NORTH CHARLESTON -- A vibrant Mexican restaurant that leans into both fusion and traditional cooking is now open in a strip center just off Dorchester Road.
La Minerva Cocina & Tequila -- named after the famous Glorieta de La Minerva statue in Guadalajara, Mexico -- is led by Raul Salazar and Alondra Ramirez, owners of Rio Chico.
The pair's new restaurant offers guests a more elevated experience along with food inspired by Salazar's upbringing in Guadalajara, a city that's part of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos national designation program denoting towns considered to have high cultural importance.
At La Minerva, chefs showcase the difference between Americanized Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine and traditional Mexican. U.S.-inspired creations like queso fundido join forces with adobo-marinated octopus, cochinita pibil sopes, ceviche and pozole blanco (a Mexican stew with hominy, simmered pork, onions and oregano).
House-made corn and flour tortillas are stuffed with ribeye, shrimp and braised pork to make tacos. Adventurous eaters can order theirs with beef tongue, diced into tender cubes, showered in cilantro and diced onions, and paired with a mildly hot verde sauce.
"We make everything here," Salazar said. "Half of the menu is very traditional. The other half is like a fusion."
Though La Minerva is located about 30 minutes from downtown Charleston, the restaurant has gained traction among diners across the area. Salazar and Ramirez hope to transport that momentum to Summerville, where they plan to add a second location in the Nexton development in 2026.
La Minerva Cocina & Tequila is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. For more information, visit laminervacocina.com.
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A mural fills the wall behind tables at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
The La Minerva margaritas are made for diners at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
A variety of food and drink options are available at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Scott Lamberson (left) and Julie Lamberson laugh with bartender Diego Magallanes while ordering lunch at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
A plate of different dishes are brought out to a customer's table from the kitchen at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Family photos decorate the walls of the lobby at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
The bar and tables are set for diners at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Diego Magallanes makes the La Minerva margarita at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
La Minerva Cocina & Tequila is now open, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Vaina Martinez laughs with customers while taking their orders at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Andrea Puglia fills a glass with beer for a customer at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Photos: La Minerva Cocina & Tequila is now open
La Minerva Cocina & Tequila is now open in North Charleston
Buy Now
A mural fills the wall behind tables at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
The La Minerva margaritas are made for diners at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
A variety of food and drink options are available at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Scott Lamberson (left) and Julie Lamberson laugh with bartender Diego Magallanes while ordering lunch at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
A plate of different dishes are brought out to a customer's table from the kitchen at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Family photos decorate the walls of the lobby at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
The bar and tables are set for diners at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Diego Magallanes makes the La Minerva margarita at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
La Minerva Cocina & Tequila is now open, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Vaina Martinez laughs with customers while taking their orders at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff Buy Now
Andrea Puglia fills a glass with beer for a customer at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in North Charleston.
Gavin McIntyre/Staff