Some Restaurant Ideas for Those Heading to Move In

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of South Carolina
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<p>For those heading to Columbia this weekend for move in I thought I'd pass along a few restaurant ideas from some places we've discovered over the last four years. I am including some that are not the touristy/popular places in Five Points or the Vista. This can help you avoid the move in crowds if you want to though you may still have to compete with locals for seats on a Saturday night.</p>

<p>I have included links when I could find them.</p>

<p>Za's Brick Oven Pizza (2930 Divine) has great brick oven pizza and although I haven't tried their calzones, my D highly recommends them.</p>

<p>Zas</a> Brick Oven Pizza</p>

<p>DiPratos' Delicatessen and Market (342 Pickens) is co-owned by Dianne Light of Dianne's on Divine (one of Columbia's top restaurants) and is a great lunch/brunch spot. Go there for the deli, salads, sandwiches,and pita chips. This is one of my D's favorite places in Columbia.</p>

<p>Granville's Cafe (also on Divine across the street from Za's) is new to Columbia and located in the space formerly occupied by Bird on a Wire. My D just ate there Friday night to celebrate a friend's birthday and called us afterwards raving about the place. She said that everything their group (including some parents) had was very good. They have a broad menu, offer everything from small plates to Beef Bourguignon. They are apparently the same Granville's from Charleston.</p>

<p>This one is in Five Points. My D says her favorite burger in Columbia is at The Salty Nut. I haven't eaten there but I trust her opinion given that she is rather picky about food.</p>

<p>Salty</a> Nut Cafe</p>

<p>Liberty Tap Room and Grill in the Vista has a broad menu at fairly popular prices. It can be noisy but not a bad place if you have any picky eaters because the menu is broad.</p>

<p>Liberty</a> Tap Room</p>

<p>Yesterday's in Five Points has made from scratch regional dishes....down home cooking that is very tasty. If you like home style cooking in a relaxed atmosphere, this is the place for you.</p>

<p>Yesterdays</a> Restaurant - 5Points</p>

<p>Garibaldi Cafe just down the hill in Five points has really excellent Italian food and fresh seafood. It's a fine dining spot but you won't be disappointed. We ate there with another couple we had met after Freshman convocation when the girls were heading off to the first rush event and really enjoyed the evening.</p>

<p>[url=<a href="http://www.garibaldicolumbia.com/%5D.::"&gt;http://www.garibaldicolumbia.com/].::&lt;/a> Garibaldi Caf</p>

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<p>if you want to go upscale somewhat and maybe the kids have dumped you to do First Night Carolina:
Blue Marlin (in the Vista)…where this NY’er discovered Shrimp and Grits!
Motor Supply Bistro (also the Vista) Best food we had in Columbia, 2 visits so far and can’t wait to return.
we stayed at the Hampton Inn in the Vista and walked to both these places after a much needed shower after hauling stuff and shopping all day long.
We’ve heard great things about Gervais & Vine which has a Tapas menu…something we love already.Its across the street from the Marriott.
Just heard about Terra, which is on State street across the bridge from downtown in West columbia.It looks nice on its website and has a nice menu too. Anybody been there?
we really didnt find anything too crowded in three years of move ins (we made reservations at Blue Marlin) but maybe we’re used to crowds at restaurants?
Actually, the first year we went to California Dreaming with a group…that was pretty crowded but manageable.It has a good menu for varied tastes, somewhat like an applebees or houlihan’s type place.</p>

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<p>I’ve already made reservations for the Blue Marlin for the night before move in!</p>

<p>I got take out from The Salty Nut when we visited USC for the first time - it is right across the street from The Inn at Claussen’s so very convenient food for anyone who is staying there.</p>

<p>Has anyone had barbecue from Maurice’s? Is it worth seeking out?</p>

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<p>Any good suggestions for great ribs?!</p>

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<p>I’ve heard that the barbecue at Maurice’s is good. I’ve never been, because many of my friends and I prefer to boycott Maurice’s on fairly racist principles. They’re not the most friendly to African Americans.<br>
If you want good South Carolina barbecue, try Palmetto Pig. It’s this little restaurant not too far from campus on Devine Street. It’s only open for lunch on Tuesdays and Wednesday and until 9 on Thursday and Friday. It’s an all you can eat buffet with pulled pork, several sauces, fried chicken, the best hushpuppies, rice, collards, etc. It’s about 10 dollars a person, but you get a discount with a USC ID.</p>

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<p>LOL, Palmetto Pig is S’s fave and I was just emailing him to get the name of it to recommend here.You beat me to it, betterdays.
That schedule is really weird, and probably wont fit into the parents time in town!
We once went to a Lizard’s Thicket just to have the “meat and threes” experience!!</p>

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<p>palmetto pig is amaaaazing! i like it better than Maurice’s for sure! and all of the other suggestions ya’ll have made are great! Also Adrianas Cafe in 5 points near Delaneys is great as well as Gourmet Shoppe in 5 points. we frequent these places for their laid back cafe atmospheres and the food is delishh!</p>

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<p>I have to second Cathymee’s choices. We lived in Columbia until 1999 and never missed an opportunity to go to Motor Supply. My favorite story from Motor Supply was the time we had a guest with very “finicky” (sp) taste. I called to see what was on the menu that night (it does change almost daily) and the response was a very curteous, “We don’t know. The chef is not back from shopping.”</p>

<p>Blue Marlin is quite a treat as well. Now I can’t wait to return to Columbia!!</p>

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<p>You all (or is it ya’ll?) have such good recommendations. We have enjoyed Girabaldi’s, Motor Supply Bistro, Nonnah’s, and Mr. Friendly’s while in Columbia. For the more casual mood, we also like California Dreaming (excellent croissants), Mellow Mushroom (pizza), and Wild Wings (they have more than wings). </p>

<p>Also, if you are in the Harbison area shopping, there’s Copper River. Although I’ve never been there, it’s on of my daughter’s favorites!</p>