The Food Section

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, 803-226-0180 Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter covering...

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, 803-685-7547 Michael'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 e...

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.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscr...

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.biz Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter c...

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.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter covering fo...

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.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American Sout...

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.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South....

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.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reade...

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...

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.net Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section ,a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today t...

Before you dismiss the standard lunch counter sub, Michael suggests a visit to Just Julie's, where the staff doesn't need anything fancy to make a great impression. Just Julie's : 951Pine Log Road, Aiken, South Carolina, 803-649-2721 Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section ,a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe...

This week, join Michael for a visit to a seafood shack where he says the tartar sauce quality makes no difference, since only a fool would apply any kind of condiment to what's fried at Cliff's. Cliff's Seafood & Grill : 12743 Heritage Highway, Bamberg, South Carolina, 803-245-0701 ⁠ Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section ,a reader-supported daily newsletter coveri...

Michael is braving the cacophony this week for a burger he says is worth hooting about. Whiskey Bent Bar & Grill : 1925 Whiskey Rd., Aiken, South Carolina, 803-649-5239, whiskeybentsc.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...

This week, join Michael at Ruth's Family Restaurant, which not too long ago was scheduled to close forever--and find out why its loyal patrons are so glad that didn't come to pass. Ruth's Family Restaurant : 3843 Washington Road,Augusta, Georgia, 706-863-5616 Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the...

Hop on your horse and mosey with Michael over to The Track Kitchen, an Aiken, South Carolina institution. The Track Kitchen : 420 Mead Ave., Aiken, South Carolina, 803-641-9628 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 recom...

This week, Michael's paying a visit to a seafood restaurant that his gout-ridden friend swears has curative powers. Also, excellent oysters. Beamie's at the River : 865 Reynolds St., Augusta, Georgia, 706-724-6593, beamiesattheriver.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe...

Michael Stern is back with a dispatch from Tienda Mexicana 3 Caminos, a restaurant he hails for offering an immersive education in Mexican cookery. Tienda Mexicana 3 Caminos: 2460 Wagener Road, Aiken, South Carolina, 803-648-0403 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...

Join Michael Stern on a visit to the last Gary's Hamburgers still standing, where he discovers that--despite its name--the North Augusta restaurant is mostly worth patronizing for its biscuits. Gary's Hamburgers: 410 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, South Carolina, 803-278-1314, garys-hamburgers.foodjoyy.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily new...

Join Michael Stern on a visit to Sconyers Bar-B-Que, where he digs into a few of the reasons that the 70-year-old Augusta restaurant is still packing in smoked pork fans by the hundreds. Sconyers Bar-B-Que, 2250 Sconyers Way, Augusta, Georgia, 706-790-5411, sconyersbar-b-que.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section , a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink ac...

Michael Stern is hitting the road--and your podcast feed. Every week, we'll share a new review from The Food Section's resident restaurant reviewer, directing you to the best in vernacular Southern food.