Comal 864 Woodside — Restaurant in South Carolina

We loved this spot! So glad we discovered it. Quite the popular joint on a Saturday night. It was hard to get a table, since smaller inside. We had to wait a few minutes after ordering and stalk some to grab as they left lol. Worth it.

The menu looked great. The perfect mix of authentic and fusion foodie items. The atmosphere in there was great. The staff was so friendly and welcoming to everyone. The girl at the register was so nice and let my visiting dad ask her all the questions lol. The manager was awesome— high energy and fun— kept everyone happy. Good hospitality!

We ordered a little of everything to all share and try. Being raised in CA w all Mexican people and eating in Mexican homes, I’m spoiled and very picky. I need the real deal, authentic stuff. I read the owners were from Texas and I was skeptical.. I didn’t want Tex Mex style. But then I read the reviews, saw the pics, and saw they had mulitas and nopales. Done deal!

We ordered:

The quesa birria tacos (comes w 3 and the consumé, which is the dipping broth.) Think French Dip sandwich, but tacos. Birria is like a stew meat (traditionally goat, often pork or beef now), and tortillas are pan fried. A bit on the heavy, greasy, heartier side. It’s not ever my fav no matter where I eat it, but the guys ate it up, and it’s very popular all over. They loved it.

We ordered two mulitas: a chicken one and a beef one. I was shocked that they were so big! The ones I’m used to in CA are mini. But these were great! They’re like a taco and quesadilla had a baby. Lol They stuff it like a quesadilla w all the fixings and cheese, and pan fry so the ends all around it get crispy and make the cheese ends crispy. Delicious!! I loved the chicken more, but I’m picky w steak texture. The guys loved both!

The homemade guacamole was great! Flavorful and fresh!

The three street tacos we tried were: Al Pastor (marinated pork), Asada (grilled steak), and Nopales (grilled prickly pear cactus! Hard to find at most spots unless authentic. So good!) loved them all.

My son had his usual basic chicken and cheese tacos on flour tortillas lol. Boringgggg. But he liked them.

They had a local lady selling her desserts in there at a back table. Many families, college kids, eclectic single folks, alike, all up in there enjoying this deliciousness!

This part of town is slowly getting gentrified, slowly growing out from Pendelton St, it seems. Hope for more new food spots coming in like this one. I read they recently received a food award, so no wonder they were busy. Prices were very reasonable. We will be back! Everyone is still talking about it from a week...

I spend a lot of time at Unity Park and am always on the lookout for a new (to me) nearby restaurant to try and Comal 864 is only about 2 miles away. Got there around 1:30 so we didn't have to wait for a table. The gentleman behind the register was super nice and helpful. He explained the menu in depth and answered all our questions. We started with the Mexican Street Corn which was amazing and one order was definitely enough for 2 people. Ordered the birria quesitacos on his recommendation and they didn't disappoint. Three of them and a dipping aujus were more than enough for one person. The birria meat was super favorable and tender. Messy but oh so good! We also tried the chorizo burger as it is a sought after menu item which isn't always available. I would like to be put on a email list for the next time Comal 864 has it. Just they right amount of spicy goodness with amazing cheese. The bun was warm and soft the lettuce and tomato super fresh and the sauce...OMG! Don't know exactly was it was but I will take a quart to go please. Wish I was adventurous enough to try the chapulines but couldn't spend $15 on something I just wasn"t sure I could even eat. So one suggestion: how about a small chapulines appetizer? Can''t wait to go back and try breakfast! Saw at one time they did brunch, I'm assuming on Sundays...maybe bring that back at least once a month?? Please!!! Small building with large tastes and a funky wecoming vibe....

We read the chef at Comal864 was a 2023 James Beard semifinalist for the Southeast category, so we thought we would give it try. We ordered Birria Quesitacos and chicken enchiladas with green sauce. The chicken enchiladas came with rice and beans; the birria quesitacos did not, so we ordered a side of rice and beans to go with it. The birria was tender but a little bland. The green sauce on the chicken enchiladas was delicious, but overall the enchiladas tasted like basic Mexican fare here in US. The homemade chips and salsa were very good but cost extra—did not come with the meal like in most Mexican restaurants. However, they were inexpensive and delicious! Other things to note: Seating is VERY limited. Go early or order takeout. It was a chilly day outside and cold inside this restaurant. Needed a little warmth. Also, it took quite a while to receive our order. Think they are lacking staff. With time, this could become a very good restaurant. For now, honestly just okay, hence three stars. Not sure what the criteria for getting nominated for James Beard is but must be fairly mediocre standard. Probably won’t ever again pay attention to any restaurant getting a James Beard recognition. Not sure...