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Eat & Drink

How to Get Free Doughnuts for the Rest of the Year

In an effort to encourage Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has created a sweet new promotion. 

Krispy Kreme is offering free doughnuts for the rest of the year for individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. 

From now until the end of 2021, customers can bring in their COVID-19 vaccination card once a day and will receive a free original glazed doughnut. The offer is valid inside Krispy Kreme stores or through their drive-thru. 

According to their website, “qualified guests include anyone who has received at least 1 of the 2 shots of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine or 1 shot of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine.”

Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme’s Chief Marketing Officer, issued a statement detailing the doughnut chain’s decision to implement the offer saying, “We all want to get COVID-19 behind us as fast as possible and we want to support everyone doing their part to make the country safe by getting vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to them.” 

There are 18 Krispy Kreme stores throughout South Carolina that are taking part in this offer.

Click here for more information on the promotion or to find a Krispy Kreme location near you.

Eat & Drink

Greenville Continues to Expand Their Restaurant Scene

The food scene in Greenville continues to expand. Check out these three new restaurants coming to the Greenville area in 2021.  

Juniper

A new rooftop bar is coming to the top of the AC Hotel in downtown Greenville. Juniper will offer craft cocktails and elevated bar food to patrons, as they enjoy the view of downtown. The 16,000 square foot restaurant will also feature a gin bar in their cocktail garden. They are currently hiring and expect to open in the spring.

Paloma

Another addition to the AC Hotel is Paloma, a Mediterranean restaurant. Paloma recently opened their doors to patrons. They are located on the ground floor of the hotel and are serving up a variety of Spanish and American tapas plates for dinner.

Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack

Hot chicken isn’t just for Nashville. Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack, which is currently based in Asheville, just opened their doors in Greenville. They are located on Laurens Road and are offering southern staples like pimento cheese grits, fried okra and of course, Nashville-style fried chicken.

Eat & Drink

West Columbia Welcomes New Craft Brewery to the Midlands

A new craft brewery is officially open in West Columbia. Savage Craft Ale Works opened their doors at the end of January and are expected to be the newest hotspot for craft beer lovers.

The opening of Savage Craft Ale Works marks a burgeoning craft beer scene in West Columbia and Cayce marked by current breweries – Steel Hands Brewing and WECO Bottle and Biergarten.

According to their website, “Savage Craft Ale Works is a veteran-owned beverage company that is committed to providing the highest quality products while providing an unparalleled experience for those that visit our taproom.  We apply the same disciplined approach to constantly improving and refining our craft that we learned as members of this great country’s military.”

Savage Craft offers patrons a full craft beer experience, providing patrons with an outdoor dog-friendly biergarten, modern taproom and rooftop bar. In addition to beer, Savage Craft also offers a variety of food. Their menu offers everything from Nashville chicken to Conch fritters to braised pork belly to Thai chili gator.

While not much is known about the individual beers they will be brewing, the craft brewery prides themselves on their ability to use local and fresh ingredients in addition to being creative and bold in their brews.

Check out Savage Craft Ale Works the next time you’re in West Columbia!

Eat & Drink

Charleston Staple Set to Replace Longstanding Greenville Restaurant

Tommy’s Country Ham House, a Greenville mainstay that has been operating for over 30 years, is closing in the Spring of 2021. 

Earlier this year, the popular restaurant announced their decision to close their doors saying that owner Tommy Stevenson had made the difficult choice to retire. 

While the news of the restaurant’s closing came as a shock to patrons, the restaurant set to replace the longstanding favorite was just announced and it has people buzzing.

Lewis Barbecue, a Charleston staple, is set to take the place of Tommy’s Country Ham House in 2022 following some renovations to the space. Lewis Barbecue features traditional Texas style barbecue and is most famous for their mouth watering brisket.

John Lewis, owner of Lewis Barbecue, issued a statement on the upstate opening of his restaurant saying, “Since moving to South Carolina six years ago, I’ve been blown away by the way locals love food — especially barbecue. We’ve welcomed a lot of Greenville folks to our Charleston spot, and I can’t wait to set up shop there permanently and be a part of the city’s vibrant community.”

Eat & Drink

South Carolina Cities Mandate Masks

To mask or not to mask, is no longer the question. This month, several SC cities are pushing to mandate that all citizens need to wear face protection in public.

The Charleston City Council approved a face mask ordinance which began being enforced on July 1st. The ruling mandates that all citizens must wear face mask protection when entering any retail or restaurant establishment. This movement caters in an attempt to keep businesses open.

Greenville Online shared a sign posted at the door of a CVS Pharmacy on Main Street. “Face masks are required by law. When you wear a face mask, even ones made from cloth or common household items and materials, you promote your own safety and that of our colleagues and other customers,” the sign read. The response to these changes has been both negative and positive. 

With 30,263 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide, SC has officially become a hotspot this summer. Some say these cases came as a response to establishments re-opening too quickly. 

“The state cannot mandate everyone to wear a mask,” says Governor Henry McMaster on the issue. “It is ineffective, impractical, and unenforceable to have a statewide mandatory mask requirement.” McMaster did plead for citizens to start wearing masks. As of now, there are no further plans to lift restrictions on establishments that facilitate large crowds. 

With cases still rising, we haven’t heard the last of the mask debate. But, it is difficult to say whether or not we will see any permanent legislative changes regarding the wearing of a mask.

Eat & Drink

Why Greenville’s Food Trucks are Disappearing

Featured image source: Mykal McEldowney, Greenville News

Despite best efforts to market the city as a haven for food trucks, strict regulations in Greenville, SC are making it more and more difficult for entrepreneurs to keep their businesses going. This week, the Greenville News reported that new fire safety rules intended to make food trucks safer have “left some parked for good,” and that 22 out of Greenville’s 32 active food trucks are no longer able to operate in the city.

The new rules require food trucks to have “exhaust hoods, automatic fire-suppression systems, and other tools and systems in place” in order to pass annual fire inspections. The main issue with the new rules for Greenville truck drivers, according to the News, is not the equipment requirements, but rather the time crunch. According to one food truck owner, he only learned of the new fire-code rules from the city in late November, just a few weeks before the rules were set to take effect on the first of the new year.

The Greenville ordinance also requires all food trucks to operate in a limited number of designated public parking spots, and to be at least 250 feet from all brick-and-mortar restaurants, unless given approval to be closer. The News reports that that last restriction is a “notorious food-truck killer,” and has partially contributed to the recent decline.

Folks who want to hunt down the city’s remaining meals on wheels can use the food truck database Roaming Hunger to see bios, upcoming events and locations, and years of operation for Greenville food trucks. For some of the best out there, try The Gravy Train’s Thanksgiving-inspired poutine, Curry Leaf’s spicy Masala Chai tea, or Pink Mama’s Original Lavender White Chocolate ice cream.

Eat & Drink

Best Breweries South Carolina

From The Upstate To The Lowcountry These Are The Best Breweries Around South Carolina

The South Carolina craft beer industry has blown up, going from just a few breweries to more than 80 state-wide. But with so many choices now available, it can be tough to decide which ones are worth visiting. To help out, we’ve put together a list of the top establishments around South Carolina, from the Lowcountry to the upstate:

New South Brewing 

Known for their New South White Ale which is distributed around the state, this Myrtle Beach brewery has exploded in popularity over the past few years.

Hilton Head Brewing Company

The first brewery to come to Hilton Head Island, visitors can now grab a beer and some delicious BBQ from The Retired Pig 7 days a week.

Columbia Craft Brewing Company

Opened in 2017, the Columbia Craft Brewing Company has quickly become a favorite among visitors and residents alike.

Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery

The first of its kind in South Carolina, this Spartanburg cidery/brewery/taproom has only been around since 2015, but it’s already got a sizeable following in the Spartanburg/Greenville area.

Brewery 85

Located in Greenville, this spot is known for its awesome outdoor beer garden and great live music due to the “no covers” rule for the bands they host.

Seminar Brewing

Seminar Brewing, Florence’s first commercial brewery, features more than a dozen different recipes, a shaded beer garden, and sit-down dining space for 75 guests, with food provided by Downtown Southern Funk

Frothy Beard Brewing Company

With 20+ beers on tap and delicious Zombie Bob’s Pizza on location, Frothy Beard Brewing Company in Charleston is a great spot to check out if you find yourself in the holy city.

Let us know which one you’re most excited to visit!

Eat & Drink

Fall Southern Recipes South Carolina

5 Must-Try Southern Recipes This Fall

Featured Image Source: Spicy Southern Kitchen

South Carolinians love their southern comfort food all year long, but there’s no better time for comfort food than the fall. As the weather starts to cool down, the best way to end the day is a home-cooked southern meal. Whether you’re from the South or not, these southern fall dishes are guaranteed to be some of the greatest recipes you’ll try this season!

Autumn Country Captain Casserole

This casserole recipe adds butternut squash and other fall flavors for a delicious autumn twist on a southern staple. With chicken, tomatoes, garlic, curry and basmati rice, this recipe’s flavors will not disappoint. In a little over an hour, you can cook a meal that family and friends will be talking about all fall long!

Sweet Potato Soup

This rich, tasty soup offers a warm alternative to everyone’s favorite side dish. Mixing Yukon gold potatoes, carrots, cinnamon, and sweet potatoes it’s the perfect dish to warm you up on a chilly Fall day. Save this recipe because we promise, you’ll be making it more than once.

Bourbon Pecan Chicken

Any dish with both pecans and chicken in the name is a must-try. The juicy fried chicken is topped with a sweet and spicy sauce composed of bold, flavorful bourbon and crunchy, buttery pecans. This southern fall dish will give you all the flavors of classic comfort food.

Country Chowder

Made up of breakfast sausage, turnip greens, potatoes and corn, this chowder is pretty much a taste of the south in a bowl. This hearty chowder will meet all your needs for a meal in the crisp autumn air. In just 45 minutes, you’ll be enjoying a tasty southern chowder that’s even better the next day!

Cheesy Biscuit Topped Chicken Pot Pie

Who doesn’t love a one-dish, oven-cooked meal? Just the benefits of fewer dishes had us sold to try but the taste is what keeps us making this recipe. It’s cheese, it’s bread, it’s chicken – what’s not to love? You’ll never be able to go back to the old ways of making this dish.

Catch y’all later! Heading to the grocery store now.