Blue Lagoon Mexican Grill in South Carolina — What to Order and Where to Find It

What Blue Lagoon Mexican Grill serves

Blue Lagoon Mexican Grill is a casual dining spot serving traditional Mexican fare — enchiladas, tacos, burritos, chile rellenos, and grilled specialties. The menu leans toward familiar Tex-Mex standards rather than regional Mexican cuisine, with a focus on combination plates that let you build a meal around rice, beans, and your choice of protein.

The restaurant makes its own tortillas and salsas in-house, which sets the baseline for quality across the menu. Portions are generous, and most entrees come with the standard sides. The bar stocks beer, margaritas, and Mexican spirits, and the atmosphere is family-friendly — you'll see groups, couples, and families with children throughout the week.

Key Takeaways

• Blue Lagoon serves made-to-order tortillas and house-made salsa, which distinguishes it from chains that use pre-made components.
• Combination plates are the backbone of the menu, offering rice, beans, and your choice of two or three items for a fixed price.
• The restaurant has multiple South Carolina locations, so you can check which one is nearest to you before you go.
• Lunch specials run during midday hours and offer smaller portions at lower prices than dinner entrees.

Popular dishes and what to order

The enchiladas verdes — corn tortillas filled with chicken, topped with a tart green sauce and melted cheese — are a reliable choice and represent the kitchen's ability to balance flavors without oversalting. The chile relleno, a poblano pepper stuffed with cheese and covered in egg batter, is another standout; it arrives puffy and light rather than heavy, which is harder to execute than it sounds.

If you want to sample multiple items without committing to a full dinner, order one of the combination plates. A typical combo gives you two or three items — say, one enchilada, one taco, and one chile relleno — plus rice and beans. This approach lets you taste the kitchen's range in a single meal and is often cheaper than ordering each item separately.

The carne asada tacos, when available, are worth ordering. The meat is grilled with visible char and served on warm corn tortillas with onion and cilantro. Avoid over-loading them with the salsa bar; the meat's flavor stands on its own.

Salsa bar and sides

Blue Lagoon includes a salsa bar with your meal — typically three or four salsas ranging from mild to hot, plus pico de gallo and pickled jalapeños. The red salsa is the workhorse; it's smooth and tomato-forward without heat. The verde is thinner and more acidic, better suited to seafood dishes or as a dipping sauce for chips.

Chips arrive warm and salted, and the kitchen will bring more without asking. The refried beans are creamy and well-seasoned; the Spanish rice is straightforward — not fancy, but competent. Both are made fresh daily rather than reheated from a steam table.

Lunch specials and pricing

Lunch specials typically run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and offer smaller portions of popular entrees at roughly half the dinner price. A lunch special might be a single enchilada with rice and beans for significantly less than the dinner combination. This is the time to go if you want to try the restaurant without a large bill or if you're eating alone.

Dinner entrees are moderately priced for the portion size — most fall in the mid-range for casual Mexican dining in South Carolina. Combination plates offer the best value because you get three items instead of one.

Atmosphere and when to go

The dining room is bright and casual, with booths and tables, and the noise level is moderate even during peak hours. Service is attentive without hovering; staff refill drinks and check on your table at reasonable intervals. The restaurant fills up around 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, so if you prefer a quieter meal, go earlier in the week or before 5:30 p.m.

Families with children are common, and the menu has enough simple items — cheese quesadillas, plain tacos — that kids can find something they'll eat. The restaurant does not feel rushed, so lingering over a meal is fine.

Locations and hours

Blue Lagoon has multiple locations across South Carolina. Hours vary by location but typically run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Some locations may close earlier on Sundays. Call ahead or check the specific location's hours before you go, especially if you're planning to visit on a holiday or during an unusual time.

Parking is available at all locations, and most are situated in small shopping centers or standalone buildings with dedicated lots. Takeout is available at all locations, and the restaurant can handle larger orders with a phone call ahead.

What to skip and what works best

The frozen margaritas are sweet and heavy-handed with the mix; if you want a margarita, order it on the rocks or ask the bartender to go light on the syrup. The chimichanga, while competent, is not a standout — it's fried and heavy, and the enchilada does the same job better.

The carne asada and grilled fish dishes are where the kitchen shines. If the menu offers a grilled fish special, order it. The kitchen's strength is in restraint and letting good ingredients speak, not in heavy sauces or deep frying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are not required for most visits. Walk-ins are welcome during lunch and early dinner. If you're bringing a large group (eight or more), call ahead to let the kitchen know. Friday and Saturday after 6 p.m. can have a short wait, but it's usually under 15 minutes.

Can I order vegetarian dishes?

Yes. Cheese enchiladas, cheese quesadillas, bean burritos, and chile rellenos are all vegetarian. Ask the server if any sauces or broths contain meat, and request beans cooked without lard if that matters to you.

Is there a kids menu?

Most locations have a kids menu with smaller portions of standard items like cheese tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas, served with rice and beans. Prices are lower than full entrees, and portions are appropriate for younger appetites.

What's the best thing to order if I'm new?

Start with a combination plate that includes an enchilada, a taco, and a chile relleno. This gives you a sense of the kitchen's range and lets you taste the house-made tortillas and salsa. Pair it with a beer or agua fresca if the restaurant offers one.

Do they have seafood options?

Most locations offer grilled fish tacos or a fish entree, though availability varies by location and season. Call ahead if seafood is what you're after, or ask your server what the kitchen has that day.