5 of the best restaurants in Columbia to get she-crab soup, ratings show
Looking to try a dish that represents the best of South Carolina’s culinary culture?
Food Network took a crack at finding the most iconic foods in each state in the U.S., resulting in a list called the United Plates of America.
There are plenty of amazing dishes made in SC that warrant recognition, but the food and lifestyle brand said that she-crab soup deserves the title of most iconic food for the Palmetto State. It’s a delicacy that has made its way on menus from the Lowcountry to the Upstate.
For seafood lovers, the choice should be no surprise. It’s rich, creamy and has a unique taste that’s difficult to replicate. What makes it even more special is that it has a deep connection to SC.
Origins of she-crab soup
Believe it or not, she-crab soup originated in SC, right out of a kitchen in Charleston.
The Southern staple incorporates crab meat, heavy stock, sherry and crab roe, and was born in the early 1900s at a dinner with President William Howard Taft at Charleston Mayor R. Goodwyn Rhett’s home in downtown Charleston, according to Kiawah River’s website.
The 27th president was a fan of turtle soup. Knowing this, William Deas, a famous African chef and the mayor’s butler, created she-crab soup as an attempt to create a similar seafood dish for him.
As a result, she-crab soup is now a modern seafood dish and is enjoyed across the South. Food Network says that she-crab soup has been a signature dish since the day Soby’s opened its doors in Greenville in 1997.
Its popularity remains the strongest in Charleston, but there are still several spots in Columbia that serve the century-old dish.
Here are five spots to try she-crab soup in SC’s capital:
5 places to try she-crab soup in Columbia
California Dreaming at 401 Main St
California Dreaming has delicious steaks and seafood, and its she-crab soup is also a favorite. For $9.95, you can try their “rich and creamy Charleston classic.”
J.R. Cash’s Grill & Bar at 2005 N Beltline Blvd #5
J.R. Cash’s Grill & Bar serves their scratch-made she-crab soup for $8.49.
Oceanview Seafood II Restaurant at 1000 Knox Abott Dr
A cup of Oceanview Seafood II Restaurant’s she-crab soup costs $4.99, and a bowl costs $6.99.
Hall’s Chophouse at 1221 Main St #150
Hall’s Chophouse is known for its steaks and amazing wines, but their she-crab soup is also an excellent choice. A cup goes for $9.00, and a bowl goes for $13.00.
Blue Marlin at 1200 Lincoln St
Blue Marlin is a well-established seafood restaurant in Columbia, and their fresh she-crab soup shines on their menu.