Fresh-made dishes served in a historic building with a million-dollar facelift makes Old Armory a destination place for Camden residents and Columbians alike.
What’s good here?
“Customers are nuts about our daily dinner specials,” said Demetrios Zoulgarelis, owner of Old Armory Steaks & Seafood in Camden. There is the Seafood Porto Fino with sauteed shrimp, scallops and mussels served over fettuccini alfredo, as well as the Chicken Torino, which is a grilled chicken breast with fresh broccoli, Roma tomatoes, mushrooms and white wine cream sauce over linguini.
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“Customers (also) love the baked feta and shrimp appetizer, which is sauteed in olive oil, garlic and Roma tomatoes, and the Maryland-style crab cake with a key lime mustard sauce,” he said.
Old Armory has achieved a following since it opened three years ago for its steaks, cut and grilled to order, as well as pork chops and baby lamb chops. Zoulgarelis added seafood dishes to the menu six months ago. Customers can order broiled and fried seafood as well as combination platters, and house specials such as Beaufort stew, shrimp and grits and crispy baby flounder.
What else?
Because Zoulgarelis is of Greek descent, he offers Greek dishes on the menu, such as a chicken souvlaki platter and a gyro platter. Another special is Southern Comfort: an eight-ounce grilled pork chop and a skewer of grilled shrimp topped with an apricot chili glaze and served with cheddar grits and sauteed mixed vegetables.
“Everything is made fresh daily,” he said, “the salads, homemade soups, bread and desserts. We buy produce locally when it’s in season and available. We’ve got the best desserts in town, including chocolate mousse cheesecake.” Old Armory’s menu and wine list is extensive for both lunch and dinner guests.
How did Old Armory get its start?
Zoulgarelis tells his American dream story by explaining that he first worked on cruise ships out of New York City as a teenage immigrant from Greece. After honing his skills as a chef and restaurateur for many years in Miami and then in Columbia and Lake Murray, he purchased the 8,000-square-foot building, circa 1928, on Rutledge Street in historic Camden. As both owner and chef, Zoulgarelis came up with the menu and the recipes. However, his brother, also a chef, preps for the lunch crowd daily.
What does the place look like?
Ideas from restaurants Zoulgarelis has worked in and owned during his career melded into his vision for Old Armory. “The building had been used for different things over the years, including an armory, but it needed a complete overhaul ... new roof, ceiling, the removal of walls, new plumbing and electrical. We faux-painted the walls to look like marble, installed low, intimate lighting, put an elevated gazebo next to a fireplace in the middle of the main dining room where customers can eat — and we installed a beautiful bar for the bar area. Plus, we have a banquet room that serves up to 40. It’s a beautiful restaurant.”
Who eats here?
“I want people to come and eat great food in a beautiful atmosphere and enjoy themselves,” Zoulgarelis said. “I don’t want them to worry about really high prices, so we offer huge portions and keep the prices reasonable.” Old Armory’s formula attracts local politicians, judges, attorneys and bankers daily. “We’re getting people from Columbia and visitors to this area. It’s a great meeting place, a great date night place, but casual enough for a family as well. And the bar area is very relaxing. Groups like our restaurant especially for their meetings.”
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