My review is primarily for the staff! We've been coming here for a while, and while the food is pretty good (very hit or miss lately), Megan and Austin are the real reason we keep coming back. Both ladies have a warmth about them that makes you feel genuinely welcomed and cared for -- not just like another customer, but like family. Megan remembers the little things, always makes us feel at home, she anticipates everything. People like her are RARE and she deserves to know how much she is appreciated. For us, she isn't just a great bartender -- she's the heart of this place and the reason we return read more

LOVE their food! Side salads are almost a meal themselves. Usually comes with bread. Water is $0.79. They get PACKED by 6 pm any night of the week. Worth the drive. read more

Food is bland and my steak was over cooked twice. The place smelled of grass or something. Service was good its not as good as it use to be.

The food is very good. The girls are busy enough taking and delivering orders and drinks that you really need a full time person taking to go orders and checking you out read more

Our second visit since moving to Gaffney. This place does get busy. Plenty of people waiting for a table so we took a seat at the bar for a cold drink while we waited for our table. Very friendly staff, they greet you like they know you. I had the Killer Shrimp Combo. The shrimp were great, wrapped in bacon so how could it not be good. The ribs were fall off the bone. Done perfectly and the BBQ sauce was just right. The sweet potato, oooooohw (like Jerry Clower), like eating desert. The sweet butter and brown sugar make this a delight. Well done Carolina Cafe. We'll be be back again, and again. read more

Carolina Cafe - Killer shrimp combo with sweet potatoe - Seafood Near Me - Gaffney, South Carolina

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We came on a Wednesday night, we were seated right away, our server was awesome, believe her name was Katlyn. She was very attentive and friendly. We both got the special that night, The Trio. A little bit of everything for a great price. I enjoyed everything, i would say the shrimp were very good, the filets were small but great size for the combo...cooked perfect. The ribs were decent, a little over but nothing to complain about. Overall great food, great service, and great price. read more

Carolina Cafe - The Trio on Wednesday nights. A little of everything, shrimp, filets, and ribs. - Seafood Near Me - Gaffney, South Carolina

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The servers are fast and attentive. However, for the prices I would expect better quality than frozen foods thrown on a grill. Also, there was the distinct smell of weed coming from the side of building as we entered the front. That's off putting at a place that is supposed to be family friendly. I was told this was a great place to eat. That was not my experience. read more

The food is delicious and the service is superb. My compliments to the owners, and all of the staff. I highly recommend this restaurant,enjoy. read more

Tried to do takeout- called at the moment they opened at 4:00 PM - arrived 40 mins later for pick up and waited an additional 30+minutes- it is ridiculous the service is that slow and the price is that high- don't waste your time - not sure what the hype is all about. read more

What a big, big , difference it makes to dine in here vs.to go! My wife and I met here for dinner after she got off work today. She had something called a super trio. I had a half rack of ribs that were quite tasty and the most tender, fall off the bone ribs that I've ever eaten! The service here is great! I now fully, 100% recommend the Carolina Cafe ! read more

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My brother and I have been here three times now. Really enjoy this place - both for service and food. Great steak and their fantastic stringed onion rings. Sirloin and Ribeye steaks were cooked just right. The place is always busy and we don't mind the average 20-30 minute wait. Hats off to the team at Carolina Cafe... Thank you, Mateo read more

Don't get there often,but the food is always great! Always busy. Get there early! Good drinks along with good food.

I'll keep it short and sweet. Food - 9/10 Service - 8/10 Cleanliness. 8/10 Price. - $$$** / $$$$$ Overall, great place. read more

Service was great but food was not. Up until now I've always loved the filet, tonight it was burnt and tasted horrible. I was told it was that way because it was grilled and no guarantee that the next one would be any better. I have never had one like that before and I won't be back. read more

Always good food and service!!!!! Dining is a pleasure. Drinks from the bar are great!!!! read more

I find this place way overrated. It is over priced for the quality of food. The service wasn't great. The atmosphere is fine. That's all I have read more

Service was horrible. I don't remember the girls name but she had long hair and glasses. Was super rude, had an attitude, and wouldn't even respond when asked a question. read more

Ate here last night. The food was okay, not bad but nothing remarkable either. Server was top-notch. I'm leaving 3 stars because we we were charged 60 cents each for water in a reusable cup. I could understand if they were using throw away cups that they were paying for individually, but to charge an extra couple of dollars on our bill after we spent plenty for the average food----won't revisit, too many other restaurants to pick from. read more

**orginally posted on my personal blog** This place is pretty far off of the beaten path.  You have to know it's there, you probably are not just going to "run across" it.  Grab your GPS, plug in the digits (people still say that, right?) and head out.  When you arrive, you'll see it jam packed with people.  Put your name on the list and wait.  When you sit down, you'll see cinder block walls.  Get over it.  Seriously.  My steak was better at that hole in the wall than at Ruth's Chris. So, let's see...we have an out of the way location, a lack of atmosphere and no reservation taking.  Doesn't sound too promising, right?  Settle down.  The food is worth the trouble. Appetizers We ordered two appetizers, one was the Aloha Chicken and the other was fried onion rings.  The Aloha Chicken was a hot dip, with a creamy base then topped with cheddar cheese.  It was served with tortilla chips.  It was so good, though at first we were taken aback by how soupy it was.  We got over it quick, because it was so flavorful, with tender chicken, and just a tiny amount of sweetness from the pineapple juice. The onion straws were nothing special, but they were good!  They were thin strips fried crisp and served with a spicy dipping sauce, reminiscent of a Remoulade.  The onions were a tiny bit oily but they were delicious, so no one complained.  We couldn't finish them, however.  They give you a very healthy portion. Salads All of the meals come with a salad.  They are nice sized and very fresh, with homemade dressings.  I didn't get a picture, because you know...it's a salad. Entrees We all, for once, got four different things.  The first entree was the Beef Tips smothered with mushrooms, peppers, onion and shrimp and melted Monterrey Jack cheese covered all.  The tips were filet and my friend pronounced the meat very tender, and the shrimp very fresh.  It comes with a large sweet potato, and that mixture in the cup?  Yeah, that's melted butter and brown sugar.  My lord, it is good. My date got the Cajun ribeye.  It was served with more of those yummy shoestring onion rings and cheese grits.  The steak was cooked perfectly and spicy and the grits were cheesy creamy goodness. Another friend ordered the Barbecued Ribs everyone raves about.  They were very tender and smoky, and just fell right off of the bone.  He got the whole rack, and was about to eat only half.  It came with French Fries, crispy and salty! I got the Filet Mignon and added mushrooms.  It was served with a baked potato, but that was so unnecessary.  That might have been the best steak I've ever had, and I KNOW it was better than Ruth's Chris.  Tender, juicy with just the right amount of char-grilling....and perfect doneness.  If only this place wasn't an hour from my home, I'd eat there once a week. Desserts Oh my goodness we were so full after that delicious meal, but what's that the waitress said?  Homemade desserts??  Yes please. The men opted for the Lemon meringue pie, and it had the perfect tang that only comes from fresh squeezed lemon, a perfect crust and a creamy firm meringue.  Nothing could be better, right? Well.  Then we tasted the Apple Dumpling with ice cream.  Cinnamony, pillowy, appley goodness.  I don't even like apples, and that is the best tasting dessert I've had in a long time...ever?  If you go..get that.  Even if you don't like apples. We put off going to Carolina Cafe once and almost did again because of the distance and lack of reservation taking.  I am so glad we sucked it up and went.  It is truly one of those "diamonds in the rough" places.  Enjoy! read more

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We love this place!! The rolls that come out first are always hot and the honey butter for the rolls? What could be better. The food is always delicious and flavorful. The servers are very friendly and definitely go out of their way to accommodate any of your needs. I would recommend the Killer Shrimp and Rib combo. The shrimp are wrapped in bacon, smothered with BBQ and grilled on a skewer. There is usually a wait but you can grab a drink and sit on the front porch until your table is ready. So worth the wait!! Enjoy!! read more

Me and my wife took friends of ours out to dinner at CAROLINA CAFE GAFFNEY...this is a steak house...and me and my wife had been here a few times before...and always liked the food...but this time the four of us are seated and we waited for a waitress...not long...just long enough to get impatient...so I flagged a waitress that was going by to take orders for a table of eight...so we waited for another 10 minutes...and the waitress apologized and said she would get us a waitress or waiter...so we waited...and we're watching food go by our table...looks good...so finally I get up and go to I believe was the manager who was standing by the front door...and asked are you the manager...sure enough...yes I am...asked her if she noticed how long we were sitting at our table...she was honest and said no...I said I noticed how long you've been standing by this front door...she said what's the problem...I have to admit by then my blood was boiling...COULD WE GET SOMEONE IN HERE TO TAKE OUR ORDER...yes sir I'll send someone right over...over comes the waitress I originally asked gave her name and said I'll be taking care of you all tonight...never do I drink soda so I ordered water...with no lemon same for my wife...so rather than let her go we gave all of our orders STEAK...and we all wanted rare...out they come cooked to perfection...very good as usual...so finished dinner and ask for the check...she gave us good service...came back with the check...as I was looking over...I noticed a charge for beverage...60 cents times 4...$2.40...so I called her back over to explain...get this...WE CHARGE FOR WATER...I SAID WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER...she came over...and I asked her...is it true you charge for water...ahh...yes sir...it's not us it's the owners...I said will you please give the owners a message...yes sir TELL THEM THEY JUST LOST 4 CUSTOMERS BECAUSE WE WILL NEVER COME BACK...will you relay that please...yes...one other question does your water come out of the faucet or soda machine ahh...sir...faucet...I said hell than you ought to be charging for using the restroom when you flush the toilets. It's a shame cause I really liked this place and the food has always been consistently GOOD... But I was so upset for waiting so long and then being charged for water...I should be giving you only 1 STAR...but I'll give you 3...I would easily given you 5 STARS IF NONE OF THIS HAPPENED. read more

Must try the steak which melts in your mouth! Ribs with Carolina Red were fall off the bone but the steak was better. I was jealous of my brother in law. Service was great too. read more

I totally recommend it's great food they are a good hiring job and service is amazing

Great place for dinner. Never have I been disappointed. I've had just about everything on the menu.

what has happened? This used to be my favorite place to get a ribeye steak, but apparently they have started buying a lower grade of meat. I've went there twice now in the last couple of months gotten the ribeye each time and it's definitely changed! my last 2 steaks have been really tough!!! I've hear that they have new owners. The waiters are great, my salad was great, but my steak was like chewing leather. This used to be the best place around Gaffney or Shelby to get a steak. definitely a lower grade of meat. It's a shame! read more

Great food!! Great service!! if you get the chance to sit at the bar with Megan as your server/bartender you are in for a treat!! she is the bomb dot com!! Friendly and courteous!! She remembers all your preference!! read more

We live in Charlotte but we always make a point to stop here when passing through! My husband considers himself a rib connoisseur and he says these are the best ribs there are! Very reasonable prices and consistently good food. All of the staff are very nice too. We have had to wait a few times for a table but never very long. I definitely recommend! read more

Best steak and ribs on the East coast!!! Just off the interstate not too far for the best dinner ever!

It's going down hill quick!! I've been 4 times in the last 6 weeks and they're constantly out of something. It's very frustrating

First time eating at Carolina Cafe. We both got combos. My husband had ribs and killer shrimp. He loved it! I got ribs and chicken tenders. I think they were the best chicken tenders I have had in a long time. It's a long drive for us, over 45 minute but we will be going back! read more

It's too bad, actually. We've raved about you, driven from Greenville to meet our Charlotte friends at your dining room, and tonight we brought our 'not-always-easy-to-please' adult kids with us. We had high hopes, told them they were in for a treat, and defended the long drive in the country to find you. So we weren't surprised or deterred when you told us it'd be a 45 min wait at 4:45 on a Saturday evening. And we were pleasantly surprised when we actually got seated 25 mins later. But here's the problem: we still didn't have our food ONE HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTES after we sat down. I get that you're busy. We watched the dining room fill up and people got fed and then left. And we sat and watched them come and go. Scott our 'server' checked on us maybe 5-6 times in 80 mins. Offered us drink refills 1 time. Told us our food was coming 2 times. Mostly left us alone - and never once apologized or offered to make it up. Once the food arrived, 3 of the plates were hot, 1 was room temperature. Scott never offered drink refills. Only checked on us 1 more time before it was time to chase him down for the check. We'll probably be back. Your food is great and we really do like you! But tonight was not your best moment. read more

This past weekend while visiting the Carolina Cafe restaurant in Gaffney, SC, I observed the lady manager talking with another employee. She was saying that a black families food had been dropped in the kitchen floor. She was laughing and said they had put it back on the plates to serve anyway. She said they would never know and was using the "N" word multiple times. I will NEVER go to this restaurant again. I would have notified the table but was unsure which one it was. This is not a place to take your family. read more

Carolina Cafe is one of those places " if you know, you know". Many people probably pass it on Hwy 11 and never think twice about it, but boy are they missing out on this locally owned gem of a restaurant! The real testament to Carolina Cafe that everyone is familiar with is there is always a wait, and no its not because there is slow service or slow kitchen staff. It is because only so many people can fit in there and enjoy their amazing food at one time! Always friendly staff really makes the experience the best! Their buffalo chicken dip is to die for! From surf and turf style plates to cheeseburgers, they have it all! I have never left here hungry, that is a fact! Carolina Cafe is one of our weekly dinner stop and we enjoy our visit every time! read more

Excellent service from Courtney. The steaks were OK, not bad, not great. This is the first restaurant in the country where I have been charged for water. read more

Carolina Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Gaffney, South Carolina

A very good local restaurant. Service is always good. The have great steaks. Chicken and salads are good as well. This restaurant is usually very crowded so expect a little wait. read more

Staff is awful. called to ask if there was a wait and was told no. Arrived 9 minutes after calling to be told there is a 25-30 mintue wait, The waiting area was packed. obviously was lied to over the phone. will not support that lies to customers read more

Great food, good prices,and Megan is the best bartender. Always friendly and attentive.

This is a very busy place it's in your best interest to call ahead for a table if there's more than 2 in your party but hands down all around great food no complaints but if you eat chicken parm then this is your place. read more

Carolina Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Gaffney, South Carolina

2 days ago If I could give this restaurant 0 stars I would. Last night my best friend and his wife had a birthday so his mother decided to take them and their kids out for a nice dinner, Of course they invited us totalling 8. We arrived at 7pm and it took us over 30 minutes to get a drink. We ordered 2 appetizers the fried pickles and cheesy fries. They seemed to taste good but thank goodness we ordeed those because it took about 1.5 hrs to get our dinner. There were two kids ages 9 and 10 and they had burgers the rest of us either had ribs or steak. We ordered and the salads took at least 45 mins and one of them had what looked like a pubic hair in it and so it was sent back and the other one came. The last Salad that my friends step dad got took an addition 10 mins to arrive after we all got ours. When 2 of the people at our table went to open the6or utensils out of the napkin there was something slimy on them and food (disgusting) Then the food arrived, one set of the ribs had more hair embedded into the dry rub, the other was so charred it was unable to eat. ( I mean for $20.00 you would expect better quality of food.) Then the steaks and burgers, at this point my patience is running thin. My best friend was so looking forward to a good steak and his boss recommended this place which honestly I was apprehensive because of the unknown. But regardless he ordered his steak medium and when he got it the outside was so burnt he laughed and said " well I guarantee this will be done well" NOPE!! He cut into it and it was RARE as rare! His step dad who likes his med rare said he wouldn't even eat it that rare. By this point I'm scared to even take a bite of mine. Then it was the kids turn to eat. When ordered my best friends wife specifically said well done on the 2 kids burgers and well when the took a bite ot was so pink inside it looked like it was put on a super hot grill for about 30 seconds and slapped in the bun. I was so pissed by now I walked up to the front area and saw my best friend standing there whoms birthday it was. And he said I got this I was distracted by the kids food that I didn't see him walk from the table I was so mad. I said it loud enough so the people in the lobby would be warned of the issues we had with dinner and to BEWARE!! I THEN STEPPED OUTSIDE. When I returned to sit at the table my best friend informed us that our food would be free and that a manager would be out to speak with us. By this point we felt horrible for the waitress and a manager repeatedly apologised which we appreciated but by this time I was scared to eat my food, the kids were unable to eat their food and I was just ready to get out of there. Well after we went outside my best friend informed me that while he was standing there waiting for the manager or someone to come and speak with him at the front podium there was a Girl that was a hostess apparently who was talking shit behind my back because I had made a open comment about the quality of the restaurant and I felt that that was very unprofessional because I'm a paying customer and just because I had a legit complaint about raw food hair in food, dirty utensils ect. She had no right to talk negatively about me when I was just speaking the truth. Again we appreciate the manager and waitress we has for it was NOT their fault. Then the waitress asked for the kids hamburger because the chef wanted to see them we gave them to her.. When she came back I asked what he said and she said he looked and it and just smartly was like whatever. Yea he would have thought whatever when a kid could have gotten food poisoning. We then left and within 30 mins I threw up my salad and my ol man's stomach was all messed up. I am so glad I didn't eat anything but the salad. And the fries. We will NEVER BE BACK and I hope you take warning to this review!! Save your time and money and go elsewhere!! A wonderful birthday celebrating RUINED!! UPDATE: We have been sick for 2 days. Me after just eating a salad and my man after eating only 2 ribs. read more

It get worse every time we go. I hope my husband will stop wanting to go. The food has gone downhill fast. read more

Carolina Cafe - This is their Killer shrimp, burnt to a crisp. Twice they did this,disgusting - Seafood Near Me - Gaffney, South Carolina