Mint to Be Mojito Bar and Bites — Restaurant in Savannah

Woof. Very disappointed in this place. If you don’t want to read a long review, just suffice it to say this place was not enjoyable. If you have a minute to let a stranger bend your ear (and at the risk of sounding like a total Karen), read on. We were on vacation in Savannah (like so many people are at any given time) and I had specifically seen Mint To Be Mojito Bar on a few “must do” lists leading up to it. I love mojitos, so I was excited to try! We saved it for our last day in town, and unfortunately I wish we had just missed it entirely. First of all, it was chaotic. Two peddle pubs-worth of people were in the small space when we walked in (which is not the fault of the establishment), but the chaos was handled so poorly. When my partner and I finally made it up to the counter to order, I was surprised to see that the menu was pretty short. But I’m easy to please, so I wasn’t too worried. we were greeted with, well, no real greeting. Given that the woman who was helping us had just dealt with about 12 buzzed bridal parties, I can forgive that. We ordered two mojitos—a classic and a raspberry—as well as pork tacos and a chicken empanada. Let me tell you, this place is EXPENSIVE. And we’re from Chicago, where everything is pricey. Our total came out to about $51 for two mojitos, two tacos, and an empanada. We found a table in the back (after asking what the protocol was; are we supposed to wait at the counter? Will someone bring the food? Are we even allowed to find our own table? I prefer to be instructed but I digress) and waited for our order. They called our name and my partner picked up our Mojitos. They were…. Simply okay. Very weak, honestly I couldn’t really taste the mint or the alcohol. The ice was very refreshing though, I can tell you that much. My tacos came out with rice and beans and it was all very tasty. Can’t complain about those at all (well, except for the wild pricing on two tiny tacos, but I don’t want to beat a dead horse). We continued to wait for my partner’s empanada which… didn’t seem to be coming. The flock of tipsy peddle pubbers were still crowding the counter, so he venmoed me $5 and resigned himself to eating that sunk cost. A kitchen guy came out with more tacos looking for who they belonged to, and we informed him that they weren’t ours, but that my partner WAS still waiting on an empanada. He paused and looked at us for a moment as though he might do something to settle that (he did not). Finally, I convinced my partner to go up and ask about his empanada. An endeavor that should have taken 45 seconds but instead took a full 4 minutes? Apparently the woman at the counter didn’t seem to believe him when he said he ordered an empanada and didn’t receive it, but upon seeing me in the back, he memory was jogged and he was granted his $5 snack! Hooray! We finished our food and drinks quickly and left even quicker. Savannah is a gorgeous city with incredible restaurants and bars and we have enjoyed our time IMMENSELY, but Mint to Be Mojito Bar was the sole disappointment in our whole trip (which, in the grand scheme of things, is not so bad!). I’d say avoid, because you can absolutely find better, cheaper mojitos and tacos somewhere else...

I came in a Thursday Night, supposedly it's Bachata and Salsa Night. There was a somewhat lively atmosphere with about 6 or 7 pairs of People dancing; the place felt and seemed small and the Bar area is even smaller with room for a max of 3 seats. I've asked for a Classic Mojito since I'm not into fruity drink flavors. The Lady behind the Bar proceeded to prepare it, then I saw her pour it into a clear plastic cup to my dismay. I've asked the Lady (and I say Lady out of respect, I can't call her a "Bartender" because to be a Bartender You have to have primarily a personality and neither of these 2 Ladies had it - moreover, the other Lady was of a heavier set had visible Tattoos everywhere in her upper body, neck and hands; wore glasses and was absolutely rude). Seeing that She was about to pour it into that plastic cup, I asked: In plastic? She looked at Me as if I was asking a sacrilegious question and poured into the cup anyways, grabbed what looked like a branch of a Mint plant of about 4" long and placed it on the drink as Garnish and hand it to Me by placing it on the counter. At this point, I was already regretting having ordered this drink. The branch of Mint, or Garnish, was actually larger than the height of the cup and kept trying to fall off, so I took it off and placed it on the Bar and moved away from the Bar and those Ladies... went over the dance floor area to see the dancers. Music was so-so with some old Bachatas and mostly, Old School Salsa, but the DJ was loud through the microphone, and at times, sound seemed to much for such a small place and ambiance. Nevertheless, I swore to Myself that I'm never...

Stopped in Savannah for a few hours and ended up parking in front of this gem. After running a few errands, we jumped in here to get a snack and escape the nearly unbearable heat. I saw the word Tamal on a board in front of the cafe. I was intrigued. Born and raised in Southern California, I know a good tamale. I haven't had one since we moved to South Carolina. I had high hopes. The Cafe was empty at 4pm on a weekday - and it was perfect. The cool air, interesting decor, loud (but not too loud) Latin music, friendly staff and quickly served bites were a direct contrast to the heat and intense sun a few feet outside the door. I didn't want to leave. We ate 2 tamales- one pork and one chicken - so fast, I forgot to take photos! The mesa wasn't as done as I'd have liked, but the filling was great. Wrapped in a (banana?) Leaf rather than corn husk, the mesa was mild with a silky consistency. Very good, but not what I was expecting. Both sauces were amazing - I'm still thinking of the jalapeno green sauce. We had a copious amount of iced water and then had to dash. On the way out, I saw empanadas in a case by the register, and my husband agreed as we started the car, we had to try these. He ran in and came back to our air conditioned car with 2 in a box.. we ate a chicken and pork one in the car, covered by the shade of a large tree outside their door. Chicken and pork -hot, flakey, small delicious handfuls of loveliness. Can't wait to go back, try some other items and a mojito on a day I can walk the neighborhood and sightsee. Treat yourself if you're in the area and visit...