I really had hoped for a bit more from this place, especially since I'd been here once two years ago and really enjoyed it. But my most recent visit was a bit of a disappointment. To start, the night I'd chosen to go was a "live music" night, which I was excited for, as it adds a bit of atmosphere and vivacity to a night out. Unfortunately, the volume was so excessive it was impossible to talk to anyone at my table except the person immediately next to me, and that was with raising our voices. Secondly, I came on "Craft on Draft night" which also advertises $1 bud light drafts! I ordered one, and the waitress didn't ask if I wanted draft or bottle and proceeded to bring a bottle for which I was charged $2.75. I certainly wouldn't have ordered a bud light if I hadn't been sure it would only be $1, as that is a value I can get behind. Thirdly, when we asked for "split checks" the waitress brought two checks, assuming we were two couples, without asking at all. When I then asked for actual split checks as we gave our debit cards, she then decided to split our checks down the middle rather than actually splitting based on what we individually ordered. I did not ask to pay half of my mate's meal. Finally, the food was mediocre. My friend and I both ordered burgers "medium" and received them well done. Otherwise the food was alright, but if not cooked to specification, certainly not worth the $11 pricetag. Altogether, not a great value and a bit of a disappointment. I don't think I'll be back. read more

We came here for dinner while visiting family is SC. Awesome wings & burgers! The pretzel bun is perfect! read more

Polliwogs - Best burger!! - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

We've been here twice and I'd classify the food as pretty decent bar food, slightly better than your typical bar grub. I really enjoyed the food both times, good sandwiches and excellent sweet potato fries. As for the service and atmosphere, it's just okay. We got the strong impression that this is a very local-oriented establishment, and we aren't locals. The service has been cordial but not friendly, and a bit slow. Once we waited for 10 minutes on the patio before anybody came to help us, and it was not busy at all. I would go back here to eat, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so. read more

Best burger ever! I tried the hangover burger and it came with chefs blue cheese and Cajun chicken Mac and cheese as a side. I loved it. Good atmosphere too! read more

The service is great, this spot captures the southern hospitality and total atmosphere. The veranda is beautiful. I enjoyed a Sunday brunch, eggs Benedict. The coffee served was a special blend of a sweet Italian roast(elli). The cost is low read more

See all

The food was pretty good, I didn't care for the tacos I got, the grilled chicken had no flavor but I did enjoy my garden salad and the buffalo chicken dip. Loved the big drink cups too. read more

See all

The tiny over-priced steak came covered in a sauce which was not how it was listed on the menu, the mountain of mac and cheese came in its own puddle of grease, half the items on the menu they were out of, the "fried" okra wasn't breaded or fried, the server rushed us in and out. Good beer, but that's really it. Bad décor, bad food, bad service, not friendly or welcoming at all..we sat ourselves and the tables and chairs looked like they were wiped down with a dirty rag. read more

Mommy first time here, ordered hot and lemon garlic wings and it was delicious! I recommend this restaurant if you're in the area. read more

Polliwogs - Delicious hot and lemon garlic pepper wings! Perfectly cooked and right size! - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

I ordered the Palmetto Philly since it was recommended by the waitress. My side choice was raw fries The steak and pimento cheese had really good flavor. Unfortunately that was it. The sandwich as a whole was very dry. The "raw" fries were not raw at all. They were hard fried potato chips. At a price tag of 13.59 for this meal I'm disappointed to say the least. Polliwogs made a bad first impression on this customer. read more

Great food, great and often unique specials, great staff. Been going there for years, and it's one of the friendliest places around. Many regulars, and we are always happy to see new folks come to the Wog. read more

No A/C. Rundown. Minimalistic. Get a burger and get a packet of ketchup and mustard. Ballparks do as well.

We walked in and the music was so loud (we had to shout at each other across a small table) that we asked if it would be OK for us to sit on the porch. The waitress said, "Sure! I'll be out there in a minute to bring you some menus." We find a spot on the porch and wait about 15 minutes before boyfriend goes in to find a waitress. While I'm waiting 4 people come out onto the porch to smoke and boyfriend still has not come back so I went inside. He had not found a waitress that would give him the time of day so we left. I doubt I will go back. This was my second time there and the food last time was not at all memorable or noteworthy. read more

Its good. Dont come after 7pm if youre bringing the kids. It is a bar so remember that. The food is good. Price is affordable for 2 entrees and an appetizer. The atmosphere really made me think I was at Charleston. read more

The hubby and I had been looking forward to trying Polliwog's based on it's "local" attitude, the menu we browsed online and all of the good reviews it received. Maybe we caught it on a bad night, but we certainly won't be going back to try again. The atmosphere wasn't quite what I expected. I was anticipating a low-country, southern, local-themed dining room, but was instead greeted by a mix-and-match bar atmosphere. We were instructed to seat ourselves, so we wandered outside in hopes of being able to enjoy the pleasant weather. Sadly however, smoking is permitted outside, even though food is still being served. So we settled for a table in upper portion of the (dark) dining room. Our waitress was a sweetie - greeted us very quickly and welcomed us warmly. She is why Polliwog's is getting 1 star. She was superb - quick, efficient and always pleasant. Hubby built his own burger for his entree and ordered fries as the side. He asked for a medium cook and as he ate towards the center, he said it was more and more red and a bit to cold for his liking. He was only able to stomach eating around the outside where it was cooked properly. The fries were decent, although a bit soggy. The fried green tomato and few onion rings on his burger were also decent. I ordered the grilled fish tacos with sour cream and guacamole on the side. My meal also came with tortilla chips and salsa as an appetizer. I was pleasantly surprised that the chips were warm, but quickly saddened by the fact that the salsa tasted exactly like the salsa I buy at the grocery store. So much for local-fare. Once my tacos arrived, I actually had to check to see if there was indeed any fish on the tortilla. There was a lot of mixed greens, grated cheese (again, strikingly similar to the kind you buy pre-packaged at the store), and salsa, but not much fish at all. The guacamole, served in a little throw-away plastic dish, was clearly squeezed out of bag. Local? Not so much. All things considered, my entree was alright. I'm glad I didn't pay more than $10 for it though. Polliwog's seems like a good place to go for the bar atmosphere and maybe to catch a game with some friends, but not much more than that unfortunately. read more

I stopped in for dinner at Polliwogs (gotta love that name!) while visiting my sister in Columbia recently, and I'd have to say that I left satisfied. They take great pride in being "local" here, and I can appreciate that as a guy with a lot of local pride himself (though my local ties are clearly not in Columbia, SC itself). Regardless, they try to use largely local ingredients when preparing their dishes and their beer menu features a heavy dose of NC and SC microbrews (score!). The menu items are largely of the southern flair and include jambalaya, grits, bayou chicken pasta, sandwiches, tacos, and burgers. With respect to those microbrews, there are numerous RJ Rockers brews (from Spartanburg, SC), Thomas Creek selections (from Greenville, NC) as well as Sweetwater representing Atlanta and Duck Rabbit hailing from Farmville, NC. On the evening of our visit, I opted for the tilapia poboy with a side of Cajun broccoli. The poboy was delicious as the tilapia was only lightly fried, the bread was doughy and tasty, and the sauce was not overpowering but added the right amount of pop. The Cajun broccoli was good, but perhaps only because I like broccoli regardless (the "Cajun" portion of the dish appeared to be only some spices thrown on and perhaps baking rather than steaming the vegetable). Others at my table opted for a hamburger, another poboy, and a French dip, and all were quite satisfied. As for ambiance, it seems as though Polliwogs is going for an island or low country type of theme. There is a very nice porch area which would be great on a summer evening, but unfortunately the restaurant is on a busy highway which kind of dampens the mood. Nevertheless, I love me a good porch and this place has got one. There is not as much seating inside as you would expect, but there is a good mix of tables and high tops with a decently sized bar in the center of the restaurant. The crowd was mostly middle-aged individuals which was a little surprising to me as I expected a younger crowd for some reason. There were clearly a lot of locals and frequent fliers, which is probably a good sign. Live music is offered most Fridays, and there was actually a band named "Weekend Bender" set to perform the night we visited. However, even though the band arrived at the exact same time we did, they were just finishing setting up when we were leaving (and we took our time!). It seemed like they were more likely coming off a bender than just getting into one... All in all, this is not a bad spot to stop for a bite to eat and a drink, especially on a nice summer evening when you can sit out on the porch and enjoy some live music. Random tidbit, this place reminded me a lot of Howard's Pub on Ocracoke Island (probably because of the porch and island type theme). I'm potentially the only person in the world that has visited both restaurants, but figured I'd throw it out there in case there's another one of us out there! read more

DISGUSTING. The whole restaurant is falling apart. Tiles are missing from the fireplace, the carpets look like a pack of dogs have rolled all over them, and that bathroom! YUCK! Food is never right, drinks are weak, poor service. I have literally no nice things to say about this place. read more

I think that Polliwogs, so far, is my favorite place to eat in Columbia. We had been wanting to go to this place for a while, and when we did, we were not let down. The bartender recommended a local IPA and it was very delicious. We ordered the Spicy Chicken Dip for an appetizer, and it was fantastic. It tasted very homemade! I ordered the Carolina Cuban with Sweet Potato Fries...the Cuban was a perfect melody of sweet and savory, the pork was tender and flavorful, and the fries were addicting! My boyfriend ordered the Boss Hogg Burger with Mac and Cheese. I had a taste, and it was the best tasting burger I've had! And the Mac tasted just like my Mom's. The outside porch is great, we sat outside while it rained on the tin roof...now that's Southern Comfort! I just hate that such a place like this has such terrible scenery, like a nice view of Two Notch.. You can definitely tell this food is fresh and homemade. I would definitely recommend this place to locals if you haven't been, or a MUST go to for visitors! read more

Polliwogs is one of the best bars ive been to. The food and drinks are great, as well as the bartenders and servers.

Service was mediocre. The place was pretty much empty and it took over 1o minutes for the appetizers, then 20 minutes more for the entrees. Fries were cold, service, slow and barely came over to check on us. Wings were good, but for the price, no way will we step foot in there again. read more

Been in Columbia a few months now been all up and down two notch eating and never knew what this place was..... lol thought it was closed down looking... Boy was I wrong... best wings and burger I've had since I left Atlanta. Will be back to visit real soon. read more

Really good food! My husband had an amazing chicken sandwich and the "natural fries" which were like potato chips. I had the Poboy with Tilapia, and our friend had the pasta with chicken & andouille sausage. High quality ingredients, excellent flavor. Atmosphere is fun, clean, and they have a TON of TVs. Would be a great place to watch football on Sundays. Highly recommend. read more

Awesome food and vibe. Drinks are affordable and the staff is wonderful. Perfect combination of a family restaurant and chill bar.

The food and service here was mediocre. Nothing terrible, but nothing that stood out either. I had chips n salsa with a fish taco and pulled pork taco. read more

Friendly, fun, great local place. Definitely get the Fried Oysters in hot wing sauce and their version of fried okra.

The food is pure crap and will give you food poisoning. It's all microwaved and processed. I think they only thing they do well is their fried pickles. Ordered the mahi mahi the first time and it smelled like pure ass. I didn't even eat it. It literally smelled like ass and tasted like ass. Probably the most disgusting fish I've ever ordered. My roommate ordered the flounder and it came out in a processed fashion with two patties. Also, the country fried steak gave me food poisoning. The gravy was microwaved and was so bland and processed that it felt almost wrong to not return it. I shut my mouth and ate it, but later I regretted it heavily. The served our shots in plastic mini cups, and in there, a few of the idiot locals stared at me for so long that I had to ask them if they had a problem. The bar is filled with old people who drink all day and they will sit right beside you while they're yelling at someone right next to them. The waitresses act like they don't want to take your order or provide you with additional services.. such as refills, and they always ask, "are you sure you don't need anything else before I leave again", like they don't want to walk 20ft back to your table. They need the exercise, trust me. Oh, and the sodas are served in mason jars. That's kinda cool I guess, because you get more soda on average, but that would explain the heftiness of some of the waitresses. Again, the fried pickles are immaculate, but the food will leave you shitting all night. Don't eat anything except for the fried pickles. read more

Nice people. Great trivia on monday nite. Weekends are good especially when USC plays. Wed nite is Tokyo Joe. A bit loud but plays a good few sets. All the stafg are great. read more

Polliwogs - a man standing at a bar - New American Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

See all

Ate their today, we were the only customers at noon except for a guy at the bar. The game didn't start until 1 so maybe the crowd was due in later. Looks like a great place to watch sports with a bunch of tvs. I had the polliwog platter, 2 Mac and cheese with bacon dogs and fries. The fries were cold, the dogs pretty good but messy. The rest had burgers, all wanted medium, but all were over cooked. They said it was still good. My son didn't get his fried okra, my daughter in law asked for her egg over easy and it was overdone. I doubt we will return Still wondering why they were empty at lunch. read more

This place is amazing and uses fresh and local ingredients! Highly recommend this place!

Love the Shrimp Po' Boy here. We get it every time! The service can be hit or miss.

Tried it this afternoon. Like was mentioned by others, there were only a couple of cars in the parking lot but we went in and sat down anyway. Ordered the Chicago dog and a Dorchester dog And they were both very good. Also ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich And the pretzel bun was very very good. We plan on going back to Polliwogs in the future. read more

I'll have to go back to give a decent review. We had lunch on Saturday and it was bare. Had the wings and fries which were awesome, as expected. The crab melt and chefs Mac and Cheese weren't too impressive. read more

Excellent bar food with a friendly atmosphere. I had a Cuban sandwich with homemade onion rings.... I am still dreaming of those onion rings! My companion had a shrimp po'boy that looked delicious. I will definitely visit Polliwogs again during my next trip to Elgin, SC. I hear they are 'the' place to go for late night food and drinks! read more

Love this place. My husband and I just discovered it a few weeks ago and they are awesome! By far our favorite place to get wings. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is only because it sometimes takes a while to get our food but I know that's just because they make it fresh. We will be going here frequently! Love it read more

Recently two of us had dinner here for the first time in order to use a Living Social coupon that was about to expire. Our overall experience was good, but could be improved. I would have given 3.5 stars if that was an option. First of all, the polliwogsc.com website is out of date. It states that Tuesday is buy one burger & get the second half off. Negatory. We found that out after ordering two burgers. The meat was cooked exactly to order and looked very nice. However, it was rather dry and the taste was bland. The burger garnishment was unusual and very good - mixed greens, friend green tomato and onion rings. Every burger comes with a choice of several side items. We got fried okra and mac-and-cheese, both of which were very good. Happy Hour prices were good for what we ordered. Well drinks were $2.75 and wine was $5.00 for a 8oz glass. BTW, the large outdoor porch looked inviting but we skipped it when we found out that smoking was allowed there. We might visit again to try some of the many local dishes that looked interesting. Since I like beer and this is a "beer garden", I will try a Wednesday when all the many draft microbrews are only $3. read more

Food is always good here. We are locals, the service has been bad for the past three times. I ordered a beer from our waitress and after a long wait I was told the keg was being changed and it would be a few minutes. After ten long minutes she came back with half a beer and said it was free because end of keg. She did not ask if I wanted a full beer or something else. At that point we asked for the tab, no way we were waiting around to eat after that. The check came with the half beer on it.She did not give us itemized receipt. When we asked about the charges, she sheepishly said she was told to charge us for the beer by bartender. The last time this bartender worked, he mixed us and a couple next to us drinks in which there was plastic in the drinks. He said someone broke it the night before and nobody told him. He charged us for all drinks. Tonite was a slow Sun.nite. Why would a restaurant with such good food risk their reputation with a bartender who seems to manage the place without a consideration to the long term rep of the place. read more

Great food and excellent service. I eat lunch here pretty often and it's always good. I have been wanting to try out this place in the evening to see how it is. They always have something going on in the evening so it should be a good time. read more

The last few times we have been for Sunday brunch, the service has been slow, the restaurant smelled like cigarettes and mold, and the food has been sub par. read more

Very good staff!!but prices for burgers is redicoulis!!no way it can be higher than downtown cola!!do not order the jalapeño burger not worth 13$... read more

Went on a Sunday night at 6. I ordered the shrimp and grits. Unfortunately the grits we're not done and way to sweet. The service was slow but very nice. It could of just been a bad time of day so I will give it another try when they are a little busier. This might not make sense but sometimes when restaurants are busy things are better. read more

Have been to Polliwogs for lunch several times now. LOL our waitress has our drinks ready before we get to our table. I've tried several things on the menu and haven't been disappointed yet. I will say they have the BEST onion rings in town. They are handmade and you can tell it. Also if they happen to have the Chicken Fried BLT on their specials menu don't hesitate, get it. YUM! Love this place. read more