Zorba's Pizza & Grill

Name: Zorba's Pizza & Grill

Location: 510 Silver Bluff Road, Aiken, SC 29803
# 803.643.8777

Guests: Angel & Steve

Thoughts: Zorba's Pizza & Grill is a small "Greek" restaurant located on the southside of Aiken. We went in hoping for great food but were left wanting. The service was a bit slow. We had to wait to be asked for our drink order and then waited a little longer for our food orders to be taken. We ordered an appetizer, a few small pizzas and two hot sandwiches (between the four of us) so as to get a wide variety of flavors and foods. The pizzas were pretty good, however the sandwiches were sub-par. The seasonings were not quite right and the meat used did not seem to be fresh but frozen. We ended up throwing most of the sandwiches away, unfortunately. If we were to go back we would stick with pizza and stay away from the sandwiches. If you do not care about flavor and only the amount of food you get, then you may enjoy Zorba's--there was planty of food. To touch on the atmosphere of the place, it felt like there was too much going on. It was a mix of your avarage sportsbar/pizza place and an old-time Greek restaurant. Overall, the experience was just OK. I would not recommend them to you if you are in a hurry or would like to enjoy a quiet Greek meal...Zorba's will offer neither. And if you go, stick with the pizza.

Ratings:
Flavor: Just OK
Service: Slow
Presentation: Just OK
Price: $$*
Ambiance: Dark and too much going on; not one main theme
Pros/Cons:
Pros: Good portions; patio dining; free refills
Cons: Slow service; sticky tables; where's the Greek food?

Final Thoughts: We would not recommend Zorba's as a first choice to someone asking where they should eat in Aiken. It can be skipped with nothing lost in your Aiken experience.

Website: N/A

*Price guide:
$ = under $10 per person
$$ = Between $10-$20 per person
$$$ = Over $20 per person

Pat's Sub Shop

Name: Pat's Sub Shop

Location: 1747 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC 29803
#803-649-1523

Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11:00am-5:30pm; Thursday-Friday 11:00am-6:30pm; Saturday 11:00am-3:00pm, Closed on Sundays

Guests: Angel & Steve

Thoughts: Pat's Sub Shop is a quaint little shop that is kind of hidden on Whiskey Road in Aiken. This is a place with friendly staff that will not only remember your face but will remember your order as well. Eating at Pat's at lunchtime was exciting. The line was almost to the door and we could hear food orders being shouted out in the dining room. This only told us that Pat's was going to be a good dining experience, because that many people would not come out if the food was not good. One of the sandwiches Pat's is known for is their chicken salad. Sam and Lacey did not partake in this Pat's special, but Angel did and loved every minute of it. Sam had an Italian sub and Lacey had a turkey. Both were delicious. Pat's subs come in three sizes; small, medium and large which we would describe as: "filling", "stuffed" and "take home for another meal". When ordering your sub at Pat's you can either get it with everything, (literally everything) or you can create your own sub with only the items that appeal to you. Upon walking in one would go up to the counter and place and pay for their order and then take a seat wherever there is a table open. After a few minutes the order is brought out and the customer is alerted that it is ready by having their order (not their name) shouted out in the small dining room. Overall, we loved Pat's food, service and atmosphere and are looking forward to our next visit.

Ratings:
Flavor: Excellent
Service: Excellent
Presentation: Perfect
Price: *$ (with a beverage)
Ambiance: Great, sort of a diner feel
Pros/Cons:
Pros: Quick service; friendly atmosphere; great food made to order; family friendly; free refills on most beverages.
Cons: Small dining room; no drink or chips included in price of sandwich.

Final Thoughts: We enjoyed our Pat's experience and look forward to enjoying a fresh sub again.

Website: N/A

* Price guide:
$ = under $10 per person
$$ = Between $10-$20 per person
$$$ = Over $20 per person

J. Flanigan's Ice Cream & Desserts

Name: J. Flanigan's Ice Cream Parlor

Location: 912 Dougherty Road, Aiken, SC 29803
#803.648.6649

Guests: Angel & Steve and Jason & Stephanie

Thoughts:
J. Flanigan's brings back childhood memories of summer, bike riding and, of course, everyone's favorite frozen treat-ICE CREAM! Nestled on a small side street in Aiken, J. Flanigan's is set in the most picturesque little blue house that looks most inviting. Upon walking in the diner is greeted with the sweet smell of fresh cones, brownies and ice cream; and this parlor is not short on flavors to choose from. One can get one, two, (or more) scoops in a cup or cone or they can be creative and get one of J. Flanigan's signature sundaes like what was enjoyed by Angel, (pictured below). With tables inside and out, the diner can either escape the heat or enjoy a warm summer evening with their treat. Overall, J. Flanigan's is a must visit in Aiken, if not for the ice cream, for the memories it brings back.

Ratings:
Flavor: Delicious!
Service: Friendly
Presentation: Excellent
Price: $*
Ambiance: Excellent

Pros/Cons:
Pros: Great, friendly setting and staff; plenty of choices in flavors; kid friendly.
Cons: Location; not a lot of indoor space/seating (the line for the ice cream ran through the dining area)

Final Thoughts: We can't wait to go back and take some friends with us! A must try when passing through Aiken.

Website: n/a

*Price Guide:
$ = under $10 per person
$$ = Between $10-$20 per person
$$$ = Over $20 per person

Mi Rancho (South Side)

Name: Mi Rancho (South Side)

Location: 124 Old Dominion Road, Aiken, SC 29803

# (803) 641-6099

Guests: Angel & Steve and Jason & Stephanie

Thoughts: Though not necessarily a "local restaurant" (as it is a chain), Mi Rancho is a town favorite so we thought it deserved its fair review. Mi Rancho is your typical Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant with nothing super special to set it apart from the others in town. However, they were quick to greet us at the door and get us seated. While waiting for our food the chips and salsa was plentiful and always filled. The waiter was friendly and helpful when we needed to move tables because a few more friends showed up. However, one complaint we did have was that it took awhile for our check to come out and then also to come back to us after it was taken. We all ordered typical Mexican dishes; Sam had a Burrito Mexicano, Lacey, Enchiladas Verdes, Angel had Nachos and Steve had a Cheese Steak Burrito. The food was good, but Sam had wished his was a larger burrito, more like Steve's whose covered the whole plate. Sam did not go hungry though, he finished Lacey's last enchilada. Overall, the experience was pleasent and we enjoyed good conversation over an easy no frills meal.

Ratings:

Flavor: Good
Service: Good
Presentation: Good
Price: *$$

Ambiance: Typical Mexican decorations that one might see at an number of other Mexican restaurants.

Pros/Cons:

Pros: Friendly; easy/no frills meal; fair prices; clean.

Cons: Service was a bit slow when business picked up for dinner; nothing special to set it apart from other similar restaurants.

Final Thoughts: Overall, the experience was good. We enjoyed our meals and did not leave hungry. We will most likely visit Mi Rancho again.

Website: N/A

*Price guide:

$ = under $10 per person

$$ = Between $10-$20 per person

$$$ = Over $20 per person

Cafe Rio Blanco

Name: Cafe Rio Blanco

Location: 148 Laurens Street, Aiken, SC 29801-3848
# (803) 643-7075

Guests: Angel & Steve (Friends from the area)

Thoughts: Cafe Rio Blanco is a cozy little family-owned Cuban diner on Laurens Street in Historic Downtown Aiken. The small restaurant front could easily be missed by casual passersby, but nevertheless this is a "must try" on our list. As one walks in, he/she is greeted by the friendly staff and is told sit "wherever". They offer dinner specials every evening and the diners are welcomed to go look them over on the steam table before ordering. Every dish is served with rice (yellow or white) and beans which were seasoned to perfection. Sam, Lacey and Angel all ordered a steak dish, while Steve opted for a pork dish. The steak dishes were served with a garlic butter and herb sauce that was unlike any other; an interesting dipping choice for steak but nonetheless delicious. All the dishes were thoroughly enjoyed and we all nearly licked our plates clear. The service was friendly as they let us sit a talk for 30 minutes after closing and still offered us refills with a smile. While chatting at dinner and thereafter we all noticed the walls and how they were painted to look like a street in Cuba. It was a nice touch of flare. The cafe also offers outdoor seating, a selection of beers and don't forget the Plantains! Angel had two orders of this Caribbean favorite. The experience was a good one and we are looking forward to our next visit.

Ratings:
Flavor: Excellent
Service: Excellent
Presentation: Excellent
Price: $$*
Ambiance: No Frills Dining

Pros/Cons:
Pros: Great food and service; unique food option in Aiken; prime location with outdoor street seating.
Cons: Only open until 8:30p during the week; the menu was rather short in selections; No full bar; pay for soda by the can (no free refills).

Final Thoughts: Overall, we would rate this a great dining experience that we hope to enjoy again and would recommend to any living in or just passing through Aiken.

* Price guide:
$ = under $10 per person
$$ = Between $10-$20 per person
$$$ = Over $20 per person

TakoSushi

Name: TakoSushi

Location: 210 The Alley, Aiken, SC 29801
# 803.642.8899

Guests: Ahmed, Bethany and Joy (resident sushi connoisseurs)

Thoughts: This unique restaurant, located on The Alley in Historic Downtown Aiken, combines Japanese with Southwestern cuisine for a truly creative meal experience. The diner has his/her option between ordering "Takos", Burritos, Enchiladas, Quesadillas or...Sushi! One should be aware that when ordering a seemingly Southwestern dish that the flavors will be more Asian inspired, but for better than worse. Upon walking in we were greeted by the hostess who promptly showed us to our seats and the waitress followed shortly after. It seemed to be kind of slow for being the lunch hour on a weekday and the service also seemed a bit slow as well, however, everyone was friendly enough. We were fortunate to have three guests with us on this visit to review the sushi. Sam and Lacey do not care for sushi, but we felt that it still should be given a try for the sake of the review. Ahmed, Bethany and Joy all gave their plates rave reviews! Ahmed ordered the Firecracker Sushi roll which can be seen pictured below (it has the bright orange sauce). Joy ordered the Pyramid Sushi roll which boasted a fried outside with a raw Tuna center (see fried roll below). Bethany enjoyed the Rock 'n' Roll...featuring eel, (see rice roll below). Along with their sushi our three guests also each ordered an appetizer of Tempura Asparagus, which we also tried (also pictured below). Sam and Lacey stuck with the Southwestern side of things. Sam ordered the Lime Pork Burrito and Lacey ordered a Shrimp Lettuce wrap (not really a wrap it came in a bowl). Both were enjoyed very much leaving us stuffed as we walked out of the restaurant. Overall, the experience was enjoyable, however the ambiance of the place would be quite different at night as more people would be present. The restaurant also has a full bar for all of you party animals.

Ratings:
Flavor: Good
Service: Average
Presentation: Excellent
Price: $$*
Ambiance: "Far East, Southwest" as TakoSushi would say

Pros/Cons:
Pros: Menu has a wide variety; free refills; full bar service; fair prices; ambiance is such that one could go for a romantic dinner or relaxed lunch; indoor and patio seating.
Cons: Service was a bit slow considering the restaurant was not real busy; food took awhile to come out.

Final Thoughts: Overall TakoSushi was a unique experience that we would recommend to folks visiting Aiken, provided you like Japanese cuisine. If nothing else its a fun place to taste some unlikely food combinations.

Website: TakoSushi














*Price Scale: $ - Under $10 per person; $$ - $10-$20 per person; $$$ - $20+ per person

Arri's Grill

Name: Arri's Grill

Location: 1533 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC 29803
# 803. 642. 3930

Hours: Monday-Friday: 7:00am-8:00pm; Saturday: 7:00am-3:pm; Sunday: Closed

Thoughts: Arri's Grill (pronounced Ares) located on Whiskey Road in Aiken, is your typical hole-in-the-wall greasy diner and was voted to have the best burger in Aiken. We walked in and were immediately greeted with a warm "Hi Ya'll" from what we could tell was the only waitress in the place, (although we noticed another later). Karen, our (the) server was great! Though it was the busy lunch hour she was at our table in seconds asking if we would care for a sweet tea to drink. She was back in no time with drinks and when we asked what she would recommend she quickly pointed us to the special of day: the Lottoburger, a 6.5 oz, burger with everything you could want on it and fresh cut fries on the side for only $5.99, $6.28 if you wanted cheese. "That's what we'll have then!" we replied. Sam ordered his with American cheese and mustard, Lacey went all out with lettuce, cheese, mayo, ketchup and bacon. As we waited for our food to arrive we took a moment to look around. Arri's had proudly displayed their "Best Burger" awards on the wall as well as a few "Best in Aiken County" awards. We also noticed the presence of the "regulars" who needed no time to order and were greeted with "I'll be right out with ya burger, Baby!" from Karen. We could not have been more please when our food arrive-it was just what we expected/wanted. Hot, fresh and greasy and tasted fantastic! Overall, we enjoyed our experience!

Ratings:
Flavor: Excellent
Presentation: Excellent
Price: $*
Ambiance: Typical Greasy Diner :)
Service: Excellent

Pros & Cons:
Pros: Inexpensive options; Great food; Great/Friendly/Fast service; Not fancy; Scored an A for cleanliness from the Health Department.
Cons: No free refills on soda (Iced Tea and Coffee only); No separate kids menu; Kitchen is visible from all dining areas (this did not bother us, but it might for some).

Final Thoughts: Arri's Grill scores 4 out 5 stars in our book and we would recommend it to anyone and will be returning ourselves for another meal in the near future!


* Price guide:
$ = under $10 per person
$$ = Between $10-$20 per person
$$$ = Over $20 per person