Family * Travel * Food

Pirates Voyage Dinner + Show Set for 2023 Adventures in Myrtle Beach, SC Starting 2/12

An exciting experience awaits in Myrtle Beach when visitors take part in the adventure found at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. The timeless tale of pirate crews, mystical mermaids and much more begins Friday, Feb. 10, where the treasures found in the show last on in memories for years to come. 

Buccaneers of all ages join Captain Blackbeard and his swashbuckling crew for thrilling acrobatic competitions, spectacular aerial feats and a bountiful pirate’s feast during this epic excursion. The daring and dramatic adventure features sword fights, blazing cannons, graceful mermaids and pirates scaling high above two full-sized pirate ships fighting to win Davy Jones’ coveted sunken treasure. A boisterous crew combines heroics and high-flying fun that will have guests cheering and experiencing thrills around every corner.  The show is an epic battle for lost treasure on land, on deck, and in the water of the show’s 15-foot-deep indoor lagoon. Daring diving dogs, salty sea lions and tropical birds also join in the quest to find Davy Jones’ treasure at “The Most Fun Place to Eat in Myrtle Beach.”

“When visitors come to Myrtle Beach, our Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show takes them on an adventure to be remembered and relived long after they have left our Buccaneer Bay,” said Paul Brown, General Manager of Pirates Voyage in Myrtle Beach. “This show is the first step in charting a course for a vacation adventure and puts everyone in the audience in the ‘pirate spirit’ as families take part in the fantastic journey with our crew. And the food alone makes the show one-of-a-kind!” 

The adventure actually starts in the Pirates Village, where swashbucklers of all ages can “join the crew” and be transformed into mermaids and pirates before the main show begins. And as any pirate knows, searching for treasure can work up quite an appetite! So when visitors enter the arena for this swashbuckling spectacular, guests are served a hearty and delicious four-course feast straight from Captain Blackbeard’s galley. The meal begins with voyager creamy vegetable soup and buccaneer bread. The feast fit for a pirate continues with a “half o’ roasted cackler” (chicken), swashbucklin’ sugar-cured ham, cob o’ buttery corn and a pirate herb-basted potato. Apple o ’me eye pie and unlimited Coca-Cola® products, tea or coffee complete the meal. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are available by request.

Pirates Voyage takes guests on a fantastic adventure with beautiful mermaids gracefully performing before they disappear into Buccaneer Bay and a crew of characters combining adventure, acrobatics, animals and all things pirate.

Show times and reservations are available by calling (843) 497.9700 or visiting www.piratesvoyage.com.

About World Choice Investments: Founded in 1988, World Choice Investments, LLC, doing business as Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, The Comedy Barn Theater, and Frizzle Chicken Café, operates dinner show venues, theaters, and restaurants for family fun and adventure in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Our dinner shows feature special effects, musical productions, live animals and a four-course family feast.

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How To Experience VIVA: The Fastest, Freshest Chicken in Greenville!

VIVA Chicken joined the Greenville scene last August and has since received dazzling reviews for its lively environment, fun and friendly staff, and crave-worthy charcoal-fired chicken. With over a hundred people sharing their testimonials of how VIVA Chicken has increased the flavor game in Greenville through the hottest, freshest chicken around, VIVA wants to teach you How To VIVA!


Download The App

VIVA Chicken offers a VIVA App to access their loyalty program, VIVA Points. Earning points via VIVA Points allows users to receive free VIVA and be the first to know about special marketing promotions. Joining the app will earn you a special 10% off during your second visit in addition to easy ordering to pick up from your favorite location either in-store or curbside. Curbside pickup is as easy as selecting “I’m here” within the app and receiving delicious food at your convenience! 


Order What VIVA Insiders Love

VIVA Insiders love VIVA and we don’t blame them! The top menu items VIVA Insiders love are: 
  • VIVA’s staple: Pollo a la Brasa (Peruvian rotisserie chicken) which is imported from Peru, marinated in Chef Bruno's family recipe, and cooked in charcoal-fired ovens which gives the chicken a special and unique flavor. 
  • Tacu Bowl - Dynamic and delicious flavors join together in this bowl with cilantro rice, pulled rotisserie chicken, canary beans, salsa Criolla (lime-marinated onions and tomatoes), avocado and topped green onions.
  • Arroz Chaufa - Peruvian cuisine has a lot of Chinese influence, starting with Arroz Chaufa! This dish is Peruvian fried rice that includes veggies sauteed in soy sauce and ginger. 
Bring the Whole Family 

On Thursdays, it’s all about the family on Chef Bruno’s Big Chicken Day, where you can feed the whole fam for $19.95! Forget the stress of cooking tonight, VIVA Chicken provides an option that is fast, fresh, and a great deal for the family to enjoy. This meal includes a whole chicken and 3 large sides with quick and easy pick up to suit the needs of your busy lifestyle.


Get Lost in the Sauce 

VIVA has got the sauce, all of which are inspired by the best flavors of Peru. Each sauce served at VIVA Chicken has a unique flavor and adds value to any meal. VIVA’s sauces are made in-house daily and have gained quite the fanbase for their delicious taste, so it’s up to you to discover your favorite! They’re all delicious, ranging from:
  • Aji Amarillo — Mild, yellow, and made with garlic aji pepper
  • Huacatay — Medium, green, and made with cilantro, jalapeno, and black Peruvian mint
  • Rocoto — Red, hot, fiery, smoky, and made with rocoto pepper
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Überrito Fresh Mex Opens First Restaurant in Columbia, SC

Überrito Fresh Mex (Überrito), dedicated to old school Mexican scratch cooking, announced that its first restaurant ever in South Carolina is officially open. The new Columbia Überrito located at 275 Park Terrace Drive, just off Harbison Boulevard and across from Walmart and Sam’s Club. The Columbia Überrito is owned and operated by local residents and business partners Ricky Patel and Deval Patel.


“We’re burrito, taco, bowl, and nacho-loving locals that live and breathe Columbia,” said Ricky Patel, co-owner of Columbia Überrito. “We knew as soon as we tried Überrito for the first time in Houston, we had to bring that authentic, scratch-cooked Tex-Mex flavor straight back to our community. One of the biggest differentiators for us will be our huge menu variety. From students at the University of South Carolina to state capital employees, office workers, families, or those just craving authentic Tex-Mex – there is something for everyone at Überrito. In fact, you could eat Überrito seven days a week and get something different each time, but my favorites are probably a chicken or shrimp burrito with spicy avocado and serrano ranch.”

Since signing the rights to develop Überrito in Columbia, both Ricky Patel and Deval Patel have been active brand ambassadors while their restaurant was under development. Deval’s husband Hiren (Harry) is managing day-to-day operations at the new restaurant. Their new restaurant is part of Überrito’s strategic growth plan that features new restaurant prototypes that accentuate design and operational enhancements such as a stronger focus on delivery, drive-thru, and outdoor dining, while highlighting a softer color palette, more lighting and a modern edge that boosts the customer experience.    

“Now that we are open, we’re so excited to serve our community while giving back through our new Überrito,” said Deval Patel. “Because Columbia is and always has been a community that thrives when we work together, we’re going to do our part to also give back. When we learned that Überrito was interested in developing in South Carolina, we jumped at the opportunity to serve the best scratch-made Mexican food with my friend and business partner Ricky by my side.”

For nearly a decade, Überrito has drawn in crowds for its hand-made Mexican food rooted in a tradition of fresh, hot, and fast with a generous dash of Southwestern hospitality. Today, that set of core values, along with its tradition of quality, variety, and experience, still determines the restaurant’s direction and has kept the brand on solid footing, even during the height of the pandemic.



“There is something classic and quintessential about Überrito that everyone can relate to,” said Pete Pascuzzi, CEO of Überrito and MRI Heritage Brands, Inc. “Almost everyone can relate to a freshly made burrito or taco because people are driven by an emotional connection to our authentic food – it’s very strong and powerful. We’re thrilled that Ricky and Deval have now joined our team to introduce Columbia and the surrounding communities to Überrito. We’re ready to spread our fresh-is-first Überrito approach to the entire region.”

With one foot anchored in tradition and the other firmly planted in the future, Überrito has several original locations spread across greater Houston and its revamped model, upgraded training and support, state-of-the-art technology and new operational efficiencies are igniting the brand’s surge into Columbia and beyond.

“Our longstanding history of operating multiple restaurant brands across several states provided us with the runway and experience to position Überrito for success in Columbia,” said Pascuzzi. “There was a fundamental shift happening in consumer dining habits prior to 2020, which the pandemic accelerated. Überrito is a fresh, fast and friendly environment that has adapted to today’s guest, which allows our owners to take full advantage of dine-in, take-out, delivery, drive-thru, and pick-up lane options.”

The new Columbia Überrito is located at 275 Park Terrace Drive, Suite 800, Columbia, SC. 29212. The restaurant will operate Monday – Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. To learn more about Überrito visit uberrito.com.

About Überrito Fresh Mex:

Überrito Fresh Mex is a Mexican fast casual concept dedicated to craft cooking highly customizable burritos, bowls, salads, and nachos made with fresh ingredients and toppings. This allows Überrito owners to honor traditional Mexican cooking excellence while simultaneously elevating tradition to create better opportunities for growth and profitability. True to its name, Überrito’s signature dish is a burrito, but restaurants also offer a complete menu of Mexican favorites, sides and more. Überrito is part of MRI Heritage Brands, Inc. For more information about Überrito ownership, visit Uberrito.com/franchise.
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Add Style To Your Bakery With A Donut Stand

Stepping inside a bakery offers such a great sensory experience.  Customers stand to have their sweet cravings fulfilled along with other sensory needs -- thanks to the smell of freshly-baked bread and the sight of mouthwatering pastries like doughnuts.   

While more commonly linked as a cop snack staple, donuts are highly flexible. You can add your favorite glaze and filling; whether ice cream, nuts, chocolate, candy sprinkles, and jam. Because of variety, special occasions these days use donuts as a supplementary or stand-alone pastry. From simple and intimate get-togethers to grand weddings and birthdays, every occasion gets sweeter with these baked goodies.


Here’s how you can add a visually appealing style to a donut stand for your bakery or any event inside and outside of your shop. But first, let’s find out why style matters in a pastry shop.   

Why Bother With Your Bakery’s Interior?

According to psychology, a store’s interior impacts the way its customers feel and behave. So, there’s every reason for event and bakery stylists to make donut stands more appealing. 

That being said, how you style your bakery can impact how your customers view your pastry products displayed on the counter. You can choose whichever design you want, depending on the image you want your business to portray.   

Below are the most common considerations that you need to highlight when thinking about your bakery’s layout.  
  • Cleanliness
Whether your clientele prefers fast food or a five-star restaurant, a shabby place is never ideal for a bakery. That's because no matter how obsessively hygienic your preparation procedures maybe, this will all go to waste if you don’t have the place to show it. If your pastry shop isn’t neat and tidy both inside and out, customers will likely judge your shop as dirty. Besides, there are health codes that you need to abide by, in order to continue operating. 

Thus, your bakery should be as aesthetically pleasing as the food you’re serving. And there’s a multitude of donut stand ideas to be discussed later in this article, so keep on reading.  
  • Great Lighting
A strategic light design is a must-have in every food serving shop. The amount and intensity of light can affect our bodies in many ways. For instance, increasing the use of artificial light in the evening can seriously confuse your body’s circadian rhythm, leading to sleep disturbance.   
 
Warm and cold light, which in this case doesn’t refer to the heat it gives off, but rather the light tones can impact us, too. Warm-hued lights are typically yellowish while cool-tones lights lean on the bluish side. The former is said to be ideal for places that want to project a welcoming and intimate setting.  Cooler lights, on the other hand, are believed to enhance productivity. They’re often found in electronic devices and other gadgets that we must get rid of if we want to get some sleep.   

Warm lights with adequate concentration are most ideal for bakeries and restaurants. Too much ‘cold light’ will likely blind your clients. Making it challenging for them to locate the food on their plate.  
  • Overall Experience
Great ambiance, impeccable service, and outstanding food form the perfect recipe for a great bakery, or any food store in general. 

Simply put, a great dining and eating experience happens only when all of your senses are stimulated and gratified. The pull and attraction start with how your bakery looks from the outside, so don’t be afraid to play with colors for your design theme. Pink and blue are often chosen as common colors for a bakery.   

Once inside, the bakery should offer a cozy environment where customers can get lost in the smell, taste, and feel of the entire place. Don’t forget to choose the most comfortable seats and tables for your clients to sit on while devouring your dark chocolate-filled donuts and other pastries.        

Make sure to have enough space in the shop to accommodate your clients and make them feel snug.   

Donut Stand and Donut Wall Ideas

Speaking of space-saving techniques, serving your holed buns in donut stands and donut walls isn’t only visually appealing, it’s a gustatory delight and an olfactory-satiating activity.   
Whether it’s made of wood, glass, acrylic, or metal, these donuts stand ideas are perfect for all types of get-togethers. 
  • Multi-purpose Holders 
If you want your consumers to have access to donuts in several locations, gather small donuts in cone-shaped paper and place them in strategic locations inside your bakery. 
  • Stylish Cupcake Stand  
Who says you can’t put donuts inside a cupcake stand? Whether three or five-tiered, you can stack your donuts in a stylish cupcake stand made from various materials and colors.  
  • Glass Donut Stand 
Whether glazed or jelly-filled, arrange your donuts neatly on a glass stand to make them stand out from the rest.   
  • D-I-Y Donut Stand
Show your crafty skills by making your own donut tower. Just put together the base and sticks on which to place your donuts on. With this design, you’ll always get a ‘hole in one.’
  • Metal Donut Stand     
Place metal hooks to hang your donuts on and let your creativity take over. For instance, you can add a few green leaves of flowers to make it look more fun.   
  • Peg Board Donut Wall Stand
Take out a pegboard and paint it in an eye-catching color, preferably in the same color palette as your bakery store. Style it in different themes daily to catch your customers’ attention better. You can even add a catchy message to pique their interest better.       
  • Use A Cake Stand  
Like a cupcake stand, you can briefly repurpose your cake stand by nicely stacking your donuts on them.   
  • Acrylic Donut Wall Stand  
For a classier look, you can skip a pegboard donut wall stand and use acrylic. Don’t forget to add more colors as acrylic can look too bare.    
  • A Sweet Backdrop
If you have enough space in your pastry stand, customize it to accommodate donuts as a backdrop. Make sure you have enough space inside your display stand, though so as not to make your place look too crowded.    
  • Donuts On A Lattice 
Have a miniature tabletop-sized lattice made for you to place your donuts on. Make sure you have a variety on display. As with other styles, you can place leaves and flowers for additional colors.   
  • A Rustic Reusable Donut Wall Stand 
With enough wood and basic carpentry skills, you can assemble a wooden donut frame that you can actually repurpose later on. Don’t forget to place pegs so that you can place donuts on them. Otherwise, look for hooks that you can place on the wooden frame.
  • Use A Cake Base
Sometimes, you only need a cake base to strategically place and arranged fancy donuts. Whether it’s made of wood, plastic, or glass, make sure to up the wow factor by placing some decorations below it. 
  

The Wrap Up
From the concept to the theme, lights, taste, and ambiance; creating an all-encompassing sensory experience should be every bakery owner’s goal. 

Everything starts with aesthetics, so make your shop attractive and clean both inside and outside. But don’t sacrifice beauty over function. Optimize space inside your store, too, so customers can hang out and make them want to come back as often as they want.      
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What To Know Before Opening a Brewery

The number of breweries in the United States has increased dramatically in the past ten years. People have steered away from the standard pilsners and are more interested in craft beers. If you've been experimenting with home brewing, you might find yourself looking to expand and open a brewery of your own. Here are some things you'll want to consider before you get started though.
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Choose a Location

It can be challenging to find the perfect location for your brewery. You need to find a place where people will feel comfortable and can relax and enjoy a beer together. However, your location also needs to be suitable to actually brewing the beer. The place you choose will set the tone for your brewery, so you want somewhere that gives off the right vibes for what you're going for. There are some really unique locations out there, such as an abandoned warehouse, an old high school, an empty factory, or you can always decide to build something more modern.

Know the Laws

Alcohol laws can get a little bit tricky, so it's important that you do your research in advance. Some places don't actually allow breweries to open in the county, so check before you make any big decisions. You'll want to look at whether you need a TABC permit or what other sorts of liquor license you might require. Some states allow people to buy cans from the breweries, while others only allow consumption on site. Check the laws in your area to find out more information.
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Find Your Focus

There are many different styles of beer out there. You'll need to figure out if you want to make a batch of each kind or whether you want to focus more on a particular style. For instance, some breweries are known for their sour beers, while others mostly put out India Pale Ales. While having a few different styles available is always a good idea, having a focus can help you master a particular style.

It may seem like a lot of work, but if beer is your passion, it can be well worth it to get to share your love of beer with others. Take your time and be sure you're doing everything the right way. Talk to other brewery owners and get help along the way. Once your brewery is open, you'll find that all of your hard work has paid off.

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Bao and Broth Now Open In Optimist Hall, Charlotte NC #LiveNoodsWarmBuns #WeDontCutCorners

After its announcement in 2018, the long-awaited Bao and Broth officially began serving customers at the opening of Charlotte’s new Optimist Hall on Thursday, August 1, 2019.


The ramen and steamed bun shop has long been in the back of Executive Chef Larry Schreiber’s mind. Since 2014, Schreiber served as Executive Chef at and helped open Moffett Restaurant Group’s Good Food on Montford, where his steamed bun was a hit. Now, Larry’s thrilled to be opening his own restaurant purely dedicated to the food concept that has earned him recognition across the Charlotte food scene. This time, he’s added ramen and other Asian delectables that will have Optimist Hall perusers stop in their tracks when they smell his chef-d'oeuvres.

Even the pickiest of eaters will be able to find something at the highly customizable eatery. For $12, those longing for a hot bowl of ramen can choose from a variety of broths, proteins, and toppings to satisfy their craving. There are also vegetarian options, such as the Unctuous onion broth. Ramen not your thing? Check out the listing of baos offered. Despite the title referencing pork belly buns, Bao and Broth ensures that all eaters can enjoy their menu, with additional bun options including schnitzel, chicken, bulgogi, and falafel. If you still can’t get enough, side items, dessert, and the house specialty – rice cakes and pork belly kimchi – are also available.


“I’ve been a part of a few restaurants before but creating these recipes [for Bao and Broth] and testing them has been one of my favorite experiences,” said Schreiber. “Back at Good Food on Montford, we only served one option – the pork bun. Now with this restaurant, we have the capability to expand on it, and it’s been so fun putting together all sorts of flavors to see what mixes well. I think the schnitzel bun has to be my favorite, but I’m excited to see which items our guests like the most.”


The opening of Bao and Broth is part of the first of three restaurant opening phases at Optimist Hall, with the other two set to occur in the early fall. The stall is order-at-the-counter style, and guests can devour their meals either indoors or outdoors at the community seating hall, or at one of the few seats alongside the ramen bar. Schreiber also mentioned there are plans to include online ordering once the stall gets up and running, which will make it even easier to get this delicious food in your mouth as fast as possible.

Bao and Broth’s hours will be 11AM to 9PM Sunday – Thursday, and 11AM to 10PM Friday – Saturday.

Photo credit: Stefanie Haviv
About Bao and Broth:
Open August 1, the ramen and steamed bun shop is owned and operated by head Chef Larry Schreiber. Bao and Broth offers a full menu consisting of traditional Asian bao’s and broths with sides and desserts in accompaniment. Located in Optimist Hall in Suite 5. Head to BaoandBroth.com to learn more.
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N.C. Red Restaurant Opening In Charlotte, NC April 17th

From the award-winning creator of Barrington’s, Good Food on Montford, and Stagioni, New England-New South restaurant N.C. Red is officially ready to debut with an opening on April 17. Owner Bruce Moffett is also proud to reveal the restaurant’s menu. For starters or “Northern Smalls,” the menu includes Point Judith Calamari, Stuffies (NC clams with peppers, bread crumbs, and Chouriço), Baked Seafood Casserole, Seafood Cakes, and Lobsta Roll. An impressive oyster and clam program sourced from both coasts made the menu as well, served up as Grilled, Rockefeller, Casino, or Broiled. As if that doesn’t already make your mouth water, the “Fixin’s” section includes a large selection – from Buttermilk Biscuits, Smoky Mac and Cheese, and Braised Collard Greens, to Corn Pudding and Fried Pickled Green Tomatoes. View the full menu here.

A look at the Oysters Rockefeller, featured on the menu at N.C. Red, opening April 17
“N.C. Red is unlike any of my former restaurants,” explained Moffett, owner of Moffett Restaurant Group. “The artwork in the space along with the atmosphere of Plaza Midwood give it this unique quality that just makes you want to come and stay for a while. I’m thrilled to share this with Charlotte.”

Andrew Dodd will join Moffett at N.C. Red as a partner and Executive Chef, transitioning from his previous executive chef position at Stagioni. A native of Nashville, Dodd has an impressive background of working in the restaurant industry since he was 15 years old. Dodd moved around the U.S. and worked in kitchens in Seattle, Spokane, and Boston before moving to Charlotte in 2007 to attend Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte.

“The more we worked together, the more I loved the vision Bruce had for N.C. Red, and I look forward to introducing an elevated culinary experience to our guests,” says Dodd. “Coming up with a menu that included a mix of classic Southern cuisine with Northeastern style seafood, with a focus on sustainably-farmed bivalves from coast to coast farms, was really exciting. Additional dishes featured on the menu include Nashville Hot or Fried Classic Chicken, Firestyle Steamed Mussels and Clams, Rhode Island Clam Chowder, Poached Crab Salad, and a daily special of pies."

The restaurant will open in the former Penguin Drive-In space in Plaza Midwood, with some original design features remaining from the drive-in. The restaurant selected award-winning, local artist, Randall Kane, known for his mural art and decorative painting, to add local flair to the space. Some of Kane’s work will include an octopus painting on the exterior of the building, and hand-painted oyster wallpaper in the restrooms.

Stemming from Moffett’s upbringing along the New England seashore, the restaurant is a nod to both his past and present. The name N.C Red combines his love for his adopted home of North Carolina with Rhode Island’s state bird, the Rhode Island Red Rooster. Moffett plans to continue expanding in Charlotte with a fifth restaurant, Bao + Broth, opening later this spring. The restaurant will be located within the forthcoming Optimist Hall with executive Chef Larry Schreiber at the helm.

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Tijuana Flats Now Open In Lexington, SC

If you're a fan of Tex-Mex cuisine (or maybe you're undecided), Tijuana Flats is a great place to try. We were so thrilled when we found out that Tijuana Flats opened up a location in Columbia, SC. We've visited a few times and I learned today that there in a new store opening today in Lexington, SC. It's located at 5318 Sunset Blvd. The new store will span 2,450 square feet, and will include 68 indoor guest seats and 34 patio seats.

Like all existing Tijuana Flats stores, the new location will also feature energy-efficient equipment and environmentally friendly processes, such as menus on recycled paper, water-conserving faucets, and more.

Tijuana Flats will promote the following grand-opening specials at the Lexington location throughout the store’s first week:

  • Monday, 10/23 – First 50 guests receive a free quesadilla and $5 quesadillas all day
  • Tuesday 10/24 (and every Tuesday) – Tijuana Tuesdaze: Two tacos, chips and a drink for $5.49
  • Wednesday, 10/25 – First 50 guests receive a free burrito bowl and $5 burrito bowls all day
  • Thursday, 10/26 (and every Thursday) – Throwback Thursdaze: Tijuana burrito, chips and a drink for $5.99
  • Friday, 10/27 – Rock Out Party! $2 tacos and Mexican drafts, and live music from 6-9 p.m., $2 Mexican drafts available from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, 10/28– Local Hero Day: Police, firefighters, EMT, nurses, teachers, & military get 50% off any entrée with valid ID.
  • Sunday, 10/29 – Free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Tijuana Flats plans to open an additional two restaurants across the Southeast before the end of the year.

To view the Tijuana Flats menu and list of additional locations, visit tijuanaflats.com. And let me tell you, that hot sauce bar is the BEST! If you haven't read our review before, here it is. 

Be sure to follow Tijuana Flats on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.
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Columbia, SC Food Finds- Tijuana Flats' New #FlatOutrageous Menu

Me and the hubby were invited to an exclusive tasting event at the all new Tijuana Flats located not too far from our home. We were greeted immediately by the super friendly staff upon walking into the restaurant. The first thing that really stuck out was the eclectic, artsy vibe. There was so much to look at including wall murals, artwork, painted ceiling tiles, and more. Tijuana Flats was started back in 1995 and has grown to 129 stores and counting. 

We sat down (along with the other guests) with the area marketing coordinator, Sarah Jones to get a little background on how Tijuana Flats came about. You can tell she really loves the company and was willing to answer our questions in depth. The reason they hosted the tasting event was to introduce their latest Flat Outrageous menu items. 

Of course you can't dine in a Tex-Mex restaurant without the nachos to start with. All of their dishes and sides are scratch-made. The chips are so crisp and light and the queso, salsa, and guac are all so fresh and delicious! We were told that their recipes were recently tweaked and I think they need to keep it this way. That guac stole my heart. It was so rich, chunky, and perfect all at the same time. Everyone was a bit surprised that the queso was yellow compared to most places that serve a white queso. I will say that it is one of the best I have ever tried. Yum! 
I had a refreshing Sangria to go along with the hoards of food they brought out to us. We were warned from the beginning and they came with it! Whew, so much delicious food! The first few entrees we tried from the Flat Outrageous menu were the Lime Steak, Crispy Baja Fish, and Jerk Chicken Street Tacos. Although they were all so good, the lime steak was our favorite! The jerk chicken was very spicy for those who crave a little more heat. I really enjoyed it! 
One of the BEST parts is their hot sauce bar. There are so many to choose from with different levels of heat. The curry sauce and Georgia peach sauces were my faves. The great thing is that you can purchase their sauces online or in-store.


Their signature sauce is called "Smack My Ass And Call Me Sally". It packs quite a punch! And the name is so fun! haha! We tried samples of several sauces to see what worked best with each dish. We were told that some sauces require signing a waiver- YIKES!


The last entrees we tried included the scrumptious Philly Cheesesteak Flautas and the Bangin' Chicken Tostadas. They were both absolutely deliciously crispy and full of flavor. The Philly Cheesesteak Flautas came with a generous serving of queso for dipping- mmm mmm! Of course no meal is complete without a sweet bite afterwards, and their Cookie Dough Flautas were ridiculous! Served with chocolate sauce for dipping, this dessert is a chocolate lover's crispy, crunchy, chocolaty dream! So good! 

The Flat Outrageous menu really is worth trying and the prices overall are reasonable. If you are located near one and have not been, you really need to check it out. I know my daughters and their friends will enjoy Tijuana Flats' Tex-Mex dishes. They plan to stop by soon. One last thing that I wanted to share is their charitable side. Their "Just in Queso" Foundation gives back to communities benefiting children and our brave military in their time of need. 


We want to send a warm thank you to the Columbia, SC store manager Crystal Richardson and Will Huggins for hosting us! They are located at 106 Percival Rd. Ste 200 Columbia, SC 29206. Stop in a see them if you're in the area or place your online order for takeout. Their entire staff is so friendly and accommodating. You won't be disappointed! Follow Tijuana Flats on Facebook, Insta, and Twitter for delicious updates :)

Thanks for reading and as always, all opinions are 100% my own xo
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Why We Love Mr. Fish Restaurant in Myrtle Beach, SC

We frequently visit Myrtle Beach, SC and have tried many of the dining establishments in the area. One of our go-to places is the Mr. Fish Seafood Restaurant located at 6401 North Kings Hwy. We discovered it a couple years ago when we were on the hunt for a very specific menu item. When you first walk into Mr. Fish, you will be greeted in the traditional southern way and escorted to your table. The decor is very funky and whimsical. Very beach-y and fishy, of course. Maybe we have been lucky the times we have been because we have never had to wait and we were served quickly. Once you place your drink order, a basket of golden brown hush puppies are brought over to your table to tease your taste buds. Don't they look tasty?


We dined at Mr. Fish last weekend and I had a grilled chicken sandwich. I was impressed and loved how tender and flavorful the chicken was. I'm always happy when I can see the seasoning. The roll is soft and perfectly toasted.


The steamed oyster are so fresh and delicious. It's actually a lot of fun prying them open and making a big mess. We love topping them with their special cocktail sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon.


The special menu item we were on the hunt for in the past was the soft shell crab sandwich. Oh man, it is SO good! It's super fresh and prepared so simply to highlight the natural crab flavor. This is a must try if you haven't had a soft shell crab sandwich before.


Nobody would believe this when going to a seafood joint that collard greens would be on the menu. I know we are in the south, but still. Well let me tell you this, these greens are the star of the show! They are the BEST we have ever had and you find yourself craving it. It has an unusual sweet taste that I can't explain. Mind you, I don't normally like collards. I feel like we need to order a bucket of it on our next visit. You can't go to Mr. Fish's without ordering the greens! 


The best part is that the prices are very reasonable and you will not ever leave hungry. Mr. Fish serves a variety of seafood dishes including fish, shrimp, crab, oysters, lobster and even sushi. Of course they offer non seafood options as well. They have something for everyone. We are going back later in March and I plan to try some sushi rolls and of course a side of greens. If you are ever in Myrtle Beach, you must try them out. We have really enjoyed the times we have dined there and figured we would share our experience here. If you go, let us know! 

You can check out the full menu on their website and find them on Facebook
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All You Can Eat Pancakes is Back At IHOP


IHOP, the pioneer of the breakfast all-day, everyday movement has announced the extension of its wildly popular 'All You Can Eat Pancakes' until February 12! Since its inception in 1958, IHOP and their world famous buttermilk pancakes have remained a beloved All-American institution and breakfast icon for nearly six decades. Now until February 12, IHOP is offering guests unlimited orders of its freshly made world famous Buttermilk Pancakes!

Dine-in only, participation varies. 
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IHOP Turns 58! Get A Shortstack for 58 cents on July 12th

IHOP, the pioneer of the breakfast all-day, every-day movement celebrates their 58th birthday this summer! Since its inception in 1958, IHOP and their world famous buttermilk pancakes have remained a beloved All-American institution and breakfast icon for nearly six decades. On Tuesday July 12, IHOP is offering a 58 cent short stack of buttermilk pancakes to celebrate their 58th birthday.
Fun fact: The original cost of an IHOP short stack when the restaurant was founded in 1958 was 62 cents!


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Double Dipped French Toast at IHOP Is Back!

For a limited time, Double Dipped French Toast at IHOP is back. I was able to stop by to try it out for myself. I went with the Blackberry & Vanilla variety. 
Let me tell you, that vanilla sauce was divine. It went beautifully together with the blackberry sauce and perfectly cooked broiche French toast. This French toast is dipped in a vanilla batter and then in a corn flakes and oatmeal mixture. The crunch was just right and all of the flavors and textures all together were excellent. I had the bacon combo and of course, it was delicious and exactly what I expect from IHOP.
To find out all of the details on this limited time menu offering, see this post. If you're craving a good breakfast, I highly recommend you run out and treat your family or yourself to this delicious meal. Hurry before it's gone!

I received a gift card to try out the latest menu offering from IHOP in exchange for my honest opinion. 
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Double Dipped French Toast Is Back At IHOP (For A Limited Time)

IHOP restaurants are bringing back their newest innovation, Double Dipped French Toast-- soft brioche bread first dipped in vanilla batter, then dipped a second time in a coating of corn flakes and oatmeal and griddled perfectly to a crispy golden-brown, raising the bar for French toast at an affordable price.

Double Dipped French Toast is yet another example of why America turns to IHOP for breakfast any time of day—and has for over 57 years.  When it was introduced last summer, it became one of our most popular dishes, and guests have been eagerly awaiting its return. And it’s back in two new sweetly indulgent varieties:



Blackberry & Vanilla – Thick slices of Brioche bread dipped in our vanilla batter, then in cornflakes and oatmeal, griddled, and topped with plump blackberries and drizzled with vanilla sauce.


Banana, Peanut Butter & Chocolate – Thick slices of Brioche bread dipped in vanilla batter, then in cornflakes and oatmeal, griddled, and topped with sliced fresh bananas, chocolate chips and a drizzle of peanut butter sauce.

Guests can enjoy two slices of hand-crafted Double-Dipped French Toast any time of day as part of a combo with eggs, done the way they like them, their choice of crispy bacon, pork sausage links or a slice of grilled ham, and IHOP restaurants' signature golden hash browns;  or as an entrée stacked three slices high.

Double Dipped French toast will be available at participating IHOP restaurants between February 15 and April 10, 2016.
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