More Columbia restaurants from days gone by
By: Anne Wolfe Postic, a freelance writer and recipe developer in Columbia. She cooks her feelings and makes everyone eat them.

This is a contributor-submitted Voices piece. Want to join the conversation? We invite you to write for us. Learn how to share your voice here.

Hey COLAtoday readers, Anne Postic here. Y’all remember that time I wrote about a bunch of closed restaurants? That was fun.

Now it seems like something new is popping up every day in Columbia. (Hooray for Bone-In! Welcome, 929 Kitchen! See you soon, Home Team BBQ!)

But y’all love talking about days gone by, and so do I. Here are a dozen more spots that we still miss.

Adriana’s | 721 Saluda Ave.

My first job involved making cappuccinos and eating all the serving gelato at this coffee shop/gelateria. They offered three confusing sizes — “grande, molto grande, and grandissimo” — before it was cool to eschew “small, medium, and large.”

Sub Cabin | 821 Craft St.

My husband experienced his first Philly cheesesteak here and has been a fan of the sandwich ever since. Also, their hamburgers were rectangular, presumably to fit into sub rolls.

Martin’s EATS | 4459 Devine St.

I don’t actually know how late Martin’s was open, because it was never closed when I went to the diner way too late at night. Cussing was not allowed (and you WOULD get kicked out) and I don’t think it was actually called Martin’s EATS, but that’s how it was known. 10/10 would go again right now.

Birds on a Wire | 2901 Devine St.

Photo by Marion Oliver

This place had chicken, and the chicken was good. They had a well-rounded menu, but the chicken was the thing. Also, their house honey Tabasco dressing was obscenely good.

Nice ‘N Natural | 1217 College St.

In between the Hunter-Gatherer and USC’s Horseshoe, Nice ’N Natural had healthy, fresh food. It closed in 2010 after 28 years. They served sprouts and multi-grain bread before everyone was doing it and it was the perfect spot for a quick, delicious lunch.

Annabelle’s | Columbia Mall and Dutch Square

Photo by Marion Oliver

Annabelle’s existed back when malls usually had at least one sit-down restaurant instead of just a food court. The decor was all dark wood and brass fixtures and the one at Columbia Mall had two floors. I was obsessed with their French dip.

Alley Cafe | 911 Lady St.

Alley Cafe was a casual Vista spot with a patio and live music at night. Also, when I was pregnant with my first child, their turkey on rye with horseradish mayo cured my morning sickness and I used to wait at the door until they opened in the morning.

Sherlock Holmes Pub | 1400 Main St.

The pub was located in the basement of what is now the Sheraton. I can’t remember exactly why it closed, but this may offer some explanation. I do remember there used to be a group of women who met there regularly for a feminist happy hour. I would like to reinstate feminist happy hour. Anyone have any suggestions as to location?

Hofbräuhaus | Columbia Mall, followed by Richland Mall

Was this even real? Or was it a figment of my imagination? It was a vaguely German-themed sandwich place. In a mall. It appeared later in the food court at Richland Mall, but I can’t remember if the other location had closed or if they were even related. Their sandwiches were good, and I was too young to drink the beer.

Lulan Wang | 4405 Fort Jackson Blvd.

The Chinese restaurant came after Jesudi’s and maintained the cave-like interior. And, darn, it was good. I can’t imagine it was as good as Sun Ming in Irmo (not possible), but I miss having a sit-down Chinese restaurant near my house.

Capitol Restaurant | 1210 Main St.

Photo by Barbie Ray

This spectacular little diner was located in what is now Blue Flour Bakery. They were open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night. If you asked Paul for a “dirty Coke,” you got bourbon and Coke in a juice cup, which probably tasted good because it was forbidden. Where have all the diners gone? I want them back, at least this one.

Hennessy’s | 1649 Main St.

Photo by Marion Oliver

I once bartended here for three months. It was fascinating because all the solicitors (S.C.-speak for prosecutor) would come for drinks after work and talk about their cases. The interior was old-school, and dark. So dark, in fact, that in my short tenure there, I saw two failed proposals, one of which was made to what appeared to be a pregnant teenager. (“Good call, girl,” is what I thought about that one. “One mistake at a time.”) You want stories? I got stories. Just ask.

Now, take a minute to read over the first list again, and let us know what’s still missing. Swensen’s? Steak & Ale? T.J. Muldoon’s? (I only went there once, and I have no recollection of what its thing was, but maybe you can fill me in.) Remember the long hallway with free bible tracts at S & S Cafeteria? I used to love those little tiny bible tracts when I was a kid.

– Anne Wolfe Postic, a freelance writer and recipe developer in Columbia. She cooks her feelings and makes everyone eat them.