COLUMBIA — A new Mexican restaurant from the owner of Columbia restaurants Saluda's and Il Bucato is coming to Five Points in early spring of next year. 

The eatery, which will serve traditional Mexican cuisine like chips and queso, tacos and enchiladas, is set for 819 Harden St. in the former space of Southern Belly BBQ, Saluda's owner Steve Cook confirmed. It does not yet have a name, Cook said. 

"It's going to be more of a traditional Mexican restaurant," Cook said. "Besides pizza, I think Mexican (food) is the biggest restaurant segment in the United States, so it's not like it hasn't been done before, but we're going to have a unique take on it. We're not reinventing the wheel, we're just doing it in a really high quality way."

The new eatery will be cheaper and more laidback than Saluda's, which is a longtime, white tablecloth establishment in the heart of Five Points. Cook said he wants the spot, which will sit between late-night joint Eddie's Calzones and casual burger restaurant Pawley's Front Porch, to appeal to college students and have a neighborhood feel. 

Cook said diners could expect to eat for under $20, not including drinks. The restaurant will have a full bar, with a handful of specialty cocktails and both the food and drink menus will be crafted with the help of the staff at Saluda's. Saluda's general manager, Andrew Thompson, is a partner in the new venture. 

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Steve Cook, who owns Saluda's and Il Bucato in Columbia, will open a new Mexican restaurant in Five Points in the spring of next year. Hannah Wade/staff. 

The college nightlife and retail district where the eatery will open has undergone significant changes in the last few years, as aggressive lawmakers pushed to close down bars that predominantly catered to college students and iconic restaurants like Yesterdays closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

But Cook said he's bullish about the future of the neighborhood, which is home to a variety of local retailers like the newer Pannerpete Vintage and longstanding businesses like The Gourmet Shop and well-loved places like Drip Coffee and Jake's Bar on Devine. 

"To me, there's not a better place to open a restaurant in Columbia, especially one like this," Cook said. "We love the close proximity to USC and the affinity that USC students have for Five Points. And we're also backed up to all these wonderful neighborhoods."

The restaurant is tentatively set to open in March 2024. The 1700 square-foot space will be able to sit around 50 people. Cook teased another upcoming project, also set for the Five Points area, which could open later in 2024.  

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Growth and development reporter

Hannah Wade covers growth, development and new business at the Post and Courier Columbia. She previously worked as the food writer for the Free Times. Before joining Post and Courier Columbia/Free Times, Hannah worked as a reporting and photojournalism intern with The Greenville News. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2021. 

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