Here are 8 of the best comfort food restaurants in SC to try over the cold winter months
With the arrival of frigid temperatures, it seems only natural to seek soothing comfort food.
Be it a slice of meatloaf, pulled pork, or a plate of chicken and waffles, everyone has their favorite comfort food to enjoy during the chilly winter months.
And there is some science to back up why.
“Cold weather can create biological changes that make us want to eat more,” Emma Laing, professor and director of dietetics at the University of Georgia, said in a post on UGA’s website. “When the temperature drops, it’s natural that we would want to crave foods that provide us with warmth.”
She added that increased dehydration during winter months, hormonal changes, and fewer daylight hours can also contribute to greater hunger.
In an article for well+good, Dr. Rachel Herz, author of ‘Why You Eat What You Eat,’ said that foods people think of as comfort foods lead to a short-term mood boost.
“Foods high in carbs and fats trigger a release of dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, so they’re definitely triggering chemicals in the brain that make us feel good,” Dr. Herz said.
So if you will likely be hungrier as the temperature drops in South Carolina, you may as well eat some quality comfort food. But where should you go?
The Palmetto State is replete with places to get southern comfort food, but some restaurants rise above the rest.
Here are eight of the best comfort food restaurants in South Carolina from Google reviews, based on their overall ratings and number of reviews.
Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Cafe
- Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (868 reviews)
- Location: Columbia
Mr. Friendly’s started in the 1980s as a sandwich and cookie shop, but has since evolved into a restaurant that serves new Southern cuisine. A little more sophisticated than your typical Southern homestyle restaurant, yet no less comforting, the restaurant’s menu changes regularly, but there’s always fresh fish and seafood specials, along with innovative meat, poultry, and wild game dishes. Examples include buttermilk-fried flounder, bronzed Georgia snapper, or a Low Country House-brined 12-ounce Compart Farms pork chop.
Big Bone Take Out
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (454 reviews)
- Location: Columbia
If you’re looking for comfort food, Big Bone Take Out has what you want. A self-described soul food restaurant, Big Bone has a simple but effective menu, with offerings such as chicken wings, fried chicken, pork chops, collard greens, and yams.
“This place is one of the few remaining places here in Columbia where you can get down-home soul food that tastes as good as Grandma used to make. Delicious and comforting,” Bobby L. wrote in a Yelp review.
Bertha’s Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1,400 reviews)
- Location: Charleston
Bertha’s Kitchen provides true comfort soul food. The restaurant was founded by the late Albertha Grant in 1979 and offers dishes that include red rice and sausage, fried chicken encased in a red-gold crust, and pork chops. Don’t forget to order a side of macaroni and cheese fresh from the baking pan while you’re there.
Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (2,198 reviews)
- Location: Charleston
Hannibal’s was opened in 1985 by the Huger family and got its name from the family patriarch, Robert Lawrence Huger. His nickname was Hannibal — also the name of the African general and ruler, famous for commanding the forces of Carthage against ancient Rome.
Hannibal’s is a soul food restaurant through and through, focusing on quality comfort food to satisfy customers. Try the restaurant’s signature dish, crab and shrimp rice. Salmon, shrimp, and shark steak are also big favorites. And soul food wouldn’t be complete without hearty sides like lima beans, okra, and collard greens.
Stax’s Original Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1,800 reviews)
- Location: Greenville
Stax’s Original Restaurant has been a Southern staple in Greenville since the 1970s. The regular menu includes a variety of sandwiches and burgers, fried ham, and fried bologna — not to mention hot roast beef. The Sunday menu offers more classic Southern comfort food options — the meat and three vegetables — in which you can order the likes of fried chicken, roast turkey breast and gravy, or country-style steak and then slap on some green beans, potato salad, fried okra, and more.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
- Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (3,800 reviews)
- Location: Greenville
Found in the heart of downtown Greenville, Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar serves made-from-scratch Southern food for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menu has something for everyone, be it sweet tea-glazed fried chicken, chicken and waffles, steak and eggs, or shrimp po’ boys.
“We really enjoyed the food and drinks!!! We will be back!! Highly recommend this restaurant for excellent Southern comfort cuisine,” Yelp reviewer Marita S. wrote.
Victoria’s Country Cookin’
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (1,643 reviews)
- Location: Myrtle Beach
Victoria’s Country Cookin’ is another of your old-school-style Southern comfort food places. Menu options change daily, from catfish with sides of field peas and fried squash, to BBQ ribs or fried chicken. And like any other self-respecting comfort food joint, there’s a good selection of homemade desserts, including banana pudding, blueberry cobbler, and chocolate pie.
Simply Southern Smokehouse
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (5,700 reviews)
- Location: Myrtle Beach
At Simply Southern Smokehouse, customers will find Southern BBQ, soul food, and classic desserts all served buffet style. From pulled pork and barbecue chicken to fried chicken, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, and peach cobbler, all of your favorite home-cooked-style dishes are there.
This story was originally published December 19, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
