We recently visited Vella's on a Saturday afternoon for a early dinner, us and some friends -- 4 adults and 4 young kids. It was my family's first time (our friends live nearby and strongly recommended Vella's) and we really enjoyed ourselves. Both inside and outside, Vella's looks a bit like a hole in the wall. Frankly, I like that -- some of the best food I've ever had came from holes in the wall! It reminded me a lot of a restaurant I loved in Indiana, and so I felt very much at home. I ordered French onion soup, and a mushroom swiss burger. The soup was salty, but otherwise well-made. The burger was AMAZING, with barbecue sauce and bacon in addition to the mushrooms and swiss cheese. Their cole slaw is great, and I loved the "raw fries" (homemade potato chips). The kids each liked their various kids meals. I got to taste a few bites of my friend's mozzarella sticks (best I've ever had) and honey barbecue wing (delish!). The husbands took advantage of a 2-ribeyes-for-$20 special of the day, and were both extremely pleased. Overall, this was a yummy dining experience in a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere. Our server was cheerful and helpful (not always easy when there are 4 kids at the table needing extra napkins and occasionally spilling water everywhere) and helped make the outing fun. We'll definitely be back -- for lunch on our own, or for dinner with the kids!
(4)
Sherry C.
Well.... I was disappointed coming here. I used to come here a lot in college. Lots of good memories here. I got the prime rib sandwich ... Their Friday night special. The sandwich was pretty good with the exception of the big piece of fat in it. The cold slaw was FULL of mayo. The raw fries were shining with grease. I never could find a crisp one. The service was slack. We kept looking for our waitress. I would have had more drinks at least with better service. Maybe then the fries might not have tasted so greasy. We even complained about them to the waitress.... She could have cared less. Prices are good. Service was slack. And raw fries were pitiful. It may be a while before we return.
(3)
Sam C.
The beer is cheap. The prime rib sandwich was great. The raw fries were dripping with grease and overlooked. Did I mention the beer was cheap. This may be the only bar sporting 19" tube TVs...... Did I mention the beer was cheap.
(3)
Charles C.
A very average restaurant but great prices for drinkers. I've yet to see any bar and grill come close to the wonderful beer prices you find at Vellas. The food isn't bad, not something you leave saying WOW about either. All and all, a decent place
(4)
Rae H.
This is a little hole in the wall. It's got intimate lighting, and is comfy and quiet. Parking is easy, the booths are comfortable, and it's convenient to downtown. It has a full bar and the specials looked great. The hostess was super friendly and took the time to answer questions I had about the menu. The waitress was very friendly and attentive and our food came out very quickly even though they had a fair amount of patrons during peak dinner hour. I loved that there was a diverse group of diners--not just a set regular crowd. There were families and big groups and couples and folks watching tv and people talking. It had a very intimate atmosphere though, and it's not a very big place. It's dimly lit, though, if that's a problem for you. While it may not look like much outside, inside was clean, the food was fresh and delicious and my cup was always full. I had a steak salad that was seasoned perfectly. I found a fennel seed--yup there it was! I found the secret ingredient. It was deliciously flavored, not too much but complicated and yummy and om nom. I will be back, and can't believe it took me this long to go in the first place.
(4)
Greg S.
This is your typical local restaurant. Some appetizers, burgers, steaks, and some seafood. We ate there for lunch on 4/30/15 and I would rate it good. Had the chicken tender dinner. It comes with a small salad and a side. Salad was a good size. Raw fries as the side were cooked good, but were a little greasy. The portion of chicken was perfect for lunch. Wait staff was very attentive and friendly. Another member of the party had the ribeye sandwich and said it was cooked perfectly. The other two members had the chef salads and seemed to like theirs as well. Will try Vella's again and maybe go with one of their burgers. For under $10, not including drink, it was a fairly decent lunch spot.
(3)
Elizabeth S.
I went there on a date, his pick. There was a bug crawling on the wall right by our booth! It was a small cockroach so I know there are plenty more. I was half-way through my meal and lost my appetite. The staff shrugged it off. They did not seem surprised. My burger was overcooked and my date got grilled shrimp. I would hardly call them grilled. The fried appetizer was safe but absolutely nothing more than dive bar status. The place was busy, it seemed that everyone knew eachother. It seemed like more of a locals spot for an older crowd who doesn't know or care about dust, bugs or food... Just alcohol. Don't waste your time.
(1)
Eric S.
Great spot to grab lunch. Really enjoy the fried buffalo chicken sandwich with raw fries. The wings are very good. Only wish they offered a wing basket with raw fries! Service is always satisfactory and the food comes in a timely manner. Not a bad craft beer selection either! Better than most!
(4)
Kel B.
Vella's is a great place to eat and hang out! When you're there you will feel like you're part of a big family, and the food is surprisingly awesome! Try the Vella's Special (think Groucho's dipper or Andy's Deli special, but better), the hamburger steak (covered in onions and peppers mmmmmm!), the spicy fried chicken sandwich (better than Chick Fil A), the buffalo shrimp, or the shrimp Caesar salad. Really, try anything to eat there. You won't be disappointed. Check their online menu for nightly specials. Monday is all you can eat crablegs, which I have yet to try. Tuesday is 50 cent wings. Wednesday is a draft beer special (skip this - see below). One word of advice though, their draft beers are NOT good. I don't know if their pipes are moldy or what, but if you get beer, get it in a bottle. All in all, Vella's is a friendly place with great food for a good price. I love it! :]
(5)
Greg W.
Maybe the back dining area is different, but in the front, where I was seated, there were only 3 TVs (2 19" and 1 25") of the tube-variety. Difficult to see and even more difficult to hear with the volume all the way down. I got the Vella's special based on the previous review. I have to say... hard as they may try, they didn't come close to Andy's special. Despite the description of the sandwich being 'served hot', it actually arrived at room temperature. I'm not sure if it was *ever* hot, as the cheese just kind of sat on top and wasn't even melted. The dipping sauce, which pales in comparison to Andy's, was cold and bland. The bread was even more so... There were large bread-only gaps at each end but it was so... 'bready'... that I didn't even want to eat those bits (and I *love* bread!). I tried a little dipping sauce but that didn't help. The raw fries were pretty good. And there was a sizeable mound served with my sandwich. The water, however, tasted... industrial? You know that odor in the air when you drive past the filtration plant in West Columbia? Yeah, thats what the water tasted like. "No, ma'am, thank you. I would *not* like a to-go cup of water"
(2)
M W.
Food was delicious every time. They catered to everyone in our party with enthusiasm. I've been there on lunch with one other person and we've surprised them with a party of almost 20, both with excellent outcomes. Manager was super helpful and friendly. Wait staff got everyone's order correct. Will definitely be a return customer!
(5)
Blake A.
Vella's is a top-notch family owned restaurant. From the outside, it looks like a hole-in-the-wall, but like most well established hole-in-the-wall's, their food is amazing and service is down to earth and friendly. The atmosphere is cozy... flat screen TV's surround the eating area, while sport, South Carolina, and Gamecock paraphernalia give the walls and ceiling rafters a one-of-a-kind look. Their menu consists of burgers, wings, and sandwiches... and have a few specialty items as well. (By the way, their Vella special w/ buffalo fries is the bomb.) They have a full bar too.
(4)
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Address :829 Knox Abbott Dr,Ste A
Cayce, SC, 29033
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Erica A.
We recently visited Vella's on a Saturday afternoon for a early dinner, us and some friends -- 4 adults and 4 young kids. It was my family's first time (our friends live nearby and strongly recommended Vella's) and we really enjoyed ourselves. Both inside and outside, Vella's looks a bit like a hole in the wall. Frankly, I like that -- some of the best food I've ever had came from holes in the wall! It reminded me a lot of a restaurant I loved in Indiana, and so I felt very much at home. I ordered French onion soup, and a mushroom swiss burger. The soup was salty, but otherwise well-made. The burger was AMAZING, with barbecue sauce and bacon in addition to the mushrooms and swiss cheese. Their cole slaw is great, and I loved the "raw fries" (homemade potato chips). The kids each liked their various kids meals. I got to taste a few bites of my friend's mozzarella sticks (best I've ever had) and honey barbecue wing (delish!). The husbands took advantage of a 2-ribeyes-for-$20 special of the day, and were both extremely pleased. Overall, this was a yummy dining experience in a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere. Our server was cheerful and helpful (not always easy when there are 4 kids at the table needing extra napkins and occasionally spilling water everywhere) and helped make the outing fun. We'll definitely be back -- for lunch on our own, or for dinner with the kids!
(4)Sherry C.
Well.... I was disappointed coming here. I used to come here a lot in college. Lots of good memories here. I got the prime rib sandwich ... Their Friday night special. The sandwich was pretty good with the exception of the big piece of fat in it. The cold slaw was FULL of mayo. The raw fries were shining with grease. I never could find a crisp one. The service was slack. We kept looking for our waitress. I would have had more drinks at least with better service. Maybe then the fries might not have tasted so greasy. We even complained about them to the waitress.... She could have cared less. Prices are good. Service was slack. And raw fries were pitiful. It may be a while before we return.
(3)Sam C.
The beer is cheap. The prime rib sandwich was great. The raw fries were dripping with grease and overlooked. Did I mention the beer was cheap. This may be the only bar sporting 19" tube TVs...... Did I mention the beer was cheap.
(3)Charles C.
A very average restaurant but great prices for drinkers. I've yet to see any bar and grill come close to the wonderful beer prices you find at Vellas. The food isn't bad, not something you leave saying WOW about either. All and all, a decent place
(4)Rae H.
This is a little hole in the wall. It's got intimate lighting, and is comfy and quiet. Parking is easy, the booths are comfortable, and it's convenient to downtown. It has a full bar and the specials looked great. The hostess was super friendly and took the time to answer questions I had about the menu. The waitress was very friendly and attentive and our food came out very quickly even though they had a fair amount of patrons during peak dinner hour. I loved that there was a diverse group of diners--not just a set regular crowd. There were families and big groups and couples and folks watching tv and people talking. It had a very intimate atmosphere though, and it's not a very big place. It's dimly lit, though, if that's a problem for you. While it may not look like much outside, inside was clean, the food was fresh and delicious and my cup was always full. I had a steak salad that was seasoned perfectly. I found a fennel seed--yup there it was! I found the secret ingredient. It was deliciously flavored, not too much but complicated and yummy and om nom. I will be back, and can't believe it took me this long to go in the first place.
(4)Greg S.
This is your typical local restaurant. Some appetizers, burgers, steaks, and some seafood. We ate there for lunch on 4/30/15 and I would rate it good. Had the chicken tender dinner. It comes with a small salad and a side. Salad was a good size. Raw fries as the side were cooked good, but were a little greasy. The portion of chicken was perfect for lunch. Wait staff was very attentive and friendly. Another member of the party had the ribeye sandwich and said it was cooked perfectly. The other two members had the chef salads and seemed to like theirs as well. Will try Vella's again and maybe go with one of their burgers. For under $10, not including drink, it was a fairly decent lunch spot.
(3)Elizabeth S.
I went there on a date, his pick. There was a bug crawling on the wall right by our booth! It was a small cockroach so I know there are plenty more. I was half-way through my meal and lost my appetite. The staff shrugged it off. They did not seem surprised. My burger was overcooked and my date got grilled shrimp. I would hardly call them grilled. The fried appetizer was safe but absolutely nothing more than dive bar status. The place was busy, it seemed that everyone knew eachother. It seemed like more of a locals spot for an older crowd who doesn't know or care about dust, bugs or food... Just alcohol. Don't waste your time.
(1)Eric S.
Great spot to grab lunch. Really enjoy the fried buffalo chicken sandwich with raw fries. The wings are very good. Only wish they offered a wing basket with raw fries! Service is always satisfactory and the food comes in a timely manner. Not a bad craft beer selection either! Better than most!
(4)Kel B.
Vella's is a great place to eat and hang out! When you're there you will feel like you're part of a big family, and the food is surprisingly awesome! Try the Vella's Special (think Groucho's dipper or Andy's Deli special, but better), the hamburger steak (covered in onions and peppers mmmmmm!), the spicy fried chicken sandwich (better than Chick Fil A), the buffalo shrimp, or the shrimp Caesar salad. Really, try anything to eat there. You won't be disappointed. Check their online menu for nightly specials. Monday is all you can eat crablegs, which I have yet to try. Tuesday is 50 cent wings. Wednesday is a draft beer special (skip this - see below). One word of advice though, their draft beers are NOT good. I don't know if their pipes are moldy or what, but if you get beer, get it in a bottle. All in all, Vella's is a friendly place with great food for a good price. I love it! :]
(5)Greg W.
Maybe the back dining area is different, but in the front, where I was seated, there were only 3 TVs (2 19" and 1 25") of the tube-variety. Difficult to see and even more difficult to hear with the volume all the way down. I got the Vella's special based on the previous review. I have to say... hard as they may try, they didn't come close to Andy's special. Despite the description of the sandwich being 'served hot', it actually arrived at room temperature. I'm not sure if it was *ever* hot, as the cheese just kind of sat on top and wasn't even melted. The dipping sauce, which pales in comparison to Andy's, was cold and bland. The bread was even more so... There were large bread-only gaps at each end but it was so... 'bready'... that I didn't even want to eat those bits (and I *love* bread!). I tried a little dipping sauce but that didn't help. The raw fries were pretty good. And there was a sizeable mound served with my sandwich. The water, however, tasted... industrial? You know that odor in the air when you drive past the filtration plant in West Columbia? Yeah, thats what the water tasted like. "No, ma'am, thank you. I would *not* like a to-go cup of water"
(2)M W.
Food was delicious every time. They catered to everyone in our party with enthusiasm. I've been there on lunch with one other person and we've surprised them with a party of almost 20, both with excellent outcomes. Manager was super helpful and friendly. Wait staff got everyone's order correct. Will definitely be a return customer!
(5)Blake A.
Vella's is a top-notch family owned restaurant. From the outside, it looks like a hole-in-the-wall, but like most well established hole-in-the-wall's, their food is amazing and service is down to earth and friendly. The atmosphere is cozy... flat screen TV's surround the eating area, while sport, South Carolina, and Gamecock paraphernalia give the walls and ceiling rafters a one-of-a-kind look. Their menu consists of burgers, wings, and sandwiches... and have a few specialty items as well. (By the way, their Vella special w/ buffalo fries is the bomb.) They have a full bar too.
(4)