¡Yo Quiero Yo Bo!

Every day of the week, South Windermere Shopping Center is a bustling nexus of activity between Downtown, Byrnes Down, James Island, and Folly Beach. Add to the mix YoBo Cantina Fresca, which recently opened where South of Philly Pizzeria closed last winter is the younger sibling of Downtown’s longtime favorite Yo Burrito on Wentworth Street. Yo Bo Cantina Fresca has quickly gained a reputation for a cool intimate setting, mason jar margaritas, and seafood tacos like the Diablo with Jalapeño Lime sauce. The flavors are bold, and in true Yo Burrito-style, the prices are budget-friendly.
“Mexican food has a lot of great flavors and our menu has something to offer everyone-from salads to burritos to tacos, both small and large options, accommodations for different diets, and lots of tequila,” says co-owner Katharine Gottfried. “Everyone has their own personal relationship (and memorable story) with tequila.”
Salads (ensaladas) are drizzled in dressings created by Chef Brandon Jones, they include Chipotle Honey vinaigrette, roasted Poblano Balsamic vinaigrette, Cilantro Lime Caesar, and Santa Fe Ranch. Most tacos and burritos start with rice, bean, vegetable, and cheese bases, and the customer takes it from there, selecting meat, seafood, or tofu of their choice, or tailoring the dish to their tastes in other ways. Meat options include steak, rojo chicken, grilled chicken, and pork (carnitas). Sides include Mexican slaw, buttery cheesy Mexican corn on the cob, Borracho beans, featuring pintos and bacon, black beans seasoned with garlic and herbs, and the Cantina’s version of Mexican-style rice.
According to Gottfried, Yo Bo can easily accommodates paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian’s special requests. The kids menu, catering to the 12 and under crowd, is $5 for bean/chicken tacos, cheese/chicken quesadilla and a drink.
At the bar, canned PBR, Coors, Modelo, and Tecate are under $4, and they’re even cheaper during happy hour, from 4-8 p.m. Drafts include Stella Artois, Dos Equis (the most popular beer at Yo Bo), and a rotating tap from local brewers Holy City. Other drink options include red and white wines from Spain, South America, Italy and California, bottled and draft beers, and 10 different specialty cocktails with a focus on, you guessed it, tequila.
According to Gottfried, Yo Bo firmly believes in being a local that supports fellow locals. Not only will patrons find Westbrook and Holy City beers on the bar menu, but also Sweeteeth Chocolate and King of Pops for dessert (dulces). All vegetables and fruit on the food and bar menus are from Limehouse Produce Co. and Earthfare.
Gottfried has been part of the Yo Burrito family from day one, starting out as a counter server after graduating college. She also built the website for both the original Yo Burrito and Yo Bo. “I love the energy and the variety that this job presents. I enjoy being a part of the community, Downtown and West Ashley. And I absolutely love the staff in both stores. It’s great group of hard working, self-motivated people. That is one thing that has made Yo Burrito stand out for me,” says Gottfried. “When the Cantina opportunity came up, I was excited to build something of my own.”Gottfried looks forward to featuring live music and hosting charity events later in the year, just like the Downtown location has done for well over a decade.
 
For fresh Mexican style eats and cocktails, free wi-fi, and a mellow setting to escape the afternoon sunshower, check out YoBo Cantina Fresca.They are open Mondays through Saturdays, 11am to 10pm. For more information call 793-2824 or visit www.yobocantinafresca.com.