‘Perfect for the neighborhood’: A new Mexican restaurant opens in Columbia’s Five Points

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A new restaurant with a taste of Mexico recently opened its doors in Columbia’s Five Points.

Arroyo Tacos + Tequila has opened at 819 Harden St., between Pawley’s Front Porch and Eddie’s Calzones. The spot where Arroyo is located was formerly home to Southern Belly BBQ, which closed in 2022.

The new Mexican restaurant arrives courtesy of a pair of familiar Five Points faces, as Steve Cook and Andrew Thompson are partnering on the project. Cook is the owner of Saluda’s, the fine dining restaurant on Saluda Street in Five Points, and Thompson is the longtime general manager at Saluda’s.

Cook, who also owns Il Bucato pizzeria on Beltline Boulevard, said he has been envisioning opening another restaurant in Five Points for about 18 months. He said when the space became available at 819 Harden, they were ready to move on it.

“We just thought Mexican was perfect for the neighborhood,” Cook said. “I think being in Five Points everyday, for both me and Andrew, you kind of have your finger on the pulse of the neighborhood. What’s not here, what could work, that kind of thing.”

The menu at Arroyo has a host of Mexican favorites. There is a variety of tacos, including beef, pork carnitas, fried avocado, fried shrimp, chicken pastor, fish and more. The Harden Street spot also has quesadillas, loaded nachos, enchiladas, taco salads and other offerings.

Arroyo has a bar menu that features margaritas, draft and bottled beer, tequila flights and wine.

Cook said the Mexican eatery’s menu could evolve and diversify over time as it figures out what customers like best.

“I think right now everyone loves the tacos,” Cook said. “The menu at the start is a lot more basic than what it will become. We are going to add some more complex things. ... We will let the customers tell us if they want a short rib dish. Is there going to be a sauteed shrimp dish people are going to like?

“Mexican restaurants are one of the most prevalent sub-categories of restaurants in the United States. And there’s sort of a reason for that. They are super approachable.”

Five Points, the more than a century-old village just east of the University of South Carolina, has continued to evolve and add new restaurants, shops and attractions. For instance, popular Atlanta-based Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks recently announced a coming location in the 900 block of Harden Street. Longtime music venue New Brookland Tavern moved from West Columbia to the former Cotton Gin spot in Five Points late last year. And Asian restaurant Teriyaki Madness opened earlier this year at 942 Harden St.

Cook, who has long been bullish on Five Points (he’s currently the vice president of the Five Points Association board), said Arroyo will look to draw diners from many nearby areas.

“The targets for us, in terms of customers in Five Points, are the surrounding neighborhoods like Shandon and Rosewood, and then, obviously, USC students,” Cook said.