For years, my Instagram feed was basically just me torturing myself. I’d scroll past video after video of Birria tacos—those crispy red shells, the cheese pulling apart like a mozzarella stick, people dunking them into that rich broth.
It looked incredible. It also looked like I had to drive two hours to Atlanta to get it.
So when I heard Mexi-Grill Taquería on Hamilton Road was finally bringing this style to Columbus, I didn’t just “go try it.” I rushed there. Because if this was real, it was going to change my lunch rotation forever.
The Vibe
Mexi-Grill isn’t trying to be a fancy “Instagram Palace.” It’s a spot where you go to eat serious food. You order at the counter, grab a Jarritos, and find a booth. But the second you walk in, you get hit with that aroma—dried chilis toasting on the flat top and beef that has been simmering since before sunrise. That is the smell of a kitchen that isn’t cutting corners.
The Main Event: The Quesabirria
I ordered the Birria Tacos, and when the basket hit the table, I knew they nailed it.
These aren’t your standard soft tacos. The tortillas are dipped in the chili stew (the consomé) before they hit the grill, so they come out this deep, vibrant red color. They have that perfect “crispy-chewy” texture where the edges shatter a little bit when you bite down, but the center stays soft enough to hold the weight of the meat.
Inside? It is loaded. The beef is shredded so fine it practically melts on your tongue, and it has that deep, slow-cooked richness that you only get from hours on the stove. Then you get the Oaxaca cheese—it acts like a savory glue, pulling apart in strings and adding a creamy layer that balances out the spices in the meat.
The Consomé (Do Not Skip This)
The tacos are great on their own, but the Consomé is the game changer.
This isn’t just “soup.” It is a flavor bomb. It is thick, fatty, and packed with spices like clove and cinnamon that give it a warm, savory depth. You take that crispy taco, dunk it until it soaks up the broth, and take a bite. The contrast between the crunchy shell and the juice-soaked beef is unreal.
It is messy. You are going to get red oil on your fingers. You are going to need five napkins. And honestly, you aren’t going to care.
Pro Tip: They serve a Rojo Sauce on the side that is no joke. It has a serious kick that creeps up on you in the back of the throat, but the acidity cuts right through the richness of the cheese and beef. Use it sparingly, but definitely use it.
Josh’s Take
Columbus has plenty of Tex-Mex, but we were starving for something authentic like this. Mexi-Grill isn’t just “filling a gap”—they are setting the bar.
The owner, Juan, and his team are putting in the hours to do this the slow way, and you can taste the craftsmanship in every bite. If you are tired of the same old ground beef tacos, get down to Hamilton Road. Just don’t wear a white shirt.
Plan Your Visit
Address: 4917 Hamilton Rd, Columbus, GA 31904
Phone: (706) 221-8780
