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Blue Moon Bodega

3/7/2023

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location
200 Daniel Morgan Avenue

hours
mon - sat 10am - 8pm
sun 11am-6pm
 
what they are known for

neighborhood grocery store; build-your-own charcuterie, sandwiches and salads; beer & wine

website
Blue Moon's second location, the Blue Moon Bodega, is open for business on Daniel Morgan Avenue. The new neighborhood grocery store and casual eatery is in a prime spot, located within walking distance of the Spartanburg Marriott, Wofford College, and the new residential community, The Charles.
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In the store aisles, you can find everyday grocery essentials as well as specialty foods.
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Dine-in at the sweet bar overlooking Daniel Morgan Avenue and The Charles.
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Outside of the wine cave, Molly displays paper goods for a quick get-together.
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In addition to dry goods, there is a small freezer (pictured above) and a larger cold cave for food and beverages (not pictured).
The other reason to stop into the Blue Moon Bodega are the vittles. Order straight from the pre-determined menu of salads, sandwiches and charcuterie boards, or venture out and create your own. 
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If you have visited Blue Moon's downtown location, you'll be very familiar with the clip boards and building your own salad - this is just like that! A Salad or Grain Bowl, or a Sandwich, starts at $10.99, while the Charcuterie Boards start at $14.99 for a small (8 items) or $24.99 for a large (12 items). All boards pictured below are large so you can get an idea of the portions. Both the small and large boards are also served with your choice of two spreads and crackers.
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Build Your Own Salad Menu
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Build Your Own Charcuterie Menu
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Build Your Own Sandwich Menu
And with that, let's dive into some of the dishes I've been delighted to try...
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Raise the Bar | $24.99 | Prosciutto, Chorizo, Soppressata, Sage Derby, Aged White Cheddar, Manchego, Pickled Onions, Pickled Okra, Marcona Almonds, Spiced Pecans, Stone Ground Mustard, Apple Cranberry Chutney, Dark Chocolate, Dottie’s Toffee.
I've had this board twice, and it seems to be the most popular pre-made pick for a crowd! A great variety of items that are easy on the palate and pair well together. Excellent choice all around.
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The Dimples | $18.99 | Turkey, Ham, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Cucumbers, Sweet Peppers, Pretzels, Strawberries, Blueberries, Hummus, Ranch Dressing, Mini Marshmallows, Gummy Bears & Birthday Tea Cake.
How much fun is this kid's charcuterie board?! The only thing you need to know is that my kids ate every single bite on this board with huge smiles on their faces! 
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Asian Grain Bowl | $10.99 | Chopped kale, quinoa, kimchi, cucumbers, broccoli, edamame, mandarin oranges, carrots, ramen noodles and Asian Sesame Vinaigrette.
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Spinach and Beet Salad | $11.99 | Spinach, pickled beets, pickled onions, strawberries, craisins, spiced pecans, and goat cheese with Red Wine Vinaigrette Vinaigrette (try with Grilled Chicken + 4)
This is one of two salads I've tried, and it is a great choice for those that like sweet and savory together. The combination of goat cheese and spiced pecans is *chef's kiss*. 
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Chef's Twist | $13.99 | Spring mix with tomatoes, cucumbers, hardboiled egg, turkey, bacon, salami, soppressatta, brie, white cheddar and sage derby with Ranch dressing.
This salad gave me everything I want in a chef's salad. Not only visually stunning, but packed with flavor and texture with unexpected ingredients, particularly the brie, taking it to the next level.
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Kim-Cheesy | $11.99 | Sage derby, sharp cheddar and swiss with kimchi, house pickles, and a sriracha aioli on toasted sourdough.
The Kim-Cheesy...I honestly can't wait to have this again. PERFECTION.

All sandwiches include the choice of a house side. In addition to the three pictured below, you can choose chips, giddyup snack mix, southwestern corn and bean salad, or dilly beans.
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BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
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Edamame Blue Cheese Slaw
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Asian Marinated Cucumbers
After making the excruciating decision of what to eat, stop in the wine cellar with nearly 100 curated wines to buy a bottle for the group, or order by the glass. There's also plenty of craft beer in the cold cave! 
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I'm obsessed with the art behind the bar - I always had a moon calendar in my room as a child so it brings back fond memories. You'll have to stop by in-person to see Wishbone's custom bar chair ;)
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The patio is airy and fun with pops of yellow and murals, textured chairs, and lovely heaters. It has been excellent over the past couple of cooler months, and I can only imagine how great it will be this spring and summer!

I hope you have a chance to check out the Bodega soon, and if you're looking for more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!
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El Chinchorro Boricua

2/28/2023

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location
910 East Main Street

hours
mon - thurs 11am - 8pm
fri 11am - 12pm
sat 11am - 2am
sun 11am - 11pm

 
what they are known for

delicious and authentic latin food

website
If you're looking for a taste of Puerto Rico, look no further than El Chinchorro Boricua in Spartanburg, SC! From the moment I stepped through the door, I felt the warm and inviting atmosphere with the pride of the Puerto Rican culture emanating from every corner. The walls are covered with vibrant décor and cascading plants, and the aroma of spices and herbs fills the air to prepare your senses for the upcoming meal.
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The first dish I ordered were the empanadas, which are a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine. I ordered both the beef and chicken varieties, but they also offer cheese and pizza options. The golden brown crust was flaky and crispy, with a savory filling of meat, onions, peppers and other spices. They were piping hot (stay tuned on @hubcitybites for video proof) and the flavors were perfectly balanced. They were served with a creamy, tangy and slightly spicy dipping sauce that complemented the filling without overwhelming them. Each bite was a delicious explosion of flavor and texture, and I can't wait to try the other flavors next time. I mean look at the hand-crafted detail of these!
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Next up, the mofongo. Mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish with plantains mashed up with salt, garlic, broth and olive oil, resulting in a tight ball of yumminess that will absorb the flavors of the additional ingredients. At El Chinchorro, you can order mofongo with options like fried chicken, steak, or garlic shrimp. I chose shrimp, and even the leftovers had my house smelling divine. It was buttery and salty, perfectly complimented by the mild and sweet plantains. The mofongo was presented on this gorgeous wood serving platter, which added to the authentic feel of the dish, and on the side was a generous helping of rice and beans that brought all the flavors together.
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One of the great things about El Chinchorro is that you can order from the menu or the buffet line. The menu items seem to be made to order, so you can be sure that your food will be fresh and hot. And the portions are generous, so you'll definitely leave feeling satisfied and/or with leftovers. As expected, the service got slower the busier it got!
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Aside from the food, the service was exceptional. My server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, and she made great recommendations for my meal. I really appreciated the attention to detail in the presentation of the dishes which were not only delicious but also beautiful to look at with the unique plating and tiny Puerto Rican flags!
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There is an entire additional seating area of El Chinchorro that includes a bar and a karaoke stage. I couldn't find any additional information on their website about when this occurs, but rest assured, I will be asking the next time I go in so I can report back!
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Overall, El Chinchurro in Spartanburg is a hidden gem that is definitely worth a visit. The empanadas and shrimp mofongo were both outstanding, and I can't wait to go back and try more dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the service is top-notch. If you're in the mood for some authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, this is the place to go.
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And if you're looking for more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further! And to see videos of this visit, follow me on Instagram at @hubcitybites!
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The Fretwell

6/7/2022

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location
101 Fretwell Street

hours (The Spartan)
thurs - sun 12pm-8pm
 
what they are known for

a retail and restaurant collective, currently featuring The Spartan and Little River Roasting

menu.
A resounding welcome to The Fretwell has been echoing through Spartanburg this week, and my voice is among those shouting it from the rooftops! What a fun new place that has landed on the scene: The Fretwell is a restaurant and retail collective with big plans in store for the future.
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When you arrive you'll be greeted by a huge open space with lots of sun, shade, seating, and room to roam. It is kid and pet friendly, with multiple access points - you can approach it from from the Mary Black Rail Trail on either side, and there is a small parking lot if you aren't arriving by foot or bike. Access to the parking lot is on Fretwell Street off of Marion Street between Pine and Union.
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Pull up a seat to any of the tables - there are both picnic-style tables and 4-tops, both under umbrellas and in the sun - or grab a place at the bar that overlooks the Rail Trail! I imagine you could also bring blankets and/or camping chairs to set up your own space in the grass.
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In all her glory, here is The Spartan. She serves a wide variety of drinks and snacks to guests who are passing by or planning to stay a while.
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In addition to adult beverages, there is a great selection of non-alcoholic bevs, and everything is served through this precious vintage window.
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The menus above show the variety of beverages, snacks, small bites and sweet treats that are available. My kids were begging for popsicles and ice cream of course, but for our first visit we went with the boiled peanuts, house charcuterie box, and the traveling taco with Doritos.
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The House Charcuterie Box ($12)
The House Charcuterie box features apples, pickles, olives, meat, cheese, crackers, hummus and jam. If you know me you know I love all the goodies that you can use to make different flavorful bites, and this basket offers a lot of variety! I loved the meat and cheese on a cracker with a little bit of jam.
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The Traveling Taco with Doritos ($8)
If you pick the Traveling Taco, you get to choose from Doritos or Fritos, which are then loaded up with beef, cheese, sour cream, and salsa. This was all the crunchy, cheesy, salty goodness I was hoping for.
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Bullhded "Hot Snakes" Boiled Peanuts ($6)
I can never get enough Bullhded peanuts out of Tryon, NC, and no, that is not a typo. To see them on this menu is quite a treat!! Read more about them here.
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As you can see, The Fretwell is a beautiful space in a great location for all kinds of people and activities. In the future there are plans to feature food trucks and musical artists, as well as host local events. You can visit their site here to learn more about all of that. 

From June 8th through August 3rd you can find the Hub City Farmer's Market at The Fretwell on Wednesdays from 6 - 8:30pm with vendors, food trucks, live music, and drinks!

​Thanks for reading, and if you're looking for more Spartanburg restaurant reviews, start here!
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Ali Baba

5/29/2022

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location.
201 Wall Street

hours.
wed & thurs 11am - 3pm
fri & sat 11am - 8pm

 
what they are known for.

middle eastern fare

menu.
Ali Baba opened in Spartanburg in February of 2022 on Wall Street and brings a (IMHO) much needed middle eastern menu to town. I don't know about you, but I regularly get cravings for gyros, and they have been hard to find locally since Cuzina closed. 
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Hummus Platter ($12.99)
The hummus platter features a fresh and creamy mound of hummus and is chock full of dippers which makes it super fun to create different taste combinations: bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, olives, cubed cheeses, pistachios, and pita. It also comes with a side of za'atar, a traditional middle eastern spice blend of things like oregano, marjoram, cumin, thyme, coriander, salt and sumac. I love the brightness that it adds and suggest you sprinkle it on every bite!!
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Classic Gyro ($10.99)
Ali Baba has four different gyros to choose from. Above is the Classic Gyro which comes with seasoned lamb, but you can also get chicken, smoked pork, or a simple veggie gyro. BTW, this is a great restaurant to try if you are vegetarian as pretty much everything has a veggie option!
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Gyro Pizza with chicken ($8.99)
For a fun twist, try the pizzas! They are made on traditional toasted pita bread with a special red sauce and mozzarella cheese. For meat toppings you can pick from seasoned lamb, chicken, or smoked pork, or you can order a veggie version of this too. 
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There are lots of drink options here with a good selection of wine and beer as well as specialty coffee. The bar area is pretty funky with three huge TVs (where else can you be at Bayside High, a sporting event, and solving a murder with Samuel L. Jackson all at the same time?!) and a disco ball!
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While the inside of the restaurant is on the smaller side, they have the advantage of being on Wall Street where there is plenty of outdoor seating. Grab a hummus platter or sandwich for a delicious evening out, or you can also order Ali Baba from Hub City Delivery!

Thanks for reading, and if you're looking for more Spartanburg restaurant reviews, start here!
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Heirloom - A Milltown Eatery

1/8/2020

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location.
805 Spartan Boulevard

hours.
mon thru thurs 6-10am, 4:30-10pm
fri & sat 4:30-10pm

 
what they are known for.

milltown classics

menu.
Heirloom - A Milltown Eatery is one of the newest additions of non-chain restaurants on the west side of Spartanburg and is located in the former headquarters of Spartan Mills founded in 1881. I didn’t realize this before going, but it is adjacent to the lobby of the hotel next door. For that reason, you’ll see some standards on the menu for hotel guests (burgers, chicken sandwich, etc.) that still maintain a classic southern influence.
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They describe the menu on their website as “...reimagining classic milltown staples by marrying simple flavors with refined cooking techniques. Influences that range from French classical to Lowcountry lend depth to the humble Southern standbys of the region. Every season, these inspired, vibrant flavors come together to tell the story of Spartanburg since 1881."
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A cocktail is always the best way to start dinner, and since gin and tonic and moscow mules have long been my favorites, I went out on a limb and got the Hell Fire: gin, cava, ginger beer and chili marinated peaches with a sugary rimmer. (Cava is a sparkling wine - I had to google it, too). The smoky spiciness of the peaches with the the sweetness of the rimmer was dang good.
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We took our drinks out to this gorgeous patio - I mean c’mon! I’d definitely make the drive over for happy hour. 
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My favorite kind of meal is lots of small dishes so I’m really digging the tapas restaurants popping up (hello Level 10 and The Kennedy). We started with the Smoked Trout Bruschetta with cured egg yolk (that’s what looks like fish eggs) and french baguette points. It was quite salty as you’d expect from smoked trout, but was balanced fairly well with crunchy bread. 
Smoked Trout Bruschetta
Smoked Trout Bruschetta ($9)
Next up was the Chicken Flats described as “Frenched and pimento cheese stuffed wings” so yeah how can you not order that. Not only were they stuffed with pimento cheese, but also they were on a bed of pimento cheese and ranch and served with the cutest celery curls.
Chicken Flats
Chicken Flats ($10)
Lastly, we splurged on one of my husband’s favorite dishes: Chicken Fried Steak. THIS WAS AMAZING. The steak itself was perfectly done with a light, crunchy breading, topped with a creamy, salty white gravy, all piled on top of these grits that had the full texture of the grain while still being super velvety.
Milltown Chicken Fried Steak
Milltown Chicken Fried Steak ($18)
As you can see, the plating of the dishes was beautiful and simple, which is how I’d describe the whole experience. The decor had lots of milltown touches like this mural and exposed brick, with lots of wood and metal giving it a slightly industrial vibe. The super modern light fixtures made me giggle, and overall they did a beautiful job with the space. 

Thanks for reading, and if you're looking for more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!
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