Minero: Margs and Vegan Menus

Don't sleep on the salsa.

Before I became vegan, I recommended Minero to my tour guests constantly. It's reasonably priced, has a great happy hour, doesn't require a rez, and is appropriately casual for the sweaty wanderer that's been walking around the historic downtown all day and now needs a meal and a drink. Once I became vegan... I not only kept recommending Minero to both my veg and omni guests, but knew that I would be able to keep patronizing it myself without being relegated to spooning down a sad bowl of beans with my margarita.

If you're in the know about Minero's pedigree, you'll know its the brainchild of southern chef wunderkind Sean Brock. You'll also probably know that Sean has long since left town for more Appalachian-y vibes and that lots of folks wring their hands about how his former properties will fare in a post-Brock Charleston.

Don't you worry about Minero, friends. Minero continues to rock. Upon request you'll be given a small but solid vegan menu from which you should go ahead and order the chips and salsas just automatically. Do it right away. The minute the server says "Hi" just get that order on in there. Pick a cocktail (I've referenced the margs twice because they are bomb, but the frozen mezcal punch of EL SATANICO is just what your vacation needs, honestly), and go ahead and put that salsa in, because when it arrives and you have your first taste of that tawny-colored benne seed salsa, your troubles and stresses and aching feet are going to melt away. Melt AWAY, friends.

Get the cauliflower tacos (pictured above) if you're a small hungry bear, the burrito bowl if you're a big hungry bear and actually do go after some of those beans too because, listen, they are good af. Let the cactus-distilled liquors wash over you and just relax, my friend. Just relax and enjoy that amazing salsa.

When to visit: For lunch or happy hour after you've been perusing museums and mansions in the French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods.