As reported in Free Times earlier this year, Publix is opening its first GreenWise Market in the Midlands — one mile down the road from an exi…

It’s hard to believe that Steel Hands Brewing in Cayce has only been around a year. Going from zero to on the shelves in every Publix in under…

My travels always begin with a search. 

what: Ttukbaegi Bulgogi

This spot, tucked away on the side of 9 Medical Park, may be Columbia’s actual best kept secret.

These beers are American wild ales, though the brewery and fans of these types of beer call them “sour ales” or “sours.” 

On Thursday morning, two cooks are squeezed into Spotted Salamander's small catering kitchen mixing pesto pasta salad. A door frame away, thre…

Transmission Arcade, the soon-to-open arcade bar that will be located at 1712 Main St., announced on Nov. 14 via social media that Smokey Logg…

Columbia Craft Brewing Company is turning two. Since emerging on the local beer scene in late 2017, the brewery has done exceedingly well — fr…

I just moved here, but Free Times’ other staffers tell me the recent weather isn’t normal — the frequent rain, cool temperatures and grey, overcast skies. 

Nonnah's, the mother-daughter-ran restaurant known best for its pastry kitchen, and especially its cakes, closed on Monday. 

Grapes & Gallery, the tucked-away paint-and-pour hangout that distinguished itself by being open for patrons who want the wine (or craft b…

Columbia's homegrown fast food chain Rush's closed its Decker Boulevard location this month — but don't take that for a sign that the longtime business is going downhill. 

Food folded into a neat vessel will always be delicious. Sure, we have sandwiches, but there’s something about a perfect little handheld thing that you tuck and bite into that makes it 10 times better.

Pick Up Items

Drinking culture in Columbia is as popular as it’s ever been, a big catalyst for the region’s growth.

what: Pretzels 

Free Times often praises the refreshing, richly crafted German-style lagers of Bierkeller Columbia. But let’s not forget that the nomadic brewery that set up shop on Brookwood Drive near Williams-Brice Stadium and the State Fairgrounds isn’t the only one in the building churning out some tasty brews.

The location of The Casual Pint in the Vista ceased operation on Nov. 2. Located at 807 Gervais St., the outpost of the craft beer bar and bot…

Popeyes is just three birthdays shy of its 50th birthday, but the middle-aged fried chicken chain,

The Brookland development at State and Meeting Streets went from pit to pretty full very quickly, and now that construction on the residential…

Besides salting dishes, one thing that makes food by chefs special is the smart ways they layer flavors. 

Halloween is finally upon us, and the biggest party this Thursday, Oct. 31, will definitely be the Little Bash of Horrors at Bone-In Barbeque.…

what: Westbrook Brewing Company’s Pivo Czech-Style Golden Lager and Praga Premium Pils

what: Primal Plate with Peri Peri Chicken 

Anyone who has ever been in a gas station looking for road food or snacks knows that it’s hard to find anything healthy in those bastions of c…

Riding the success of food trucks, food halls became the next evolution, creating spaces with low overhead for new chefs and aspiring business…

For at least one night, Columbia’s longtime favorite Korean-Mexican cafe will come back to serve some of its most popular items. Blue Cactus C…

The Oktoberfest celebrations just keep coming. First up this week is the CMA Contemporaries Beer and Brats on Boyd on Thursday, Oct. 17, at th…

When it gets to be fall or winter, I don’t think about those dark, charred dogs anymore — it’s chili dog season to me.

When it comes to the South Carolina State Fair, the magic is in the twirl.

what: Pumpkin Patch Smash

“Long overdue craft beer spot for West Columbia,” Phill Blair says, summing up his new venture, WECO Bottle & Biergarten, as workers insid…

what: Butterscotch-Dipped Ice Cream

Tofu has had the absolute worst PR plan in the history of food products. The name itself — the literal take from the Japanese language, also k…

After over two years of planning, hard labor, renovation and eventually making beer, local brewer Matt Rodgers’ long awaited Hazelwood Brewing…

There’s something sweet amid the clean and vibrant displays of soap at Sunrise Artisan Bath and Body. In addition to the extremely popular soa…

Ah, now this is more like it. After a bit of a lull last week Oktoberfests are popping off left and right this week. First up, it’s First Thur…