We went here for brunch on Sunday. It's a nice clean restaurant they also have patio seating for pet friendly area. Which was nice , the food was great . The breakfast burritos were delicious, the yogurt bowl was yummy plenty of fruit. The S'mores latte was delicious. The service was good , nothing exciting. So for this part of the review everything was good. (I had ordered the tres Leche pancakes because I was intrigued. When I got the tres leche pancakes I very disappointed there was no taste of tres leche anywhere on those pancakes , all I could taste was regular plain pancakes with syrup , it does come with plantains those were pretty good . I had thought that maybe they would put some tres leche in between the pancakes themselves. But no they were very dry. And the waiter didn't even give me the bacon that came with my pancakes ,I had to ask for it and if i didn't get the bacon.I would have been charged for the bacon . Waiter needs to be more aware of what comes with the plates. Anyway don't order the tres leche pancakes you will be disappointed. No stars for this experience) Overall the restaurant was nice and the other food we got was good. read more

Publico was fine, but it wasn't really my favorite Mexican experience. The chips, quesadilla, fries, and tacos I got were pretty average as compared to other Mexican restaurants, and nothing about them really stood out. In addition, my waitress was nice, but I would've liked it if she was a tad more attentive. Although I didn't drink on this occasion, I've been to Publico in the past, and I will say that their margaritas are much better than comparable Mexican places. So, perhaps if you're looking for a Mexican place that has good drinks rather than great food, Publico seems like a nice option. As for the ambiance, it was a cool place. It was dimly lit, and they had TVs all over the back wall where you could watch the day's sporting events. The bar looked like it had a cool vibe as well, and they have a back patio that's perfect for outside dining. All-in-all, I'd probably go back and recommend Publico for drinks and ambiance, but would likely head elsewhere if I'm looking for great Mexican food. read more

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I came here right after my Army boot camp graduation to celebrate with my family before heading off to AIT. Since we arrived during a quieter hour, the place was pretty empty, which was honestly exactly what I needed. After being away for so long, having that quiet time to actually talk and connect with my family before heading back to my unit was perfect. The food at Publico has some of the most unique tacos I've ever tried. The Beef Taco with Scorpions! Yes, actual scorpions! If you're adventurous, you have to try it. It was surprisingly delicious The Banh Mi Taco surprisingly also a huge hit. The flavors were fresh and authentic definitely one of the better fusion tacos I've had. The Experience and the atmosphere was chill, and since it wasn't crowded, the service was fast and attentive. It was the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a "civilian" meal before the next chapter of my training. Great food, unique menu items you won't find anywhere else, and the perfect setting for a family milestone. Highly recommend the Banh Mi taco and, if you're brave enough, the scorpions! read more

Publico - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Came here for brunch with my wife and I. Prices are quite reasonable, food is tasty and original, and our server (April) was great. Really the only thing I could gig the place on was that all chairs were barstools, but that also means people don't hang out all day and you can go here for lunch after church without a 45 minute wait. Actually, we had no wait time. While I don't drink, their selection of alcoholic drinks is extremely comprehensive, I think it would impress most. Definitely worth going as they offer a military/veteran rate as well :) Enjoy! read more

Publico - Puffy waffles a la carte - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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It's an OK place, we sat outside and the weather was great for it. Mixed crowd, young college but also some mature people, couple of families with youngsters running around so ok in gener read more

This place is pretty cute! It's definitely got the classic college town sports bar vibe, which is to be expected based on the location. I came here with my family to celebrate my little sister's 21st birthday, and we all had a good time! We enjoyed the wide variety of menu options for everyone to enjoy. The service was super friendly and quick during lunch time, and they all get bonus points for wearing Christmas pajamas to work as we were visiting on December 26th. This was a super cute place and overall pretty solid quality for the price. read more

Had a great time at Publico! The staff was festive and friendly, and it was nicely decorated for Christmas. I really enjoyed my meal, which was the Ube bubble waffle with fried chicken. It also had plantains and kimchi - an interesting mix of menu items! This was part of their brunch menu. overall, everything was delicious! I also got the pineapple mimosa which came with a rubber ducky on top. All in all, everyone enjoyed their meal. My only issue was that the kimchi came on top of the waffle which made it extremely soggy and kimchi flavored. So I couldn't eat the whole waffle. It also had some of the sauce from the plantains on the waffle as well. So I would say to serve the waffle on a different plate in the future. read more

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We had such a great experience at Publico Kitchen & Tap! Kat was our server and she truly made our day, she is super sweet, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. The food was a fun and unexpected fusion, leaning Mexican with subtle Asian influences woven throughout. I got the Publico burger and it was so good. The meat was flavorful and juic! Everything we tried was unique, flavorful, and honestly just really good. Great service, creative dishes, and a welcoming vibe. Definitely a spot I'd come back to! read more

the food was so terrible. Our bao buns were burnt, and you truly can't call them poke bowls if they have just two pieces of shrimp in it... really disappointed and even the prices weren't justifiable for the experience. Nice atmosphere though and staff were kind. read more

Publico - shrimp poke bowl - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Service is ok. Location is cute has outdoor patio. Food not so great.. ordered barbacoa tacos and literally a thread of meat... carnitas ok but tacos are not authentic used flour tortillas which was a bummer! It's more Americanized food. Drinks were ok. Ordered watermelon margarita a 6/10 and the michelada was a 0/10 literally tasted like an American Bloody Mary not a real michelada. read more

Food was extremely sub-par. We ordered the birria tacos, the trio, rice, and a bulgogi beef taco. Birria tacos were basically salt pouches, the guac was pasty, the queso was chalky, the bulgogi beef taco was sloppy but still dry in a weird way. I've given this place a few chances before but this is my last. Forgot to mention my dawg ordered kimchi and no words needed. read more

Taco Monday, chef special: Medeteranian Tofu. Vegetarian & Vegan Heaven right here in river city. First rule of best places - see Fight Club. read more

Publico - 4x2$ Medeteranian Tofu )delight) - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Sunday Funday in full effect so I decided to take the wife to Publico ... unfortunately the air wasn't working and the wife was not to thrilled ... for my app I ordered the Spicy Turkey Gyoza ... they were bomb .. wish they had a dipping sauce but they were fresh and very flavorful and they weren't over fried and they aren't spicy lol ... for my meal .. I ordered the Manchurian scorpion that has real scorpion ... the Bang Shrimp ... and the Hot Honey Yuzu .. it came with a side I got the plantain from my wife's order and personally ordered fries... didn't plan on drinks but order the Spicy Cantaloupe Cooler because of the mezcal ... Up first the Scorpion taco .. first and foremost if you don't like spicy don't order lol .. not season as much as I wouldn't liked but it's not bad ... up next the HotHoney ... once again no wow factor .. the honey was good but it was missing the hot :( .. they say 3rd time the charm .. and it was the bang shrimp was AWESOME.. flavorful and seasoned .. my personal favorite.. our waitress was also very good considering the air wasn't working lol ... lunch DT is always good over being able to see 5 points in the day time lol iykyk... I will be bacc now that I know to order ... till next time read more

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This was the first time I came back to publico in over a year and I had a great experience! There was a 30-45 minute wait on a Sunday night when we came, but it went faster than I thought. I honestly forgot about how wide of a range the menu is, there really is something for everyone here. I had the trio and tostada salad. The salad was amazing, super filling and I loved the salsa. However, I do think there is better queso in town, so next time I'd love to try a new appetizer. All in all I think this is definitely a great place to come to with a group of friends, especially this time of year since they are all decked out with christmas decorations and have fun christmas cocktails!! read more

Publico - Tostada salad - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Terrible experience overall. Got here at 1:40 sitted at 1:41 ordered at 2:00 got our food at 3:08. Service was trash, saw people who came 30 minutes after us and get served quicker. Got the hot mess asked for no avocado, got served with extra. Food tasted bland. Came here to try something new, than realized that I can get the same thing at a mainstream restaurant like Zaxby's a cheaper price. Looking for something new, you're not gonna get it here! read more

absolutely disgusting I found a bug in my service so bad hostess was terrible. Our was nice. food was terrible because we found a bug in it. read more

Our server Colin was amazing! There was a delay with our order, but Colin was very nice and apologetic about it. There was a large party so we understood. I love the range of the menu here. I hate the short rib was out, BUT it's just another reason to go back! read more

Great atmosphere! Next, the food we had today tasted wonderful! Finally, Mia was a WONDERFUL server which was helpful since we stopped by today for our first ever visit to Publico. She made sure to explain all of the food and drink options to us, had a great attitude, and made sure we had everything we needed. Here is a picture of the Nacho Fries next to a lovely Santa mug. The picture doesn't do justice. I was dipping jalepeños in the base because it was so tasty! read more

Publico - Nacho fries and Santa! - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Great spot in 5 Points. Large outdoor area with some games like Jenga and Connect 4. Service was great- friendly and fast. On Thursdays, they have pitchers of beer for $15. You get about 4 beers out of it. Food was good. Not amazing but good. They have some fun tacos. Salad and cauliflower bites were lacking in flavor. Could have used more dressing or seasoning on the salad. But lots of outdoor seating and a great spot to spend a nice afternoon or evening. read more

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I came in on super bowl Sunday and our server, I think Amber, was AMAZING. She had a great energy and was just as excited about the Bad Bunny Show as we were. If coming here, ask for her! Margaritas were so good, the pitcher was perfect for sharing. Ambiance during Christmas is the best, read more

We were thrilled when we stopped into to Publico to check it out for dinner. The decor and ambience is awesome. We were greeted and sat right away. Everyone we encountered was so friendly and welcoming. Our server was fantastic. We ordered a couple of tacos and a burrito. Delicious! The menu is full of drink specials and lots of yummy options. We will definitely be back! read more

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Any place that has a server that is super aware of what is gluten free is a win for me. I love the atmosphere here. The tacos I had were good especially the birria. The margarita was also great. My friend really enjoyed her ramen but not the seltzer she chose. read more

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I went to Publico during my lunch hour. No one was there, which was fine with me. I got the birria quesadilla with a side of kimchi. I did not love it. It was ok! I LOVE birria and I LOVE kimchi so I was very excited to see how it would taste. I think they are most known for other dishes there. The restaurant was very clean and well lit. I would go back and try other things. read more

Publico - Birria quesadilla and House Kimchi - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Great atmosphere! Our waitress was Maria and she took good care of us. Service was prompt, and she offered us all the specials upfront, as well as the drink specials, which all sounded wonderful. Loved our tacos, queso & guac. We will definitely come again when we're visiting the University of South Carolina in the future. read more

Publico - Avocado Taco - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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I love this location! Literally right next to Segra Park baseball field. As you now know makes an incredible ambience anytime of day and/or evening. The food has not been disappointing both times here. Servers we have had been great! Indoor/outdoor seating is fun too!! Open atmosphere and just gives good vibes. read more

Had great service here from Ms. Mary Ann but the food was mid to say the least. The menu is like Tex mex meets American Korean food. The fried shrimp burrito was interesting cause the shrimp wasn't fried the entire burrito was... I had a very bland quesadilla. It's supposedly a corn tortilla (as you can see it's not) with shredded chicken and a small amount of cheese inside. If you smother it in some of their hot sauce options it's mid at best. read more

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Cute place with large outdoor eating space. Street parking for a fee. Loved the nachos trio dip. Tacos were delicious as well. Recommend the mango Margarita. Get the pitcher if your with a friend!! Our waiter was very friendly. read more

This was a delicious dining experience. Let me just say I had their special tacos and the bartender was wonderful talking me into the special taco. She was attentive and polite. I also ordered the pork quesadilla with the au jous to go for a much later late night snack. It was perfect. It was not too loud but a fun atmosphere for this out of town girl! I'll be back when I'm back in Columbia! read more

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Wow, it's a sports bar. Lot's of unique menu items. When my Mexican Cornbread came out I was disappointed by the size but it turned out to be filling and just enough. Everyone else's food looked really good too. read more

Publico - Mexican Cornbread without cheese - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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We had a huge party of ten but the waitress did a great job of keeping our orders straight. No one had any complaints and we had a huge variety of dishes. The burgers were huge, chicken and puffle was so different, and all the different tacos were yummy. Warning, the bao buns were super spicy. The kids had a great time playing cornhole underneath the lights! read more

Publico - Chicken and puffle. - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

No way Publico is a 4 star. The beer menu was dated. We tried to order 3 local beers on the menu. None were available. My daughter's tacos came out sitting in water. My wife ate half her burger. My beef burrito had "little to no beef". They brought our fries out after we completed our meal. On top of that, the service was awful, I had to hunt down a server to get a second beer. No apologies for all the errors. I will never return. read more

Coming from the Southwest, I was not expecting much from a South Carolina craft taco establishment, but came in on the strength of the reviews, and was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed both the Shrimp Tapajo and Beef Short Rib. While initially skeptical of the addition of an aioli to my side of plaintains, I came to enjoy it after a few bites. Of anywhere I ate in town, Publico also had the most welcoming bar staff. I'll be back here if I end up in town again. read more

Publico is a staple in Columbia and I always love when I get to go! The service is always consistent along with the food quality. One of my favorite things to get is their waterline margarita. It's super cute casual spot in Five Points. There's mainly street parking but I've never had an issue finding any on a Saturday. I highly recommending coming especially if you have a group friends that can't decide on what kind of food they want. Publico is very diverse! read more

Publico - Back Patio - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Nice spot! We dropped in while waiting for the stadium opened to go look at lights and got some drinks. The vibe was fun and there were games all over the tables. The drinks were unique and tasty and we tried all the festive ones. I liked there sugar cookie martini best. Price: reasonable Parking: street and parking garage Service: fast and good read more

Publico - Sugar cookie martini - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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It was a fun afternoon. The staff was very friendly and kept us hydrated and fed. The menu is fun and offered choices for all. The he drink menu is plentiful. Had a great special with the tropical twist and in a pineapple. It was our 30th reunion and a great way to start the weekend. read more

Publico - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Love when the Christmas Pop Up gets set up at Publico! This year, the theme was Santa's Pub and it was a hit! Absolutely loved the Christmas decor and couldn't get over how good the drinks were. 10/10 for sure and the service was great considering how crowded it was! I've been to Publico a bunch since I've moved here in 2023 and definitely feel like they're really becoming known for this event around the Holidays. I highly recommending coming and stopping by because the vibes are always spot on. It was buzzing, even on a Tuesday so make sure to come early! read more

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Service was very good. Our server was very friendly. Cute outdoor area, tables are all tilted to one side so being conscious that drinks and silverware will slide. Food was very okay. We tried the restaurant week menu Cauliflower bites - so heavy in breading and oil Yuzu chicken tacos - heavy on cabbage they were in desperate need of sauce and chicken. Dessert Chicken boa bun - good very plain and a very small app. read more

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The Food it's good, the atmosphere and the service are great they have a nice outside are. We had a great time.

After walking the Soda City Saturday market, we wanted to sit for lunch. Publico popped up and the menu and reviews looked great. The wait time for weekend lunch time rush was 15 minutes so we had no problem waiting. We were lucky to get outdoor seating, especially with it being such a gorgeous day outside. Each of us ordered a pineapple margarita, which came with a slice of orange and orchid flower. The kitchen moves quickly because once we ordered, our food came out within ten to fifteen minutes. My gripes are the dogs and the flawed suggested tipping system left on the receipt. I can't get with bringing pets around my food. Also, I wonder how many people have tipped incorrectly due to the suggested amount on the receipt. read more

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We dropped into Publico Kitchen and Tap on a Saturday afternoon (after a morning of shopping at Soap City). The place was bustling and we had a bit of a wait. Once we were seated and had an opportunity to look over the menu, we found it full of fresh, local, organically grown offerings. There were loads of vegetarian and vegan options in the selections. We were spoiled for choice with all the customizable tacos, Ramen Bowls, burgers, salads, poke & sandwiches. I ultimately ordered the Shrimp Tataki Salad accompanied by the Saturday special Pineapple margarita. Publico Kitchen & Tap is a Five Points restaurant that is both cozy and inviting. Lots of hipsters came with their dogs during our outing; the patio is a dog-friendly space. There's even a neat games area for kids (and those who have chosen not to grow up). I was really tickled to see an Airstream trailer on the terrace. Publico is a great little place to visit and I'm sure you'll find something to your liking there. read more

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