By: Off the Grid Greenville (with photos byFishEye Studios). 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.

As the Upstate continues to grow at phenomenal rates, so does the number of amazing local restaurants. We’ve put together a list of some cult classics, newbies, and some doing it in their own special way.

Welcome to the “2019 Off the Grid Worthy Restaurant List” with spots in Greenville and the addition of a few gems in Spartanburg. We’re so glad that the Upstate is able to experience these cuisines of the world.

What makes a place Off the Grid Worthy?

The best diverse restaurants.
No matter when you go, it's good.
Always feel welcomed.
Full of tradition.
Creative recipes.
Standout flavors.

We’ve sacrificed our waistlines to satisfy your palates and bringing you some of our favorites. If you haven’t been yet, add these to your Upstate culinary bucket list.

Location 1:

Let’s start with the obvious. If you live anywhere in the Upstate, Pita House is the GO TO for the freshest, most consistent Middle Eastern food. Every morning the Namouz family bakes 1000+ fresh pitas, meticulously moving onto prepping all of their salads, spreads and other delicacies such as grape leaves and yellow squash stuffed with rice. It’s naturally vegetarian and vegan friendly, cash only and a staple we couldn’t live without.

The Pita House | 495 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville | 864-271-9895 | FULL STORY HERE

Location 2:

When the kids were making their lists out to Santa, we were adding this one to ours. The Seafood Spot has quickly shot up as one of our favorites. It has everything. Beaming smiles, fresh and fried seafood, and a genuine low country boil with turkey sausage. Oh, and let us not forget the SC blue crab specials on the weekend and garlic butter that seems to make everything better. Call ahead for hours, specials, or to save time waiting on your order. Plus, you might want to take it to go. Digging into garlic snow crabs is messy business!

The Seafood Spot | 219 W Antrim Dr suite c, Greenville 29607 | (864) 520-2010

Location 3:

Alva Mak with her daughters at the helm are cooking up authentic flavors in their Cantonese-style Chinese food that will leave you wanting more. Good thing there’s over 90+ items on the menu and the possibility of a dim sum menu. It’s the one place in the Upstate where you can order traditional Peking duck (with 24 hours notice), select your own seafood moments before it’s prepared or shop in an ultra clean supermarket for a wide variety of Asian products. If you haven’t been yet, give them a try with an open mind.

The Asia Pacific Supermarket and Restaurant | 420 N Pleasantburg Dr | Greenville | (864) 603-1377

Location 4:

Max Godo, from Saitama, Japan, is proud owner of Sushi Go restaurant. When you walk in, you can’t miss his sparkling smile as he prepares sushi fresh enough to jump onto your plate. Sushi Go is the perfect combination of traditional Japanese food mixed with Westernized Japanese cuisine, making it possible to feed the pickiest of eaters. Daily lunch specials and an equally gracious wait staff, this little gem is just across the street from NOMA Square.

Sushi Go | 247 N Main St, Greenville | (864) 631-1145

Location 5:

We didn’t think it could happen, but it has. Bobby’s BBQ & Seasoning is bringing the tradition of Texas BBQ right here to the Upstate. Wood-smoked in 1000-gallon smokers, Tay Nelson with wife Sarah are creating legit BBQ and scratch-made sides and desserts straight from the family’s recipe book. You don’t want to miss this one.

Bobby’s BBQ and Seasoning | 1301 N. Main Street, Fountain Inn | (864) 409-2379

Location 6:

Maria and her family are making some of the best and affordable El Salvadorian pupusas and traditional Salvadorian dishes in the Upstate. After gorging ourselves and overdoing it, we have a few fan favorites. Might we recommend the Arroz con Camaron (so much shrimp) or the phenomenal baliada, which literally took us 10 times to pronounce correctly.

Pupuseria Mister | Located inside Mister Supermarket, 1129 Cedar Lane Rd, Greenville | (864) 246-8881

Location 7:

Thanks to Pastry Chef Nick Dhers and Executive Chef Amonrat Dhers, you can experience French & Thai influences in Spartanburg. Don’t miss their fresh baked delicacies in a relaxing setting off Highway 29 or in their newest location, downtown Spartanburg.

Le Spice Restaurant and Bakery | 8881 Warren H Abernathy Hwy, Spartanburg | (864) 586-3222

Downtown Location: 155 W Main St., Spartanburg | (864) 586-5008

Location 8:

We can’t say enough about Spartanburg’s exploding food scene. Not only is it diverse, it’s impressive. With plenty of classics and emerging favorites in the area, we couldn’t complete this list without talking about The Kennedy. Locally sourced small plates, and extensive craft cocktail program and stunning Art Deco décor, The Kennedy is sure to deliver a memorable dining experience worthy of the drive. Trust us, you won’t be sorry.

The Kennedy | 221 E Kennedy St, Spartanburg | (864) 586-5554

Location 9:

Some of the nicest, most genuine people we’ve had the honor of meeting, Gina and Roberto Cortez continue to delight their guests with creative and tasty takes on traditional dishes. Keep an eye out for their ever-changing specials. Gina told us that, “If we get bored then we know our customers will get bored. Our goal is to introduce our Asian and Nicaraguan cultures to the community."

Asada, Latin American Fusion Cuisine | 903 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville | 864-770-3450

FULL STORY HERE

Location 10:

What can we say? We can’t get enough of Chef Carlos and Kristi Echeverri. Former owners of DaVinci’s Restaurant, we plan on following this talented duo to the end of the world... or more realistically, their newest masterpiece, L’Incanto, in downtown Greer. L’Incanto means “enchanting” and this charming, beautifully renovated new space serves unbelievable Northern Italian dishes. Try the huge new lunch menu and extensive wine list.

L’Incanto | 117 E Poinsett St, Greer | (864) 479-9333

And finally, let’s hear it for these special places. They are friendly, creative, delicious, and locally run and owned. We love them all and know you will too. Heck, you probably already do!

Sidewall Pizza, many locations
Fork and Plough
Due South Coffee
Trappe Door
Southern Growl, Greer
Greenfield's Bagels and Deli
LTO Burger Bar
The Farmer’s Table, Spartanburg