Restaurants I Like (Good Stuff)

My Rating System

good stuff, pretty good stuff, & "I reviewed it, didn't I"?

My all time local favorite is the Chophouse 47. It is located just over on Restaurant Row off of Pelham Road and 85 and has the best steaks in town. Great steaks (always get the almond softshell crab appitizer to share), fresh lobster cracked and cleaned tableside, several good seafood dishes, generous portions, wonderful service, a complete wine cellar and a friendly and dark atmosphere make it a fine dining experience. Always check the specials for the occasional prime center cut filet of rib eye. Linger as long as you like at your table or the bar, they never rush you. Plus, for you cigar aficionados, you can enjoy a wide variety of great cigars in their lounge. Good stuff. - jinx

Another recently opened steakhouse with tasty steaks is Ruth's Cris Steakhouse. The steaks rival the Chophouse and the service is great. But atmosphere is sorely lacking (kinda like eating in a fancy S&S) and there is no smoking, cigars or otherwise. The drinks are kinda high priced and mine was a little watery for my taste. But if you don't smoke or drink and you like plenty of light so you can see what you're eating, it's a sure thing. Pretty good stuff. - jinx

Two local diners that fix good food are The Dixie over on Poinsett and The Cateran on Wade Hampton. Both are typical meat and threes where the food is pure Southern Comfort and the tea is as sweet as honey suckle. Plus The Dixie is one of the few places you can still order pan fried, crisp as a chip fatback for breakfast. Now that's good stuff. The Dixie is a sitdown joint with swaggering Southern gals taking orders (you know, the kind that call you "hun") and The Cateran is buffet only (my personal fav: Country Ham w/ Red Eye Gravy). The Dixie is open for all three meals except no dinner on Saturday and Sunday and The Cateran for lunch on Sunday and Monday, lunch and dinner on Tuesday thru Friday and dinner only on Saturday.  - jinx

Another close by Southern favorite is Charlies BBQ located on Pelham and 14. Pretty good Q and plenty of it. Need I say more? Plus the occasional local celebrity may drop in ;)    - jinx

Two Chefs 2 Go is my wife's favorite for a great take home salad. Located at the other end of the shopping center from Charlie's BBQ they offer a delightful and eclectic range of take home choices. Of course you can eat in too and everything is made in house and is always fresh. They say it best, "...Whether you're dropping in for lunch or picking up carryout for dinner, Two Chefs is the popular spot for people who want good food at a good price— but don't want to sacrifice quality."  Pretty good stuff.  - jinx

If you're looking for a spot after a night out at the Peace Center, try Rick Erwin's West End Grill. Valet parking adds to it's appeal. The steaks are great (one of the few "prime" cuts in Greenville). There is a complete and varied menu that will keep the whole family happy. À la carte vegis and sides large enough for two, a good choice of fresh fish, plus great desserts big enough to share make this a crowd pleaser. As usual downtown, no smoking. - Good Stuff - jinx

If you want a delicious cheeseburger with melt in your mouth home made potato chips try Junior's Sports Bar and Restaurant. It's on that cut thru between Haywood Mall and Halton Road, Gladys Drive, across from Coop's Gym. My friends and I call it the "prison camp" because of the chain link fence around the property, but don't let that put you off. It boasts at least 15 (52") large screen HD tv's and is open from 11:00 am (they serve a righteous breakfast too) til at least 4:00 am (it's private but joining is free). I've never been there at night but rumor has it that it's a happenin' place. In addition to burgers, they have some pretty tasty crab legs and seafood specialties too. Daytime beer prices are only $1.25 for most domestics. All in all not a bad place to throw back a couple of brew-skies and watch some games. Beats the heck out of Applebees. Smoking allowed. - jinx

P.F. Changs is my favorite Chinese Bistro (is there more than one?). It combines a casual dining experience with some well made dishes that always delight the palate. "We're all about the sauce", said a waiter to us the first time we ate there. And he is right. Each waiter has a favorite way of combining the various ingredients used in their signature table sauces that give every dish a unique and different taste each time you eat there. Hershey and I always stop when we are near The Shops at Gridlock... erm Greenridge. This is a family oriented place but still has a well stocked bar off to the left of the dining room where you can also eat dinner if you want a cozier dining experience. This is pretty good stuff. - jinx

If you are looking for a casual dinner with a good filet for a modest price, stop over at Logan's Roadhouse The filet is pretty darned good for a joint like this. They also have good chicken dishes and the obligatory baked potato. The ribs ain't bad  but always get 'em with the sauce on the side (I like the ribs at Texas Roadhouse  better...for a review of Texas Roadhouse just change the name on this one). My favorite side order is the grilled vegi shish kabob. They also have those little buckets of roasted peanuts to munch on while you wait for your meal and of course you just throw the shells on the floor. At the bar they allow smoking and have limited booths and tables for meals. The beer is pirate priced tho so don't go there to watch a long game, it'll cost ya. It's located right over on Restaurant Row across from Chophouse 47 (see above).