Restaurants/Food

Consumer Stories

Repurposed gas station pumps out cool treats in Warrenville

Fill ‘er up takes on a whole new meaning at the former location of a Golden Pantry gas and convenience store in Warrenville. On a hot summer day, when the humidity is so thick you can cut it with a knife, Frozen Delights can probably offer instant relief. Owner, Anthony Simpkins serves 21 different flavors of a unique version of Italian shaved ice that’s straight outta Philly. He hails from the City of Brotherly Love, where the water ice confection is as popular as popsicles and ice cream cones and

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: O’Charley’s

Editor’s Note: Our regular lunch reviewer, Wes Hennings, is taking a few weeks of paternity leave. While we assume he is still eating something, somewhere, he won’t be writing about it while he’s off duty. Meanwhile, ABD editor, Gary Kauffman will pinch-hit with the reviews of his lunches with a colleague, as a way to advise our business community on the good, the bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let the restaurant know where he is going; his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he

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Consumer Stories

Checkers’ artificial intelligence drive-thru ordering system passes accuracy test

When I heard Checkers was now using an artificial intelligence-based ordering system in its drive-thru, I wondered about its accuracy, so I decided to put it to the test. The first time I visited the Wrightsboro Road location across the street from the mall, I sat in line for several minutes waiting to place my order. But the line wasn’t moving, so I became impatient and left. To be fair, I went during the lunch rush, when most fast-food drive-thru lines are wrapped around the building. When my wife, Rebecca,

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Consumer Stories

Downtown restaurant survives Covid, revamps menu

Covid nearly forced a downtown restaurant to close its doors, which prompted its owners to make some changes. For many years, The Bee’s Knees located at 211 10th St., was a tapas bar, but it’s now a gourmet tea and coffee shop that serves vegetarian and vegan comfort foods, according to General Manager, John Porter. The eatery also sells a variety of non-food items, such as vintage vinyl records, CBD oils, and houseplants. The Bee’s Knees menu includes biscuits, burrito wraps, hummus, and baked goods. The restaurant also serves alcoholic

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Cheeseburger Bobby’s

Editor’s Note: Our regular lunch reviewer, Wes Hennings, is taking a few weeks of paternity leave. While we assume he is still eating something, somewhere, he won’t be writing about it while he’s off duty. Meanwhile, ABD editor, Gary Kauffman will pinch-hit with the reviews of his lunches with a colleague, as a way to advise our business community on the good, the bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let the restaurant know where he is going; his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he

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Consumer Stories

Upscale chophouse to open in SRP Park

Imagine visiting a local steakhouse that offers valet parking. In September, Terry and Cimberlie Brinkley plan to launch that kind of steakhouse in SRP Park in North Augusta. Brinkley’s Chophouse will be located close to the Augusta GreenJackets ballpark at 1031 Center St. Terry said the restaurant will serve a variety of steaks, duck, fish, and chicken dishes. Brinkley’s will feature an extensive wine list. It will also offer private dining for local organizations. He refers to the restaurant concept as “mid-range fine dining,” which means the menu will include

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Antonio’s Italian Eatery

Editor’s Note: Our regular lunch reviewer, Wes Hennings, is taking a few weeks of paternity leave. While we assume he is still eating something, somewhere, he won’t be writing about it while he’s off duty. Meanwhile, ABD editor, Gary Kauffman will pinch-hit with the reviews of his lunches with a colleague, as a way to advise our business community on the good, the bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let the restaurant know where he is going; his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he

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Consumer Stories

Popular restaurant to expand with new south Augusta location

South Augusta residents will soon have a new dining option that won’t require a trip to Columbia County or South Carolina. That Flippin’ Egg, which already has locations on Washington Road in Evans and Richland Avenue in Aiken, plans to open its third location at 3313 Mike Padgett Highway just off Interstate 520. A restaurant employee said they’re not sure when it will open, but it could be as early as this week. That Flippin’ Egg serves a variety of breakfast and lunch items, including pancakes, waffles, and omelets, as

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Mellow Mushroom

Editor’s Note: Our regular lunch reviewer, Wes Hennings, is taking a few weeks of paternity leave. While we assume he is still eating something, somewhere, he won’t be writing about it while he’s off duty. Meanwhile, ABD editor, Gary Kauffman will pinch-hit with the reviews of his lunches with a colleague, as a way to advise our business community on the good, the bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let the restaurant know where he is going; his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he

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Consumer Stories

State-of-the-art Dunkin’ opens in Grovetown

People on their way to work in Grovetown won’t have an excuse to not be awake with the opening of a new downtown Dunkin’. The new facility will open on Friday at 5225 Wrightsboro Road near Walmart. The new store will feature Dunkin’s next-generation design, with a modern atmosphere and innovative technologies. “Dunkin’s next-generation stores have been exceedingly well-received, and we are proud to bring this innovative restaurant to the community,” said franchisee, Peter Patel. “The new, modern design and technology updates will grab the attention of Dunkin’ fans old and

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