San Marcos is more than a restaurant; it’s a legacy. Every dish reflects the beauty of Mexican culture, with recipes passed down through generations – a testament to our family’s culinary heritage. Our goal is to share the authentic taste of Mexican cuisine with our communities in NC and VA, and have fun while doing it! Step into a fiesta as our vibrant décor and lively music set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. At San Marcos, it’s not just a meal; it’s a celebration.
Local chain serving traditional Mexican dishes & drinks in a casual, stylish space.
Albert Chairez
Me and my father stopped here for dinner while traveling thru NC. Its was a Friday 730pm it was busy but we was in and out quickly, no wait time to get a table and food came out 25 minutes after we sat down. We both order fajitas but the meat was cut way to small for a fajitas plate. It was basically like small popcorn nugget fajitas lol. I will be back next time I am in the area but I will try a different dish. Hand made corn tortillas that was a plus. Manager/CEO look into the fajitas plate.
… moreGabrielle Z
Excellent, no complaints! The photos do not do the portion sizes justice, huge portions. And the staff was very nice. We were feeling cold so we asked to be reseated in a warmer corner and our server had the thermostat turned warmer, and confirmed that we were comfortable after. My dad said his food was the best burrito he’s ever had, his included beef, chicken, bacon, and shrimp. Prices were very reasonable. We would love to eat here again!
… moreFrances Croom
Was in the area for 1 night and this place was recommended to us from the staff at the hotel. It was an easy walk to get there. We were seated right away without having to wait.
We have been to many Mexican restaurants and I always order the same thing. Carnitas.
It is a hit and miss and this meal was definitely a miss. The meat was so overcooked and tough it could not be chewed. And what I was able to get out of it had a lot of fat and gristle in it. Needed to have more flavor and spices added to make it tastier.
But the presentation of the meal was fabulous as was the Sangria. Sangria was a little light on the alcohol though but not too sweet which is they way I like my Sangria’s.
Hubby’s Enchilada’s lacked flavor as was reported to me. Again, the presentation was spot on.
Service was excellent as well as friendly and helpful. Chips and Salsa came right away. The Salsa was definitely homemade and was full of spices and flavor.
… moreLawrence England
San Marcos in Smithfield is such a cool spot with an awesome vibe. The atmosphere makes it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal, and the service is quick and friendly every time. The staff makes you feel welcome right away, and the food comes out fast without sacrificing quality. Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly made. If you’re looking for a Mexican restaurant that has both great energy and amazing service, San Marcos is the place to
… moreNos Pi
We had an amazing experience at this restaurant, and a big part of it was thanks to our server Jeremy. From the moment we arrived, he was extremely friendly, attentive, and professional. He took the time to explain the menu and gave us excellent food recommendations that turned out to be absolutely delicious.
His service made us feel welcomed and well taken care of the entire time. Thanks to Jeremy, our visit was not only enjoyable but memorable. We will definitely be coming back, especially because of the great service he provided. Highly recommended!
… moreDiana Guest
Top notch Mexican food! The service and atmosphere were great, but the food is fantastic! I love that they have a large drink selection outside of the standard house margaritas. I’m always looking for a good spicy margarita. The Chori Pollo was amazing, and the churros cart was a hit with the kids! The presentation was so cute with dipping sauces and ice cream. We will definitely be back on our next road trip!
… moreBeverly Boyd
We had an unfortunate experience during our visit. There was hair in the salsa, and when we informed Famy, the manager, the only solution offered was another bowl of salsa. At that point, I couldn’t stomach more salsa and asked if it could be replaced with cheese dip instead. I was told that would be an additional charge, which was disappointing.—especially considering our table’s bill was over $200.
At other restaurants, managers usually try to make things right when there’s an issue like this, so the manager’s response was surprising.
The only positive was our waitress, Darlrn, who was excellent. She went out of her way to apologize and provided outstanding service throughout the meal. Her professionalism was especially impressive given that we watched the manager barking orders at staff during our visit. It was uncomfortable to watch and made us wonder how employees are treated behind the scenes.
This isn’t our usual spot for Mexican food, and the only reason we would consider returning would be because of the great service from our waitress, Darlrn, or if under new management.
… moreRandy Parnell
my waitress was super awesome and friendly! The food has very large portions so be careful. The street corn was amazing. The fajitas were even better. I also enjoyed fried ice cream, but I couldn’t finish it because I had so much food. I will definitely be back. This is a great authentic Mexican restaurant.
… moreXIOMARA Feliciano
What stood out to me the most was the exceptional service. The waitress was incredibly attentive, anticipating our needs before we even had to ask. The food, while not extraordinary, was still enjoyable, and the atmosphere had a unique, mixed vibe that I personally like.
… moreRobert Kerns
I went for lunch and I was surprised their lunch menu is not bigger. I had a waitress that was just starting that day and she was very nice. A couple of little mistakes she made I told her training waitress that it was my fault and I asked her to do the flubs…made for a couple laughs.
I had a lunch burrito and it was alright.
The thing that people will love about this place is the atmosphere.
Lots of color and murals all over the place.
Lots of music too.
Oh! Their menu says Coke products but they are all Pepsi stuff.
… more