on a local staple and the torta's change every day. Make sure you save room for the churros with Mexican dipping chocolate. The service is attentive but not overbearing and they'll keep coming back in case you decide you want to keep trying different items on the menu. The thing that puts this place over the top is the super fast turnaround for their food, making it a great place to pop in to when you're hungry NOW. I've heard that they will be relocating Minero to the upstairs space above McCrady's in September. I'm hoping it will still be able to keep the feel of the place while offering some additional seating.
(5)Wes R.
We really enjoyed Minero. The food was outstanding and the service was average. I respect chasing authenticity but there is also part of me yearning for the Tex-Mex that most Americans are accustomed to eating here in the states. A flour tortilla option for the tacos would be great. The purist approach seen with Minero is a bit of a letdown. I think most Charlestonians want a GREAT Mexican restaurant that has SOME of those Tex-Mex leaning options on the menu. Since most (if not all) of the Mexican spots around town don't come close to the quality of Minero, it would be amazing to have some of those restaurants' dishes that are well-executed with quality ingredients. With all of that being said, this place is still great and we'll definitely be back. From a price standpoint, it is what you make it. Since this was our first time there, we went a bit over the top. We ordered four cocktails, two appetizers, two sides, and five tacos. With tip, we got out just shy of $100. A lot of the menu options are cheap but it does add up. I would definitely give Minero a try. If you're visiting, have lunch here and head to McCrady's for dinner for the true Sean Brock experience.
(4)Jeannie M.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Ok, so not a descriptive opening but, honestly, my palate is still buzzing and I am at a loss for descriptive words. Cool, casual and fun atmosphere. Great and knowledgeable wait staff! And then, yeah, there's the FOOD! We went there because I ha seen the write up in Southern Living about this place. Was set on getting the chilaquiles because I had seen the picture of that yummy goodness in the magazine. But when I saw all the selections and spoke with the server I was way overwhelmed. So we ordered a lot of food. I'm still full several hours later. But the chilaquiles were truly amazing. As was the guacamole and the green chorizo taco. The big crazy surprise were the wings, tho. I am not even a wings girl. But They were the bomb!! No exaggeration. No lie. Go. Eat. Savor. Enjoy. Report!
(5)Charlie P.
I have to say, I wanted to so badly dislike Minero after all the media-hype swarming the opening of Sean Brock's new restaurant (also the chef at Husk and McCrady's). Not because I don't like Brock, but because I have always rooted for the Charleston hidden gems that are just as delicious but don't get the press. But after visiting his new Mexican spot on East Bay Street over three times in the past week, I have to admit Minero isn't good, it's freaking fantastic. The best part is, most everything on the menu is priced under $10, which makes ordering almost the entire menu completely acceptable. Each and every taco on the menu is absolutely amazing, made with authentic ingredients and obsessively-perfected corn tortillas. The Pork Carnita Taco is my favorite item on the menu, made with fatty bits of jowl meat, crispy chicharrons and salsa verde. Priced at around $3-4 and about the size of your palm, I usually order three tacos along with the salsa trio as an appetizer and am sufficiently full. The benne seed salsa is reason enough alone to order the $4 appetizer, served with a hearty helping of homemade chips for dipping. Another option besides tacos is the Minero Burrito, which is surprisingly super satisfying even without any meat. A margarita, salsa trio and taco platter from Minero make me just about the happiest girl in the world. So much so that I can't help but go back week after week for Brock's highly addicting creations. I'm not the only one who think' Minero is God's greatest gift to the Holy City, so if you do go, try and put your name in early for a table, as they don't take reservations and fill up fast for dinner. Must order-items: Chips & Salsa Pork Carnita Taco Charcoaled Chicken Taco Grilled Steak Taco Taco al Pastor
(5)Russell W.
Great place, great food, fairly reasonable prices. The wings, tacos (pork and fried catfish specifically) were all very good, as was the hot sauce/lime/beer drink they make (can't remember the name). Def. on my short list of places to visit next time I'm in the area.
(4)Ryan K.
They finally were able to sit me! Seven months ago I was turned off by a 2 hour wait and have been tapping my foot ever since, eagerly anticipating my dinning experience here. Yes, seven months of foot tapping is exhausting. The food was good, my favorite item being the catfish taco. I love the exposed brick and overall decor. My favorite part though? Having your own personal drawer full of silverware and napkins! This is the coolest thing ever. It was like finding a hidden treasure at your table. But then again, I'm a seven year old at heart. So maybe this isn't as cool for you grown up folk.
(4)Angel H.
With all of the hype regarding Sean Brock's latest venture, I was expecting a long wait to dine at Minero, which doesn't take reservations. You can imagine my surprise when I stopped in on a Sunday evening to "put my name down," planning to pop next door at Pearlz for an oyster appetizer, and the hostess said they could seat us right away. (We of course said we needed a cool 15 min and came back after slurping down a dozen oysters). Minero is definitely more casual than Brock's other restaurants (Husk, McCrady's): the hostess doesn't walk you to your table, instead they are numbered and she sends you on a scavenger hunt. At the table, you also hunt for your place setting, which is tucked inside fun drawers that you slide out at your seat. The menu offers lots of small plate options so you can try a few things. We started with the guac and queso fundido. The guac was excellent - fresh, creamy, with the right balance of acid and salt. The tortilla chips came warmed in a fun, patterned pocket. I was surprised by the radish garnish alongside the typical cilantro, but my dining partner assured me that was standard operating procedure. The queso, on the other hand, was a grease bomb (my stomach is still protesting the next morning). It sounds fun in theory, but in reality the cheddar they use alongside the mince makes the overall effect super greasy. We couldn't finish it without feeling bad about ourselves. I wonder if they subbed in a queso blanco if it'd be better. Now on to the tacos (we did not order the burrito based on previous comments). We got the lengua (tongue), catfish, grilled steak and al pastor (pork). My favorite was the catfish, which was perfectly crisp and hot. The lengua was nice and tender, as was the steak, which had a nice chargrilled flavor. The al pastor was my least favorite - it lacked flavor and was too chewy. Overall, except for the catfish, the taco fillings seemed pre-prepared and not made to order fresh (more like made to assemble). Also, the margarita was overly sweet and terrible. Maybe that's how other Yelpers prefer their margs, but we couldn't finish it. The price point is great too - you can affordably eat here and not break the bank!
(4)Ravi T.
I also thought that the place was way overpriced and was trying to be something it's not. My wife and I travel quite often throughout the country and Mexican cuisine is usually our first go to. It's trying hard to be a fine restaurant yet, a margarita machine dead center of the bar tells a different story. After telling the server to leave off certain non-vegetarian ingredients off the menu, it shows up shortly there after. Instead of apologizing when she came by she giggled and said it would be out shortly. Ask for extra salsa on the side since the inadequately proportioned sampler came with too little, and they refuse. On the plus side, the line was short and service, although faulted and not friendly, was quick. I had the burrito, and even enjoyed it. Missed a good hot sauce instead of the store bought, vinegar-laden option on the table. So you travel the world for a better tortilla but can't produce your own hot sauce? I'm surprised that this restaurant has the rating it does. Sadly, we won't be coming back next time we're in town.
(2)Harold W.
We have been wanting to try this place since it opened. Atmosphere was casual and a little bit unusual. We walked in and was greeted by a hostess but she didn't seat us. She just told us a number of the table that we were to sit at. The server was very nice and friendly. She was able to get us started even with the odd situation of how this place works (ie sit yourself seating, silverware and napkins under the tables - so odd/unusual). The explanation of the menu was much appreciated. I really am glad that i asked questions. There are unusual ingredients in some of these food items. Lengua means tongue and if you are not prepared for it it is definitely a different taste expertise. Hey at least i tried it. It may have been immature of me to not eat the whole taco or even swallow the whole bite that i took cuz knowing a tongue was licking me back as i was moving it around in my mouth was a bit too much for me. The flavors were there though.
(4)Bill P.
I have eaten here several times now and have been consistently pleased every time. You cannot find a better value on the peninsula then this place. Delicious, authentic food coming out of a kitchen captained by an award winning chef at very reasonable prices! I've had each of the tacos several times and they're all delicious but my favorites were the charcoal chicken and the carnitas. Also do yourself a favor and order the wings. I know what you're thinking; "wings at a Mexican restaurant?". They are charcoal grilled and tossed in hot sauce right at the table. Those wings are without question some of the best if not THE best wings I've ever had. The salsas are also out of this world. They're not your typical red tomato based salsas, but a trio of more innovative dips. One is a medium nutty salsa that is out of this world. Five stars from me!
(5)Jess D.
Sean Brock does it again! Hands down the best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. You walk in, and a hostess tells you the number of your table. You walk back to see about 20 tables with numbers on the wall above them. You find your seat and have your order taken. They have a wonderful selection of cocktails, wine and beer. An order of chips and salsas are a must. The chips on their own are delicious, but they also serve them with three different salsas, all fantastic. Tacos are served family style, so order a variety to share. The ingredients are so fresh and high quality. The menu says the Minero team tried 40 varieties of corn before they decided on the ones they make the tortillas with. I believe it! The food is spectacular. Silverware and napkins are in a drawer just under your table. A cute touch. The best is the price! Eat a nice dinner-for-two on East Bay for about $30. Seriously. Get out. Menu highlights: - Chips and salsa - Steak taco - Chicken taco Only downside I can think of is that the cell service isn't great inside (and that I can't go everyday!).
(5)Michelle S.
I am glad I got to try this place since there was a 2 hour wait its first week. Today, we got right in. The hostess does not walk you to your table but instead tells you what numbered table you are and you seat yourself. They also have your silverware and napkins in the drawers under the table. The menus are on the table and everything is served family style. All of this is fine, it just would have been nice for some explanation about how the restaurant works. The food was good and reasonably priced for a restaurant on east bay.
(3)TJ L.
Well, honestly, this is a solid place, but not quite as fantastic as I had expected. Overall, the interior was about right where I expected from Mr. Brock and crew. The restaurant is fantastic inside-like a swank/hip Mex joint should look and feel. Minero is rustic, with lots of wood and metal ornamentals, and there is even a counter/shelf inlaid with a layer of coins. It truly has a great look going. The drinks...I can speak to the margaritas...so far. They are excellent. Hand-squeezed juices in the mix make it top. Served in a low-ball glass? Done. The food, what I expected the meat of the review to be a rave over, really wasn't. I like my tacos, and meat, and while these were good, they definitely weren't my preference. (To preface, the meat is diced into larger chunks so that they roll out of the tortilla easier than most.) The tortillas even seem on the verge of the infamous "Chipotle rip". I understand this is how they choose to prepare their meats but in my opinion I just don't think it works as well as being diced up into smaller pieces. Next, the chicken seemed either charred or rubbery-underdone. The catfish mixed with the corn shell was phenomenal! The steak was great (if I had a choice I would have gotten it less done than it was), and the pork was definitely not as tender as I had expected. Overall, everything tasted great, just a few quirks...and those may be worked out too. A good spot, but I wasn't in love with it.
(4)Minta P.
I came across a review for Minero that made Sean Brock sound like a modern day Jesus turning everyday tortilla chips and tacos into dazzling Mexican cuisine sprinkled with sparkling star dust that danced in your mouth. I check out their website and after seeing the prices, it was on my "must" list for checking out. -How can you resist $4 tacos?- My mom, cousin and I went for a later dinner one Friday night. We had to wait for a table for 45 minutes. Luckily they have a bar that runs alongside the wall in the front that you can sit at while you wait...as long as you don't mind staring at yourself in the mirror. Eating dinner here is an option, but we wanted to wait for a table. We did enjoy a couple of cocktails and some chips and guacamole while we waited. The chips were some of the best chips that I have had at any Mexican joint around here, and the guacamole was very fresh and you could taste every ingredient in it. I was kinda sad to see it go. Once at the table and the food was ordered, it did not long for it to come out. I think the majority of the people in the restaurant were mostly there sitting and drinking after their meals. Our meal included the grilled steak taco, charcoaled chicken taco, taco al pastor, and the Minero burrito. Hands down, best pastor taco ever. I highly recommend it! The burrito was huge! And it was delicious! The chicken was pretty good as well. My mom enjoyed the steak. I can't comment on it since I do not eat beef. Definitely get a margarita! Also try an estrellita - vodka, hibiscus, cinnamon, lime, mint. ...can I just say yum? I would've stayed and ordered them all night if I could have! Our server was great! She was very attentive and personable. I will definitely be going back. Thanks Jesus, er I mean Sean!
(4)Fiona D.
Amazing food, great service & yummy cocktails. Catfish tacos & steak tacos are a winner. Very trendy atmosphere... We will be back.
(5)Benjamin M.
Come for the ambience and drinks. As far as the attempt at "upscale Mexican" food, it was good, but not exactly what I was expecting either with menu options or prices. You not going to find your typical or traditional combination platters or entrees, but rather à la carte menu items that you have to mix and match till you completely get what you want to eat. Obviously, there are pluses and minuses with that depending on your appetite or meal desires. I opted to try the Charcoaled Chicken Taco and Pork Carnitas Taco, which were both really good, but at $3-4 a taco, I was underwhelmed and still hungry. Don't expect chips and salsa either, unless you're willing to fork over another four bucks for the "appetizer." The margaritas were very good though. The restaurant itself is very stylish and beautiful, although rather small. I thought the tables, with the built in drawers of silverware and napkins, were an interesting twist and rather cool. However, the waitress was either very new or just very aloof, but I wasn't overly impressed with the service, from the drinks to the food. Overall, a middle-of-the-road experience, but I'm sure there are more substantial meal options around downtown Charleston at a better value. 3.5 Stars.
(3)Steven P.
A much needed and wonderfully executed addition to the downtown dining scene, in particular, and to Charleston's (and much of America's) perspective of what Mexican food is and can be. Each dish is artfully presented; the simple but distinctive flavors matching the vibrant colors on display. Chef Brock has done an impressive job at interpreting traditional Mexican (not Tex-Mex) recipes and translating each into a uniquely Charleston experience, without it ever feeling forced or gimmicky. In our two visits during the past month we've tried 5 of the 6 tacos, the posole, chilaquiles, the potato & mushroom mula, queso fundido, shrimp & grits, and the churros. I highly recommend them all, with the green chorizo tacos as our favorite so far. The cocktails and non-alcoholic aquas frescas we've tasted have all been great, too. Next visit I'm going to have to start making my way through that extensive tequila list!
(5)Doug W.
The food here seems inconsistent. But their menu has seemed to offer more options. I've been here at least 5 or 6 times, and each time it's different. Unfortunately, the street corn and rice (arroz rojo) become worse each time. This time the rice was mush. Overall, though, it's decent food for a decent price. But it's not as good as it used to be. Drinks are consistently good, but it's silly that they do 1 oz. pours instead of 1.5 oz. They do have a great tequila selection. I would say this place is as good as Taco Boy.
(3)Nicole R.
The worst service, disrespectful to us and our party. Christ chapman was rude and I would not recommend eating here especially if you are looking for a good time.
(1)Jon C.
Wow! This is some of the best Mexican food we've ever had. We ordered the guac and wings for appetizer, both were fantastic. Tacos were excellent, with house made corn tortillas. The best, in my opinion, is the burrito. It was without question the most spectacular burrito of my life. Highly, highly recommended.
(5)Keith H.
Sometimes the food is too good to take pictures... THIS was one of those times! Boom! Wow! Wonderful! EXCEPTIONAL! It captured the spirit of different regions in Mexico while adding a touch of Charleston. I don't consider myself a Mex Food expert by any means, but I like to think I have an idea of what I'm talking about after living in SE Texas and traveling through Mexico and Central America. I went into Minero with preconceived notions and was very weary of all the hype - "Charleston has no idea about Mexican food. This isn't Texas or the Frontera Grill," stuff like that. I definitely did NOT think it was going to be as good as it was! I was straight up WRONG... and everything was AWESOME! WOW! The Minero burrito was exceptional, unique and truly amazing. A rich and perfect blend of flavors and textures, using authentic regional cheese from Mexico and clearly a house-made flour tortilla (which is a difference maker in any GREAT Mex restaurant). [Seriously, house-made tortillas are a pretty big deal and should be considered in selecting any Mex restaurant]. Also, the corn tortilla's are house-made, which is much more uncommon for restaurants, and I've only experienced a few times in this country. The Chilaquiles were a great appetizer-style dish to share between two people. Again, like any great Mexican food... it was a treat of diverse flavors and textures, all of which were amazing! Also makes a great breakfast item! The tacos are complex, yet presently simply with seemingly no frills or effort - the effort is in the selection of ingredients and preparation of those ingredients. The pork carnita's taco was the favorite out of the two tacos ordered and we were disappointed we didn't order more! The space is small and is very much like an upscale tequila bar. It has the hustle and bustle of a Mexican Tienda and is lively and vibrant. Some cool, likely hand-made tables have the silverware and napkins in a pull-out drawer under the table... kind of like a desk at school. I fully recommend the Minero Burrito to anyone... I will be going back again and again...
(5)Andrew W.
Tough to find quality and authentic Mexican in Charleston, but Sean Brock's newest restaurant is a treat. House-made corn tortillas, excellent salsa and guacamole, and an OUT OF THIS WORLD burrito top my favorites on the menu. I usually like to mix things up and explore a restaurant's menu, but the burrito is so good I end up ordering it every time. No meat needed because this guy packs a punch. The fried cheese exterior is quite the finish and something I'd never seen before. Delicious (large) margaritas and a fairly extensive beer list. The interior is small, narrow and dimly lit. Some interesting tables (complete w/ pull out drawers for napkins and silverware; makes for a tight but cozy fit). Note: they do not take reservations, but the locations makes it such that if you have to wait, you won't have a problem finding a pre-meal drink.
(5)Katrina C.
We came here our last night in Charleston and it did not disappoint! Loved the decor and all of the staff was so friendly. We ordered tacos al pastor, green chorizo taco with potato and grilled onion, grilled steak taco, and sloppy Jose torta. The tacos are served on small tortillas, which is great because you are able to try many different items on the menu. The sloppy Jose torta was served on a bun, so it could be a full meal. If I had to pick a favorite it would have been the green chorizo or the taco al pastor. Definitely would recommend and can't wait to eat here again!
(5)Amy L.
I've seen some mixed reviews for this place, so I went in almost afraid of disappointment. However, our experience was fabulous for everyone at our table! We went for a fairly early lunch on a Friday and were seated promptly. The server was an excellent help since I'm vegetarian and had a few additional questions. Everyone else enjoyed the queso fundido immensely and it was plenty to share between three. I got to burrito which is vegetarian and MASSIVE. IT WAS ONE OF MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BURRITOS EVER. Sorry for the obnoxious caps, BUT, they did this thing with the cheese, where they toasted the outside of it which gave it a crisp outer layer that was absolutely amazing! Added some texture and flair to the burrito, which was jam packed with good stuff- though a bit on the spicy side (but the peppers can easily be picked out, making it more mild). It should be two meals, I managed to finish it though. I would say with this almost anyone would find it enough for more than one meal. Coworkers like the catfish and steak tacos, as well as the shrimp and grits. Since we work downtown and all have eaten all over Charleston I was impressed over the rave review of the shrimp and grits which is a common dish around here! We ended the meals with the churros and chocolate dipping sauce. I can only speak for myself but the burrito and churros (split three ways) was hugely reasonable and a great option for those who want to try this place without breaking the bank! I would go back.
(5)Andie C.
We stopped in on a sunny afternoon to finally try this place out. Unfortunately, we had a rough experience, which will most likely make this visit my last. The space is very tight. We were sitting so close to the table next to us, that we felt like we were practically dining with them. Conversation was hard to carry because all we could hear were the couple next to us. When it came time to go, the tables were so close together that I could barely shimmy my way between them. I think they could benefit from removing some tables to create a better individual dining experience. The food, well what we could eat of it, was pretty tasty. We started out with chips and guacamole. Everything was very fresh. The guacamole had a little too much cilantro for my husband's liking. Unfortunately, when we were about 3/4 of the way done with the little bowl, we found a black hair. We promptly reported to our server. The manager was informed, and we were well taken care of regarding the matter, but the incident had some lasting impressions. My husband ordered two tacos, but was uninterested in them after the hair incident. I ordered a steak taco...it was fresh and flavorful. I recommend it. Overall, because of our hairy situation, I don't think we will be returning back to Minero. I understand that hair is a natural thing, but to have it land in our food makes me wonder what other unsanitary practices are happening at this establishment. I also think there are better places to grab a taco in town, especially places with a much better overall dining experience. Try it if you must, but maybe give them some time to work out the kinks?
(2)J C.
Fish taco's and the chips and salsa's (you get 3 kinds) are great! Place is always packed.
(4)Jack G.
Well worth the hype. Thought it was going to be either Tex-mex, or a trendy mexican/new-american style restaurant, but it somehow did Mexican food better than most places I've eaten at in Mexico or New York. Loved all the salsas and the chilaquiles. Was very surprised at how empty it was during lunch time. Only regret is not trying the churros. Price was great too. 5/5 for Sean Brock
(5)Brandon S.
So eclectic and different, I love this place! While the menu prices are all over the board, the food and drinks are well worth the money. Delicious margaritas and mouthwatering chilaquiles made my night! Also, this place is busy as all get out every time I go by it, however the staff is friendly and helpful - shout out to our bartender Edson and server Sam: you guys were great and so much fun to chat with! I will be back...over and over again!
(5)Amit K.
Holy Tamale! We were recommended this place by a local and boy we were so not disappointed. The space, while not huge, has well placed tables and good decor. That out of the way, the drinks and food were absolutely delicious. The El Diablo cocktail was very well made, fusing the flavors perfectly while maintaining the expected punch. The special tacos (okra, chicken) were fresh and well balanced, the charcoal grilled veggie quesadilla was perfection, and the veggie burrito was absolutely out of this world. Run to this place before they change a thing....
(5)Lynn B.
To me this is more of an eclectic Mexican restaurant vs traditional. Service was great, staff was friendly. Food was a little odd but was surprisingly good. I asked for some chips and salsa - got a sample. They don't have traditional chips and salsa. That was disappointing. I would recommend this but know it's not your normal Mexican restaurant which is both a positive and negative.
(4)Cm E.
Not impressed. Queso fun dido was very greasy and served with bland corn tortillas. Also ordered the guacamole and chips. They were ok. Bartender was pleasant and gave great service.
(2)Steven C.
I try to visit Charleston a few times a year, and from here on out, Minero will be a stop every single time. The Tortillas, uniquely perfection (made with heirloom corn and witchcraft or whatever), freshly made on site. I've had the Chiliquiles (bomb), the Fondito (also bomb), several tacos (all very much bomb), the wings (Bomb as $%^&!!), the elote (Surprise! It was Bomb!) and the Satanico frozen cocktail (Sublimly bomb, and on my short list of best ever cocktails). They also have a really great selection of reasonably priced tequila and mescal, as well as some tequilas aged in various bourbon barrels. I tried the Jimador aged in Buffalo trace barrels. It was a revelation. As a Mexican food connoisseur, trust me that this place needs to be on your 'Must try in Charleston' list. And allow me to emphasize one last time, the wings; Ive had wings coast to coast, including Duffy's in Buffalo, the supposed birth place of the buffalo wing. I feel I am uniquely qualified to judge wings, and these are near the top of my short list. Slow cooked over charcoal, and tossed with my favorite hot sauce, Valentina, even if you're not a huge taco fan, come here and just get the wings and bourbon barrel aged tequila. Life will be good.
(5)Woody C.
We've spent a fair amount of time at a resort in Mexico, and that's pretty much the limit of my knowledge of cuisine from south of the border. This reminds me of that food...especially the corn and chips. I will say Minero's chips are far better than the typical gutbomb Mexican joints around town. The mixed drinks really deliver, too. The utensils in the table drawer and one restroom are forgivable, but The ONLY REASON I must deduct a star is because they leave the window open, which lets in goddamned tobacco smoke. I really wanted to leave 5 stars...
(4)Frank G.
Too noisy, loud music, strange customer seating process, silverware in draw under tale. You better hope they tell you about this. Tacos are small, Margarita for $8.50, no value. Tables are too close, you can hear, the person next to you breathing. Now, food is very tasty although everything is seasoned 'hot'. Decor is rustic, but very nice. I'm sure the chef is trying to due custom mexican food, good idea, so forget the Mexican food you have had in the past, and try this. You be the judge. Frank G
(2)Deb W.
There's been SO much hype about Minero's I really didn't expect it could possibly live up the the hype, but it did. The food was excellent and fresh, as were the drinks. The Ambiance is great. The margarita's were perfect. I'm really not a veggie type person, but decided to try the burrito which has no meat. It was AMAZING and HUGE!!! I only got through 1/2 of it. I can't wait for lunch tomorrow. My husband had 3 different tacos and loved each one. They had a wonderfully grilled taste. The fried catfish taco was very lightly breaded and fried. The guac and chips were probably the best we've ever had and we eat a ton of Mexican, including local eateries in Mexico. We also thought everything was very reasonably priced. I gave it 4 stars for 2 reasons - first you can only get corn tortilla's with your tacos. I dislike corn tortillas to the point that it would keep me from ordering them, but luckily the burrito had a flour tortilla. I also wasn't a fan of the plastic glasses. Although they were very high end plastic, I still like my drinks in glass (this was a tiny issue, I know)
(4)Shamik T.
What a fantastic place! Delicious Mexican cuisine, artfully done, and tasty drinks to boot. I had never even heard of this place, and only realized it was affiliated with Brock line of restaurants after the fact. I'd love to come back here. My only gripe was the size of the dining room. I wish it were bigger.
(4)Dave L.
Love Husk, Love McCrady's but am not thrilled by Minero. It was a real disappointment. The real highlight was the chips and salsa and guacamole. I would definite come back for those - maybe - $12 for a few chips and sauces is a little pricy. However the tacos were basically bland and unimaginative. I mean they were OK truck tacos but I expect so much more from Sean Brock and his chefs. This is not on my list of restaurants to which I plan to return
(2)Lily H.
First off, I love the casual atmosphere/decor here! Second, the staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable (I asked what the plates were made out of and the waitress was ready with the answer). Third of all, the food is awesome. I went with two other friends and we ordered the chips and guac, the queso fundido, six tacos, and the hot dog confit torta because why not. The guac was chunky with lots of cilantro and topped with shredded radish and chili powder. Yum. The queso fundido was cheesy, meaty deliciousness. I ordered the pork carnitas taco and the fried whiting taco. The whiting had a flawless breading and the toppings were perfect. And the carnitas taco - I mean, pork is Chef Sean Brock's thing so if you don't get pork something you are making a mistake. That line of thinking led us to order the hot dog confit torta. This was a very good bad decision. Hot dog fried in pork fat topped with ham on a sandwich. Yes. And it was evil and makes any other preparation of a hot dog seem sub par. Get this torta. The drinks were also on point! I got the El Satanico on the recommendation of a man who looked like a retired sailor and it was a winner!
(5)Sydney G.
Just ate here and was extremely impressed. The drinks were refreshing and creatively done and priced on par foot the area. Tried a bite of each of the tacos on the menu, and they were all great (especially the chorizo and the steak). Loved the guacamole (if you don't like cilantro, this isn't the restaurant for you) and the queso fundido as appetizers. I don't think you'd like this place you're not a fan of corn tortillas and cilantro because they definitely feature heavily. The most unique thing on the menu, the hot dog confit, was a definite crowd pleaser. We split it between 3 people and everyone had more than enough. Totally creative and delicious. Definitely a winner. After 6 drinks, 2 apps, 6 tacos, and a torta split between 3 people, our bill was just about $40 each (120 total) which was pretty reasonable, considering the area and the quality and amount of all the food we got. The service was absolutely spectacular. Everyone was very friendly and did their best to try and make everyone feel like they were the only table in the restaurant. Chef Brock did a walkthrough at one point and I squealed like a little fan girl (which I am). It was only a little embarrassing.
(5)Danielle M V.
The place was really cute and quaint. The staff was super friendly but I would say the taco' s (had 4 different ones) were good- but not great. The chargrilled chicken & steak ones were better than the green chirizo or the el pastor (personal opinion). Wish the homemade tortillas (very good) were slightly larger for $4 to $4.50 a taco. I heard the wings & mexican corn are really good but we didnt want to get messy when we had plans to go elsewhere afterwards. The wedge salad was really good & different enough from other restuarants, it had a little kick and variety! The sangria- I felt, should have had something as a garnish, fruit for instance... A lime, an orange, lemon, strawberry- I don't know- bacon! something! ?!? Lol ! But it was refreshing to say the least. The thing that was cute but bothered me was the silverware in the slide out tray connected to the tables. Great concept but how can I be sure that the person that was there before me did not touch all the silverware.... Picking and choosing which ones they wanted and how do we know that they did not put silverware back in there let alone w washed hands. I'm a little bit of a germ a phobe...
(3)Melencia J.
I really like the vibe of this place. It's trendy, not your usual Mexican spot. It was a bit loud, but the aestetics make up for that. I love the exposed brick in most Charleston buildings. No free chips and salsa... but do order some, they are made in house and delicious! I think the server was more excited to tell us about the utinsel drawer hidden in the table than anything on the menu. However, we worked it out with Google. I had three tacos, they were about $4 a piece. The charcoal chicken tacos were amazing! Melt in your mouth juicy and tender. The steak taco was ok, not enough seasoning for me. The pork nacho with runny egg dish was pretty good, but there was only one small piece of pork. I will definitely visit the other restaurants in this group when I return to Charleston!
(4)Rebecca A.
Location, location, location. I've lived in Charleston for 15 years now so as a local, not a new transplant in my 20's, drinking until 2 at Wet Willies, I avoid this section of East Bay at all cost. And with so many other easier accessible lunch spots in Charleston now, I have no interest in driving down East Bay at 1PM for lunch. But my friends wanted to check it out, so we went, but I was pretty much turned off from the start. The place was packed and didn't have a spot for three so we stood by the door waiting to be seated. It was hot. Really hot. The vent above our head was sweating. (Sorry, I'm a Yelper, I notice everything now!) When three spots at the back bar cleared we were seated. The bartender was great. A new transplant herself from NY and very personable. She recommended the queso as a started so we ordered it. Buyer beware, it's not queso! Not the ooey gooey cheese sauce all of us call queso. It's queso fundido. Melted cheese with chorizo and cilantro. It had good flavor, but $9 for what we got was not satisfying. To drink we ordered the El Satánico. I found it oddly terrible. I'm a drinker, and love trying new and fun cocktails, but this frozen $10 concoction did not hit the spot for me. We then ordered all six of the different tacos, the veggie tortilla, and grilled corn so we could each try a bite or two of everything. The best two bites for me were from the fried catfish taco and grilled corn. The worst bite was from the grilled corn. Wait what? Yeah, the first bite I had was awesome. Then I turned to the side the "country ham" was on and it was terrible. I love pork, bacon, ham, all of it, but it is not needed on this corn. Plus it looked like imitation bacon. Or they used a microplane to shave the ham on there. Weird. The reason the catfish taco was the best bite out of the six taco offerings was bc it offered a nice cooling tartar sauce (Plus I moved the raw red onions out of the way of coarse). The pork caranitas taco is also a good choice bc of the crunchy jowl. I didn't have a problem with the size of the tacos. I mean $3 and $4 for fresh ingredients, it's not a bad deal. I just know I won't go back for lunch bc of the hassle of getting to and from and around that section of East Bay.
(3)Stephanie O.
One of the best margaritas I've had. Great place, nice decor with exposed brick. Tacos were excellent-had the al pastor, the lengua and the fried catfish tacos. All excellent-the corn tortillas were great. The catfish one was prob my fav. My husband got the al pastor, steak and green chorizo tacos. All good. Great, interesting and fresh flavors. Server was excellent, very nice and helpful
(5)John S.
A dazzling display of flavors and superb service, Minero was an unexpected and very welcome detour from our fill of seafood joints while visiting Charleston. The kitchen team and the front-of-the-house staff are obviously invested in your experience and it showed from a clear explanation of the menu and its flavors, to the remarkable care the chefs take in preparing the dishes. This is not your typical Mexican place by any means, but there's a lot of familiar dishes, they're just prepared with superior ingredients and everything is made from scratch. The green enchilada special and catfish tacos were out of this world. Maybe the best fish taco I've ever had. And the chips and salsa were amazing, too. Can't say enough good things about this place. Best of all, it doesn't break the bank to eat here. That's rare for a restaurant of this caliber in Charleston.
(5)Greg L.
Minero is a great blend of Sean Brock's local food philosophy, easy going atmosphere, and excellent food. We ate 2 tacos, the burrito, chilaquiles, salsa sampler, and drank the tea of the day (really nice hybiscus/ginger blend). Everything was delicious. To me, the difference between a good restaurant and great restaurant is that a great restaurant can make classic items seem fresh and present something new that seems like it should have been a classic all along. Minero does just that. The salsa with from benne seed was exceptional. The burrito with a cheese crusted tortilla...what?!? Awesome. I'm a huge fan. I hope Chef Brock continues down this affordable direction vs. the higher $ end. It seems like he's having fun with this food and it really stands above Husk and McCrady's in my opinion.
(5)Andrew H.
I had heard all kinds of things about Sean Brock's new version of Zia Taqueria starting this summer, when I was buried under law books and tears while thinking of creative ways to kill myself. But all that has passed, and things couldn't be worse, so I decided it was finally time to try this place. You walk into Minero and are immediately struck by how trendy it is. It makes ZIa's look like a place for poors! The hosts wears lovely jackets and all the staff either has trendy beards, thick rimmed glasses, or Macklemore-style haircuts! It is also prompt. If you are still seated after closing time, you won't have the chance at having another drink or anymore service at al, so get there early! Our server basically disappeared when 11 came, and my party sat alone in an empty restaurant for 30 minutes waiting for him to release us. I guess it was punishment? Maybe he wanted to give us our meal? I finally realize how Adnan feels serving a life sentence for a crime he "claims" he never committed. The food at Minero is fine. Their queso is more like a pizza instead of cheese dip, and taco are a dime a dozen, really. The margarita had no salt and was $8.50, which is the same price as a handle of liquor from Costco, which I wish I had had before going so I could overlook some of the lesser details of the night. Minero gets 3 stars for being trendy and having Mexican food, but loses stars when it comes to their punishment policy. Yeah, I know I was having a late dinner, but there was no need to make me feel like a small school boy destined for a spanking from a burly bearded man.
(3)George K.
Stoked on this place. I have been wanting to check out sean brock's new Mexican concept for awhile now and I was not let down. I had the chilaquiles. Freaking awesome
(5)Frank K.
After a long walk downtown we decided to try Minero for an early dinner on a Thursday. A mixed experience awaited us. They were already busy at 6 but we lucked out and were offered a table for two close to the bar. As with Sean Brock's McCrady's operation, there is careful attention to detail, even with small things such as seating, diinnerware and napkins (inside small drawers at the table) elegantly simple/rustic tableware, and even the payment cubes (blocks of wood with nooks and slots for the check, pen, and credit cards.) We opted for simple meal--a sample of the salsas along with tortilla chips for an appetizer along with a margarita and beer, then on to more substantial fare. My dining partner had the Squash/Zucchini/Mushroom Mule in a Benne Tortilla and I had the Minero Burrito. The burrito was a concoction of hoppin' John, Poblano Chile, shredded cabbage, Oaxaca queso, crema, and avocado. The salsa and chips were interesting--not run of the mill. The benne salsa had almost a nutty flavor, the verde had bright, citrusy notes, and arbol salsa was brown and very spicy. All the salsas were spicier than the typical fare you would get at Zia, Basico or other decent Mexican places in town. Neither of us was blown away by the salsa and the chips but they were decent. Worth trying again. Oh-- the margarita---OK, quite sour, but in a good way. I would give the edge to Zia, which offers an array of margarita choices and whose premium margaritas seem to have just a bit more finesse and bolder taste. The Mule was good if not outstanding and was plenty big enough for a meal in combination with some chips and a side. Fresh zucchini, squash, mushroom in a benne encrusted toasted tortilla--interesting. As a side dish, we shared the Ranch Gordo beans which were cooked in a light broth with chopped cilantro included. A hearty, full taste, well worth the $3. The burrito was something else. It's size and foil wrapping and "wrapped for your protection" sticker drew chuckles from us-- an homage to Juanita Greenberg's giant burritos on King Street? However the quality of the Minero burrito was beyond anything else I've had locally. The first bite was a "wow" experience. Somehow the combination of the poblano chile, hoppin' john, avocado and queso worked. There was also a thin layer of Oaxaca queso on the bottom half of the burrito--flash fried? Outstanding.
(4)Tiffany B.
We tried this place on a complete whim and I'm so glad! The food is awesome. The chicken wings are not to be missed...never would have thought to order them on our own but our server recommended it. Some of the best wings we've ever had! We tried a variety of tacos and they were all great. Our favorite was the fried catfish!
(4)Rachelle S.
This restaurant has the worst staff and manager Chris Chapman. He was rude and completely disrespectful. Unfortunately they are unable to properly turn tables in a timely fashion. We were told that the wait was 1 hour and 15 minutes. After two hours, we were still not seated. The table we were waiting on was not leaving due to server negligence. The table was trying to pay and couldn't leave because the server didn't take the bill. Unfortunately the manager was rude, the hostess gave us inaccurate wait times, and the servers weren't attentive. We had to take our business elsewhere after two hours of waiting, negotiation, and being maltreated as the customers. It is appalling that business don't understand that they are striving to accommodate the customer.
(1)Erin F.
Enjoyed a delicious lunch at Minero for our first meal in Charleston. Highly recommend the catfish taco and the okra taco special we tried. The churros were the perfect finish to the meal! :) love the tables that have a drawer for your silverware
(5)J T.
We had read about Minero's in the WSJ. I had the Queso Fundido, which was heavy on the cheese but light on the chorizo and roasted poblanos. The homemade tortillas didn't quite live up to the hype. They seemed small and somewhat tasteless. Maybe my expectations were too great. It was a neat "date" place, providing lots of opportunity for good tastes but small proportions. Presentation and ambience get high marks but then that's not what you eat.
(3)Lisa J.
We like this place a lot. Stopped in for dinner and went back for lunch later in the week. Didn't have more than a five minute wait either time - pretty sure that was a fluke. Cool interior, exposed brick and good seating, tables are close together but not unnervingly so. Like that you can have as many napkins as you want in your drawer, but they moved away from a full drawer of forks etc because no one wanted to take a fork out of a drawer that the last 5 people touched. I'll agree with that. A really tasty margarita, they seemed a lot stronger at dinner, but tasty all the same at lunch. Guacamole is good, a small portion with some nice warm chips - not Rosa Mexicano but really good. Definite must tries are the Fried Catfish Taco, Taco al Pastor, Pork Carnitas Taco. Liked the wedge salad, but too much dressing so I'd ask for it on the side next time. Wish they would have more salad/fresh green offerings. A couple of people in our group ordered the Sweet Potato Mushroom Mula - the verdict was ok, a little too smokey in taste; the tacos were better. Overall we'll absolutely go back, but being in town often, we'll wait for tourist season to be over so we can walk in.
(4)M N.
Good Mexican. Multiple flavored not just a one trick pony. Pozole was baller. Lam shank barbacoa was out of control. Guy fieri.
(5)Rachel B.
I was pleasantly surprised to find authentic dishes like posole and mole here! We ordered both lf those dishes plus a green chorizo taco and it was all delicious. Waitress could have been better but it was quick. Its not mexico but about as close as you can get in Charleston. Update: no shame, we went there twice. just go. trust me.
(5)Cassie S.
Last time I will ever go to Minero. There was, what I am assuming, a manager behind the bar with the bartender and it was just a disaster. The bar was dirty when we sat down, the bartender was still not friendly. The servers to our left were just dropping dishes and causing a lot of noise that was making us annoyed. The bartender and manager proceeded to talk about other employees directly in front of us and it was very unprofessional. When we asked about certain liquor, the manager had no knowledge of what was on the bar. She was touching her hair while making drinks and not washing her hands. The food was mediocre, again. There was so much cilantro on top of our dish it looked like a salad. Truly nothing good to say about this place.
(1)Liz L.
Get the tacos. Al Pastor, Charcol Chicken - amazing flavors. Some items are overpriced and know that not all the dishes are described accurately by the staff (we've had mishaps regarding portions, if dishes contained specific ingredients, etc). Nevertheless, we've tried 8-9 things from the menu and they've all ranged from good to amazing. Favorites are the tacos and Chilaquiles. The salsa sampler is expensive for what it is but the Benne Seed salsa is worth it so you can at least try it once.
(4)Charlie M.
My girlfriend and I had dinner at Minero last night and, though the food was hit or miss, the pluses outweigh the minuses and I would go back for a second round. To start we ordered the Guacamole, which was fantastic, served with warm, presumably house-made tortilla chips. We also ordered the queso fundido, which was too greasy and salty to finish. This one dish gave us both indigestion. We got five tacos, in order of deliciousness: fried catfish, lengua (2x), grilled steak, and al pastor. The fried catfish was great, the fish hot and crispy, served with a wonderful tartar sauce. The lengua (tongue) was tender and well-seasoned. The steak had a great, smokey flavor, but unfortunately came with cheese that made the taco too salty to enjoy. Al Pastor (pork with pineapple) was forgettable, the meat over-seasoned and unctuous. The service was snappy, which I appreciated, but the $9 margarita I ordered was cloyingly sweet and terrible. All in all a mixed bag, but Charleston is wanting for good taco options and Minero appears to be the best in town.
(4)Nicole S.
Menu seemed a little redundant. Server had a very particular take on customer service and etiquette that I was surprised to see in the hospitality field. It felt more hostile than hospitable. Food was good but not better than a few other greats in town ( Zia way way better) Nice atmosphere but way too loud for conversation. Pleasing decor. One bathroom unbelievable for the size of the restaurant. Every person had to wait every time. Cool drawers in the tables. Delicious chips with cool oven mitt style delivery. Probably wouldn't return unless someone else insisted. Too many other choices.
(2)Luc P.
Minero is fabulous place for lunch! I would describe dishes as a fireworks of flavors! You can easily tell that the chef is having fun. So did we. The menu is very diversified, and fairly priced. Lots of options, with good choices below 5$, so you can try a few. The ingredients are very fresh. You can taste many colors of Mexican food. Peppers, cilantro, chiles, cheese, etc. lively ambiance with very good services. Limited beer choices, but amazing Tequila and mezcal selections. It is nicely decorated, with funny little things, like drawers for utensils under the table. I would go again for sure!
(5)Rachelle B.
Amazing tacos. Tacos al pastor were so flavourful and the churros were the perfect end to the meal. Highly recommend.
(5)Teresa I.
I love Mexican cuisine. Mineros doesn't disappoint. The food is wonderful, unique, fresh with a twist. In addition, the service was outstanding! Our server, Ellen, was professional, knowledgeable and so much fun. This is not to be missed and the prices are very reasonable.
(5)Amy C.
The Chef, Sean, has several well known upscale restaurants in Charleston, and this is suppose to be a much more 'chill' version of those upscales and his take on Mexican. I have heard great things about him, and his cooking resume is scattered with awards. However, I was disappointed with the food. Having never been to any of his other restaurants, there had been SO MUCH hype surrounding this man and his food that when I tried the salsa, I almost threw up in my mouth. It was way too spicy and not enough other flavors to balance out the heat. The other two salsas in the salsa trio were too bland for my taste so I was left with salsas that were barely edible to me. My friend, fiancee, and I split a bunch of tacos including their taco of the day (which was a tongue of some kind or maybe liver) ... my only complaint about all of the tacos was that the meats were seasoned enough (we also got a beef and chicken taco). When you watch the great cook reality shows on TV like top chef and others, the judges aka world renowned chefs always emphasize flavor flavor flavor. I got none of that at Minero. I don't doubt Sean's talents as a chef and am still willing to try his other restaurants in Charleston, but he is certainly not the godly chef that many people have portrayed him to be and he has certainly come down a few pegs in my mind. We got the prosecco and that was great and their drink menus looked devine. We were celebrating my engagement (:D), which is why we went with a classier drink!
(3)Tyler D.
A narrow little restaurant on East Bay street, its not pretentious or fancy inside as one would expect. The Host told me i was sitting at table 26 and pointed to it from her stand. It didnt really matter, but i recall how i was thinking i could care less what number table is mine, just show me where it is... Also after about 5 minutes of sitting and eating chips we asked for napkins and the waitress pointed to under the table. Again a simple thing to explain when I'm walking in, no stars lost for it though, maybe its their thing. The food - Margarita- 8/10-Tasty but too much ice in a short glass for $8.50 each Chips and Guacomole-6/10 - very average Chips and Salsa 7/10- nice trio of salsas Beef Tounge Taco- 7/10- A little plain Carnitas Taco 9/10 Chicken Taco 8/10 Catfish Taco 7.5/10 Nothing was extemley good/interesting flavor/texture wise except for the carnitas taco- just pretty good tacos and I like how its all al la carte, I will be back
(4)Yolanda M.
Burrito big enough to share and still take some home, corn on the cob was crazy good. Tacos all good and chicken wings amazing. A definite good and cheap dinner!!!
(5)Gary R.
The heat has arrived! Shrimp & masa grits, carnitas taco, fish taco & mould (vegetable torta). All very good, worth a 1 hour wait! It's nice to eat spicy food in Charleston!
(4)Haley H.
Loved everything we ordered. I'm not usually a fan of corn tacos but the corn tortillas were very good.
(5)Dawn M.
Very rich caloric recipes but tasty! Attentive service. Bloody Sangria adult beverage needs a bit of work. Filled with small children the evening we were dining who cleared out by about 7:30. Nothing against little ones, but the atmosphere is very loud in the base case.
(4)Andrew W.
So we decided last week to make a trip to acclaimed Chef Sean Brock's newest place on East Bay in downtown Charleston. First impressions upon entering was what a weird outfit the hostess was wearing and how small it was. There was a thirty minute wait quoted by said hostess so we sat at a small seating area at the front and had a drink to pass the time. We were seated much faster than anticipated and sat at a small table near the back of the restaurant where there is a small bar and seating for eight or so. As we scanned the menu it became apparent we were going to have a hard time deciding on what to try so we made it easy...order one of each type of taco on the homemade tortilla wraps and add an order of wings. The wings came in a bowl, were thrown into a bag right table side and the waitress added the sauce and mixed right there. They were delicious! The wide variety of tacos soon arrived and we shared a bite or two of each...they are not huge but bigger than I had anticipated when I heard they were only 4 inch tortillas. Unfortunately a couple weren't great but on the whole everything was amazing. one of the neatest things about your table was that each seat had a drawer with silverware and napkins right in front of you. I'll definitely be back...prices were very reasonable.
(4)Jess L.
While it pains me to say so, I didn't like this restaurant, at all. The best thing that I can say about it is that the atmosphere is "cute" and the servers were nice and polite. And....and....nope, I've got nothin' else. I left pretty disappointed and very unimpressed. I feel like we paid a whole lotta money for a whole lotta nothin'! For appetizers, we ordered chips and guacamole. The chips were so spicy that I couldn't eat them ( I know that's a personal preference and that some people do, indeed, like food of the spicy variety...but plain chips??) Portions were incredibly small considering the price. We left just as hungry as when we arrived and honestly considered a drive-thru on the way home. I couldn't find one thing I liked on the menu, so I asked if I could just order a plain chicken taco with cheese. In my head, I'm picturing taco boy tacos. Big soft meaty chunks of chicken with melted cheese, right? Wrong. Very wrong. The chicken was so rubbery that only 2 out of the maybe 5 (very, very small pieces of chicken) pieces were edible. Then, I'm pretty sure they shook out a very small bit of cold Parmesan cheese (yes, the kind you sprinkle on spaghetti) and called it a chicken and cheese taco. To top it all off, my husbands water class had lipstick marks on it....no, I was not wearing lipstick. And no, neither was my husband :-/ Super disappointing, especially since we were very excited to try this. I would not go back, nor would I recommend this place to anyone else.
(2)Michelle P.
Even though the people seem to be hot or cold, the food is why I came. I had the queso fundido, which is a delicious and flavorful pepper mix covered with melted, bubbly cheese. This comes with tasty, rough-ground corn tortillas made to scoop it up and pile into your mouth. I also had the green chorizo tacos which were a little simple in their taste complexity, yet still definitely chorizo tacos. Oh, and the drinks! Those were the highlight of the day, with hibiscus and cinnamon, grapefruit, and peach creations.
(4)S S.
Overall food was good (small portions), but nothing too special. Our first time experience was not good and it's hard to say if I will return to their establishment. First impression is everything, right? I'll get straight to the point. Good: ambiance, food, decor, waiting staff. Bad: small portions, no phone service if you have AT&T, must 'request' for a big enough table for 5+ ppl instead of assuming, because the hostess will put 2 2tops together (perfect for 4ppl but not 5) and she'll also tell you they can't put 3 tables together. She won't event ask if you would rather have that option until after she tries to seat you and will later say "you'll have to wait longer." Minero is not ideal for party of 5 or more.
(3)Erika R.
Average service. Good food. The queso was a bit of a let down because of a heavy melted cheese later that was hard to spread into the tortillas and lacking in the creamy queso consistency I'm used to. The tacos were really good. Between my husband and I we tried 5 different options. The catfish and al pastor were my favorites. I would have preferred a flour tortilla option. Margaritas were delicious.
(4)Linda R.
The food was spectacular here. I also think the items are appropriately priced. I'm from out of town and the taco places where I'm from don't get much cheaper. This is not a hole-in-the-wall sort of place where you would expect $2 tacos. Go somewhere else for that. My only qualm was the service. The most casual of Brock's restaurants....it definitely had the most casual service. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very friendly. But it was difficult to grab her attention because she was talking to other servers and co-workers and patrons for too long. It took forever for me to get utensils for our food and to get the check at the end of the meal. And the bar is pretty small...only about 6-8 seats I believe. I like casual restaurants with stellar service and the service was a little lacking.
(4)Edwin R.
Housemade tortilla chips with 3 sauces was amazing. The wings were great which have a mild hot sauce with good flavor. The Chilaquiles was out of this world amazing and greatly priced. Every entrée was priced under $12 and all were generous portions. The $3 Tecate tall can with wedge of lime was the icing on the cake. Great food and great price for fresh authentic Mexican food.
(5)David L.
This place is unbelievable from the wings to the tacos everything is perfect. My favorite was the fish taco although I had the steak and chicken as well. Friendly staff top notch stomps here make this place a must when you come to the low country. The only drawback that I had during my visit was the margarita, it tasted like your average chain restaurant. This could have been better.
(5)TJ N.
Small menu with focus on the food that clearly paid off! Everything that we had was amazing and extremely well put together. Our server Edson was not only knowledgeable about the menu but warm welcoming and friendly. Definitely one of the best servers we have had in the area!!!
(5)Eric K.
This place serves up a special sort of Mexican food. You won't find a "Speedy Gonzales" combo or numbered lunch specials here. What you'll find is a single column menu of tacos, burritos, et cetera made with top quality ingredientsand some clever cooking techniques. Everything tastes wonderful. If I were going back right now, I would feel confident that even blindly picking something from the menu I'd get something delicious. The decor is an extension of the reclaimed rustic elegance that's quite popular in a lot of Charleston restaurants and stores. You won't find place settings, but instead you'll find a mismatched collection of silverware in the draw in front of you at each table. It's a keen touch. One thing that can get you is portion control. The burrito, for instance, is massive. Big as your head variety. Order a taco and you'll get something on the more diminutive side - best order two. Be sure to ask your waiter how much food you'll be getting.
(4)Robert C.
Had a great meal at Minero! Arrived on a Friday night ready to wait and hour for a table. Found three bar stools together. Samantha the bar tender was awesome. She was full of helpful suggestions on drinks, appetizers and the main course. Mom had the steak tacos, Katie had the steak tacos and I had the nachos with a fried egg on top. We started with a sangria, a large coke in the bottle and a hibiscus gin and tonlc. The queso was delic. The corn tortillas were fresh and tasty. For desert we tried the churro with chocolate sauce. I wanted to drink the sauce. Overall the restaurant was trendy, food was even better than expected and the service was the very best Samantha deserves a raise. We had a memorable evening and we will will be back.
(4)Charles N.
The tacos were great, but left still hungry. Good service. Our table ordered: Guac and chips - don't recommend, didn't taste lime. It was more like slightly crushed avocados. Chorizo taco - tasty, but miniature Steak taco - tasty, but miniature Fish taco - tasty, but miniature. Favorite item.
(3)Lisa E.
Had much better experience on visit #2 than #1, enough that I will gladly come back again. The drink menu is substantial making this more like a good bar than restaurant - with the food menu pretty limited. Our server steered us the right way with the Wedge salad and The Minero Burrito. The Minero Burrito is vegetarian and really tasty and filling. The wedge salad is a nice lighter offering to mix with the less healthy chips and salsa. We will get both entrees again. The chips taste homemade and the salsas are fresh and different. Not being a tequila person, I lean to sangrias and their one offering is very dry and not something I will order again. With that said, we will be back!
(4)Kat K.
Excellent. The article mentioning this place in the Wall Street Journal did not disappoint. Living in the south often means accepting Chipotle as the best place for Mexican food...Minero was a refreshing break from that. Highly recommend the carnitas taco and red posole.
(5)Ron M.
Get the wings! Try them first without the Valentina sauce. I like them plain, seasoned without the distracting sauce. The shrimp and grit type dish and steak taco were awesome. This place is going to do VERY VERY WELL.
(5)Eric S.
I had lunch with a co-worker last Friday at Minero. They place is really cool inside and I could totally see bringing a date here for the wow factor. The food is just as impressive as the interior; although this is not your typical Mexican restaurant and or Mexican ingredients. We shared the salsa trio with chips which were meh.... The salsa comes out in 3 tiny little cups (and when I say tiny, I mean tiny) on a plate. It's not your typical salsa either. They're fancy pants salsa - and the chips are a little bland and more on the hard/crunchy side for my taste. For lunch I had the charcoal grilled chicken taco and the carnitas taco. Both tacos were equally good which made it hard to pick a fav. If I had it to do all over again, I would skip the chips and salsa and go for a trifecta trio of tasty tacos. One note to make, the block that your bill comes on, in, errr,,,, attached too, is super cool! And the wait staff does a really good job at making functional use of it. I'm deducting one star simply because the chips were not good and the whole chips and salsa deal was $4.00. REAL Mexican places give them to you for free.
(4)Kristen M.
Cool atmosphere and great vibe. They have silverware drawers and they bring the check in a wooden block. I thought both were cute ideas. It was my first time here, so it was strange that the hostess didn't seat us; she just said to go sit at table 24. Service was good. The tacos here are "elevated", but one of mine was just fine. The pork taco with mango was really good. The mango added just enough sweetness and moisture to the taco. Steak taco was okay like I said. The person I was with ordered wings and the waiter brought them to the table and tossed them in front of us. I wouldn't mind going back.
(3)MJ H.
Sean Brooks' restaurant is fantastic. Had the burrito and the daily special and both were outstanding. The bartender was friendly and was good for recommending dishes to choose from. Great fresh ingredients equals great food. Would definitely go back if I end up in Charleston again.
(5)Cat C.
The place is fine. Exposed brick, attractive bar with a few stools. And, I might have been really into this place if Taco Boy and Zia had not already done this concept in more pleasing ways and with parking. We ordered the carnitas taco and we counted 4 tiny slivers of meat on an already tiny taco. Smaller than the palm of my hand in circumference. We found them after moving a salad - size disguise of cilantro over top. Same for the asada: No meat in the teeny taco. Two words: Rip. Off. The margaritas and sesame salsa were good. Not great. After all the baseless hype, it should blow you away. Right, Hanna Raskin? So. The terrace at Taco Boy is more festive and the food is better. They put meat in the tacos at Zia and the food is better. The margaritas are better at Yobo and the food is better. You follow? You should go. How else will you be tricked into giving Sean Brock 90% margin on tacos? Ugh. I hate being taken advantage of... for tourists. Totally shameless.
(2)Melissa A.
Great Mexican here at Minero's :) the shrimp and grits were fantastic and the guacamole was perfection! We will be back again and again!!!
(5)MaryBeth W.
VERY impressed!! One of my new favorite restaurants. Food is absolutely AMAZING! Their chips are SO yummy! I had the chilaquiles which were just the right amount of spicy, I couldn't even eat the whole thing... it was really great leftover too! My boyfriend literally had every taco on the menu & also the burrito & loved it all! The guacamole was sooooo yummy!! Big chunks of avocado! The server was great, I wish I could remember her name, she was super helpful with answering any menu questions. The prices are unbelievable great too!!!!! Will defiantly frequent here often!
(5)Vikram V.
The decor and styling of the restaurant was really cool and the ambiance was appealing. Their take on gourmet Mexican food was really good, but they need to do some work with prices and their menu. There is a 13 dollar 3 enchilada special which our waiter said should fill us up. The rest of the items on the menu are small plates of finger food like tapas in a Spanish restaurant that he said we would need to order multiple of to be satisfied. In the end, that would add up to at least 13 or 14 dollars. I ordered one Charcoaled Chicken Taco ($3) and one Green Chorizo (Sausage) Taco with Potatoes and Grilled Onions ($4). Both tacos were very delicious but the quantity was definitely not worth the price. These tacos can finished in like two-three bites. For $7 or adding 2-3 more dollars, you can get far more filling meal at a regular Mexican restaurant or an Americanized Mexican chain like Chipotle or Qdoba. Most of the people I went with still felt hungry after their meal and this place has more of the casual, but elegant snack-feel which I don't care too much for especially when I'm on a budget. In this area, however, I feel that it would be difficult to find a reasonably-priced establishment, let alone a generic chain, to get some bang for your buck. A lot of expensive boutiques and other shops are present so finding a Little Caesars/Domino's or even any ethnic place that's filling could be challenging.
(3)Richard S.
The food was ok and drinks were pretty decent. Service was sub par. Bartender had no personality. One bathroom, means there's always a line.
(2)Dre E.
Group of four had pretty much every taco possible as well as margaritas, churros, and vegetables. Tacos were great - I only tried the fish and chicken tacos (chicken was the favorite) but everyone enjoyed their food. Churros were delicious and not too large - definitely recommend. Margs were tasty and strong - no complaints there. Vegetables were not very good. Cool atmosphere. Rating it a four instead of five due to portion size. Left still hungry after the tacos.
(4)John S.
My wife and I visited for lunch on a saturday. The restaurant has a great vibe inside, very trendy. As discussed before the tables have numbers over them and the hostess will let you know what table number you have. Yes the cups are not glass and of a high quality plastic, but who cares?!? Get a beer or a margarita and enjoy yourself. We started with the Guac and wings and both were good, especially the Guac. We then had 4 of the 6 tacos which were very appropriately priced from 3-5 bucks and were all out of the world. The pumpkin taco was AMAZING! Another home run by Sean Brock, a must visit!
(5)Jarrod S.
I decided to give Minero a look after hearing several good reviews both professional and personal. It is somewhat of an oddity on East Bay Street right in tourist central. The food is simple and clean with very well thought out flavor combinations. The price points are the most surprising because the are not exorbitant even though they could probably get away with it. I made a trip to Minero on a busy Saturday during lunch hour. Although the restaurant was full the staff was handling the bustle with a groomed professionalism that is refreshing to see. I made my way to an open bar seat for some tasty beverages and a casual lunch. I knew tacos were going to be my go to fare, but I saw something else that is rare and intrigued me. Pesole. For anyone that is curious pesole is a thin soup spiced with black pepper, cumin, cilantro, and other traditional flavors. It has the same feeling as ramen in that the garnish and additions are what really makes it stand out, and let me tell you it didn't disappoint! Cicharones, avocado, hominy, and chicken were some of the additions that balanced the soup and made the flavorful broth into a robust meal. I also added a few tacos to my experience although at this point I was getting a little full (a good thing). Of the tacos I sampled the one that stood out the most was the fried catfish. The fish was fried perfectly and the cilantro based sauce complimented the the flaky fish and crispy cabbage. I really enjoyed my experience at Minero and would recommend it to anyone. The only reason my rating is four stars instead of five is because I didn't have a burning desire to make a return trip. Minero was excellent but didn't grab me like some other establishments.
(4)Adam K.
To start, we noticed the intriguing way the restaurant is set up; the tables have drawers which contain compartments of napkins and utensils. The menu is an interesting mix of Southern favorites, such as Hoppin John and grits, and Mexican staples. Everything is under ten bucks. Our server started us out with delicious homemade chips and guacamole. Following that, I had two tacos: an absolutely phenomenal grilled steak number, and a mediocre charcoaled chicken with mango and cotija. All in all, I would certainly return here. Highly recommended.
(4)Anne O.
Not too many places that I'd say I can't wait to go back..........but I thought about their food and margaritas all week long. The place is tiny, so it may be hard to get in and we happened to luck out. We started at the bar and enjoyed some tequila tasting and margaritas then moved the party on to our table. The staff was helpful and knowledgeable and we loved the food, the drinks and the tequila and food with different salts. So much fun. We had a group of 6, so we filled the table with lots of goodies and really loved it all. Mexican with a flair, yet still genuine. The guac was a good starter, but don't miss the Queso fundido!!! Not too many places that I'd say I can't wait to go back.....
(4)J. C.
Had a good experience here. Good service and great food. The tacos are great and authentic and they have a burrito that can feed the whole table for cheap. The chips had a really tasty seasoning on them. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Caroleigh N.
The reason Minero is getting four stars is because they have one of the best sangrias I've ever had. The food is interesting but I would not classify it as outstanding. No, this is not your typical Mexican restaurant. No, they do not have refried beans and fried rice nor do they smother everything in queso. I'm used to the whole fresh mex concept, so their menu was not a surprise to me. We started with the chips and salsa. We received a small bag of chips and very small servings of a couple of different salsas. Very small servings. There was only one salsa that I felt was actually good and I cannot remember which it was, maybe the green one. The rest of the salsas seemed like they were the result of someone trying too hard. Sometimes, simpler is better. I would've preferred a larger serving of one good salsa rather than a sampler that was not shareable. I ordered the burrito. I am still not sure how I feel about the outside of the burrito being covered in cheese because I am not a fan of anything burnt -- the cheese on the outside of this burrito is browned until crispy (it dances on that line of being almost burnt), so I was not exactly a fan. The contents of the burrito were good but I would prefer a burrito with meat.
(4)Chrystyna P.
Gluten Free Friendly. I highly recommend the Chorizo and Steak Taco! The drinks are fantastic! They do not do big parties but good if you are a party between 4-6.
(5)john m.
Waitress suggested 3 different Tacos fish,steak and chorizo all excellant great food. Service was great prices were 3.50 to $4
(4)Kelly B.
So I had heard all marvelous things about this place and I have to say-tonight they did not disappoint. This is not your average Mexican joint. There is all the casual and cozy feel of a typical Mexican joint, but with legit, authentic Mexican cuisine. 99% of the menu is made from their house-made corn tortilla (so very GF friendly). From the tacos al pastor, to the guacamole, to the churros, all fresh and put together to perfection. However, I want to discuss the burrito. The burrito is the #1 reason to visit this place. And you can plan on sharing this delicacy. It is packed with rice, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, and an entire stuffed poblano pepper! The staff was extremely friendly. We didn't have to wait long (10 min) on a Saturday night. Oh! And I'll go ahead and save you some trouble by telling you the silverware and napkins are in the hidden drawer under your table top. You're welcome and enjoy!
(5)Sherry K.
My husband and I first tried Minero during their first week of opening. We loved it from the moment we stepped in. Love the ambiance, the exposed brick walls, the silverware drawers in each table, the overall energy. The margaritas are spot on and pack a nice punch! We have been back 3 times and love sitting at the bar. The queso fundido is awesome as are the tacos. The wings look amazing and I plan to order those on my next visit. Only one request, please add a gluten free beer for the gluten intolerant patrons. Omission is our favorite!
(5)Lee I.
Chef Sean Brock deserves the recognition and admiration he receives. At the moment, Charleston is an international superstar, and Chef Brock is one of the reasons why. His newest restaurant, Minero isn't nearly as good as it should be, but few customers will realizes this caught by Chef Brock's fame. It is doubtful that any professional critics will publish the truth. They may now know the truth. Minero claims to serve Mexican "street food". It doesn't. "Confit" is absence from the streets of Mexico. So are "chips". Chips are not even Mexican. Chips are from Los Angeles. The chips were my second favorite food in Minero, by the way. The Grilled Corn $3 is the winner. Go to Minero. Seat at the bar. Order drinks. This is a mezcal & tequila paradise. If you must drink bourbon, you will also be extremely satisfied. Order the chip and guacamole plus all the corn you can handle! The drinks are a winner!!!! And I love that Patron tequila is not in the bar. Tourist will flock to this place because of Chef Brock's reputation. They can eat the food of a world famous chef for cheap, but the won't be able to drink what many believe to be the finest tequila- Patron . Reverse snobery! There is little wrong with Patron except it may be a bit over advertised. Patron is a better tequila- though far from the finest tequila- than Minero is a Mexican restaurant yet Minero doesn't stock Patron. Oh! if only Minero was nearly as good as it must aspire to be. The food you get at Minero is more on the Jose Cuervo level Minero is attempting to be two different things at the same time. Be upscale with the best tequilas /mezcals and using the word "confit". F*** "confit". Give us wacko experimental Mexican food, or give use Mexican "street food". Minero is nether. Chef Brock should quietly close and start over. Minero will tarnish his reputation. Reputations are frigile. Red Pozole w/ grilled chicken $9. The pozole (hominy) was NOT heated through. The twelve dollars an hour line cook didn't heat the broth. Disappointment. What's a world famous chef to do? The sloppy jose $9.5 was slightly below average. Chip and three sauces. Chips are delicious. Sauces are not delicious. The benne seed sauce is boring. It isn't Mexican. It isn't good. This is the very thing you should rethink, Chef Brock- the benne seed sauce. You still have taste buds. Don't let obsesseions influence your taste buds. Have you asked the Mexicans in Nashville, who you credit for sparking your interest in Mexican food, what they think of your benne seed sauce. Don't tell them that you made it. Tell them you are thinking of buying this sauce, and using it in a Mexican restaurant. Pretentious benne sauce. The tacos are good- not delicious. So far I have refused to try the carnitas $3.5 because of the use of "confil" in the menu. Carnitas doesn't need french to improve. Carnitas done right are glorious. And Chef Brock is a pig and pork enthusiast. I'll get them next time. Also, wish to try the Queso Fundido $9. When we go to a restaurant operated by a famous chef, our expectations increase. Chef Brock failed. I challenge you to a carnitas cook-off. In Charleston, and you must eat Mexican Food try "La Nortena" on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston. Santi's and Zia are better than Minero. What Hyman's does to seafood in Charleston, Minero does for Mexican food. A tourist cash machine. Show the integrity you have Chef Brock. Close Minero. You failed. It's a minor failure.
(2)Hillary D.
I was really looking forward to this restaurant opening up but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. My whole experience was blah and felt that Chef Brock was center stage instead of the food. I won't be returning. We started out with the salsa sampler which was just okay. We asked the bartender if we could order just one of the salsas in the future and told no that Chef wants all the salsas served together. Margarita and tacos were decent. There were additional poor points of our lunch I am just looking for a place where I can get fresh chips salsa...nothing fancy. A margarita without the use of mix and delicious mole.
(1)Jennie D.
Well, I tried to determine if my first experience constitutes 'a review;' still unclear, but nonetheless, have to advise others planning to visit this place so you're not caught off guard the way we were. I work on East Bay Street. For a couple of months now, this opening has been all the talk - I kid you not - even the UPS guy would come in with daily updates on the progress. My co-workers and I were super-excited to try it, and tried to do so last night. We were a party of 7. We arrived at 5:30pm and were greeted by a friendly hostess who appeared to motion toward a group of three deuces (how often does THAT happen that they were all open AND all in a row?). I was about to motion to my co-worker to go ahead and help the lady push the tables together, this was UNTIL she realized we were not a party of two. She then advised us that "Minero is not able to accommodate parties of six or more." Huh??? I realize the space is small, but it absolutely wasn't crowded, not to say it wouldn't be within the hour, but there were four open bar stools and several other open tables in addition to the open deuces; hence the reason we jumped in at 5:30. I still want to try it and hope to give the food an awesome review, but I guess I had better choose carefully who and how many I bring along in my party. Bummed.
(1)Meaghan P.
If I could give zero stars, I would. THE worst restaurant in downtown Charleston. Period. Way over priced margaritas that tasted like pure tart sour mix, the chips were undercooked and chewy, and the burrito is pre-made so you can't make a request for changes and ice cold with unmelted cheese. Our waitress told us we couldn't add chicken to it because the chef is very proud of its presentation....which looked like it came from Arby's in a tinfoil wrapper. Save your money and taste buds.
(1)J V.
Really enjoyed this place!! Came here with friends last week with no idea what to expect, and I was in for a treat! Love the family style vibe with lots of small plates to share and the silverware in the little drawer in the table. The horchata is made fresh and is sooo delicious, and I tried the shrimp and masa grits and absolutely LOVED this Mexican take on a southern dish. Great flavors, perfect portions, very reasonably priced. Would def go back and recommend to all!!
(5)Hannah M.
Food was AWESOME and the atmosphere was exactly what I would expect a modern, tex mex restaurant downtown to be. The only thing I would look into is hiring waitresses who actually talk to you and are friendly.
(4)Robyn R.
Loved this place. Two of us went here on a recent trip to Charleston and it was a welcome and delicious break from all the southern comfort food. The margaritas are great, but I also ordered the Mil Máscaras (substituted with Tequila) and that was definitely my favorite of the two cocktails. We also had the guacamole, which was incredibly fresh, but I thought could use some heat or standout ingredient (perhaps I'm spoiled by all the amazing varieties of guac we have in NYC- but don't get me wrong this was still delics). One of us had the The Minero Burrito, which was incredible. Despite it being Vegan, you don't miss the meat. Very hearty. And we also got 1x Fried Catfish Taco and 1x Green Chorizo Taco - both incredible. If I could give it 4.5 stars I would. It's SUPER casual, small and quick, but we stayed for a while. Definitely a must if you love Mexican food.
(4)Candace C.
We came here for dinner on our last night in Charleston - having tired of fried chicken and shrimp and grits! It was featured in the local newspaper and the reviews looked pretty good. However, there's one thing the reviews didn't mention: THE NOISE!!! OMG - it was SO noisy it was impossible to have a conversation. The decor is nicely done, but all of the hard materials contribute to an acoustical nightmare. The food was quite good and the service was OK - but the noise level makes this a miserable experience.
(2)Danny V.
Minero is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Charleston. Their variety of dishes and quality of food are unequaled. I had been incredibly under impressed with Mexican food in Charleston having lived in California, New Mexico and Texas but Minero has been Charleston's saving grace. And it's all about the food. While Taco Boy is a close second for guacamole, I have to say I would choose Minero's guac every time. It's delicious. My favorite dishes are the burrito, the chilaquiles, and surprisingly the sweet potato and mushroom mula, benne tortilla (basically a fancy rendition of the quesadilla.) The burrito: think chipotle sized burrito with cheese melted to the outside (sounds weird but it's freaking delicious) and poblano pepper inside. Incredible. The chilaquiles are like the richest nacho plate you've ever had. All I can say about the quesadilla thing is to try it. I also really like their eclectic variety of drinks. I do have some gripes. The silly way they do seating. There are not that many tables and they have labeled them by number and give you explicit directions to your table...which is no more than 50 feet away. I wish they would do away with that and walk you the short distance to your table. Salsa: you can only order a trio of salsa. While the trio is interesting, I quickly figured out which one i actually liked and only wanted more of that one. When I asked the staff, they informed me that I could only the trio instead of a bowl of my new favorite green one. Again, I don't understand this especially since I'm paying for the order of chips and salsa anyways. These two reasons are the only reason it's not getting 5 stars. Overall, I recommend this Mexican style restaurant over any other Mexican restaurant and it's reasonably priced especially for downtown Charleston.
(4)terri j.
I have to say the food was a 5 star. I had the cheese fondue with chorizo and peppers which was out of this world. Then we had the confit pork cheek taco and it was OMG good. The hostess was such a sweet girl and got us a table so fast for not having a reservation. THEN WE GOT OUR WAITRESS....THE WORST! I asked Sarah about the 20 some mescals on the menu and she just kept saying they were all smoky....no kidding they are all smokey. I wanted a special mescal to celebrate a bet and she was so rude. Then I said I'll have a double tequila since she had no idea what I was asking, she brought me two shots in shot glasses....REALLY. then when I ordered two more shots to pour into my glass and shot with my husband she brought me a single in a wine glass and charged me for a double. I WILL NEVER RETURN. My husband and I travel to eat and love to try new things and places. I have to say for a place with this great of food the waitstaff will kill them. We will not only not return we will advise others to eat else where since there is so much good food here with good service. Best thing they could do is get rid of that waitress.
(3)Aanya U.
Absolutely delicious! The chicken tacos were excellent as appetizers, layered with beans, veggies, and perfectly cooked chicken. The drinks were also delicious and everything was well-priced. Definitely recommend coming early because the crowds pack in around 7-8pm.
(5)David S.
Blew us away! Amazing drinks. Unique salsas. Lively atmosphere. We recommend sharing a few dishes tapas-style.
(5)Megan S.
The drink Titan was delish and all of the food exceptional. Server personable but not too intrusive. Highly recommend.
(5)Kristin T.
YUM! Best tacos in town! Great atmosphere and no problems with the staff. The Sangria is amazing, easily my favorite. We have tried most of the tacos and haven't been disappointed. It is easy to eat a great meal in Charleston but walk away still feeling like to paid too much for what you got, this is not the case here, it is quality food with unique blends, not your average taco.
(5)Hessley F.
We (my husband, myself and our daughter) for a late lunch. The we're greeted by smiling faces and a very nice staff. We were all excited to try Sean Brock's newest restaurant and we were not disappointed. We started with the salsa trio and a margarita. As far as tacos were concerned, we tried the carnitas, al pastor, steak, catfish and chorizo tacos. You could taste how fresh the ingredients were. Overall, we loved the food, the atmosphere and the staff. I wouldn't particularly order the steak tacos again, but that's just a personal preference. We will definitely be back.
(5)Cole B.
Catfish taco was incredible, as were the carnitas and steak tacos. Pass on the chix tacos, they were smothered in a bbq that was no bueno.
(4)Beth Q.
We had a wonderful and eclectic dinner here. The chicken wings are Fabulous! When they opened the bag the aroma was nothing that we expected! So fantastic even my son adored them! Smoky and yummy. I had the chilaquiles they are nachos with beans cheese avocados and they are topped off by a fried egg.. Mmmhmmmm. My husband and son each had an Al Pastor taco and a carnitas taco . We had margaritas and I also had a Sangria fabulous! Worth the Wait!!!
(5)Sam H.
Y'all, this place is THE TRUTH! Having moved here from Dallas, via Phoenix, a couple of years ago, I've been mourning the loss of good Mexican food. Well, now I have it right around the corner from work! I've been twice, and everything that every person in my parties ordered was beyond excellent. Finally, homemade tortillas in Charleston! The flavor combinations in the tacos are over the moon, and everything is cooked to perfection. And when i saw Queso Fundido on the menu? GET OUT! If you don't know what this is, just go order some. Your life will be better. Yes, Charleston, their food is spicy! Isn't it wonderful!? PS - Mexican food is supposed to be on the spicy side. Embrace it. For the part of town it's in, this place is also a good value. $4.50 for a REALLY quality taco isn't a big deal. Both times I went, my whole meal was under $20 and I was very satisfied. I had great service on both visits as well. I can't speak to the drinks, but will try them soon. My ONLY issue is the silverware drawers. I'm sorry, but we all know those people who bring their kids to restaurants and then pretend like they aren't there any more. You KNOW some kid has licked all those spoons and put them back. Honestly, I asked for silverware from the back. I don't know if it actually came from the back, or just another table drawer, but I felt a little better. This idea is cute, but I hope it will disappear quickly. It's just gross.
(5)Mike W.
Been wanting to eat here since it opened and took advantage of being downtown Saturday. The food indeed did live up it's repuation and the steak and carnitas tacos were incredible. The flour tortilla tasted so fresh I could have sworn they were made 5 minutes earlier. The food is very reasonably price also. The margarita was excellent but overpriced for the size glass (the reason for 4 stars). Great attentive friendly service; I will be back again soon.
(4)Mollie G.
Charleston needed this place. After living near the border for most of my life, it was hard to move somewhere where the Mexican food is just...not Mexican food. Minero is one step closer, it's street taco meets Baja Fresh meets culinary creativity. Love the unusual casual-classy restaurant atmosphere, would have loved a margarita (still pregnant) and loved the server, who explained to my husband in deep detail the history of the building, who owns the restaurant and specifically what is in each taco. Try the sweet potato mushroom mula. It sounds odd but it's rich and fresh without being too trendy. The catfish taco was my favorite taco, but we tried them all and they were all unique and full of flavor. If you like to sample different things, the tapas style menu is hard to beat. Start with the chips and guacamole, order enough for two (taco is literally one taco) and be willing to share.
(5)Bibi C.
What a treat! Delicious, memorable meal that our entire family enjoyed. From our GF/CF eater who seemingly can't eat anything to the one who will and wants to try anything and everything - we were all excited by the best South American food we've ever tasted.
(5)G L R.
Had a very good dinner here! Prices are fair. Great selection of tacos. Service is very casual, I think that's the idea. But It was also a bit hurried. I still had beer in my bottle and it was taken away without me being asked, so that's why I put 4 instead of 5 stars. I did love the atmosphere of the restaurant. And I would recommend it. Our food was all well executed and had lots of flavor. But just realize the dinner will go a bit fast.
(4)Robert H.
Just a cool little place, (not many seats, we ate at bar) former Wine Bar at McCrady's . Homemade margs, great food, atmosphere, prices very reasonable.
(4)Chris H.
What a fun place! A small but quaint place, it's casual and the food is delicious! The steak tacos are delicious. The wings are probably some of the best I've ever had. The service is grand. The prices are acceptable. Each seat at a table has a drawer which holds your silverware and napkins. Overall, it's just fun!
(4)Mr. C.
This is as close to the real deal as you will find in Charleston. Homemade 4 inch tortillas, yum. Homemade Horchata, yum yum. The Pastor and Chicken tacos were great. But, the thing that blew me away was the side of grilled corn. I will be back to double-down on the corn. They are doing a lot with the space they have. My only criticism is the lighting was a little too harsh. Sarah served me at the bar. She was excellent. I would rather have a smiley rookie that will talk to me than a seasoned mixologist with his head up his bowtie. Brock adds another jewel to the culinary palate of downtown Charleston. Get there early. The lines are epic.
(5)Rebecka B.
This restaurant had great food and service. We did go to a late dinner, earlier we could not get in! We loved the tacos we had, but would have like to have a burrito with meat in it. Thought it was a little odd that the only sandwich on the menu had hot dog... I don't know but that doesn't sound very authentic Mexican. We also thought the fresh chips were great with the salsa trio!
(5)Kali M.
Loved it! Great service and great food. The guac and salsas were excellent. The minero burrito was so good and large enough that I had half for lunch the next day. I will be returning soon!
(5)Paul R.
We are from California and NEVER find good Mexican food on the east coast . Well, that's just changed. Minero is sensational!! Authentic food....hand-made tortillas with imported corn, real Oaxacan chiles, incredible flavors. And although hot wings are hardly Mexican, they smoke the chicken perfectly and flavor with imported hot sauce that is sensational. No reservations, but worth the wait. A great addition to the fine dining scene in Charleston!! Finally...REAL Mexican food outside of California and Mexico. (Sorry, Texas...you don't have the real deal either!)
(5)Jennifer C.
My boyfriend and I were first time visitors to Charleston this past weekend, and I'll be honest - I was reluctant to spend one of our nights at a Mexican restaurant. Ultimately we decided this would be a good spot - it was in the right neighborhood, and it kept popping up as a recommendation because of its cocktails and growing reputation. This was hands down, mouth-watering delicious. The cocktails we had were very good, but I remember nothing about them because the food was the standout. We always tend to order whatever the waiter recommends, and in this case she insisted on the chicken wings. They were the best chicken wings I've ever had, and I would go back for more twice a week any week. They were moist, flavorful, and coated in their crispy, perfectly charcoaled skin. I ordered a fish taco, carnitas taco, and a taco el pastor and can't tell you which I loved more. Each of the meats were perfectly well done and the toppings suited each meat perfectly. My boyfriend ordered the barbacoa, which I think is a special on their menu. It was served bone in and looked beautiful, and we were given a stack of tortillas and a bowl with cilantro, onions, and limes for toppings. Again, this was delicious. I've never seen my boyfriend consume so much food in one sitting - this was definitely an order for two and I stopped counting the number of tacos he had when he started preparing a sixth taco. I'd like to believe that next time I'd order more than just tacos, but I'm not actually sure that I'd bother.
(5)Walter P.
Either very underwhelming or very over-hyped, this dinky mexican place seems to be suffering from a split personality. Based on the menu choices and pricing, this would appear to be a casual-fancy place attempting to look like a quaint tacqueria. Unfortunately, the opposite appears to be true: This place has taco-truck food and service at downtown dining prices. There are a wide variety of tequilas available, but the house cocktails (aside from the run-of-the mill margerita) were absolutely ghastly. The layout of the menu is baffling, with no suggestion as to which dishes are appetizers or entrees - they seemed to be listed at random. Our "waitress" was uncommunicative to the point of absurdity, brought out the dishes at such random intervals that no two people were ever eating at the same time, and also forgot one of our main courses until we reminded her some 45 minutes later. Our napkins and silverware were housed in small drawers in the table, which was odd, but wouldn't have been too bad if the waitress had told anyone that they were in there at any point during the meal. Also, the place was dirty - the glasses were clearly rinsed in a slop sink and re-used, food on the menu, food on the pouches our tortillas came in, fingerprints on the silverware, etc. It's already been mentioned above, but I feel I should repeat that these portion sizes are teensy-weensy - $4+ for a taco no bigger than a coaster. This place might have done well in another city, but in DT Charleston I can find a decent restaurant in any direction. The restaurant's E. Bay Street address is literally flanked on every side by superior dining choices, any of which I would recommend ahead of Minero's.
(1)Stacey H.
The food was amazing from the margaritas to the tacos to the churros. We loved the casual, hip, and friendly atmosphere and definitely appreciated that we could mix and match tacos, quesadillas, and tortillas. Definitely finish your meal with churros and chocolate dip. Mmmmm.
(5)Regine C.
Simply amazing: the red posole was as good (if not better) than my best meal in Mexico City, start with the Horchata (adult version) and complete you meal with the real deal, churos y chocolate, to die for. Sean Brock, please open a Minero in Brooklyn!!!
(5)sherry m.
Yum. fresh and delicious. Out waiter said one to open in Atlanta soon! Cool vibe. Friendly staff and great food!
(5)Dan O.
Forget that this is a Sean Brock restaurant. This set's some sort of expectation that can't be realized by what it is - an upscale take on Mexican street food. Its not a big space, so expect a wait if you go at prime dining hour, and if you wait 2 hours to get in - you're not going to be satisfied when you leave. But this is place is good and we had a great dinner. Went with some friends so we ended up trying a huge range of apps and tacos. By the end of it I had at least sampled every taco and a few of the apps. There wasn't a taco that I didn't enjoy, with the chicken taco, veggie taco, and carnitas tacos being stand outs in my opinion. You pay $3-$4 per tiny corn tortilla, about 5 inches in diameter, albeit loaded with fresh ingredients. Maybe don't go on a Friday night, but definitely give Minero a try.
(4)Karolyn C.
From the ambiance, to the friendly smiling staff to the food- this was a solid dinner choice! I am pregnant so had a watermelon drink which was amazing! My husband had their margarita which was made with fresh squeezed limes and he said it was amazing! Their wings and guac are top notch! We feasted on tacos and their veggie burrito which was like nothing Ive ever had. It did not need meat- it was perfect!! We finished with churros and amazing chocolate sauce! Absolutely fresh and high quality everything!!!! Go.now!
(5)Aga K.
Solid recommendation for lovers of Mexican fusion food. Think of it as not-your-typical-taqueria type of food. You will find anything from tacos and burritos to more original plates: closer to Mexico DF style (queso fundido, chilaquiles, pozole verde) or Middle East/African, like the uber amazing Benne salsa- which has me thinking and in search of the secret recipe to recreate it at home. Few salads and typically meaty dishes. One dessert: churros. Their prices range from 4-13-ish and while the portions aren't enormous they are satiating. Highly recommend.
(4)Leah C.
Really deserves 3.5 but i cannot bring myself to round down to 3 stars. But I am a little disappointed... :-( I was so hyped to visit Sean Brock's newest venture... And for what it's supposed to be--a casual taqueria--it holds up and impresses. But the fact is that it is Sean Brock's place...front and center on East Bay in DT Charleston...and true casual is hard to accomplish. This place actuslly feels like a bit of a side hobby for the James Beard Foundation award-winning chef. Wasn't this McCrady's wine bar? The original brick walls nod to the history of the most diverse community in our lovely state, despite the loss of the very mother school, Johnson and Wales, that coddled this establishment's culinary genius during his formative years. Despite their historic charm, the poor acoustics the brick creates are not conducive to average volume dinner conversation. This place is just loud, and I certainly wouldn't only visit the bar for a cocktail on a Friday night. The loud volume certainly challenged the ambiance in the simply dressed dining room, but Chef has perfected the handmade tortillas. Supposedly these were perfected by chosing from over 40 varieties of corn. They accompany the chorizo queso, which is also spicy and delicious. The chips and guac are not your average chips and guac! These chips are also homemade and spicy. The best dish of the night was the special okra taco... Unexpected southern meets mexican. I also tried the chilaquiles--essentially pork nachos, but lacking in much pork and overwhelmed by the black heirloom beans. The mexican corn was delicious but the rice flat out failed--watery and bland. I do think the flavors and spice of the dishes give mad props to the southwestern tex mex flare I feel they are meant to respect. I am not well traveled enough to judge on true mexican authenticity, but it's definitely the closest Charleston has ever come, I'm sure. The dishes are served family style, which makes it confusing if the food is delivered by a runner and not your waiter who can recognize each patron's order. It was awkward to share with the other couple with which we were dining as well. The cocktails were on point, El Grande Diablo should be sipped--fair warning. It's earned it's name for good reason. But, the regular margarita was tasty as well. Overall I feel this effort was to accomplish a street food meets fancy feel. I was frustrated that this place didn't take reservations, but you'd never get a seat in here if they did. I appreciate the counter at the front of the restaurant, but I doubt it significantly decreases the service time--despite the casual food, one must commit and invest time in spending an evening here.
(4)Josh N.
I know my review isn't in line with most but I think this place is severely overhyped. Before I go any further, I will say that the cocktails are fantastic. The food however is on the upper side of OK. The tacos are average, the burrito is pretty bland, the pasole is ok. The salsa serving size is crazy small and the salsa itself just consists of spicy peppers mixed with bland tomatillos, tomatoes, or peanuts. Other than the cocktails I'm really left scratching my head about the hype surrounding this place???? I'm guessing chef groupies are just giving Brock a pass on this one.
(2)Valsa T.
We were rather disappointed with the service and our whole experience here. Our server wasn't really friendly and the food seems to be a little over priced for whatever it was. The tortilla chips which came with the salsa samplers were over fried. The three types of salsa weren't great either. Ended up ordering some guacamole which cost us $8! That's a lot for a small bowl of guac compared to what we usually would pay.
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