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Reviews and photos of Columbia restaurants posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Columbia dining.
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Maurice's Barbecue: Barbecue with attitude
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  • This regional chain of South Carolina barbecue restaurants came recommended by my good friend ClarkRB. Sad to say, this was the first time in my life to try the mustard-based South Carolina barbecue. I heard the owner has a reputation for standing up for what he believes in and it was evident on arriving and seeing the American flag, the South Carolina flag, and the Confederate flag prominently displayed. That caused a great deal of controversy when a number of chain stores, fearing a boycott, took Maurice's delicious barbecue sauce off their shelves. I say if Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream can give a share of its proceeds to extreme environmental groups and if the United Colours of Benetton can get away with left-leaning ads, then Maurice Bessinger should also have his say. I bought a bottle of Maurice's Original Gourmet Barbecue Sauce because I like it and to help Maurice fight so-called political correctness.

    The service was great and the ambience was basic- about what you would expect from a barbecue place. I had the "little Joe" basket which includes hickory cooked hand-pulled pork blended with Maurice's Original Gourmet Barbecue Sauce served on a fresh bun. It came with fries, slaw and hush puppies, but the folks accommodated me by doubling the fries instead. Mark had the same thing.

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  • Theme: Barbecue
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 4411 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205
  • Phone: (803) 782-9547
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful

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    Vista Brewing Company: More beer for acemj
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  • Vista Brewing Company - Columbia
    Vista Brewing Company
    by b1bob
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    I think Richie would like this place better because there are beer vats on the premises whereas the other one "imported" its beer from its Myrtle Beach locations with the beer vats on site. Mark had a late afternoon snack of she-crab soup which he only rated as mediocre, it had too much salt and too little crab. Of course he had another beer or two.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: 936 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Mang Tomas: Filippine Cuisine
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  • The key to a good meal here is catching Mang Tomas when he has food available for sale. It’s rarity for him to have something cooking, but when he does…oh! It’s like taste bud heaven. Call in advance to make sure he’s cooking. When he is cooking, the food served is some of the best Filippino food in the states.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    China Buffet: Delicious Chinese Food
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  • When it comes to friendly service & a sincere desire to please the customer, there are no better waiters than Wei Lee. My mother-in-law is a Chinese food enthusiast, who enjoys sampling fine Chinese dinning whenever she finds herself outside of Houston. So, while she was here in Columbia assisting my wife & I with our new baby girl, Avriella, we decided to repay her by treating her to what we consider the best Chinese restaurant in all over Columbia: China Buffet. After being there for about 20 minutes or so, my wife excused herself & proceeded to the bathroom; at which time, my mother-in-law & I engaged in a casual conversation in Spanish. As Wei Lee was walking by our table, he overheard me speaking Spanish. It was rather obvious to him that I was not Hispanic, & hearing me speak a language other English just blew his mind. After listening to me for about 3 minutes, his curiosity got the best him. “Excuse me, sir.” Wei Lee gently whispered, causing me to lean forward in order to hear him. “Are you speaking the Spanish language?” He inquired with wide, peering eyes. “Yes, I am.” I replied while scratching my head. “How is that possible?” It was totally astounding to him that I, a person not of Hispanic heritage, was able to converse in a language other than English. I gave the matter a thought & decided to invite him to sit down with us at our table. After hesitating for several minutes, he accepted my offer. After learning where exactly he was from, I explained to him that I grew up around many Puerto Rican & Dominican people, who taught me a great deal of Spanish idioms unknowingly, due to observing their daily interactions with each other & their families. I further explained to him that my wife & in-laws are Mexican-Americans, from whom I learned how to speak Spanish properly.

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  • Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: least expensive
  • Address: 10050 Two Notch Rd
  • Phone: (803) 788-9198
  • Directions: Summit
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Villa Tronco Ristorante: Italian Anyone?
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  • If you enjoy a serene atmosphere while dining, then you must experience casual fine dining in Columbia’s oldest & finest Italian restaurant: Villa Tronco Ristorante. Located in a historic 19th century firehouse, Villa Tronco offers a the patron affable environment with an extensive wine list & scores of your Italian favorites: veal, pasta, fresh seafood, homemade Italian bread, Carmella’s famous cheesecake and the wonderful square pizza Mama Tronco introduced to Columbia. Villa Tronco is family owned (no corporate interference or corruption) & has been in operation for over 60 years.

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  • Theme: Italian
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 1213 Blanding St Columbia, SC
  • Phone: 803-256-7677
  • Directions: Downtown Business District
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful

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    Adriana's Gelateria: You Have To Try The Ice Cream!
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  • Located in the heart of Five Points, Adriana's is famous amongst university students & with many North & South Carolinians. It's a popular establishment with in & outdoor tables. It's a perfect setting for a hot summer's day.

    My favorite dish is definitely the butterscotch sundae. It comprises of four generous scoops of vanilla ice cream (or whatever flavor you like) topped with hot, creamy butterscotch. Yummy!

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  • Theme: Ice Cream
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 721 Saluda Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205
  • Phone: 803-799-7595
  • Directions: Five Points
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    blue marlin
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  • blue marlin restaurant - Columbia
    blue marlin restaurant
    by doug48
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    the blue marlin is located in downtown columbia. the restaurant is in a building which was once columbia's train station. the blue marlin specializes in carolina low country cuisine. the menu is varied offering seafood, chicken, and steaks. i suggest the low country seafood dishes that are unique to the region. one of the better restaurants in downtown columbia.

  • Theme: American
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 1200 lincoln street
  • Phone: 803-799-3830
  • Directions: downtown columbia
  • Website: www.bluemarlincolumbia.com
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Sticky Fingers: Great Barbecue
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  • There are two Sticky Fingers restaurants near Columbia, SC. They have great ribs and other menu choices. They also have promotionals by sending free offers for birthdays, etc. via email. This is a chain so it may be in a number of states in the Southeast.

    Memphis-style Ribs and Barbecue.

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  • Theme: Barbecue
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Phone: 807-781-RIBS
  • Directions: There are two Sticky Fingers in Columbia. Just off Interstate 26 at the Harbison Blvd at 380 Columbia Dr and at Parklane Mall, 7001 Parklane Rd. Columbia, South Carolina
  • Website: www.stickyfingersonline.com
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Obok: Take a bite out of Korea
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  • Obok is by far the best Korean restaurant in Columbia. Believe it or not, there are many. Obok is, however, rather expensive & very Christian oriented. In my opinion, there is no Asian vibe to the restaurant. It feels more like a church service to me, with the radio blasting Southern Baptist Sermons, & the hostess-who always smiles-whispering the only English phrase she knows as you enter the establishment, “May God Bless You.” A very good place to eat, but the atmosphere is not my cup of tea. Religion in restaurants should be like religion in American public schools: banned.

    Being that I am a glutton, I enjoy everything & anything I can stuff in my face. But if I had to pick, I would choose the Kimchi fried rice-a mixture of Kimchi, rice, & vegetables. By the way, Kimchi is the general term given to a group of fermented vegetables in Korea. The principle of making Kimchi is to blend secondary materials (fruits or cereals, etc.), spices, seasonings and fermented fish (optional) with major raw materials (cabbage, radish, or cucumber, etc.); & then blends the materials in a lactic acid fermentation. Delicious.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: US$21-30    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 1616 Decker Blvd, Columbia, SC
  • Phone: (803) 787-1100
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    maurice's: barbecue
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  • maurice's barbeque has been a columbia institution for 61 years. maurice's barbeque is made with an unique mustard based sauce. pictured is the original maurice's piggy park in west columbia. there are twelve locations in the columbia area. check out their website for locations and directions. the owner, maurice bessinger caused a stir several years ago when he refused to take down the old "stars and bars" south carolina state flag from his restaurants however, what ever your politics he makes an unusual and tasty product.

  • Theme: Barbecue
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 1600 charleston hwy
  • Phone: 803-796-0220
  • Directions: west columbia
  • Website: http://mauricesbbq.com/
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    More Columbia Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 5
    Things To Do
    Tips: 110 - Photos: 130
    Nightlife
    Tips: 12 - Photos: 9
    Transportation
    Tips: 8 - Photos: 3
    Restaurants
    Tips: 39 - Photos: 18
    Shopping
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 5
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 12 - Photos: 23
    Tourist Traps
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    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 3
    Local Customs
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 23
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 16 - Photos: 20
    General Tips
    Tips: 31 - Photos: 30
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0

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