Garcia's Tacos Deemed Affordable and Filling, Though Unadventurous

Newcomer Garcia's Tortilla House tried to enter the Charleston culinary scene very quietly. But, a few journalists took notice of the freshly-made tortillas at the Spring Street eatery, then people around town started raving about the tacos to their friends, and now City Paper sends in reviewer Allston McCrady to test the menu.

McCrady spends a majority of the article explaining how Garcia's came to be. Restauranteur Jessica Wilkie previously ran the space as Sweet & Savory Cafe, until rent went up, and then her uncle, Chad Waldrop, suggested they bring his Betamax Combo Flour Tortilla Machine to Charleston (he's from Columbia) and start a breakfast/lunch taco spot. The most amazing part of the story is that Waldrop was holding on to this Betamax for 10 years, hoping for the right opportunity. Waldrop's wife is from San Antonio, so Garcia's flavors come from her background.

Reviewer McCrady declares the offerings generous, especially for $7.50. She warns readers looking for unusual cuts of meat or unfamiliar flavors, however:

What you can expect on the menu are fresh and popular options. You won't find, for example, the unctuous beef cheek tacos of El Alteno up Highway 78, the al pastor tacos of La Nortena on Rivers Avenue, or the spicy barbacoa of Centro Americano in Ladson. Garcia's sticks to dependable, mainstream, risk-free flavors: steak, chicken, pork, sausage — nothing too spicy, nothing too adventurous.

McCrady doesn't delve too far into the breakfast taco territory, save for, "... the other meats and eggs hit the spot." Morning menus with chorizo-stuffed tortillas are rare to the Charleston area (The Taco Spot has them, but they don't open until 10:30 a.m.). If nothing else, Garcia's fills a niche for those in search of breakfast tacos early in the day, starting at 7 a.m.