Totally loving this place!!!!! Start off with the poppy seed rolls and honey butter!! The calabash chicken is great!! Both my kids loved it!! Wings were really great too!! Mild sauce is yummy!! The bourbon ribs are the most amazing find in this place!! They are fall-off-the-bone delicious!! Finger-licking-good!!! Just put the fork down and indulge yourself!!! If you are looking for a salad dressing, the balsamic is the best!! But the ranch and honey mustard aren't too bad either!!
(5)
Ellen L.
Traveling on I-85, we decided to stop for lunch at Fatz, Exit 19-B. It is just off the exit (but does sit back off the road a bit). We have never been to a Fatz restaurant before, and we were not disappointed. Our server, Liz, was wonderful. Great personality, very professional and attentive. As soon as we were seated and ordered our drinks, she brought a basket of deep-fried poppy seed rolls, along with honey butter, to the table. They were really so good, I probably could have made a meal out of them! There were three of us, and we all ordered the Calabash Combo, which has both chicken and shrimp. Calabash is soaked in buttermilk for 24 hours, then breaded and fried. One side dish was included in the very reasonable price of $10.98. The portion size was good. We would definitely come back again! Great food, great service, and only one drawback to our experience. The food took a very long time to come out of the kitchen. We visited on a Monday, and it was not very busy.
(4)
Gregory H.
We stopped here while traveling, and the service was amazing. We had to leave our dog outside while we ate, and the servers took her water and gave us updates throughout the meal. The food was great, and the service even better!
(5)
Wendy V.
It was lunch time in the middle of an 8 hour drive home, so my family & I started looking for a place to grab a quick bite. What we found was Fatz. Not exactly quick, but well worth the wait. We had not been to a Fatz before, but the reviews sounded promising. The deep fried poppyseed rolls that are brought to the table are like little pillows of scrumptiousness and with the whipped honey butter...yummy beyond words. We each decided on the Calabash Combo, mine with the mac & cheese, theirs with the bacon cheese fries. The chicken was crispy & crunchy on the outside and very moist & tender on the inside. The shrimp was light & crisp, as well. Mac & cheese had little bits of bacon and was not overly saucy. Our server, Liz, was great and the establishment was clean and nicely kept. The food was outstanding. The only complaint is that it took quite a while for our food to arrive at the table. Needless to say, next time we're traveling on I-85 in SC, we'll be watching for exit 19 B and Fatz Cafe.
(4)
Leah C.
I'm not a fan of chain restaurants but when traveling with others, sometimes you have to give in. We had dinner delivered to our hotel since nothing on the hotel restaurant menu was jumping out. The blackened chicken pasta was a little spicy, which I actually didn't mind, but it was too much spice for my friend with whom I was sharing. The linguine was a little overcooked. The Ceasar salad was basic, acceptable. Overall just a very generic meal, not a big surprise.
(2)
Mia G.
The to-go service was speedy quick. But maybe too quick. 1) I didn't get the "wonderful poppy seed roll" that everyone seems to rave about :( and was supposed to come with my parmesan encrusted fish dinner and 2) no eating utensils or napkins. As far as the fish dinner, it was kinda bland and it was basa fish any way (as scary as eating talapia!)
(2)
Jason D.
For starts, they bring you these rolls. Da Bomb!! I ordered the fish filet, it was great. The tarter sauce was perfect. Service was great. Couldn't really ask for a better place to eat.
(5)
Megan K.
Ordered delivery to a hotel around the corner. Ordered a salmon salad with balsamic vinaigrette and a water. Received a chicken salad with bacon vinaigrette and no drink. Salad was ok just not what I wanted. The delivery girl was super nice and the delivery was very fast.
(2)
Misty S.
Will never eat at a Fatz again! Terrible service. Small menu which would be okay if they had decent food. Food was not good and very over priced. It is a typical chain place. Applebees would be a step up and I don't care very much for that place either. Would not recommend eating here.
(1)
Alex S.
Went back Saturday 1/19 much better service and food. Glad to see it..
(4)
Larry G.
Reading some of the other reviews, I wonder if they went to the same restaurant that I did! We eat at Fatz several times a week, and we enjoy the food very much. The staff makes us feel right at home, and the service is generally excellent. We have eaten in Fatz resaurants in S.C., N.C., and TN ; we have found the food and service to be consistently good in all of them.
(4)
Lee J.
Food was good. A lot of fried food but other items too. Right in there with Chilis and such.
(4)
Trevor W.
I've been to almost every Fatz Cafe in existence (but they keep adding moreee), and by Fatz standards this location is just ok. Fatz is famous for two things: Calabash Chicken and fried Poppyseed rolls with dreamy honey butter. You can literally make a meal out of both, though I tend to save the rolls for dessert. Salads here are crisp, but the service is sometimes off and the Calabash chicken just isn't quite up to par with the rest of the Carolina locations up the way. They do, however, prepare some amazing Sunday blue-plate specials. The last bastion of Fatz in South Carolina off I-85 before you hit the GA State Line.
(3)
Wendy B.
After a crappy experience at another Fatz earlier in the day, I was still in the mood for Calabash Shrimp & Poppyseed Rolls. Had a great experience at this Fatz location last month & guess what this place still rocks. Night and day difference in the locations. The staff & manager both attentive & prompt. Our food came quickly & actually tasted great. The end!
(4)
Brad W.
Today, February 15, 2015 was not FATZ's best day for lunch. Two members of our party had combo meals including the medallions and they were quite over cooked. One person had the baked potato and said it was hard and underdone - but it could have been overcooked. Either way it was inedible. On Sundays I always go for the turkey and dressing daily special and that was disappointing today. The turkey slices were very dry and cooked to a crisp around the edges. We pointed out the shortfalls at the end of the meal and did not accept the offer for a do-over as we were a party of six and didn't want to hold up the meal. The service was good, although our table did not receive the usual visit from a manager. This location usually earns at least a three star rating from me and sometimes four stars. We'll probably give it another try but not right away.
(2)
Lindy F.
"And I baked you fresh poppy-seed muffins too." -- BASEketball (1998) Having heard good things about this chain from my friend, Trevor, I decided to check them out on my recent business trip. I was dining alone so I brought my iPad so I could read while I dined. The place was practically empty - so getting a booth was no issue. But I was seated right next to a large group of six instead of isolated. My waitress was polite and she got me an iced tea right away. While I tried to digest the menu, I gave up and read some reviews to help reduce some choices. That helped. I ended up choosing a combo-type plate. Before I knew it, she brought out those heavenly treats - poppy seed rolls! Served with a light cinnamon butter. Sweet and savory; both. Just delish. My plate came which was buffalo wings, cheese fries and Calabash chicken. The wings were fine, however, the fries were pretty good, but the moment I hit cheese whiz, I was done eating those. Gross. The chicken was pretty good - perfectly breaded but not fried quite enough for my taste. I'll be back again and try giving them another shot to impress me.
(3)
JeffandCB B.
Every time we travel up 85, we stop and eat lunch at this Fatz. Today's service was exceptional. Our server , Austin, was fantastic. The GM, Jody Hawkins, was full of great information about the local area. Our meal was as good as usual.
(4)
Iama C.
Iama Critic Rating - Fatz - 3 Stars 105 Interstate Boulevard, Anderson, SC Overall: Who hasn't been to Fatz? We have numerous times but have never prepared our typical "complete and epic review". And we are not going to do one this time either. So let's just call this a "Quick Bite" review, for it's lack of complete pictures and short length. Fatz very much reminds me of J Peters, Copper River or any number of other major chain restaurants. Fatz has a casual atmosphere, comfy booths, table bread in the form of awesome poppy seed rolls and decent food. I have been to this location many times for business lunches, which are not very conducive to any serious restaurant review, but the food I have had varied from fair to wonderful, and reasonable to overly expensive. Plus Fatz no longer offers their once awesome Cajun Jambalaya, so there is one less reason for me to go. The Service - 3 Stars (15%) Prices going up, service going down. So paying and tipping more for less seems to be the new norm. The service we received was average. Which means our waitress added nothing to our Fatz experience. She was not sociable or interactive and did nothing more than fill glasses and hand us a bill. We are seriously getting tired of paying for this type of service. If this is what the new average is, then we are considering lowering our overall tip percentages. But for now we typically provide 20% or more for 5 star service on the pre-tax portion of the bill, 18% for 4, 15% for 3, 12% for 2 and 0% for 1 star service. The Food: Table Bread - 4 Stars It is hard to beat the Fatz fried poppy seed roll with that fab honey butter! Simply marvelous. Just be careful because these tiny bundles of joy have a staggering 180 calories each, and that is with only half an ounce of that wonderful butter. $3.79 Side Salad - 4 Stars Like all good restaurants Fatz serves a very good side salad at a reasonable price. My side salad had a plethora of standard condiments but was missing the more exotic items like nuts or bits of dried fruit like cranberry. Never the less it is a very respectable salad. $8.99 Farmhouse Burger - 4 Stars This burger topped with applewood smoked bacon, horseradish Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a medium fried egg is simply awesome. It comes with a side item. We chose some fabulous grilled vegetables. I ordered my burger with optional pickles and a sunny side up egg. Messy and awesome! $13.49 Edisto Shrimp & Grits - 3 stars I have had shrimp and grits all over the country and Fatz make some pretty decent grits and shrimp. I don't care much for the burgundy mushroom gravy and would prefer a sauce with more spice, but that is a personal preference. But as with all shrimp and grits entrees the real problem comes when you look at your bill. Some restaurants have simply went nuts with the price / portion size ratio (price per ounce) of their shrimp and grits. Fatz serves a reasonable portion size by almost filling their bowl but the price is too high for the portion size. It is not as bad as Ruby Tuesday's price per ounce, but it is up there! This poor value cost this entree one star. Total Bill: $36.81 for two people including tax, tip and soda fountain drinks. Final Thoughts: The ultimate question when reviewing a restaurant is, "Would I go back and order the very same items?" When it comes to Fatz the answer is "Yes"! I will someday go back to Fatz and I will order the overpriced grits and that wonderful burger. And I will eat too many of those wonderful poppy seed rolls with that amazing butter.
(3)
Adrian S.
Food was great!! I had a burger & my husband had calabash chicken & ribs. Service was good!!!
(5)
Dawn B.
Went for dinner with my mother, aunt and uncle and a family friend the evening before Mothers Day 2012. The crowd for a Saturday evening seemed typical, altho I don't know for sure since I do not live here. Service was slow to start, we ordered drinks and the family friend and I decided to share a bottle of wine. Everyones drinks came except for the wine. Waiter said she would be right back with that. Five minutes pass. Waiter shows up with 2 wine glasses - no bottle. A few more minutes pass. Waiter shows up with the wine but no opener. Explains that she has to find someone to open the bottle because she does not know how and rushes off. Who puts a waiter on the floor that has no idea how to open a wine bottle? She comes back and explains she can't find anyone to open the bottle for her. Exasperated, I ask her for the corkscrew and I open it myself. As I set the bottle down she picks it up and begins to pour both glasses practically to the brim. No tasting offered. Good thing the wine wasn't corked. Again, if you are a manager of a restaurant that serves wine - why aren't the staff trained in the procedure?? Waiter runs off. A few minutes later a manager-type shows up to "help with the wine." Great. If I hadn't already opened it we would have been at the 30 minute mark of our visit when this fellow arrives. I told him so as well as suggesting that the staff be trained in opening bottles. No comment from said 'manager-type'. Finally we place our orders. I ordered the ribeye steak, medium rare. On the menu it comes with sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers. I order it with mushrooms ONLY. My mother and aunts dishes come out first, the rest of the tables meals a few minutes later. My steak is covered in onions and peppers. No mushrooms. I point this out and ask for another steak on the fly. I'm not happy. Five more minutes drag past and I am delivered the same steak without the onions/peppers - but now absolutely smothered in mushrooms AND now over cooked. Needless to say, we skipped dessert. My advice is to skip this place altogether.
(1)
Eric D.
Fatz Cafe is your slightly nicer version of an Applebee's (I consider Applebee's to be a reference point of where I do not want to go when asking a client in a new location where the good restaurants are.). Atmosphere - Darker inside than an Applebee's and not as open. The bar area is to the right of the dining area as opposed to in the center like an ABs. The inside materials are also higher-end than AB. Food - Big on burgers and other sandwiches, but I went here for dinner after attempting to go to the Buffalo Wild Wings Cafe (apparently it was Karaoke night, and there must have been over 300 people there...freakish!!). I usually try to eat healthy on the road and my choices were slightly limited here as most items, as w/menu items of this genus, are dowsed in sauces. After talking to a fairly cute barmaid (girls are maids and guys are tenders...right?) I went w/the Teriyaki-Glazed Chicken on a bed or rice w/grilled veggie skewer, as this was my healthier alternative. It turned out to be decent. I washed it down with the tasty locally made Thomas Creek Red Ale. For dessert, I had the Peach Cobbler that was okay. Oh, and they serve these poppy seed rolls that are a cross between a Dunk'n Doughnut Hole and...Hell...a doughnut. They are good, but I am sure are like 500cal ea. Service - The barmaid/tender (oh, FYI, I ate at the bar) was pleasant and talkative, which was great as I was eating solo. SO needless to say, service was great!! Overall - The whole meal, w/tip came in just under $25. Not bad, but their menu does not really fit my tastes. So I may be back if I am limited w/choices or want to talk to a cute barmaid??
(3)
Lee G.
Mentioning Fatz and Applebees in the same breath is just plain wrong. They are not even in the same league. I always make a stop at one of the various Fatz Cafes if I'm driving through the upstate. This place is a top notch casual dining establishment. The service is always quick, attentive and friendly. The menu is much more diverse than I remember from years ago. Yet even so, I still order calabash chicken almost every time. They are a little on the smaller size these days, yet still delicious. Perfectly breaded in calabash style, fried golden brown and juicy. Also good are the deep fried poppy seed rolls. Sinfully good with butter. If you're looking for a meal at exit 19, I'd pick Fatz every time.
(4)
John Z.
Good southern food at reasonable prices. My favorites are the calibash chicken, pork ribs, hot rolls with cinnimon butter and great sweat tea. Teas not to sweet and done just right. The wait staff is fast and friendly and restuarants comfortible and clean. I recommend a visit there you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Carolann K.
I agree with my daugher Dawn E except so far they were some of the best chicken tenders I have had so far since I moved to SC and this Fatz was all around much better than the one in Seneca. Well maintained, the wait staff were well groomed and efficient and theover all appearance was clean and comfortable
(3)
Charlie F.
If I am in SC and a Fatz cafe is in my vicinity, I am most likely going to visit! I ordered the Blue Ridge Chicken, minus the tomatoes and scallions. My side was the wonderful stone ground grits that Fatz does so well. Enjoyed my meal, which was quickly served by a polite and attentive staff.
(4)
Jon G.
It is interesting to me how a chain can vary so much between two locations. This Anderson location has been excellent every single time we have been there. Clean, friendly staff, correct orders, and good food. The Seneca location is terrible (0 for 3 there).
(5)
Dan B.
Burger was ok. They were a bit stingy with the fries, which I do not understand for a restaurant like this. The service was sub-par, Service was slow, salads were forgotten about. We had to ask for more bread, and it was not delivered. Check came way too soon. I haven't eaten here in a while and I do not think I will be back soon. I wonder why the went from poppy seed muffins to poppy seed doughnuts. It was so greasy, not like it used to be. The menu seemed rather IHOP-ish.
(1)
Autumn S.
Stopped here on a road trip. Chose it cause we were in a hurry but didn't want fast food. The parking lot was empty on a Friday night at 9pm. That should have tipped me off. Don't waste your calories here. Food boring and unsatisfactory.the staff was nice.
(2)
Dawn E.
Fatz Cafe, according to Fatz Cafe, is world famous for their Calabash Chicken (fried chicken tenders). I don't know about the world, but I, a person who grew up in FL and lives in MA, had never seen the word Calabash" until I read the menu at Fatz. Still, what kind of Yelper would I be if I didn't order the thing they're famous for? I ordered the Calabash Chicken Salad (you can find them on several menu items as combo ingredients and even in soups). It was kind of good, the usual salad ingredients but certainly nothing special and the chicken tenders weren't better or worse than any other chicken tenders any where. They were juicy, but there was nothing exciting or original about the batter. Service was prompt and with a smile. Prices were decent. This is an OK place, but nothing to write home about... Well, I guess I am sort of writing home about it right now. Oh, I almost forgot the one notable exception... The rolls were awesome. They were these greasy balls of poppyseed dough (fried maybe or just baked with lots of oil) and they butter was sweetened with (I think) honey and a touch of cinnamon. Not on anyone's diet, for sure, but amazing all the same.
(3)
JeffandCB B.
Every time we travel up 85, we stop and eat lunch at this Fatz. Today's service was exceptional. Our server , Austin, was fantastic. The GM, Jody Hawkins, was full of great information about the local area. Our meal was as good as usual.
(4)
Trevor W.
I've been to almost every Fatz Cafe in existence (but they keep adding moreee), and by Fatz standards this location is just ok. Fatz is famous for two things: Calabash Chicken and fried Poppyseed rolls with dreamy honey butter. You can literally make a meal out of both, though I tend to save the rolls for dessert. Salads here are crisp, but the service is sometimes off and the Calabash chicken just isn't quite up to par with the rest of the Carolina locations up the way. They do, however, prepare some amazing Sunday blue-plate specials. The last bastion of Fatz in South Carolina off I-85 before you hit the GA State Line.
(3)
Wendy B.
After a crappy experience at another Fatz earlier in the day, I was still in the mood for Calabash Shrimp & Poppyseed Rolls. Had a great experience at this Fatz location last month & guess what this place still rocks. Night and day difference in the locations. The staff & manager both attentive & prompt. Our food came quickly & actually tasted great. The end!
(4)
Alex S.
Went back Saturday 1/19 much better service and food. Glad to see it..
(4)
Wendy V.
It was lunch time in the middle of an 8 hour drive home, so my family & I started looking for a place to grab a quick bite. What we found was Fatz. Not exactly quick, but well worth the wait. We had not been to a Fatz before, but the reviews sounded promising. The deep fried poppyseed rolls that are brought to the table are like little pillows of scrumptiousness and with the whipped honey butter...yummy beyond words. We each decided on the Calabash Combo, mine with the mac & cheese, theirs with the bacon cheese fries. The chicken was crispy & crunchy on the outside and very moist & tender on the inside. The shrimp was light & crisp, as well. Mac & cheese had little bits of bacon and was not overly saucy. Our server, Liz, was great and the establishment was clean and nicely kept. The food was outstanding. The only complaint is that it took quite a while for our food to arrive at the table. Needless to say, next time we're traveling on I-85 in SC, we'll be watching for exit 19 B and Fatz Cafe.
(4)
Leah C.
I'm not a fan of chain restaurants but when traveling with others, sometimes you have to give in. We had dinner delivered to our hotel since nothing on the hotel restaurant menu was jumping out. The blackened chicken pasta was a little spicy, which I actually didn't mind, but it was too much spice for my friend with whom I was sharing. The linguine was a little overcooked. The Ceasar salad was basic, acceptable. Overall just a very generic meal, not a big surprise.
(2)
Mia G.
The to-go service was speedy quick. But maybe too quick. 1) I didn't get the "wonderful poppy seed roll" that everyone seems to rave about :( and was supposed to come with my parmesan encrusted fish dinner and 2) no eating utensils or napkins. As far as the fish dinner, it was kinda bland and it was basa fish any way (as scary as eating talapia!)
(2)
Terri S.
Totally loving this place!!!!! Start off with the poppy seed rolls and honey butter!! The calabash chicken is great!! Both my kids loved it!! Wings were really great too!! Mild sauce is yummy!! The bourbon ribs are the most amazing find in this place!! They are fall-off-the-bone delicious!! Finger-licking-good!!! Just put the fork down and indulge yourself!!! If you are looking for a salad dressing, the balsamic is the best!! But the ranch and honey mustard aren't too bad either!!
(5)
Ellen L.
Traveling on I-85, we decided to stop for lunch at Fatz, Exit 19-B. It is just off the exit (but does sit back off the road a bit). We have never been to a Fatz restaurant before, and we were not disappointed. Our server, Liz, was wonderful. Great personality, very professional and attentive. As soon as we were seated and ordered our drinks, she brought a basket of deep-fried poppy seed rolls, along with honey butter, to the table. They were really so good, I probably could have made a meal out of them! There were three of us, and we all ordered the Calabash Combo, which has both chicken and shrimp. Calabash is soaked in buttermilk for 24 hours, then breaded and fried. One side dish was included in the very reasonable price of $10.98. The portion size was good. We would definitely come back again! Great food, great service, and only one drawback to our experience. The food took a very long time to come out of the kitchen. We visited on a Monday, and it was not very busy.
(4)
Gregory H.
We stopped here while traveling, and the service was amazing. We had to leave our dog outside while we ate, and the servers took her water and gave us updates throughout the meal. The food was great, and the service even better!
(5)
Jason D.
For starts, they bring you these rolls. Da Bomb!! I ordered the fish filet, it was great. The tarter sauce was perfect. Service was great. Couldn't really ask for a better place to eat.
(5)
Megan K.
Ordered delivery to a hotel around the corner. Ordered a salmon salad with balsamic vinaigrette and a water. Received a chicken salad with bacon vinaigrette and no drink. Salad was ok just not what I wanted. The delivery girl was super nice and the delivery was very fast.
(2)
Misty S.
Will never eat at a Fatz again! Terrible service. Small menu which would be okay if they had decent food. Food was not good and very over priced. It is a typical chain place. Applebees would be a step up and I don't care very much for that place either. Would not recommend eating here.
(1)
Autumn S.
Stopped here on a road trip. Chose it cause we were in a hurry but didn't want fast food. The parking lot was empty on a Friday night at 9pm. That should have tipped me off. Don't waste your calories here. Food boring and unsatisfactory.the staff was nice.
(2)
Lee J.
Food was good. A lot of fried food but other items too. Right in there with Chilis and such.
(4)
John Z.
Good southern food at reasonable prices. My favorites are the calibash chicken, pork ribs, hot rolls with cinnimon butter and great sweat tea. Teas not to sweet and done just right. The wait staff is fast and friendly and restuarants comfortible and clean. I recommend a visit there you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Carolann K.
I agree with my daugher Dawn E except so far they were some of the best chicken tenders I have had so far since I moved to SC and this Fatz was all around much better than the one in Seneca. Well maintained, the wait staff were well groomed and efficient and theover all appearance was clean and comfortable
(3)
Iama C.
Iama Critic Rating - Fatz - 3 Stars 105 Interstate Boulevard, Anderson, SC Overall: Who hasn't been to Fatz? We have numerous times but have never prepared our typical "complete and epic review". And we are not going to do one this time either. So let's just call this a "Quick Bite" review, for it's lack of complete pictures and short length. Fatz very much reminds me of J Peters, Copper River or any number of other major chain restaurants. Fatz has a casual atmosphere, comfy booths, table bread in the form of awesome poppy seed rolls and decent food. I have been to this location many times for business lunches, which are not very conducive to any serious restaurant review, but the food I have had varied from fair to wonderful, and reasonable to overly expensive. Plus Fatz no longer offers their once awesome Cajun Jambalaya, so there is one less reason for me to go. The Service - 3 Stars (15%) Prices going up, service going down. So paying and tipping more for less seems to be the new norm. The service we received was average. Which means our waitress added nothing to our Fatz experience. She was not sociable or interactive and did nothing more than fill glasses and hand us a bill. We are seriously getting tired of paying for this type of service. If this is what the new average is, then we are considering lowering our overall tip percentages. But for now we typically provide 20% or more for 5 star service on the pre-tax portion of the bill, 18% for 4, 15% for 3, 12% for 2 and 0% for 1 star service. The Food: Table Bread - 4 Stars It is hard to beat the Fatz fried poppy seed roll with that fab honey butter! Simply marvelous. Just be careful because these tiny bundles of joy have a staggering 180 calories each, and that is with only half an ounce of that wonderful butter. $3.79 Side Salad - 4 Stars Like all good restaurants Fatz serves a very good side salad at a reasonable price. My side salad had a plethora of standard condiments but was missing the more exotic items like nuts or bits of dried fruit like cranberry. Never the less it is a very respectable salad. $8.99 Farmhouse Burger - 4 Stars This burger topped with applewood smoked bacon, horseradish Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a medium fried egg is simply awesome. It comes with a side item. We chose some fabulous grilled vegetables. I ordered my burger with optional pickles and a sunny side up egg. Messy and awesome! $13.49 Edisto Shrimp & Grits - 3 stars I have had shrimp and grits all over the country and Fatz make some pretty decent grits and shrimp. I don't care much for the burgundy mushroom gravy and would prefer a sauce with more spice, but that is a personal preference. But as with all shrimp and grits entrees the real problem comes when you look at your bill. Some restaurants have simply went nuts with the price / portion size ratio (price per ounce) of their shrimp and grits. Fatz serves a reasonable portion size by almost filling their bowl but the price is too high for the portion size. It is not as bad as Ruby Tuesday's price per ounce, but it is up there! This poor value cost this entree one star. Total Bill: $36.81 for two people including tax, tip and soda fountain drinks. Final Thoughts: The ultimate question when reviewing a restaurant is, "Would I go back and order the very same items?" When it comes to Fatz the answer is "Yes"! I will someday go back to Fatz and I will order the overpriced grits and that wonderful burger. And I will eat too many of those wonderful poppy seed rolls with that amazing butter.
(3)
Adrian S.
Food was great!! I had a burger & my husband had calabash chicken & ribs. Service was good!!!
(5)
Brad W.
Today, February 15, 2015 was not FATZ's best day for lunch. Two members of our party had combo meals including the medallions and they were quite over cooked. One person had the baked potato and said it was hard and underdone - but it could have been overcooked. Either way it was inedible. On Sundays I always go for the turkey and dressing daily special and that was disappointing today. The turkey slices were very dry and cooked to a crisp around the edges. We pointed out the shortfalls at the end of the meal and did not accept the offer for a do-over as we were a party of six and didn't want to hold up the meal. The service was good, although our table did not receive the usual visit from a manager. This location usually earns at least a three star rating from me and sometimes four stars. We'll probably give it another try but not right away.
(2)
Lindy F.
"And I baked you fresh poppy-seed muffins too." -- BASEketball (1998) Having heard good things about this chain from my friend, Trevor, I decided to check them out on my recent business trip. I was dining alone so I brought my iPad so I could read while I dined. The place was practically empty - so getting a booth was no issue. But I was seated right next to a large group of six instead of isolated. My waitress was polite and she got me an iced tea right away. While I tried to digest the menu, I gave up and read some reviews to help reduce some choices. That helped. I ended up choosing a combo-type plate. Before I knew it, she brought out those heavenly treats - poppy seed rolls! Served with a light cinnamon butter. Sweet and savory; both. Just delish. My plate came which was buffalo wings, cheese fries and Calabash chicken. The wings were fine, however, the fries were pretty good, but the moment I hit cheese whiz, I was done eating those. Gross. The chicken was pretty good - perfectly breaded but not fried quite enough for my taste. I'll be back again and try giving them another shot to impress me.
(3)
Dawn B.
Went for dinner with my mother, aunt and uncle and a family friend the evening before Mothers Day 2012. The crowd for a Saturday evening seemed typical, altho I don't know for sure since I do not live here. Service was slow to start, we ordered drinks and the family friend and I decided to share a bottle of wine. Everyones drinks came except for the wine. Waiter said she would be right back with that. Five minutes pass. Waiter shows up with 2 wine glasses - no bottle. A few more minutes pass. Waiter shows up with the wine but no opener. Explains that she has to find someone to open the bottle because she does not know how and rushes off. Who puts a waiter on the floor that has no idea how to open a wine bottle? She comes back and explains she can't find anyone to open the bottle for her. Exasperated, I ask her for the corkscrew and I open it myself. As I set the bottle down she picks it up and begins to pour both glasses practically to the brim. No tasting offered. Good thing the wine wasn't corked. Again, if you are a manager of a restaurant that serves wine - why aren't the staff trained in the procedure?? Waiter runs off. A few minutes later a manager-type shows up to "help with the wine." Great. If I hadn't already opened it we would have been at the 30 minute mark of our visit when this fellow arrives. I told him so as well as suggesting that the staff be trained in opening bottles. No comment from said 'manager-type'. Finally we place our orders. I ordered the ribeye steak, medium rare. On the menu it comes with sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers. I order it with mushrooms ONLY. My mother and aunts dishes come out first, the rest of the tables meals a few minutes later. My steak is covered in onions and peppers. No mushrooms. I point this out and ask for another steak on the fly. I'm not happy. Five more minutes drag past and I am delivered the same steak without the onions/peppers - but now absolutely smothered in mushrooms AND now over cooked. Needless to say, we skipped dessert. My advice is to skip this place altogether.
(1)
Charlie F.
If I am in SC and a Fatz cafe is in my vicinity, I am most likely going to visit! I ordered the Blue Ridge Chicken, minus the tomatoes and scallions. My side was the wonderful stone ground grits that Fatz does so well. Enjoyed my meal, which was quickly served by a polite and attentive staff.
(4)
Jon G.
It is interesting to me how a chain can vary so much between two locations. This Anderson location has been excellent every single time we have been there. Clean, friendly staff, correct orders, and good food. The Seneca location is terrible (0 for 3 there).
(5)
Larry G.
Reading some of the other reviews, I wonder if they went to the same restaurant that I did! We eat at Fatz several times a week, and we enjoy the food very much. The staff makes us feel right at home, and the service is generally excellent. We have eaten in Fatz resaurants in S.C., N.C., and TN ; we have found the food and service to be consistently good in all of them.
(4)
Dan B.
Burger was ok. They were a bit stingy with the fries, which I do not understand for a restaurant like this. The service was sub-par, Service was slow, salads were forgotten about. We had to ask for more bread, and it was not delivered. Check came way too soon. I haven't eaten here in a while and I do not think I will be back soon. I wonder why the went from poppy seed muffins to poppy seed doughnuts. It was so greasy, not like it used to be. The menu seemed rather IHOP-ish.
(1)
Dawn E.
Fatz Cafe, according to Fatz Cafe, is world famous for their Calabash Chicken (fried chicken tenders). I don't know about the world, but I, a person who grew up in FL and lives in MA, had never seen the word Calabash" until I read the menu at Fatz. Still, what kind of Yelper would I be if I didn't order the thing they're famous for? I ordered the Calabash Chicken Salad (you can find them on several menu items as combo ingredients and even in soups). It was kind of good, the usual salad ingredients but certainly nothing special and the chicken tenders weren't better or worse than any other chicken tenders any where. They were juicy, but there was nothing exciting or original about the batter. Service was prompt and with a smile. Prices were decent. This is an OK place, but nothing to write home about... Well, I guess I am sort of writing home about it right now. Oh, I almost forgot the one notable exception... The rolls were awesome. They were these greasy balls of poppyseed dough (fried maybe or just baked with lots of oil) and they butter was sweetened with (I think) honey and a touch of cinnamon. Not on anyone's diet, for sure, but amazing all the same.
(3)
Eric D.
Fatz Cafe is your slightly nicer version of an Applebee's (I consider Applebee's to be a reference point of where I do not want to go when asking a client in a new location where the good restaurants are.). Atmosphere - Darker inside than an Applebee's and not as open. The bar area is to the right of the dining area as opposed to in the center like an ABs. The inside materials are also higher-end than AB. Food - Big on burgers and other sandwiches, but I went here for dinner after attempting to go to the Buffalo Wild Wings Cafe (apparently it was Karaoke night, and there must have been over 300 people there...freakish!!). I usually try to eat healthy on the road and my choices were slightly limited here as most items, as w/menu items of this genus, are dowsed in sauces. After talking to a fairly cute barmaid (girls are maids and guys are tenders...right?) I went w/the Teriyaki-Glazed Chicken on a bed or rice w/grilled veggie skewer, as this was my healthier alternative. It turned out to be decent. I washed it down with the tasty locally made Thomas Creek Red Ale. For dessert, I had the Peach Cobbler that was okay. Oh, and they serve these poppy seed rolls that are a cross between a Dunk'n Doughnut Hole and...Hell...a doughnut. They are good, but I am sure are like 500cal ea. Service - The barmaid/tender (oh, FYI, I ate at the bar) was pleasant and talkative, which was great as I was eating solo. SO needless to say, service was great!! Overall - The whole meal, w/tip came in just under $25. Not bad, but their menu does not really fit my tastes. So I may be back if I am limited w/choices or want to talk to a cute barmaid??
(3)
Lee G.
Mentioning Fatz and Applebees in the same breath is just plain wrong. They are not even in the same league. I always make a stop at one of the various Fatz Cafes if I'm driving through the upstate. This place is a top notch casual dining establishment. The service is always quick, attentive and friendly. The menu is much more diverse than I remember from years ago. Yet even so, I still order calabash chicken almost every time. They are a little on the smaller size these days, yet still delicious. Perfectly breaded in calabash style, fried golden brown and juicy. Also good are the deep fried poppy seed rolls. Sinfully good with butter. If you're looking for a meal at exit 19, I'd pick Fatz every time.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Terri S.
Totally loving this place!!!!! Start off with the poppy seed rolls and honey butter!! The calabash chicken is great!! Both my kids loved it!! Wings were really great too!! Mild sauce is yummy!! The bourbon ribs are the most amazing find in this place!! They are fall-off-the-bone delicious!! Finger-licking-good!!! Just put the fork down and indulge yourself!!! If you are looking for a salad dressing, the balsamic is the best!! But the ranch and honey mustard aren't too bad either!!
(5)Ellen L.
Traveling on I-85, we decided to stop for lunch at Fatz, Exit 19-B. It is just off the exit (but does sit back off the road a bit). We have never been to a Fatz restaurant before, and we were not disappointed. Our server, Liz, was wonderful. Great personality, very professional and attentive. As soon as we were seated and ordered our drinks, she brought a basket of deep-fried poppy seed rolls, along with honey butter, to the table. They were really so good, I probably could have made a meal out of them! There were three of us, and we all ordered the Calabash Combo, which has both chicken and shrimp. Calabash is soaked in buttermilk for 24 hours, then breaded and fried. One side dish was included in the very reasonable price of $10.98. The portion size was good. We would definitely come back again! Great food, great service, and only one drawback to our experience. The food took a very long time to come out of the kitchen. We visited on a Monday, and it was not very busy.
(4)Gregory H.
We stopped here while traveling, and the service was amazing. We had to leave our dog outside while we ate, and the servers took her water and gave us updates throughout the meal. The food was great, and the service even better!
(5)Wendy V.
It was lunch time in the middle of an 8 hour drive home, so my family & I started looking for a place to grab a quick bite. What we found was Fatz. Not exactly quick, but well worth the wait. We had not been to a Fatz before, but the reviews sounded promising. The deep fried poppyseed rolls that are brought to the table are like little pillows of scrumptiousness and with the whipped honey butter...yummy beyond words. We each decided on the Calabash Combo, mine with the mac & cheese, theirs with the bacon cheese fries. The chicken was crispy & crunchy on the outside and very moist & tender on the inside. The shrimp was light & crisp, as well. Mac & cheese had little bits of bacon and was not overly saucy. Our server, Liz, was great and the establishment was clean and nicely kept. The food was outstanding. The only complaint is that it took quite a while for our food to arrive at the table. Needless to say, next time we're traveling on I-85 in SC, we'll be watching for exit 19 B and Fatz Cafe.
(4)Leah C.
I'm not a fan of chain restaurants but when traveling with others, sometimes you have to give in. We had dinner delivered to our hotel since nothing on the hotel restaurant menu was jumping out. The blackened chicken pasta was a little spicy, which I actually didn't mind, but it was too much spice for my friend with whom I was sharing. The linguine was a little overcooked. The Ceasar salad was basic, acceptable. Overall just a very generic meal, not a big surprise.
(2)Mia G.
The to-go service was speedy quick. But maybe too quick. 1) I didn't get the "wonderful poppy seed roll" that everyone seems to rave about :( and was supposed to come with my parmesan encrusted fish dinner and 2) no eating utensils or napkins. As far as the fish dinner, it was kinda bland and it was basa fish any way (as scary as eating talapia!)
(2)Jason D.
For starts, they bring you these rolls. Da Bomb!! I ordered the fish filet, it was great. The tarter sauce was perfect. Service was great. Couldn't really ask for a better place to eat.
(5)Megan K.
Ordered delivery to a hotel around the corner. Ordered a salmon salad with balsamic vinaigrette and a water. Received a chicken salad with bacon vinaigrette and no drink. Salad was ok just not what I wanted. The delivery girl was super nice and the delivery was very fast.
(2)Misty S.
Will never eat at a Fatz again! Terrible service. Small menu which would be okay if they had decent food. Food was not good and very over priced. It is a typical chain place. Applebees would be a step up and I don't care very much for that place either. Would not recommend eating here.
(1)Alex S.
Went back Saturday 1/19 much better service and food. Glad to see it..
(4)Larry G.
Reading some of the other reviews, I wonder if they went to the same restaurant that I did! We eat at Fatz several times a week, and we enjoy the food very much. The staff makes us feel right at home, and the service is generally excellent. We have eaten in Fatz resaurants in S.C., N.C., and TN ; we have found the food and service to be consistently good in all of them.
(4)Lee J.
Food was good. A lot of fried food but other items too. Right in there with Chilis and such.
(4)Trevor W.
I've been to almost every Fatz Cafe in existence (but they keep adding moreee), and by Fatz standards this location is just ok. Fatz is famous for two things: Calabash Chicken and fried Poppyseed rolls with dreamy honey butter. You can literally make a meal out of both, though I tend to save the rolls for dessert. Salads here are crisp, but the service is sometimes off and the Calabash chicken just isn't quite up to par with the rest of the Carolina locations up the way. They do, however, prepare some amazing Sunday blue-plate specials. The last bastion of Fatz in South Carolina off I-85 before you hit the GA State Line.
(3)Wendy B.
After a crappy experience at another Fatz earlier in the day, I was still in the mood for Calabash Shrimp & Poppyseed Rolls. Had a great experience at this Fatz location last month & guess what this place still rocks. Night and day difference in the locations. The staff & manager both attentive & prompt. Our food came quickly & actually tasted great. The end!
(4)Brad W.
Today, February 15, 2015 was not FATZ's best day for lunch. Two members of our party had combo meals including the medallions and they were quite over cooked. One person had the baked potato and said it was hard and underdone - but it could have been overcooked. Either way it was inedible. On Sundays I always go for the turkey and dressing daily special and that was disappointing today. The turkey slices were very dry and cooked to a crisp around the edges. We pointed out the shortfalls at the end of the meal and did not accept the offer for a do-over as we were a party of six and didn't want to hold up the meal. The service was good, although our table did not receive the usual visit from a manager. This location usually earns at least a three star rating from me and sometimes four stars. We'll probably give it another try but not right away.
(2)Lindy F.
"And I baked you fresh poppy-seed muffins too." -- BASEketball (1998) Having heard good things about this chain from my friend, Trevor, I decided to check them out on my recent business trip. I was dining alone so I brought my iPad so I could read while I dined. The place was practically empty - so getting a booth was no issue. But I was seated right next to a large group of six instead of isolated. My waitress was polite and she got me an iced tea right away. While I tried to digest the menu, I gave up and read some reviews to help reduce some choices. That helped. I ended up choosing a combo-type plate. Before I knew it, she brought out those heavenly treats - poppy seed rolls! Served with a light cinnamon butter. Sweet and savory; both. Just delish. My plate came which was buffalo wings, cheese fries and Calabash chicken. The wings were fine, however, the fries were pretty good, but the moment I hit cheese whiz, I was done eating those. Gross. The chicken was pretty good - perfectly breaded but not fried quite enough for my taste. I'll be back again and try giving them another shot to impress me.
(3)JeffandCB B.
Every time we travel up 85, we stop and eat lunch at this Fatz. Today's service was exceptional. Our server , Austin, was fantastic. The GM, Jody Hawkins, was full of great information about the local area. Our meal was as good as usual.
(4)Iama C.
Iama Critic Rating - Fatz - 3 Stars 105 Interstate Boulevard, Anderson, SC Overall: Who hasn't been to Fatz? We have numerous times but have never prepared our typical "complete and epic review". And we are not going to do one this time either. So let's just call this a "Quick Bite" review, for it's lack of complete pictures and short length. Fatz very much reminds me of J Peters, Copper River or any number of other major chain restaurants. Fatz has a casual atmosphere, comfy booths, table bread in the form of awesome poppy seed rolls and decent food. I have been to this location many times for business lunches, which are not very conducive to any serious restaurant review, but the food I have had varied from fair to wonderful, and reasonable to overly expensive. Plus Fatz no longer offers their once awesome Cajun Jambalaya, so there is one less reason for me to go. The Service - 3 Stars (15%) Prices going up, service going down. So paying and tipping more for less seems to be the new norm. The service we received was average. Which means our waitress added nothing to our Fatz experience. She was not sociable or interactive and did nothing more than fill glasses and hand us a bill. We are seriously getting tired of paying for this type of service. If this is what the new average is, then we are considering lowering our overall tip percentages. But for now we typically provide 20% or more for 5 star service on the pre-tax portion of the bill, 18% for 4, 15% for 3, 12% for 2 and 0% for 1 star service. The Food: Table Bread - 4 Stars It is hard to beat the Fatz fried poppy seed roll with that fab honey butter! Simply marvelous. Just be careful because these tiny bundles of joy have a staggering 180 calories each, and that is with only half an ounce of that wonderful butter. $3.79 Side Salad - 4 Stars Like all good restaurants Fatz serves a very good side salad at a reasonable price. My side salad had a plethora of standard condiments but was missing the more exotic items like nuts or bits of dried fruit like cranberry. Never the less it is a very respectable salad. $8.99 Farmhouse Burger - 4 Stars This burger topped with applewood smoked bacon, horseradish Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a medium fried egg is simply awesome. It comes with a side item. We chose some fabulous grilled vegetables. I ordered my burger with optional pickles and a sunny side up egg. Messy and awesome! $13.49 Edisto Shrimp & Grits - 3 stars I have had shrimp and grits all over the country and Fatz make some pretty decent grits and shrimp. I don't care much for the burgundy mushroom gravy and would prefer a sauce with more spice, but that is a personal preference. But as with all shrimp and grits entrees the real problem comes when you look at your bill. Some restaurants have simply went nuts with the price / portion size ratio (price per ounce) of their shrimp and grits. Fatz serves a reasonable portion size by almost filling their bowl but the price is too high for the portion size. It is not as bad as Ruby Tuesday's price per ounce, but it is up there! This poor value cost this entree one star. Total Bill: $36.81 for two people including tax, tip and soda fountain drinks. Final Thoughts: The ultimate question when reviewing a restaurant is, "Would I go back and order the very same items?" When it comes to Fatz the answer is "Yes"! I will someday go back to Fatz and I will order the overpriced grits and that wonderful burger. And I will eat too many of those wonderful poppy seed rolls with that amazing butter.
(3)Adrian S.
Food was great!! I had a burger & my husband had calabash chicken & ribs. Service was good!!!
(5)Dawn B.
Went for dinner with my mother, aunt and uncle and a family friend the evening before Mothers Day 2012. The crowd for a Saturday evening seemed typical, altho I don't know for sure since I do not live here. Service was slow to start, we ordered drinks and the family friend and I decided to share a bottle of wine. Everyones drinks came except for the wine. Waiter said she would be right back with that. Five minutes pass. Waiter shows up with 2 wine glasses - no bottle. A few more minutes pass. Waiter shows up with the wine but no opener. Explains that she has to find someone to open the bottle because she does not know how and rushes off. Who puts a waiter on the floor that has no idea how to open a wine bottle? She comes back and explains she can't find anyone to open the bottle for her. Exasperated, I ask her for the corkscrew and I open it myself. As I set the bottle down she picks it up and begins to pour both glasses practically to the brim. No tasting offered. Good thing the wine wasn't corked. Again, if you are a manager of a restaurant that serves wine - why aren't the staff trained in the procedure?? Waiter runs off. A few minutes later a manager-type shows up to "help with the wine." Great. If I hadn't already opened it we would have been at the 30 minute mark of our visit when this fellow arrives. I told him so as well as suggesting that the staff be trained in opening bottles. No comment from said 'manager-type'. Finally we place our orders. I ordered the ribeye steak, medium rare. On the menu it comes with sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers. I order it with mushrooms ONLY. My mother and aunts dishes come out first, the rest of the tables meals a few minutes later. My steak is covered in onions and peppers. No mushrooms. I point this out and ask for another steak on the fly. I'm not happy. Five more minutes drag past and I am delivered the same steak without the onions/peppers - but now absolutely smothered in mushrooms AND now over cooked. Needless to say, we skipped dessert. My advice is to skip this place altogether.
(1)Eric D.
Fatz Cafe is your slightly nicer version of an Applebee's (I consider Applebee's to be a reference point of where I do not want to go when asking a client in a new location where the good restaurants are.). Atmosphere - Darker inside than an Applebee's and not as open. The bar area is to the right of the dining area as opposed to in the center like an ABs. The inside materials are also higher-end than AB. Food - Big on burgers and other sandwiches, but I went here for dinner after attempting to go to the Buffalo Wild Wings Cafe (apparently it was Karaoke night, and there must have been over 300 people there...freakish!!). I usually try to eat healthy on the road and my choices were slightly limited here as most items, as w/menu items of this genus, are dowsed in sauces. After talking to a fairly cute barmaid (girls are maids and guys are tenders...right?) I went w/the Teriyaki-Glazed Chicken on a bed or rice w/grilled veggie skewer, as this was my healthier alternative. It turned out to be decent. I washed it down with the tasty locally made Thomas Creek Red Ale. For dessert, I had the Peach Cobbler that was okay. Oh, and they serve these poppy seed rolls that are a cross between a Dunk'n Doughnut Hole and...Hell...a doughnut. They are good, but I am sure are like 500cal ea. Service - The barmaid/tender (oh, FYI, I ate at the bar) was pleasant and talkative, which was great as I was eating solo. SO needless to say, service was great!! Overall - The whole meal, w/tip came in just under $25. Not bad, but their menu does not really fit my tastes. So I may be back if I am limited w/choices or want to talk to a cute barmaid??
(3)Lee G.
Mentioning Fatz and Applebees in the same breath is just plain wrong. They are not even in the same league. I always make a stop at one of the various Fatz Cafes if I'm driving through the upstate. This place is a top notch casual dining establishment. The service is always quick, attentive and friendly. The menu is much more diverse than I remember from years ago. Yet even so, I still order calabash chicken almost every time. They are a little on the smaller size these days, yet still delicious. Perfectly breaded in calabash style, fried golden brown and juicy. Also good are the deep fried poppy seed rolls. Sinfully good with butter. If you're looking for a meal at exit 19, I'd pick Fatz every time.
(4)John Z.
Good southern food at reasonable prices. My favorites are the calibash chicken, pork ribs, hot rolls with cinnimon butter and great sweat tea. Teas not to sweet and done just right. The wait staff is fast and friendly and restuarants comfortible and clean. I recommend a visit there you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(4)Carolann K.
I agree with my daugher Dawn E except so far they were some of the best chicken tenders I have had so far since I moved to SC and this Fatz was all around much better than the one in Seneca. Well maintained, the wait staff were well groomed and efficient and theover all appearance was clean and comfortable
(3)Charlie F.
If I am in SC and a Fatz cafe is in my vicinity, I am most likely going to visit! I ordered the Blue Ridge Chicken, minus the tomatoes and scallions. My side was the wonderful stone ground grits that Fatz does so well. Enjoyed my meal, which was quickly served by a polite and attentive staff.
(4)Jon G.
It is interesting to me how a chain can vary so much between two locations. This Anderson location has been excellent every single time we have been there. Clean, friendly staff, correct orders, and good food. The Seneca location is terrible (0 for 3 there).
(5)Dan B.
Burger was ok. They were a bit stingy with the fries, which I do not understand for a restaurant like this. The service was sub-par, Service was slow, salads were forgotten about. We had to ask for more bread, and it was not delivered. Check came way too soon. I haven't eaten here in a while and I do not think I will be back soon. I wonder why the went from poppy seed muffins to poppy seed doughnuts. It was so greasy, not like it used to be. The menu seemed rather IHOP-ish.
(1)Autumn S.
Stopped here on a road trip. Chose it cause we were in a hurry but didn't want fast food. The parking lot was empty on a Friday night at 9pm. That should have tipped me off. Don't waste your calories here. Food boring and unsatisfactory.the staff was nice.
(2)Dawn E.
Fatz Cafe, according to Fatz Cafe, is world famous for their Calabash Chicken (fried chicken tenders). I don't know about the world, but I, a person who grew up in FL and lives in MA, had never seen the word Calabash" until I read the menu at Fatz. Still, what kind of Yelper would I be if I didn't order the thing they're famous for? I ordered the Calabash Chicken Salad (you can find them on several menu items as combo ingredients and even in soups). It was kind of good, the usual salad ingredients but certainly nothing special and the chicken tenders weren't better or worse than any other chicken tenders any where. They were juicy, but there was nothing exciting or original about the batter. Service was prompt and with a smile. Prices were decent. This is an OK place, but nothing to write home about... Well, I guess I am sort of writing home about it right now. Oh, I almost forgot the one notable exception... The rolls were awesome. They were these greasy balls of poppyseed dough (fried maybe or just baked with lots of oil) and they butter was sweetened with (I think) honey and a touch of cinnamon. Not on anyone's diet, for sure, but amazing all the same.
(3)JeffandCB B.
Every time we travel up 85, we stop and eat lunch at this Fatz. Today's service was exceptional. Our server , Austin, was fantastic. The GM, Jody Hawkins, was full of great information about the local area. Our meal was as good as usual.
(4)Trevor W.
I've been to almost every Fatz Cafe in existence (but they keep adding moreee), and by Fatz standards this location is just ok. Fatz is famous for two things: Calabash Chicken and fried Poppyseed rolls with dreamy honey butter. You can literally make a meal out of both, though I tend to save the rolls for dessert. Salads here are crisp, but the service is sometimes off and the Calabash chicken just isn't quite up to par with the rest of the Carolina locations up the way. They do, however, prepare some amazing Sunday blue-plate specials. The last bastion of Fatz in South Carolina off I-85 before you hit the GA State Line.
(3)Wendy B.
After a crappy experience at another Fatz earlier in the day, I was still in the mood for Calabash Shrimp & Poppyseed Rolls. Had a great experience at this Fatz location last month & guess what this place still rocks. Night and day difference in the locations. The staff & manager both attentive & prompt. Our food came quickly & actually tasted great. The end!
(4)Alex S.
Went back Saturday 1/19 much better service and food. Glad to see it..
(4)Wendy V.
It was lunch time in the middle of an 8 hour drive home, so my family & I started looking for a place to grab a quick bite. What we found was Fatz. Not exactly quick, but well worth the wait. We had not been to a Fatz before, but the reviews sounded promising. The deep fried poppyseed rolls that are brought to the table are like little pillows of scrumptiousness and with the whipped honey butter...yummy beyond words. We each decided on the Calabash Combo, mine with the mac & cheese, theirs with the bacon cheese fries. The chicken was crispy & crunchy on the outside and very moist & tender on the inside. The shrimp was light & crisp, as well. Mac & cheese had little bits of bacon and was not overly saucy. Our server, Liz, was great and the establishment was clean and nicely kept. The food was outstanding. The only complaint is that it took quite a while for our food to arrive at the table. Needless to say, next time we're traveling on I-85 in SC, we'll be watching for exit 19 B and Fatz Cafe.
(4)Leah C.
I'm not a fan of chain restaurants but when traveling with others, sometimes you have to give in. We had dinner delivered to our hotel since nothing on the hotel restaurant menu was jumping out. The blackened chicken pasta was a little spicy, which I actually didn't mind, but it was too much spice for my friend with whom I was sharing. The linguine was a little overcooked. The Ceasar salad was basic, acceptable. Overall just a very generic meal, not a big surprise.
(2)Mia G.
The to-go service was speedy quick. But maybe too quick. 1) I didn't get the "wonderful poppy seed roll" that everyone seems to rave about :( and was supposed to come with my parmesan encrusted fish dinner and 2) no eating utensils or napkins. As far as the fish dinner, it was kinda bland and it was basa fish any way (as scary as eating talapia!)
(2)Terri S.
Totally loving this place!!!!! Start off with the poppy seed rolls and honey butter!! The calabash chicken is great!! Both my kids loved it!! Wings were really great too!! Mild sauce is yummy!! The bourbon ribs are the most amazing find in this place!! They are fall-off-the-bone delicious!! Finger-licking-good!!! Just put the fork down and indulge yourself!!! If you are looking for a salad dressing, the balsamic is the best!! But the ranch and honey mustard aren't too bad either!!
(5)Ellen L.
Traveling on I-85, we decided to stop for lunch at Fatz, Exit 19-B. It is just off the exit (but does sit back off the road a bit). We have never been to a Fatz restaurant before, and we were not disappointed. Our server, Liz, was wonderful. Great personality, very professional and attentive. As soon as we were seated and ordered our drinks, she brought a basket of deep-fried poppy seed rolls, along with honey butter, to the table. They were really so good, I probably could have made a meal out of them! There were three of us, and we all ordered the Calabash Combo, which has both chicken and shrimp. Calabash is soaked in buttermilk for 24 hours, then breaded and fried. One side dish was included in the very reasonable price of $10.98. The portion size was good. We would definitely come back again! Great food, great service, and only one drawback to our experience. The food took a very long time to come out of the kitchen. We visited on a Monday, and it was not very busy.
(4)Gregory H.
We stopped here while traveling, and the service was amazing. We had to leave our dog outside while we ate, and the servers took her water and gave us updates throughout the meal. The food was great, and the service even better!
(5)Jason D.
For starts, they bring you these rolls. Da Bomb!! I ordered the fish filet, it was great. The tarter sauce was perfect. Service was great. Couldn't really ask for a better place to eat.
(5)Megan K.
Ordered delivery to a hotel around the corner. Ordered a salmon salad with balsamic vinaigrette and a water. Received a chicken salad with bacon vinaigrette and no drink. Salad was ok just not what I wanted. The delivery girl was super nice and the delivery was very fast.
(2)Misty S.
Will never eat at a Fatz again! Terrible service. Small menu which would be okay if they had decent food. Food was not good and very over priced. It is a typical chain place. Applebees would be a step up and I don't care very much for that place either. Would not recommend eating here.
(1)Autumn S.
Stopped here on a road trip. Chose it cause we were in a hurry but didn't want fast food. The parking lot was empty on a Friday night at 9pm. That should have tipped me off. Don't waste your calories here. Food boring and unsatisfactory.the staff was nice.
(2)Lee J.
Food was good. A lot of fried food but other items too. Right in there with Chilis and such.
(4)John Z.
Good southern food at reasonable prices. My favorites are the calibash chicken, pork ribs, hot rolls with cinnimon butter and great sweat tea. Teas not to sweet and done just right. The wait staff is fast and friendly and restuarants comfortible and clean. I recommend a visit there you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(4)Carolann K.
I agree with my daugher Dawn E except so far they were some of the best chicken tenders I have had so far since I moved to SC and this Fatz was all around much better than the one in Seneca. Well maintained, the wait staff were well groomed and efficient and theover all appearance was clean and comfortable
(3)Iama C.
Iama Critic Rating - Fatz - 3 Stars 105 Interstate Boulevard, Anderson, SC Overall: Who hasn't been to Fatz? We have numerous times but have never prepared our typical "complete and epic review". And we are not going to do one this time either. So let's just call this a "Quick Bite" review, for it's lack of complete pictures and short length. Fatz very much reminds me of J Peters, Copper River or any number of other major chain restaurants. Fatz has a casual atmosphere, comfy booths, table bread in the form of awesome poppy seed rolls and decent food. I have been to this location many times for business lunches, which are not very conducive to any serious restaurant review, but the food I have had varied from fair to wonderful, and reasonable to overly expensive. Plus Fatz no longer offers their once awesome Cajun Jambalaya, so there is one less reason for me to go. The Service - 3 Stars (15%) Prices going up, service going down. So paying and tipping more for less seems to be the new norm. The service we received was average. Which means our waitress added nothing to our Fatz experience. She was not sociable or interactive and did nothing more than fill glasses and hand us a bill. We are seriously getting tired of paying for this type of service. If this is what the new average is, then we are considering lowering our overall tip percentages. But for now we typically provide 20% or more for 5 star service on the pre-tax portion of the bill, 18% for 4, 15% for 3, 12% for 2 and 0% for 1 star service. The Food: Table Bread - 4 Stars It is hard to beat the Fatz fried poppy seed roll with that fab honey butter! Simply marvelous. Just be careful because these tiny bundles of joy have a staggering 180 calories each, and that is with only half an ounce of that wonderful butter. $3.79 Side Salad - 4 Stars Like all good restaurants Fatz serves a very good side salad at a reasonable price. My side salad had a plethora of standard condiments but was missing the more exotic items like nuts or bits of dried fruit like cranberry. Never the less it is a very respectable salad. $8.99 Farmhouse Burger - 4 Stars This burger topped with applewood smoked bacon, horseradish Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a medium fried egg is simply awesome. It comes with a side item. We chose some fabulous grilled vegetables. I ordered my burger with optional pickles and a sunny side up egg. Messy and awesome! $13.49 Edisto Shrimp & Grits - 3 stars I have had shrimp and grits all over the country and Fatz make some pretty decent grits and shrimp. I don't care much for the burgundy mushroom gravy and would prefer a sauce with more spice, but that is a personal preference. But as with all shrimp and grits entrees the real problem comes when you look at your bill. Some restaurants have simply went nuts with the price / portion size ratio (price per ounce) of their shrimp and grits. Fatz serves a reasonable portion size by almost filling their bowl but the price is too high for the portion size. It is not as bad as Ruby Tuesday's price per ounce, but it is up there! This poor value cost this entree one star. Total Bill: $36.81 for two people including tax, tip and soda fountain drinks. Final Thoughts: The ultimate question when reviewing a restaurant is, "Would I go back and order the very same items?" When it comes to Fatz the answer is "Yes"! I will someday go back to Fatz and I will order the overpriced grits and that wonderful burger. And I will eat too many of those wonderful poppy seed rolls with that amazing butter.
(3)Adrian S.
Food was great!! I had a burger & my husband had calabash chicken & ribs. Service was good!!!
(5)Brad W.
Today, February 15, 2015 was not FATZ's best day for lunch. Two members of our party had combo meals including the medallions and they were quite over cooked. One person had the baked potato and said it was hard and underdone - but it could have been overcooked. Either way it was inedible. On Sundays I always go for the turkey and dressing daily special and that was disappointing today. The turkey slices were very dry and cooked to a crisp around the edges. We pointed out the shortfalls at the end of the meal and did not accept the offer for a do-over as we were a party of six and didn't want to hold up the meal. The service was good, although our table did not receive the usual visit from a manager. This location usually earns at least a three star rating from me and sometimes four stars. We'll probably give it another try but not right away.
(2)Lindy F.
"And I baked you fresh poppy-seed muffins too." -- BASEketball (1998) Having heard good things about this chain from my friend, Trevor, I decided to check them out on my recent business trip. I was dining alone so I brought my iPad so I could read while I dined. The place was practically empty - so getting a booth was no issue. But I was seated right next to a large group of six instead of isolated. My waitress was polite and she got me an iced tea right away. While I tried to digest the menu, I gave up and read some reviews to help reduce some choices. That helped. I ended up choosing a combo-type plate. Before I knew it, she brought out those heavenly treats - poppy seed rolls! Served with a light cinnamon butter. Sweet and savory; both. Just delish. My plate came which was buffalo wings, cheese fries and Calabash chicken. The wings were fine, however, the fries were pretty good, but the moment I hit cheese whiz, I was done eating those. Gross. The chicken was pretty good - perfectly breaded but not fried quite enough for my taste. I'll be back again and try giving them another shot to impress me.
(3)Dawn B.
Went for dinner with my mother, aunt and uncle and a family friend the evening before Mothers Day 2012. The crowd for a Saturday evening seemed typical, altho I don't know for sure since I do not live here. Service was slow to start, we ordered drinks and the family friend and I decided to share a bottle of wine. Everyones drinks came except for the wine. Waiter said she would be right back with that. Five minutes pass. Waiter shows up with 2 wine glasses - no bottle. A few more minutes pass. Waiter shows up with the wine but no opener. Explains that she has to find someone to open the bottle because she does not know how and rushes off. Who puts a waiter on the floor that has no idea how to open a wine bottle? She comes back and explains she can't find anyone to open the bottle for her. Exasperated, I ask her for the corkscrew and I open it myself. As I set the bottle down she picks it up and begins to pour both glasses practically to the brim. No tasting offered. Good thing the wine wasn't corked. Again, if you are a manager of a restaurant that serves wine - why aren't the staff trained in the procedure?? Waiter runs off. A few minutes later a manager-type shows up to "help with the wine." Great. If I hadn't already opened it we would have been at the 30 minute mark of our visit when this fellow arrives. I told him so as well as suggesting that the staff be trained in opening bottles. No comment from said 'manager-type'. Finally we place our orders. I ordered the ribeye steak, medium rare. On the menu it comes with sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers. I order it with mushrooms ONLY. My mother and aunts dishes come out first, the rest of the tables meals a few minutes later. My steak is covered in onions and peppers. No mushrooms. I point this out and ask for another steak on the fly. I'm not happy. Five more minutes drag past and I am delivered the same steak without the onions/peppers - but now absolutely smothered in mushrooms AND now over cooked. Needless to say, we skipped dessert. My advice is to skip this place altogether.
(1)Charlie F.
If I am in SC and a Fatz cafe is in my vicinity, I am most likely going to visit! I ordered the Blue Ridge Chicken, minus the tomatoes and scallions. My side was the wonderful stone ground grits that Fatz does so well. Enjoyed my meal, which was quickly served by a polite and attentive staff.
(4)Jon G.
It is interesting to me how a chain can vary so much between two locations. This Anderson location has been excellent every single time we have been there. Clean, friendly staff, correct orders, and good food. The Seneca location is terrible (0 for 3 there).
(5)Larry G.
Reading some of the other reviews, I wonder if they went to the same restaurant that I did! We eat at Fatz several times a week, and we enjoy the food very much. The staff makes us feel right at home, and the service is generally excellent. We have eaten in Fatz resaurants in S.C., N.C., and TN ; we have found the food and service to be consistently good in all of them.
(4)Dan B.
Burger was ok. They were a bit stingy with the fries, which I do not understand for a restaurant like this. The service was sub-par, Service was slow, salads were forgotten about. We had to ask for more bread, and it was not delivered. Check came way too soon. I haven't eaten here in a while and I do not think I will be back soon. I wonder why the went from poppy seed muffins to poppy seed doughnuts. It was so greasy, not like it used to be. The menu seemed rather IHOP-ish.
(1)Dawn E.
Fatz Cafe, according to Fatz Cafe, is world famous for their Calabash Chicken (fried chicken tenders). I don't know about the world, but I, a person who grew up in FL and lives in MA, had never seen the word Calabash" until I read the menu at Fatz. Still, what kind of Yelper would I be if I didn't order the thing they're famous for? I ordered the Calabash Chicken Salad (you can find them on several menu items as combo ingredients and even in soups). It was kind of good, the usual salad ingredients but certainly nothing special and the chicken tenders weren't better or worse than any other chicken tenders any where. They were juicy, but there was nothing exciting or original about the batter. Service was prompt and with a smile. Prices were decent. This is an OK place, but nothing to write home about... Well, I guess I am sort of writing home about it right now. Oh, I almost forgot the one notable exception... The rolls were awesome. They were these greasy balls of poppyseed dough (fried maybe or just baked with lots of oil) and they butter was sweetened with (I think) honey and a touch of cinnamon. Not on anyone's diet, for sure, but amazing all the same.
(3)Eric D.
Fatz Cafe is your slightly nicer version of an Applebee's (I consider Applebee's to be a reference point of where I do not want to go when asking a client in a new location where the good restaurants are.). Atmosphere - Darker inside than an Applebee's and not as open. The bar area is to the right of the dining area as opposed to in the center like an ABs. The inside materials are also higher-end than AB. Food - Big on burgers and other sandwiches, but I went here for dinner after attempting to go to the Buffalo Wild Wings Cafe (apparently it was Karaoke night, and there must have been over 300 people there...freakish!!). I usually try to eat healthy on the road and my choices were slightly limited here as most items, as w/menu items of this genus, are dowsed in sauces. After talking to a fairly cute barmaid (girls are maids and guys are tenders...right?) I went w/the Teriyaki-Glazed Chicken on a bed or rice w/grilled veggie skewer, as this was my healthier alternative. It turned out to be decent. I washed it down with the tasty locally made Thomas Creek Red Ale. For dessert, I had the Peach Cobbler that was okay. Oh, and they serve these poppy seed rolls that are a cross between a Dunk'n Doughnut Hole and...Hell...a doughnut. They are good, but I am sure are like 500cal ea. Service - The barmaid/tender (oh, FYI, I ate at the bar) was pleasant and talkative, which was great as I was eating solo. SO needless to say, service was great!! Overall - The whole meal, w/tip came in just under $25. Not bad, but their menu does not really fit my tastes. So I may be back if I am limited w/choices or want to talk to a cute barmaid??
(3)Lee G.
Mentioning Fatz and Applebees in the same breath is just plain wrong. They are not even in the same league. I always make a stop at one of the various Fatz Cafes if I'm driving through the upstate. This place is a top notch casual dining establishment. The service is always quick, attentive and friendly. The menu is much more diverse than I remember from years ago. Yet even so, I still order calabash chicken almost every time. They are a little on the smaller size these days, yet still delicious. Perfectly breaded in calabash style, fried golden brown and juicy. Also good are the deep fried poppy seed rolls. Sinfully good with butter. If you're looking for a meal at exit 19, I'd pick Fatz every time.
(4)