Editor’s Note:
Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.
Food Quality: 5
Service: 4
Business Meeting: 3
Value: 5
Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5
I’ve lived on the South Carolina side of the river for nearly a decade now, and North Augusta folk are funny about their restaurants. Some want sit-down chains, others want only local establishments, but it seems like everyone wants some more options. So when Freddy’s announced they were coming to Martintown Road, I was anxious to see the reception.
Never would I have anticipated that for weeks, the drive-through line would be into the road and you would wait for a seat inside a counter service fast-casual chain. What seemed like a gross overreaction from the inside made more sense when we finally ventured in to taste their wares.
The menu reminds me of the other ‘steak burger’ diner chain that is ubiquitous in its offering of burgers, fries, and ice cream. While the alternative seems to be lacking lately when you try to get a steak and a shake, Freddy’s felt fresh and original. I had the double with bacon and loyal readers won’t be surprised that my wife had a chicken sandwich.
The meat on the burger was just right – crisp edges but juicy on the inside. My wife also raved about her chicken. However, the start of the plate was the shoestring fries, cooked crisp and served in a bounty. She had ordered cheese curds, which weren’t really worth the upgrade, and in true spouse fashion, tended to just grab fries from my pile.
Of course, we also had to try the frozen custard, and our chocolate custard shake was like drinking from a tub of the grocery store’s fines–thick and chocolatey and served with a large sipping straw. The frozen menu is expansive, so don’t worry, I’ll be returning to make sure I’ve sampled each of the items for you. I guess it’s just the price I’ll pay for my craft.
In fact, between this first visit and my deadline, we actually headed back to Freddy’s for another pass. I tried the patty melt which I didn’t like as much and seemed a bit overcooked, but the fries and the brownie concrete more than made up for any deficit. It is starting to make sense why the lines have stayed long. I also added onion rings on this visit, which are worth trying as well.
I had only previously encountered Freddy’s on a drive through Columbia, but it’s a chain that found its way here from Kansas and is one of the fastest-growing franchises around. So, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if before long you don’t have to trek to North Augusta to find a Freddy’s in the CSRA. Until then, however, it’s worth venturing into the Palmetto State and possibly facing a bit of a wait to get a taste of the area’s newest burger and shake joint.
Freddy’s
505 E Martintown Road
North Augusta
www.freddys.com
