location.
197 E Saint John Street

what they are known for.
brewed-in-house ciders and beers

menu. (this is not the full menu)

features.
outdoor seating, indoor cornhole

Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery (Hub City Tap House) just celebrated their first anniversary, and the past year has been a huge success with tons of support from the Spartanburg community.  I attribute that not only to the great food and drinks, but also to the attitude of the staff and owners - they are all about community, hosting events for various charities and being super easy to work with for private parties.  Located right across from the Chapman Cultural Center, they are in a prime location to get a drink and snack before a show! (If you haven't seen Beauty and the Beast, try to get tickets for this weekend - you won't regret it!!)

When I saw that the brewery was releasing a new menu, I knew I had to try it out because the original menu had some impressive items.  I was glad to see some return, like the curry hummus!  We had a group go on a Tuesday night to try out their trivia for the first time as well.  If you are a trivia buff, you've got to give it a go - it was fairly tough!  

When you walk in, you'll know you are in a brewery by that signature smell.  The decor is sleek and industrial with concrete floors and high-gloss plywood tables.  There is a seating area with couches, chairs and coffee tables that is great for more intimate get-togethers, and of course the indoor cornhole which is open for anyone to play.  They are also family-friendly, offering apple juice and snacks for the kids, and there is a huge chalkboard near the restrooms to keep them entertained.

The beer and cider list can be found on the large TV screen over the bar.  It can be overwhelming, so ask for help and samples!!  Another option is to try several by ordering a flight.  One my favorites that they brew in-house is a cider called Ta Tse Dang (unsure of that spelling!) which is fruity and delicious.  You can find an updated beer list on their Facebook page at anytime.  

The food menu has about 10 options ranging from the meat and cheese tray which can be shared among friends, to the chicken salad croissant which is more of a one-person meal.  We tried the Curry Hummus, Pimento Cheese, and Boursin with soft pretzels. The hummus is a home run in my book - it is smooth and well-seasoned, served with soft naan bread and a side of olives, tomatoes and cucumbers.  The pimento cheese plate is another great app - the cheese is balanced by a sweet drizzle and served with strawberries, grapes and cucumbers as well as whole grain crackers.  But  my favorite of these three was the boursin - the cheese was creamy with a hint of onion and salty parmesan, and served with warm pretzels that complimented it perfectly.  

On a more recent visit, I tried the meat and cheese platter, and it may have topped the boursin as my new favorite!!  If you haven't visited the Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery yet, well, I don't know what you're waiting for.  It's great for happy hour with friends or coworkers, grabbing a drink and a bite before a show across the street, trivia night, private parties, work meetings, baby showers, you name it!  Check 'em out!! ​And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

location.
910 East Main Street

what they are known for.
fresh, authentic greek food

menu.

features.
outdoor dining

Cuzina in Greek means "kitchen", and I always feel like I'm walking into someone's kitchen when I walk into Cuzina Grill.  The open feel allows you to see what is going on behind the scenes, which I always find refreshing.  When it first opened, you ordered at the counter, but now you can just have a seat and wait for a server!

​On a nice day, the shaded front porch has several tables for lunch or dinner, and inside you'll find TVs for watching the game with a beer or glass of wine on the weekends.

Cuzina is one of my go-to's for weekday lunch or also ordering in from Hub City Delivery on a weekend night.  My favorite rotates from the salads, to the gyros, to the meat platters.  If you want to share (or not), I suggest ordering the appetizer platter and add a couple of meat skewers - you get a little bit of everything!

I love the meat platters for lunch because you can get them with a salad (or fries) and just enough warm pita bread with tzatziki sauce - arguably one of the best sauces on the planet, and they do it great justice at Cuzina.  The salad is always fresh with a light greek dressing that compliments the veggies and feta, and the meat is hot and tender, whether you get lamb, beef or chicken.

The hubs went for the steak gyro which is also a favorite of mine.  It comes topped with onions, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce, and the steak is one of the best meat choices you can make.  The fries are hot and dusted with a cheese and seasoning mixture that takes them up a notch.

Cuzina Grill has been around for a few years, but I get the sense that a lot of folks have overlooked it, so make sure you get in to try it soon! And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!