Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews

Hub Diggity

5/31/2016

location.
201 Wall Street

what they are known for.
lobster rolls and hot dogs

menu.

features.
outdoor dining

Hub Diggity (formerly Hub Diggity Dog) opened in 2010 on Dunbar Street and has now moved to the beautiful new Wall Street! I'd had a hot dog back in the Dunbar Street days, but sadly hadn't been back since then, which is a shame. I'm sure you've also heard about their lobster rolls, and I finally decided it was time to give it a try!

I love Wall Street, and they have a great location there. Probably about 20 tables total with the outdoor dining, which I highly recommend, even on hot days, as they are mostly situated in shade. Order and pay at the window where the staff are very friendly, and be assured your food will be out super fast.

Like I said, I went to try the lobster roll, and here it is in all its glory. It's probably not a weekly lunch order, as it's $13, but for sure worth a splurge every once in a while!

The bun is like a mix between a hoagie and a hot dog bun, loaded with delicious butter, and filled with a luscious lobster salad. It's not mayonaisse-y at all, just lumps of succulent lobster in a light, creamy sauce.

The roll came with a choice of side, and I went with the potato salad. It's your traditional potato salad with creamy mayo and a little mustard - great compliment to the sandwich.

As the former name, Hub Diggity Dog, would suggest, they are also known for their hot dogs which is what the hubs went for of course.

This is your standard dog topped with chili, mustard, onions, and a side pickle. These came out piping hot and they definitely didn't skimp on the toppings.

If you're looking for a quick hot dog or sandwich, please give Hub Diggity a try! Even if you're vegetarian, they have lots of options like veggie dogs and burgers, and grilled cheese sammies.

Downtown is booming these days, and Hub Diggity in the new "Market on Wall Street" is one of the most quaint destinations.

And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

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Wade's Restaurant

5/18/2016

3 Comments

location.
1000 North Pine Street

what they are known for.
good ole homecookin'

menu.

features.
take-home frozen food, quick service

Look. If you're a Spartanburg native or if you've lived here for oh, 2 minutes, then you know Wade's. You don't need my review. You already love it. You try to keep yourself from going every week.

For those that aren't as familiar with Wade's, just know if you are looking for a home-cooked "meat & three", look no further. They change their menu on a regular basis with daily specials, so be sure to check the website if you want to make sure your turkey and dressing will be there when you arrive.

If you arrive and see a line out the door 1) this is totally normal and 2) you will be amazed at how fast that line moves. On this particular day, I think we made it from the back of the line at the door to our table in 10 minutes. Don't ask me how they do it, it's magic.

Now as far as what to order, honestly you can't go wrong. The first choice they are going to give you is what kind of bread you want: yeast rolls, cornbread, or mixed. You probably want mixed at least at your first visit. The yeast rolls are famously delicious - fluffy and soft, they melt-in-your mouth. But I'm here to tell you the cornbread is amazing too. I get mixed bread every time I go.

You'll order a drink at this point too. You want sweet tea.

Then comes the meal. You have your choices of meats on the left side of the menu and the sides on the right. Tell your extremely friendly server which meat you want, and then the numbers of the sides. This is my order: "fried chicken, breast and leg, with numbers 2, 9, and 10". That's fried okra, macaroni and cheese, and green beans.

The hubs and I love to share, so we tend to order different than each other so we can taste more stuff. There was never a question that we each needed our own macaroni and cheese, but we fought over who was ordering the green beans this day...and we both ended up getting them. That's how good they are.

I haven't tried a side I didn't like. My favorites are green beans, macaroni and cheese, fried okra, turnip greens, sweet potato casserole, hash brown casserole, creamed potatoes with gravy, and creamed corn. Oh, and the dressing, but technically that comes with the turkey, not as a side. That's a lot of favorites, but don't worry, you'll be back.

This is the chicken fried steak which comes covered in gravy, and the side in the bowl is the cheese & potato casserole. Basically mashed potatoes with cheddar mixed in...yum.

Another great feature is their freezer full of take home food, from boil-in bags (you literally drop it right into boiling water) to whole pies. So great for a family in need or new parents! Or if you're asked to bring the macaroni and cheese to Thanksgiving dinner.

Also, they have a quick line for lunch time so you can go through buffet-style instead of being seated if you're in a hurry, but like I mentioned, it's fast either way.

Wade's used to only take cash or checks but recently started taking cards in February 2016! And don't forget to check out the billboards around town featuring one of their delicious foods doing something clever. If you can come up with one yourself, your name goes on the board!

And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

3 Comments

Monsoon Noodle House

5/10/2016

0 Comments

location.
129 W Main Street

what they are known for.
noodles! and other yummy pan-asian cuisine

menu.

features.
outdoor dining, hub city delivery

Monsoon Noodle House has been around for many years now, but in 2011 suffered fire damange. Rumors swirled that they may not reopen and my heart, and tastebuds, were broken. How could I live without their coconut soup?? There was a collective sigh of relief through town when rebuilding began, and now it's better than ever.

It has tons of seating inside and is one of the several downtown restaurants with sidewalk seating, although it wasn't set up this day (perhaps the 85+ degree temperatures?!). Very popular with the downtown business community, so you can expect lines out the door on a nice day. Good thing they are fast!

I LOVE fresh spring rolls, and they may very well have the best in town. They are packed full of fresh ingredients including perfectly-cooked shrimp, crunchy lettuce and tons of cilantro, plus the peanut dipping sauce is tangy and spicy. The peanut sauce comes separated from the red spicy sauce, seen here at the top of the bowl, so don't mix it all in if you don't want it hot!!

Now my usual go-to is the Thai Coconut Noodle Soup with shrimp, but like previously mentioned, it was almost 90 degrees outside so soup wasn't exactly what I wanted. Instead, I went for the classic Pad Thai with shrimp. Monsoon's "spice scale" goes from 1-5. I love and can tolerate fairly spicy food, but I went for the 4 once and it lit me up, so now I rarely venture past 3. Those levels can also be inconsistent over different dishes, so don't assume because you can take the Triple Delight at a 3 that you can also take the Wonton Noodle Soup at a 3. Personally, I think the soups tend to be spicier, so I might dial it down to a 2 with those.

Okay back to the Pad Thai - as you can see, great portions...I took home one spring roll and about 1/3 of this noodle dish. You're not going to find a lot of egg as you would at say, Bangkok, but you will find saucy noodles complimented by the crunchy peanuts and bean sprouts. You can order most dishes with your choice of shrimp, beef, chicken or tofu. They do tofu really well, so if you're a vegetarian (or not!) it's worth a try.

The rebuilt Monsoon Noodle House is more modern with colorful decor. Order at the counter when you walk in, make your drink, and sit down at your table where you put your number card in the metal holder so they know where to bring your food. I always find it clean and bright, and the service is quick and reliable. For example, it took probably 1-2 mins after I sat down for my spring rolls to come out, and I hadn't finished one before my Pad Thai arrived.

Lunch or dinner, this place is great, and I've even brought out of town family! Huge plus: you can also get it delivered with Hub City Delivery.

And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

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Pig Out BBQ (Drayton Location)

5/7/2016

5 Comments

location.
1945 Drayton Road

what they are known for.
good old southern bbq

menu.

features.
catering

There's no shortage of barbecue restaurants in Spartanburg! Pig Out is one of the oldest, with its first location, at the crossroads of New Cut and John Dodd Road, opening in 1976.

At Pig Out not only will you find great pulled pork, ribs, and hash, but also delicious traditional sides like cole slaw and baked beans.

Plus you can finish off any meal with homemade peach cobbler!

As you can see, they've done an amazing job cleaning up the space from its previous life as a bar. It's bright, inviting...and packed! But don't worry, the service is fast and there are plenty of clean tables. Also, they only take cash and check, but there is an ATM if you forget!

If you go for the traditional meal like I did, this is what you'll get: a bbq sandwich FULL of juicy pulled pork and ready for sauce, a generous helping of baked beans, and a pile of creamy potato salad.

The beans are tangy and the potato salad is sweet, the perfect compliment to the sandwich.

On each table you'll find a choice of sauces: hot, mild, and hot mustard. I tried all 3 and you can't go wrong, though my favorite was the mustard. It's sweet and tangy with a bit of spice.

Another traditional meal, here is the BBQ plate, which comes with a slice of bread instead of a bun. The cole slaw is on the sweeter side, and the hush puppies are to DIE for. By far my favorite side, they are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The next time you are craving bbq, try Pig Out! You won't be disappointed.

What is your favorite BBQ joint in Spartanburg? Let me know in the comments!

And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

5 Comments

Health in Hand

5/6/2016

0 Comments

location.
201 Wall Street

what they are known for.
fresh juices and smoothies, healthy meals and snacks

menu.

features.
outdoor dining

Just a few years old, Health in Hand is Spartanburg's first and only raw juice bar. Whether you're looking for a quick smoothie for breakfast or a healthy lunch, this is definitely a place to check out. There's cozy seating inside and several tables outside on the beautiful brick-paved Wall Street.

I was looking for something substantial to get me through until lunch, so I went with the breakfast smoothie with added vanilla vegan protein powder. Banana, blueberries, oats, almonds, soy milk, and flax seeds. Deliciously thick with mostly the banana/blueberry flavor. Let me tell you - not only was it delicious, but it kept me full for much longer than I hoped!

Other smoothie faves: Pineapple Paradise, for the day you long to be sitting on a beach, and Peanut-Butter Banana, a creamy classic!

Then there's the fresh, raw-pressed juices. I had every intention of photographing this when it was full, but y'all..It was so refreshing! If you are a watermelon-lover like myself, you have to try "Pretty in Pink". The flavor of the watermelon dominates, but the hint of pineapple and ginger makes it. By the way, if you live or work in downtown Spartanburg, they'll deliver to you with no minimum order! If you live within 15 miles of 29306, they'll deliver with a $30 minimum. Plus, you can now buy their juices at the Hub City Co-Op.

Must try juices: ABC Juice (Apple, Beet, and Carrot) is sweet and satisfying, plus a great way to sneak in those veggies, and Ginger Pine-Apple is perfect to pick up as you're strolling downtown on a hot day.

Check out the Health in Hand menu for other breakfast selections (overnight oats anyone??) and lunch options, and be sure to stop in this weekend during Spring Fling! (You can't live on funnel cakes alone...)

And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

0 Comments

Broadway Bagels

5/4/2016

0 Comments

location.
1200 East Main Street

what they are known for.
fresh baked bagels made with natural ingredients

menu.

features.
outside dining

Broadway Bagels is a somewhat hidden gem that has been around for about 25 years. Current manager Elvira Turlak took over when her family purchased the place in 2014, and she has more than kept it alive.

True to the name, you will find New York decor including posters from various musicals adorning the walls. There's plenty of seating and even 5 tables outside to enjoy breakfast or lunch in the fresh air. There's always a healthy mix of regulars and newbies enjoying their breakfast and coffee in the morning. If you're dining for one, you can find newspapers to read by the front door.

If you're looking for one of the best bagels in Spartanburg, look no further. There are at least 14 different freshly baked bagel selections on any given day. The bagels have the dense, chewy texture that you are used to, while somehow being light and crunchy when toasted.

You may disagree with my order, but the egg & cheese on a cinnamon raisin bagel is an awesome combo of sweet and salty. Try it!

As a flavored-coffee lover, I always love their selection of coffees from West End Coffee Roasters in Greenville, SC.

If you've been looking for a new breakfast or lunch spot, check out Broadway Bagels today!

P.S. You can always take a dozen bagels to your office too!

And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

0 Comments

Island Vibes on Main

5/4/2016

0 Comments

location.
2600 East Main Street (next to Yannis)

what they are known for.
authentic jamaican fare

menu.

features.
live music, daily food specials, event space, connected to Ochos Rios Lounge

UPDATE: This restaurant is closed.

Island Vibes on Main was opened in April 2016 by Jamaican-born chef, Dennis Phillips, and you'll feel the vibes as soon as you walk in the door. From the laid-back nature of the staff, to the cheerful music and decor, they've made quite an effort to bring the island to you.

The space is open, clean, and airy and features a greenhouse-type garden full of vegetable plants. One can hope those veggies will be included in future cuisine!

The friendly staff greets you at the counter where you place your order. Beware that while the seafood dishes are highly recommended by the staff, they can take up to 20 minutes to prepare. Also recommended of course, the Jerk Chicken. It's quite spicy, so if you're looking for a milder version, go for the BBQ Jerk Chicken.

We tried both. Duh. The chicken is super moist, very flavorful, and seems truly authentic. Both are served with traditional rice & peas (black beans), and then you choose an additional side. The mac & cheese was steaming hot and perfectly cheesy, and the steamed cabbage was flavored with great spices and other veggies. Note: pictured here are the small plates! They are perfect for one person for lunch or dinner.

Don't forget an order of Coco Bread, which was described as "Hawaiian bread but bigger" and is exactly that. Light, fluffy, a little sweet, and perfect for sopping up those sauces!

Service during the meal was great, and you can tell the staff has fun at work. No alcoholic beverages were on the menu for the restaurant, but if you are looking for an after-dinner drink, the Ochos Rios Lounge is open next door!

And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

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Hub Diggity

Wade's Restaurant

Monsoon Noodle House

Pig Out BBQ (Drayton Location)

Health in Hand

Broadway Bagels

Island Vibes on Main

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