RESTAURANT REVIEW : EGGS UP GRILL
By Liz Gunn || I broke my cardinal rule this weekend about dining in brand new restaurants. Having grown up in and around the restaurant business, I know better than to think I’m going to have a great experience at a place that just opened. Even the most well run establishments typically need a few months to work out their kinks.
I am happy to report that Eggs Up Grill’s newest and only Columbia location on Devine Street (where Momo’s Bistro once was) is already near perfect, having only been open just shy of one month. There was a short wait for a table, but that’s to be expected. The food was a little slow to come out, but our server was so friendly and accommodating that I won’t even hold that against them. And when the food did arrive it was glorious —well worth the wait.
Breakfast options have been few and far between in this part of town ever since Tiffany’s Bakery closed several years ago. The odd thing is that day to day I am not really much of a breakfast eater. I typically opt for a protein bar or a piece of fruit on my way out the door.
Breakfast is the first meal of the day, so people are hungry…maybe even cranky. At home, especially during the week, the idea is to get food on the table and get it there quickly.
On weekends though, I love going out for breakfast or brunch. Apparently, a lot of other people feel the same way. Breakfast joints all do quite well in Columbia on weekends, especially during football season.
The great thing about Eggs Up is that it has an open menu. You can order a Philly Cheese Steak at 8 a.m. or you can order French Toast at 1 p.m. Our family all opted for breakfast options at around 11:00 a.m. If you’re going with a crowd, there will be something for everyone.
I had the “Traditional Loaded Home Fries”, which is a plate of home fries topped with cheese, onions, peppers, bacon and two eggs. It was delicious and enough food for my one year old and me to share and still have about a third leftover. I wasn’t hungry again until dinner! For less than $8, I’d call that a steal.
My husband had the “Classic Breakfast” which is two eggs with your choice of meat, grits or home fries and toast. He’s a bit of a breakfast purist. No fancies for him, but he managed to clean his plate. This choice was also less than $8 and well worth it.
Our server was fantastic. I feel like a server can make or break your dining experience, and ours was outstanding. She brought out complimentary orange slices and later a small bowl of grits for my impatient daughter. She was friendly and calm even though she had her hands full with a busy section and some incredibly hungover co-eds sitting behind us. (We live in a college town – you’re going to have that from time to time.)
Franchise owner Drew Hampton was there, checking in on customers and overseeing the general flow of things, like any good business owner should be. Having been in the restaurant business for seventeen years now, it’s safe to say he knows what he’s doing…and it shows. The food quality, the service, the atmosphere – all top notch for an affordable breakfast joint.
I think you can expect a short wait for a table on the weekends. Columbia still doesn’t have an abundance of places open for breakfast/ brunch – especially ones that open at 7 a.m. During the week I imagine they will acquire some regulars and maintain a steady business. After eating at Eggs Up in Litchfield every summer for years, I am thrilled to now have one less than a mile from my home !
If you have never eaten at an Eggs Up, you might find it strange that I am dedicating a full blown review to a casual, family-friendly restaurant that isn’t even open for dinner. Once you go however, I think you’ll agree it’s worth the write up. If you’re not in Columbia, you can visit one of their other locations in Pawley’s Island, Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Garden City, Mount Pleasant, Anderson or Greenville. Check out their full menu here.
Liz Gunn is a wife, mom, author, businesswoman, travel enthusiast, food snob, fashionista, lover of great wine and the No. 1 Gamecock football fan … ever. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she lives in Columbia, S.C. with her husband and daughter.
36 comments
“Eggs Up” sounds like a low rent strip join to me, but hey, what do I know? Btw, tried the Mediterranean Tea Room mentioned in your other column, it was pretty good.
I’m picturing a wrinkled old stripper coughing and then saying with a low-pitch smoker’s voice: “I’ll give you an over easy for $40.” Thanks for that.
I was working on a variation of “Bottom’s up”, playing off the fact that bad strippers usually have fried egg looking tits…but your picture is equally inspiring.
It’s the breakfast special at the Clermont Club… 2 eggs overly easy, fat back, a bowl of busted cherries with a side of furry biscuits.
You’re kidding, right? They’ve been serving that flavorless slop at the beach for years now. If you are an OLD yankee, check it out. Otherwise, ignore this ridiculous fluff piece. Only in Columbia…
this liz gunn is a POOR imitation of the real one: the lesbian astrologer from henderson, nc.
You googled me…I’m flattered :)
Do you play chess?
From a Facebook post of hers today: “How do I rely 100% on my inner guidance at ALL times to lead the way – into territory not yet identified by current paradigms??” That’s some Chopra-level bullshit right thurr.
After spending another weekend in Atlanta, I was again reminded of how much of a spit on the map Columbia really is.
Tell us more about this magical utopia known as “Atlanta”, oh suave world-traveler!
lol, exactly…I was about to respond “enjoy your 2 hour commute in once you hit the city outskirts”, but figured you’d appreciate it more.
Never called Atlanta a utopia, I just get a kick out of the CVB trying to convince everyone that Columbia is a “world class city”.
It is, in the same way Bagdad is.
I always ate well in Baghdad…
I don’t know, sir…they put raisins in the rice. That’s just not natural…
You’re talking about quzi or tablet. You do have to know what to order. Kebab, masgouf, hummus
That I am- Quzi, hummus, shawarma, goat, lamb, and pickled turnips…all of it. Not only did I not leave anything in Iraq I feel compelled to go back and pick up, but they can keep their “cuisine” too. Chicken biryani is OK (only because it’s basically Indian chicken bog). Give me a nice steak any day… ;-)
Not sure if it’s even still open, but did you ever try the Lebanese place on St. Andrews just up from Simm’s Music?
You’re talking about “Elle’s”. It’s ok. Really though I’ve had better in other metropolis’s.
It’s weird because I’m pretty sure the old man is first generation too. They have good kebob’s(bab’s?), they make real tea with mint which is good too, but the hummus wasn’t spectacular. The baba ganoush is just ok too, the Mediterranean Team’s room was better.
We don’t have a lot of choices in Columbia as far as Med. food goes. Those two are both ok, but not quite as authentic as I’ve had or top notch. Then again, I’ve never been over to the M.E. to enjoy the food there so I don’t have as good as a frame of reference as Colonel.
EGGS UP is an exceptionally good chain of restaurants. Just ate at the one in Garden City a week ago. Just as with the others in the area, the food, service and ambiance were superb!
I like to go in, and make a meal out of ketchup and water.
That would make you their favorite customer.
You could help them further if you sat at a table near the door and chatted everyone up coming and going.
I’m too shy.
WOOOOO..
Good hangover food; It’s been in Mt P for at least 2 years. Nobody wrote an article about it.
Sorry.They can’t touch Waffle House at 2 AM,Sunday.Hot redneck guys,and everything.
So the choice is hot redneck guys at Waffle House or Old Yankees at Eggs Up? I will take my chances at Eggs Up. At least Liz will be there.
That country skillet stuff is pretty good with ketchup… but by the time it comes, I have to wait for them to bring me another bottle.
Does Fits pay for your meal(and family) or do you write it off on your taxes?
Neither currently, but thanks for the suggestion. Free meals always taste a little better. I’ll look into it.
I love that the Eggs Up at Pawley ‘ s has the Ten Commandments posted outside…
food is way tooooooo slow there for a breakfast joint. they need to step up the kitchen cook time
For what it’s worth, I was told they’re are working to improve ticket times without sacrificing food quality. Just takes time with a new kitchen and staff. One more reason I usually wait a bit longer to try out a new restaurant!
Can you write a column about how NONE of the waitstaff at ANY of the area watering holes, with a decent beer selection, know a damn thing about beer?
Tell me about it! Even bars that consider themselves “Tap Rooms” or “Biergartens”…it’s beyond annoying. The only answer is to go sit at the counter at Conquest, River Rat or Craft & Draft.
Seems to me like willful ignorance on part of the waitstaff and negligence on part of the general managers who allow the staff to remain ignorant. I’d be surprised if any of the waitstaff at the Flying Saucer or World Of Beer could tell you the difference between a Belgian Quadrupel and a Weizenbier. Columbia continues to pretend to be a world class city.