
location.
143 W. Main Street
hours.
mon-thurs 11am-10pm
fri-sat 11am-2am
sun closed
what they are known for.
upscale, traditional mexican food and tapas
menu.
features.
live dancing
143 W. Main Street
hours.
mon-thurs 11am-10pm
fri-sat 11am-2am
sun closed
what they are known for.
upscale, traditional mexican food and tapas
menu.
features.
live dancing
Without a doubt, there is a plethora of Mexican restaurants in Spartanburg for you to choose from. So why Mezcal? Well, its smack dab in the middle of a booming downtown that you can’t help but be proud of. Also, it’s got an atmosphere that you won’t find at any of the other taco joints in town. PLUS they’ve taken Mexican fare to the next. level.
You’ll be blown away by the signature look of this restaurant! The tables are pre-set with beautiful green and blue tableware which immediately set the air of fine-dining. At the same time, the service was friendly and relaxed, so I felt right at home. With any new restaurant you might expect a wait, and we were seated right away, but were told that the food would take about 30-40 minutes. Cue the drinks and apps!
They have a fabulous selection of wine and beer (lots of RJ Rockers!), plus cocktails for every craving. Our drinks arrived promptly and we went ahead and put in an order of the seasonal guacamole featuring goat cheese and walnuts, plus the traditional Queso Fundido. They have a version of queso with spicy chorizo and craft beer that I can’t wait to try next time!
The seasonal guacamole was unexpected and so yummy – the goat cheese gave it a tangy and creamy twist, plus the walnuts added a crunch that I never knew guacamole needed. The queso was as queso always is – comforting and scrumptious and I’d like a straw for this please. They come with standard corn chips, but the star of both apps was the fried pita chips dusted with spices. Plus you can add naan bread which is a brilliant variation.
From the Tapas menu, we tried the Stuffed Pepper: a crab stuffed poblano pepper wrapped in jalapeno bacon. I’m a huge spice fan, so I was not disappointed by this smoky hot flavor explosion of crab and pork. And the Empanaditas are exactly what they sound like – adorable little empanada bites featuring chicken, braised short rib and pork belly, all smothered in a mango habanero glaze. You can easily share these, but you won’t want to.
The Huaraches come with a variety of toppings like pork belly and carne asada (below), but they all start with a grilled corn masa dough base. While it was a bit thick, it was a tasty compliment to the steak, black beans, fried avocado (yes), and chimichurri crème fraiche (double yes).
The assortment of sides you can choose from is extensive, from jasmine rice with saffron and smoked paprika, to grilled corn on the cob with chipotle mayo and cilantro, to this amazing Ensalada de Nopales: roasted cactus, red cabbage, red onions, habanero peppers, tomatoes and cilantro. The roasted cactus was smoky and succulent, and such a welcome surprise on a menu in Spartanburg.
The food didn’t take nearly as long as anticipated, everything was delivered by gracious staff, and it’s never a bad thing when you are pleasantly surprised by the amount on the check at the end of a mouthwatering meal. Overall, this is a place to put on your list. Check it off soon, then add it back. It’s that good!! Welcome to Spartanburg, Mezcal! And, as always, if you’re looking for more Spartanburg restaurant reviews, look no further.