South Carolina has said goodbye to another trio of familiar dining rooms, following September’s closure of a longtime Columbia sushi favorite. From a waterfront splurge in North Myrtle Beach to fried chicken in Anderson and a wine bar on Upper King Street, these places gave their communities very different reasons to gather.
The memories are wonderfully specific: lobster ravioli beside the Intracoastal Waterway, a basket of crisp chicken with fried livers, or a glass poured during a night of wine and live music. Here are three South Carolina restaurants that recently served their final customers.
Greg Norman Australian Grille, North Myrtle Beach
Greg Norman Australian Grille closed permanently on Oct. 1, ending 27 years at Barefoot Landing. The restaurant had first planned to stay open through Oct. 15, but ongoing staffing shortages moved the farewell forward by two weeks.
Open since 1999, the waterfront dining room paired Australian-inspired steak and seafood with an award-winning wine list, more than 180 bourbons and views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Lobster ravioli was a recurring menu favorite, while wood-grilled filet mignon and prime rib made the restaurant a natural choice for celebrations. Its polished but family-friendly atmosphere gave vacationers and locals a place that felt special without being stuffy.
The Chicken Basket, Anderson
The Chicken Basket served its final customers on Sept. 18 after nearly 27 years on Highway 24. Jeff and Jackie Pittman opened the small restaurant in December 1999, building the menu from scratch with help from family.
Fried chicken was the headliner, but the fried chicken livers also became a defining order. The appeal went beyond the food: longtime regulars knew the people behind the counter, and founder Jeff Pittman said many customers became friends. Unexpected financial obligations, repairs and other expenses ultimately proved too much for the restaurant’s newer owners. Anderson lost the kind of unfussy, homey place where a quick meal could feel like a family visit.
Uncork Charleston, Charleston
Uncork Charleston closed its 476 King Street location on Oct. 17 after eight years. Owner Kathryn McCool hopes to revive the business in a smaller, more neighborhood-focused space, but she has not announced a location or reopening date.
The wine-centric restaurant invited guests to explore more than 40 self-serve pours in a relaxed setting, then linger over charcuterie boards, craft cocktails and live music. That combination made Uncork as useful for an easy date night as it was for a casual gathering with friends. Although this may not be the end of Uncork’s story, its Upper King chapter is over—and regulars are left waiting to see where the next bottle will be opened.
Links on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same
Leave a Comment