Readers voted for the best Mexican restaurant in Columbia. Here’s the winner

After a week of voting, the results from our Best Mexican Restaurant in Columbia poll are in, and it wasn’t a close race.

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Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 7, we asked our readers to vote for their favorite Mexican restaurant in the Columbia area — the spot that offers the best food, drinks, service or even memories.

The unscientific poll contained 24 restaurants in and around Columbia that offer different styles and tastes of Mexican cuisine. Here’s the Mexican restaurant that received the most votes and is crowned this year’s winner:

Best Mexican restaurant in Columbia

Tios Mexican Cafe & Cantina has won over the hearts of most Mexican food lovers, it seems. The Columbia restaurant, located right next to the center of USC’s campus, received 61% of readers’ votes, securing its title as the best Mexican restaurant in the Columbia area.

The family-owned restaurant has been a staple for USC students since 2004 and takes pride in its Tex-Mex menu. Its homemade menu also consists of vegetarian and vegan dishes for those who don’t eat meat.

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On any given day, you can expect to see friends and family happily eating away in its cozy dining room. If you want to spice up the night with some fiery drinks, the restaurant boasts that it has the best margarita in town.

The address is 921 Sumter St, Columbia.

Honorable mentions

Just because Tios took the win on this poll doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other great Mexican restaurants in Columbia. Here are the other spots that came close to the top of the poll:

1. Real Mexico Restaurant
2. Cantina 76
3. Moctezumas Taqueriía
4. Tacos Nayarit
5. Cocos & Beer Authentic Mexican Grill

Thank you to everyone who participated in this survey. The State regularly creates polls and surveys to find the best of the best restaurants, bars and desserts in the Columbia region.

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