Hickory Tavern 141 Pelham Drive, Columbia, SC 29209

"On November 18, 2023, my family and I decided to check out Hickory Tavern, conveniently located at 141 Pelham Dr. in Columbia, SC 29209. Nestled within a shopping center, this place offers ample parking and boasts a fantastic outdoor seating area, adding to its appeal. The warm and welcoming staff greeted us upon our arrival. Our party consisted of 8 people, and our waitress deserves commendation for her excellent service. Our waitress ensured all our needs were met, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dining experience. As for our food choices, we opted for a variety of dishes. We started with the Pow Pow Shrimp and Tavern Salad. The Pow Pow Shrimp didn't quite hit the mark for us, but everything else was on point. Our orders included the Mushroom, Onion, and Swiss Burger (featuring roasted mushrooms, onions, and Swiss cheese) and the Smokehouse Burger (highlighted by Hickory bacon, BBQ sauce, and cheddar jack cheese). We also enjoyed a side of thick-cut onion rings, which I decided to enjoy separately from my burger. One minor hiccup was that we had assumed the burgers would be served medium rare, but they arrived at our table cooked to medium-well doneness. However, the burgers still managed to impress our taste buds, and rather than waiting for replacements, we decided to savor them. Hickory Tavern's ambiance truly stands out. I've frequented many sports bars, but the sheer number of TVs inside and outside the restaurant was remarkable. I'm already looking forward to returning to enjoy the outdoor seating area during the summer. The atmosphere alone makes me eager to explore more of their menu offerings. This visit marks my first experience at Hickory Tavern. I will rate this restaurant at 4 stars because the burgers were unexpectedly medium-well, and there were some maintenance issues in the bathroom. The overall experience, especially the sports-centric atmosphere, makes it a great spot for watching games and hosting small gatherings."

"Great clean place. Our server was attentive. Not busy when we where there. The outdoor patio allows seating with pets. Power Bowl and the Fish and Chips were pretty good."

"We came to eat Saturday night. This was an awful experience. Our fried mozzarella was completely cold and practically unmelted. My fiancés tater tots were cold and looked very old and my salmon was cold to the touch as well. When we mentioned this to the waiter, he said he doesn’t know what can be done because their food comes fresh off the line although obviously, this was not the case for us tonight. Our waiter hardly ever came to the table, and my fiancé was never offered a refill although his glass was empty the majority of our visit. Very disappointing experience."