Scouted: Best Latinx Bites in Greenville, SC
You can take the girl out of South Florida, but you can’t take the South Florida out of the girl.
After moving to Greenville in 2008, OTGG founder Jackie Shapiro (Brooker) found what she missed most was the availability of Cuban and other Latin food options. Upon closer look, she and several Spanish-speaking friends from different countries and regions of the U.S. discovered various authentic, Hispanic-owned restaurants often missing from the significant must-eat dining lists. They set out to change that and prove our area is rich in the cuisine of their childhoods, as long as you know where to look.
At OTGG, we call these spots hidden gems, and if these radiant gems below are still hidden from your must-eats list, make a plan to change that soon. It’s time for some Latnix Bites!
NOTE: Restaurants must meet specific criteria to make an OTGG-approved list.
We feature locally owned and operated restaurants that offer welcoming hospitality and excellent food at a great value.
Asada Restaurant
Owners Gina Petti and Roberto Cortez have combined their backgrounds for a singularly unique dining experience. Roberto is Nicaraguan with a degree in Industrial Design and Fine Arts. Gina, half Japanese and Italian, holds a clinical psychology degree. Prior to moving to Greenville, their love affair with food started when they met in San Francisco. Their menu blends Latin flavors with Japanese influences to create true fusion without watering down the elements. They call it Asada style. We call it delicioso.
Sacha’s Cafe
Most times, the best food isn’t fancy. But that doesn’t mean the layers of flavor development don’t require sophistication. That’s what you’ll find at both Sacha’s locations—seemingly simple comfort food dishes that will blow you away with the flavors.
Rooted in Colombian tradition, Sacha’s menu offers hearty, meat and protein-heavy bowls and plates balanced by plantains and savory veggies.
Viva Villa Mexican Grill
Let us save you some menu-induced anxiety with this tip. When handed the lengthy menu at Viva Villa, flip through the many pages to the back where the Traditional Plates are featured. This is where the magic happens. Sure, you might think you’re in the mood for some Tex-Mex nachos or a cheese quesadilla, but stretch your palate a bit more, and we promise it will be worth trying a dish from that back section.
Sopes (crispy cornmeal shells topped with protein), Molcajetes (a stone bowl filled with protein, cheese, and salsa), and Menudo de Res (traditional Mexican beef stomach soup) are just a few of the authentic dishes worth discovering.
Pereira Bakery
Don’t be fooled by the name. You can dine well at this Colombian bakery that serves much more than sweet pastries. Dora and Miguel Morales opened Pereira Bakery after moving to Greenville from New York a dozen years ago. With a lifetime of baking experience, they truly understood the need for an authentic Colombian bakery.
Specialties include the top-selling arepa de choclo—a buttery corn cake served warm with the slightly salty queso fresco. Or really fill up on the popular bandeja paisa, a hearty meal with chicharron, fried egg, plantains, white rice, chorizo, arepa, and beans.
Califas
Califas West-Coast-meets-Latin-American spot on the Eastside is another example of fusion done right, combining Mexican, Honduran, Colombian, Puerto Rican, Peruvian, and even hints of Japanese and Italian. Originally a pop-up started by Erika Meija-Dila, the family-owned business blossomed into a full brick-and-mortar and now features an expanded menu of family recipes representative of her blended family cultures. You’ll also spy only family members working in the brightly decorated storefront.
Erika has accomplished her mission to introduce Greenville to birria tacos, an iconic dish tied to the cultural identity of the people of Jalisco and Guadalajara, Mexico. The stewed beef is served in corn tortillas with melted cheese blend, chopped onions, cilantro, salsa, and Califas’ beloved consomé. Whatever pops up new on the menu is what she (Erika) wants you to try next.
Taqueria Mixtapec
Hightail it to Taqueria Mixtapec, home of the International House of Tlayudas. This isn’t fast food—there’s a family back there cooking this lunch for you and it’s worth the wait.
Tlayudas (pronounced tuh-lai-oo-duhz) are an iconic Oaxacan street food consisting of a large thin crunchy tortilla (fried or toasted) which is then topped with refried beans, lettuce or cabbage, tomatoes, avocado, meat, and crema. You can either order this open-faced and eat it like a pizza by cracking off pieces with a fork and digging in or option 2: order it folded so you can devour it in your hands.
Papi’s Tacos
What’s better than one Papi’s Tacos? Dos! Co-owner and operator Jorge Barrales with his dad, Jorge “Papi” Barrales, opened their second Papi’s location, building on the success of the original RiverPlace spot. As predicted, they struck gold at 21 Augusta Street, steps from Main Street.
With a kitchen large enough to serve the equivalent of two storefronts, they expanded their menu of authentic Mexican street tacos and tortas right into the courtyard! The new bar and tequila program boasts more than a dozen signature cocktails that pair perfectly with tacos al pastor—shaved right off the spit in front of guests. You are always guaranteed a great time with this bunch!
Sofrito Latin Restaurant and Bar
It’s no secret that Sofrito’s bar shines when it comes to margaritas with 10 different options on the menu, but have you tried the food? This Dominican-owned restaurant has found its stride with traditional Hispanic dishes like mofongo (mashed plantains topped with proteins and sauce), Dominican breakfast with fried eggs, fried cheese, yuca, and salchichon (Dominican sausage), and ropa vieja (slow-braised beef, black beans, rice & sweet plantains), among many other tasty options.
Comal 864
Final thoughts. Don’t miss these, either.
Cielito Lindo
Comal 864
Cucho’s Tacos and Grille
El Cauldron, White Horse Road (good sopas + more)
Empanadas y Salsas
Golden Llama
La Esperanza taco truck off Pleasantburg
La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant
La Unica’s Snack Bar inside of La Unica Supercenter on White Horse Road
Las Meras Tortas
Mextizo Tortas y Tacos (Haywood Road)
Tamarindo
Taqueria La Costeña
Street Tacos and Seafood in Downtown Pickens
Uki Bowlz
Viva Tacos and Birria
HABLA TACO? >ORDERING KEY:
Barbacoa – slow-cooked red meat, usually beef
Carne Asada – grilled beef
Carnitas – slow-cooked pulled pork
Chorizo – pork sausage
Al Pastor – boneless pork shoulder
Pollo – chicken
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