Los Parados

Went here while staying in North Charleston. Danger-hiked as a white guy from the hotel against the advice of the hotel staff. Just the usual beggars asking for stuff along the way. Got to the restaurant, found the correct door to enter, then stood there being ignored for about two minutes. Finally asked in Spanish if they were open and if so, could I get a table? They magically noticed I existed. Once seated I asked if they had any beer? The young lady replied that all they had was teas. So I ordered a Tamarind Tea which came out in a half pitcher with a straw. Tasted interesting. When I asked for a menu she said they didn’t have one. At this point I’m committed since I was lucky not to get robbed walking there and I still had to get back home so might as well get something for my potential last meal. I asked what they had to offer and she said she’d be right back. Up walks an Abuela with an apron that tells me they have Tlayudas y Tortas that night. So I ordered one of each. The food came out in about 15 minutes and it was delicious. When I got done I went to pay and she rang me up for $20 for the whole experience. I tried to tip her but she got nervous and looked around and then told me not to tip. By now it’s dark along Ashley Phosphate road and I’m walking back to the Residence Inn as a lone white dude. Don’t do that unless you are adventurous or looking for a reason to fight. Made it back to my hotel and noticed I felt funny. Turns out that tamarind tea had to have some cannabis in there somewhere because I was high af like I took a 10mg edible and it wasn’t just the euphoria of surviving a late night stroll through little Mexico. It was easily the most entertaining part of my two weeks in Charleston. 10/10 would recommend, but seriously, if you don’t speak Spanish and are one of those people that expect… literally anything that people complain about in these reviews, just go eat at a Taco Bell or something.

This was like home cooking if your Momma was Mexican. It seems to serve the local Mexican community. Everything was well worn, but clean. English was not the first or second language, but everyone was friendly to me. I would go back.

You better take a couple of water bottles with you, if you decide to go here, once they give you your food they completely don’t bother about checking on you. Food is good overall, just don’t like the service at all.

Love them best ethnic food around. You'll feel alive after eating here

Stay home..... Service was slow ( two tables) while I was there. Food was ok. When I got to the register the bill was double. The only person who spoke English came out and said the menu price was wrong and this is the new prices. She said the waitress didn't tell me because she didn't speak English ( she didn't) not my fault... She did finally give me half of the difference back an commented that the waitress had to pay the difference. Definitely a locals only kind of place 😡😡😡🤔 I gave one star because I can't go any lower.

Similar to the reviews below, right when I walk in I was looked at by many and racially profiled. Bad customer service if you cannot speak Spanish and get this (not kidding at all) they will charge an extra $1 on your bill if you do not speak Spanish! Wished I kept the bill and took a picture to add on this review. I was surprised and actually laugh because never experienced this kind of discrimination ever in my life by charging someone and extra for not speaking their language. $1 is not a big deal and not trying to find the "pity party" but just shocked. Ordered tacos and weren't really that good either. All in all I do not recommend coming here. If you want better authentic Mexican food go across the street to Taqueria Express Mexican. It is a food truck next to the 7Eleven gas station can't miss it. Way better food and customer service....they welcome all and no extra charge if you cannot speak Spanish! But one thing to keep in mind is Taqueria Express Mexican only accepts cash. Los Parados is no good and won't be going back there ever again.

Great food at a good price. Yes, my waitress primarily spoke Spanish, but I was able to order and pay just fine. I'm definitely going back.

Menu is all in spanish. No prices. Got a chkn quesdilla for $6. I asked for onions and tomato, and she gave me a very small amount. I dont know how do you run a restaurant like that ?

Being from the other coast I prefer the simple Burrito shops that can be found a nearly every neighborhood in California. Los Parados reminds me of the neighborhood Burrito shop I frequented in San Diego. I was craving a Carne Asada Burrito and they had just the item I was looking for. It was a bit simpler than I was used to but had the normal staples - seasoned diced beef, beans and cheese. They gave us two sauces a green and red. The green tomatillo sauce was in the medium range and was perfect. The red was a little to hot for my taste. The burrito was awesome and truly satisfied my burrito craving. Next time I am going to see if I can add guacamole and fresh salsa. That would be perfect and would be as close to a CA Burrito as you could get in the Low Country! Looking forward to my next visit!!!

Great food and friendly but shy service. The tangerine flavored water, tacos de asada, and sopa de asada were outstanding. The Pancho Villa portrait on the wall greeted us as we sat at our table. Food is unpretentious but delicious.

If you don't speak ANY spanish, you might be in trouble. If you can point at a menu and muddle through, then you may be OK. I came here for lunch with a friend and it was authentic to say the least! The server was nice, but reserved. The waitress told us that the only item for lunch was Caldo de Res, but eventually we were able to get our hands on a menu. We also asked for plain water, but she said they only had flavored water, so we each got pineapple. I got caldo de res and a couple tacos de al pastor. The tacos were ok, I like the ones from the truck across the street much better. The caldo de res was VERY good though. It had huge chunks of beef and vegetables. They do not skimp on the portions. It also came with homemade tortillas. If you have never had homemade tortillas then you are missing out! They are light and fluffy, the perfect vehicle for fishing meat out of your soup bowl and into your mouth. I would definitely recommend this place for someone who is looking for authentic mexican food. Its the kind of food you would eat at your hispanic friend's mom's house. This is not the tex mex, americanized version of mexican food.

My boyfriend and I first ventured to Los Parados after reading a blog post over at Rotten Oysters (http://rottenoysters.wordpress.com/2007/03/22/mexican-on-as hley-phosphate/) about Mexican places on Ashley Phosphate. I routinely drive up and down AP and notice several taco carts. Now, I'm not Hispanic and I speak very, very little Spanish, so the idea of going to a restaurant where I was the only non-Hispanic and not speak Spanish sounds a little intimidating. But I love Mexican food and was willing to be uncomfortable for a great meal. Los Parados definitely fits into the category of hole in the wall. It is very very shabby inside with mismatching seating and booths that are really only big enough to fit children. The language barrier was also an issue. Fortunately, the waitress seemed amused that us gringos were patronizing their restaurant and she did her best to work with my broken Spanish. You can pretty much get away with pointing at something on the menu if you do not know any Spanish, but it does help to know a few common words. The menu is in Spanish with some English so you can at least know what you are ordering The things to get there are the tortas with carne asada (beef), the sopes with beef or pork, the tostadas with beef or pork (carnitas) or the posole, which is an authentic Mexican stew with large kernels of white corn. Its comfort food at its finest. Also not to miss is their homemade agua frescas in any melon flavor or guanabana. Auga fresca flavors change daily. Their horchata is amazing as well. Not overly sweet and tastes homemade. Did I mention that everything there is cheap!? They also recently started accepting Mastercard and Visa which to me means they are doing well, even in this tough economy. If the idea of not being able to communicate super well scares you, check out the Los Parados taco cart where there is more likely to be someone who speaks English there.

Had the caldo de res... And it was delicious... The soup was so large I had to take some home which is fine by me because it can be lunch next day.

It's Wonderful and it's my favorite place in all of charleston! I know my Mexican restaurants and this one is by far authentic. So authentic that no one speaks a lick of English.

The food was average maybe a two but they don't speak any English, like not a word! So if you don't speak Spanish well (I had four years in high school but that didn't help) you basically have to point at the menu and hope for the best. I ordered a Coke to drink and the waitress didn't know that that meant.

I will not return to this restaurant. I admit to being from out of town, but know good, authentic Mexican food and this was not it. The pasole soup was literally full of grissel and bones. The tacos were marginal.

Really good Mexican food! I ordered the bistec with rice & beans, all very good, I loved that they had whole beans & not refried beans. All the food was delicious. The only bad thing I can say is that they told us to have a seat anywhere & they did not come to take our order until we went to look for them. But other than that, no complaints.