The Food Section

Think you know the South's best fried chicken? Michael Stern says your study of the topic isn't complete until you've patronized Little Howie's.Little Howie's: 4724 West St, Williston, South Carolina, 803-266-0175, williston.littlehowies.com/⁠Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

The light has returned to the address which for more than half a century belonged to Augusta's Sunshine Bakery, courtesy of new tenant Bradley's BBQ.Bradley's BBQ: 1209 Broad St.,Augusta, Georgia, 706-830-3043, bradleys-bbq.comMichael's reviews are published by The FoodSection, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

It's not just the sandwiches that distinguish Darby's, a truck outfitted with rotating meat spits: It's the thought that goes into them.Darby's Street Food: 503-890-0394, facebook.com/ChefDarbyMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Cheese steaks at Jackie M's come in multiple sizes, but Michael Stern suggests purchasing whichever portion is compatible with ordering dessert.Jackie M's & Son: 3308 Milledgeville Road, Augusta, GA. 706-738-6055, jackiemsandson.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Sometimes, to catch a great plate of catfish, you have to put up with a petting zoo. This week, Michael has the details on one such fish camp in North Augusta.Old McDonald Fish Camp: 355 Currytown Road, Sweetwater (North Augusta), South Carolina, 803-279-3305Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Windsor, South Carolina's a small town even by rural South Carolina standards, but Michael says it's worth a visit if you appreciate a hot bowl of consomme and fresh tortillas.El Rinconcito: 3029 Navidad Lane, Windsor, South Carolina, 803-508-2035Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

The South is home to several vibrant hot dog traditions, and more are arriving from other parts of the country. Nashville's now home to one of the great Chicago dog joints, and today Michael's found a coney dog haven in Augusta.Glamm Deli: 1646 Gordon Highway, Augusta, Georgia, 706-364-0081Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Antojitos that are common on the streets of cities with sizeable Mexican populations are still scarce on the streets of Aiken, South Carolina. But Michael Stern says if eaters head inside Dos Potrillos, they'll find all the Latin American snacks they crave.Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant: 119 Laurens St. NW, Aiken, South Carolina, 803-961-7210 Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Blue Collar Bistro moved from the back of a gas station to an address that was formerly cursed, but Michael Stern says the restaurant may have changed the location's fortunes with its tomato pie and squash casserole. Blue Collar Bistro: 312 Augusta Road, Edgefield, South Carolina, 803-710-3800, bluecollarbistro.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Michael couldn't wait to review La Scuderia--because he says the place is so good that he's not sure he'll be able to get in once word gets out. Now that you're in the know, snag a table before everybody else does! La Scuderia: 455 York St. NE, Aiken, South Carolina, 803-226-0180Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

One of the pioneers of local sourcing, Juniper has maintained its status as a don't-miss South Carolina restaurant since opening more than 20 years ago.Juniper: 640 E. Main St., Ridge Spring, SouthCarolina, 803-685-7547Michael's reviews are published by The FoodSection, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Malia's is still open and operating, but Michael says it's put on new airs since chef-owner Justin Hayes took over--and Aiken's gotten more worldly.Malia's: 120 Laurens St., Aiken, South Carolina,803-643-3086, maliasrestaurant.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

If you think Michael's already reviewed Joyful Cafe, you're right--except the restaurant's relocated since he last assessed it. Listen to what he thinks of the destination restaurant at its new address.Joyful Café: 245 White Pond Rd., Williston, South Carolina, 803-770-2321, joyfulcafe.bizMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feeling flush? Probably not--but if you can afford a meal at Abel Brown, Michael says the leader of Augusta's fine dining scene provides a guaranteed luxurious evening out.Abel Brown Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar:491 Highland Ave., Augusta, Georgia, 706-738-6491, abelbrownaugusta.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

This week, Michael reflects on how Buffalo-style wings weren't always a thing--but its rendition at an Aiken bar goes to show how standard the preparation has become.WingPlace: 732 East Pine Log Road, Aiken, SouthCarolina, 803-644-7777, wing-place.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

This week, Michael found plenty to chew on at Hammonds Ferry Larder, an all-day bistro in North Augusta--but he found several dishes to recommend, too.Hammonds Ferry Larder: 89 Crystal Lake Dr., North Augusta, South Carolina. 803-599-5149, hflarder.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Michael tells us that emperador means swordfish, but he found that's one of the few items not served by an ambitious Aiken restaurant that has seemingly every familiar Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mexican dish on its menu.Emperador Asian Mex: 2645 Whiskey Road, Aiken, South Carolina, 803-843-6494, emperadorasianmexsc.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Everybody needs a goal in life. For Mertis Outlaw, it involves sweeping canned chili into history's dustbin. According to Michael, the chili he serves at his hot dog truck makes a compelling case for eaters to grab their brooms.Outlaw Dog’s, no permanent address, no published phone number. Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to share an audio postcard from The Food Section's signature event, Spirited Brunch, a free and self-guided snack tour of downtown Charleston's prayerful spaces. This dispatch was recorded on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

If you blink, you might miss Cafe 209 on Broad Street in Augusta, Georgia--but that would mean missing out on one of the city's outstanding meat-and-twos.Café 209: 566 Broad St., Augusta, Georgia, 706-722-9692, cafe-209.res-menu.netMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section,a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠