What’s good here: Carolina Cafe and Catering Company

Carolina Cafe and Catering Company all started with potato salad, so that is a sought-after item – as is its chicken salad.

The cafe also makes tasty tuna and egg salad, as well as pimento cheese. A Diet Plate is a scoop of chicken, tuna or egg salad on leaf lettuce, surrounded by tomatoes, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries and an orange wedge.

Interesting sandwiches are the wraps, such as one with turkey, garlic herb cream cheese, lettuce and Swiss cheese in a tomato-basil tortilla. A few signature sandwiches include The Charleston, dolphin-safe tuna “splashed” with fresh lemon, plus celery, mayonnaise and leaf lettuce; The Myrtle Beach, thin sliced ham, cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard and leaf lettuce; and The Lake Murray, smoked salmon with whipped cream cheese, red onion and capers.

Carolina Cafe serves breakfast all day, so there are freshly baked bagels with a variety of spreads, as well as breakfast sandwiches on a choice of breads, muffins, specialty coffee drinks and smoothies.

How did Carolina Cafe and Catering Company get its start?

Lauren and Max Schlueter, who hail from New York, began serving their specialty potato salad and other housemade items in the late 1970s. The couple’s goal was – and remains – to serve fresh, wholesome ingredients to customers.

Customers can eat in at the 945 Sumter St. location in downtown Columbia, call for delivery seven days a week or arrange for catering.

Boxed lunches and sandwich trays are especially sought after by tailgaters.

What does the place look like?

Large windows and an expansive glass food case define the space. There is art on the walls and an open area for dining.

Who eats here?

On a daily basis, from early morning to late afternoon, Carolina Cafe is frequented by college students, their parents, business people and government officials.

Springtime and summer are busy times for those seeking catering for weddings and other events, while fall ushers in orders for football-season food, such as Carolina Cafe’s assortment of sandwiches, chili, salads and vegetable trays with housemade ranch dressing.