If you’re looking for a new casual place to eat in Spartanburg, The Silo might be right up your alley. The brains behind RJ Rockers and HenHouse Brunch combined forces to bring us an eclectic menu of shareable plates with a slight Cajun flair. Like a lot of people, you may be wondering how you get there: you can enter through RJ Rockers or through the main entrance from the Cribbs/Silo parking lot (pictured below). Parking can be found all around, but your best bets are probably the QS1 lot and the lot down the hill behind The Silo after 5pm.

All over the new Spartanburg restaurant are indications of a lifelong love of beer. There is a fabulous beer can collection room, with a garage-door type window that will be great when the weather is consistently warm. The walls are adorned with the most extensive beer can collection I’ve certainly seen, and checking them out is a super fun way to pass the time with friends. (This room does have chairs now!!)

You’ll also find a beer bottle wall on the way to the bathrooms, whose ceilings are decked with old beer crates and scrabble letters. I also love the garage door that pays homage to the buildings original purpose: Dodge. 

The bar is long and inviting, a great place to wind down at the end of a long day. You’ll find all your favorite RJ Rockers beer on tap, plus some specialties like home brewed ginger beer. While your enjoying that cold beer, take a look at the first two sections of the menu for some smaller bites that are sure to please like the Smoked Trout Terrine – you need to like fishy things, but if you do, you’ll love this appetizer which comes topped with a fried trout tail (brings me back to my childhood memories of fishing and cooking with my dad!) If you want to try a little bit of everything, get The Chow Tray to share: you'll get mini biscuits and slices of tenderloin to make little sandwiches, slaw, fried oysters, deviled eggs and several other sides that are all inspired by beer.

If you’re with a group of friends, don’t be afraid to order several dishes to pass around! My favorites to share include the Chicken Not Pie, Upstate Poutine and Ancho Chili Chicken Wings. The Chicken Not Pie is a biscuit as big as your face, smothered with piping hot, creamy gravy filling from a chicken pot pie. This dish goes a long way! The Upstate Poutine has a lot of flavors going on between the blue pimento cheese (tangy), the Son of a Peach preserves (sweet), the bacon (salty), and finally the gravy with its onion-y goodness. Prepare to lick your fingers clean. The chicken wings have a great crunch on the outside while staying juicy on the inside, and the rub is sweet, smoky and a little bit spicy. 

For a larger meal that you might not want to share, I’d head toward the Catfish & Chips, BBQ Biscuit, Crawfish and Collards, Crab Cakes or the Shrimp and Sweet Potatoes. (Can you tell I’ve already been here a few times??) The Catfish and Chips is a huge serving of hot, crispy catfish with fries on the side as well as some of the unique boiled peanut slaw, a pile of pickled radish, and the house made tartar sauce. You could eat the fish with your hands the way it holds together, and I like to take a bite with a little of the radish and tartar sauce. The boiled peanut and apple slaw is a must-try! I loved it, but the strong peanut flavor might not be for everyone. BBQ Biscuit – another enormous biscuit, this time covered in BBQ and served with your choice of sauces: Carolina Mustard, Kansas City, or Alabama White (or try all 3!). 

Crawfish & Collards – surprisingly delicious with the crawfish and collards smothered in a creamy sauce. The star of this dish could have been the cornbread which had a crunch crust and was quite sweet, but use it to soak up some of that sauce…YUM. You may think crab cakes are a fairly standard dish, but you know when you get good ones – these are chock full of lump crab meat and served with a corn salsa that gives just the right amount of sweetness and crunch. And the Shrimp and Sweet Potatoes – what southerner doesn’t love shrimp and grits? Well get ready for this twist: cajun shrimp + crispy sweet potatoes over a corn risotto...delectable. 

We’re not done yet, you haven’t had dessert. It’s a Pound Cake Flight! Three small pound cakes with seasonal toppings like strawberry, chili chocolate and blackberry. Get an order and pass these around at the end of the night to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth! (and see, THEY even pair well with a beer flight)

​What I love: the casual, comfortable vibe, the unique, flavorful dishes, and that it all pairs perfectly with our local brews from RJ Rockers. As a new place to eat in Spartanburg, The Silo just fits right in.

location.
225 W. Main Street, Suite 100
10th level of the AC Hotel

hours.
mon-sat 4:30pm - until

what they are known for.
stunning views and shareable dishes

Spartanburg has been elevated…by Level 10. Located at the top of the new AC Hotel by Marriott, Level 10 is an upscale dining experience that (IMHO) Spartanburg has needed. Not only is the food spectacular but the views are unreal. ​

The restaurant itself is quite spacious, with several semi-separate dining spaces plus the bar which extends onto the “rooftop”. There are both booths and tables – check out these swanky chairs! I love when tables are set before you sit down…really taking it up a notch.

The dishes are described as shareable, so kind of like tapas. There were 4 of us, so naturally we ordered about 9 dishes in total. It may have been a little much but #noregrets.

Our first round included the Pomme Frites, Roasted Mushrooms, Grilled Oysters, and the Crab Beignets. The beignets surprised me in that they were denser than I imagined – basically like a tempura battered, deep fried, crab cake ball – no complaints here!  Plus the tempura onion rings served with them were to so light and crispy - a perfect compliment. The grilled oysters are great even for people who don’t love oysters because they are cooked through and sprinkled with cheese. The roasted mushrooms had a delicious complex flavor with parmesan and truffle vinaigrette, and went perfectly with a bite of the creamy polenta. But I’m not going to lie, the pomme frites were probably the hit of the first round. Yes, they are "just" French fries, but they were cooked in a way that made them both soft and crunchy, and the dusting of rosemary, garlic and parmesan…finger licking good. 

The second round included our only “For the Table” menu item, which are larger and should be ordered early. The Roasted Chicken Roulade with sage and lemon-caper juice was a great main course dish that everyone loved. We got the Roasted Beets to go along side, and even if you aren’t a huge fan of beets, I implore you to try them! They were sweet and earthy, but mild – perfect side dish.

Last round included the Gnocchi, Seared Salmon and PEI Mussels. I’m a huge fan of mussels, and these did not disappoint. While the mussels themselves were yummy, the best part is obviously dipping that crusty bread into the coconutty, green curry sauce they were cooked in. The seared salmon is a great dish to share because it is mild yet still has a twist with the celery root puree and fennel. Lastly, the gnocchi, which was heavy on the duck confit, was doughy and complimented well by the duck, apples, walnuts and sage. 

Before and/or after your meal, be sure to take time to take in the stunning views. I think we’re all looking at Spartanburg a little differently these days, and the view from Level 10 is definitely one you must take in.

​And, as always, if you’re looking for more Spartanburg restaurant reviews, look no further!

If you’ve been following Hub City Bites, it is no surprise to you that we have another newcomer to downtown Spartanburg: Bond Street Wines. 

Owner Jeff House has been a resident of Spartanburg for over 10 years and has just opened the second branch of Bond Street Wines on Main Street! They specialize in offering unique and limited production wines either by the glass or bottle in the store, or you can take some home to share – perfect for the upcoming holiday season. He is extremely knowledgeable…I learned more about what I was drinking in the 10 minutes he spoke to us than I ever have at any wine bar. 

The store is simple and modern, with floor-to-ceiling shelves lined with all the varieties you could hope for. In addition to a long and inviting bar, there are two high-top tables with fabulous views of main street through the enormous wrap-around windows in the corner shop. 

Bond Street will offer charcuterie to-order from Renato’s on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and be on the lookout for announcements about wine-tastings for the community.

​Spartanburg is proud to have not only Bond Street Wines but also Carriage House Wines to fulfill our dreams of hosting that perfect meal. Please consider patronizing both for the holiday season, and welcome Bond Street Wines to Spartanburg!

​Be sure to keep an eye out for the next RJ Rockers beer dinner because these are events that you Spartanburg foodies do not want to miss!  This collaboration with HenHouse Brunch was the third dinner in the series, the first two being with Southside Smokehouse and The Farmer’s Table.  How I wish I’d been at those!  Included in your ticket price is a pint of beer to enjoy while you wait for the first course to be served, so be sure to get there early to enjoy your pint.

When you walk into Gerhard’s, you are seemingly transported to a moody Austrian pub with its blend of rustic wood and warm leather.  Feel free to saddle up to the bar for a cold cocktail or German ale while you wait for a table.  There are three distinct seating areas, plus a beautiful patio for warm summer nights.  You have a choice of the formal dining room for fancy occasions, the more casual dining with private booths, and then the Biergarten which has open tables and a cozy fireplace.  

To start your experience, you’ll get a bread basket served with some of the best butter you’ve ever tasted.  It’s spicy, almost cheesy, and simply melts in your mouth!  If you need something else to tie you over until the main course, I highly recommend the fried pickles which are small, battered spears served crunchy and piping hot with a slightly spicy remoulade.  

On the menu for entrees are authentic dishes varying from Mahi-Mahi Kabobs over Rice to Elk Rouladen with Spaetzle and Red Cabbage.  One of my favorites is the Roasted Rack of Lamb with Green Peppercorn Sauce and Fried Potatoes – the sauce is perfectly creamy and spicy, a great compliment to the tender lamb.  For something more traditional, try the Wiener Schnitzel (a thin, breaded veal cutlet) with a traditional Gerhard’s salad (tangy potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sauerkraut).  

For a casual night out with the family, try out some of the wood-fired pizzas.  I love the thin and crispy crust and from the traditional pepperoni to the interesting Swiss pizza topped with raclette cheese, you won't be disappointed. And they start at $8!

​Gerhard’s is a comfortable spot for a variety of occasions, so head there soon to wow a date, relax with your family, or impress out-of-town guests! ​And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

location.
1055B Fernwood Glendale Road

what they are known for.
fresh cut and charcoal grilled steaks, seafood and burgers

menu.

features.
​outdoor dining

Dudleys celebrated its 7th birthday in July, and boy am I glad about that.  This restaurant was exactly what the East Side needed when it arrived on the scene.  The atmosphere is simultaneously perfect for a date night or for the big game, and I regularly enjoy it for both!  When you walk in, you’ll immediately notice the large bar surrounding the grill where you can saddle up, enjoy a beverage, and watch your steak being cooked to perfection.  There is also ample seating on the front patio, plus a back porch which is more for sports-watching.

Also from the Starters menu are the wings, which are perfect to order from Hub City Delivery if you are having a group of friends over.  Try the Garlic Parmesan dry rub!

When I’m craving a really good steak, Dudleys is one of the first places I think of.  Whether you go for the 14oz Ribeye or the 8oz Filet Mignon, each steak is seasoned and grilled to your liking, plus the garlic butter they put on top doesn’t hurt!

​On my last visit, I went for another of my favorite entrees: Low Country Boil.  You rarely see this on a menu because it is quite complicated to serve so many types of seafood and meat that are each cooked properly, but Dudleys has it figured out.  There is plenty to share between two people, if you’re willing: 4-5 oysters, 6 mussels, 4-5 shrimp, 1 cluster of crab legs, served over sausage, corn, onions and potatoes in a delicious broth.  Served up with melted butter, lemons, crackers, hot sauce, you name it, this meal is sure to please!

The sandwiches are great for a smaller meal, and if you’re there on a Thursday, they are ½ off.  One of my husband’s favorite is the brisket sandwich which is to die for with the melty cheese, caramelized onions, and savory au jus complimenting the smoked-in-house brisket. ​

Be sure to check out the Dudleys Facebook page for food specials and other special nights such as Wednesday’s Ladies Night: ½ priced drinks and appetizers.  Dudleys is a staple for the East Side that we are glad has been around for 7 years, and we hope will be for many more! And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

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!

Cribb's Kitchen started out as a small sandwich shop on Spring Street that quickly became one of the most popular lunch spots downtown.  It evolved into Cribb's Kitchen, which is known throughout Spartanburg to provide excellent meals for lunch and dinner. They have won several local awards, most recently the 2016 James B. Thompson Small Business of the Year Award, and they are known for the Annual Burger Cook Off!  The winning burger is featured on their menu for one year after winning the competition.

Because of all of these accolades, you will most likely find the restaurant quite busy if you arrive during peak hours, but there are lots of tables.  When the weather cools down, get there early to snag a table on the patio!  The decor is funky with graffiti art and produce signs, and definitely check out the sweet background behind the beer taps - its the Spartanburg skyline! If you remember when this was the Salvation Army building, you know how impressive the space is.

If you're there for dinner, it's a great place to bring the family or out-of-town guests, or even go for date night!  Occasionally they have live music, so check out their facebook page for special events.  This particular day we were aiming for a workday lunch, which is a very popular thing to do.  I'm not sure what is typical, but we did end up waiting a decent amount of time for our food (45+ minutes), so if you only have an hour for lunch, try to go a little early or a little late...i.e. not right at noon.  They made up for it by offering a free app and dessert for our next visit!!

There are a lot of great options for lunch, but I'm not sure it gets better than the burgers.  I went for something I hadn't tried yet: the Barnyard which was the 2015 winner of the Annual Burger Cook Off! Aptly named because the patty is made with lamb, beef, and bacon, and it's topped with a fried egg, goat cheese, jalapenos, horseradish creme, shaved cabbage and tomato.  While quite messy to eat, it was delicious.  Tons of flavor to the burger, plus the tangy goat cheese cut by the spicy peppers, and you can't go wrong with an egg yolk running throughout. Pictured here with the side of cold cucumbers & onions with dill - a great fresh side for these hot summer days.

The hubs went with one of the most popular burgers, a Cribbs creation: the Fried Green.  As the name would suggest, this is a burger topped with a fried green tomato, pimento cheese, bacon, chipotle ranch, lettuce, tomato and mayo.  There's a reason it is popular y'all. That crispy fried green tomato is a genius burger topping, and of course is paired perfectly with the pimento cheese.  Pictured here with the side of parmesan fries - a classic that won't do you wrong.

Other notable menu items: the Moroccan burger (my ususal), the Pear salad (tarragon vinaigrette is out of this world), and the Squirrel Nuts (peanuts boiled in RJ Rockers beer!!). 

Cribbs is great for lunch and dinner, an after-work drink or check out their weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.  And always check the facebook page before you go for the creative food specials they are coming up with on a daily basis!!  And if you can't get away from home but want an awesome meal, you can get Cribbs Kitchen delivered with Hub City Delivery! ​And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

location.
1059 Fernwood Glendale Road

what they are known for.
american and southern fusion food

menu. (not yet available online. see picture below!)

​features.
outdoor dining, live music

Mothers Restaurant on Fernwood Glendale opened TODAY in the space formerly occupied by Lil' D'z.  Good news: they did an amazing job on the up-fit and you'd never know it used to be a smoky bar!

The walls, floors and furnishings are quite dark, giving the space a moody feel, but there's plenty of light coming through the tinted front windows that it's definitely not too dark.  Cool wooden windows give you a view of the kitchen and the bar is fully stocked for nights with friends or a big game.  There are even a few tables out front for an outdoor dining experience, which I love, although it's way too hot these days.

We were greeted by an extremely friendly hostess, and the service only got better from there.  Very attentive, drinks were always full, food came out hot and as fast as you would expect, and our server answered all of our questions.  I've included a picture of the full menu below since it's not available on the web yet.  This is the lunch and dinner menu:

The first thing I noticed on the menu was "The Cheese" - fried pimento cheese balls.  Yep.  They were clearly handmade and extremely delicious.  Crunchy coating on the outside and perfectly melty on the inside.  ​

The atmosphere is great for a group of friends watching a game or even to bring your family!  Coming soon will be daily drink specials, live music and family-friendly entertainment, and inventive food specials (like authentic hummus and pita from a Lebanese staff member!!).

For those of you who were familiar with the space before, you'll see in the pictures that there is a large portion of the building that is blocked off.  Mothers did purchase the whole space that Lil' D'z occupied, but right now the other portion is being used for storage.  Eventually, it will be open as a "fun" space - lots of ideas in the air right now!

I hope you'll out Mothers soon!  It's definitely worth it, and it's great to have another good, locally-owned restaurant in this area of town.  I'm looking forward to trying the wings and wraps in particular, as well as "The Struggler".  Let me know what you think!!

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

Don't forget to check them out for trivia on Wednesdays and Live Music on Thursdays and Fridays!

Update: Growler Haus no longer serves pizza because now Papi's Tacos is in the haus!  Enjoy $2 tacos and $2 off beer flights every Tuesday.

Update: Papi's Tacos has moved out. Growler Haus now has their own "Haus Bites" menu, and it's perfect for bar snacking!

This is the hummus plate, which on this particular night featured Spicy Black Bean, Tzatziki (Greek), and Red Bean with corn relish varieties.  The black bean hummus was creamy with the richer flavor that comes with the black bean versus the traditional garbanzo, plus it has quite a kick! Red bean hummus was new to me, and it was a pleasant surprise.  Almost a bit smoky with the corn relish on top, it felt deeply southern in a comfortable way.  To me, the star of this plate was the greek-style Tzatziki hummus which was heavy on the chunks of cucumber and feta with the bright dill on top - you really needed a spoon to get this one onto the pita, and it is worth the effort!

Love seeing Growler Haus make their way with this new menu, and can't wait to try more! Cheers!!

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

location.
375 E. Kennedy Street

what they are known for.
the redneck cheeseburger

menu.

features.
outside dining, dog friendly, live music, trivia, daily food and drink specials, hub city delivery


The NuWay has been "Spartanburg's favorite bar since 1938", and for good reason.  It is known as a "no-frills roadhouse", which you'll get as soon as you walk in the door.  Mismatched furniture and eclectic wall decor ranging from vintage beers signs to hand-drawn pictures from local children.  Wait-staff is casual and friendly.  Patrons range from families with children to college students in search of grease.  In fact, they may be nursing a hangover acquired at this very bar the night before.  Local bands grace the "stage" on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, plus karaoke on Saturdays.  And don't forget trivia with Donnie on Monday nights, known as some of the most challenging trivia in town.

The NuWay has received numerous accolades.  Most recently it was named the Most Iconic Bar in South Carolina by The Thrillist.  It has been featured in Garden and Gun Magazine. And then of course, there is the Redneck Cheeseburger, which Food Network named the best burger in South Carolina.

I most likely first visited The NuWay on a Friday night in college.  Many other weekend nights (okay and weekday nights) have been spent here.  Go for the karaoke, go for the live music, go watch sports on the big screen, go sit out back and drink a $1.50 PBR after a rough day, bring out-of-town guests for dinner, go for lunch with coworkers. I've done all of these. Whatever your needs are, The NuWay can meet them.