One of the most common responses I get when I tell people about Hub City Bites is, “Tell me about a restaurant I don’t know about…what do I need to try?”

​And that is one of the things I try to accomplish with this blog – bringing to light some of the places that you might not know about.  If you are one of the lucky ones that knows about this one, then kudos! But for those that don’t…

​If you’re like me, sometimes you just get the craving for a Philly Cheese Steak. If you’re truly like me, it’s all the time… But listen, if you get one of those cravings, run, don’t walk, to The Real Deal!  It’s tucked back on the end of a small shopping strip on Asheville Highway, and you could easily pass it the first time.

​There are a few seats inside the shop, and I typically take my sandwich to-go, so take your pick! It truly is a sandwich shop with a straight forward menu.  My choice is nearly always a traditional Philly Cheese Steak with grilled mushrooms, onions and jalapenos. 

​The last time I was in there, I was in line with a man who is originally from Philadelphia but has been in Spartanburg for over two decades.  He’d just recently discovered The Real Deal two weeks prior and had been in nearly every other day since! He claims that what makes these sandwiches so authentic is the bread, and while I’ve never has the chance to go to Philadelphia, I agree that the bread is absolutely perfection.  Crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside, and absorbs all the yummy juices from the meat, cheese and veggies.  Also, unlike up north where you’ll find piles of cooked steak ready to be warmed for your sandwich, The Real Deal cooks each sandwich to order.

​What makes The Real Deal so unique is its simplicity.  From the no-frills shop to the brown paper bag-wrapped sandwiches, they keep it real. I hope you have a chance to check it out soon!

Spartanburg's first mobile eatery is hitting the streets and making quite a name for itself!  Chef Steph uses the highest quality ingredients to create unique takes on comfort food like Duck Wings in a ginger garlic sauce or the Bacon Brussel Sprout Taco with pickled red onion and a balsamic reduction.

Most Mondays and Wednesdays you can find them parked at North Grove Medical Park from 11am - 1pm.  Otherwise, be sure to follow them on Facebook for when they pop up downtown or other places around town like Club South 29.

Streatery also does catering and events so keep them in mind for your next party or work event!  If you haven't tried them yet, you've got to track them down ASAP.  We are so lucky to have the Streatery team in Spartanburg with our first local food truck! 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!

Taco Dog has been around for a very long time and is a local favorite for a quick and delicious lunch or dinner on the east side!  As the name suggests, you can find both tacos (and other mexican options) as well as hot dogs with a variety of toppings.  

​The line does tend to get long due to the popularity of this spot, so I'd advise getting there early for lunch.  Hop right in line and order your meal at the buffet-style counter, where you can see your grilled meat and fresh topping choices!  Tip: they have cilantro in the fridge, you just have to ask for it ;)  They'll give you a cup to make your own drink, and word on the street is that they have one of those fancy new touch screen soda machines since I've visited!!

Of the many, many times I've been to Taco Dog, this was the first time that I'd gotten hot dogs, and I was impressed!  They always grill them, never steam. On the left is the "The Grill", which I'd equate to cheesesteak toppings on a hot dog: grilled peppers and onions, mustard, and melted cheese.  And then of course I had to try the "Taco Dog", which comes topped with mustard, slaw, chipotle sauce, and hot pepper relish. Personally, I favored "The Grill", but both dogs were grilled to perfection and served with fresh, hot fries.  My husband also favors their corn dog!

Most of the time, I head to Taco Dog for a mexican option like a burrito, tacos, or like this day, nachos.  Clearly they do not skimp on the toppings!  With any of the mexican dishes, you get the choice of rice and/or beans, plus their meat options are steak, chicken or ground beef. Finish it off with a wide array of other topping choices like lettuce, cheese, fresh salsa, olives, guacamole, sour cream, etc.  Dishes aside from nachos are served with chips on the side.  Add some queso!!

There are a few tables outside which fill up quickly on nice days!  This is a great family-friendly restaurant that isn't going anywhere, so try it out today!! ​And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

location.
1011 Union Street

what they are known for.
hot dogs and spicy chili

menu.

Andrew's Atomic Dogs is the newest "dog" spot in Spartanburg, and it is one worth trying!  You can find it on Union Street, across from Duncan Park - look for the red awning.  

Inside, the space is small and the line was nearly out the door when we arrived! Be aware at the height of lunch hour that it might be difficult to get a table.  Also, full disclosure, either the air conditioner was broken or they don't have it hooked up yet.  It was quite warm inside, but not unbearable.  The menu was printed and passed down the line as folks ordered, and it took about 10-15 minutes for the food to come out.  They did a great job with the space, which has a quaint diner feel. 

The food came out piping hot, and I love how loaded the dogs were with the toppings.  Great ratio of dog:bun:toppings.  The turkey dog was great too if you are looking for a lighter option!  

Hot dogs can be a personal preference, just like burgers, so try Andrew's Atomic Dogs for yourself and let us know what you think!  

Happy National Hot Dog Day! And if you want more Spartanburg Restaurant Reviews, look no further!

location.
212 S Pine Street

what they are known for.
burgers, bbq and souvlaki

menu.

features.
classic family drive-in

Sugar-n-Spice is a classic family drive-in that has been in Spartanburg for over 50 years, and for good reason!  (Check out their Facebook page for some cool retro pictures.)

The menu is straightforward, and you order right at the counter when you walk in.  As you order from the friendly staff, you can watch the cooks grilling and frying away.  They'll put your food on a cafeteria-style tray, and you can continue down the line to get your drink (sweet tea) and pay at the register at the end.

If you haven't been in a couple of years, you'll notice some renovations of the dining area with new carpet, tables and chairs, that make for a really nice experience. 

​I typically stick with my favorite - cheeseburger-a-plenty with a mix of fries and onion rings - but the roast beef sandwich is amazing too. With the "a-plenty", you can get all fries, all onion rings, or a mix - I highly suggest you at least get mixed for the onion rings.  The batter is thin and crispy, a perfect compliment to any of the meals.

At some point I will have to branch out and get the souvlaki, which I've heard wonderful things about, but this burger is one to try in Spartanburg.

"The Spice" is great in many circumstances: come out with your family, after a particularly long night, or on a holiday weekend like this one!  If you need something for your 4th of July picnic, they do family-style take-out of their BBQ and lots of sides.  

Happy Independence Day weekend everyone! 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!

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.

location.
401 East Kennedy Street

what they are known for.
fresh food and high quality, local ingredients

menu.

features.
outside dining, monthly and daily food specials, all-day breakfast, vegan/vegetarian

The Farmer's Table, owned by Joel and Lenora Sansbury, has been open since March of 2012.  The concept: local and fresh.  They work with over 20 local vendors who supply fresh bread, dairy, produce, coffee, and even wine and beer.  The indoor space is bright and airy, and the porch is amazing.  They've packed a lot of tables inside, and I've never seen it NOT busy so be prepared for that.

Tons of places in Spartanburg do great breakfast OR lunch, but this place does both.  Plus, breakfast is served all day long! Breakfast features a wide array of benedicts, omelets, and french toasts and lunch ranges from burgers and salads to tacos and shrimp & grits.  The menu can be a bit overwhelming, so to help, here's what an out-of-town friend and I had...

My friend got a salad with blackened salmon. You can add all kinds of protein to their salads, but this blackened salmon looks amazing and is a great portion for lunch. Worth noting: my friend had actually ordered the Caesar Salad with salmon, and without her mentioning it, they immediately brought out the caesar to replace this cobb salad when they realized their mistake.  Great service!!

One of the most popular items is the seafood tacos: sauteed shrimp and salmon with fried onions and guacamole.  If you want to splurge on calories (or have the beer/wine flu), I highly recommend the Southern Dip...its your traditional French Dip BUT with pimento cheese.

The Farmer's Table is a great place for a work lunch, out of town guests, Saturday or Sunday brunch, or a breakfast date!  And don't forget to head out to the porch when the weather is nice.

​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.