Dorchester Rd. Restaurant Prides Itself on Mexican Authenticity, Including Food, Drink, and Ambiance

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer / Food & Beverage Review

The corridor of Dorchester Road between Ashley Phosphate and Oakbrook of Summerville is one of the fastest growing areas in all of greater Charleston. Situated on Dorchester Road in front of the Cedar Grove residential neighborhood sits Cedar Grove Commons, a booming shopping center with a mix of retail and fast food restaurants. However, none of the eateries are as committed to the menu as is La MinervA Cocina & Tequila. 

You can tell when restaurant owners really care about what they do. There are several key elements when determining such. First and foremost it's about the menu, and the overall quality of the food and the products used to create the dishes. Secondly, it's about presentation. Simply how the meal looks when presented to the patron. Third, and just as important is the combined passion from the staff, as well as the overall ambiance of the restaurant.

From the kitchen to the bar, and from the host stand to the dining room, everything at La MinervA Cocina & Tequila reflects authentic Mexican fare. Owner Raul Salazar owns and operates three additional Rio Chico's in the low country. While he admits the Rio Chico's serve up good Mexican food, they are Americanized Mexican, catering to generalized tastes.

However, when it comes to his latest family owned food and drink establishment, he's proud to boast that La MinervA is every bit Mexican, recreating in detail the recipes he learned from his mother and other family members growing up in his native Guadalajara, the capital city in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Raul further adds that while three fourths of the menu is influenced by his family, the remaining one fourth is inspired by a close friend and chef, thus providing a hint of modern Mexican.

And although Raul is the overseer at La MinervA, it is his lovely wife Alondra who used her feminine flair to design the dining room and the adjacent bar area, bringing a lot of the fixtures and decor from south of the border.

Alondra imagined using the rich colors of Mexico along with soft earth tones, creating an overall warm and welcoming ambiance, further enhanced by a wall sized mural of a 'Minerva', depicting the bronze statue of Roman goddess Glorieta La Minerva, a fixture in Guadalajara. Minerva, a popular female name in Mexico, symbolizes justice, wisdom, and strength, perhaps serving as a good will ambassador over Salazar's restaurant. 

Let's talk menu. Aside from the fresh produce Raul gets locally from Limehouse, almost all of the seasonings, meats and dairy products (cheeses) come from Mexico. You cannot create authentic Mexican dishes if you don't use authentic Mexican products. Once you taste La MinervA's dishes you'll understand the reason why Raul goes to great lengths for the sake of the food, and his patrons. 

If you have eclectic tastes or are willing to step outside your comfort zone, La MinervA offers up a wide variety of dishes, including Pulpo A Las Brasas (braised & marinated charred octopus) and Paella Mexicana, simply fresh pan-seared dry sea scallops and prawns, blanketed in a medley of veggies and surrounded by a herb tomato sauce roux and queso Oaxaca, and served with traditional rice.

All out carnivores could opt for a ribeye under the Cortes De Carne (select cuts) section of the menu. Your eight ounce steak comes complete with seasoned veggies, frijole charros (cowboy beans), panela asada (semi-soft cheese) and a choice of flour or corn tortillas. Just three of nearly 30 main menu options at La MinervA.

Taco fans might prefer the Quesa Taco under the Birria Lovers section. A stewed mixture of braised beef, chiles, herbs, and spices doubly wrapped in grilled house-made corn masa tortillas (made from dried corn kernels) served with a Mexican consomé for dipping. Two tacos for just $14. Muy excelente! 

A dish I found wonderfully unique, exceptional tasting, and incredibly eye appealing is the Volcan La Minerva. At $40 this triple meat threat has a little of everything and can easily be enjoyed by two people. What catches the eye is that it's served in a square-shaped, grey volcanic rock style bowl. If you have a voracious appetite, this is your entrée at La MinervA.

We're talking arrachera (Mexican skirt steak), marinated chicken guajillo, and plump prawns in a crema sauce. The ensemble meal comes complete with panela asada (broiled slightly salty firm cheese), traditional rice, cactus salad (a popular Mexican dish made from pads of prickly pear cactus, diced tomatoes, onions, & cilantro with a hint of lime), frijoles charros, and two or three different flavored salsas.

Para Empezar, Sopas, and Ensaladas aka starters, soups, and salads, La MinervA carries an ample selection, including Pozole Blanco, a traditional Jalisco soup crafted from white hominy steeped in simmered pork, seasonings, cabbage, and lime. Presented with tostados. 

11 choices under Plato Fuertes (featured plates) including Milansea, a hearty chicken breast served with rice, alongside del valle salad, a delightful blend of charred romaine heart, black beans, corn, pico, avocado, pickled onion, and queso fresco. The Volcan and the Paella entrees fall under the featured plates.

If you're a fan of fresh pan seared scallops and prawns accented with wild mushrooms than ask for the Mariscos La MinervA. Four fresh seafood platters including salmon and mahi mahi, all served with poblano rice, jardin de frutos rojos salad (red fruit), and sweet plantains (starchy vegetable related to bananas that becomes sweet when cooked). Incredible variety.

When it comes to the menu, you can be conservative and order tacos, tamales, and quesadillas, or you can be slightly bold and order the Mole Negro Oaxaca ($18), grilled chicken surrounded by frijoles negros (meatier black turtle beans), with pickled onions, traditional rice, and your choice of corn or flour tortillas. If you want a true taste of Mexican food, La MinervA has dozens of options. Test the waters!

Keeping it in the family, Raul's sister Veronica crafted the entire drink menu. Dozens of adult beverages denote Veronica's handiwork, including an abundant selection of high-end tequilas and mescals, along with signature drinks, mimosas, Bloody Mary's, and a tequila enhanced fresh brewed coffee (Café Mexicano). 

If you love a vibrant margarita, then get ready for a taste sensation, because all the margaritas at La MinervA begin with fresh (yes I said fresh) juices. Included in the fruit mix are pineapple, orange, cranberry, peach, lemon, mango, and passionfruit. There's no reason to enjoy real Mexican food, without experiencing real Mexican beverages. They offer a nice selection of Mexican beers as well.

On top of all that La MinervA carry their own branded tequila. The Herradura Double Barrel Reposado a Private Barrel label is produced from plant-to-bottle at the world-renowned Casa Herradura estate in Amatitán, Jalisco. The process involves resting the tequila in charred American white oak barrels for 11 months, before moving to new barrels (toasted oak) and aged an additional 30 days. This creates a smooth and unique flavor profile that is not found in any other tequila. 

When it comes to Mexico's national drink, La MinervA invite you to embrace the excerpt from iconic Mexican painter and philosopher Frida Kahlo. "Doctor, if you let me drink this tequila, I promise I won't drink at my funeral." The quote suggests a desire to enjoy life, even in the face of death, with a touch of rebellious humor. In other words 'live life to the fullest, and drink tequila'.

While that saying rings true from Victoria's drink menu, several witticisms and affirmations abound throughout the restaurant including 'Dream Until It's Your Reality', a neon sign complete with wings that provide a nice photo op or Instagram moment.

When weather permits you can dine outside, but with earth tone hues, colorful murals, high ceilings, and illuminating artificial trees, the interior resembles a majestic atrium. Just a few of the splendid touches care of senora Alondra.

La MinervA is open Sun-Thurs 11-10pm, and 11-11pm Fri-Sat. While reservations aren't required, they are appreciated, and perhaps necessary during dinner hours. Most main entrees range between $15 - $30. Jazz music offered on select nights.

Their physical address is 8811 Dorchester Road Suite 107 in North Charleston, roughly two miles up from Ashley Phosphate on your way to Summerville. The answer is yes, you can order online. Reach them at (843)-501-7550 or discover more at https://laminervacocina.com/