A nice surprise to stumble on during a cold weekend in SC Cool retro setting Friendly wait staff and the best pizza ever Along with a good lemony chicken pasta dish yummy desserts and a great atmosphere A definite do-again
(4)
Christine P.
I give this place 5 stars in part because of their dedication to local food. Really unusual pizza selections. The thai shrimp pizza was delicious, not overpowered by the peanut sauce or cheese. My husband was pleased with his reuben pizza and my daughter with her ham and pineapple. Lots of interesting sandwich and pasta selections we will have to try when we go back. Plus, $10 wine bottles on Saturday night! Retro surroundings in downtown Anderson has a nice ambiance. I've seen some complaints about service. We went fairly early (6:30) and the place was about half full, so we had no issues with service. Our food arrived in a timely manner and we had no problems with water refills.
(5)
Josh T.
Great local food. Need I say more? Okay, I will. Get the Italian Freschetta Pizza. Make sure you get it with the fried egg on it.
(5)
Cale G.
I really like this place. They have excellent pizza and a great atmosphere. The seating is retro looking and I believe that all the art on the wall is local. My only complaint is that the service, while good, is a little slow. If you have the time, this is a great place.
(4)
James M.
This is our favorite restaurant in Anderson. The food is excellent! We've never had a bad meal or bad experience here. I love that they strive to use fresh local ingredients, which not only helps the community, but really makes for exceptional quality meals. The staff is always super friendly and there's a great atmosphere overall. Love it! Highly recommended!
(5)
Dan B.
This is one of the best pizza places I have eaten at. They have good pizzas, and great salads and deserts. This place is definitely worth a try for really great food.
(5)
Kelsey B.
Bubblin' bruschetta--awesome. New England Clam Chowder--sooooo good. Excellent flavor. Beers--nice selection. Service--good quality. Friendly people who took care of us. Would def recommend. Check it out.
(5)
Tiffany B.
I eat here constantly (at least once a week) because it is right down the road from my office. Tons of options for lunch, some of my favorites being the Greek Chicken Wrap, the Godfather sandwich, and their AMAZING clam chowder. About $8 will get you an entree, side, and drink for lunch. The specials are always delicious so don't feel nervous to try them- I've never had anything that wasn't crazy good here. Overall, great local restaurant with dedication to local farms and fresh ingredients. I honestly cannot compliment this place enough.
(5)
Roger Y.
First time in Anderson. I ate here tonight. I'm gonna eat here tomorrow. I may very well eat here again on Thursday before I leave town. I'm from Charleston. This place would be a success there but I'd hope they set up in North Charleston instead because they have that vibe. Regardless, I wish they were closer to home. Eat here if you are in the Anderson area.
(5)
Lisa S.
Summa Joe's has been on our list to try in Anderson for the past several years, and we finally made it a point to stop in for dinner. I had such a difficult time deciding what to order, that I ended up with the fresh green bean and beef soup and a garden salad. Both were so fresh and so delicious. I also got to taste the big beef sandwich and it was also tasty with lean, tender beef and a delicious roll. We sat near the kitchen so saw plenty of options to try on our next visit. The pizzas looked especially appealing. They have a really nice beer selection and some good wine choices as well. The only drawbacks were the speed of service and the noise level in the restaurant.
(4)
Toya C.
Located down town, street parking. went for dinner. For appetizer we got the salmon cakes - they were ok, hubby liked them. No distinct flavor. For my meal, i got the lamb ragu - huge portion, enough for 2 or 3 ppl - it was really good but I wish it had a little more flavor or seasoning. Hubby got the chicken corde blue sandwich and he loved it. I think the best thing I had was part of my daughters' grilled cheese sandwich - it was on a toasted, buttery burger bun with 2 different types of cheese - it was really tasty - I could of had that for my meal. The dessert we got was toffee butter cream cake - really tasty.
(3)
Brenda Wedding Officiant O.
My husband and I have been eating at Summa Joe's since it first opened. We love the food as it is always very fresh & purchased locally. Tasty nightly specials, great service. One of the best restaurants in the area. Highly recommend! Brenda Owen http:// WeddingWoman.net
(5)
Michael C.
I have been to Suma Joes many times and have rated it as hit or miss. Tonight was a big miss. I had the special. Shrimp and scallops with rice. The sauce was very sour and the whole dish was cold. Not worth the money or my time. There are better places in Anderson to eat. Sorry but I was disappointed again. The pizza is usually very good . go with the pizza if you visit Suma.
(3)
Ray R.
Stopped in to try something new. The hostess was so rude I had to leave. Will never go back.
(1)
Dodd D.
Love the Greek lamb chops. One of the best restaurants in a 10 mile radius and affordable as well.
(5)
OJ T.
Great place. Interestingly tacky decor and amazing atmosphere. Sit outside if you can. Extremely loud inside. Food was good prices were high I thought for the amount of food you got. I had a salad for my meal that was the littlest salad I've ever got and for that price. It was super tho. I didn't have a pizza but someone at our table did and it looked fantastic. Might go back just for the pizza. Would love to try it. They do personal sizes which is always a plus that way you can still get pizza if the rest of the table doesn't want it. try it out tho!!!!!
(4)
Mike B.
Ate here for the first time while visiting family for Easter. Summa Joe's is an excellent restaurant! Food is fantastic and ambiance is very nice. Scallops as an appetizer were some of the best scallops I have ever had. I had the lamb chops as an entree. Delicious!
(5)
Mary C.
Love to eat with Summer and Joe!! Everyone is friendly. The food is outstanding my favorite the lamb plate so good. I have been a customer for about 6 years. If you have not tried their restaurant go ASAP you will not be disappointed.
(5)
brad h.
What a Unique menu they have. Everything from Pizza, to a Greek Lamb Chop Plate... several seafood dishes, Shrimp and Grits, Scallop Provença, Shrimp & Scallop Seafood Pasta... The more sophisticated dishes are in the $18 to $19 range...you can have a 10 inch pizza for $7. I was impressed with the quality of the ingredients. I had a Blue Cheese Wedge salad that was no different from anything I could buy for three times the price. My Shrimp and Grits were quite tasty. Based on my sample of one, the servings are large so you are getting some food for your money. Service was great, not intrusive, but attentive. There were a lot of staff in this place. I'm always pleased when the staff to patrons ratio is 1 to 4... It's a winner in my mind. Perhaps a "GO-TO" local restaurant that you would return to often and bring friends, etc. My only warning... the place seems to strive for a very relaxed atmosphere, and I see why, with the wide range of the menu, you cannot go for high end ambiance and pull off this unique wide range of dinner choices... I think that they have undershot and as a result have an underwhelming experience. My advice would be to spend some money and upgrade to a slightly higher level. Oh, we had a peach and blueberry cobbler a-la-mode that was cooked in a small dish to perfection...
(4)
Brayden K.
Yep. 5 stars. This restaurant isn't the nicest, fanciest, or the opposite: a buffet where you can pig out for $10, but it surpasses it's goals in what it seems to strive to be in service, quality, character, and flavor. 1st our service: Our waiter was a man with a beard and listened to all our questions, was engaged, and knew the menu with depth, and therefore was able to bounce around ideas with us. He was extremely polite and respectful of us even when we would be irritating to ourselves. 2nd the food: We had the special squash soup and Mediterranean salad that we're being served that night = delicious. The soup was not over creamed and had small chunks of squash. I don't even like squash and it was still great. The salad reminded me of my trip to Greece: simple red wine vinaigrette and not overwhelmed with every vegetable known to man. We also had the shrimp cakes which were amazing, as well as the Italian Freschetta pizza which was awesome. Also note that this place serves locally sourced ingredients, which is icing on the cake 3rd character: This place sits in downtown Anderson which has a lot of character/charm and this place fits right in. It's not a white tablecloth restaurant, but is still nice while maintaining a rustic charm.
(5)
David O.
This place as authentic and delicious food!! The wait on weekends is long but worth it. My wife and I come here once a month.
(5)
Ronald P.
We stopped in Anderson for dinner one evening on our way to Raleigh, NC. We were celebrating my wife's birthday, and could not have picked a better place. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We shared the goat cheese stuffed chicken breasts. Summa Joe's uses locally grown vegetables and they were deliciously prepared. By sharing the meal, we left room for the coconut cake dessert. We will go back here whenever we're in the area. My wife enjoys finding locally owned restaurants when we dine.
(5)
Margaret F.
We love Summa Joe's and have not been disappointed by their food once. It is a local business, with local ingredients, and local / regional beer. Every time we go, they are hopping but always able to set us asap. Their specials are amazing, but if you get there late at all, don't expect them to still have them...that's happened to us a few times. Descriptions on the menu are spot on. Everything from the Pizza to the lamb is totally worth it. We have had our beer orders fubbed a couple times, so if you decide to order beer, make sure they know exactly what you want. All in all, when we want to stay close to Anderson and go somewhere where we know we will get good food, we always pick Summa Joe's. - Keep an eye on their hours, we've tried to go a couple times and they've been closed, and it can get noisy even when there isnt live music.
(4)
Anna Kate D.
My favorite restaurant in Anderson! Great for groups or families. Best clam chowder around!
(5)
Anu M.
Was a beast getting there in high gale winds and a surprise thunderstorm...but totally worth it. The shrimp grits sits happy in my belly topped off by sweet juicy scallops. I am officially a fan of southern cooking. Added bonus..they use fresh local ingredients!
(4)
Dave P.
We really enjoyed the blue cheese salad wedge with dried cranberries and bacon. The service was excellent, and our specialty pizzas were delicious. We had the big kahuna pizza and the specialty polecat pepper jelly pizza with apples. The apples balanced out the spice of the jelly very nicely. The crust was thin but soft and the feta cheese on the big kahuna pizza made the pizza rich and creamy.
(4)
Heather C.
Summa Joe's is a great asset to downtown Anderson. The service is always good, the food is amazing, and the beer selection is great. We eat at SJ's at least once every week and never get tired of it! Plus, you can't beat kids eating free on Wednesdays!
(5)
Ameet J.
These guys can cook! We came from California and wanted to try some pizza. Not only was the pizza good but everything we ordered tasted fresh and homemade. On top of that watching the chefs put so much focus into their cooking made it all the better. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jon G.
My favorite eatery in Anderson County, maybe even the Upstate. I try to go there every time I come up to Clemson. Pizzas are amazing, period. The Cubano sandwich is terrific. Quality ingredients across the board. Most importantly, we have had great service on all four of our visits. Planning on being back for some pizza on Friday night when we come up from Florida to see the Tigers throttle NC State. We haven't tried dessert yet, but the cakes in the cake plates look phenomenal.
(5)
Perry H.
My wife and I dined here recently, and we were not disappointed! We sat outside due to having our dog with us and enjoyed a wonderful spring evening in downtown Anderson. Since we were not extremely hungry, we decided to share appetizers. Everything we sampled was excellent! We tried Tomato basil soup, black bean soup, shrimp cakes, shrimp/spinach/artichoke dip, and roast beef crustinis - all were wonderful, and the service was excellent. We look forward to our next visit to this awesome restaurant.
(5)
Chuck N.
This was my first time at Summajoe's, but I can say without further ado that it will not be my last. How many times have I driven past this downtown treasure, vowing to "get there tomorrow night," only to end up somewhere in Greenville or Clemson. Love the atmosphere, although if they took a notion to do so, they could make it REALLY eclectic with a little more effort...not a criticism, just an observation. I had the Reuben with potato salad as a side. The Reuben was excellent - clearly a "homemade" sandwich -- and the potato salad was delicious and unique. The only thing that could have improved it would have been to use Duke's mayo...and with their commitment to using local products, I am a bit surprised that they don't use Duke's (made in Greenville, SC since its beginning over a century ago) Of course, the salad dressing they use may also be local, I don't know. My dinner partner had the veggie pizza and reported that it was exceptional, different than any you will find elsewhere. A big bite on my part confirms that assessment. A word about the Coca-Cola...it was average. Not bad, not great. When I order a coke at a restaurant, I want it to make my eyes water. This didn't do it for me. And frankly, it is not common to find a restaurant that serves coke that will...I don't know WHY, but it is not that common. Still, I managed to suffer through four refills, so it was drinkable. And a word about the desserts...I read the reviews about how great the desserts are and so I gave one of them a shot. I got a piece of Orange Blossum ? Cake to go. I ended up having some of it the next morning, and while it was good, it was certainly nothing special. In fact, as luck would have it, my daughter had baked an orange creme cake (box cake) the night before, and quite frankly, I couldn't tell the difference in the two. Perhaps I chose the wrong dessert. I will try something else next time. Overall, I loved the place, the wait staff, the food, the feel...all of it. If you haven't been, ya gotta GO!
(4)
Matt P.
This is one of my favorite places to eat across the entire US. I have had several great dishes, the chicken sandwich is amazing, the salad dressings are made from scratch and excellent. The scallop Provençal is also a favorite. The desserts are also great. This place is good enough to travel from another city just to try it out, you won't be disappointed. I travel a lot for business all across the US, Europe, and China, and put this on the top of my favorites list.
(5)
Tony W.
Great food and great staff. I love this restaurant and the variety of dishes and beverages. I make it a point to get something different every visit.
(5)
Michael G.
One of the most consistently delicious restaurants I've ever visited. I live in NYC, and CANNOT find a place like this at home without spending $50 a plate. I come here everytime I'm in Anderson to visit family. The dedication to fresh and local foods is something sorely missed by 99% of area places, but Summa Joe's hits the mark. Service is always on point and the owners seem to be warm and friendly folks. As for the pizza, I like the Buffalo and the Freschetta. All the sandwiches are amazing.
(5)
Hungry H.
We tried Summa Joe's yesterday and enjoyed it. The pizza was good, but I guess I'm a bit of a pizza conservative and expect my za baked on a stone, not a conveyor oven. The toppings were good and tasty and I thought the red sauce was yummy as well. The menu is exceptionally interesting and I would like to head back to try some of the sandwiches -- I was noticing lots of other folks' plates, and one person had a pile of what looked like homemade roast beef that I would certainly like to try. The staff was friendly and the place was very busy. The kitchen worked very well together which made for a smooth and orderly experience for all. I will certainly return and would say it's the best restaurant I've visited in the area.
(4)
Ken W.
So, so good. We are going to eventually try each of their pizzas. Tonight I had the buffalo wing pie (with blue cheese). It had quite a bite.
(5)
Laura P.
Delicious lunch spot! Tasty food, good beer, friendly service! Their grits are some of the best I've had and while we didn't have pizza, it smelled and looked amazing.
(5)
S B.
One of our favorite places to eat!! Food and service are always good!!! I love the unique dishes the owners make. The pizza is the best I've eaten!!
(5)
Drew R.
I want to like Summajoe's. The owner is a nice guy. It has a truly one-of-a-kind menu. It's placed in downtown Anderson. But the sad truth is that they've missed the mark in being the best they can be. The indoor ambience needs a little work, but is good nonetheless. Also, on Thursday nights they feature decent live music, which would be nice if it wasn't so deafeningly loud that you can't even hold a conversation with the people at your table. There's also Beer Bingo on Tuesdays. Thanks but no thanks. With all-too-loud live music on Thursdays, and Beer Bingo on Tuesdays, I'd encourage eating outside and enjoy the fresh air and cool breeze. Summa Joe's has a unique menu. Be bold when choosing. But be prepared to pay a pretty penny if you want the really unique stuff. The food is good, but the price is a little too high for portions that are too small if you want to get anything above a pizza or sandwich. And it takes a long time for your food to come. But once the food does come, it's worth all the noise and the waiting. I want to like Summa Joe's, I really do, but I gotta be honest and say that Summa Joe's is not nearly as truly GREAT as it has the potential to be.
(3)
Juste M.
Summa Joe's is my go to place for eating in Anderson. I love the locally sourced food. It's nice to be able to eat outside as well. One of the best places around.
(5)
LovetoBfit ..
Service was great. Food was tasty but a tad oily / heavy on seasoning if you're health conscious. Good for a group and affordable.
(4)
Aaron B.
Great fresh local food! Best in downtown Anderson.
(5)
Nikki S.
Service was the worst I have ever experienced. Our server, Dustin, had bad blood with the employer of someone at our table so he treated our whole table like dirt. Later in the night, he shot us a bird. He facebook messaged us and harassed us for coming in there, and worst of all the management defended his actions. Great food, but not worth being treated like dirt. Will not be going back.
(1)
Nick W.
This a a cool,funky,and ultimately great place to eat! The mood lighting inside a historic building is fantastic. I was so excited to learn that Summa Joe's is REALLY supporting the grown locally movement. It should be obvious that with that kind of commitment the quality the food is superb!! The 10" pizza was loaded with ingredients and cooked to perfection. Saturday night features a wine special that will definitely help make my family a regular. This is a great date place or a wonderful small group place. Get of the computer and give them a try, did I mention free wifi........
(4)
Nic S.
This place is as good as it gets in Anderson when it comes to food. This is my go to place for out of town guests. My only complaint is it is a wait if you go for lunch, but worth the wait when you get the food. The inside is a mish mash of things but it works. They don't have a big selection of wine and beer but what they do have is great. I have had many things on the menu but always go back to the greek plate with lamb chops. The Italian Freschetta pizza is my favorite pie on the menu. If you don't get it with the egg on top you are should be taken down the street and beaten on the county court steps (well at least on Sunday)
(5)
Cheryl H.
The best desserts in the world! OH MY! The coconut cake is light, tender, and moist with the most wonderful REAL frosting made fresh by the cook! Food is very good, made with fresh, local produce. Service is excellent. Hours are limited so check before you go. This is a wonderful restaurant with great food and great staff!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Murray J.
A nice surprise to stumble on during a cold weekend in SC Cool retro setting Friendly wait staff and the best pizza ever Along with a good lemony chicken pasta dish yummy desserts and a great atmosphere A definite do-again
(4)Christine P.
I give this place 5 stars in part because of their dedication to local food. Really unusual pizza selections. The thai shrimp pizza was delicious, not overpowered by the peanut sauce or cheese. My husband was pleased with his reuben pizza and my daughter with her ham and pineapple. Lots of interesting sandwich and pasta selections we will have to try when we go back. Plus, $10 wine bottles on Saturday night! Retro surroundings in downtown Anderson has a nice ambiance. I've seen some complaints about service. We went fairly early (6:30) and the place was about half full, so we had no issues with service. Our food arrived in a timely manner and we had no problems with water refills.
(5)Josh T.
Great local food. Need I say more? Okay, I will. Get the Italian Freschetta Pizza. Make sure you get it with the fried egg on it.
(5)Cale G.
I really like this place. They have excellent pizza and a great atmosphere. The seating is retro looking and I believe that all the art on the wall is local. My only complaint is that the service, while good, is a little slow. If you have the time, this is a great place.
(4)James M.
This is our favorite restaurant in Anderson. The food is excellent! We've never had a bad meal or bad experience here. I love that they strive to use fresh local ingredients, which not only helps the community, but really makes for exceptional quality meals. The staff is always super friendly and there's a great atmosphere overall. Love it! Highly recommended!
(5)Dan B.
This is one of the best pizza places I have eaten at. They have good pizzas, and great salads and deserts. This place is definitely worth a try for really great food.
(5)Kelsey B.
Bubblin' bruschetta--awesome. New England Clam Chowder--sooooo good. Excellent flavor. Beers--nice selection. Service--good quality. Friendly people who took care of us. Would def recommend. Check it out.
(5)Tiffany B.
I eat here constantly (at least once a week) because it is right down the road from my office. Tons of options for lunch, some of my favorites being the Greek Chicken Wrap, the Godfather sandwich, and their AMAZING clam chowder. About $8 will get you an entree, side, and drink for lunch. The specials are always delicious so don't feel nervous to try them- I've never had anything that wasn't crazy good here. Overall, great local restaurant with dedication to local farms and fresh ingredients. I honestly cannot compliment this place enough.
(5)Roger Y.
First time in Anderson. I ate here tonight. I'm gonna eat here tomorrow. I may very well eat here again on Thursday before I leave town. I'm from Charleston. This place would be a success there but I'd hope they set up in North Charleston instead because they have that vibe. Regardless, I wish they were closer to home. Eat here if you are in the Anderson area.
(5)Lisa S.
Summa Joe's has been on our list to try in Anderson for the past several years, and we finally made it a point to stop in for dinner. I had such a difficult time deciding what to order, that I ended up with the fresh green bean and beef soup and a garden salad. Both were so fresh and so delicious. I also got to taste the big beef sandwich and it was also tasty with lean, tender beef and a delicious roll. We sat near the kitchen so saw plenty of options to try on our next visit. The pizzas looked especially appealing. They have a really nice beer selection and some good wine choices as well. The only drawbacks were the speed of service and the noise level in the restaurant.
(4)Toya C.
Located down town, street parking. went for dinner. For appetizer we got the salmon cakes - they were ok, hubby liked them. No distinct flavor. For my meal, i got the lamb ragu - huge portion, enough for 2 or 3 ppl - it was really good but I wish it had a little more flavor or seasoning. Hubby got the chicken corde blue sandwich and he loved it. I think the best thing I had was part of my daughters' grilled cheese sandwich - it was on a toasted, buttery burger bun with 2 different types of cheese - it was really tasty - I could of had that for my meal. The dessert we got was toffee butter cream cake - really tasty.
(3)Brenda Wedding Officiant O.
My husband and I have been eating at Summa Joe's since it first opened. We love the food as it is always very fresh & purchased locally. Tasty nightly specials, great service. One of the best restaurants in the area. Highly recommend! Brenda Owen http:// WeddingWoman.net
(5)Michael C.
I have been to Suma Joes many times and have rated it as hit or miss. Tonight was a big miss. I had the special. Shrimp and scallops with rice. The sauce was very sour and the whole dish was cold. Not worth the money or my time. There are better places in Anderson to eat. Sorry but I was disappointed again. The pizza is usually very good . go with the pizza if you visit Suma.
(3)Ray R.
Stopped in to try something new. The hostess was so rude I had to leave. Will never go back.
(1)Dodd D.
Love the Greek lamb chops. One of the best restaurants in a 10 mile radius and affordable as well.
(5)OJ T.
Great place. Interestingly tacky decor and amazing atmosphere. Sit outside if you can. Extremely loud inside. Food was good prices were high I thought for the amount of food you got. I had a salad for my meal that was the littlest salad I've ever got and for that price. It was super tho. I didn't have a pizza but someone at our table did and it looked fantastic. Might go back just for the pizza. Would love to try it. They do personal sizes which is always a plus that way you can still get pizza if the rest of the table doesn't want it. try it out tho!!!!!
(4)Mike B.
Ate here for the first time while visiting family for Easter. Summa Joe's is an excellent restaurant! Food is fantastic and ambiance is very nice. Scallops as an appetizer were some of the best scallops I have ever had. I had the lamb chops as an entree. Delicious!
(5)Mary C.
Love to eat with Summer and Joe!! Everyone is friendly. The food is outstanding my favorite the lamb plate so good. I have been a customer for about 6 years. If you have not tried their restaurant go ASAP you will not be disappointed.
(5)brad h.
What a Unique menu they have. Everything from Pizza, to a Greek Lamb Chop Plate... several seafood dishes, Shrimp and Grits, Scallop Provença, Shrimp & Scallop Seafood Pasta... The more sophisticated dishes are in the $18 to $19 range...you can have a 10 inch pizza for $7. I was impressed with the quality of the ingredients. I had a Blue Cheese Wedge salad that was no different from anything I could buy for three times the price. My Shrimp and Grits were quite tasty. Based on my sample of one, the servings are large so you are getting some food for your money. Service was great, not intrusive, but attentive. There were a lot of staff in this place. I'm always pleased when the staff to patrons ratio is 1 to 4... It's a winner in my mind. Perhaps a "GO-TO" local restaurant that you would return to often and bring friends, etc. My only warning... the place seems to strive for a very relaxed atmosphere, and I see why, with the wide range of the menu, you cannot go for high end ambiance and pull off this unique wide range of dinner choices... I think that they have undershot and as a result have an underwhelming experience. My advice would be to spend some money and upgrade to a slightly higher level. Oh, we had a peach and blueberry cobbler a-la-mode that was cooked in a small dish to perfection...
(4)Brayden K.
Yep. 5 stars. This restaurant isn't the nicest, fanciest, or the opposite: a buffet where you can pig out for $10, but it surpasses it's goals in what it seems to strive to be in service, quality, character, and flavor. 1st our service: Our waiter was a man with a beard and listened to all our questions, was engaged, and knew the menu with depth, and therefore was able to bounce around ideas with us. He was extremely polite and respectful of us even when we would be irritating to ourselves. 2nd the food: We had the special squash soup and Mediterranean salad that we're being served that night = delicious. The soup was not over creamed and had small chunks of squash. I don't even like squash and it was still great. The salad reminded me of my trip to Greece: simple red wine vinaigrette and not overwhelmed with every vegetable known to man. We also had the shrimp cakes which were amazing, as well as the Italian Freschetta pizza which was awesome. Also note that this place serves locally sourced ingredients, which is icing on the cake 3rd character: This place sits in downtown Anderson which has a lot of character/charm and this place fits right in. It's not a white tablecloth restaurant, but is still nice while maintaining a rustic charm.
(5)David O.
This place as authentic and delicious food!! The wait on weekends is long but worth it. My wife and I come here once a month.
(5)Ronald P.
We stopped in Anderson for dinner one evening on our way to Raleigh, NC. We were celebrating my wife's birthday, and could not have picked a better place. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We shared the goat cheese stuffed chicken breasts. Summa Joe's uses locally grown vegetables and they were deliciously prepared. By sharing the meal, we left room for the coconut cake dessert. We will go back here whenever we're in the area. My wife enjoys finding locally owned restaurants when we dine.
(5)Margaret F.
We love Summa Joe's and have not been disappointed by their food once. It is a local business, with local ingredients, and local / regional beer. Every time we go, they are hopping but always able to set us asap. Their specials are amazing, but if you get there late at all, don't expect them to still have them...that's happened to us a few times. Descriptions on the menu are spot on. Everything from the Pizza to the lamb is totally worth it. We have had our beer orders fubbed a couple times, so if you decide to order beer, make sure they know exactly what you want. All in all, when we want to stay close to Anderson and go somewhere where we know we will get good food, we always pick Summa Joe's. - Keep an eye on their hours, we've tried to go a couple times and they've been closed, and it can get noisy even when there isnt live music.
(4)Anna Kate D.
My favorite restaurant in Anderson! Great for groups or families. Best clam chowder around!
(5)Anu M.
Was a beast getting there in high gale winds and a surprise thunderstorm...but totally worth it. The shrimp grits sits happy in my belly topped off by sweet juicy scallops. I am officially a fan of southern cooking. Added bonus..they use fresh local ingredients!
(4)Dave P.
We really enjoyed the blue cheese salad wedge with dried cranberries and bacon. The service was excellent, and our specialty pizzas were delicious. We had the big kahuna pizza and the specialty polecat pepper jelly pizza with apples. The apples balanced out the spice of the jelly very nicely. The crust was thin but soft and the feta cheese on the big kahuna pizza made the pizza rich and creamy.
(4)Heather C.
Summa Joe's is a great asset to downtown Anderson. The service is always good, the food is amazing, and the beer selection is great. We eat at SJ's at least once every week and never get tired of it! Plus, you can't beat kids eating free on Wednesdays!
(5)Ameet J.
These guys can cook! We came from California and wanted to try some pizza. Not only was the pizza good but everything we ordered tasted fresh and homemade. On top of that watching the chefs put so much focus into their cooking made it all the better. Highly recommended.
(5)Jon G.
My favorite eatery in Anderson County, maybe even the Upstate. I try to go there every time I come up to Clemson. Pizzas are amazing, period. The Cubano sandwich is terrific. Quality ingredients across the board. Most importantly, we have had great service on all four of our visits. Planning on being back for some pizza on Friday night when we come up from Florida to see the Tigers throttle NC State. We haven't tried dessert yet, but the cakes in the cake plates look phenomenal.
(5)Perry H.
My wife and I dined here recently, and we were not disappointed! We sat outside due to having our dog with us and enjoyed a wonderful spring evening in downtown Anderson. Since we were not extremely hungry, we decided to share appetizers. Everything we sampled was excellent! We tried Tomato basil soup, black bean soup, shrimp cakes, shrimp/spinach/artichoke dip, and roast beef crustinis - all were wonderful, and the service was excellent. We look forward to our next visit to this awesome restaurant.
(5)Chuck N.
This was my first time at Summajoe's, but I can say without further ado that it will not be my last. How many times have I driven past this downtown treasure, vowing to "get there tomorrow night," only to end up somewhere in Greenville or Clemson. Love the atmosphere, although if they took a notion to do so, they could make it REALLY eclectic with a little more effort...not a criticism, just an observation. I had the Reuben with potato salad as a side. The Reuben was excellent - clearly a "homemade" sandwich -- and the potato salad was delicious and unique. The only thing that could have improved it would have been to use Duke's mayo...and with their commitment to using local products, I am a bit surprised that they don't use Duke's (made in Greenville, SC since its beginning over a century ago) Of course, the salad dressing they use may also be local, I don't know. My dinner partner had the veggie pizza and reported that it was exceptional, different than any you will find elsewhere. A big bite on my part confirms that assessment. A word about the Coca-Cola...it was average. Not bad, not great. When I order a coke at a restaurant, I want it to make my eyes water. This didn't do it for me. And frankly, it is not common to find a restaurant that serves coke that will...I don't know WHY, but it is not that common. Still, I managed to suffer through four refills, so it was drinkable. And a word about the desserts...I read the reviews about how great the desserts are and so I gave one of them a shot. I got a piece of Orange Blossum ? Cake to go. I ended up having some of it the next morning, and while it was good, it was certainly nothing special. In fact, as luck would have it, my daughter had baked an orange creme cake (box cake) the night before, and quite frankly, I couldn't tell the difference in the two. Perhaps I chose the wrong dessert. I will try something else next time. Overall, I loved the place, the wait staff, the food, the feel...all of it. If you haven't been, ya gotta GO!
(4)Matt P.
This is one of my favorite places to eat across the entire US. I have had several great dishes, the chicken sandwich is amazing, the salad dressings are made from scratch and excellent. The scallop Provençal is also a favorite. The desserts are also great. This place is good enough to travel from another city just to try it out, you won't be disappointed. I travel a lot for business all across the US, Europe, and China, and put this on the top of my favorites list.
(5)Tony W.
Great food and great staff. I love this restaurant and the variety of dishes and beverages. I make it a point to get something different every visit.
(5)Michael G.
One of the most consistently delicious restaurants I've ever visited. I live in NYC, and CANNOT find a place like this at home without spending $50 a plate. I come here everytime I'm in Anderson to visit family. The dedication to fresh and local foods is something sorely missed by 99% of area places, but Summa Joe's hits the mark. Service is always on point and the owners seem to be warm and friendly folks. As for the pizza, I like the Buffalo and the Freschetta. All the sandwiches are amazing.
(5)Hungry H.
We tried Summa Joe's yesterday and enjoyed it. The pizza was good, but I guess I'm a bit of a pizza conservative and expect my za baked on a stone, not a conveyor oven. The toppings were good and tasty and I thought the red sauce was yummy as well. The menu is exceptionally interesting and I would like to head back to try some of the sandwiches -- I was noticing lots of other folks' plates, and one person had a pile of what looked like homemade roast beef that I would certainly like to try. The staff was friendly and the place was very busy. The kitchen worked very well together which made for a smooth and orderly experience for all. I will certainly return and would say it's the best restaurant I've visited in the area.
(4)Ken W.
So, so good. We are going to eventually try each of their pizzas. Tonight I had the buffalo wing pie (with blue cheese). It had quite a bite.
(5)Laura P.
Delicious lunch spot! Tasty food, good beer, friendly service! Their grits are some of the best I've had and while we didn't have pizza, it smelled and looked amazing.
(5)S B.
One of our favorite places to eat!! Food and service are always good!!! I love the unique dishes the owners make. The pizza is the best I've eaten!!
(5)Drew R.
I want to like Summajoe's. The owner is a nice guy. It has a truly one-of-a-kind menu. It's placed in downtown Anderson. But the sad truth is that they've missed the mark in being the best they can be. The indoor ambience needs a little work, but is good nonetheless. Also, on Thursday nights they feature decent live music, which would be nice if it wasn't so deafeningly loud that you can't even hold a conversation with the people at your table. There's also Beer Bingo on Tuesdays. Thanks but no thanks. With all-too-loud live music on Thursdays, and Beer Bingo on Tuesdays, I'd encourage eating outside and enjoy the fresh air and cool breeze. Summa Joe's has a unique menu. Be bold when choosing. But be prepared to pay a pretty penny if you want the really unique stuff. The food is good, but the price is a little too high for portions that are too small if you want to get anything above a pizza or sandwich. And it takes a long time for your food to come. But once the food does come, it's worth all the noise and the waiting. I want to like Summa Joe's, I really do, but I gotta be honest and say that Summa Joe's is not nearly as truly GREAT as it has the potential to be.
(3)Juste M.
Summa Joe's is my go to place for eating in Anderson. I love the locally sourced food. It's nice to be able to eat outside as well. One of the best places around.
(5)LovetoBfit ..
Service was great. Food was tasty but a tad oily / heavy on seasoning if you're health conscious. Good for a group and affordable.
(4)Aaron B.
Great fresh local food! Best in downtown Anderson.
(5)Nikki S.
Service was the worst I have ever experienced. Our server, Dustin, had bad blood with the employer of someone at our table so he treated our whole table like dirt. Later in the night, he shot us a bird. He facebook messaged us and harassed us for coming in there, and worst of all the management defended his actions. Great food, but not worth being treated like dirt. Will not be going back.
(1)Nick W.
This a a cool,funky,and ultimately great place to eat! The mood lighting inside a historic building is fantastic. I was so excited to learn that Summa Joe's is REALLY supporting the grown locally movement. It should be obvious that with that kind of commitment the quality the food is superb!! The 10" pizza was loaded with ingredients and cooked to perfection. Saturday night features a wine special that will definitely help make my family a regular. This is a great date place or a wonderful small group place. Get of the computer and give them a try, did I mention free wifi........
(4)Nic S.
This place is as good as it gets in Anderson when it comes to food. This is my go to place for out of town guests. My only complaint is it is a wait if you go for lunch, but worth the wait when you get the food. The inside is a mish mash of things but it works. They don't have a big selection of wine and beer but what they do have is great. I have had many things on the menu but always go back to the greek plate with lamb chops. The Italian Freschetta pizza is my favorite pie on the menu. If you don't get it with the egg on top you are should be taken down the street and beaten on the county court steps (well at least on Sunday)
(5)Cheryl H.
The best desserts in the world! OH MY! The coconut cake is light, tender, and moist with the most wonderful REAL frosting made fresh by the cook! Food is very good, made with fresh, local produce. Service is excellent. Hours are limited so check before you go. This is a wonderful restaurant with great food and great staff!
(5)