El Mercadito & Taqueria in South Carolina: Fresh Mexican Food and Grocery Staples

What El Mercadito & Taqueria offers

El Mercadito & Taqueria combines a full-service Mexican restaurant with an attached grocery market, so you can eat fresh tacos, enchiladas, and regional specialties at the counter or tables, then pick up dried chiles, fresh tortillas, queso fresco, and other ingredients to cook at home. The restaurant side serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with made-to-order plates and a taqueria counter where you point to what you want. The market side stocks produce, canned goods, spices, and prepared items like tamales and carnitas that rotate by season and availability.

This dual setup is common in South Carolina's Mexican communities—the restaurant funds the market, the market supplies the restaurant, and customers benefit from both under one roof. You do not need to buy groceries to eat there, and you do not need to eat there to shop, but many people do both in a single visit.

Key Takeaways

• El Mercadito & Taqueria serves fresh Mexican food at the counter and tables while operating a grocery market with produce, spices, and prepared items in the same space.
• The taqueria counter moves quickly and is designed for ordering without a menu—point to what you want or ask the staff what is fresh that day.
• The market side stocks ingredients you may not find at standard supermarkets, including fresh epazote, specific chile varieties, and regional prepared foods.
• Hours and menu items vary by location and season, so calling ahead or checking in person before a special meal is worth the time.

How the taqueria counter works

Walk up to the counter and look at the steam trays and grills. Point to what you want—carnitas, barbacoa, carne asada, pollo—and say how many tacos. Staff will ask if you want corn or flour tortillas, and whether you want it on a plate with rice and beans or just the tacos. Prices are low, usually under ten dollars for a full meal with a drink.

If you do not know what to order, ask what came in fresh that morning or what is moving fastest. The staff know the food and will steer you toward what is good that day. Breakfast tacos are available early and often include chorizo, papas (potatoes), and eggs. Lunch and dinner bring heartier plates: chile rellenos, enchiladas verdes, and pozole on weekends.

What the grocery market carries

The market side holds produce that rotates with the season—plantains, avocados, cilantro, jalapeños, serrano peppers, and harder-to-find items like fresh epazote and hoja santa. You will find dried chiles by the pound (guajillo, ancho, chipotle, arbol), Mexican chocolate, masa harina, and spice blends. Canned goods include Mexican brands of beans, tomatoes, and chiles en adobo that differ from what mainstream supermarkets stock.

The refrigerated section usually has fresh queso fresco, oaxaca cheese, and crema. The prepared foods section changes—some days it is tamales, some days carnitas or barbacoa by the pound, some days fresh churros. Call ahead if you are looking for something specific, because inventory depends on what the restaurant used that day and what the owner sourced that week.

Pricing and payment

Taqueria meals run between five and twelve dollars depending on what you order and how many sides you add. A single taco is usually one to two dollars; a plate with rice, beans, and three tacos is typically six to nine dollars. Drinks are inexpensive, and agua fresca (fresh fruit drinks) are often available.

The market prices produce and dry goods competitively against other ethnic markets in the area. Prepared foods like tamales or carnitas are sold by weight or by the dozen, depending on the item. Most locations take cash and card, but calling ahead to confirm payment methods is a good idea if you are planning a large grocery run.

Finding the location and hours

El Mercadito & Taqueria operates in multiple South Carolina cities, and each location has its own hours and phone number. Hours often shift seasonally—summer may bring longer weekday hours, while winter might shorten them. Some locations close on Mondays or Tuesdays.

The best way to confirm hours, location, and what is available that day is to call ahead or stop by in person. Staff can tell you if a specific ingredient is in stock, whether tamales are ready, or what the special is that day. If you are planning a meal for a group or need a large quantity of prepared food, calling a day or two ahead gives the kitchen time to prepare.

What to expect when you visit

The space is usually modest—a counter with a few tables, the market shelves along the walls, and a kitchen visible behind or to the side. It is not a sit-down restaurant with servers; you order at the counter, find a table, and bus your own dishes. The atmosphere is casual and fast-moving, especially during lunch and dinner rushes.

Spanish is spoken throughout, though staff usually understand English orders. The crowd is a mix of regulars who come for the same meal every week and newcomers exploring the market. Families often bring children, and the food is generally mild enough for kids, though you can ask for extra salsa or heat if you want it.

Why El Mercadito & Taqueria matters in South Carolina

These hybrid restaurant-market spaces are anchors in South Carolina's Mexican communities. They preserve regional cooking traditions—the recipes, the ingredients, the way food is prepared—that would disappear if only chain restaurants and supermarkets existed. They also make authentic ingredients affordable and accessible to home cooks who want to prepare their own meals.

For visitors, El Mercadito & Taqueria offers a window into how Mexican food is actually eaten and shopped for in South Carolina, not how it is adapted for a broader market. The food is made for the people who eat it every day, which usually means it is fresher, cheaper, and more interesting than what you will find elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to order at the counter or can I sit down and order from a menu?

Most El Mercadito & Taqueria locations operate as counter-service only. You order at the counter, pay, and then sit at one of the tables. There is no table service or printed menu—you point to what you want or ask staff what is fresh. Some locations may have a small printed menu, but the counter display is the main way to order.

Can I buy ingredients without eating there?

Yes. The market is open to anyone, whether you eat at the taqueria or not. You can walk in, shop for produce and dry goods, and leave. Many people do both—grab a quick meal and pick up groceries on the way out.

What if I do not speak Spanish?

Staff usually understand English and can help you order. Pointing at what you want works too. If you are unsure what something is, ask—staff are accustomed to explaining dishes and will tell you what is in it and how spicy it is.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes. Cheese quesadillas, bean tacos, chile rellenos with cheese, and rice-and-bean plates are standard. Ask staff what vegetarian options are available that day, as some locations prepare seasonal or daily specials.

Can I order large quantities of prepared food for an event?

Many locations will prepare tamales, carnitas, or other items in bulk if you call ahead. The amount of notice needed depends on the location and what you want, so call a few days before your event to discuss options and pricing.