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Archive for the ‘Things to Eat’ Category

10 Of Our Readers Favorite Mexican Restaurants in Greenville, SC

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Looking for a great Mexican restaurant in Greenville, SC? We recently took to social media and polled our community members, asking them about their favorite place to grab a Mexican meal.

With no shortage of options, the list was long, and the race to top pick was close, but we had some front runners where readers were concerned! Did your favorite make the top ten list?

For more Mexican Food picks, check out Greenville Speaks: Readers Top Places To Order Nachos or the best places to find tacos in Spartanburg and Greenville.

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Southside Smokehouse & Grill: There’s A Smoked Meat Paradise Tucked Away In Landrum, SC

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Have you tried Southside Smokehouse & Grill? We are very fortunate in the Upstate to have so many little towns with hidden gems, sprinkled around to discover. Southside Smokehouse & Grill in Landrum, just south of the NC border is one such gem!

Chef Sarah McClure creates delicious menu items to lure diners to the smokehouse. You’ll find her husband and co-owner Robert Hall behind the bar mixing cocktails that will be the envy of all your friends on social media when you tease them with photos.

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20 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free Across the USA

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Wondering what national chain restaurants offer free or discounted kids’ meals? Kids Eat Free promotions are one of the most popular deals restaurants offer families. No matter what city you live in, or where you travel, there are national chain restaurants with deals on kids’ meals. Here’s a list of national chain restaurants with kids eat free (or cheap) deals.

National Kids Eat Free promotions

This list is intended for informational purposes only. Please confirm with individual restaurant locations prior to visiting and ordering.

More Kids Eat Free! Find local restaurants in US cities where kids eat free (or cheap)

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National Chains Where Kids Eat Free

The national chains in this list offer free or discounted meals for kids! Many of these locations may or may not participate in the kids eat free promotional deals, so always check with your local location to confirm the meal deal is available.

Bob Evan’s

(Tuesday only) If you download and use the Bob Evan’s app, you can receive a free kid’s meal with the purchase of $15 or more. Your purchase must be made through the app the receive the promotion.

Bruster’s Ice Cream

If your child is less than 40 inches tall, he or she can receive a free baby ice cream cone from Bruster’s any day of the week!

Cici’s Pizza

At participating Cici’s Pizza locations, you can free kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult buffet. The offer is only valid for children 3 and under. The promotion is for any day of the week that your local Cici’s Pizza location is open!

Chili’s

My Chili’s Rewards Members can redeem rewards points for free kids’ meals at Chili’s. Join the Rewards program to learn more.

Denny’s

Kids (10 years old and younger) eat free at Denny’s on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 10:00 pm with the purchase of at least one adult entree. The offer is good for up to two kids’ meals, dine-in only.

Firehouse Subs

Register your child’s birthday online and receive a free kids combo with the purchase of a medium or large sub, chips, and drink, or a free medium sub with the purchase of an additional medium or large sub, chips, and drink. Be sure to register your child in advance. The offer is valid on your child’s birthday and the 6 days following it.

Fuddrucker’s

(Monday only) At participating Fuddrucker’s locations, you can grab a kids’ meal for only $1.99! You must purchase an adult entree to receive the promotion, and the meal includes an entree, a side, a cookie, and a drink.

Jersey Mike’s

(Sunday only) You can grab a free kids’ meal with an adult purchase at participating Jersey Mike’s throughout the US on Sundays. Contact your local Jersey Mike’s to confirm that they offer this deal.

Golden Corral

(Tuesday only) At participating Golden Corral restaurants, you can get a kid’s meal for $2.99 with the purchase of an adult buffet. The deal is valid for children aged 4 – 10. Check with your local Gold Corral to confirm that they offer this deal.

Ikea

(Wednesday only) If you are a member of Ikea, you can enjoy the perk of two kid’s entrees free when you purchase an adult entree. This promotion is available at Ikea stores throughout the US.

Moe’s

Select Moe’s locations offer one kids meal for children under 12 years old every Sunday with the purchase of an adult entree $6 or more at many locations. Children can customize their kid’s meal with a kid-sized burrito, quesadilla, or taco plus a cookie and drink.
The offer is valid in-store only at participating locations.

O’Charley’s Restaurant and Bar

Though O’Charley’s Restaurant and Bar does not offer kids eat free deal, they do have super cheap kids’ meals. Participating O’Charley’s locations offer a kid’s meal for 99 cents!

Pizza Inn

(Tuesday only) At participating Pizza Inn locations, you can enjoy a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entree on Tuesdays. Check with your local Pizza Inn location to confirm this promotional kids eat free meal deal.

Rapid Fired Pizza

With locations expanding across the US, Rapid Fired Pizza offers Tuesday kids eat free meal deals at participating locations. Kids eat for $1.99 on Tuesday evening with the purchase of an adult entree.

Red Robin

Kids eat free, with the purchase of at least one adult entree, on the first Wednesday of each month from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at participating Red Robins.

Ruby Tuesday

Kids eat free every Tuesday after 5:00 pm at Ruby Tuesday with the purchase of an adult entree.

Smashburger

Smashburger is quickly expanding across the US and offers a kids-eat-free meal with the purchase of an adult entree. The promotion is dine-in only. Check with your local location to make sure they offer this deal.

Steak n Shake

Kids eat free all weekend long at Steak n Shake for every $9 you spend.

The Melting Pot

(Select days only) You can have a unique dining experience at The Melting Pot and also get a free kids entree with the purchase of an adult entree. The deal is valid at participating locations across the US but may have varying days of the week the kids eat free meal deal is offered. Contact your local location to confirm.

Zaxby’s

(Wednesday only) At participating Zaxby’s locations, they offer a 99-cent kids meal when you purchase an adult entree. Check with your local Zaxby’s location to confirm that they offer this deal. Day of the week of the meal deal may vary by location.


For more freebies, Check out our list of Birthday Freebies You Can Sign Up For.

Free things to do for kids across the USA

Savings That Are Worth The Fun!

Totally Free Things to Do
With Your Kids

Check Out This Scoop – Hub City Scoops, that is!

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“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!”  If you’re a parent, never have truer words been spoken.  Going to an ice cream shop is one of the hallmarks of a happy childhood.  There is just something about staring at vats upon vats of delicious frozen possibilities and colorful toppings that makes a kid scream with delight, and let’s face it – parents have their own inner shout of glee, too.  If you are looking for a sweet treat and that iconic ice cream parlor feel, check out Hub City Scoops on Main Street.

Here’s the Scoop

Located downtown in a bright cheerful space, Hub City Scoops atmosphere is clean and inviting. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the products and happy to answer questions and provide samples and suggestions.

Hub City Scoops’ menu provides plenty of tantalizing choices.  Rotating about 28 flavors of super premium ice cream, options include traditional cups, cones, milkshakes, coke floats, and sundaes.  There are also unique offerings, such as their ice cream flights with a side of waffle cone chips, ice cream cookies, and dessert nachos.  The Hub City Scoops Facebook page and Hub City Scoops Website, list the hours of operation and a complete menu with photos of specialty treats, and the flavors of the day allowing you to make a mental list of must-try samples.

Genius!

So, the next time you’re in the market for a sweet treat or special outing, don’t hesitate to give this family-friendly shop a try!

Hub City Scoops also offers birthday party options! Beginning at just $125 for a party with 10 people, they include set-up and clean-up, ice cream, and more!

Try a Scoop for Yourself

Hub City Scoops
138 E. Main Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
864.586.1100

Monday – Saturday 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday 12 – 8 pm
Hub City Scoops Facebook

Have you visited Hub City Scoops yet?

More Ice Cream!

Where To Find Fresh Produce Near Greenville, SC

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Are you looking for local produce in Greenville, SC? Fortunately, Upstate residents have several options. Whether you are searching for Greenville farmer’s markets, roadside stands, or CSA farms, we’ve got you covered.

It’s that time of year again when our mouths start to water for watermelon and fresh berries and when our dinner table can easily be filled with fresh, local vegetables.  We are very fortunate to live in the Upstate where there are so many options for fresh, local produce near Greenville, SC.  The definition of local isn’t a concrete one.  But most experts say that to be considered local, the item has to be harvested or made within 100 miles. The benefits of eating local produce are many including better flavor, nutrients, and supporting the local farmers

Produce in Greenville, SC
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You’ll Want To Visit CAMP in Greenville, SC

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Looking for a new restaurant to try? Our very own CAMP restaurant in Greenville is one your whole family will enjoy! But this isn’t the kind that will require an overnight stay. We have all the information you need to know before you visit CAMP.

A plate from Camp GVL Tostada at CAMP restaurant Greenville
CAMP | Tostada

The location that formerly housed the Greenville News offices is now one of the newest social hubs of Downtown Greenville. The AC Hotel, Insomnia cookies, and CAMP offer guests to Camperdown Plaza fine dining, cocktails, warm cookies & entertainment on the outdoor stage.

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Restaurant 17: Enjoy A Meal With An Amazing View Of The Mountains In Travelers Rest, SC

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There’s a place tucked away in the foothills of Travelers Rest that will transport you far from the daily grind of everyday life in the Upstate. Hotel Domestique’s Restaurant 17 is the place where you can pour yourself into a seat on the patio, and just breathe in the surrounding beauty. The menu is carefully curated, utilizing ingredients supplied by local farmers, cheese artisans, beekeepers, and more.

A meal at Restaurant 17 is more than just nourishment, it’s an experience. Paired with a weekend getaway stay at Hotel Domestique, you’ll forget you’re less than an hour from home.

Restaurant 17 in Travelers Rest, SC

Restaurant 17 in Travelers Rest, SC

Owner’s Name: Rich Hincapie

Do you have a kids menu? Yes

What are your contactless delivery options?
Curbside pickup

Do you offer outdoor dining?
Outdoor dining – covered, open & heated

What makes your spot unique?

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Restaurant 17’s beautiful setting is the clear root for the restaurant’s modern, place-driven perspective. It all adds up to an experience that brings people together over tables of authentic, thoughtful food and drink. Where old-world hospitality meets familiar European views, the cuisine reveals an elevated twist on classic Italian and Mediterranean favorites. Chef Haydn Shaak marries classical training with his dedication to local farms and ingredients to craft a truly unique menu inspired by the seasonality of the Upstate.

What dish is the most popular? Southern Fried Chicken Padano

What dish are you the proudest of?
Chef Haydn’s Southern Vegetable plate features local and seasonal vegetables from our local farmers, and we are proud to showcase the produce of our region in a unique, fresh way.

It’s my first time at your restaurant, what do you suggest we order?
The Cheese & Charcuterie Board and House Made Ricotta Dip are must-haves for snacks to start. For Small Plates, the Domestique Puttanesca and Sausage + Peppers Radiatore are house favorites. Finally, for entrees, the Southern Fried Chicken Padano and Mountain Trout Piccata are fan favorites!

Where do you love to eat when not at work?
Jianna

Gifting Options: Gift cards

Learn More About Restaurant 17

Restaurant 17
10 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest | 864.516.1254

Plates of farm to table food from Topsoil Kitchen & Market in Travelers Rest, SC

Looking for more yummy restaurants in Travelers Rest, SC? Kidding Around has your ultimate list of TR Restaurants.

Where to Pick Your Own Strawberries in Greenville, SC

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Looking for a place to pick your own strawberries in Greenville, SC? Here’s the inside scoop about which local farms in the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson areas are the best for strawberry picking.

pick your own strawberries near Greenville, SC

And since we know how much you all love maps, we made one for all these strawberry farms:

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Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Greenville, SC: Here’s Where To Find A Delicious Meal

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Are you looking for vegan restaurants in Greenville, SC? Or maybe you’re looking for vegetarian restaurants in Greenville?

The lifestyle of eating meat-free isn’t new, but it has become more mainstream in recent years. The days of going out to eat as a vegetarian or vegan and eating a dinner of side dishes are gone, as restaurants cater to a new fanbase. You know a plant-based diet is mainstream when traditionally meat-heavy BBQ places offer a meat-free alternative! 

We’re here to clarify some things and then help you find the delicious meals you’ll want to seek out with a list of vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Greenville, SC.

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Coastal Crust appetizer
Coastal Crust | Green Salad & House Marinated Olives Appetizer 

Vegetarian, Vegan, & Plant-Based Diets – What’s The Difference? 

Growing up with a Godmother who was a vegetarian, I quickly learned to read labels and ingredients before offering her things. Items I had never thought of included animal by-products, and even to this day, some things surprise me. Once, someone pointed out that one of the fruit-filled pastries in the grocery store bakery contained a pork by-product (and it wasn’t lard). So what’s the difference between Vegan, Vegetarian, and Plant-Based diets lifestyles? 

Vegetarian VS Vegan:
A vegetarian diet is the most flexible of the options. There are several sub-categories of vegetarianism; most eliminate meat from their diet and retain some animal-sourced items, such as eggs, cheese, honey, or other non-meat)

Vegan VS Plant-Based:
The critical difference is that veganism includes avoiding animal products of all kinds, including clothing, while plant-based usually refers strictly to the diet. So vegan would be the most extreme of the three, with no consumption of animal-derived products at all. 

Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Greenville, SC

Aryana – Greenville, SC 
Afghani vegetarian/vegan meal options 

Bar Margaret – Greenville, SC
Vegan/ Veggie burger option

Blue Moon Specialty Foods – Spartanburg, SC
Veggie lunch plates, veggie wraps (omit the cheese for vegan), and a large selection of prepared meals in their market.

Bobby’s BBQ & Seasoning – Fountain Inn, SC
Jackfruit Meat alternative offered

Bourbon Street Burgers – Simpsonville, SC 
Serves veggie burgers

Coastal Crust Pizza – Greenville, SC 
Vegetarian options / vegan cheese option

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Coastal Crust Vegan Pizza
Coastal Crust | Vegan Pizza

Core Life Eatery – Greenville, SC
It offers several “build-your-own” menu items that can very quickly be made vegan. The pasta used is rice noodles, and they offer roasted tofu as an alternative meat option. 

D’Allesandros PIzza – Greenville, SC
Vegetarian options / vegan cheese and vegan pepperoni options

Downtown Deli & Donuts– Spartanburg, SC
Plant-based bowls and wraps, portobello burger, black bean burger, veggie sandwich, and other vegan items at Downtown Deli & Donuts

The Exchange Co. – Simpsonville, SC
This coffee shop and creperie offer vegan crepe options! 

Farm Fresh Fast – Greenville. SC
Veggie Stir Fry, wraps, and more on their “No-Kill” plant-based menu 

Good Karma Ice Cream – Easley, SC
Dairy-free ice cream 

Green Fetish – Greenville, SC
Offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, including build your own bowls.

Harvest Kitchen– Greer, SC
Build your own bowls, with a wide variety of ingredients to align with dietary needs and preferences.

Jasmine Kitchen – Greenville, SC
Seasonal menu with vegan options

Jenauri’s Vegan Bakery – Greenville, SC 
Custom made vegan cakes

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Jenauri's Vegan Bakery
Jenauri’s Vegan Bakery

Ji-Roz – Greenville, SC
Over two dozen vegan and vegetarian items included on their Greek cuisine menu 

Kuka Juice – Greenville, SC
Cold-pressed juice and vegan menu options

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Kuka Juice
Kuka Juice 

Lime Leaf – Spartanburg, SC
This Pan-Asian and Thai restaurant offers tofu and veggie-based entrees on the menu. 

Moo Creamery – Pickens, SC
Dairy-Free ice cream 

Naked Vegan – Greenville, SC
They serve soups, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, and more. They offer a large selection of vegan meals.

O-cha Tea Bar – Greenville, SC
Vegan drink and tea options

Papi’s Tacos – Greenville, SC 
They offer squash/bell pepper and cactus/bean taco filling options for your veggie tacos

Pinguinos Hermanos – Multiple locations
Fresh fruit and coconut cream shaved ice.

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Pinguinos Hermanos
Pinguinos Hermanos | Strawberry Fresa Colada Shaved Ice 

PI-Squared – Spartanburg, SC
Vegan cheese option

Roost – Greenville, SC
Several Vegan & Vegetarian options are marked on their menu. 

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: The Southern Growl
The Southern Growl | Vegan Seitan Wrap

Southern Pressed Juicery – Greenville, SC
Cold-pressed juice and vegan menu items

The Spatula Cafe  – Greenville, SC
Utilizing tofu, tempeh & falafel, half their menu items are vegan.

Sunbelly Cafe – Greenville, SC
A completely meat-free, seasonal menu

Tacos and Bla Bla Bla – Various locations
Tons of options when you substitute black beans for meat on menu items like tacos and nachos

Tasty As Fit – Greenville, SC
Plant-based menu including smoothies, entrees, and take-home options

Thai Vegan Restaurant – Greer, SC
A fully vegan menu of Thai cuisine 

The 05 – Greenville, SC 
A full vegetarian and vegan menu 

Topsoil Kitchen & Market  – Greenville, SC
Vegan menu items and a Plant-Based supper club 

Vegan Restaurants Greenville, SC: Topsoil Kitchen and Market
Photo Credit: Topsoil Kitchen & Market  

TReehouse Cafe – Travelers Rest, SC
The café has a section of its menu dedicated to Vegan/Vegetarian options.

TruBroth – Travelers Rest, SC
Vietnamese cuisine with tofu-based and vegetable-based items on the menu 

The Universal Joint – Greenville, SC
Menu items that can be easily “veganized” with these tips from V.V. Spot

V. V. Spot – Serving The Upstate, SC
V.V. Spot offers Vegan food restaurant tours and is a great way to learn how you can make small changes in your current eating habits to be healthier. You might be surprised! If you want to learn more about what V.V. Spot offers, check out our Review of The Vegan Restaurant Tour Of The West Village

We Got The Beets (Food Truck) – Greenville, SC
An entire food truck menu that caters to plant-based diners

White Duck Taco – Multiple locations
Jackfruit meal alternative offered, plus easily veganize menu items by swapping meat for beans and omitting dairy. 

Wholly Smoke Family Restaurant  – Mauldin, SC
They offer four different vegan entrée options that include jackfruit as a meat alternative.

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

If you’re looking for more restaurants in Greenville and the Upstate, be sure to check out our Restaurant Guide.