3 Caminos Tienda Y Taqueria in Columbia — Tacos, Groceries, and Weeknight Meals
What you'll find at 3 Caminos
3 Caminos Tienda Y Taqueria is a combination grocery store and taqueria in Columbia that sells fresh Mexican groceries on one side and serves made-to-order tacos and prepared foods on the other. The space functions as both a neighborhood market and a quick-service restaurant, so you can buy ingredients for home cooking or eat there without planning ahead.
The taqueria side focuses on tacos built to order — you choose your protein, tortillas, and toppings, and they assemble them while you wait. The tienda (grocery) side stocks dried chiles, fresh cilantro, masa, chorizo, queso fresco, and other ingredients you might not find easily at a standard supermarket. Many customers come for both: grabbing a few tacos for lunch and picking up groceries for dinner at home.
Key Takeaways
- 3 Caminos operates as both a taqueria and a Mexican grocery store, so you can eat there or buy ingredients to cook at home.
- Tacos are made to order with your choice of protein, tortillas, and toppings, and prices are low enough for a weeknight meal.
- The grocery section carries fresh and dried ingredients — chiles, masa, queso fresco, chorizo — that are harder to find at chain supermarkets.
- The location is in Columbia and works well for a quick lunch or a stop on the way home from work.
The taqueria menu and how ordering works
You order at a counter and tell them what you want: the protein (carnitas, carne asada, pollo asado, or barbacoa are common), the tortilla type (corn or flour), and any toppings. They grill or warm the meat, warm the tortillas, and hand them to you assembled. Most people order two or three tacos and eat them there or take them home.
Beyond tacos, many locations like this also serve tortas (sandwiches on bolillo rolls), quesadillas, and sometimes tamales or enchiladas, though the exact menu varies. Prices are typically in the range that makes it realistic to stop in on a weeknight without planning a special meal. The portions are genuine — not oversized, but enough to be filling.
The grocery side: what to expect
The tienda section is small but focused. You'll find dried chiles (guajillo, ancho, chipotle), fresh produce like cilantro and epazote, masa for tamales or tortillas, and refrigerated items like chorizo, queso fresco, and crema. The selection changes based on what's in season and what the owner sources that week, so you might not find the exact same items every visit.
This is the place to go if you're making mole, chile rellenos, or tamales at home and need ingredients that aren't stocked at Food Lion or Publix. Many home cooks in Columbia rely on 3 Caminos for the specific dried chiles or fresh herbs a recipe calls for, rather than settling for what the supermarket has.
Location and hours in Columbia
3 Caminos is located in Columbia, though hours and exact address can shift seasonally or with staffing changes. Before your first visit, a quick phone call or online search will confirm current hours and whether they're open the day you plan to go. Many neighborhood taquerias keep shorter hours than chain restaurants — closing by 8 or 9 p.m. on weeknights, for example.
The space is typically small and casual, with a few tables or counter seating if you want to eat there. On weekday lunches and early evenings, it can get busy with people grabbing tacos on their way home from work.
When to go and what to order
Lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and early evening (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) are the busiest times, which means the meat has been cooking longer and the ingredients are fresh. If you go during a slower afternoon hour, you might wait a bit longer for them to prepare your order, but the food is still made fresh.
If you're new to the place, start with two or three tacos of whatever protein looks best that day. Ask what's fresh or what they recommend — the staff can tell you if the carnitas just came off the grill or if the barbacoa has been simmering since morning. Pair it with a cold drink and you have a complete meal for under $15.
Combining a meal with grocery shopping
The dual nature of 3 Caminos makes it efficient for a specific kind of errand: you can eat lunch there, then spend 10 minutes picking up the dried chiles, chorizo, or fresh herbs you need for dinner at home. This works especially well if you're cooking something that requires ingredients you don't keep on hand regularly.
If you're planning a meal that needs fresh cilantro, queso fresco, or a specific chile, you can call ahead and ask if they have it in stock. That way you're not disappointed when you arrive, and you can time your visit around when you want to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order tacos to go?
Yes — most customers order at the counter and take their tacos with them. You can also eat at the few tables or counter seating if you prefer to sit down. Either way, the tacos are made fresh to order.
What if I don't know what to order?
Ask the staff what's fresh or what they recommend that day. They can tell you which proteins are ready and suggest combinations. Starting with two or three tacos is a low-risk way to try the place without overcommitting.
Do they have vegetarian tacos?
Many taquerias offer cheese quesadillas, bean tacos, or grilled vegetable options, though the focus is on meat. Call ahead to confirm what vegetarian options are available on the day you plan to visit.
Can I buy groceries without eating there?
Yes — the tienda side is open to anyone, whether you're buying tacos or not. You can stop in just to pick up dried chiles, masa, or fresh herbs without ordering food.
What's the price range for a meal?
Two or three tacos typically cost between $6 and $12, depending on the protein and what you add. A complete meal with a drink stays well under $15, making it an affordable option for lunch or a quick dinner.