La Cienega Mexican Grill & Seafood
La Cienega Mexican Grill & Seafood
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Hours
Sun
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Mon
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tue
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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Details
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CUISINES
Mexican, Spanish
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Is this a Spanish restaurant?
Details
About
Very close to Lexington Medical Center, restaurant has a wide variety of food choices
CUISINES
Mexican, Spanish
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
14 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Calbo1954
2 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
La Cienega is a charming family run Mexican (jalisco style) restaurant. It is intimate and differentiates itself from other Mexican restaurants in several ways. There is no gaudy decor here. It is laid back and subdued with simple seating and fixtures. The atmosphere is warm and friendly with Country music playing. It reminds me of many of the restaurants in San Antonio. Most people don't realize that while Mexican cuisine seems special it is common food for anyone from that part of the Americas. This sometimes comes through the food with the way it is or is not presented and flavored. When you come across a restaurant that demonstrates a passion for their culture the results can be outstanding and La Cienega is just that. The first time I visited La Cienega I ordered a dish with a tamale on it. I did this on purpose to see how it would be prepared and presented. Many places will serve you a fat tamale with a lot of masa and little filling. La Cienega remained true to its Jalisco roots and served an appropriately sized tamal, presented on top of its husk on a plate with ranchero sauce, rice and beans. The sauce and cheese was swirled on top of the plate in an decorative and attractive way. When the plate came to the table I could see from the presentation that it had been prepared by a chef or cook who cared about their food and their culture. The tamal was delicious. I grew up in a household with a mother who grew up in Mexico and this meal brought back so many memories for me. The service was excellent and attentive. This restaurant is a gem in West Columbia waiting for you. Visit it and enjoy
Written January 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thrall
245 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
La Cienega is a little slip of a restaurant with a lot of love. It's relatively new (summer 2020?) with a petite full bar and simple but appealing decor. The menu has many of the homestyle classics, but the prep is a step above the rest. The chile verde is stewed until the beef tips could melt in your mouth and richly seasoned. The fried oysters are crispy-tender and top notch. The chef uses a cornmeal batter, a different style from the oyster batter, for the whole fried catfish (they're small and bone-in, but you can order a fillet too if you can't face the bones). The fajita veggies have deep flavor and little grease. Even the salad is better than the usual, with homemade (!?) French dressing. It's worth the small upcharge to get a generous serving of the fresh guacamole too.
When we travel, we ordinarily try as many local restaurants as possible; instead, we came back here 3 times. They prepared everything for us to go, and the small (family?) staff was as kind and welcoming as could be. I am only disappointed that we live 3 hrs away! You'll be lucky if they are in your community.
Written February 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Senatorwho
Columbia115 contributions
Dec 2020 • couples
This is my new favorite Mexican restaurant. We still like Real Mexico and Taqueria Jalisco but La Cienega is our favorite. It’s a small place with about 40 seats but the decor is fresh and unique. Country music is played rather than the usual Tejano music of most Mexican places. The Hostess wears western clothing and the decor is western. We’ve been there several times and can’t get enough of the place. The food is great. There is the usual Mexican fare but it is much better than usual. More flavor, good portions. My favorite dish is La Mejor which offers all of my favorite items on one huge plate. There is also a salsa bar with unique salsas made with pineapple among others. The plates and dinner ware are like that of a high quality restaurant. The small staff is very friendly and attentive. Highly recommended.
Written December 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey
Columbia81 contributions
Feb 2023 • family
Service and food was beyond excellent!! I’d give them more stars if I could! We were greeted with a smile, the waiter and waitress were attentive and recommended a variety of dishes to try. This is by far the best Mexican restaurant in the area!
Give them a try, you won’t be disappointed!
I believe this is everything we indulged in:
Chips and many choices of salsa
Fresh guacamole made at the table
Tostada shrimp and octopus ceviche
Burrito Azteca
Steak/chorizo tacos
Enchiladas
Kids cheeseburger and fries
Written February 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ernie P
61 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
it is unfortunate when a business is held hostage by bad service and bad management. We had a party of 8 that was neglected by the original server because there was a bigger party after us . Incorrect orders, incorrect drinks, food came out without the rice and beans or without tortillas, a total mess. So things started to get heated, our original waitress abandoned us and then comes another guy to serve us. He could not produce the simple tortillas for the meals that had come out 10 minutes earlier and when the second waiter was asked for a tea refill l, he rolled his eyes to me. I had enough and I went to talk to the manager. The manager was somewhat apologetic, however he came to the table once and never asked to be apologized for the terrible service. At the end I was surprised that was no effort on making sure we were ok or to simply say we are sorry this happened. He started to argue with me, defending his apprentice. The manager claimed that the restaurant was his restaurant and he thought I was not going to pay him, which I did. So he literally asked me to leave, what a horrible experience. No management skills, terrible service, what an unfortunate event . I wished we had gone elsewhere so we could have enjoyEd our family time with decent service. Oh btw the food was B-
Written November 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fignug1522
Lexington412 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
My favorite mexican restaurant. It’s a small mom and pop near Lexington Medical Center. Every dish that comes out looks like an art piece. It’s not just slop, melted cheese, refried bean goop and red sauce on a plate like most mexican restaurants. Literally, every dish looks like a piece of food art. It’s fantastic and tastes great. They have a country music radio station playing every time I’ve been there,
which is kind of funny. Service is great. Food is great.
Written February 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EvanGuthrie
Charleston10935 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
La Cienega Mexican Grill & Seafood in West Columbia has delicious and flavorful food that is well prepared. I have been impressed with their level of customer service and everything that I have ordered from here. Good experience every time I have been here.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulBeve
Ridgeway469 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
La Cienega is a serious step above a San Jose or Montereys. At this point we consider it the 2nd best Mexiican in the Columbia Metro area. The best is in Camden, El Salud.
La Cienega has a lot of the typical items you expect, but a has a lot more to offer beyond the typical, octopus for example. The food doesn't come out 5 minutes after you order which makes me think there is more prep going on and no so much a pile of food that gets thrown on a hot plate.
Service was very good.
Written March 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jstaggs
Dallas4 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
Read the reviews and decided to give it a try. It's a small place but they are expanding. The staff was very friendly and gave good suggestions. My wife had the steak and chicken fajitas and I had the carne asada street tacos. We also had 2 house margaritas. The food was on point as we're the margaritas. A plus is they have a salsa bar with 8 different varieties. It was a hit with us and we will be going back.
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bush
Washington DC1 contribution
May 2023 • family
Best Mexican in the state. The quesadilla was delicious as was the salsa and chips. It’s expanding and people drive from all over to try it. Worth every penny!
Written May 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BPN 1998
Troy8 contributions
Apr 2023 • family
Was in town for the masters ate there two times very authentic Mexican food everything was made to order. Drinks were great.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew S
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • couples
Best Service and food. I can not believe this was our first visit. New favorite Mexican restaurant.I suggest to give them a try. I am really glad we did.
Written March 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RANDY A
Norcross411 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
The food was hot and fresh, we really enjoyed the meal. The service was good, and their staff was very friendly. Great stop for a good Mexican meal.
Written November 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen K
Lititz216 contributions
May 2021 • couples
This restaurant severed fabulous food in a great atmosphere! The little strip mall it is in makes it unassuming. The inside atmosphere is so laid back, the staff is friendly, and the food is to die for! We were so glad we chose this place for dinner on one of our two nights in Columbia! Beware, no margaritas are sold on Sunday’s!
Written May 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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