44 Canteen pairs creative tacos with a lively downtown bar

What the ratings suggest

With a 4.6 Google rating from 874 reviews, 44 Canteen has both a strong score and a substantial public track record. Reviews repeatedly frame it as a casual, lively downtown Columbia restaurant where tacos anchor the food menu but do not define its limits. Burgers, sandwiches, shareable sides and a broad drink selection also receive attention.

The inexpensive price designation adds to its appeal for an unfussy meal, while the bar component makes it equally plausible for drinks and dinner. Based on the available feedback, this is not a quiet, formal dining room. It reads as an energetic neighborhood spot that can fill up even on a weekday.

Tacos lead, but burgers hold their own

Tacos are the clearest recurring strength. Diners describe them as fresh, made to order, flavorful and available in several signature styles. Chorizo, shrimp and vegetarian tacos all earn specific praise in the sample reviews. One diner called the vegetarian tacos among the best they had tried, while another singled out the shrimp tacos as the favorite dish at a group dinner.

The kitchen appears willing to move beyond straightforward taco combinations. A Korean burger and its Korean-inspired dipping sauce were well received, and separate diners reported enjoying hamburger plates. A grilled cheese with poblano pepper and multiple cheeses also drew praise, suggesting that the sandwich side of the menu receives more thought than a token alternative would.

Chips with salsa and queso and sweet potato wedges round out the publicly mentioned sides. These are cited positively, although the strongest pattern remains the tacos and burgers rather than any one appetizer.

Drinks and atmosphere

Public feedback describes a pleasant, open environment with an exposed kitchen visible from the dining room. Several reviewers liked the atmosphere, and one highlighted a rear bar with 12 beers on tap plus a strong bourbon and whiskey selection. Another noted an extensive drink menu with distinctive cocktails.

Service impressions are favorable overall. Reviewers mention pleasant greetings, prompt drink orders and excellent or good service. The busiest report involved an approximately 30-minute weekday wait, followed by service that took a little time. That account still concluded that the meal was worth the delay, but it signals that the restaurant’s popularity can affect pacing.

The practical verdict

44 Canteen looks best suited to diners who want creative tacos, hearty burgers and bar drinks in an upbeat setting. Groups with mixed preferences should have workable choices, including vegetarian tacos and several non-taco options mentioned in reviews.

The main caution concerns busy periods. A wait is possible, and service may slow when the room is full. One reviewer also thought the restaurant could use a deeper clean, citing dusty light fixtures and worn paint, while clearly noting that it was not dirty. Taken together, the public record supports 44 Canteen as a strong-value Columbia option whose food and atmosphere generally outweigh those modest reservations.