Columbia, SC

Might get 1 day to run up to Columbia next week from Aiken. I'll have Breakfast & Lunch in Columbia if I do go (and I plan on hitting Shealy's on the way home if they are open for dinner that night....if not, I guess I need a suggestion for dinner in Columbia too). Whats the best place to go for having just 1 day in town? The only suggestion I read on here for Breakfast was The Lizard's Thicket so I might check it out for Breakfast. For lunch it sounds like there are some great fried chicken joints, but whats the best? And then in the event that Shealey's isnt going to be open that night, whats another dinner suggestion in Columbia? Also, where is the old downtown district? Thats what I prefer to check out when coming into old towns. I dont care about shows, or zoos or anything like that. Just give me a beautiful downtown area to walk for a few hours & Im happy. Also, the most important thing I look for when I come into a town is the best coffee shop. I mean a real cappuccino bar, not a bakery or restaurant or cafe that has coffee (unless they also specialize in good coffee, cappuccinos, etc) Anything besides Cafe Strudel suggested here?

Thanks
Javahead
Mitch

Reading through the other posts its looking like the Liz for breakfast (since Im not finding any other recomendations for breakfast) & the Hunter-Gatherer for at least the Beer (and if I dont get to eat dinner at Shealy's then maybe dinner at the HG) For lunch I think I would like chicken so its looking like Zestos (is that just broasted chicken? If so, whats the best fried chicken?) I would love to hit lunch somewhere close to Hunter-Gatherer that way I can grab some beers after lunch so I can eat least check it out even if I dont eat there.

Bella Caffe

 I plan on hitting Shealy's on the way home if they are open for dinner that night...

For your sake, Mitch, call ahead.  Shealy's is the real deal, and I'd hate for you to miss it!    Chris

What about Mac's on Main for the lunch buffet? Hows the fried chicken there?

Mitch, I've been to Mac's on Main and the lunch buffet is acceptable--I think they let things sit a bit long, and it's a little pricey to me.  It's more of a joint where local political types hang out.

If you have one day in town, the Liz is pretty much as good as anything for breakfast.   Get the fish and grits.  It's pretty good if you can look at a piece of flounder or catfish in the morning.  The Beltline Blvd and Elmwood Dr locations do pretty good work.  Or if you like pastries, Cafe Strudel also does breakfast. 

The green empire has taken over coffee here, but if you like local, try the Immaculate Consumption immediately behind the State House (and a block from the Hunter-Gatherer) or Cool Beans just around the corner on College St..  Only open early and for lunch.  The H-G is open for lunch now but only Tues-Fri. 

Shealy's will be open for lunch and dinner any day except Sunday or Wednesday, and keep in mind it's about equidistant between Columbia and Aiken.  If you can't get Shealy's or the H-G, try Gervais & Vine on Gervais St.--small plates and maybe a little on the fancy side, but I don't know anybody who doesn't love it.

Oh, Zesto's is fried chicken, and probably the second best in town behind Shealy's.  Make sure to go to the Triangle City (West Columbia) location.

Well shoot, if Shealy's is the best fried chicken in town & Im planning on doing Shealey's for dinner then I guess I"ll change my lunch plans. Whats something else I should hit for lunch thats not fried chicken? And is Cafe Strudel or The Liz better for lunch? I think I've decided that I cant justify an overnighter in Charlston so Im just going to make a day run to Columbia & then hit the Congaree. So breakfast & lunch in Columbia (along with Hunter Gatherer for beers after lunch) & Shealeys for dinner. Or, if Dons BBQ is close to Congaree & worth it, I"ll hit that for dinner & just plan on running back to Shealey's Tuesday night for dinner (its less than 30 minutes & I'll have time Tuesday night to do it). So whats a better lunch choice?

Well first if we're talking about tomorrow, H-G is closed all day.  If you still need beers, check out the Flying Saucer or the Thirsty Fellow, but neither is as good as H-G so make sure if it's not tomorrow to go to H-G.

I would always pick Cafe Strudel over Lizard's Thicket for breakfast, unless I was in a hurry.  Then I get the bacon egg & cheese sandwich on toast in the drive-through at the Liz.  (It's surprisingly expensive.)  I wish I could send you to the Biscuit House at the old Farmers' Market site but it's closed already.

Doc's Barbecue is only open for lunch Monday to Wed, so make sure you do that for lunch if you're interested.  If you don't want two heavy meals like that followed by Shealy's, check out the Fifth Avenue Deli on Rosewood (get the Cuban, anything with egg salad, roast beef or . . actually, everything's good).  Or if you want really light, go to Pita's on Taylor & Barnwell and get a greek chicken salad (also open for lunch only).  Since Shealy's is so far away from the Congaree National Park, doing that for dinner on your way out of town makes the most sense.

Doc's BBQ & Southern Buffet @ 1601 Shop Rd., Columbia, SC. 803 - 799 - 1532.
Hudson's Smokehouse BBQ @ 301 Park Terrace Dr., Columbia, SC 803 - 661 - 7533. *
Little Pigs BBQ @ 4927 Alpine Rd., Columbia, SC. 803 - 788 - 8238. *
Maurice's Gourmet Barbecue @ 800 Elmwood Avenue, Columbia, SC. 803 - 256 - 4377.
Palmetto Pig BBQ @ 530 Devine St., Columbia, SC. 803 - 733 - 2556. *
Shealy's Bar B Que @ 340 East Columbia Ave., Leesville, SC 803 - 532 - 8135.
Smoke Southern BBQ @ 10324 Wilson Blvd. (Hwy. 21 Near I - 77), 803 - 754 - 0270. *

Breakfast - can't beat Lizard's Thicket. But there's also Nathan's on Hampton St. - quite good.
 
Lunch - I am partial to Edna's (CASH only) on River Drive because of the '50s atmosphere and good ole sloppy burgers and dogs. Chicken's oddly sweet - I don't recommend. There's also No Name Deli on Elmwood where you can get a great meal for a small price. And ---- Yesterday's!!!
 
Dinner - Columbia now has a great selection of very good restaurants. Motor Suppy. Mr. Friendly's. Saluda's. Blue Marlin. Many many more... We enjoy both Goatfeather's and Thirsty Fellow for drinks and food. Hunter-Gatherer is always a solid choice.

Pawley's Front Porch has great burgers!

ate at pawley's today, not super impressed. They cooked it to temp, which was nice, but the beef didn't have much flavor and the bun was grocery store sesame bun. Good toppings though. Decent fries. 

/muttering something unintelligible about Backwards Sunglasses Man taking bribes