Pink Cactus Charleston — Restaurant in Charleston

We recently had the pleasure of dining at The Pink Cactus in Charleston, South Carolina once again, and I must say, it was a delightful culinary experience that left me craving for more. This vibrant and lively establishment offers a unique twist on Mexican cuisine, with standout dishes that truly impressed.

Let's start with the cheese dip. Oh, what a heavenly creation it was! The cheese dip at The Pink Cactus is a true masterpiece. Creamy, rich, and bursting with flavor, it was the perfect blend of melted cheese, spices, and a hint of tanginess. It was quiet hot so if you are not into spice this may not be for you but I loved it. The dip was served warm, accompanied by a basket of freshly made tortilla chips that were perfectly crisp. Each bite was a delightful explosion of cheesy goodness that left me wanting to lick the bowl clean. It's safe to say that this cheese dip is a must-try for any cheese lover.

Moving on to the rice bowl, it was a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The Pink Cactus offers a variety of options to customize your rice bowl, and I opted for the grilled chicken with a medley of fresh vegetables. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned, perfectly complementing the fluffy rice and vibrant vegetables. The highlight of the bowl was the burst of freshness from the guacamole, which added a creamy and tangy element to the dish. However, I must admit that the portion of guacamole was a bit overwhelming, overpowering the other flavors in the bowl. It would have been better if the guacamole was served in a smaller quantity, allowing the other ingredients to shine through.

While the food at The Pink Cactus was exceptional, there were a couple of minor drawbacks that affected the overall experience. Firstly, the EDM music playing in the restaurant was quite loud, making it challenging to have a conversation. The restaurant's hard surfaces amplified the sound, creating a bustling and energetic atmosphere that may not be ideal for those seeking a quieter dining experience. Additionally, the lack of sound-absorbing elements in the restaurant made it difficult to escape the noise.

Lastly, they were out of rice the last time that we went s d this time they were out of fish tacos. I totally understand food cost and rationing but I would ensure that you at least have rice. It is grown right there in Charleston.

Despite these minor inconveniences, the attentive and friendly service at The Pink Cactus made up for it. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu, accommodating to special requests, and genuinely passionate.

The Pink Cactus in Charleston is a culinary gem that offers a unique and flavorful dining experience. The cheese dip is an absolute must-try, with its heavenly blend of melted cheese and spices. The rice bowl, while delicious, could benefit from a more balanced portion of guacamole. The lively atmosphere and energetic music may not be suitable for those seeking a quieter ambiance. Nevertheless, the exceptional food and attentive service make The Pink Cactus a worthwhile destination for Mexican cuisine...

Currently eating lunch here with my father in law and wife. Well, they are eating and I am not.

The menu says *no modifications. We’ll when they say their policy is zero modifications, THEY MEAN IT!

I tried to order a few different lunch options from the menu with the slightest modification requests and they would not accommodate the easiest of request.

For example, I tried to order a steak and cheese quesadilla. The quesadilla comes with sauce drizzled atop of it. I simply asked for the sauce on the size. The sever checked with someone in the back to see if that request would be okay. Nope, ZERO modifications. So I just didn’t eat. They wouldn’t even put the sauce on the side. I’m not even exaggerating. Who is running this business?

I can understand the no modification thing to an extent, because customers can be difficult, but come on. How ridiculous. Work with the customer A LITTLE!

Their food looked good, but I suggest look at the menu before you come and make sure you can find something to order as the menu states, because you can’t change the slightest thing.

It should be noted, it is about 1:30 pm and we are the ONLY people here, so it’s not like they are super busy. Put the sauce on the side, make an extra $20 in sales, the waitress gets a little more of a tip, and everyone wins.

I’d give zero stars if I could because it annoys me when businesses are run so poorly.

• Update *

Prior to leaving, I guess the owner / cook caught wind of the negative google review I left while we were eating. The owner came to our table and we had such a bizarre exchange. I felt like I was on some hidden camera TV show. To put my perspective nicely, the owner came across has highly sensitive to negative feedback (my google review) and she was overly defensive and accusatory toward me. I’m sure any customer writing a negative review feels this way, and I believe customers can oftentimes be completely unreasonable and emotional, but I genuinely tried to be reasonable and nice.

Out of curiosity, I read through the prior negative reviews. When people talk about their experience with the awful ownership/management, believe it. I give this place less than a year to remain...

I tried to reach out to the restaurant on 11/19 via email and have not heard back from them so I am leaving a review based on my experience as is.

We visited the restaurant on 11/16 around 6:20pm we were seated promptly despite not having a reservation, which was greatly appreciated. I also overheard that there was a 7:30 PM reservation for our table, and we were mindful to finish within that timeframe. The food was absolutely fantastic—particularly the freshly made chips, which deserve special recognition.

However, I did want to highlight a few aspects of our visit that left us a little disappointed, primarily in the service:

Server Interaction: Our server, whose name I unfortunately don’t recall, seemed very shy or nervous, both with our table and others nearby. While polite and accommodating when answering questions, she didn’t offer much explanation about the menu or its portions. For example, we unknowingly ordered more chips than we could manage, which could have been avoided with a brief overview. Her energy was very noticeably low and interaction with our table was just… missing making the experience less personal.

Beverage Options: We weren’t offered any non-alcoholic beverage options beyond the table water and Mexican soda. It would be helpful to clarify on the menu or through the server if mocktails or other non-alcoholic options are available. Adding beverages like lemonade or similar choices could enhance inclusivity for a wider range of guests.

Check Handling: When we requested the check, it was brought promptly, but there was no inquiry about splitting it. While the table next to us received individual checks, we weren’t offered the same option. This oversight impacted my ability to tip the server directly, as I typically prefer to leave at least 30% on my personal portion. While this wasn’t a significant issue due to our consideration of the upcoming 7:30 reservation, it would have been more seamless if the server had asked proactively.

Hopefully others have a...