Greenville dining: Chicken & waffles, specialty sandwiches, Indian cuisine to eat in 2024.

A.J. Jackson, Greenville News
·3 min read

Since our last dining update Greenville's food scene has continued to change as franchises and locals come and go into the Upstate's fast-moving food scene.

We opened the month with news on Thomas Wirthlin's new food hall, City Market at Bridgeway Station in Simpsonville, his third such venture in four years which features pizza, pho, burgers an English pub and more. The Greenville News also kicked off its March Madness-styled bracket to determine the county's best shrimp and grits dish.

Popular downtown pub The Whale GVL has been selected as host for "Zwanze Day" in April — a Belgian craft beer session that will feature French Sea Lettuce as part of its 2024 unique flavor theme. On the franchise side of the news, Whataburger broke ground on Woodruff Road as the Texas-native fast-food chain will open eight storefronts in the Upstate by 2025.

All of that and more in this month's food and dining roundup from Greenville County:

The Cartwright Food Hall building was constructed in 1865 as a showroom for horse carriages. Today, it is home to Flying Fox Coffee, Mi Irie On Trade, Mo Mo’s Sushi and More, (soon-to-open) Anonymous Burgers, Whistle Pig Art, Trade Street Taproom, and White Wine & Butter.
The Cartwright Food Hall building was constructed in 1865 as a showroom for horse carriages. Today, it is home to Flying Fox Coffee, Mi Irie On Trade, Mo Mo’s Sushi and More, (soon-to-open) Anonymous Burgers, Whistle Pig Art, Trade Street Taproom, and White Wine & Butter.

Changes happening at Cartwright Food Hall, introducing Hendrix Chicken & Waffles

Greer's most interesting food collective, Cartwright Food Hall, announced that Jamacia Mi Irie is no longer a tenant, but will announce their new food project soon. The authentic Jamaican restaurant will still fully operate its two other establishments at 1451 Woodruff Road and 28 S. Main St.

On March 8, an upcoming sweet and savory eatery launched a soft opening as Hendrix Chicken & Waffles, a new restaurant by South Carolina Chef Ambassador Mike Sibert. A pop-up shop for the upcoming restaurant took place on March 15 and featured a variation of a family mac & cheese recipe, caramelized duck fat onion in collard greens and 24-hour brined chicken with Belgian-styled waffles.

The official opening is expected to happen in the winter of 2024.

KO Restaurant Group taking over former Oak Hill Cafe

KO Restaurant Group, owners of Hendough and KO Burger at Gather GVL will take over the old Oak Hill Cafe at 2510 Poinsett Hwy and operate as HeyDay — a specialty sandwich space with a bar and kitchen available for full creative cuisine.

Construction and renovations are still underway, yet the upcoming restaurant is targeted to open in May.

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Smoqued BBQ in Simpsonville closes down

Smoqued BBQ, located at 110 E. Curtis St., was most notably known for its brisket, sweet potato soufflé, and creamy mac and cheese. It announced its closing with a sign on the door on March 14.

Its spacious wooden interior decor and top-notch customer service have been in business in downtown Simpsonville since 2019.

Handi Indian Cuisine reopens restaurant on Haywood Road

March 7 was a new start for Handi Indian Cuisine which opened at 765 Haywood Road, Ste. D. The beloved restaurant, which once occupied the current location of Scoundrel at 18 N. Main St., had closed in 2022.

After two years away, Handi's first day open saw a packed house for a lunch buffet and a full menu with an array of dining options available.

Methodical will expand its food offerings and will serve a full breakfast and lunch in its café.
Methodical will expand its food offerings and will serve a full breakfast and lunch in its café.

Methodical Coffee acquires Bake Room

Bake Room will now be part of the Methodical Coffee brand, as the popular, local coffee purveyor has acquired the dessert shop from its former owner Wade Taylor which was located at 147 Welborn St., Ste. B — also known as The Commons at Unity Park.

Methodical Coffee will serve renditions of Taylor's breakfast pastries at all three of their locations in Greenville.

Methodical Baking: Greenville coffee roaster acquires popular bakery and will offer similar pastry treats

After being open for years of service to the people of the Upstate's Greenville area, K & S Restaurant will be closing. At the left is a notice posted saying the last day of business will be Feb. 29, 2024.
After being open for years of service to the people of the Upstate's Greenville area, K & S Restaurant will be closing. At the left is a notice posted saying the last day of business will be Feb. 29, 2024.

K & S closes after 50 years on Greenville's Westside

More than 50 years of breakfast through dinner was served at 3107 White Horse Road, as K & S Restaurant closed its doors on Feb. 29.

The Greenville News covered the final hours of K & S Restaurant in business and caught up with a few locals who will remember the food and fellowship involved.

Feeding the Community: 'I don't know where I'll eat.' West Greenville cafeteria for more than 50 years closes.

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Hendrix Chicken & Waffles and HeyDay opening in Greenville County