College football is a boon to some of West Columbia River District businesses. The University of South Carolina plays its first football game of 2022 this Saturday (Sept. 3.) The Gamecocks open the season at 7:30 pm., versus Georgia State. Clemson opens versus Georgia Tech at 8 p.m. on Labor Day (Sept. 5.) 

“We have people, good crowds, come in to watch college football,” said Billy Rentz of D’s Wings. It’s at 415 Meeting St. in West Columbia, near the Meeting Street Artisan Market. The market is open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays. So you can get a deal at the market and then catch some college football at the adjacent restaurants.

There are more than a dozen TVs in D’s, so you’re going to be able to see your game. 

“During the day we get a good crowd,” Rentz said. “But when the Gamecocks play at night, we’re not as busy. People come and stay, there’s not a lot of traffic. They are where they are going to stay while they watch the game.”

In addition to walk-in traffic, D’s fills a multitude of tailgate orders in the college football season. When the Gamecocks are in town, the fans come in to get orders for their tailgate party. If USC is on the road, the orders are for home-viewing TV parties.

Teriyaki wings and lemon pepper wings are the biggest sellers for tailgaters. The medium Buffalo and the hot Cajun wings are popular, too.

“We’ll sell anything on the menu,” Rentz said, “but most everybody wants wings.”

D’s produces a lot of raw fries on football Saturdays, too.  Up to 400-to-500 pounds of potatoes are cooked on gameday.

Savage Craft Ale Works, 430 Center St., is a neighbor to D’s. The two establishments are separated by the West Columbia Interactive Art Park.

“We will have football games playing on TV at Savage Craft throughout the season, whenever they broadcast,” said Victoria Porter, Savage Craft’s manager. And everyone is always welcome to come watch.

“Whatever the day, the weather, home or away, early or late game, Savage Craft has become a sort of family and pet friendly place to watch the games. We’re less crowded, with free parking, and there is plenty of space for the kids to run while the adults enjoy Saturday afternoon football.”

Rentz said many of his customers will leave D’s after eating and stroll over to Savage Craft.
“Savage Craft has live music and it’s a good place to go have a beer,” Rentz said. “We love having them for neighbors.”

WECO Bottle and Biergarten is open at 626 Meeting Street. It’s a great place to have a craft beer on football Saturdays in the West Columbia River District.

There are many great West Columbia restaurants to enjoy before or after the big game. A list is below:

• Grecian Gardens Restaurant – 2312 Sunset Blvd – 803-794-7552
  Cafe Strudel – 300 State St. – 803 – 926-5255
• West Columbia Fish Market – 529 N. 12th St. 803-851-1171
  Compton’s Kitchen – 1118 B Ave – 803 791-0750
  Breads and Such – 1220 C Ave. – (803) 851- 0566
  Buttercream Dreams – 1230 C Ave. – (803) 708-4485
  Hite’s BBQ – 240 Dreher Rd. – (803) 794-4120
  The Original Brunches – 2245 Leaphart Rd – (803) 791-7477
  Jimmy’s Mini Mart/Citgo – 812 Meeting St. – (803) 794-0090
  Maurice’s Piggie Park – 1600 Charleston Highway – 803-796-0220J
  Nick’s House of Pizza Restaurant- 1082 A Sunset Blvd – 803-794-9240
  DeLuccas 1720 Sunset Blvd. – 803- 926-5255
  Ariana’s Greek Restaurant – 1720 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-4430
  Lizard’s Thicket – 2234 Sunset Blvd. 803 – 794-0923
  True BBQ – 1237 D Ave – (803) 791-9950
  Jin Jin Chinese Restaurant – 469 Sunset Blvd. (803) 739-8888
  Chick-fil-A -2299 Augusta Rd. – (803) 939-1600
  Rush’s 2332 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-5034
• Breakfast at Ruiz – 116 State St. – 803 -550-9681