How We Go Columbia: Where to go if your budget is as modest as your cooking skills

I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2013 and frequented the Assembly Street IHOP more than once for late-night celebrations or study sessions after The Daily Gamecock (student newspaper) had gone to the press at midnight. Whether it’s 2 a.m. or 11 a.m. – coffee, eggs, bacon, sausage and hashbrowns speak to the soul. But now that I’m not in school anymore, I often go to Eggs Up Grill along Devine Street for breakfast at more reasonable hours or The Gourmet Shop along Saluda Avenue for a sit-down brunch.

If I’m meeting my parents for lunch in Northeast Columbia and I want sushi while they get orange chicken or fried rice, then we often chose Miyo’s at the Village at Sandhill. For chips and queso with my sushi, I’ll go to TakoSushi.

When I want to walk to dinner from the Shandon area where I live, I’ll go to Cantina 76 along Devine Street or head to one of my favorite eateries in Five Points, including Andy’s Deli, Blue Cactus, El Burrito, Jake’s, Pawleys Front Porch, Sushi Yoshi and Yesterday’s.

My secret seafood splurge is the steampot at D’s Wings in Cayce. But if I am craving just oysters, and it’s date night so he’s paying, then I go to Pearlz Oyster Bar.

If I want a good burger with french fries I go to Rosewood Drive, either to the Rosewood Dairy Bar or Rockaway Athletic Club.

And for pizza, I go to Thirsty Fellow.

Political writer Cassie Cope is not a foodie. She cannot cook and prefers meals that cost less than $20. Luckily, Columbia has a dining scene that caters to the young professional’s schedule, budget and appetite. (She can eat more than you’d think.)

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 12:07 PM with the headline "How We Go Columbia: Where to go if your budget is as modest as your cooking skills."