This bustling area near Columbia just got a new Mexican restaurant. Here’s where
A new spot for Mexican flavors has debuted in a busy commercial area near Columbia.
Jimador Real, which is part of a family of Mexican restaurants in the Midlands, recently opened its doors at 4711 Forest Drive in Forest Acres, as noted in social media posts from the restaurant and the city of Forest Acres. The new restaurant is located in a popular shopping center that is anchored by a Lowes Foods supermarket and is home to a number other businesses, including a CVS pharmacy.
The Mexican eatery is in the space that formerly was home to a TakoSushi restaurant that closed last October. Shortly after the sushi spot closed, Jimador Real announced it would move into the space.
Jimador Real is part of the El Jimador chain that has been popular in the Midlands, with locations in Cayce, Columbia, Lexington, Irmo and elsewhere.
The company said on Facebook that the Forest Acres location is “a new Mexican cuisine concept focused on refined presentation and a different way to experience your favorite dishes.”
The Forest Acres Jimador Real and the shopping center it’s in are along the busy Forest Drive stretch that includes scores of restaurants, stores, apartments, offices and more. About 27,000 cars per day travel down that section of Forest Drive, per SC Department of Transportation data.
This story was originally published March 6, 2026 at 9:43 AM.
