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Archive for the ‘Things to Eat’ Category

Trailside Brewing Co. Is Something Wonderful: Hendersonville, NC

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If you’re looking for a spacious brewery that’s as friendly, welcoming, and beautiful as its brews are delicious, you’ll want to check out Trailside Brewing Co. in Hendersonville, NC. Whether you’re popping in after a day of apple picking with the family, or planning a fun couples night out, we think you’ll enjoy this special brewery. This is one we found on a recent date night, and now we’re sharing everything we loved about Trailside Brewing.

Beer at Trailside Brewing Co with live music in the beer garden.

About Trailside Brewing Company

Located in an old factory space beside what was once the Transylvania Railroad Line and now the soon-to-be-completed, Ecusta Trail, Trailside offers a gorgeous outdoor beer garden space complete with beautiful dahlias and vining greenery, strands of overhead lights, and two fire pits.

The indoor tasting room space is equally as inviting with long tables, high ceilings, and great big doors that open to the outside.

The brewing company has a wide range of brews to choose from as well as wine and even a few non-alcoholic options. They’re both pet and family-friendly and have a great line-up of live music most weekends, plus awesome food trucks parked right up front.

You can find their lineup of food trucks, live music, and other events on the Trailside Brewing Co. Event page.

Trailside Brewery

To Bring the Kids or Not

Trailside Brewing Co. is the perfect place for a casual date night or a night out with friends, but it’s also family-friendly and pet-friendly. Bring a board game for a family game night, or bring the kids to enjoy some music and a fire.

Parents should note that while the space is fabulous and welcoming, there isn’t any playground-type equipment, so kids shouldn’t come expecting to run and climb.

When we visited for our date night there were also lots of families and pets, but it wasn’t chaotic, crowded, or in any way rambunctious at all. Everyone seemed to be having a great time enjoying Trailside. together.

Trailside Brewing Co beer garden

Food Trucks

We deviate slightly from this review of Trailside Brewing Co to tell you that on the night we visited Trailside, the Groovy Grease Wagon food truck was parked out front. If you are ever fortunate enough to come upon the Groovy Grease Wagon, jump up and down, do a little dance, and then order the fried chicken sandwich. It’s the best ever, hands down, crunchy and juicy, the perfect chicken sandwich.

It goes really well with the Oktoberfest beer.

Groovy Grease Wagon friend chicken sandwich

Beer at Trailside Brewing

Trailside’s beer is locally made and seasonal. They are made in-house or at one of Trailside’s sister breweries. We tried the Community Brew Stout, Oktoberfest, Front Porch Pilsner, and the Hammock Haven, which is a blonde ale. They were all fabulous.

After you’ve tried some and found a favorite, you can even purchase a growler can to bring some home. They fill it right there at the bar and seal it up. The beer stays fresh for about a week. We know this because my husband really enjoyed the Hammock Haven blonde ale so much so that he asked when we closed our tab about cans.

So, while they don’t sell pre-canned beer, they do have a neat can growlers you can purchase if you plan to drink your purchase within about a week.

Where is Trailside Brewing, Hendersonville?

Trailside Brewing is about a half mile from downtown Hendersonville, located in the Lennox Park Historic District. Trailside Brewing is the anchor of the renovated Lennox Station. Soon it will be accompanied by a market and cafe. And, as its’ name would imply, the multi-use Ecusta Trail is set to be opened soon. When complete it will link Hendersonville to Brevard, NC following along the old railroad line.

Open Monday through Friday 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturday 12 pm to 10 pm, and Sunday 12 pm to 8 pm

Trailside Brewing Co. Website
873 Lennox Park Drive, Hendersonville

Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC.

We love Hendersonville, NC!

Find out why.

Kidding Around’s Guide to Hendersonville, NC


This Unique Date Amounts to a Four-Course Meal at Four Different Greenville Restaurants

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Need a unique date night idea? How about a great night out with friends? Or maybe you just love good food. Today KAG contributor Kristina Hernandez is telling us about a unique tour you can take in Downtown Greenville, called At the Chef’s Table Culinary Tour. On this tour, you’ll enjoy great food, learn about the food and people who prepare it, and hear unique tidbits of Greenville’s history.

Thank you to John Nolan for providing this tour in order to allow us to share a review with you.

Just. One. More. Bite. My eyes were fighting with my full stomach as I stared down the dark chocolate tart at The Lazy Goat, the last of what amounted to a five-course meal of Table 301 restaurants in downtown Greenville. Over two hours earlier, I had met other excited participants for John Nolan’s At the Chef’s Table Culinary Tour at Soby’s on the Side, ready and willing to experience the highly-rated walking food tour.

I made it this far and just gave in, savoring just one last bite of the delicious dessert.

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Readers’ Choice for All Things Coffee in Spartanburg, SC

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Looking for the best coffee shops in Spartanburg, SC? We asked our readers where the best cup of joe is served, and our readers had a clear favorite!

Coffee shops in Spartanburg SC
Little River Roasting

Tired parents have been depending on coffee to get them through the day since the 15th century. This life-sustaining elixir is easy to make at home, but don’t things always taste better when someone else makes them for us? Our readers feel very strongly about this lifeline beverage and they wasted no time letting us know where they love to go for their coffee in Spartanburg, SC.


Downtown Spartanburg

Spartanburg has great restaurants!

Here’s your Guide to Restaurants in Spartanburg, SC.

Find more coffee options just down the road in our Kidding Around Guide to Coffee Shops in Greenville.

Or if coffee’s not your thing, check out one of the best spots to grab hot chocolate in Spartanburg, SC.


Best Coffee in Spartanburg

Little River Coffee Bar 

188 West Main Street, Spartanburg SC 29306 | 864.582.1227

KAS readers love their coffee, and the majority seem to love it from Little River Coffee Bar! Located next to downtown’s favorite bookshop, it’s the perfect place to grab some coffee and get some work or reading done. 

Little River Coffee Bar in Spartanburg, SC
Little River Coffee Bar

“Little Roasting Coffee, has some of the best coffee I have every had, and I lived in San Francisco.”

Dawn

“Little River Roasting Coffee Bar because it’s the best tasting coffee around, and I can hit up the book store while drinking.”

Melissa

Pharmacy Coffee

187 North Church Street, Spartanburg SC 29306 | 864.913.1010

The newest addition to the Little River Roasting family, this coffee shop is located inside the historic Montgomery building.  

Little River Roasting 

101 Fretwell Street, Spartanburg SC 29306 | 864.582.7900

If you prefer to make your own coffee, you can still enjoy our reader’s favorite coffee at home. They roast their own beans and you can visit the roasters to pick up some freshly roasted coffee!

“I love little river coffee roasting center and cafe. It’s right off the rail trail and fresh yummy coffee is $1. You can get your bag of coffee there. Always three of four options and make it your way coffee bar. And they even have non dairy creamer options. I love this place. Small, cozy, friendly and wonderful coffee.”

Kate

Bella Latte 

  • 1595 East Main Street, Duncan SC 29334 | 864.433.0008
  • 1637 John B White Sr Boulevard, Spartanburg SC 29301 | 864.595.2888
  • 1802 Drayton Road, Spartanburg SC 29307

… It’s nice to stop before/after Hatcher Gardens!

Zananda H

Check out our article on Hatcher Gardens and learn why a visit should be on your family fun list.

Botanical Brew

109 A Spartanburg Highway Lyman

Coffee and plants under one roof. What’s not to love?

You’ll find Botanica Brew on our local plant shop list, too!

Coffee Near Greer, SC

Just at the edge of town in Greer, there are a few great options. Grab your beverage of choice and then take a walk to City park to sit on a bench swing in front of the fountain.

Stomping Grounds

208 Trade Street, Greer SC 29651 | 864.801.1555

Barista Alley

101 Trade Street, Greer SC 29651 | 864.238.7299

Flying Fox Coffee

215 Trade Street, Greer, SC 29651

Flying Fox Coffee in Greer, SC
Flying Fox Coffee

Now that you know where a good cup of caffeine can be found in Spartanburg you can grab some and conquer the world! Hot, iced, frozen, or black, these baristas will have you covered. 

Did we include your favorite place to grab coffee?

Eat and Play at These Kid Friendly Restaurants: Greenville, SC

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Are you looking for kid-friendly restaurants? Greenville, SC has several with play areas so your kids can burn off some steam while mom and dad might even be able to enjoy the food on their plates! We are sharing our list of family restaurants in Greenville, SC, and the surrounding area, including ones where your kids can make art while you eat, watch planes take off and land, or even get into a game of bowling.

Tight budget? Check out our list of Greenville Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free

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Where to Grab a Healthy and Fast Meal in Greenville, SC

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If you don’t have time for a meal in a restaurant but still want to feed your family a healthy dinner, then these healthy restaurants Greenville, SC has to offer will complete your dinner menu! Believe it or not, you can get a fast, yet healthy, meal right here in Greenville.

Local Mom Lindy put together this list of local spots for a quick and healthy meal that even your kids will like.

Healthy places to eat in Greenville, South Carolina
Taco from Papi’s Tacos

I recently wrote up a list of alternatives to the fast-food drive-thru’s and it was so popular that Kidding Around Greenville readers wanted a list of even more quick-service restaurants with healthier food options. So below are some of your favorite spots for a quick bite with kids (a couple of these even have a pickup window!). Note: We did not relist the places that made our first list of healthy drive-thru spots. Be sure to check that out too as almost all of the places on that list offer dine-in too.

Healthy Restaurants: Greenville, SC Quick Places for Dining In With Kids (that don’t have drive-thrus)

Asada

903 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville, SC
864.770.3450

Located off Wade Hampton, Asada is an authentic Mexican joint that gets rave reviews from our community for everything from the more familiar burrito to the exotic yucca balls. Their brunch looks tempting too!

Clean Eatz

3608 Pelham Road Suite C, Greenville, SC
864.605.7999

Want something quick, super duper healthy, but also full of flavor? Then Clean Eatz is a place you HAVE to try. They have burgers, wraps, build-your-own bowls, and more. I highly recommend building your own bowl, because there are so many options to make your meal. Their Chocolate Covered Strawberry protein smoothie is the perfect amount of sweet. They even have a healthy kid’s menu, with things like pizza rolls and turkey burgers.

Farm Fresh Fast

860 South Church Street, Greenville, SC
864.518.1978

As one of the most highly recommended healthy restaurants Greenville, SC has to offer, Farm Fresh Fast is where it is at! Busy families can subscribe to a meal plan with delivery, so you’ll always know where dinner (or lunch or breakfast) is coming from. If you just need something quick one night you can call ahead to order a single meal for pick-up, or just drop by their restaurant on Church Street for a meal. You don’t have to be a subscriber to eat here. Farm Fresh Fast uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients, for farm-fresh food, fast.

We loved Farm Fresh Fast, simply because the food was quick, healthy, and tasty! Learn more in our KA review of Farm Fresh Fast.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Multiple Locations

Ironically based out of Atlanta (aka the South EAST), Moe’s is nonetheless pretty good as far as this born and raised Southwesterner is concerned. Much like Chipotle, there are many build-your-own options, but you get unlimited chips and a free salsa bar. So not as good for dieting, but delicious! You can also get birthday freebies and welcome free queso when you sign up for their email club.

O-CHA Tea Bar

300 River Street Ste 122, Greenville, SC
864.283.6702

Though their focus is tea, their dining menu is delicious with many vegetarian options in addition to some amazing pastries. O-CHA Tea Bar is very kid-friendly – when I nursed my baby there a while back, the owner personally came over to thank me for nursing my child and let me know nursing mothers are always welcomed there.

Tamale from Papi's Tacos
Tamale from Papi’s Tacos

Papi’s Tacos

300 River Street, Greenville, SC
864.373.7274

Downtown along the Reedy River, this “stationary food truck” is owned by fine dining experts at the above Lazy Goat. Kids will love the gelato and enjoy watching the geese in the Reedy River. Papi’s Tacos also has a location in Easley.

Find out why Papi’s Tacos is the place to go in Greenville when you are craving authentic Mexican tacos that are fresh in our KA review!

Sun Belly Cafe

1409 West Blue Ridge Drive, Greenville, SC
404.309.7791

Have dietary restrictions and want something vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free? Sun Belly Cafe has a menu loaded with special diet items, but they do not skimp on the flavor! They have a variety of salads and unique, protein-loaded dishes to try out. If you like spicy, they have a savory Ethiopia Stew Plate that my husband always gets when you go here and literally salivates over. This place is probably not the best for families with picky eaters because they have a more adventurous menu, but there are options on the menu for everyone.

Swamp Rabbit Cafe

205 Cedar Lane Road, Greenville, SC
864.255.3385

It’s a popular local spot, but because of its delicious selections of soups, sandwiches, salads, and most recently pizza, all made with fresh, local ingredients, Swamp Rabbit Cafe deserves a spot in the realm of healthy eating out. We just won’t mention those fantastic scones, cookies, or cinnamon rolls.

Learn why the stecca is the best and you’ll never find cleaner, locally sourced products than at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe in our KA review!

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

3604 Pelham Road Ste A, Greenville, SC
864.501.0450

Delicious gyros, salads, platters with chicken or lamb, and great side choices are available for dine-in or call ahead for pick-up. Taziki’s has some unique children’s meals, like chicken pitas. They also have great family to-go meal deals available.

Tropical Grille

Multiple Locations

With several locations in the area, Tropical Grille is perfect for any meal and super convenient. They have enough variety with their Cuban-themed menu to suit everyone in the family, no matter what they like, and the prices are very good for what you get.

Their sauces are also fabulous and they have lots of healthy options. Call ahead for pickup or drop-in for a quick, but delicious, dinner. They have a family option for dinner as well, which can last for a couple of meals.

A couple of the Tropical Grilled locations have drive-thrus, but the majority are dine-in or carry-out.

Viva Chicken

3624 B Pelham Road, Greenville
1139 Woodruff Road, Greenville

With meals built around delicious, farm-raised chicken, Viva Chicken is an excellent choice for a healthy quick meal. They even have sandwiches, wraps, salads, vegetarian options, and vegan options! They are known for their Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, so you know it’s juicy.

You can grab a quarter chicken with two sides for only $10.25, or grab a whole chicken with sides for the entire family. You’ll find sides like plantains, yuca, or cilantro rice in addition to several signature sides you can choose from. Don’t forget the sauces! They are house-made daily and full of flavor.

Yum Bai SC

Food Truck: Schedule frequently changes

This is an excellent food truck option if you are looking for healthy restaurants. Greenville, SC’s own Yum Bai SC offers fusion Asian cuisine, and their consistently parked at some pretty awesome locations and breweries. You can find out where they are going to be located through their regular Facebook posts of their upcoming schedule.

Read our KA review of Yum Bai SC to learn more about their delicious Asian cuisine and get your hands on some of those Lemongrass steaks!

As always let us know if you have any other recommendations. We love hearing from our readers!


Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

Learn about all the delicious food that Greenville, SC has to offer in our Ultimate Guide to Restaurants in Greenville!


40+ Spaces for Superb Outdoor Dining: Greenville, SC and Spartanburg, SC

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There is something special, a unique vibe, about outdoor dining. Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC have dozens of restaurants that make their outdoor dining spaces worthwhile. No matter the temperature outdoors, there’s a restaurant outdoor dining option to keep you comfortable. Our list includes Greenville and Spartanburg area restaurants with heated outdoor dining, shaded outdoor dining, and simply the best in the area! Now, go enjoy your lunch and dinner in the open air with outdoor seating!

This article includes:
Heated Outdoor Dining: Greenville, SC
Heated Outdoor Dining: Spartanburg, SC
Outdoor Dining Anytime of Year in Greenville, SC
More Outdoor Dining: Greenville, SC
More Outdoor Dining: Spartanburg, SC
Shaded Outdoor Dining in Greenville, SC

Bookmark this page so you can check back no matter the weather

Restaurants with outdoor seating near Greenville, South Carolina
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Farm Fresh Fast: A New Kind of Fast Food

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Ever get so busy you don’t have time to cook? Farm Fresh Fast wants to be there when those days hit, as a quick but healthy (and tasty) meal option. Kidding Around Greenville contributor and local mom, Kristina Hernandez visited Farm Fresh Fast and now she’s telling you just what to expect. File it away in the back of your brain, because you know that “too busy to cook” day is coming soon!

“Here are the duck eggs,” said Daniel Leyman of Lilac Acres Farmstead. He walked into Farm Fresh Fast when I did and was presenting the large eggs to Jonathan Willis, who owns the popular restaurant. Jonathan had found Daniel right before he opened Farm Fresh Fast and was buying the eggs to use for duck omelets.

When Jonathan talked about working with small farmers to source local ingredients for the new fast-food farm-to-table restaurant, he wasn’t joking. Daniel’s farm consists of two acres at his home in a subdivision in Taylors that houses some ducks, chickens, goats, and pigs on his property. So far, Jonathan has found 15 local farmers and works closely with them to ensure he gets the best possible ingredients. We can’t all go looking for great ingredients at local farms but we can eat them at Farm Fresh Fast.

Farm Fresh Fast in Greenville

The concept behind Farm Fresh Fast

Jonathan Willis created a meal planning and delivery service in January 2016 in Greenville that catered to busy families and professionals. As a certified nutritionist and trainer, he had the knowledge to create healthy and tasty food and saw a market in Greenville that would embrace it. And they did.

He accomplished his two-year plan in only eight months and was ready to expand the business to the next level: a fast food restaurant with the convenience of a pickup window and the taste and food straight from the farm.

Healthy and fast food are pretty much never mentioned in the same sentence and Jonathan set out to change that. He also knew that charging high prices for good food wasn’t the way to go and attract a base of customers that would regularly be able to enjoy the restaurant.

With the immense help of his then-fiancée Kaylee Gonzalez, who loves creating healthy alternatives and is a fitness buff herself, he set out to do what no one in the Greenville area has done: start a healthy, true farm-to-table fast food restaurant.

Farm Fresh Fast restaurant in Greenville

The Food at Farm Fresh Fast

Farm Fresh Fast sources 80% of its ingredients from local farmers and their goal is 90%. If tomatoes aren’t in season, they aren’t serving them. When lettuce is in season, the restaurant will have a killer salad in the works.

Jonathan started planning his menu back in the fall and worked with local farmers to start planting then so that he can have what he wants now – spaghetti squash, zucchini, and cauliflower.

A West Virginia native, Jonathan’s own background shines through in the Almost Heaven Fat-Free Cheddar-Stuffed Burger, which uses lean ground beef and pork ($14.99). The bun is made by Upcountry Provisions in Travelers Rest (which my oldest child devoured before I could get to it) and gluten-free options are available. The Seasonal Stir-Fry is another highlight, using only local vegetables to create a satisfying meal ($15.49).

The meals are portion-sized yet filling. After having the Almost Heaven burger, I didn’t feel awful or too full. It was a perfectly sized dish with really good ingredients. Oh, and it was fast too – our meal was out in about 10 minutes.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are all available and thoughtfully cooked and prepared.

“What you think about fast food – I want to flip it on its head,” said Jonathan. “Often you order something at a fast food place and don’t expect it to be right. You expect it to be mediocre. We want to be different, efficient, and we want people coming back for more. We are setting high standards for farm-to-table food.”

Vegan Options Are Super Popular

Since it’s opening, Farm Fresh Fast has created a “No Kill Menu”, featuring and Greek Pita Wrap and Buffalo “Chicken” Wrap.

Willis has taken steps to work specifically with the Greenville vegan community, attracting the attention of local news even for his creative menu options that even meat lovers enjoy and that the vegan community are happy to support.

Farm Fresh Fast is food for the whole family

I needed to ask Jonathan the question “will kids like the food?” He answers with a resounding ‘yes’!

Jonathan and Kaylee reiterate that the restaurant is kid-friendly and the pick-up window is especially geared towards busy parents just trying to get their kids something healthy to eat and to do it quickly.

My kids really loved the chicken and my youngest pointed to the cauliflower in the open kitchen, wanting to try it (she ate it all and took some to-go). The restaurant felt homey and welcoming.

“I want to show people what food is supposed to taste like,” she said.

The menu has a rotating list of 20 grab-and-go items available for sale at the counter and at the pick-up window, including Hickory BBQ Pizza, General Tso’s Chicken over Rice, Chicken and Whole Wheat Waffles, Southwest Burrito Bowl, Turkey Chili, and the Spicy Chicken Wrap.

Farm Fresh Fast quick meal in Greenville

The Farm Fresh Fast vibe

The vibe at Farm Fresh Fast is just really cool – the décor is well-thought out, featuring tons of reclaimed wood (that Jonathan went and picked up himself from old barns in the area), hand-laid concrete counters, and lots of repurposed farm items.

There is an abundance of natural light and guests can get an up-close look at the way everything is prepared because the kitchen is entirely open to the dining room through the bar area.

The restaurant is aiming high.

“We want to be a company of the community,” explains Jonathan.

“It’s all about the fiscal eco-system – by eating here and eating local food where we purchase from area farmers, it’s a cycle that benefits the local economy. No one is doing this on a fast food scale.”

And consumers are ready for this. Nationally, mom and pop restaurants are growing faster than chain restaurants. Bloomberg reports that some big-time restaurant chains are shutting down and Americans want something that feels more like home: “Large chains seem rooted in the American experience. But times, and tastes, are changing. Customers these days believe locals have better food, service, deals and even decor, the Pentallect report said.”

Greenville is a good example of this trend as innovative, creative spots are popping up all around town, seeking to make eating out a community experience, which is exactly what Farm Fresh Fast is aiming for.

Plan your visit to Farm Fresh Fast

Farm Fresh Fast is open from Mondays-Thursdays 11 am – 8 pm and Saturdays 11 am – 3 pm.

Farm Fresh Fast
860 S. Church Street, Greenville
864.518.1978

Have you ever visited a farm to table fast food restaurant?

Discover more healthy options!

KAG’s Healthier Drive-Thru Guide

Healthy drive thru meals near Greenville, South Carolina

Complete Restaurant Guide to Greenville, SC

Looking for other restaurants in Greenville, SC? You’ll find the best Greenville, SC restaurants in our guide.

10 Alternative Drive Thru’s That Aren’t Your Typical Fast Food

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Wanting a healthy drive-thru in Greenville, SC? Sometimes a quick dinner is a must but less than healthy fast food chain food isn’t what you want to feed your family. Thankfully there are some healthier options, many even offer a drive-thru so you don’t have to get the kids out of the car! Here is a handy list of places to head to the next time you need a fast, yet healthy, meal for your family.

Healthy drive thru meals near Greenville, South Carolina

Healthy Drive-Thru Options Near Greenville, SC

Tropical Grille

While currently only the Woodruff Road and Mauldin locations of Tropical Grille have a drive-thru, at around $28 for a family meal, it’s a huge hit and a local business to boot. They offer Cuban-inspired meals, including yellow rice, chicken, Cuban sandwiches, and the most delicious sauces ever! Their South of the Border is so delicious, with a combination of guacamole, sour cream, salsa, chicken, yellow rice, tomatoes, and delicious garlic sauce. Yum!

Farm Fresh Fast

One of the most popular fast food places in the area, Farm Fresh Fast has amazingly healthy and delicious meals to go. They have some delicious options like the Korean BBQ Chicken Quesadilla and the Crispy Thai Pork Wrap. They even had a vegan plant-based menu with several options. You can order online and pick up a number of healthy options at either the Greenville location or the Simpsonville location.

Panera Bread

While not all Panera Bread locations have a drive-thru, the Haywood Mall location, the Pelham Road location, and the Greer location all have a drive-thru. The majority of their additional locations have drive-thru’s as well. Their menu items include paninis, soups, and salads at Panera Bread, with healthy options for sides like fresh fruit. Be sure to sign up for their rewards program too!

PDQ

The Pelham Road location of PDQ offers a simplified menu featuring grilled chicken tenders and a delicious blueberry coleslaw (sure to make you forget your longings for that other place’s discontinued slaw). The quality of their chicken tenders is much better than many fast food contenders, so that is always a plus when it comes to feeding your kids. You’ll find PDQ off Pelham just before the 85.

Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick has a location off Pelham, another Augusta (no drive-thru), and another off Garlington near Woodruff Rd. There is also an Easley location. They have various salads, soups, and sandwiches with, you guessed it, chicken salad. They offer comfort foods that are fresh and healthy.

Chicken Salad Chick makes their meals from scratch, so you do not have to worry about your food coming from a little premade bag. Plus, their Little Chicks menu for kids will give your children more variety than the traditional chicken nuggets and fries you get from a fast food place.

Clean Eatz

This is the place for super healthy eating out. Located off of Pelham Road, you can order ahead at Clean Eatz and pick up super healthy and tasty meals. Clean Eatz meals are very clean, with fresh vegetables, delicious protein portions, grilled chicken, and more. They offer burgers, wraps, flatbreads, smoothies, and protein-rich options. They also have meal plans.

McAlister’s Deli

You can order your food online and pick up from the drive-thru window at McAlister’s Deli in Greer on Wade Hampton Blvd. They have a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, and a few options for a loaded baked potato (yum!).

Line of smoothies from a market

Smoothies: Healthy Drive-Thru Options for Drinks

Smoothie King

If liquid nutrition hits the spot or it’s just too hot for anything else, Smoothie King is an awesome choice, and no need to leave your car. Smoothies are an insidious way to hide fruits and veggies in your kids’ diet and have them ask for more! You can make your smoothie even healthier by asking for no added sugar to your fruit smoothies. Go higher calorie and add some protein to round it out for a meal. Locations off Woodruff Road, Pleasantburg (next to Fresh Market), Greer, Simpsonville, Easley, and Clemson!

Liquid Highway

So you need caffeine and the kids need a snack? Try a local coffee place like Liquid Highway. We like their Green Goddess smoothies and profits go towards their foundation.

Starbucks

Alright, for those times more artisanal coffee houses can’t be found, Starbucks offers a decent amount of snacks that do not include fries but do include a quad espresso for you along with a rewards program.

Any other healthy drive-thru options we missed? Please let us know in the comments!



Find more delicious family meals to-go in our extensive list of Greenville area restaurants!

Family Meal Deals, Greenville and Spartanburg, SC

Bring on the Biscuits, Greenville’s Got a New Culinary Tour

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I’ve got 4 words for you: Breakfast Tour in Greenville. If there’s anything better than breakfast, it’s having breakfast three times in one morning. John Nolan, owner of Greenville History Tours, feels the same. He’s created a culinary tour of three breakfast-focused restaurants in Greenville that will leave you not only content and full, but yearning to schedule time to go back and spend an entire morning at any of them.

Kidding Around Greenville got to try this breakfast adventure and we cannot wait to share it with you.

Culinary Tours

If you are unfamiliar with John Nolan and his culinary tours, they are easily one of the best events in Greenville. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting town, have lived here for years, or just moved in. John has mastered the art of delivering the VIP experience to guests of some of the town’s best restaurants, all the while regaling guests with tales from Greenville’s past, complete with photos.

At the Chef’s Table Culinary Tour, chefs at the restaurant stops mingle with guests, take them into their kitchens, and share food and drinks. John points out the ruins of textile mills, explains how the town was named, and shows old photos of Main Streets. I got to go on one of these tours and it was incredible. I’ve since taken my husband and the experience was just as good.

So when John reached out and told us at Kidding Around Greenville that he was launching a breakfast tour, I was all in. Breakfast is my ultimate favorite meal of the day. Game on.

breakfast grits

Breakfast Tour

The restaurant scene is exploding in Greenville but the breakfast places aren’t getting much love. This tour highlights some of the best places in the area and wow, are they yummy.

The driving tour starts on Main Street and heads to Southern Pressed Juicery.

Founded and established in Greenville, Southern Pressed Juicery is focused on helping you take care of your health and well-being.

Their menu consists of fresh juices, acai bowls, smoothies, and salads. There’s even a Sweet Treats section with an assortment of doughnuts.

biscuit head greenville

Biscuits Next

We continued on… and before we knew it, John had stopped the van at our next destination, Biscuit Head.

Truthfully, this was the place I was looking forward to the most because…biscuits. I love them. I love making them and I love eating them.

Biscuit Head opened in 2013 and has been busy ever since. Their whimsical design and creative dishes keep guests coming back for more. They even have their own cookbook that patrons can purchase.

We had a divine dish of a poached egg with lime zest, a lime crema, and a grilled chicken biscuit with avocado and mango salsa. The biscuit was so good but what pushed this dish off the charts was the jam bar.

This jam bar was crazy. It was all kinds of homemade jam, like sweet potato chai, peach, and raspberry, plus butters like the s’mores butter. It was just as tasty as it sounds. I can still taste the flavors as I write this. This was my favorite part. I should have asked for another biscuit just so I could try more jams.

And Biscuit Head sells all of their jams to go. Winner.

Oh, and the owners surprised us with a little mimosa to round out the meal. As with everything else they served, it was excellent.

Tacos…or Croissants

The last stop on your tour will either be Papis Tacos or Le Petit Croissant.

Papi’s Tacos has delicious tacos with an incredible view of the Reedy River. Their menu also features nachos and burrito bowls. And for your sweet tooth, you’ll find churros and gelato.

Le Petit Croissant specializes in artisan chocolates and pastries, but they also have a breakfast menu featuring avocado toast, B.E.C. (bacon, egg, and cheese), quiches, and other breakfast sandwiches and croissants.

breakfast tour greenville

Want to go?

Tours take place every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9 am.

I’d do this again in a heartbeat… especially as a date. As a working parent, I’d also have no hesitation to reserve a spot for a client coming into town or as a breakfast meeting. It’s such an interesting idea for a creative outing in Greenville whether you are a native or just visiting.

It’s also a great way to begin a Girls Day Out or even a special Moms Morning Out or something similar. It makes a fantastic gift for friends as well.

Breakfast is underrated in my humble opinion. John Nolan and Greenville History Tours elevates breakfast the way it should be and delivers a memorable experience at the same time.

To sign up, go to the Greenville History Tours website (you can also register for John’s other great history and culinary tours as well).

Greenville, SC Tours

Want more tours?

We have a huge list of all the foodie, history, nature, and family tours (plus a few really unique options).

Check out the KA Guide to Greenville, SC Tours for more!

Does the breakfast tour sound like a fantastic way to spend a morning to you?

What Kidding Around Readers Think You Should Order When You Dine At Urban Wren In Downtown Greenville, SC

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Thinking about trying Urban Wren in Downtown Greenville? This Greenville restaurant consistently gets rave reviews from locals! For multiple years in a row, they garnered multiple “Best Of The Best” wins locally. So we wondered, what is everyone ordering when they eat at Urban Wren? We thought you might be wondering too. So we asked Kidding Around readers what they recommend off the menu at Urban Wren. 

The menu changes frequently, so be sure to check the Urban Wren website for updated menu options.

Urban Wren Paper Bag Salad
Photo Credit: Dee Dee Cobble Miller | Paper Bag Salad
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