Swanson&#x27;s Deli

3

90

190

7 months ago

Seven of our lunch group went here today. It was about 11:20 or so and they took our orders individually and were very quick about it. We were fortunate to get two tables together in the hallway. I can see where it can get crowded over lunch time as the line continually was growing with people getting their food and taking a seat in the hallway. They have quite a few of tables with four chairs/table. Most of us ordered the Italian Subs with chips or potato salad as a side. Service was great. Speed was fantastic. I think all seven of us had our food brought out to us within about 7 minutes or so. Several of us thought that the Subs weren't heated as much as they could be. One complaint was that his pickle was limp. The top of the bun was warm but the cheese and meats on the inside were not warm at all (or the bottom of the bun). The potato salad was very good. They have soft drinks via the machine with ice and also Tea. The ingredients were fresh and everything good. I think seating could be a problem on some days and we wished the sandwiches were toasted more than what they were. On a scale of 10 we would rate it as a 7.3 on the ROMEO scale...Yelp scale we'll give it a 4.0 read more

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Jodie C.

223

66

18

9 months ago

Sandwiches are big and the staff is super friendly. They toast their hoagies so nicely so they're pillowy soft. They def don't skimp on the sandwich contents either. read more

Swanson's Deli - Turkey melt and potato salad - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Kim R.

20

22

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9 months ago

Delicious!! Well packed and very fresh! My husband loved everything!! Get some for yourself!

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Chris M.

5

146

126

2 years ago

The daily special Reuben was off the chain, excellent portion, short wait, friendly staff, and overall good food. Great price for the middle of downtown. You kinda have to look for it cause it's off the beaten path, but it's worth the look. Great atmosphere at the venue, it's almost like dining in Europe. read more

Swanson's Deli - My lunch minus half a sandwich - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Swanson's Deli - Dining area outside the entrance - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Annie W.

8

92

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1 year ago

Swanson's Deli is a little sandwich shop tucked away inside an arcade-style mall. I stopped by and got the Italian sub with a side of potato salad. The potato salad is hands down the best I've had at a sandwich shop. The sub was fresh and flavorful too. They do close early, so I was lucky to catch them while they were open. The staff are incredibly kind and welcoming, and there's plenty of seating if you want to dine in. read more

Swanson's Deli - Italian sub with potato salad side - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Swanson's Deli - Indoors - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Swanson's Deli - dining area - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Swanson's Deli - Interior - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Brett B.

44

609

1179

3 years ago

Super friendly staff and delicious food. They also have plenty of seating inside as well as outside in the mall area. A great choice for people staying at the Marriott, or anyone in the area. read more

Swanson's Deli - Roast beef sandwich. Could use a bit more spices but still delicious! - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Michael M.

64

473

531

5 years ago

A very good lunch spot! The sandwiches are very good, the service is fast and friendly, and the location is right! For some reason there aren't a lot of decent reasonably priced places for lunch on Main St. One spot that is, however, is Swanson's. I previously ate here before Covid but I hadn't been there in a long time so I decided to try it again. Not disappointed! Great flavor, fresh ingredients and substantive enough that you won't be hungry in two hours. It has a nice atmosphere and several tables at which you can dine, but many choose to sit in the arcade. The Italian sandwich is much better than it's competitor a few doors down. Cheaper too! You can order online but I decided last minute to eat there and despite the line, I had my food within five minutes of my arrival. Great spot! read more

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Travis H.

250

5

1

3 years ago

I highly recommend this spot. The food is great and the service better! Easy downtown spot to pick up or eat in the historic arcade mall. Run don't walk! read more

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Ruby R.

46

4

1

6 years ago

I'm conflicted because the taste of the food is delicious! The service was delightful but when eating my sandwich once arriving at home I almost choked on a toothpick that was in my lettuce, I had taken the one out that holds the sandwich together, but there was one inside the sandwich it was only one bite in so.... The blue cheese that they make is AMAZING! just disappointed biting into that.... read more

Swanson's Deli - red= top of the toothpick the tip of the toothpick that I biy is sticking out as well. green one= toothpick used to hold sandwich together - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Jen B.

Elite 24

369

739

790

4 years ago

This was recommended to us by some kind folks over at Mast General and was just a short walk away. I'm glad we explored and ended up there. The gentleman at the counter was friendly and knowledgeable and made ordering easy. His recommendations were spot on. We dined in the middle of the arcade area which is a great spot for people watching. Check it out and grab a sandwich. read more

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Dan D.

35

18

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3 years ago

Hidden gem of a place downtown Columbia. Sandwiches are very good and the service matches!

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Eric N.

109

10

4

4 years ago

HIGHLY RECOMMEND Great sandwiches. Very friendly and accommodating staff. Dairy free options. No complaints. read more

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Jeff E.

2

129

404

9 years ago

First time eating at Swanson's and it was great. The deli sandwich was good. I had the Gamecock, which was stacked with meat and served warm. My wife had the special, roast beef with banana peppers. The potato salad was good. So was the cucumber and tomato salad. The service was friendly and fast. We really liked being in the Arcade Mall. I liked that we were hanging out and eating in the mall. However... Can not wait to come back when Swanson's moves into the units. read more

Swanson's Deli - The Gamecock!! - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Swanson's Deli - Eating in the Arcade Mall!! - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Nick D.

2

28

1

5 years ago

Upon entering restaurant, there is high expectation set that I do not believe is met by the taste of the food. The food is by no means bad, just average. The consistent item in menu listings reveal a particular type of meat that can be interpreedt as a specialty jtem. That combined with impeccable service,and a well organized cleaned and designed dining area, I expected a unique or artisanal like flavor to the deli's offerings. Howeve, I percieved an average tasting sandwich and was disappointed. I also may have my expectations set too high, to an unreasonable extent. Regardless of how underwhelmed I felt, I would recommend this restaurant for its food, phenomenal service, interesting atmosphere and effective design read more

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Liz W.

10

31

25

7 years ago

I like subs and I like delis, but I LOVE Swanson's! It always smell so good. The bread is fresh. And the meat is tasty. The Italian is my favorite but all of thier subs are great! You can eat inside the store or in the mall. This is a great place for lunch! read more

Swanson's Deli - Italien - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Michael F.

0

38

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7 years ago

These guys rock! Quality sandwiches, for a great price. Employees were super kind and welcoming. Also really cool spot. Tons of people around and a fun atmosphere. Will be definitely going back! read more

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Faith D.

82

11

1

8 years ago

Swanson's is so good and it's consistent. It's great every time. The tuna melt is amazing, the turkey pesto is amazing, the soups are amazing (and homemade). The portions are generous and reasonably priced. To top it off, the people that work there are so friendly and personable. Seriously, you'd think you made a new friend at lunch. If you are downtown and want to grab a fantastic deli sandwich, skip the chain deli restaurant and make your way 1/2 block down into the arcade mall, you will be glad you did. read more

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Noemi T.

105

27

99

9 years ago

Had the chicken chilli with ham and cheese sammich. Chilly was nice and flavorful. The sandwich was buttery and crispy nice and flat like I like it. read more

Swanson's Deli - Ham n' cheese sammich with chicken chilli - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Adam B. J.

Elite 21

192

1070

342

7 years ago

Though Columbia's restaurant scene has come a long way, it's downtown lunch game has always been strong. Having said that, it is hard to stand out from the pack, especially on Main street. Swanson's was delicious. I'm pro anything that gets people into the old arcade. My wife had pimento cheese and ham grilled. It was good. I love the southern staple, but the fact that it is mixed with mayo grilling it can get messy, but tasty. I had the special that day which was a chicken salad sandwich of some kind. I remember liking it, but not super memorable. I work out of the Captial Building a good bit, so I will be back. read more

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Charles R.

13

328

400

9 years ago

Came in for a quick lunch with family and I got the chicken salad sandwich with chips. It was great! Loads of chicken made it one of the best chicken salad sandwiches I have ever had! I can highly recommend it! Not sure honestly about the other sandwiches, while they looked great I can not see myself really trying anything else! read more

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Ellen W.

15

198

506

10 years ago

Business lunch in an arcade mall...hmmmm but it was amazing. Sit inside if possible, they're renovating the mall and the smells of renovation was thick. I ordered the French dip and delicious!! Can't wait to go back. read more

Swanson's Deli - Delis Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Lindsey B.

16

241

5

8 years ago

I had lunch here today for the first time I had the tuna salad and was very impressed. Everything is homemade including a very good balsamic vinerette dressing. Sort of a hole in the wall but very friendly nice tables and comfortable chairs. read more

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Jordan J.

531

5

0

7 years ago

Best Deli in Columbia hands down. My personal favorite is the gamecock. Definitely try it out if you're on main st.

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Donald J.

1

3

0

7 years ago

Great place when you are looking for fresh, affordable deli fare for lunch. Relaxed friendly atmosphere. Never disappointing. Recommend everything I have had: Italian sandwich, French Dip sandwich, Chicken Salad sandwich, Roast Beef sandwich. When the weather cools down the chicken bog is something to look for. read more

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Pamela M.

13

27

24

8 years ago

The Washington panini is mouth-watering and an excellent way to have a good lunch on a budget. The roast beef is fresh and the entire mall smells like the deli at lunch time. Get here early, because the tables inside and outside fill up fast. read more

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Zack L.

3

14

0

9 years ago

I highly recommend this deli. The foods delicious, quick, and well priced. Everyone is very friendly, they are always checking on you to see if you need anything. I always get the Bob's special and I highly recommend it. It's a little hard to find, It's in the shopping center right beside Pita Pit. read more

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Classelady1 F.

2

20

8

9 years ago

This deli is great. The sandwich I ordered was huge and the cost was extremely reasonable. The guys at the deli are very nice and friendly. This place is a definite treat. read more

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Carolina G.

9

166

17

11 years ago

I enjoyed my lunch at Swanson's deli. The menu has a lot of choices and there are also daily specials. The food is fresh and served up fast. Portions are commensurate with the prices charged. This establishment is very clean and popular with business professionals. It is also nice to see welcomed activity in the Arcade Mall. A hidden Columbia Jewel! read more

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Heather M.

7

15

0

9 years ago

Love the Chicken Salad and Turkey melts but really everything is great! I go for lunch all the time!!

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Ruben G.

41

9

11 years ago

Great food and service! Definitely the place to be for Columbia's Bankers, Businessmen, and Attorneys to get an affordable home made sandwich. BTW, their dressings are home made, and the veggies are crisp and fresh! If they had a Pastrami on Rye I would have given them five stars. read more

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Britt L.

Elite 21

88

294

119

9 years ago

The guys are great here.. SUPER NICE AND FRIENDLY. This place was very busy when I visited for lunch. There is plenty of seating out in the hallway and in the deli. I will return here soon. Best customer service I have experienced in a long time. read more

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Rae H.

Elite 17

244

90

12 years ago

Their ham and cheese makes me feel like I am home. Their chicken salad is heaven, and everything is good. Plus it's in the arcade, so sit and soak in the old charm. It's a perfect midday refuge from the bustle of the offices downtown. They are so friendly and helpful. Try the Bob's special! read more

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Dale C.

Elite 17

24

140

22

12 years ago

This great place to have lunch is in the Arcade Mall on Main Street. All of their sandwiches and salads are great. The guys provide excellent service and all of the sandwiches are prepared to order. Great place tucked away from the bustle of Main Street! read more

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Misty S.

91

6

0

9 years ago

This place is a little gem! If you are downtown and looking for a quick but delicious deli lunch, this is the place to go. I had the chicken salad club and it was delicious. Went there with several friends and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their food. Fortunately we arrived before the lunch rush. While we were eating, a line formed for people waiting to get in. Would be good for grab and go fare as well. read more

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Deirdre E.

0

1

0

12 years ago

We ducked in this afternoon for lunch. Hidden in the arcade,I have walked by for years without even knowing that this place existed. What a find! Ample fresh food, FANTASTIC, friendly service. Had the special: corned beef on pressed rye with mustard, and cucumber tomato salad. Everything was on point, and they bussed our table. Give Swanson's a try. You won't regret it! read more

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Mercedes V.

0

28

0

7 years ago

The cashier was definitely friendly and nice. We did come at the wrong time it was lunch time and the place was super busy. The food was alright. read more

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Jessica B.

77

6

0

9 years ago

The Italian salad is great! I can't get past it to order anything else, but the staff is always friendly, the service is quick, and the sweet tea is on point. read more

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Karla E.

0

32

5

8 years ago

Great place to eat for lunch and they are ALWAYS very friendly and fast! The TBR and Italian sub are my favorites!

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Mike L.

6

7

1

10 years ago

If you live, work, or visit in downtown Columbia, and haven't been to Swansons, you're missing out. The sandwiches are fantastic, the atmosphere laid back, and the staff a great bunch of fellas. I'm in here at least once a week, and now that they're open for breakfast, likely more than that. So, do yourself a favor and patronize these guys next time your looking for a quick bite to eat. You'll be glad you did. read more

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More info about Swanson's Deli

1332 Main St
Ste 7B
Columbia, SC 29201
Directions
(803) 343-3253
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.swansonsdelicolumbia.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Swanson's Deli open?

Swanson's Deli opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

What time does Swanson's Deli close?

Swanson's Deli closes at 2:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Swanson's Deli closes at 2:00 PM on Friday.Swanson's Deli is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Thu 11:00 AM - 2:30 PMFri 11:00 AM - 2:00 PMSat-Sun Closed

Payment methods

Does Swanson's Deli take credit cards?

Yes, Swanson's Deli takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Swanson's Deli have catering options?

Yes, Swanson's Deli does have catering options.

Does Swanson's Deli serve alcohol?

No, Swanson's Deli does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Swanson's Deli have TVs?

Yes, Swanson's Deli has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Swanson's Deli have bike parking?

Yes, Swanson's Deli has bike parking.

Does Swanson's Deli have outdoor seating?

Yes, Swanson's Deli has outdoor seating options.

Does Swanson's Deli have parking?

Yes, Swanson's Deli has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Swanson's Deli have free WiFi?

Yes, Swanson's Deli has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

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Beezers Gourmet Sandwich Shop

It's the bread! I ordered their veggie sandwich and it was delicious with the ripe avocado and…read moreherbs on the veggies. I'd prefer a little more variety in the veggies but it was a great sandwich. The bread made it for me. The potato salad was ok but again,.... The bread! The staff was friendly and very responsive. It's a cute spot to pop in and out of. There's very little seating but you can sit outside so that's a plus.

Simple no frills sandwich shop right near university of Columbia. There was a steady crowd but the…read moreworkers move so fast there literally is no wait time. Everyone was very friendly, especially the fellow running the register. He was absolutely adorable. I got the godfather sub and it was absolutely delish! I'm here for the wkend but I definitely think I'll be going back another time before I head back home.

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Shelby offered perfect service. The food was amazing. I will be returning! Thank you for hiring the…read morebest!

Had the loaded baked potato with chicken . It was a large portion and delicious . Good lunch spot…read moreif you are downtown

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We came here for brunch with friends and our 4 and 5 year old. We were so happy with everything!…read moreThe truffle fries were to die for. I got the drink with the bottle of prosecco in it and it was so fun! The service was fast and friendly. We will definitely come back again!

brunch was amazing with the perfect atmosphere. the food was delicious and the mimosas were a nice…read moretouch. Nate was an amazing server

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Di Prato's

I was not too impressed with my trip to DiPratos, which was disappointing because it had been…read morerecommended to me by several different people, and I was excited to try it out. I came in a few minutes after 10:00 a.m., the time they open, and while I don't expect a restaurant to be in tip-top shape the second they open, they did not seem at all ready for the day or to accept customers. I stood at the front for a few awkward moments before asking one of the hostesses if I was supposed to seat myself, when she replied "oh no, I'll seat you", and then led me to one of the nearby tables. Somewhat grossly, the tablecloth on the table I was seated at was covered with coffee stains from previous guests, which was kind of unsettling. I then asked for a cup of coffee, and was told that there wasn't any ready, and that I would need to wait a few minutes. Again, not a huge deal, but I would expect a breakfast restaurant to have some coffee ready by the time that they open. Second, when perusing the menu, I was not particularly impressed by their "limited breakfast" options, nor anything on their regular menu. I decided to go with a simple hot dog, and substituted the offered sides with an order of French fries, which ridiculously cost me almost $4 extra. In addition, my hot dog was fine, but nothing exceptional, and definitely not better than one I could've gotten at Costco for a markedly cheaper price. The one (1) bright spot was that the fries were very good, and of higher quality than most other fries I've gotten at similar restaurants. Finally, my server was nice enough, but a little rough around the edges and not overly attentive. In addition, the ambiance was pretty basic, with nothing about it that really stuck out. All-in-all, I wouldn't be adverse to returning to DiPratos on a Saturday or Sunday to try their breakfast menu, but I won't be coming back during the week, and wouldn't really recommend that anybody else do so either.

I've only tasted their pimento cheese at the festival and the original is phenomenal! I'd purchase…read moreagain. Friendly staff! I'd definitely check out their restaurant/deli soon!

Corn Beef Reuben with potato salad

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Sully's Steamers

4.5

(50 reviews)

1.9 mi

This is another place I've been eyeing for awhile and I got the perfect opportunity the other day…read morewith a girlfriend when we were looking for lunch places. The establishment is is spacious and they have tables both inside and outside and are decked out in USC pride. I can totally see this being a college hangout spot. The menu is never ending and it's soooo hard picking which bagel sandwich sounds best because soooo many sounded good. And then after you pick your sandwich you have to pick your bagel! Do yourself a favor and look at the menu before coming in so you already know exactly what you'll try. Since I came with a friend we decided to to try two different bagels and the staff here were nice enough to cut them both in half to make it easier for us to share. The bagels were messy but you could tell they were freshly made and so good! We ended up sharing the ridgeland and neighborino. I loved them both but I want to say I loved the neighborino a smidge more. While living here this will definitely become a regular spot and prices here were more than fair for the portions and freshness.

I love Sully's Steamers and have been going since they opened the first one in Greenville. I wish…read morethey would just open one in Charleston already. Whenever I'm traveling locally I check to see if there is one in my path. We were on our way to Columbia for a trip to the planetarium so we stopped on the way up for Lunch at Sully's. When I first discovered them, they had a sandwich on the menu called The Heater, the last place I went to was familiar with it, but this location was not. That didn't mean they weren't willing to make it for me though. I don't know if I ordered it exactly right, but the woman taking my order and I walked our way through it... the sandwich was delicious either way. This time I also got to try The Griswold (Turkey, bacon, provolone, pepper jack, lettuce, bbq & parm-peppercorn) and it might be a new favorite. This location is bigger than others I've been to. They had a bunch of tables inside and a large communal area outside with turf and a bunch of seating. Someone was even having a birthday party out there. Now I want to have a Sully's Steamers bday party too!

The nacho maximus chip combo

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Outside signage

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Sound Bites Eatery

(70 reviews)

0.1 mi

Uhm amazing place. On Sumter close to a bunch of things and not a terrible walk from USC campus…read more Super friendly service, food options plenty and delicious. Great music playing in the background. I had the Twerky Turkey Sandwich with the Garbanzo Salad; so good! And that's not my typical type of ordering (I'm usually a burger and fries guy). Definitely going to be a staple when I'm in town.

Some sandwiches are alright but the place lost a lot of what made it special with the new owners…read more No art, no live music, no pimento cheese or pita chips, and no weekends? I miss it.

VEGAN RAP And VIOLET'S FRENCH TOAST

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0.3 mi

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Such nice people! Kind. Helpful to make something off menu for kids…read more Lots of produce, dry goods, etc.... Coffee bar. Butcher, deli meats. We got sandwiches.... Chicken salad and BLT. Both were amazing! Made with love and just so so yummy!

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4.0

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0.9 mi

Family-owned & operated

Women-owned & operated

Shoutout Jordan .. for the great customer service today.. the food was delicious as always --read more

Was visiting U of SC and decided to try this place. I mean, it was only right since Philly is my…read morehometown. The establishment was small, yet clean. Street parking is out front but metered during certain days. The cashier Key was very sweet and helpful. I ordered a salmon egg roll, beef cheesesteak, and the banana pudding Key confirmed she made herself. The egg roll was good but a bit small for the price. The cheesesteak was mid. Nothing special unfortunately. The banana pudding had a great taste but was extremely watery. Like it was in soup form.

#1 all the way add jalapeños for a kick

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Immaculate Consumption

Stopped in with my USC student for a latte. Nice little coffee shop off the beaten path. Eclectic…read morefurniture offers places to study or read while having a snack or drinking a latte. Staff was friendly & helpful. We both had mocha lattes & it was delightful. Milk options for coffee options are whole milk (standard), almond or oat milk are an up charge.

The almond croissant is absolutely amazing, I got it toasted and it was perfectly buttery and…read moreflakey. I had a dirty chai with an extra shot, it had a deep espresso taste but wasn't too overpowering. The barista was nice and had my order completed quickly. There's also more seating downstairs. Only addition I would like is more available outlets or an extension cord beneath the tables.

Roasted turkey croissant

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Brown Bag Deli

4.9

(9 reviews)

1.4 mi

Visited for the 2nd time! The food was consistently amazing. The atmosphere is welcoming and…read moreservice was quick and friendly. This is my go to place for Pastrami and Corned Beef!!

Brown Bad Deli recently opened up on Spears Creek Road. I had heard about their food truck on Yelp…read morebut when they opened up a brick and mortar business where PT's coffee used to be. Our ROMEO group of 8 went here for lunch today to try it out. The store is exactly as it was when PT's was here...they've got about four tables with two chairs along the wall on the right. Another table with four chairs on the left and another small table with two chairs. They have a longer high table with seating for eight as soon as you come in. We arrived about 11:10AM and the cashier explained their sandwiches. They have a great selection of hot and cold sandwiches, a glass display with several good looking pasta sides, and their blackboard has a list of snacks and salads. For drinks they have teas, coke and diet coke, and some sort of flavored soda in cans. Our group ordered 2 Italian sandwiches (one hot and one cold), two Reuben sandwiches, One Pastrami sandwich, one Shrimp Po' Boy, and two Cuban Sandwiches. One of the guys saw an appetizer of three pimento cheeses with cheese crustinis (he took home for his wife) that looked delicious. The Italian sandwiches were good, filled with all the right stuff. Quite large and cut in half. I forgot to ask but I wish I'd ordered jalapeno's on the side for mine. The Rueben's were well liked with a lot of swiss cheese and meet. The pastrami was very good, packed with a lot of meat. The Shrimp Po' Boy was good, but he said he wish the remoulade sauce had more of a kick...and one of the other guys mentioned that in New Orleans they usually don't put remoulade sauce on Po' Boys. Overall rating was a 4.0 for the guys. The one thing that was mentioned was that they should at least serve a bag of chips or a small side of pasta salad or something, similar to what many of the other deli's do in town that we've frequented. Price of the Italian sandwich was around $14. Staff is friendly...hope they do well.

Buffet set up!

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Halls Chophouse - Columbia

Sat at the bar. Servers were nice, but not consistent. Had three servers within 1.5 hours. All were…read morenice, but they kept on disappearing throughout my stay. All apps, sides, and deserts met expectations, but the main course did not. Ordered 4 ounces of the A5 with chefs suggestion as preparation. Meat was tough, chewy, with sections of cartilage or silver skin that their given knife needed multiple passes. Completely unacceptable for cut and price point. Comparable to cheapest cut of sirloin from the local supermarket. No elegance or special feeling, just feeling of multiple passes with the knife and chewing even though flavored appropriately and seared nicely. Had numerous experiences with A5, by far the worst. Felt like it was their left over trimmings, at best. Cannot help but feel it was a substitution with a lesser cut or cow. Seems like a decent place, so recommend sticking to basics without ordering anything from the their high end selections. Save it for a fine dining experience in another city.

Halls Chophouse has all of the textbook service components that I look for in a high-end…read moresteak/seafood restaurant. They even had jazz musicians in the front lobby entryway. The restaurant location is across from the State House, so I'd anticipate that they get quite a diverse cross section of visitors at the restaurant. I could tell from the moment we arrived that the hostesses were professional and got us to a table that was comfortable and had a view of the dining room. We had originally intended to sit outside where the view is more interesting, but on this day the heat was just too much. Our server, Megan approached quickly and went over a presentation of meat types and preparation styles, and quickly got us some drinks. She was efficient and professional throughout the meal. I had a wonderful fillet with some sauteed spinach, and it was all quite tasty. With a price averaging about $90 per person all in, including soft drinks, tip and tax, it's a higher end restaurant for the area, but certainly a reasonable value overall. For those visiting from out of town as we were, you should definitely take the time to either walk across Gervais Street to visit the State House, or head in the opposite direction along main Street and visit the downtown area. Halls is a wonderful centerpiece and represents Columbia well. At the end of the meal, they asked for my address, at which point I sarcastically said to my wife quote what are they going to do, mail me a thank you card?" Well, they did mail me a thank you card, a very nice touch, and appreciated. A truly first class move.

Gorgeous view and a great lunch to celebrate after speaking to the legislators in State Congress.

Biscuits and gravy

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Old Fashioned

929 Kitchen & Bar

I completely forgot that I'd visited this place a few years ago. Came back for a late night dinner…read moreand was NOT disappointed. Ample flavor. Great serving size. Good service. And convenient location! I'd definitely visit again.

We had amazing Korean food and mocktails here in an unsuspecting place. We ordered the Guava…read moregetaway, Creamy Limeade, Kimchi Cheese Fries, Kangjeong (Boneless Wings), Spicy Squid and Pork Belly with rice, and Japchae. The drinks were blended very well and used fresh lime juice, which was nice. The appetizers -- the kimchi fries and the boneless wings were pretty standard. The fries were crunchy, but we felt like there was more cheese than there was kimchi and sauce, so we've had better kimchi fries elsewhere. The cheese was very gooey though. The boneless wings weren't as crunchy as they could have been, especially coming out in a stone dish, but the garlic soy sauce was still pretty good. Our mains were really good -- the japchae, which I ordered with fried tofu, had the right texture and flavor, and was delicious yet spicy. The tofu was a little bland though. My partner enjoyed the squid and pork belly dish and said that the sauce was similar to the japchae sauce. The portions were pretty normal and not too big, so we had a few leftovers but not too many. The prices were also pretty reasonable as well. Overall we were really happy with our food here and would come back if we ever visited again.

Kimchi Cheese Fries

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Creamy Shrimp

Blue Marlin

So Good!!! Staff is very friendly, and they were wonderful with our large party…read more We quite enjoyed all of our meals: the filet mignon with scallops are so big, I could barely finish my meal. When they offer fresh bread & collared greens, just say yes, please! Go Hungry!

We had an outstanding dining experience at Blue Marlin. From the moment we walked in, the…read moreatmosphere was warm, inviting, and perfect for a relaxing evening. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made us feel genuinely welcome. The food was excellent--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Every dish was well-seasoned and served hot, with generous portions that reflected the quality of the restaurant. The seafood was especially impressive, and the Southern Lowcountry flavors really stood out. Our server, Diego, was professional and knowledgeable. If you're looking for a great restaurant in Columbia for a date night, special occasion, or simply a delicious meal with outstanding service, I highly recommend Blue Marlin. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and look forward to coming back again soon! We had the fried green tomatoes as our appetizer and they were very delicious! We had the salmon ponchatrain and spinach and mushroom ravioli with grilled salmon and they were both very filling and flavorful!

Firecracker Flonder

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Charleston Crab Cake

Mr Friendly's New Southern Cafe

Good food. Friendly staff, and the best bartender anyone could ask for. Always enjoy stopping in.read more

I was shocked at how bad the food was. I had been there 4 years ago and it was just good…read more I had a blackberry mint drink. No mint & 1 blackberry smashed up on the bottom. It was very bad. Got the Crab cakes...ok I could hardly eat them. The crab meat was the lowest quality of crab. Looked like canned crab meat. They were flat about a 1/4 inch. Over fried. So very sad for $34 dollars. Green fried tomatoes. Just a stack of tomatoes without sauce. (Ever pic shows a sauce served with them) my husband had red fish...it was just ok. Now the dessert didn't get what was described on menu. It was good sadly the desert was the best part of the meal. The service was a 4. The place needs a full make over w a better menu & chef. I would not recommend. Unfortunately I will never visit again. It is very low quality cooking.

Dirty dishes left at table.

The Friendly Salad

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Big Bull's Bang'n BBQ and Southern Comfort Food

Great Food Fast service would recommend Great selection friendly host will even bring food to your…read morevehicle

Phenomenal food. Probably the best BBQ we have had since we moved here. The staff is also…read moreincredibly friendly. It was an all around great experience. I recommend getting 1 or 2 entrees and splitting them. It was an enormous amount of food. 10/10 would recommend.

Ribs, brisket sandwich, green, beans, potato salad, and pulled pork.

Front area

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Outside

Drip

The coffee here is not for beginners or lightweights. It is strong with a caffeine punch that will…read moreleave you buzzing for hours. Classic college town coffee spot. Dark vibe, male baristas who take their coffee seriously. Tables are occupied by students with their laptops escaping the confinements of their dorm rooms. Packed with students ready for their next fix. Parking is typically a challenge in this part of Five Points. Arrive with patience.

This place is amazing!!! I live in New Hampshire, and I want to bring this place home with me. The…read morevegan breakfast sandwich with vegan sausage is inexpensive but chef's frickin kiss. The Vader Leia is outstanding. And the staff, vibe, and decor is wicked alt chic. LOVE!!!!

Iced Honey Habanero Latte

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2 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Leslie C. G.

0

1

0

9 years ago

If you are looking for great customer service, delicious food, and affordable prices. Swanson's Deli on Main Street is the place to go! The turkey pesto sandwich and cucumber/tomato side salad is delicious. Thankful to go to a place where the servers appreciate the customers. I know that I will be back for a sandwich or a side salad the next time I am searching for lunch on Main Street. Wishing Swanson's Deli great success. :D Yum! read more

John B.

0

1

0

10 years ago

Great place to escape from the crowds, a bit hard to find but definetly worth it! Great food, friendly staff, priced right. Will be going back soon! read more

Swanson's Deli - delis - Updated August 2026

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It's the bread! I ordered their veggie sandwich and it was delicious with the ripe avocado and…read moreherbs on the veggies. I'd prefer a little more variety in the veggies but it was a great sandwich. The bread made it for me. The potato salad was ok but again,.... The bread! The staff was friendly and very responsive. It's a cute spot to pop in and out of. There's very little seating but you can sit outside so that's a plus.

Simple no frills sandwich shop right near university of Columbia. There was a steady crowd but the…read moreworkers move so fast there literally is no wait time. Everyone was very friendly, especially the fellow running the register. He was absolutely adorable. I got the godfather sub and it was absolutely delish! I'm here for the wkend but I definitely think I'll be going back another time before I head back home.

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The cinnamon roll deli is such a great addition to Lexington. We arrived 45 minutes before closing…read moreand served our food within about 15 minutes. There was plenty of parking around the house style restaurant. I liked the casual style of "seat yourself" after ordering. We had the gamecock and the shrimp and grits. The food was fresh and tasted great. The shrimp and girls were ok. I enjoyed the cinnamon roll that accompanied the food. The dining area did a have a few flies in there. We had to keep swatting, but we enjoyed our food, the service, and decor.

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