Irene's — Restaurant in Columbia

Ordered the carne asada tacos. The meat was tender and seasoned well and the tortillas were excellent. The coleslaw was bland. Although the taco meat was excellent, the taco toppings were sparse. There wasn't much to put in the tacos besides meat. The were a few pieces of onion, cilantro, and two thin radish slices for each. We couldn't find ice for drinks (and didn't see anyone with ice in their drinks). So, we drank warm water and warm "ice tea."

The ordering was really confusing. When you walk in, it looks like a sit- down restaurant, but it's not. You walk up to the hostess stand, expecting to say how many are in your party, and are asked what you want to order instead. We were handed a menu, told we could sit to look at the menu, and then come back up to the hostess stand to order. Having this experience right away was off putting.

My kids were also upset about their meals. The restaurant does not list kid options on the menu. We were told that they have cheese or chicken quesadillas that kids can have. My son ordered the chicken quesadilla and was really upset about his meal. He hardly received any food and he said it was bland without any seasoning. It looked to be just some chicken and cheese in a tortilla. I don't blame him for being upset. It doesn't seem like any thought was put into what a kid might order.

We're not coming...

Went at dinnertime on a Saturday night and we managed to snag a table on the patio. The ordering process was really frustrating, you have to grab a menu at the door and they have a very cramped space for you to stand and decide before heading to the register to order everything you want upfront off the paper menu. We had no idea how any of it worked so it was really awkward and hectic right through the door. As we stepped up to order a large group of people walked in who also didn't know what was going on and the poor cashier had to yell over us to explain how it worked. Once we ordered we seated ourselves outside. Inside was mostly large community tables so not much privacy. Our drinks came out fast and were mostly really good. The strawberry margarita was meh. Our food took about 20 minutes but it was worth the wait everything was so delicious. I got the carne asada plate with the potato salad and it was simply devine. I wanted to order another drink and the only way you can do that is by scanning the QR code on your table number and ordering in an awful browser form and pay with your card. Overall the food was great but the experience was really chaotic and we left unsure if we'd return. If they make some much needed changes in front of house I could see this place...

So, let me paint a picture for you. After a long day of being a mailman, delivering mail in all kinds of weather, I head to Irene's. The moment I walk in, it's like stepping into a warm, welcoming haven, a real treat for a mailman like me.

Their Mexican barbecue is the stuff of legends. The smoky, spicy flavors of the BBQ, combined with the traditional Mexican spices, it's like a love letter to my taste buds. And trust me, as a mailman, I know a thing or two about letters! 📬

But the real star of the show? Their extensive agave spirit collection. It's like they've got a spirit for every letter in the alphabet! As a mailman, I've tried a lot of tequilas, but their Wild Common tequila, it's like the golden ticket I've been waiting to deliver all day. Smooth, flavorful, with just the right kick - it's the perfect end to a mailman's day. 🥃

The staff at Irene's, they're like the reliable postmen of the hospitality world. Always delivering excellent service with a friendly smile. It's a place where a mailman like me can kick back, relax, and feel appreciated.

So, from one mailman to another, if you're looking for a place that delivers on flavor, service, and atmosphere, Irene's is the...