Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano

How Santi’s Became One of Charleston’s Favorite Mexican Restaurants | Eater Carolinas

"Opened at the corner of Morrison and Meeting streets when the neighborhood was still mostly industrial, this converted Huddle House at 1302 Meeting Street introduced Lowcountry diners to the traditional flavors of Jalisco. Founder Santiago Zavalza, who moved from Indiana, survived a rocky launch that included 15 robberies in eight weeks and temporarily closing at 6 p.m. until increased police patrols allowed dinner service; he initially built business by handing out fliers to bridge construction workers who then brought their families. The menu blends familiar Charleston Mexican staples like pastor tacos and a burrito grande with distinctive, homey Jaliscan dishes — notably the Mama’s Specialty (a comforting chicken soup served with two beef-filled tortillas), caldo de res, chilaquiles, and caldo de camarón — and the kitchen gradually re-centered on those traditional offerings after adding American-style tacos early on. The restaurant’s lush patio, papel picado, string lights, quirky interior touches (curved booths, chandeliers, photographs of Mexico, bird cages and the occasional lava lamp), and casual, joke-ready staff create a hospitable, unpretentious vibe that locals describe as a community gathering place rather than a spot to see and be seen. Beloved for good, affordable, quick food and oversized bright yellow margaritas, it has amassed a fervent local following and remains a festive setting for happy hours, dates, and family meals." - Erin Perkins