Best local restaurants in South Carolina for AHS students to try
There’s nothing better than delicious restaurants you can enjoy from your own hometown. As teens, we may drive in to Sonic at least once a week or Waffle House after a game. You may be looking for restaurants where you want to try something new and with local flavor. Who wants to go to the same place over and over again? If you’re tired of eating the same things repeatedly, I have ten best local restaurants picked out for you– only in South Carolina.
Rush’s
Have you ever heard the slogan, “You’ll LOVE the TASTE We’re Made Of”? With nine locations across the Midlands, Rush’s had succeeded in guaranteeing their slogan. All cooked to order, Rush’s sells burgers, hot dogs, chicken with sides of fries and coleslaw– that’s not all. If you have a sweet tooth after dinner, there’s plenty of dairy treats to satisfy your cravings. It’s not your average fast food restaurant! There’s nothing like a Rush’s run while riding around with your friends in Columbia. For more information, visit https://rushs.com/.
Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles
Voted the Best Soul Food in Columbia, South Carolina, Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles has two locations in Columbia. Not only do they have good food to offer, but they have live jazz and open mic to entertain all guests who walk through their doors. Hence the name, their signature dish is their fried chicken wings and a belgium waffle– but they have fried seafood and your favorite home-cooked sides. Also, for everyone who likes to go to the movies in Harbison, one of their locations is right next door. Anthony M., an Airport student, said “Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles is an excellent dinner to take place. Inside it stimulates the modern style of dining and has a very diverse menu to pick from.” If you want a good, home-cooked meal, Kiki’s is the place to go! To learn more about Columbia’s best soul food, https://kikischickenandwaffles.com/ is where you need to go.
Carolina Buffet
Right down the road from Airport, Carolina Buffet is an all-you-can-eat Southern Buffet. If you want your favorite home cooked favorites during the week, this is the restaurant for you. Each day there’s a different featured meat cooked, alongside with fried chicken and the same delicious sides– mac and cheese, green beans, okra, collards, fatback, and more. You name it, they’ve got it! Not to mention, the yummy desserts like the peach cobbler or banana pudding. It may not be your grandma’s cooking, but it’s mighty close. To find out what day your favorite featured meat will be served, go to Carolina Buffet’s Facebook Page or call 803-661-7881.
Home Team BBQ
Are you a Gamecocks fan from Airport? There’s nothing better than watching football games while enjoying the good cuisine of BBQ, but this isn’t your average BBQ. On the outskirts of the University of South Carolina’s campus, Home Team BBQ serves the best smoked meat– brisket, wings, pulled pork, and turkey. If you can’t catch Home Team in Columbia, there’s five other locations in South Carolina. To learn more about one of the best BBQ spots in Columbia, visit https://hometeambbq.com/.
Old Mcdonald Fish Camp
Opened since 1977, Old McDonald Fish Camp has all-you-can-eat grits and hushpuppies. It’s more than a place to just enjoy seafood, but there’s a beautiful view of the pond outside. Furthermore, there’s fish, goats, ducks, and more to feed– so even if there’s a wait, there’s plenty to do. Call your family and take a drive to North Augusta over the weekend! An anonymous source said, “I look forward to visiting Old McDonald Fish Camp, because family restaurants’ food is always cooked with their soul and it’s not like your average franchise-owned restaurant.” For directions on where to go or the food options, go to https://www.oldmcdonaldfishcamp.com/.
South Congaree House of Pizza
From the cheesiest pizzas to the creamiest pastas, South Congaree House of PIzza has a delicious variety of Greek, Italian, and American cuisine. There’s so much to choose from, so each time you can come, there’s always something new to try. Not to mention, it’s right down the street from Airport once you turn on Airport Boulevard. If you’re dieting for sports purposes, the garden bar is the perfect way to eat something healthy and fixed by you. To learn more about the delicious variety of food SCHOP has to offer, visit https://www.southcongareehouseofpizza.com/.
Shealy’s BBQ
Every away game in Batesburg-Leesville always ends with pulling into the parking lot of Shealy’s BBQ. Since 1969, one of the main things Batesburg-Leesville is known for is their all-you-can-eat delicious country cooking. If you’re missing the tastes, all three Shealy’s-made sauces are on the shelves in grocery stores. Furthermore, Shealy’s has a banquet hall around pretty farm grounds and catered food from them named T&S Farms, if you want to enjoy their food and host nice events. Next time you happen to be in the area that’s the perfect place to get a full belly! An anonymous source, also from Airport, said, “Every time I would go to Batesburg for an away game on the school team or during the summer when playing club ball, my family and I and even a couple of teammates would always stop and eat at Shealy’s BBQ. Even though we were supposed to be on an athletic diet, we still ate a healthy amount.” Visit https://shealysbbq.com.
Railroad BBQ
A train may be passing by on Hampton Street, but it’s worth the wait. Sitting right by the railroad, enjoy freshly barbecued cuisine from Railroad BBQ. You may be leaving a Carolina baseball or basketball game and need somewhere to enjoy smoked meat sandwiches, ribs, or even a veggie plate. Enjoying jazz music and black history and arts on the walls and table, Railroad BBQ is the place to be! Anthony M. also mentions “Railroad BBQ is somewhere I always wanted to visit. I have never been to a BBQ place before and it always seems interesting from the outside. If I ever visit somewhere with a BBQ theme, Railroad would be the first place.” If you’re interested just like Anthony, visit https://railroadbbqsc.com.
Rockaway Athletic Club
Known for the best-seasoned burgers and crinkle cut french fries, Rockaway is right down the street from the William-Brice Stadium. For those who could go for a burger on game day, this is the atmosphere you want to be in. Also, if you’re not a tailgater and don’t want to lose your parking space, Rockaway is also walking distance. Come enjoy a mouth watering cheeseburger and if you’re not a burger person there’s also wings, hot dogs, seafood and sandwiches! For more information, go to https://rockawayathleticclub.com.
Wiz’s Eatery
With a wide variety of food, Wiz’s serves pizzas, sandwiches, wings, salad, steaks, seafood, wraps, and even more. You name it, they’ve definitely got it ready in their kitchen. Not to mention, their “batesburgers”. Get it? Wiz’s Eatery is also in Batesburg-Leesville. So, if you have an away game or just happen to be passing through, that’s the perfect stop. See https://wizseatery.com for hours and more.
You heard it folks– not just from me, but from other students as well. If reading this made you hungry, that’s your sign to start heading to one of those restaurants after the last school bell rings or after your boss tells you that you can clock out. Try something new at one of these best local restaurants in the state of South Carolina! You won’t regret it.