
West Columbia restaurants offer tasty summer menu items, made with local produce
According to a study by the National Institute of Health, food eating habits often change in the summer. The tendency is that people prefer to eat lighter, cooler foods and beverages. The study also indicated that it’s possible you will experience a decrease in overall appetite because of the heat.

In the summer, there’s a tendency to opt for salads, fruits, grilled foods, and other foods that are high in water content, like melons, berries, and cucumbers, to help with hydration.
The South Carolina State Farmers Market is at 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia.
At the farmers market you can buy Certified SC products and you are supporting local farms and farmers. The items are fresher, tastier and healthier. There’s a large variety, all grown, harvested, raised, and made locally. The range of items includes: tomatoes, peaches, berries, squash, sweet potatoes, watermelon and seafood.
Mike Lee is the General Manager at Terra at 100 State Street in West Columbia. Terra, since opening, has had an appreciation for local produce and seafood from South Carolina’s coast.
“A seasonal favorite is our famous Summer Seared Sea Scallops,” Mike said. “Scallops have been original to Terra’s menu since 2006. It’s fresh and features a blend of corn and butter bean Succotash, Benton’s Bacon, Shiitake Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers, and Sherry Mustard Butter.”
Another Broken Egg Cafe is across the street from Terra. Its menu includes Summer Seasonal Selections. Items on that menu are: The Ultimate Brunch Sandwich, with Sliced ham and bacon, peppered ripe tomatoes, smashed avocado, dressed arugula & over-medium eggs on grilled focaccia. With country potatoes and a pickle.
Another Broken Egg also has the Soft Shell Crab Scrambler on its summer menu. It’s scrambled eggs filled with onions, red peppers and andouille, topped with fried soft shell crab, lemon aioli and green onions.
JJ’s Place opened earlier this month at 557 Meeting St. in West Columbia. Its Owners are Janice Caldwell and Andrew Reiniger. Both of them are bakers.
“We will use the fruits that are in season in some of the goods we bake,” Janice said. “We have a triple berry turnover, peach muffins, a blueberry scone and a strawberry tart. Those are all made with produce from the summer months.”
Café Strudel has launched its dinner service at their West Columbia location, 300 State St. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m., and menu items include burgers, sandwiches, pasta, salads, fried chicken, ribeye and mahi-mahi.
And when it’s hot outside, Trip Turbyfil invites you to stop by and grab some cold Summer Gazpacho. It’s a light vegan, vegetarian dish for summer.
You may have a garden with tomatoes, squash or watermelon. If you’re preparing your summer meal at home or going out to eat, there are several options to eat the best of summer in West Columbia.
List of West Columbia restaurants:
Grecian Gardens Restaurant – 2312 Sunset Blvd – 803-794-7552
Cafe Strudel – 300 State St. – 803 – 926-5255
Savage Craft Ale Works – 430 Center St. – (803) 888-6005
WECO Bottle and Biergarten – (803) 851-1279
The Hideout in WECO – State Street
La Cienega Mexican Grill & Seafood – (803) 888-7471
Breads and Such – 1220 C Ave. – (803) 851- 0566
Hite’s BBQ – 240 Dreher Rd. – (803) 794-4120
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
Breakfast at Ruiz – 116 State Street – (803) 550-9681
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
Chick-fil-A -2299 Augusta Rd. – (803) 939-1600
Rush’s 2332 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-5034
Another Broken Egg – 101 State St. – (803) 829-0223

