Cozumel serves up a taste of Mexico in Charleston

By Brittany Ireland
George Washington High School

Once in a while, everyone has a craving for Mexican food. And whether it’s tacos, burritos, quesadillas or chimichangas, great Mexican food isn’t hard to find in Charleston.

My favorite Mexican restaurant in Charleston is Cozumel, located in Ashton Place on Corridor G. I’ve been there numerous times, and I’ve never been disappointed with the quality, service or price. I also like how friendly the workers are — they even remember you when you come back!

At Cozumel, there is rarely a wait to be seated. The restaurant is decorated with colorful designs and sombreros, and there is always authentic Spanish music playing in the background. This décor, combined with the nice works and comfortable atmosphere makes Cozumel a great place to hang out with friends, family or your date.

Once you are seated, chips and salsa are instantly brought your table. The menu is correct when it says they are “priceless, but free.” The salsa has a great kick to it but is not too spicy, and the chips are always fresh and never too salty.

Generally, the waiter is ready to take your order within minutes of your being seated, and the food comes out shortly after that. This definitely makes Cozumel a great place to eat if you’re in a hurry.

My favorite dish from Cozumel is the beef taco salad. It has beef, cheese, beans, guacamole and tomatoes in a shell that you can break off and eat with the salad. Cozumel’s tacos, burritos and quesadillas are also great, and if you want some Mexican-style dessert, be sure to try the fried ice cream.

One of the best things about Cozumel is that the food is as inexpensive as it is filling.

If you are a Spanish student, it’s cool to eat at restaurants like Cozumel (or Casa Garcia and La Caretta, which are also very good) because their menus are in Spanish, so it’s a good way to test your knowledge. Mot of the waiters are Mexican, and they will speak Spanish with you if you tell them that you are taking the class.

Overall, Cozumel provides a great atmosphere, quality food at inexpensive prices and a great education on the Spanish culture.