I was honestly really hungry snd decided to try 2 things from their new menu. The chicken Parmesan was stuffed with a lemon herb ricotta which just made it fresh and refreshing whilst also being rich and decadent. I know, that sounds strange but this chicken Parmesan was one of the best I've ever had. Another great thing was the pasta. Perfectly cooked angel hair. Al dente, not mushy - which is difficult to get right. IYKYK Angel hair overcooks in 30 seconds flat! The 2nd entree blew my mind! It was the smoked and fried half hen. The aroma of this dish when they served immediately had my mouth watering and my tummy rumbling loudly. The crust on the chicken was perfect. Thin and super crunchy with amazing flavor. The meat was tender, juicy and smoky. It was served on top of a crispy cornbread cake studded with fresh corn kernels and fresh jalapeño. The field peas were very well seasoned, and although I didn't see any ham or bacon, I suspect they were seasoned with some sort of pork, but I could be wrong. I was also very pleased to find that they had a Chenin blanc wine on their list that night because it's one of my favorites white wines but really hard to find. Well, I hope you find this review helpful. Both dishes are worthy of being permanently on the menu read more

Tombo Grille - Chicken Parmesan - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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This is a favorite after work spot for me and my girlfriends. Since one doesn't drink alcohol, I decided to get a mocktail. I wish I would have asked the server for a new drink because it was bitter even after a shot of pineapple juice. The ginger beer was strong and overall the drink was bad (hence 4 star). But the salad was delicious with enough dressing and the shrimp cooked just right. It's always chilly in the restaurant so bring a sweater. Service is always a perfect 10 and it's close to other places to run errands and walk off the food! read more

Tombo Grille - Mocktail with ginger beer. - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Not sure what the hype is all about with this restaurant. Five of us dined here for dinner on 4/18/26 to celebrate a friend's birthday. After reading several great reviews on the smoked and fried hen entree, I was very excited to try it. Wish I could have had the opportunity to provide a review on the hen, but I am unable to do so as I didn't get to try it for health/safety reasons. My original order was undercooked to the point where quite a bit of blood oozed from the thigh portion of the hen. I promptly notified the waitress and it was re-made 10-15 minutes later. Although more cooked the second time around, the replacement hen still had a little bit of blood (red, not pink) on the thigh/leg portion. When I notified the waitress again, she stated that since their hen is smoked it's normally not as cooked as compared to poultry entrees from other restaurants. She also condescendingly asked if I wanted "something else." Since I did not want to get Salmonella/food poisoning and the waitress did not appear to be an authority of any kind on food safety/health, I decided to order the meatloaf entree instead. After another 10-15 minutes, I was finally able to eat dinner with the rest of the group; note that they were almost done with their meals by the time I got my food. I'm glad the meatloaf was cooked to safety standards, but it was mid at best along with the mac and cheese. The collards were pretty good though. In hindsight, I probably should have notified management of the issues I encountered. The undercooked hen, semi-rude waitress, and inconvenience of waiting for food to be re-made certainly made my dining experience with Tombo Grille a very poor one. read more

Overall, tonight's dinner was a delightful symphony for the senses. From the juicy filet with the red wine demi-glacé. It was like a rich, velvety hug for the steak, coaxing out flavors that sang harmoniously with every bite. and the crispy onion rings, and creamy mashed potatoes, clouds of deliciousness, whipped to silky perfection. Every element contributed to a truly enjoyable experience. If dinner were a concert, this one would be a sold-out show! Bravo! It's been too long since I've written about our favorite restaurant! We eat here at least twice a month, but if I'm realistic almost once a week. I usually order something off the nights specials, my husband nearly always gets the burger, which he says is the best in Columbia. read more

Still consistent 5 stars. Saturday night 2/3/24 reservations for 6:30pm. Arrived at 6:15 and were seated at a 2 person table promptly. Water by the hostess who seated us was received quickly also. Mary our server did great took our drink orders and and started us with the Burrata Arancini appetizer.....which we split and it was very delicious. Wish I had gotten a picture! Wife got the scallops and I finally tried the Braised Short Rib. Wife chose the scallops over the farm raised salmon, and the scallops are always perfect she reports. The short rib as very tender and delicious. (See pictures) 2 glasses of very good Pino Noir and 2 glasses of Steel Hands Coffee Lagers made for an excellent meal and delightful dining. read more

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We came in tonight and ordered the specials steak and swordfish. Both meals were delivered together unfortunately when my wife cut into the swordfish it was raw and un cooked. The waitress took it back to the kitchen and they prepared another swordfish. Unfortunately it took over 10 minutes to get a new meal and my meal was getting cold. You would think after being served raw food we would have been offered at the very least a free desert We will try them again but won't be ordering the swordfish read more

Outstanding food and service! Fabulous beer selection, too. Steel hands coffee lager is the best.

The food was fantastic. I got the mediterranean salad with shrimp and my boyfriend got the grilled ribeye special and we both cleared our plates. I thought the salad was very light and a perfect portion. I would definitely go back. Good for a more casual dinner. read more

Tombo Grille - Grilled Ribeye (special) Mediterranean Salad - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

The chicken parmesan was amazing- probably some of the best I've had. Espresso martini was good too.

Our server was amazing! I was not a huge fan of the crab cakes. It was more breading than lump crab meat. The vibe was nice. It's dimly lit and the menu has daily specials which I enjoy! Definitely a gem in forest acres. read more

Tombo Grille - Yes! Crab cakes back on the menu at Tombo Grille! - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Always a favorite when we come to town. Fresh local ingredients. The menu is small so each dish is done well. We almost chose somewhere else tonight and I'm so glad we didn't as this was one of the best meals we've had here! Fresh heirloom tomato salad on a bed of arugula with feta and a balsamic drizzle. Mahi Mahi special with a lovely couscous and the best salmon ever. read more

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Food was excellent. Service was attentive. Ambiance was great. Will definitely be back.

Excellent selection of beers and wines. Their specialty was Thursday. Happy hour we saw. I had the raw oysters, which were surprisingly terrific. I like them didn't expect to love them. And seen in a previous post that happy hour. They were a dollar apiece when I got my bill they were 3 for the price of two. A little expensive for happy hour five beers between the two of us and nine oysters were 90 bucks. Otherwise it was a excellent experience. A beautiful place. I am decor and ambience. I still would highly recommend it. read more

Tombos is Hawaiian for tuna! This is an amazing place. So it's in the corner of a tiny stripmall in the Forest acres region and you might normally miss this place simply driving by . There are a few seats outside, a small 8-10 seat bar and plenty of tables with local works of art all available for purchase.. The menu is small but has many quality options For instance it has 3 salads, 5 or so appetizers etc. They also have pizza options, along with a main course regulars and often nightly specials The brussel sprout appetizer is amazing.... perfectly grilled and not overly oily and the side sauce..."ranch-but-not-ranch" sauce is super tasty. Do not miss this ! Also if they have the fried green tomatoes with lobster salad ( it's a seasonal item).... amazing! Light fry, perfect width of tomato and the best fried green tomato I have ever had! For entree's I often get the salmon entree which is always reliable and tasty. The steak is always delicious also. The menu has plenty of craft beers... mainly local ones, good wine options and great cocktails. (Down and Dirty martini is perfect...cold.smooth ,blue cheese stuffed olives and almost too good) Never is there a problem with a cocktail in regards to how it is made or they will re-make it! If you are thinking about getting dessert the Derby pie is always good and the coffee is EXCELLENT!!! ( Don't miss the coffee!) Staff is terrific....all are knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. The parking lot can be challenging at times as many of the other businesses use this space. We will definitely go back as this is one of my favorites in Columbia! read more

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Great neighborhood spot! Food is excellent! Service is top notch ! Always see smiling faces!

Always good food and service. Great neighborhood atmosphere.Love the local art and friendly vib.

I went here recently with a large group, and they were very attentive to our large table. We got the egg rolls, spinach and artichoke dip, and fried shrimp for appetizers. I thought the price for the dip and the amount you got was not very good. I expected a larger size of the dip. The chips were good though. The shrimp was delicious. The egg rolls were not as popular at the table as the other items, but I didn't try them and don't know how they tasted. For my meal I ordered the scallops that came with grits and haricot verts. The grits and haricot verts were great. The scallops were nice and big but very salty. I ended up giving the rest to my husband because they were so salty. I would probably order something different next time. read more

Food is amazing and service was excellent-had a party of 12 for a special family dinner and was thoroughly impressed with the quality and service!!! read more

The food and drinks here are always well thought out and expertly crafted. Service is top notch. It can get a bit noisy as the interior is open and smaller, but the atmosphere more than compensates for the noise. Love the local art displayed as well. 10/10! read more

Tombo Grille - Meatloaf with tomatoes and rice and collard greens - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Great food, drinks, and service! The mac & cheese and Cornish hen are my favorite to get every time ! Overall a great experience!

Food was absolutely wonderful! We had the crispy Brussels Sprouts, ribeye, swordfish, and the blondie for dessert. I would recommend every item. Our waitress was excellent, and the restaurant was well-maintained and perfect for any occasion. Whether you're going with your friends, family, or for date night, you're sure to have a similar experience. read more

My wife and I always enjoy the Tombo Grille. We like it for it's straightforward menu offerings and what they offer is always tasty and reasonably priced. We started with the fried Brussel sprouts. My wife had the house chopped salad and the crab cakes as an entree, while I had the braised short rib. We devoured the Brussel Sprouts, and my wife really enjoyed her crab cakes with a great ratio of crab meat to filler. My short rib was so tender, I really didn't need a knife. It was moist with a perfectly seasoned gravy-sauce that went well with the Parmesan farro and grilled asparagus. The chef at the Tombo Grille strikes up a nice balance without overdoing the dishes we've enjoyed there. read more

Love their menu and atmosphere! Service was amazing. Everything in menu is exceptional!.

Food is superb. Staff, what can I say .... Just love them all. You feel like Norm at Cheers ... where everyone knows your name! Totally recommend! read more

Tombo has been on my foodie list for yrs, so last Friday I decided to give them a try. Great parking, the setting outside has a waiting area to lounge around while you wait. The inside has quite a bit of seating, and a bar area with a lot of seating. The bathroom was clean. Wait staff seated us promptly and our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and service was on point thru out the evening. The menu is simple and not too much, lots of beer, wine, and cocktails to choose from. All the prices are reasonable considering the amt of food you receive. We ordered the chicken livers for a appetizers, a Cornish hen entrée with 2 types of chicken, one fried and one backed with lots of flavor, This entrée was served with collard greens, black eye peas, cornbread, and potatoes. Another entrée was short rib potatoes and collard greens. All the food was cooked to perfection, loaded with flavor! For drinks we had a pear blossom drink ad bud light. I can definitely tell they take pride in cooking and care about customers having a awesome foodie experience. Some the waitress new the customers by first name. Lots of people are return customers or maybe weekly, Yasssss its that good! I recommend you give the a try, you wont be disappointed. I will be a return customer for sure! read more

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Absolutely love this place!!!!! First time I went was with my good friend and we were trying new restaurants. We got there when they opened at 5:30 not crowded at all. We order the white cheese mac n cheese with beef brisket and it was DEVINE ! We almost ordered another to go. I got the burger and my friend ordered the wings and they were both delicious! The second time I went I got the braised short rib! It was so good! We also participated in the happy hour and we were surprised at the great drink prices ! Will definitely be back again! read more

Such an outstanding meal tonight! I ordered the scallops over yellow grits and with tazzo gravy. Scallops were plump and perfectly cooked, nice sear without overcooking the scallop. Grits were divinely creamy and the gravy was totally authentic with tiny bits of country ham here and there. I'm still a bit shy of ordering steak here but this option more than makes up for it. read more

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I've been here a few times now with my wife's family and we always have a great experience. I can vouch for the STEAK being great but the family says the fish they have is some of the best in Columbia. It's a nice atmosphere and the servers do a good job. When we came here this week I had the ribeye with a Gorgonzola cream sauce and it was epic. read more

The jewel of Forest Acres, South Carolina. This place has the best food and wine list in Forest Acres. They have a seasonal menu and a menu that changes daily. They have the best meatloaf I've ever had at a restaurant. My partner Loves the Brussel Sprouts. I'd say we come here once a month for Thursday night date nights and we are always delighted to eat here. The space is great, low light, nice wood bar. Amble outdoor seating which you will want to book ahead of time on the weekends on Open Table. The service staff is full of professional servers, which is super hard to find in Columbia. You can count on your server to be friendly, attentive and know lots of things about the menu items both seasonal and daily. There's an interesting special service at Tombo. By reservation only you can do your holiday meals at Tombo. I've done a Thanksgiving and a Christmas dinner here and it was wonderful. Just don't forget to book ahead. read more

Love every morsel I have ever eaten at Tombo's. Delicious food, amazing drinks, fun atmosphere & superb staff ALWAYS! read more

Tombo has consistently provided great and delicious food and wonderful and friendly staff. I highly recommend this restaurant for an enjoyable night out. read more

Food is always on point. Great nightly specials Attentive wait staff Our neighborhood favorite !!!! read more

The *Blackened scallops* was literally so good that I ordered it twice. lol! This is one of my favorite spots that rarely lets me down! #TrueStory read more

Tombo Grille - Blackened scallops - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Tombo Grille continues to be one of our go to "Date Night" destinations. The food is consistently 5 Star and the Service is Excellent. We usually eat the specials but don't let that stop you from working through the menu. I recently ordered the Meatloaf and it was outstanding. Pure comfort food. The Pork Shank is also top notch. Also, Don't forget Beer, Burger and Band on Monday night. Try to catch Prettier Than Matt. We really enjoy their music! Sam read more

Bar staff are GREAT! But the bar has about 6 seats, so get there EARLY!! Food is "average" on a good day Price??? Over the top, charging 5* + to the elite Forest Acres patrons and willing to leave it as the unofficial 'private club'. In summary - I can buy my booze at the liquor store and can BETTER food from McDonald's DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS PLACE! read more

Food is delicious and all the servers are awesome ! It's a family friendly cozy atmosphere read more

My husband and I dined on 7 Dec 24 for our date night. We arrived at 6PM and were given a table right by the door. I asked to be seated elsewhere due to the draft. I was told they have a full dining room on that night but there were several tables still open and the customers had not arrived yet. We could have been given another table for 2 further from the door. We sat and dealt with the draft each and every time the door was opened. We ordered the dip with pita and it was extra crispy/burnt. We were told it was deep fried. It was remade and it was better. Then my meal came, steak, mashed potatoes with mushroom and gravy and asparagus. My first bite was hair. I told them about it and showed them and they remade my entire meal and threw in a free dessert which I had no idea if it was actually free. We quickly paid the bill and left as at this point we were so aggravated. Date Night ruined. Our hostess was very pleasant and patient. She said she hopes our experience does not deter us from returning. I didn't have the heart to say we would not return. read more

Jonathan and MC were outstanding. We'll definitely coming back. The food was good but the service outshine it. Hard to find that combination. read more

Always great food and service! Staff go above and beyond! Love our little neighborhood spot!

This is our favorite place for dinner. You can always count on excellent service, friendly smiles, and a very diverse menu with specials that will keep you from ordering the same thing twice. We have never had a bad experience at this restaurant! The perfect neighborhood spot. read more