Greenville's Taco Casa

Located at 1002 N Pleasantburg Dr in Greenville, South Carolina, Taco Casa is hands-down one of the best Mexican restaurants around. The parking lot is small and is always crowded. Loyal customers create ingenious parking spaces in order to get a meal at this local favorite. You would not recognize this eatery for the treasure it is by looking at it from the outside. After all, how many Tex-Mex places are there in every city and burg in the South? The first time my friends took me here to eat, I was hooked. I'm sorry to tell you that there is only one such Taco Casa, and you will have to come to Greenville, SC to get it! Taco Casa is truly my outstanding, all-time favorite out of the scores of Tex-Mex places around.

Taco Casa offers all the usual menu items, but it's their extra-special touch that makes the difference. Service is lightning fast. Do not dismay if you see a line; you will not be standing still. Menu items are served steaming hot on individual plates. Super burritos are loaded up with sauce made from scratch every morning Speaking of sauces, Taco Casa has a sauce bar that would satisfy anyone. Their sauces include hot and mild salsa, a mild but full-flavored red sauce, and a hot pepper sauce that is not for the faint of heart. One of my all time favorite menu items is the empanada, a fried dessert: your choice of blueberry, apple, or cherry filling wrapped in a flour tortilla, deep fried, and covered with cinnamon sugar. Roll your eyes and savor that crispy-fruity-sweet sensation. Other desserts include cinnamon chips and frozen yogurt. Beverages range through the standard soft drinks and lemonade. Since Taco Casa is located in the south, they serve both sweet and un-sweet tea.

Prices are low. However, the weekday lunch special is uncommonly affordable; a full meal including drink can be purchased for close to $3.50. Taco Casa's daily lunch special, served from 11-2 pm includes two or three entrees and drink. Each day has it's own unique combination. Regular customers will tell you exactly what meal is served on which day without looking. My personal favorite is Tuesday's special which includes a taco, a "Big Red" and an empanada. A "Big Red" is a soft flour tortilla filled with meat, refried beans, mild sauce, cheese and onions topped with meat sauce and cheese sauce. All for the low price of $3.25 plus tax. My husband and I can eat a full meal for less than $7.

Taco Casa's interior is not overly elaborate, but smoke-free and air conditioned. Comical posters depicting hot sauces, hot peppers, and Indian corn from Americas hang framed on the walls. A worker quickly wipes off tables as soon as customers leave. Eating in a large group? Don't be shy about moving the tables around to suit your needs. Just be careful to put them back when you go.

Taco Casa has been in business for 20 years, and it's not hard to see why. Tasty food, friendly service, low prices - they have it all. Us Greenville residents ought to pressure them to start a franchise, but then, we want to keep Taco something special too. Taco Casa also takes catering orders. I am seriously considering them for my next party. In these parts, that would automatically guarantee a full house!