There’s no doubt that Columbia has seen several changes in the past year from record-breaking rainfall to new businesses opening. One change stands out in marquee letters and represents a whole new world of cuisine for the city.
Publico, located at 2013 Greene Street across from the Salty Nut Cafe, recently opened on Nov. 13 and offers specialty tacos inspired by food from other cultures. In addition to food, Publico also offers 54 taps, with about 47 reserved for craft and local beer, one for mead, several for wine and two for handcrafted cocktails.
The early success of Publico is largely attributed to the experience of owners, Robert McCarthey, Michael Duganier and Stan Panos. Panos and McCarthey were both on the team to reimagine Pleasure Island, the nightlife district in downtown Disney, and McCarthey and Duganier have worked extensively with sports restaurants and the NFL.
But even with a unique menu, the restaurant still has to face the already existing competition in Columbia. Victoria McQuinn, second-year computer science student, includes Cantina 76 and TakoSushi as restaurants that have mastered taco fusion and are in direct competition with Publico.
However, what sets Publico apart is its unique industrial yet rustic look.
“[It’s] pretty laid back,” Carter Kilmann, fourth-year finance and marketing student, said. “It comes off as sort of sophisticated at the same time.”
The restaurant resides in the former location of Garibaldi’s. The owners completely transformed the building to bring their vision of Publico to life.
“We gutted this place from what it was," Duganier said. "We found a warehouse in Dallas, Georgia and handpicked every single piece of reclaimed wood [amounting to over 1000 square feet], drew measurements and then pieced them together like a puzzle. It’s been a whole process."
The owners also have plans to add a deck patio by St. Patrick’s Day.
“It’s been awesome,” Duganier said. “There’s so much fun meeting everybody and getting the great reviews from locals coming in enjoying the atmosphere and the food and the service.”
With the design of the restaurant and eclectic menu, Publico offers high-energy feel with upbeat music, high-top tables, seven 55-inch TVs and a lot of fun for everyone 21 to 61. The restaurant offers Happy Hour specials from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as pint, bucket and taco platter specials and plans for brunch specials come the spring.
“We wanted to show that we weren’t a one-trick pony, and we can do other things. This fusion tacos and taps concept is one of them," Duganier said. "We chose Columbia because we were big fans of the fact that you’ve got a state capital. You’ve got USC. We really liked Five Points, and when we saw this location became available, we jumped at it. It’s a good town, and I’ve met so many wonderful people.”