Our new favorite place for steak and seafood! Perfectly cooked ribeye, hubby had the Charleston trio of crab cake, blackened flounder and shrimp and all three were perfect. We're new to this area and glad to find such a place. Our server, Lily, was very attentive and all the staff was friendly and helpful. The one negative, there is only a one stall bathroom. Not really enough for a restaurant where the parking lot is cram-packed with cars. read more

We had a party of 14 and called to make reservations (ahead of time)and they told us they did not do reservations so we showed up early and waited in line outside in the heat. After waiting we get inside and tell them we have 14 people they then say we have to wait for an hour or we have to split up. There were clearly tables open so then we ask her about those tables and she says the tables have different servers and she would have to ask about those so we asked her to go ask about those tables. When she gets back the tables are taken up except for two of them so 8 of the 14 were able to eat the others just left. Although the food was pretty good the service made it absolutely terrible. I will not eat here ever again. Also an elderly lady asked for her husbands steak to be cut up who had suffered from a stroke and they refused to cut the steak.That was absolutely ridiculous and rude! read more

Was a favorite. Been there many times our only complaint has been the long waits no matter when we show up. Tonight was the worst . They open at 4 and we arrived at 4:30. We were prepared for an hour wait however due to cold weather the crowd seemed a little off wait time quoted 45 minutes which was expected 45 minutes later we were told an additional hour . How this was handled is the issue. We asked for a manager we were not impressed. While we are not completely sure what happened it's obvious that a mistake was made. No accommodation was offered just take it or leave it. Granted there was a large waiting list so he did not feel compelled to offer a solution . His condescending attitude showed that. In the end we left . Birthday Celebration spoiled . We will not be back and intend to tell all our circle of friends of our treatment. I know this place has been popular for sometime however if they treat customers this way it will not last forever . I tell the people who work for me We can not afford one dissatisfied customer. Carolina Cafe just got 6 at once. read more

We were there on a Thursday night. There was only a 15 minute wait on a Thursday so it seems as though a lot of people had already learned what we were about to find out. Our server was great and promptly took our food and drink orders. Drinks came, salads came and then...nothing...the table behind us and the table beside us, who were seated well after us already had their main entrees. My husband inquired about our meals. After about 10 more minutes 3 of the 4 dishes came out. My husbands did not and it was the special. By the time his came out we were almost half finished with our meals and his was prepared wrong. Our server asked to take it back and have it recooked but given the time that it had already taken he declined and just had the shrimp and a couple bites of his potato. The "manager", who turned out to be the owner came over. My husband was pretty upset and pointed out to her how the food and service has been continually declining since they have taken over. Obviously, this pissed her off. He said he wasnt paying full price for his dinner. She took the bill and "itemized" the portions that he did eat, returning a bill that was just $2 shy of the full price special. More words were had between them and he ended up saying "this will be the last $50 you get from me" and her response was "Good. I hope you never come back". We have been loyal customers to Carolina Cafe and mistakes happen in every customer service environment but the way things are handled speaks volumes. From looking at several of the more recent facebook reviews it appears that maybe Dana should not have any customer interaction if she would like to keep the ones that still come. read more

Waited 45 minutes as I found that since we had a stroller they had to"put us out of the way" we were seated in a booth that was beside the waitress station. This space required parking our stroller with infant inside next to the waitress station which had pitchers of tea and water. Asked if we could move to the next booth which was open and was told firmly NO fire hazard. Even though they had tables with extra chairs being used and blocking isles. Not child friendly at all first and last time to go there. Did not stay for food as to dangerous to hav infant next to the waitress station. read more

Love this place. The salads are amazing. The ribs drop off the bone. The Charleston Grouper blackened is amazing.

NO complaints here. Great food, better than average service and a neat and tidy building out on Thickety Mountain. We were seated immediately and brought our iced tea and coffee. Both were above average. Our rib eye meal started with a very large garden salad with home made dressing. Ours was blue cheese and it was among the best I've ever eaten with huge chunks of cheese. The steaks were done as ordered and didn't need any A-1. The 'sides' were baked potato, baked sweet potato, broccoli and cheese grits. The decor is 'modern lodge' with a lot of varnished wood. The restaurant is primarily a steak and seafood house rather than a cafe, but they also offer some pastas, soups, salad and barbecue. The deserts looked good but we didn't try them, too full. If I had any suggestion for improvement it would be to put rolls or some other bread on the table instead of saltine crackers. Prices ran $10 to $23 for the 20 oz T bone, "big Chief". Tuesday is rib eye night; an 8 oz steak, large salad and a side for $9.99. This was my first time here and I'll be back for sure. read more

Most amazing food in the upstate. The ribs and killer shrimp are to die for. The wait is sometimes long, but if you come at about 7 or 8 you won't have to wait long at all read more

Great dinner spot. Thursday steak and shrimp special is awesome. The killer shrimp are amazing!!! You must get them! To top it off, we had the best waitress. She was so nice and perfectly attentive without being overbearing. Will definitely come back! read more

We went today to try this restaurant, arrived 6pm, book for a table for 5 person, 3 kids ages 5,4 and 2months old which is in stroller. Called many group of people, when my husband ask why our name was not being called yet with the same number of people they said because we have stroller. Then called around 6:45pm was very shocked they want to seat us to the very corner where there is a space that my baby stroller can barely fit on it and beside with it is a table where the waitresses took their drinks, plates, utensils to serve. I asked them nicely if we can sit on the other table beside it as there is no one sitting on it, they said you cannot because you have stroller! So i guess this restaurant is not a child friendly environment. So to those who have a kid with stroller don't bother to eat here, you will feel humiliated and discriminated will never come back nor recommend this restaurant to a family, friends and colleagues. read more

Giving this one star is generous. My co-workers and I chose Carolina Cafe for our annual Christmas dinner. The first negative is you can't call ahead for seating. Then we had one girl go ahead to put us on the list while we closed the office. Well they wouldn't even allow us to put a name on the list without every person in our party there. So after a hour and 20 minute wait, they sat 5 of us at a small square 4 person table. The waitress comes out to take our order... we all order and inform her we were going to place to go orders as well. She said that was fine. She comes back to tell us they were out of filets. We all re-order and she shortly comes back to tell us they are out of baked potatoes! (Which later another waitress would tell us there were plenty of potatoes but the cooks don't put them in the oven when they should) eventually we get our food and it was definitely not worth the price you pay! We finished up and they bring out our to go orders on plates! We told the girl (who was not our waitress) that those were supposed to be to go. She very rudely replies they don't do to go orders on the weekdays. I said okay well why didn't the waitress tell us that? She snaps back with an attitude that they don't do to go orders because they are busy and backed up. I have never dealt with a more rude person in my life! Then all the other waitresses got in a little huddle and talked and stared. Then would come stand close to our table to hear what was being said. We finally got out to go orders boxed up ourselves which wasn't easy seeing as we were at an entirely too small table and none of our dishes had been removed all night. We counted 16 glasses before we left. As we go to leave the attitude continued when they said come back to see us to which we replied we definitely will not be back. And the little girl replied "personally I don't care if you come back or not" oh and to add to this I asked for a manager when the initial problems began just to be told they don't have one?! If you want to be talked to disrespectfully and eat terrible food then this is the restaurant for you. Otherwise you would be better off at McDonald's! read more

Went to Carolina Cafe for birthday party. Will not be back. Worst service ever. Manager wouldn't serve last 2 guests in party because they were little later getting to party. Owner said that it is his policy. read more

This was our first visit and we have no complaints. Food was great, portions were large and the staff was very friendly and attentive to our needs, even as they were jam packed and busy. I had the Killer Combo (ribs and grilled shrimp) and my wife had the Crab Cakes and grilled shrimp. Thanks Lindsey for being a great waitress! Unless you enjoy waiting, go early or go late, it's not a large facility. We got there at opening time and there was already a line formed waiting to get in. If you have a large group, go someplace else to eat or split up, otherwise, you're probably in for a long wait. I will definitely patronize this restaurant again. I've seen other post about the staff being unfriendly and uncaring, but we did not see any issues with the staff or waitresses. Everyone was very friendly! read more

This establishment, is often VERY packed. Calling ahead of time, would definitely be my suggestion. But there is no doubt that it is some of the best food around. Will definitely be going back soon! read more

I was invitred toddinner at the Carolina Cafe by friends who live in the Gaffney area! Wow what a treat!!! Great scenic location and fabulous food!! Get there early or be prepared for a wait! I had the blackened grouper,crab cake, and shrimp in cream sauce, HEAVENLY, is the only word to decribe it! I have already asked my children to take me back there for my birthday in July! Can't wait! read more

My fiancée and I went here for the first time this weekend. After reading the reviews and the menu descriptions, we were so anxious to taste the food. After waiting for an hour, the waitress comes to take our drink order;,after 10 minutes of waiting I had to ask her for our drinks. I ordered the medallions, which came out warm not hot, they were not cooked to medium (as requested) more like well, they were tough, and my sweet potato did not even come with butter or cinnamon. Also they brought my steak without my a knife to cut it with, had to use a butter knife. One of the waitress' said she'd bring me a steak knife and I never saw her again. Must have been smoke break time. Needless to say, very disappointing experience. The extra napkins they gave us looked like they had blood on them! Disgusting! Children were banging their cups on the table/parents not doing anything, just throwing back the beer and cocktails. Food was I guess fine, but we would not run to Carolina Cafe or ever wait in the line. I don't see what all the raving reviews were about. Hare and the Hound and Smokehouse in Landrum have Carolina Cafe beat by a mile. read more