Fashioned to serve similarly to a northeast diner but isn't the greatest in terms of food. Service is good generally and is in a pretty sweet location. The atmosphere is the nicest part of yesterdays, homely and nice.
(3)
Darrel R.
Just had great food at Yesterday's. Country fried steak was great and the yuengling was nice and cold.
(5)
G L.
This place is garbage. If you can eat that stuff, there is something wrong with your taste buds.
(1)
Tom O.
I was in town for a conference and wandered into Yesterday's with a small group. We were immediately seated and Joey our waiter was very good. He was not old enough to drink but somehow knew the right local beers. Good listening skills I assume. Extra corn bread for the table was great and the food came out fast and hot. The fried chicken was great. I was concerned I would code out during the dinner as it was not heart healthy but really good. Another reason to be on Crestor. I would recommend this place for a fun relied atmosphere where you can eat and laugh. Thanks a lot.
(5)
Taylor S.
This restaurant has a really nice design and looks very interesting. I really liked the atmosphere. But the food I wasn't a fan of. I couldn't really decide what I wanted so I got the sampler plate and everything on it was pretty bad. The chicken tenders tasted dried out, the mozzarella cheese sticks failed to have cheese in them, and the quesadilla rolls weren't very tasty. Maybe it was just an off day, but I don't think I'll be back to find out.
(2)
Shannon M. S.
Here visiting for the weekend and happen to run across while in 5 points.. Took a chance and went in during brunch and Joey was our waiter. He's the most adorable young man and made us feel comfy. I ordered the Steak and eggs and switched the ribeye for flank cooked medium (Yummy) with a side of scrambled eggs and cheese grits. It was AWESOME.
(5)
Leigh B.
Favorite restaurant. Chicken fried steak is the best thing on the menu. Beware if you have a shellfish allergy. Do not eat the fried food. They fry shrimp in the same oil as everything else. Vegetable plate is great. Kid friendly..
(4)
Stephen R.
Food was 4 stars, same with staff. It was a crowded sat night and I was seated promptly. Sure the decor looks a little eclectic but I was impressed by the decent prices, generous portions, and selection. Bathroom could use some love tho. Garlic bread was a bit.....cafeteriaish. I may be back, but more than likely will just remember a great meal....yesterday.
(3)
Luke S.
Yesterday's has everything from chicken Alfredo to steaks to nachos. There is an option for everyone and the food is great. They deliver too if you don't want to make the trip. The prices are very reasonable and there's a bar if you want a good beer on tap. The chicken alfredo, chicken parm and rib eye steaks are on my list of favorites. The chicken fried chicken is always good and Cuban pork lion is a good option for something a little different. The jambalaya is amazing but may only available as a special. The meatloaf is also a strong choice.
(5)
Adam B. J.
This was my favorite place as a kid. I even remember the St. Andrews location. Still love it. Best chicken fingers ever (childhood fav). Get it with the white gravy. Chicken and Grits, Arkansas Traveler, chicken fried steak, and London Broil all great menu items. Great sides (love their fries, cucumber salad), salads (great homemade dressings), burgers and sandwiches. Lots of draft beers. 90% of the time you'll get good service.
(4)
Steven B.
Waited at the bar for a solid 5 minutes without ever even seeing a bartender. Turns out she was just standing on the other side of the wall and when I got up out of my chair to draw her attention to the other side of the bar she didn't even apologize. It's 6:15, and there's only 5 guests at the bar. Teach your bartenders to walk around the bar or schedule two bartenders if one is incapable of handling 5 guests. The food is good though
(2)
Michael S.
Great always has been Forever! Veggies. Try their veggie burger also very good. Yesterdays Restaurant & Tavern is famous for good Southern cookin'with fresh local produce. I have been a patron almost thirty years. It's great for lunch or dinner. I'm vegetarian and yes, the vegetables are cooked with meat. It's Southern...The ones with "V" on the menu are not. I usually get the 4 Vegetable platter. It comes with a sweet muffin, so I ASK for cornbread muffins also. The collards black eyed peas wild rice and steamed broccoli come in little bowls. Just pour them in your platter and have at it! Bliss! The Veggie Burger with Guacamole and steak fries are mighty fine also. Park in the parking lot next door and have the waitress validate your parking ticket for FREE Parking! They are open late: Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30-Midnight, Fri-Sat: 11:30-1AM
(5)
Nicole L.
Great atmosphere, casual service, and friendly people. Food was fantastic!! Overall it was so much fun
(4)
Pastor-GAvery W.
The atmosphere in this restaurant is great. It has an old country laid back feel. Our server was a little inconsistent but I guess she meant well. The food was absolutely wonderful. I have no complaints about it at all. As an out of town visitor I would definitely recommend this place to others!!
(4)
Shannon M. S.
Here visiting for the weekend and happen to run across while in 5 points.. Took a chance and went in during brunch and Joey was our waiter. He's the most adorable young man and made us feel comfy. I ordered the Steak and eggs and switched the ribeye for flank cooked medium (Yummy) with a side of scrambled eggs and cheese grits. It was AWESOME.
(5)
Leigh B.
Favorite restaurant. Chicken fried steak is the best thing on the menu. Beware if you have a shellfish allergy. Do not eat the fried food. They fry shrimp in the same oil as everything else. Vegetable plate is great. Kid friendly..
(4)
Stephen R.
Food was 4 stars, same with staff. It was a crowded sat night and I was seated promptly. Sure the decor looks a little eclectic but I was impressed by the decent prices, generous portions, and selection. Bathroom could use some love tho. Garlic bread was a bit.....cafeteriaish. I may be back, but more than likely will just remember a great meal....yesterday.
(3)
Luke S.
Yesterday's has everything from chicken Alfredo to steaks to nachos. There is an option for everyone and the food is great. They deliver too if you don't want to make the trip. The prices are very reasonable and there's a bar if you want a good beer on tap. The chicken alfredo, chicken parm and rib eye steaks are on my list of favorites. The chicken fried chicken is always good and Cuban pork lion is a good option for something a little different. The jambalaya is amazing but may only available as a special. The meatloaf is also a strong choice.
(5)
Anthony D.
Fashioned to serve similarly to a northeast diner but isn't the greatest in terms of food. Service is good generally and is in a pretty sweet location. The atmosphere is the nicest part of yesterdays, homely and nice.
(3)
Darrel R.
Just had great food at Yesterday's. Country fried steak was great and the yuengling was nice and cold.
(5)
G L.
This place is garbage. If you can eat that stuff, there is something wrong with your taste buds.
(1)
Tom O.
I was in town for a conference and wandered into Yesterday's with a small group. We were immediately seated and Joey our waiter was very good. He was not old enough to drink but somehow knew the right local beers. Good listening skills I assume. Extra corn bread for the table was great and the food came out fast and hot. The fried chicken was great. I was concerned I would code out during the dinner as it was not heart healthy but really good. Another reason to be on Crestor. I would recommend this place for a fun relied atmosphere where you can eat and laugh. Thanks a lot.
(5)
Taylor S.
This restaurant has a really nice design and looks very interesting. I really liked the atmosphere. But the food I wasn't a fan of. I couldn't really decide what I wanted so I got the sampler plate and everything on it was pretty bad. The chicken tenders tasted dried out, the mozzarella cheese sticks failed to have cheese in them, and the quesadilla rolls weren't very tasty. Maybe it was just an off day, but I don't think I'll be back to find out.
(2)
Adam B. J.
This was my favorite place as a kid. I even remember the St. Andrews location. Still love it. Best chicken fingers ever (childhood fav). Get it with the white gravy. Chicken and Grits, Arkansas Traveler, chicken fried steak, and London Broil all great menu items. Great sides (love their fries, cucumber salad), salads (great homemade dressings), burgers and sandwiches. Lots of draft beers. 90% of the time you'll get good service.
(4)
Steven B.
Waited at the bar for a solid 5 minutes without ever even seeing a bartender. Turns out she was just standing on the other side of the wall and when I got up out of my chair to draw her attention to the other side of the bar she didn't even apologize. It's 6:15, and there's only 5 guests at the bar. Teach your bartenders to walk around the bar or schedule two bartenders if one is incapable of handling 5 guests. The food is good though
(2)
Michael S.
Great always has been Forever! Veggies. Try their veggie burger also very good. Yesterdays Restaurant & Tavern is famous for good Southern cookin'with fresh local produce. I have been a patron almost thirty years. It's great for lunch or dinner. I'm vegetarian and yes, the vegetables are cooked with meat. It's Southern...The ones with "V" on the menu are not. I usually get the 4 Vegetable platter. It comes with a sweet muffin, so I ASK for cornbread muffins also. The collards black eyed peas wild rice and steamed broccoli come in little bowls. Just pour them in your platter and have at it! Bliss! The Veggie Burger with Guacamole and steak fries are mighty fine also. Park in the parking lot next door and have the waitress validate your parking ticket for FREE Parking! They are open late: Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30-Midnight, Fri-Sat: 11:30-1AM
(5)
Nicole L.
Great atmosphere, casual service, and friendly people. Food was fantastic!! Overall it was so much fun
(4)
Pastor-GAvery W.
The atmosphere in this restaurant is great. It has an old country laid back feel. Our server was a little inconsistent but I guess she meant well. The food was absolutely wonderful. I have no complaints about it at all. As an out of town visitor I would definitely recommend this place to others!!
(4)
Suzanne W.
My gf & I were in South Carolina for her brother's wedding and were looking for places to visit/site-see. Well, there weren't too many options around the Lexington area. lol. I did a little research and found a strip of restaurants. Yesterday's caught our eyes with the cool tub above their door. We almost didn't go inside...but we were in one of those moods to just try a new place. It looked like a really cool bar from the outside. I definitely didn't expect a southern food joint. We didn't really get a friendly greet. However, our server did make up for that. It's been a few weeks now .. and I really wish I remembered our server's name. The food was pretty good. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was pretty different from allllll the spinach artichoke dips I've had....but it was a nice, fresh tasting surprise. I ordered the country fried steak and it was good but needed a little salt. Their mac-n-cheese was my favorite. My gf ordered something with extra cheese and bacon on top. She said that it was a bit much but was okay.
(3)
Chris R.
Yesterdays has been in Five Points for years and is essentially a landmark at this point. The food is generally decent and the portions will not leave you hungry. For those reasons I am avoiding giving them a 1-star rating. That said, I would avoid ordering delivery if at all possible. That is where they really deserve a zero-star rating. They are signed up with services like Campus Specials/EatStreet. The problem is that they apparently never bother to actually read or check the orders. I have had delivery from them about a dozen times now - and I am being sincere and honest when I say I have NEVER had a single order that was correct. The mistakes haven't been enough to make me not want to place another order - but the mistakes are irritating and unprofessional. I have had drinks left off, the wrong side items delivered, biscuits that were supposed to be included forgotten, requests like "no olives" ignored. Again, nothing major - but just irritating. Today was the final straw though..wrong sides and an additional side forgotten (but I was charged for it). That's it. I'm done. Yes, sure you can go through a call the next business day to the manager for the $2 refund - but my time is worth more than that to me. Clearly they don't care.
(2)
Liz D.
What a pleasant casual spot near campus! I've been coming to Yesterday's for at least a decade, and it is a real Columbia institution. The food is always good (not terribly fancy, but tasty southern-style food), and the service is generally friendly. The atmosphere is casual, but feels cozy and home-like. The beer list could generally use a little work, but I think the good food well outweighs that. Note: there is free parking in the pay lot behind the restaurant for 1.5 hours. Just show your Yesterday's receipt when you leave.
(4)
Jonathan M.
Awesome place, good southern food great grits and buffalo tenders. Right in 5 points they stay open late.
(4)
Mike I.
Pretty damn good food at good prices with friendly staff.
(4)
Amber H.
In town on business and was recommended Yesterday's for lunch. It did not disappoint! I ordered shrimp and grits with a side of collard greens accompanied by a cornbread muffin. Wow! Creamy grits with plenty of shrimp that melted in my mouth. Collards that were peppery, with no bitterness. Cornbread moist and didn't need the butter that came with it. It all tasted like I was eating at my Grandma's table. It's a good thing I don't live here or I'd have my own table at Yesterday's!
(5)
Denell J.
our home was broken into and our pomeranian killed during the time my father was in the hospital. 256 to go knew we were away from home these 3 particular days because we ordered yesterdays to our hospital room!!! shortly before this incident occured, someone whom tried to attack me in traffic called them making threats to write bad reviews on the company if they did not give them my information, and 256 to go gave it to them!!!! what type of business is this to betray their customers and employees in such a way??? its time for the word to be spread about the dishonesty of this company!! do not trust them with your addresses and names because if your enemy finds out youre ordering from them, all they have to do is call 256 to go with a bad review threat and theyll tell them everything they know about you to save their company!! there are police reports for these incidents at 811 washington st. none of this is fbricated!!!!
(1)
Taylor H.
Always good food. Try a "blackberry patch" drink if you're looking for a new cocktail. Also, their Shrimp St. Thomas or Chicken & Grits are great dinner options.
(5)
Brandon D.
I wanted to like this place so badly after hearing good things about it. After eating here I can honestly say that Lizard's Thicket is better than this joint (and I don't care much for Lizard's). I got the Chicken Fried Steak with mac & cheese and Green Beans. The steak for alright, but the all of the breading feel off when I cut into it, and the steak was not that tender either. The gravy was alright. The mac & cheese was tasted like it was sitting out for a while, was blan and really didn't have any flavor. Green bean was your typical can type cooked with some pork. If you want bread you have to request it. You get a cornbread muffin and a cheddar biscuit. Both of them were kinda of cold when they arrived. In addition the biscuit had an overwhelming taste of garlic, and I could not eat it. I would honestly rather have Lizard's Thicket's food than food from this place. The service was just okay, nothing to special.
(2)
Bryan B.
I'm from Chapin and we were downtown late so decided last minute to grab dinner. Tried Yesterday's for the first time. HORRIBLE! Horrible food, horrible service, horrible outdated decor. What a waste of money!
(1)
Jason H.
Yesterday's serves neo-Southern fare in a great atmosphere. Easy to spot with the cowboy in a bathtub over the door, Yesterday's is an excellent spot for a inexpensive filling meal. Their chicken and grits turns most people's notion of grits on its head. These aren't the usual soupy grits, but are a creamy tasty bowl of grits with deep-fried chicken strips, onions, tomatoes, and cheese on top. If collard greens are in season they are a perfect side. The meatloaf is also excellent, however the broccoli is a hit and miss side. The only other negatives for Yesterday's is the sometimes sporadic service and that the bar can get rather rowdy the closer it is to the weekend.
(4)
Spencer S.
Good place for a casual local restaurant in 5 points and near campus (good place to take mom and dad). Extensive menu with something for everyone. Would say they are best known for their meat loaf. Decent drink specials as well. Also nice that you can park free in the lot behind them (just get the hostess to validate your ticket).
(4)
Pete J.
My buddy Ronnie worked there for several years, so everytime we'd go, he'd wind up serving us. A good place to grab a reasonably priced, reasonably fast dinner in Five Points. Better & cheaper than Harper's, in my opinion, & they do a great job on their chicken & greens. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could, but I don't feel right bumping it up to 4.
(3)
Meg D.
After coming here countless times during college, there is some great and some average dishes here. Whenever you come, get the cheddar fries and the artichoke dip. Good for you, not. But delicous yes. By far the best cheese fries I have ever had. The chicken fingers, wings, and fish and grits are pretty good also.
(4)
Megan K.
was with about 10 people. they were open on a sunday afternoon, which is why we went. outside seating is always a plus, but the server was slow and a little confused. he got better as the time went on. management did send out some free aps. i guess he was worried we were drinking so much on empty stomachs, but we had just left buffalo wild wings where we all stuffed our fat faces. good people watching from the outside. gives you a feel for the town.
(3)
Rishi D.
A long standing institution. An establishment that everyone whether you are a Gamecock or visiting opponent or tourist from out of town must go to. The food is incredibly rich and filling. Incredible shrimp and grits, breakfasts, biscuits and cornbread to die for, and collard greens. Drinks are rock bottom cheap, especially during happy hour - with two for ones, and free appetizer samplers. It doesn't get much better than this. Go!
(4)
Jeff Q.
Great place for bar food (El nacho man is great) or drinking. I ate there several times for dinner and lunch when I lived in Columbia. The Confederate Fried Steak is my favorite dish. The sides are great - especially the grits. Lunch specials are usually good and I like the grilled chicken breast or even a burger.
(4)
Mike W.
Not very impressed, despite the hype and the good reviews here. Perhaps it was an off night, but the shrimp and grits had only paltry, small, shrimp with little flavor to their seasoning and much worse, when I ask about desserts, I asked directly about the rum cake to have the waiter explain "the boss makes it--I don't know what else to say about it, really". So I ordered it, expecting either a white cake with a standard frosting that was rum-flavored or else perhaps a pound-cake soaked in rum. However, what was brought out was a trifle-like confection with ice cream and whipped cream atop of it and a strawberry sauce: there was some sort of bread-like dessert at the very base of all of this but its flavors were fully overpowered by the ice cream and strawberry sauce. I asked the waiter if this was a mistake, if they brought me the wrong dessert but he said no, in fact this was the "rum cake". How such could be was beyond me, and I was not charged for it, but still: very odd. Moreover, the waiter said "did you read the menu description of it?" . . . no, I didn't, because I saw it on the specials board and asked that very same waiter about it; if I asked you about it, why would you think I'd read the menu description?! I mean, really. Maybe this was just a space cadet waiter, maybe it was an off night. But overall, rather unimpressed.
(2)
Calvin H.
Went in here for the first time thinking this was going to be a great dinner date but I was mistaken. I ordered the southern fried chicken that tasted like they dunked it in flour and fried them and put it on a plate. No spice, no flavor, and no seasoning. The mac and cheese was bland, and the Cajun fries had way to much salt. But the lemonade was good and so was the music.
(2)
Todd T.
Something for everyone. Nachos, Country Fried Steak, Burgers, Cornbread and great Local (when available) vegtables. This is my go to place for Bad Day at work, headache, etc. Love the Chicken n Grits as well with Collards on the side. They also have a full bar with TV's in the back. Just ask to be seated back there if you come into the front. Always ask for bread with the meal as well, its fantastic.
(5)
Erik D.
I'm running behind on reviews but here it goes. As recent USC alum I will admit I'm biased as it brings back good memories eating here. Nevertheless I have never had anything bad here, although I would stick to southern foods as it's where it hits it's stride. It a fun place to drink and eat. the divey feel that makes you feel like you're welcome, and it's pretty much my favorite place to eat in five points.
(5)
Adam B.
Place is pretty dated, and the food is nothing to call home about. I'd say you've got a lot better choices around five points
(2)
Lisa F.
The food was great but the service was super shotty. My boyfriend and I went here on a Saturday night. Five Points was extremely quiet, but we figured out the reason why--It was a game day. Therefore, we were really pleased because there was nobody in Yesterdays. So we're thinking that we were going to have a nice, quiet dinner. WRONG! First mistake was made by the hostess. She wanted to sit us in a booth that had food crumbs on the seat. When I informed her of that, she answered "I can wipe it off." Why go through all that trouble when you can just seat us somewhere else? I pointed that out to her and she did seat us in a booth that didn't have any food in it. The waiter came over and seemed pretty attentive at first. However, after we got our food, he didn't come back for any refills on our drinks. He was too busy talking to the other waiters and the hostess at a front table. I was getting pretty upset, sipping on the water from the melted ice cubes. But it gets worse. In comes a group of about 20 people. Instead of taking these people and putting them on the side of the restaurant where the game was playing (which they were most concerned about seeing), they moved tables around and set them right next to my boyfriend and me! These people were just a cursing up a storm, completely rude, and I was completely over the whole dinner. At that point, then the waiter comes back for refills. But I was done. I told my boyfriend to pay and we left. I don't think I'll go back to Yesterdays until they get some staff that understands how to wait tables and treat people. It's best for a college crowd; not for people who give a crap about good service.
(2)
Jaclyn S.
Really wanted shrimp and grits, but service was slow and food was lackluster. Have had much better food elsewhere. We should have listened to the reviews. We will not be going back!
(2)
NG Girl A.
We're only in Columbia for one day for our daughter's graduation from Army AIT. Yesterday's was suggested to us by our hotel. We're so glad that if we had to only have one meal while we were in Columbia this was the one place we stopped to eat. I had the tilapia green beans and the world famous mac & cheese. Everything was amazing!!! Every item ordered by everybody and our party came in good time and without fault!!!
(5)
Lily N.
I've been coming here since I was a kid, but as an adult I can't stomach it. This place uses the cheapest possible ingredients. The atmosphere is good, and the old ads that are enameled into the tabletops are entertaining, but the food fails.
(2)
Paul B.
Went here today just as more of a hangin out time with the family- ordered a few Guinness beers, an order of hot wings, an order of El Nacho Man nachos- someone got a roast beef sandwich and a bowl of black bean soup. Everything was great! Nice comfortable place to hang out for a while and have a little lunch. The more time I spend here the more I like it! We sat in the tavern section of the restaurant- Love the atmosphere!
(4)
Ellen B.
I keep going back hoping to walk in and discover they have cleaned the place up. Nope, not yet. This most recent trip, the place smelled like a giant rat died and was rotting in the middle of the place.
(1)
Matt S.
Yesterday's is the Mom and Pop comfort food restaurant that I have been looking for. If you are looking for a trendy meal or a place to take a date, this is definitely not the place to go. However, if you are looking for good ole down home cooking, I would highly suggest Yesterday's. Situated right in the middle of Five Points it is a great place to get a good base of food in before a long night of drinking or really a great place to go to start the road to recovery after a long night of drinking. Yesterdays has a very eclectic menu that covers everything from Seafood, Burgers, comfort food all the way t Tex Mex. I personally went with the Southern Comfort food as it has been a while since I had found a restaurant that does it right. And let me say the Chicken Fried Chicken and Mac and Cheese that I had were perfect. The Chicken was perfectly covered in wonderfully seasoned batter fried to golden perfection and the Mac and Cheese didn't disappoint. The decor could probably use some updating however in my opinion that would just take away the charm of the restaurant. If you are like me you are going there for good food for a reasonable price. Frankly the decor shows me that they have been around and thriving for years off what really matters, their food. My only reasoning for keeping with 4 starts is their one outdated policy that I cant live with, their soft drinks only come with 1 free refill. All if you are in the need of a little greasy comfort food go ahead give Yesterday's a try.
(4)
TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Great food. Good southern cooking!
(4)
Kristen M.
This place wasn't too bad considering the options you have in this area. Food was really good but prices were a tad high. If I was in the area I wouldn't go back simply because it wasn't that great and I would like to see what else that area has to offer.
(3)
Kate L.
I've been coming here since I was little and still love this place. The front part of the restaurant has a country feel with a roof over the side booths. The back is the bar area and tends to get loud and crowded. My favorite is the country fried steak with a side of mac and cheese and black eyed peas. The black bean soup is also pretty tasty.
(4)
Allison T.
Ordered the shrimp and grits, which is a dish I normally love, but there was probably a half cup of butter/oil in theirs. It was so greasy I couldn't eat it.
(2)
Donna W.
Our office picked up lunch from here today. Everyone was pleased with their meal. I ordered the shrimp and grits meal with green beans as the side. The grits are amazing here! They were excellent again today. The portions were generous and everything was delicious. A friend ordered the chicken and grits and said the dish was her favorite. One of the salads I saw today looked great as well With an order io about 10 lunches, they did a great job. All orders were correct and everything was included (napkins, straws, cups, ice, salad dressings, muffins, corn bread, etc). One of my more favorite places to eat. I know I can always get a good meal here, reasonably priced.
(4)
Stephanie D.
I always find myself returning here a couple of times a year despite the fact the food isn't spetacular. If you have a southern friend who is willing to feed you home cooked meals, you'll get better food from them. If not, this is the only place I know where you can get food like this. Each experience I've had here has also been inconsistent. There are times when the food comes out either too greasy (shrimp and grits) or way too dry (meatloaf one out of the two times I've had it). However, I've always recieved a fair porton for my price. The whole batch of tea is watered down sometimes. Another inconsistency is the service. One waitress came off as if she was stereotyping- providing the best service to groups that LOOKED like they would tip more. We ended up leaving her an amount that reflected her neglect. A few months later, my group gets a cheerful fella who earned a tip worth 40% of the bill. I can't say I recommend anything to people who aren't used to eating American southern food, but I've only tried the steaks, meatloaf, shrimp and grits, and country fried steak. The only thing I liked were the grits as a side. Even that isn't worth the drive. I'll give Yesterdays 3 stars for their menu and variety.
(3)
Cathy B.
I may never make meatloaf again after having their meatloaf sandwich! You see, I don't make meatloaf very often but when I do, it's pretty darn good. In fact, I have several great recipes for meatloaf I pull from when I want some but I rarely order it from restaurants because mine are quite yummy. However, eating at a place called Yesterday's makes me think this is a "grandma's recipe" kinda place and indeed it is! Let me back up a moment - I was told my a friend of my sister's (Hi Jeni!) that I shouldn't leave Columbia, SC without eating at Yesterday's so being that my next meal in Columbia would be the one I was planning on grabbing before heading to the airport, I was a little pressed for time. It's on a very unique intersection - the corner of Harden, Devine and Santee (a.k.a. Hootie and the Blowfish Blvd) and the front door of Yesterday's is in a point of the building so it's not the most obvious place but hard to miss as well, thanks to it's unique shape. I pulled up a few minutes before 11 am and found that they don't open for lunch until 11:15 am. I was sad that I might miss the opportunity but the hostess did let me in to use the restroom (*whew*) and on my way to find somewhere else to eat, told me that the waiter and his section were ready and so was the kitchen so they could serve me a little early, seeing as I was needing to drive to Charlotte, NC to catch my plane (FYI, it's a cheaper airport to fly in and out of). So, after perusing the menu, meatloaf it was! They have 2 options for the meatloaf - the meatloaf plate with two sides or the sandwich with one. I wasn't starving nor did I want to be overfull and stuck on airplanes all day so I went with the sandwich. My waiter told me that was a good choice because their regular portion is quite large. You can have BBQ sauce with it but I promise, you don't need it. I even ended up pulling the bread off and eating it with a fork because I didn't want anything to get in the way of the wonderful flavor. A side of mashed potatoes and some sweet tea and I was in someone's grandma's kitchen. SIDEBAR - Why not my own grandma? One is Japanese and the other is British so meatloaf wasn't quite what we grew up on until I was in around middle school. So, there you have it. Listen to my sister's friend Jeni and go to Yesterday's if you're in Columbia, SC. But, try to wait until at least 11:15 am when they open, okay?
(5)
Dave G.
My family and I visit Yesterdays ritualistically once a year. Great homemade food. Extremely reasonably priced. The meatloaf is really good. The cheddar fries are the best !!!
(4)
Dave M.
Good local staple for southern food, like a meat and three vegetables. Nothing fancy but good.
(3)
bert s.
Low country shrimp and grits were awesome, as was uncle john's (bbq) chicken. Collard greens and zuccini/tomatos for sides. Add some of the best cornbread, and cheddar cheese bisquits, and presto... a slice of southern bliss.
(4)
Josh S.
Every time i'm here it's great! My family has been coming here and getting drunk for years and we always have a good time (except when we get in yelling matches about music)! Good food, service and beer! Will definitely be back around thanksgiving when I have my kids and my ex-wife wants to get some grub. It's going to be fun and I hope we don't get kicked out again!
(5)
Katie R.
Yesterday's is decent food, but the best dish is the chicken and grits. I haven't loved most stuff I've gotten there, but the chicken and grits is definitely one of the best items on the menu. The menu overall is HUGE so if you're with picky people, they're bound to find something they like. The vibe is casual and I sure would like to know more about the bathtub man on top of the restaurant!
(3)
Erik M.
Encouraged by the relatively high yelpitude of this place, I braved a 12 mile drive in the dark and rain after a long day of travel to get some down home southern style food, and Yesterdays didn't disappoint on that front. It was pretty slow in the restaurant area when I arrived on a Tuesday night, but the bar area seemed to be pretty full for trivia night, which was in full swing when I walked in. The hostess was cheerful, and ushered to my booth where I was promptly greeted by my waitress in an equally agreeable manner. I started with an order of the guacamole, which was pretty awful. I hope they don't make it in house, and if they do they don't own up to it. I have to assume it's a food service mistake because my entree of fried catfish and grits was spot-on. The fish was flavorful and tender, and the batter wasn't overly greasy and heavy. The grits had a nice, creamy consistency and the flavor meshed perfectly with the catfish. Each bite of around 70% fish and 30% grits was delightful, and by the time I finished my entree I realized I hadn't left room for the daily special dessert of apple pie. The mac and cheese was okay, but not great. As I paid my bill, I pondered whether the entree sufficiently made up for the guac to bump what felt like a very solid three to a four star experience. And then I visited the men's room on the way out. I'm not a squeamish person, and when it comes to restrooms, particularly in bars, I think my standards are not particularly stringent with regards to public toilets. But the moment I set foot in Yesterdays washroom, I had to suppress a gag reflex and all of the pleasure I just derived from my dinner was instantly gone, and very nearly on the floor. The cleanliness of the washroom was acceptable, but the odor appeared to be a mix of sewer gas and cleaning chemicals. And not like the sink p-trap dried out and was seeping gas into the room, it was a deeply ingrained odor that no amount of minty urinal cakes could hope to overcome. High marks for the entree quality and price, the friendly service, and homey restaurant atmosphere. Average marks for the guac and mac n' cheese. Health department alert for the men's room, which unfortunately has to tip the balance to the dark side.
(2)
Jeremy H.
I worked at Yesterday's as a waiter and busboy for 2+ years in college. Because of that, I've had just about every dish on the menu. I have a lot of memories (both good and bad) from Yesterdays. Pros: - Extensive menu that has lots of choices for many moods (Tex Mex, Southern, grub food) - reasonably priced - people seem to love the confederate fried steak - i like the cheese fries Cons - very crowded seating arrangement - waitstaff/barstaff contains many of the typical, sexist, dumbass frat boys
(3)
Christopher C.
My wife and I have had both good and bad experiences here, the food is always good albeit a bit greasy. Its the service that is hit or miss, sometimes we go in and get served immediately and other times its as though the servers don't know which tables they're covering. We have walked out after waiting 15 minutes without anyone taking our drink orders.
(3)
Jordan R.
Yesterday's is perhaps the most famous spot in 5 Points (USC's university dining/nightlife area). Its been around forever and holds a special spot in the hearts of Columbia residents. With that said, it best functions as a place for students and their parents to grab a bite or for homesick southern kids to get a facsimile of a home-cooked meal. The menu is huge and features lots of southern/comfort food staples like shrimp + grits, chicken-fried steak, and meatloaf w/ gravy. Most entrees come with a choice of sides like collard, mac + cheese, black-eyed peas, etc. so at least there are some vegetables amongst all the starch and grease. I've never been overwhelmed by the food here but it could be a good, inexpensive introduction for some to a kind of representation of southern food. BUT, again, I'd class most of the menu in the category of down-home "comfort food" as its not always specifically southern. Also, not a bad place for happy hour as the drinks are cheap and you can really get a feel for a wide cross-section of Columbia's population.
(3)
Kate M.
Heavy, salty, just like mom used to make if mom weighed 300 lbs and had a heart attack at 47. They should really just put butter on the menu. The beer list was extensive and moderately priced, though for some reason Corona was one of the most expensive beers there.
(3)
Nicholas K.
Let's get real... This place is about what you'd expect from a really good Southern style food restaurant that isn't religious enough to proscribe a vast beer menu and locate a great sports bar inside it. The menu is quite simply bar food + southern specialties. The bar food is better than adequate: great wings, great nachos, great cheddar fries, creamy grits, etc. The southern specialties are delicious and a cut above in quality and about a buck or two higher in price as compared to the other local Southern food spots in Columbia. Roberto's meatloaf speaks for itself, but the Arkansas Traveler you have to see for yourself. Roast beef, cornbread, and black-eyed peas all smothered in brown gravy and served with 2 sides. I like the greens and the mac n cheese but there are about 10 other things to choose from. Yankees, don't forget the Confederate Fried Steak and Pork Chops, you'll wish you lost! Also, the location here is truly unique. Located in the heart of Five Points (Columbia's University Nightlife District) in Columbia's only flat-iron building, you can't miss it. There's a dummy in a clawfoot tub above the front door!
(5)
Coleen T.
Amazing caeser salad and "confederate fried steak" (also known as "country fried steak"). Awesome service and cool atmosphere... we sat on the side with the tavern but there is also a restaurant side. We had a cute waitress... always a plus... and she knew her stuff.
(5)
Emilio A.
Yesterday's Restaurant and Tavern is a very respectable place when it comes to all around service. The food that was made wasn't prepared to my specifics, but was prepared to my liking. I ordered the london broil with the mash potatoes and veggies. The food was not that fast as I was able to get through a guiness before the plate arrived. I also didn't see much of my server besides him dropping off what I ordered to the table! He didn't really check in on us and didn't really see how we liked our entree's. As far as the food itself, like I said it wasn't prepared to my specifics, as being cooked medium, but it was still just as good when it came to flavor. I like the horseradish sauce it came with, and that is what I remember of the dish because it was a good piece of meat. My friend had the shrimp and grits! I tried it out and the grits were good, but the shrimp tasted like Bilo big bag shrimps with the seasoning being a little too much. I personally don't believe the shrimp should be seasoned too much, but I also believe it was just the shrimp in itself! I enjoyed my time at Yesterday's, It's just Yesterday's at this moment, nothing I'm thinking about today! I do want togo back and try other things on the menu! I just wasn't wowed my first time around! I would reccommend it as a place for anyone looking for a place to eat in the 5 points area though!
(3)
Kim Z.
Great meeting place. Has something to please everyone. I haven't had anything that's especially spectacular. Although now that I live up north, I am dying for some of their chicken fried steak!!! It seems like a good place for kids as well. The huge fish tank is pretty cool. I like the fact that they have historical references on the walls and on the tables. Makes it a fun dining experience.
(3)
Lindsey B.
i give this 3.5 stars, it is good and great variety, and staff is often excellent. Food you don't find elsewhere in town... and usually well prepared. I never remember hearing I was going there for supper that I wasn't happy to hear that. I expect a nice experience, and I usually get it.
(3)
Robert S.
Fun location for a beer and a casual dinner.
(4)
Doug P.
Tried their late night men specifically their quesadilla rollups...mmmm, mmmm, good! The banana bread muffin was to die for!
(4)
Kevin L.
Big portions. Great atmosfere. American bar with a wide variety of food and beers.
(4)
Ted N.
We are split on this one. The wife does not like it but I do. The food is southern style home cooking. The mac and cheese is very good. If you are brave try the Arkansas Traveler, it was made famous when an ESPN announcer ate it during a USC football game. It has gravy on top of gravy. If you are not sure what to get ask the waitress they can turn you onto the most popular items. Parking in 5 points can be a nuisance depending on when you go.
(4)
Ted N.
We are split on this one. The wife does not like it but I do. The food is southern style home cooking. The mac and cheese is very good. If you are brave try the Arkansas Traveler, it was made famous when an ESPN announcer ate it during a USC football game. It has gravy on top of gravy. If you are not sure what to get ask the waitress they can turn you onto the most popular items. Parking in 5 points can be a nuisance depending on when you go.
(4)
Jason H.
Yesterday's serves neo-Southern fare in a great atmosphere. Easy to spot with the cowboy in a bathtub over the door, Yesterday's is an excellent spot for a inexpensive filling meal. Their chicken and grits turns most people's notion of grits on its head. These aren't the usual soupy grits, but are a creamy tasty bowl of grits with deep-fried chicken strips, onions, tomatoes, and cheese on top. If collard greens are in season they are a perfect side. The meatloaf is also excellent, however the broccoli is a hit and miss side. The only other negatives for Yesterday's is the sometimes sporadic service and that the bar can get rather rowdy the closer it is to the weekend.
(4)
Meg D.
After coming here countless times during college, there is some great and some average dishes here. Whenever you come, get the cheddar fries and the artichoke dip. Good for you, not. But delicous yes. By far the best cheese fries I have ever had. The chicken fingers, wings, and fish and grits are pretty good also.
(4)
Megan K.
was with about 10 people. they were open on a sunday afternoon, which is why we went. outside seating is always a plus, but the server was slow and a little confused. he got better as the time went on. management did send out some free aps. i guess he was worried we were drinking so much on empty stomachs, but we had just left buffalo wild wings where we all stuffed our fat faces. good people watching from the outside. gives you a feel for the town.
(3)
Spencer S.
Good place for a casual local restaurant in 5 points and near campus (good place to take mom and dad). Extensive menu with something for everyone. Would say they are best known for their meat loaf. Decent drink specials as well. Also nice that you can park free in the lot behind them (just get the hostess to validate your ticket).
(4)
Pete J.
My buddy Ronnie worked there for several years, so everytime we'd go, he'd wind up serving us. A good place to grab a reasonably priced, reasonably fast dinner in Five Points. Better & cheaper than Harper's, in my opinion, & they do a great job on their chicken & greens. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could, but I don't feel right bumping it up to 4.
(3)
Rishi D.
A long standing institution. An establishment that everyone whether you are a Gamecock or visiting opponent or tourist from out of town must go to. The food is incredibly rich and filling. Incredible shrimp and grits, breakfasts, biscuits and cornbread to die for, and collard greens. Drinks are rock bottom cheap, especially during happy hour - with two for ones, and free appetizer samplers. It doesn't get much better than this. Go!
(4)
Jeff Q.
Great place for bar food (El nacho man is great) or drinking. I ate there several times for dinner and lunch when I lived in Columbia. The Confederate Fried Steak is my favorite dish. The sides are great - especially the grits. Lunch specials are usually good and I like the grilled chicken breast or even a burger.
(4)
Ellen B.
I keep going back hoping to walk in and discover they have cleaned the place up. Nope, not yet. This most recent trip, the place smelled like a giant rat died and was rotting in the middle of the place.
(1)
Matt S.
Yesterday's is the Mom and Pop comfort food restaurant that I have been looking for. If you are looking for a trendy meal or a place to take a date, this is definitely not the place to go. However, if you are looking for good ole down home cooking, I would highly suggest Yesterday's. Situated right in the middle of Five Points it is a great place to get a good base of food in before a long night of drinking or really a great place to go to start the road to recovery after a long night of drinking. Yesterdays has a very eclectic menu that covers everything from Seafood, Burgers, comfort food all the way t Tex Mex. I personally went with the Southern Comfort food as it has been a while since I had found a restaurant that does it right. And let me say the Chicken Fried Chicken and Mac and Cheese that I had were perfect. The Chicken was perfectly covered in wonderfully seasoned batter fried to golden perfection and the Mac and Cheese didn't disappoint. The decor could probably use some updating however in my opinion that would just take away the charm of the restaurant. If you are like me you are going there for good food for a reasonable price. Frankly the decor shows me that they have been around and thriving for years off what really matters, their food. My only reasoning for keeping with 4 starts is their one outdated policy that I cant live with, their soft drinks only come with 1 free refill. All if you are in the need of a little greasy comfort food go ahead give Yesterday's a try.
(4)
TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Great food. Good southern cooking!
(4)
Kristen M.
This place wasn't too bad considering the options you have in this area. Food was really good but prices were a tad high. If I was in the area I wouldn't go back simply because it wasn't that great and I would like to see what else that area has to offer.
(3)
Kate L.
I've been coming here since I was little and still love this place. The front part of the restaurant has a country feel with a roof over the side booths. The back is the bar area and tends to get loud and crowded. My favorite is the country fried steak with a side of mac and cheese and black eyed peas. The black bean soup is also pretty tasty.
(4)
Allison T.
Ordered the shrimp and grits, which is a dish I normally love, but there was probably a half cup of butter/oil in theirs. It was so greasy I couldn't eat it.
(2)
Suzanne W.
My gf & I were in South Carolina for her brother's wedding and were looking for places to visit/site-see. Well, there weren't too many options around the Lexington area. lol. I did a little research and found a strip of restaurants. Yesterday's caught our eyes with the cool tub above their door. We almost didn't go inside...but we were in one of those moods to just try a new place. It looked like a really cool bar from the outside. I definitely didn't expect a southern food joint. We didn't really get a friendly greet. However, our server did make up for that. It's been a few weeks now .. and I really wish I remembered our server's name. The food was pretty good. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was pretty different from allllll the spinach artichoke dips I've had....but it was a nice, fresh tasting surprise. I ordered the country fried steak and it was good but needed a little salt. Their mac-n-cheese was my favorite. My gf ordered something with extra cheese and bacon on top. She said that it was a bit much but was okay.
(3)
Chris R.
Yesterdays has been in Five Points for years and is essentially a landmark at this point. The food is generally decent and the portions will not leave you hungry. For those reasons I am avoiding giving them a 1-star rating. That said, I would avoid ordering delivery if at all possible. That is where they really deserve a zero-star rating. They are signed up with services like Campus Specials/EatStreet. The problem is that they apparently never bother to actually read or check the orders. I have had delivery from them about a dozen times now - and I am being sincere and honest when I say I have NEVER had a single order that was correct. The mistakes haven't been enough to make me not want to place another order - but the mistakes are irritating and unprofessional. I have had drinks left off, the wrong side items delivered, biscuits that were supposed to be included forgotten, requests like "no olives" ignored. Again, nothing major - but just irritating. Today was the final straw though..wrong sides and an additional side forgotten (but I was charged for it). That's it. I'm done. Yes, sure you can go through a call the next business day to the manager for the $2 refund - but my time is worth more than that to me. Clearly they don't care.
(2)
Liz D.
What a pleasant casual spot near campus! I've been coming to Yesterday's for at least a decade, and it is a real Columbia institution. The food is always good (not terribly fancy, but tasty southern-style food), and the service is generally friendly. The atmosphere is casual, but feels cozy and home-like. The beer list could generally use a little work, but I think the good food well outweighs that. Note: there is free parking in the pay lot behind the restaurant for 1.5 hours. Just show your Yesterday's receipt when you leave.
(4)
Jonathan M.
Awesome place, good southern food great grits and buffalo tenders. Right in 5 points they stay open late.
(4)
Mike W.
Not very impressed, despite the hype and the good reviews here. Perhaps it was an off night, but the shrimp and grits had only paltry, small, shrimp with little flavor to their seasoning and much worse, when I ask about desserts, I asked directly about the rum cake to have the waiter explain "the boss makes it--I don't know what else to say about it, really". So I ordered it, expecting either a white cake with a standard frosting that was rum-flavored or else perhaps a pound-cake soaked in rum. However, what was brought out was a trifle-like confection with ice cream and whipped cream atop of it and a strawberry sauce: there was some sort of bread-like dessert at the very base of all of this but its flavors were fully overpowered by the ice cream and strawberry sauce. I asked the waiter if this was a mistake, if they brought me the wrong dessert but he said no, in fact this was the "rum cake". How such could be was beyond me, and I was not charged for it, but still: very odd. Moreover, the waiter said "did you read the menu description of it?" . . . no, I didn't, because I saw it on the specials board and asked that very same waiter about it; if I asked you about it, why would you think I'd read the menu description?! I mean, really. Maybe this was just a space cadet waiter, maybe it was an off night. But overall, rather unimpressed.
(2)
Calvin H.
Went in here for the first time thinking this was going to be a great dinner date but I was mistaken. I ordered the southern fried chicken that tasted like they dunked it in flour and fried them and put it on a plate. No spice, no flavor, and no seasoning. The mac and cheese was bland, and the Cajun fries had way to much salt. But the lemonade was good and so was the music.
(2)
Todd T.
Something for everyone. Nachos, Country Fried Steak, Burgers, Cornbread and great Local (when available) vegtables. This is my go to place for Bad Day at work, headache, etc. Love the Chicken n Grits as well with Collards on the side. They also have a full bar with TV's in the back. Just ask to be seated back there if you come into the front. Always ask for bread with the meal as well, its fantastic.
(5)
Erik D.
I'm running behind on reviews but here it goes. As recent USC alum I will admit I'm biased as it brings back good memories eating here. Nevertheless I have never had anything bad here, although I would stick to southern foods as it's where it hits it's stride. It a fun place to drink and eat. the divey feel that makes you feel like you're welcome, and it's pretty much my favorite place to eat in five points.
(5)
Josh S.
Every time i'm here it's great! My family has been coming here and getting drunk for years and we always have a good time (except when we get in yelling matches about music)! Good food, service and beer! Will definitely be back around thanksgiving when I have my kids and my ex-wife wants to get some grub. It's going to be fun and I hope we don't get kicked out again!
(5)
Katie R.
Yesterday's is decent food, but the best dish is the chicken and grits. I haven't loved most stuff I've gotten there, but the chicken and grits is definitely one of the best items on the menu. The menu overall is HUGE so if you're with picky people, they're bound to find something they like. The vibe is casual and I sure would like to know more about the bathtub man on top of the restaurant!
(3)
Amber H.
In town on business and was recommended Yesterday's for lunch. It did not disappoint! I ordered shrimp and grits with a side of collard greens accompanied by a cornbread muffin. Wow! Creamy grits with plenty of shrimp that melted in my mouth. Collards that were peppery, with no bitterness. Cornbread moist and didn't need the butter that came with it. It all tasted like I was eating at my Grandma's table. It's a good thing I don't live here or I'd have my own table at Yesterday's!
(5)
Denell J.
our home was broken into and our pomeranian killed during the time my father was in the hospital. 256 to go knew we were away from home these 3 particular days because we ordered yesterdays to our hospital room!!! shortly before this incident occured, someone whom tried to attack me in traffic called them making threats to write bad reviews on the company if they did not give them my information, and 256 to go gave it to them!!!! what type of business is this to betray their customers and employees in such a way??? its time for the word to be spread about the dishonesty of this company!! do not trust them with your addresses and names because if your enemy finds out youre ordering from them, all they have to do is call 256 to go with a bad review threat and theyll tell them everything they know about you to save their company!! there are police reports for these incidents at 811 washington st. none of this is fbricated!!!!
(1)
Taylor H.
Always good food. Try a "blackberry patch" drink if you're looking for a new cocktail. Also, their Shrimp St. Thomas or Chicken & Grits are great dinner options.
(5)
Brandon D.
I wanted to like this place so badly after hearing good things about it. After eating here I can honestly say that Lizard's Thicket is better than this joint (and I don't care much for Lizard's). I got the Chicken Fried Steak with mac & cheese and Green Beans. The steak for alright, but the all of the breading feel off when I cut into it, and the steak was not that tender either. The gravy was alright. The mac & cheese was tasted like it was sitting out for a while, was blan and really didn't have any flavor. Green bean was your typical can type cooked with some pork. If you want bread you have to request it. You get a cornbread muffin and a cheddar biscuit. Both of them were kinda of cold when they arrived. In addition the biscuit had an overwhelming taste of garlic, and I could not eat it. I would honestly rather have Lizard's Thicket's food than food from this place. The service was just okay, nothing to special.
(2)
Bryan B.
I'm from Chapin and we were downtown late so decided last minute to grab dinner. Tried Yesterday's for the first time. HORRIBLE! Horrible food, horrible service, horrible outdated decor. What a waste of money!
(1)
Adam B.
Place is pretty dated, and the food is nothing to call home about. I'd say you've got a lot better choices around five points
(2)
Lisa F.
The food was great but the service was super shotty. My boyfriend and I went here on a Saturday night. Five Points was extremely quiet, but we figured out the reason why--It was a game day. Therefore, we were really pleased because there was nobody in Yesterdays. So we're thinking that we were going to have a nice, quiet dinner. WRONG! First mistake was made by the hostess. She wanted to sit us in a booth that had food crumbs on the seat. When I informed her of that, she answered "I can wipe it off." Why go through all that trouble when you can just seat us somewhere else? I pointed that out to her and she did seat us in a booth that didn't have any food in it. The waiter came over and seemed pretty attentive at first. However, after we got our food, he didn't come back for any refills on our drinks. He was too busy talking to the other waiters and the hostess at a front table. I was getting pretty upset, sipping on the water from the melted ice cubes. But it gets worse. In comes a group of about 20 people. Instead of taking these people and putting them on the side of the restaurant where the game was playing (which they were most concerned about seeing), they moved tables around and set them right next to my boyfriend and me! These people were just a cursing up a storm, completely rude, and I was completely over the whole dinner. At that point, then the waiter comes back for refills. But I was done. I told my boyfriend to pay and we left. I don't think I'll go back to Yesterdays until they get some staff that understands how to wait tables and treat people. It's best for a college crowd; not for people who give a crap about good service.
(2)
Jaclyn S.
Really wanted shrimp and grits, but service was slow and food was lackluster. Have had much better food elsewhere. We should have listened to the reviews. We will not be going back!
(2)
NG Girl A.
We're only in Columbia for one day for our daughter's graduation from Army AIT. Yesterday's was suggested to us by our hotel. We're so glad that if we had to only have one meal while we were in Columbia this was the one place we stopped to eat. I had the tilapia green beans and the world famous mac & cheese. Everything was amazing!!! Every item ordered by everybody and our party came in good time and without fault!!!
(5)
Lily N.
I've been coming here since I was a kid, but as an adult I can't stomach it. This place uses the cheapest possible ingredients. The atmosphere is good, and the old ads that are enameled into the tabletops are entertaining, but the food fails.
(2)
Paul B.
Went here today just as more of a hangin out time with the family- ordered a few Guinness beers, an order of hot wings, an order of El Nacho Man nachos- someone got a roast beef sandwich and a bowl of black bean soup. Everything was great! Nice comfortable place to hang out for a while and have a little lunch. The more time I spend here the more I like it! We sat in the tavern section of the restaurant- Love the atmosphere!
(4)
Cathy B.
I may never make meatloaf again after having their meatloaf sandwich! You see, I don't make meatloaf very often but when I do, it's pretty darn good. In fact, I have several great recipes for meatloaf I pull from when I want some but I rarely order it from restaurants because mine are quite yummy. However, eating at a place called Yesterday's makes me think this is a "grandma's recipe" kinda place and indeed it is! Let me back up a moment - I was told my a friend of my sister's (Hi Jeni!) that I shouldn't leave Columbia, SC without eating at Yesterday's so being that my next meal in Columbia would be the one I was planning on grabbing before heading to the airport, I was a little pressed for time. It's on a very unique intersection - the corner of Harden, Devine and Santee (a.k.a. Hootie and the Blowfish Blvd) and the front door of Yesterday's is in a point of the building so it's not the most obvious place but hard to miss as well, thanks to it's unique shape. I pulled up a few minutes before 11 am and found that they don't open for lunch until 11:15 am. I was sad that I might miss the opportunity but the hostess did let me in to use the restroom (*whew*) and on my way to find somewhere else to eat, told me that the waiter and his section were ready and so was the kitchen so they could serve me a little early, seeing as I was needing to drive to Charlotte, NC to catch my plane (FYI, it's a cheaper airport to fly in and out of). So, after perusing the menu, meatloaf it was! They have 2 options for the meatloaf - the meatloaf plate with two sides or the sandwich with one. I wasn't starving nor did I want to be overfull and stuck on airplanes all day so I went with the sandwich. My waiter told me that was a good choice because their regular portion is quite large. You can have BBQ sauce with it but I promise, you don't need it. I even ended up pulling the bread off and eating it with a fork because I didn't want anything to get in the way of the wonderful flavor. A side of mashed potatoes and some sweet tea and I was in someone's grandma's kitchen. SIDEBAR - Why not my own grandma? One is Japanese and the other is British so meatloaf wasn't quite what we grew up on until I was in around middle school. So, there you have it. Listen to my sister's friend Jeni and go to Yesterday's if you're in Columbia, SC. But, try to wait until at least 11:15 am when they open, okay?
(5)
Dave G.
My family and I visit Yesterdays ritualistically once a year. Great homemade food. Extremely reasonably priced. The meatloaf is really good. The cheddar fries are the best !!!
(4)
Dave M.
Good local staple for southern food, like a meat and three vegetables. Nothing fancy but good.
(3)
bert s.
Low country shrimp and grits were awesome, as was uncle john's (bbq) chicken. Collard greens and zuccini/tomatos for sides. Add some of the best cornbread, and cheddar cheese bisquits, and presto... a slice of southern bliss.
(4)
Coleen T.
Amazing caeser salad and "confederate fried steak" (also known as "country fried steak"). Awesome service and cool atmosphere... we sat on the side with the tavern but there is also a restaurant side. We had a cute waitress... always a plus... and she knew her stuff.
(5)
Emilio A.
Yesterday's Restaurant and Tavern is a very respectable place when it comes to all around service. The food that was made wasn't prepared to my specifics, but was prepared to my liking. I ordered the london broil with the mash potatoes and veggies. The food was not that fast as I was able to get through a guiness before the plate arrived. I also didn't see much of my server besides him dropping off what I ordered to the table! He didn't really check in on us and didn't really see how we liked our entree's. As far as the food itself, like I said it wasn't prepared to my specifics, as being cooked medium, but it was still just as good when it came to flavor. I like the horseradish sauce it came with, and that is what I remember of the dish because it was a good piece of meat. My friend had the shrimp and grits! I tried it out and the grits were good, but the shrimp tasted like Bilo big bag shrimps with the seasoning being a little too much. I personally don't believe the shrimp should be seasoned too much, but I also believe it was just the shrimp in itself! I enjoyed my time at Yesterday's, It's just Yesterday's at this moment, nothing I'm thinking about today! I do want togo back and try other things on the menu! I just wasn't wowed my first time around! I would reccommend it as a place for anyone looking for a place to eat in the 5 points area though!
(3)
Kim Z.
Great meeting place. Has something to please everyone. I haven't had anything that's especially spectacular. Although now that I live up north, I am dying for some of their chicken fried steak!!! It seems like a good place for kids as well. The huge fish tank is pretty cool. I like the fact that they have historical references on the walls and on the tables. Makes it a fun dining experience.
(3)
Lindsey B.
i give this 3.5 stars, it is good and great variety, and staff is often excellent. Food you don't find elsewhere in town... and usually well prepared. I never remember hearing I was going there for supper that I wasn't happy to hear that. I expect a nice experience, and I usually get it.
(3)
Robert S.
Fun location for a beer and a casual dinner.
(4)
Doug P.
Tried their late night men specifically their quesadilla rollups...mmmm, mmmm, good! The banana bread muffin was to die for!
(4)
Kevin L.
Big portions. Great atmosfere. American bar with a wide variety of food and beers.
(4)
Kate M.
Heavy, salty, just like mom used to make if mom weighed 300 lbs and had a heart attack at 47. They should really just put butter on the menu. The beer list was extensive and moderately priced, though for some reason Corona was one of the most expensive beers there.
(3)
Erik M.
Encouraged by the relatively high yelpitude of this place, I braved a 12 mile drive in the dark and rain after a long day of travel to get some down home southern style food, and Yesterdays didn't disappoint on that front. It was pretty slow in the restaurant area when I arrived on a Tuesday night, but the bar area seemed to be pretty full for trivia night, which was in full swing when I walked in. The hostess was cheerful, and ushered to my booth where I was promptly greeted by my waitress in an equally agreeable manner. I started with an order of the guacamole, which was pretty awful. I hope they don't make it in house, and if they do they don't own up to it. I have to assume it's a food service mistake because my entree of fried catfish and grits was spot-on. The fish was flavorful and tender, and the batter wasn't overly greasy and heavy. The grits had a nice, creamy consistency and the flavor meshed perfectly with the catfish. Each bite of around 70% fish and 30% grits was delightful, and by the time I finished my entree I realized I hadn't left room for the daily special dessert of apple pie. The mac and cheese was okay, but not great. As I paid my bill, I pondered whether the entree sufficiently made up for the guac to bump what felt like a very solid three to a four star experience. And then I visited the men's room on the way out. I'm not a squeamish person, and when it comes to restrooms, particularly in bars, I think my standards are not particularly stringent with regards to public toilets. But the moment I set foot in Yesterdays washroom, I had to suppress a gag reflex and all of the pleasure I just derived from my dinner was instantly gone, and very nearly on the floor. The cleanliness of the washroom was acceptable, but the odor appeared to be a mix of sewer gas and cleaning chemicals. And not like the sink p-trap dried out and was seeping gas into the room, it was a deeply ingrained odor that no amount of minty urinal cakes could hope to overcome. High marks for the entree quality and price, the friendly service, and homey restaurant atmosphere. Average marks for the guac and mac n' cheese. Health department alert for the men's room, which unfortunately has to tip the balance to the dark side.
(2)
Jeremy H.
I worked at Yesterday's as a waiter and busboy for 2+ years in college. Because of that, I've had just about every dish on the menu. I have a lot of memories (both good and bad) from Yesterdays. Pros: - Extensive menu that has lots of choices for many moods (Tex Mex, Southern, grub food) - reasonably priced - people seem to love the confederate fried steak - i like the cheese fries Cons - very crowded seating arrangement - waitstaff/barstaff contains many of the typical, sexist, dumbass frat boys
(3)
Christopher C.
My wife and I have had both good and bad experiences here, the food is always good albeit a bit greasy. Its the service that is hit or miss, sometimes we go in and get served immediately and other times its as though the servers don't know which tables they're covering. We have walked out after waiting 15 minutes without anyone taking our drink orders.
(3)
Jordan R.
Yesterday's is perhaps the most famous spot in 5 Points (USC's university dining/nightlife area). Its been around forever and holds a special spot in the hearts of Columbia residents. With that said, it best functions as a place for students and their parents to grab a bite or for homesick southern kids to get a facsimile of a home-cooked meal. The menu is huge and features lots of southern/comfort food staples like shrimp + grits, chicken-fried steak, and meatloaf w/ gravy. Most entrees come with a choice of sides like collard, mac + cheese, black-eyed peas, etc. so at least there are some vegetables amongst all the starch and grease. I've never been overwhelmed by the food here but it could be a good, inexpensive introduction for some to a kind of representation of southern food. BUT, again, I'd class most of the menu in the category of down-home "comfort food" as its not always specifically southern. Also, not a bad place for happy hour as the drinks are cheap and you can really get a feel for a wide cross-section of Columbia's population.
(3)
Nicholas K.
Let's get real... This place is about what you'd expect from a really good Southern style food restaurant that isn't religious enough to proscribe a vast beer menu and locate a great sports bar inside it. The menu is quite simply bar food + southern specialties. The bar food is better than adequate: great wings, great nachos, great cheddar fries, creamy grits, etc. The southern specialties are delicious and a cut above in quality and about a buck or two higher in price as compared to the other local Southern food spots in Columbia. Roberto's meatloaf speaks for itself, but the Arkansas Traveler you have to see for yourself. Roast beef, cornbread, and black-eyed peas all smothered in brown gravy and served with 2 sides. I like the greens and the mac n cheese but there are about 10 other things to choose from. Yankees, don't forget the Confederate Fried Steak and Pork Chops, you'll wish you lost! Also, the location here is truly unique. Located in the heart of Five Points (Columbia's University Nightlife District) in Columbia's only flat-iron building, you can't miss it. There's a dummy in a clawfoot tub above the front door!
(5)
Mike I.
Pretty damn good food at good prices with friendly staff.
(4)
Josh S.
Every time i'm here it's great! My family has been coming here and getting drunk for years and we always have a good time (except when we get in yelling matches about music)! Good food, service and beer! Will definitely be back around thanksgiving when I have my kids and my ex-wife wants to get some grub. It's going to be fun and I hope we don't get kicked out again!
(5)
Donna W.
Our office picked up lunch from here today. Everyone was pleased with their meal. I ordered the shrimp and grits meal with green beans as the side. The grits are amazing here! They were excellent again today. The portions were generous and everything was delicious. A friend ordered the chicken and grits and said the dish was her favorite. One of the salads I saw today looked great as well With an order io about 10 lunches, they did a great job. All orders were correct and everything was included (napkins, straws, cups, ice, salad dressings, muffins, corn bread, etc). One of my more favorite places to eat. I know I can always get a good meal here, reasonably priced.
(4)
Paul B.
Went here today just as more of a hangin out time with the family- ordered a few Guinness beers, an order of hot wings, an order of El Nacho Man nachos- someone got a roast beef sandwich and a bowl of black bean soup. Everything was great! Nice comfortable place to hang out for a while and have a little lunch. The more time I spend here the more I like it! We sat in the tavern section of the restaurant- Love the atmosphere!
(4)
Ellen B.
I keep going back hoping to walk in and discover they have cleaned the place up. Nope, not yet. This most recent trip, the place smelled like a giant rat died and was rotting in the middle of the place.
(1)
Lindsey B.
i give this 3.5 stars, it is good and great variety, and staff is often excellent. Food you don't find elsewhere in town... and usually well prepared. I never remember hearing I was going there for supper that I wasn't happy to hear that. I expect a nice experience, and I usually get it.
(3)
Robert S.
Fun location for a beer and a casual dinner.
(4)
Doug P.
Tried their late night men specifically their quesadilla rollups...mmmm, mmmm, good! The banana bread muffin was to die for!
(4)
Kevin L.
Big portions. Great atmosfere. American bar with a wide variety of food and beers.
(4)
Ted N.
We are split on this one. The wife does not like it but I do. The food is southern style home cooking. The mac and cheese is very good. If you are brave try the Arkansas Traveler, it was made famous when an ESPN announcer ate it during a USC football game. It has gravy on top of gravy. If you are not sure what to get ask the waitress they can turn you onto the most popular items. Parking in 5 points can be a nuisance depending on when you go.
(4)
Stephanie D.
I always find myself returning here a couple of times a year despite the fact the food isn't spetacular. If you have a southern friend who is willing to feed you home cooked meals, you'll get better food from them. If not, this is the only place I know where you can get food like this. Each experience I've had here has also been inconsistent. There are times when the food comes out either too greasy (shrimp and grits) or way too dry (meatloaf one out of the two times I've had it). However, I've always recieved a fair porton for my price. The whole batch of tea is watered down sometimes. Another inconsistency is the service. One waitress came off as if she was stereotyping- providing the best service to groups that LOOKED like they would tip more. We ended up leaving her an amount that reflected her neglect. A few months later, my group gets a cheerful fella who earned a tip worth 40% of the bill. I can't say I recommend anything to people who aren't used to eating American southern food, but I've only tried the steaks, meatloaf, shrimp and grits, and country fried steak. The only thing I liked were the grits as a side. Even that isn't worth the drive. I'll give Yesterdays 3 stars for their menu and variety.
(3)
Katie R.
Yesterday's is decent food, but the best dish is the chicken and grits. I haven't loved most stuff I've gotten there, but the chicken and grits is definitely one of the best items on the menu. The menu overall is HUGE so if you're with picky people, they're bound to find something they like. The vibe is casual and I sure would like to know more about the bathtub man on top of the restaurant!
(3)
Adam B.
Place is pretty dated, and the food is nothing to call home about. I'd say you've got a lot better choices around five points
(2)
Jordan R.
Yesterday's is perhaps the most famous spot in 5 Points (USC's university dining/nightlife area). Its been around forever and holds a special spot in the hearts of Columbia residents. With that said, it best functions as a place for students and their parents to grab a bite or for homesick southern kids to get a facsimile of a home-cooked meal. The menu is huge and features lots of southern/comfort food staples like shrimp + grits, chicken-fried steak, and meatloaf w/ gravy. Most entrees come with a choice of sides like collard, mac + cheese, black-eyed peas, etc. so at least there are some vegetables amongst all the starch and grease. I've never been overwhelmed by the food here but it could be a good, inexpensive introduction for some to a kind of representation of southern food. BUT, again, I'd class most of the menu in the category of down-home "comfort food" as its not always specifically southern. Also, not a bad place for happy hour as the drinks are cheap and you can really get a feel for a wide cross-section of Columbia's population.
(3)
Kate M.
Heavy, salty, just like mom used to make if mom weighed 300 lbs and had a heart attack at 47. They should really just put butter on the menu. The beer list was extensive and moderately priced, though for some reason Corona was one of the most expensive beers there.
(3)
Nicholas K.
Let's get real... This place is about what you'd expect from a really good Southern style food restaurant that isn't religious enough to proscribe a vast beer menu and locate a great sports bar inside it. The menu is quite simply bar food + southern specialties. The bar food is better than adequate: great wings, great nachos, great cheddar fries, creamy grits, etc. The southern specialties are delicious and a cut above in quality and about a buck or two higher in price as compared to the other local Southern food spots in Columbia. Roberto's meatloaf speaks for itself, but the Arkansas Traveler you have to see for yourself. Roast beef, cornbread, and black-eyed peas all smothered in brown gravy and served with 2 sides. I like the greens and the mac n cheese but there are about 10 other things to choose from. Yankees, don't forget the Confederate Fried Steak and Pork Chops, you'll wish you lost! Also, the location here is truly unique. Located in the heart of Five Points (Columbia's University Nightlife District) in Columbia's only flat-iron building, you can't miss it. There's a dummy in a clawfoot tub above the front door!
(5)
Mike I.
Pretty damn good food at good prices with friendly staff.
(4)
Coleen T.
Amazing caeser salad and "confederate fried steak" (also known as "country fried steak"). Awesome service and cool atmosphere... we sat on the side with the tavern but there is also a restaurant side. We had a cute waitress... always a plus... and she knew her stuff.
(5)
Emilio A.
Yesterday's Restaurant and Tavern is a very respectable place when it comes to all around service. The food that was made wasn't prepared to my specifics, but was prepared to my liking. I ordered the london broil with the mash potatoes and veggies. The food was not that fast as I was able to get through a guiness before the plate arrived. I also didn't see much of my server besides him dropping off what I ordered to the table! He didn't really check in on us and didn't really see how we liked our entree's. As far as the food itself, like I said it wasn't prepared to my specifics, as being cooked medium, but it was still just as good when it came to flavor. I like the horseradish sauce it came with, and that is what I remember of the dish because it was a good piece of meat. My friend had the shrimp and grits! I tried it out and the grits were good, but the shrimp tasted like Bilo big bag shrimps with the seasoning being a little too much. I personally don't believe the shrimp should be seasoned too much, but I also believe it was just the shrimp in itself! I enjoyed my time at Yesterday's, It's just Yesterday's at this moment, nothing I'm thinking about today! I do want togo back and try other things on the menu! I just wasn't wowed my first time around! I would reccommend it as a place for anyone looking for a place to eat in the 5 points area though!
(3)
Kim Z.
Great meeting place. Has something to please everyone. I haven't had anything that's especially spectacular. Although now that I live up north, I am dying for some of their chicken fried steak!!! It seems like a good place for kids as well. The huge fish tank is pretty cool. I like the fact that they have historical references on the walls and on the tables. Makes it a fun dining experience.
(3)
Jason H.
Yesterday's serves neo-Southern fare in a great atmosphere. Easy to spot with the cowboy in a bathtub over the door, Yesterday's is an excellent spot for a inexpensive filling meal. Their chicken and grits turns most people's notion of grits on its head. These aren't the usual soupy grits, but are a creamy tasty bowl of grits with deep-fried chicken strips, onions, tomatoes, and cheese on top. If collard greens are in season they are a perfect side. The meatloaf is also excellent, however the broccoli is a hit and miss side. The only other negatives for Yesterday's is the sometimes sporadic service and that the bar can get rather rowdy the closer it is to the weekend.
(4)
Spencer S.
Good place for a casual local restaurant in 5 points and near campus (good place to take mom and dad). Extensive menu with something for everyone. Would say they are best known for their meat loaf. Decent drink specials as well. Also nice that you can park free in the lot behind them (just get the hostess to validate your ticket).
(4)
Pete J.
My buddy Ronnie worked there for several years, so everytime we'd go, he'd wind up serving us. A good place to grab a reasonably priced, reasonably fast dinner in Five Points. Better & cheaper than Harper's, in my opinion, & they do a great job on their chicken & greens. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could, but I don't feel right bumping it up to 4.
(3)
Meg D.
After coming here countless times during college, there is some great and some average dishes here. Whenever you come, get the cheddar fries and the artichoke dip. Good for you, not. But delicous yes. By far the best cheese fries I have ever had. The chicken fingers, wings, and fish and grits are pretty good also.
(4)
Megan K.
was with about 10 people. they were open on a sunday afternoon, which is why we went. outside seating is always a plus, but the server was slow and a little confused. he got better as the time went on. management did send out some free aps. i guess he was worried we were drinking so much on empty stomachs, but we had just left buffalo wild wings where we all stuffed our fat faces. good people watching from the outside. gives you a feel for the town.
(3)
Rishi D.
A long standing institution. An establishment that everyone whether you are a Gamecock or visiting opponent or tourist from out of town must go to. The food is incredibly rich and filling. Incredible shrimp and grits, breakfasts, biscuits and cornbread to die for, and collard greens. Drinks are rock bottom cheap, especially during happy hour - with two for ones, and free appetizer samplers. It doesn't get much better than this. Go!
(4)
Jeff Q.
Great place for bar food (El nacho man is great) or drinking. I ate there several times for dinner and lunch when I lived in Columbia. The Confederate Fried Steak is my favorite dish. The sides are great - especially the grits. Lunch specials are usually good and I like the grilled chicken breast or even a burger.
(4)
Donna W.
Our office picked up lunch from here today. Everyone was pleased with their meal. I ordered the shrimp and grits meal with green beans as the side. The grits are amazing here! They were excellent again today. The portions were generous and everything was delicious. A friend ordered the chicken and grits and said the dish was her favorite. One of the salads I saw today looked great as well With an order io about 10 lunches, they did a great job. All orders were correct and everything was included (napkins, straws, cups, ice, salad dressings, muffins, corn bread, etc). One of my more favorite places to eat. I know I can always get a good meal here, reasonably priced.
(4)
Stephanie D.
I always find myself returning here a couple of times a year despite the fact the food isn't spetacular. If you have a southern friend who is willing to feed you home cooked meals, you'll get better food from them. If not, this is the only place I know where you can get food like this. Each experience I've had here has also been inconsistent. There are times when the food comes out either too greasy (shrimp and grits) or way too dry (meatloaf one out of the two times I've had it). However, I've always recieved a fair porton for my price. The whole batch of tea is watered down sometimes. Another inconsistency is the service. One waitress came off as if she was stereotyping- providing the best service to groups that LOOKED like they would tip more. We ended up leaving her an amount that reflected her neglect. A few months later, my group gets a cheerful fella who earned a tip worth 40% of the bill. I can't say I recommend anything to people who aren't used to eating American southern food, but I've only tried the steaks, meatloaf, shrimp and grits, and country fried steak. The only thing I liked were the grits as a side. Even that isn't worth the drive. I'll give Yesterdays 3 stars for their menu and variety.
(3)
Tom O.
I was in town for a conference and wandered into Yesterday's with a small group. We were immediately seated and Joey our waiter was very good. He was not old enough to drink but somehow knew the right local beers. Good listening skills I assume. Extra corn bread for the table was great and the food came out fast and hot. The fried chicken was great. I was concerned I would code out during the dinner as it was not heart healthy but really good. Another reason to be on Crestor. I would recommend this place for a fun relied atmosphere where you can eat and laugh. Thanks a lot.
(5)
Leigh B.
Favorite restaurant. Chicken fried steak is the best thing on the menu. Beware if you have a shellfish allergy. Do not eat the fried food. They fry shrimp in the same oil as everything else. Vegetable plate is great. Kid friendly..
(4)
Stephen R.
Food was 4 stars, same with staff. It was a crowded sat night and I was seated promptly. Sure the decor looks a little eclectic but I was impressed by the decent prices, generous portions, and selection. Bathroom could use some love tho. Garlic bread was a bit.....cafeteriaish. I may be back, but more than likely will just remember a great meal....yesterday.
(3)
Luke S.
Yesterday's has everything from chicken Alfredo to steaks to nachos. There is an option for everyone and the food is great. They deliver too if you don't want to make the trip. The prices are very reasonable and there's a bar if you want a good beer on tap. The chicken alfredo, chicken parm and rib eye steaks are on my list of favorites. The chicken fried chicken is always good and Cuban pork lion is a good option for something a little different. The jambalaya is amazing but may only available as a special. The meatloaf is also a strong choice.
(5)
Anthony D.
Fashioned to serve similarly to a northeast diner but isn't the greatest in terms of food. Service is good generally and is in a pretty sweet location. The atmosphere is the nicest part of yesterdays, homely and nice.
(3)
Darrel R.
Just had great food at Yesterday's. Country fried steak was great and the yuengling was nice and cold.
(5)
G L.
This place is garbage. If you can eat that stuff, there is something wrong with your taste buds.
(1)
Taylor S.
This restaurant has a really nice design and looks very interesting. I really liked the atmosphere. But the food I wasn't a fan of. I couldn't really decide what I wanted so I got the sampler plate and everything on it was pretty bad. The chicken tenders tasted dried out, the mozzarella cheese sticks failed to have cheese in them, and the quesadilla rolls weren't very tasty. Maybe it was just an off day, but I don't think I'll be back to find out.
(2)
Kristen M.
This place wasn't too bad considering the options you have in this area. Food was really good but prices were a tad high. If I was in the area I wouldn't go back simply because it wasn't that great and I would like to see what else that area has to offer.
(3)
Kate L.
I've been coming here since I was little and still love this place. The front part of the restaurant has a country feel with a roof over the side booths. The back is the bar area and tends to get loud and crowded. My favorite is the country fried steak with a side of mac and cheese and black eyed peas. The black bean soup is also pretty tasty.
(4)
Allison T.
Ordered the shrimp and grits, which is a dish I normally love, but there was probably a half cup of butter/oil in theirs. It was so greasy I couldn't eat it.
(2)
Shannon M. S.
Here visiting for the weekend and happen to run across while in 5 points.. Took a chance and went in during brunch and Joey was our waiter. He's the most adorable young man and made us feel comfy. I ordered the Steak and eggs and switched the ribeye for flank cooked medium (Yummy) with a side of scrambled eggs and cheese grits. It was AWESOME.
(5)
Chris R.
Yesterdays has been in Five Points for years and is essentially a landmark at this point. The food is generally decent and the portions will not leave you hungry. For those reasons I am avoiding giving them a 1-star rating. That said, I would avoid ordering delivery if at all possible. That is where they really deserve a zero-star rating. They are signed up with services like Campus Specials/EatStreet. The problem is that they apparently never bother to actually read or check the orders. I have had delivery from them about a dozen times now - and I am being sincere and honest when I say I have NEVER had a single order that was correct. The mistakes haven't been enough to make me not want to place another order - but the mistakes are irritating and unprofessional. I have had drinks left off, the wrong side items delivered, biscuits that were supposed to be included forgotten, requests like "no olives" ignored. Again, nothing major - but just irritating. Today was the final straw though..wrong sides and an additional side forgotten (but I was charged for it). That's it. I'm done. Yes, sure you can go through a call the next business day to the manager for the $2 refund - but my time is worth more than that to me. Clearly they don't care.
(2)
Liz D.
What a pleasant casual spot near campus! I've been coming to Yesterday's for at least a decade, and it is a real Columbia institution. The food is always good (not terribly fancy, but tasty southern-style food), and the service is generally friendly. The atmosphere is casual, but feels cozy and home-like. The beer list could generally use a little work, but I think the good food well outweighs that. Note: there is free parking in the pay lot behind the restaurant for 1.5 hours. Just show your Yesterday's receipt when you leave.
(4)
Jonathan M.
Awesome place, good southern food great grits and buffalo tenders. Right in 5 points they stay open late.
(4)
Amber H.
In town on business and was recommended Yesterday's for lunch. It did not disappoint! I ordered shrimp and grits with a side of collard greens accompanied by a cornbread muffin. Wow! Creamy grits with plenty of shrimp that melted in my mouth. Collards that were peppery, with no bitterness. Cornbread moist and didn't need the butter that came with it. It all tasted like I was eating at my Grandma's table. It's a good thing I don't live here or I'd have my own table at Yesterday's!
(5)
Erik M.
Encouraged by the relatively high yelpitude of this place, I braved a 12 mile drive in the dark and rain after a long day of travel to get some down home southern style food, and Yesterdays didn't disappoint on that front. It was pretty slow in the restaurant area when I arrived on a Tuesday night, but the bar area seemed to be pretty full for trivia night, which was in full swing when I walked in. The hostess was cheerful, and ushered to my booth where I was promptly greeted by my waitress in an equally agreeable manner. I started with an order of the guacamole, which was pretty awful. I hope they don't make it in house, and if they do they don't own up to it. I have to assume it's a food service mistake because my entree of fried catfish and grits was spot-on. The fish was flavorful and tender, and the batter wasn't overly greasy and heavy. The grits had a nice, creamy consistency and the flavor meshed perfectly with the catfish. Each bite of around 70% fish and 30% grits was delightful, and by the time I finished my entree I realized I hadn't left room for the daily special dessert of apple pie. The mac and cheese was okay, but not great. As I paid my bill, I pondered whether the entree sufficiently made up for the guac to bump what felt like a very solid three to a four star experience. And then I visited the men's room on the way out. I'm not a squeamish person, and when it comes to restrooms, particularly in bars, I think my standards are not particularly stringent with regards to public toilets. But the moment I set foot in Yesterdays washroom, I had to suppress a gag reflex and all of the pleasure I just derived from my dinner was instantly gone, and very nearly on the floor. The cleanliness of the washroom was acceptable, but the odor appeared to be a mix of sewer gas and cleaning chemicals. And not like the sink p-trap dried out and was seeping gas into the room, it was a deeply ingrained odor that no amount of minty urinal cakes could hope to overcome. High marks for the entree quality and price, the friendly service, and homey restaurant atmosphere. Average marks for the guac and mac n' cheese. Health department alert for the men's room, which unfortunately has to tip the balance to the dark side.
(2)
Jeremy H.
I worked at Yesterday's as a waiter and busboy for 2+ years in college. Because of that, I've had just about every dish on the menu. I have a lot of memories (both good and bad) from Yesterdays. Pros: - Extensive menu that has lots of choices for many moods (Tex Mex, Southern, grub food) - reasonably priced - people seem to love the confederate fried steak - i like the cheese fries Cons - very crowded seating arrangement - waitstaff/barstaff contains many of the typical, sexist, dumbass frat boys
(3)
Christopher C.
My wife and I have had both good and bad experiences here, the food is always good albeit a bit greasy. Its the service that is hit or miss, sometimes we go in and get served immediately and other times its as though the servers don't know which tables they're covering. We have walked out after waiting 15 minutes without anyone taking our drink orders.
(3)
Steven B.
Waited at the bar for a solid 5 minutes without ever even seeing a bartender. Turns out she was just standing on the other side of the wall and when I got up out of my chair to draw her attention to the other side of the bar she didn't even apologize. It's 6:15, and there's only 5 guests at the bar. Teach your bartenders to walk around the bar or schedule two bartenders if one is incapable of handling 5 guests. The food is good though
(2)
Adam B. J.
This was my favorite place as a kid. I even remember the St. Andrews location. Still love it. Best chicken fingers ever (childhood fav). Get it with the white gravy. Chicken and Grits, Arkansas Traveler, chicken fried steak, and London Broil all great menu items. Great sides (love their fries, cucumber salad), salads (great homemade dressings), burgers and sandwiches. Lots of draft beers. 90% of the time you'll get good service.
(4)
Michael S.
Great always has been Forever! Veggies. Try their veggie burger also very good. Yesterdays Restaurant & Tavern is famous for good Southern cookin'with fresh local produce. I have been a patron almost thirty years. It's great for lunch or dinner. I'm vegetarian and yes, the vegetables are cooked with meat. It's Southern...The ones with "V" on the menu are not. I usually get the 4 Vegetable platter. It comes with a sweet muffin, so I ASK for cornbread muffins also. The collards black eyed peas wild rice and steamed broccoli come in little bowls. Just pour them in your platter and have at it! Bliss! The Veggie Burger with Guacamole and steak fries are mighty fine also. Park in the parking lot next door and have the waitress validate your parking ticket for FREE Parking! They are open late: Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30-Midnight, Fri-Sat: 11:30-1AM
(5)
Nicole L.
Great atmosphere, casual service, and friendly people. Food was fantastic!! Overall it was so much fun
(4)
Pastor-GAvery W.
The atmosphere in this restaurant is great. It has an old country laid back feel. Our server was a little inconsistent but I guess she meant well. The food was absolutely wonderful. I have no complaints about it at all. As an out of town visitor I would definitely recommend this place to others!!
(4)
Suzanne W.
My gf & I were in South Carolina for her brother's wedding and were looking for places to visit/site-see. Well, there weren't too many options around the Lexington area. lol. I did a little research and found a strip of restaurants. Yesterday's caught our eyes with the cool tub above their door. We almost didn't go inside...but we were in one of those moods to just try a new place. It looked like a really cool bar from the outside. I definitely didn't expect a southern food joint. We didn't really get a friendly greet. However, our server did make up for that. It's been a few weeks now .. and I really wish I remembered our server's name. The food was pretty good. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was pretty different from allllll the spinach artichoke dips I've had....but it was a nice, fresh tasting surprise. I ordered the country fried steak and it was good but needed a little salt. Their mac-n-cheese was my favorite. My gf ordered something with extra cheese and bacon on top. She said that it was a bit much but was okay.
(3)
Denell J.
our home was broken into and our pomeranian killed during the time my father was in the hospital. 256 to go knew we were away from home these 3 particular days because we ordered yesterdays to our hospital room!!! shortly before this incident occured, someone whom tried to attack me in traffic called them making threats to write bad reviews on the company if they did not give them my information, and 256 to go gave it to them!!!! what type of business is this to betray their customers and employees in such a way??? its time for the word to be spread about the dishonesty of this company!! do not trust them with your addresses and names because if your enemy finds out youre ordering from them, all they have to do is call 256 to go with a bad review threat and theyll tell them everything they know about you to save their company!! there are police reports for these incidents at 811 washington st. none of this is fbricated!!!!
(1)
Taylor H.
Always good food. Try a "blackberry patch" drink if you're looking for a new cocktail. Also, their Shrimp St. Thomas or Chicken & Grits are great dinner options.
(5)
Brandon D.
I wanted to like this place so badly after hearing good things about it. After eating here I can honestly say that Lizard's Thicket is better than this joint (and I don't care much for Lizard's). I got the Chicken Fried Steak with mac & cheese and Green Beans. The steak for alright, but the all of the breading feel off when I cut into it, and the steak was not that tender either. The gravy was alright. The mac & cheese was tasted like it was sitting out for a while, was blan and really didn't have any flavor. Green bean was your typical can type cooked with some pork. If you want bread you have to request it. You get a cornbread muffin and a cheddar biscuit. Both of them were kinda of cold when they arrived. In addition the biscuit had an overwhelming taste of garlic, and I could not eat it. I would honestly rather have Lizard's Thicket's food than food from this place. The service was just okay, nothing to special.
(2)
Bryan B.
I'm from Chapin and we were downtown late so decided last minute to grab dinner. Tried Yesterday's for the first time. HORRIBLE! Horrible food, horrible service, horrible outdated decor. What a waste of money!
(1)
Mike W.
Not very impressed, despite the hype and the good reviews here. Perhaps it was an off night, but the shrimp and grits had only paltry, small, shrimp with little flavor to their seasoning and much worse, when I ask about desserts, I asked directly about the rum cake to have the waiter explain "the boss makes it--I don't know what else to say about it, really". So I ordered it, expecting either a white cake with a standard frosting that was rum-flavored or else perhaps a pound-cake soaked in rum. However, what was brought out was a trifle-like confection with ice cream and whipped cream atop of it and a strawberry sauce: there was some sort of bread-like dessert at the very base of all of this but its flavors were fully overpowered by the ice cream and strawberry sauce. I asked the waiter if this was a mistake, if they brought me the wrong dessert but he said no, in fact this was the "rum cake". How such could be was beyond me, and I was not charged for it, but still: very odd. Moreover, the waiter said "did you read the menu description of it?" . . . no, I didn't, because I saw it on the specials board and asked that very same waiter about it; if I asked you about it, why would you think I'd read the menu description?! I mean, really. Maybe this was just a space cadet waiter, maybe it was an off night. But overall, rather unimpressed.
(2)
Calvin H.
Went in here for the first time thinking this was going to be a great dinner date but I was mistaken. I ordered the southern fried chicken that tasted like they dunked it in flour and fried them and put it on a plate. No spice, no flavor, and no seasoning. The mac and cheese was bland, and the Cajun fries had way to much salt. But the lemonade was good and so was the music.
(2)
Todd T.
Something for everyone. Nachos, Country Fried Steak, Burgers, Cornbread and great Local (when available) vegtables. This is my go to place for Bad Day at work, headache, etc. Love the Chicken n Grits as well with Collards on the side. They also have a full bar with TV's in the back. Just ask to be seated back there if you come into the front. Always ask for bread with the meal as well, its fantastic.
(5)
Erik D.
I'm running behind on reviews but here it goes. As recent USC alum I will admit I'm biased as it brings back good memories eating here. Nevertheless I have never had anything bad here, although I would stick to southern foods as it's where it hits it's stride. It a fun place to drink and eat. the divey feel that makes you feel like you're welcome, and it's pretty much my favorite place to eat in five points.
(5)
Lisa F.
The food was great but the service was super shotty. My boyfriend and I went here on a Saturday night. Five Points was extremely quiet, but we figured out the reason why--It was a game day. Therefore, we were really pleased because there was nobody in Yesterdays. So we're thinking that we were going to have a nice, quiet dinner. WRONG! First mistake was made by the hostess. She wanted to sit us in a booth that had food crumbs on the seat. When I informed her of that, she answered "I can wipe it off." Why go through all that trouble when you can just seat us somewhere else? I pointed that out to her and she did seat us in a booth that didn't have any food in it. The waiter came over and seemed pretty attentive at first. However, after we got our food, he didn't come back for any refills on our drinks. He was too busy talking to the other waiters and the hostess at a front table. I was getting pretty upset, sipping on the water from the melted ice cubes. But it gets worse. In comes a group of about 20 people. Instead of taking these people and putting them on the side of the restaurant where the game was playing (which they were most concerned about seeing), they moved tables around and set them right next to my boyfriend and me! These people were just a cursing up a storm, completely rude, and I was completely over the whole dinner. At that point, then the waiter comes back for refills. But I was done. I told my boyfriend to pay and we left. I don't think I'll go back to Yesterdays until they get some staff that understands how to wait tables and treat people. It's best for a college crowd; not for people who give a crap about good service.
(2)
Jaclyn S.
Really wanted shrimp and grits, but service was slow and food was lackluster. Have had much better food elsewhere. We should have listened to the reviews. We will not be going back!
(2)
NG Girl A.
We're only in Columbia for one day for our daughter's graduation from Army AIT. Yesterday's was suggested to us by our hotel. We're so glad that if we had to only have one meal while we were in Columbia this was the one place we stopped to eat. I had the tilapia green beans and the world famous mac & cheese. Everything was amazing!!! Every item ordered by everybody and our party came in good time and without fault!!!
(5)
Lily N.
I've been coming here since I was a kid, but as an adult I can't stomach it. This place uses the cheapest possible ingredients. The atmosphere is good, and the old ads that are enameled into the tabletops are entertaining, but the food fails.
(2)
Matt S.
Yesterday's is the Mom and Pop comfort food restaurant that I have been looking for. If you are looking for a trendy meal or a place to take a date, this is definitely not the place to go. However, if you are looking for good ole down home cooking, I would highly suggest Yesterday's. Situated right in the middle of Five Points it is a great place to get a good base of food in before a long night of drinking or really a great place to go to start the road to recovery after a long night of drinking. Yesterdays has a very eclectic menu that covers everything from Seafood, Burgers, comfort food all the way t Tex Mex. I personally went with the Southern Comfort food as it has been a while since I had found a restaurant that does it right. And let me say the Chicken Fried Chicken and Mac and Cheese that I had were perfect. The Chicken was perfectly covered in wonderfully seasoned batter fried to golden perfection and the Mac and Cheese didn't disappoint. The decor could probably use some updating however in my opinion that would just take away the charm of the restaurant. If you are like me you are going there for good food for a reasonable price. Frankly the decor shows me that they have been around and thriving for years off what really matters, their food. My only reasoning for keeping with 4 starts is their one outdated policy that I cant live with, their soft drinks only come with 1 free refill. All if you are in the need of a little greasy comfort food go ahead give Yesterday's a try.
(4)
TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Great food. Good southern cooking!
(4)
Cathy B.
I may never make meatloaf again after having their meatloaf sandwich! You see, I don't make meatloaf very often but when I do, it's pretty darn good. In fact, I have several great recipes for meatloaf I pull from when I want some but I rarely order it from restaurants because mine are quite yummy. However, eating at a place called Yesterday's makes me think this is a "grandma's recipe" kinda place and indeed it is! Let me back up a moment - I was told my a friend of my sister's (Hi Jeni!) that I shouldn't leave Columbia, SC without eating at Yesterday's so being that my next meal in Columbia would be the one I was planning on grabbing before heading to the airport, I was a little pressed for time. It's on a very unique intersection - the corner of Harden, Devine and Santee (a.k.a. Hootie and the Blowfish Blvd) and the front door of Yesterday's is in a point of the building so it's not the most obvious place but hard to miss as well, thanks to it's unique shape. I pulled up a few minutes before 11 am and found that they don't open for lunch until 11:15 am. I was sad that I might miss the opportunity but the hostess did let me in to use the restroom (*whew*) and on my way to find somewhere else to eat, told me that the waiter and his section were ready and so was the kitchen so they could serve me a little early, seeing as I was needing to drive to Charlotte, NC to catch my plane (FYI, it's a cheaper airport to fly in and out of). So, after perusing the menu, meatloaf it was! They have 2 options for the meatloaf - the meatloaf plate with two sides or the sandwich with one. I wasn't starving nor did I want to be overfull and stuck on airplanes all day so I went with the sandwich. My waiter told me that was a good choice because their regular portion is quite large. You can have BBQ sauce with it but I promise, you don't need it. I even ended up pulling the bread off and eating it with a fork because I didn't want anything to get in the way of the wonderful flavor. A side of mashed potatoes and some sweet tea and I was in someone's grandma's kitchen. SIDEBAR - Why not my own grandma? One is Japanese and the other is British so meatloaf wasn't quite what we grew up on until I was in around middle school. So, there you have it. Listen to my sister's friend Jeni and go to Yesterday's if you're in Columbia, SC. But, try to wait until at least 11:15 am when they open, okay?
(5)
Dave G.
My family and I visit Yesterdays ritualistically once a year. Great homemade food. Extremely reasonably priced. The meatloaf is really good. The cheddar fries are the best !!!
(4)
Dave M.
Good local staple for southern food, like a meat and three vegetables. Nothing fancy but good.
(3)
bert s.
Low country shrimp and grits were awesome, as was uncle john's (bbq) chicken. Collard greens and zuccini/tomatos for sides. Add some of the best cornbread, and cheddar cheese bisquits, and presto... a slice of southern bliss.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Anthony D.
Fashioned to serve similarly to a northeast diner but isn't the greatest in terms of food. Service is good generally and is in a pretty sweet location. The atmosphere is the nicest part of yesterdays, homely and nice.
(3)Darrel R.
Just had great food at Yesterday's. Country fried steak was great and the yuengling was nice and cold.
(5)G L.
This place is garbage. If you can eat that stuff, there is something wrong with your taste buds.
(1)Tom O.
I was in town for a conference and wandered into Yesterday's with a small group. We were immediately seated and Joey our waiter was very good. He was not old enough to drink but somehow knew the right local beers. Good listening skills I assume. Extra corn bread for the table was great and the food came out fast and hot. The fried chicken was great. I was concerned I would code out during the dinner as it was not heart healthy but really good. Another reason to be on Crestor. I would recommend this place for a fun relied atmosphere where you can eat and laugh. Thanks a lot.
(5)Taylor S.
This restaurant has a really nice design and looks very interesting. I really liked the atmosphere. But the food I wasn't a fan of. I couldn't really decide what I wanted so I got the sampler plate and everything on it was pretty bad. The chicken tenders tasted dried out, the mozzarella cheese sticks failed to have cheese in them, and the quesadilla rolls weren't very tasty. Maybe it was just an off day, but I don't think I'll be back to find out.
(2)Shannon M. S.
Here visiting for the weekend and happen to run across while in 5 points.. Took a chance and went in during brunch and Joey was our waiter. He's the most adorable young man and made us feel comfy. I ordered the Steak and eggs and switched the ribeye for flank cooked medium (Yummy) with a side of scrambled eggs and cheese grits. It was AWESOME.
(5)Leigh B.
Favorite restaurant. Chicken fried steak is the best thing on the menu. Beware if you have a shellfish allergy. Do not eat the fried food. They fry shrimp in the same oil as everything else. Vegetable plate is great. Kid friendly..
(4)Stephen R.
Food was 4 stars, same with staff. It was a crowded sat night and I was seated promptly. Sure the decor looks a little eclectic but I was impressed by the decent prices, generous portions, and selection. Bathroom could use some love tho. Garlic bread was a bit.....cafeteriaish. I may be back, but more than likely will just remember a great meal....yesterday.
(3)Luke S.
Yesterday's has everything from chicken Alfredo to steaks to nachos. There is an option for everyone and the food is great. They deliver too if you don't want to make the trip. The prices are very reasonable and there's a bar if you want a good beer on tap. The chicken alfredo, chicken parm and rib eye steaks are on my list of favorites. The chicken fried chicken is always good and Cuban pork lion is a good option for something a little different. The jambalaya is amazing but may only available as a special. The meatloaf is also a strong choice.
(5)Adam B. J.
This was my favorite place as a kid. I even remember the St. Andrews location. Still love it. Best chicken fingers ever (childhood fav). Get it with the white gravy. Chicken and Grits, Arkansas Traveler, chicken fried steak, and London Broil all great menu items. Great sides (love their fries, cucumber salad), salads (great homemade dressings), burgers and sandwiches. Lots of draft beers. 90% of the time you'll get good service.
(4)Steven B.
Waited at the bar for a solid 5 minutes without ever even seeing a bartender. Turns out she was just standing on the other side of the wall and when I got up out of my chair to draw her attention to the other side of the bar she didn't even apologize. It's 6:15, and there's only 5 guests at the bar. Teach your bartenders to walk around the bar or schedule two bartenders if one is incapable of handling 5 guests. The food is good though
(2)Michael S.
Great always has been Forever! Veggies. Try their veggie burger also very good. Yesterdays Restaurant & Tavern is famous for good Southern cookin'with fresh local produce. I have been a patron almost thirty years. It's great for lunch or dinner. I'm vegetarian and yes, the vegetables are cooked with meat. It's Southern...The ones with "V" on the menu are not. I usually get the 4 Vegetable platter. It comes with a sweet muffin, so I ASK for cornbread muffins also. The collards black eyed peas wild rice and steamed broccoli come in little bowls. Just pour them in your platter and have at it! Bliss! The Veggie Burger with Guacamole and steak fries are mighty fine also. Park in the parking lot next door and have the waitress validate your parking ticket for FREE Parking! They are open late: Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30-Midnight, Fri-Sat: 11:30-1AM
(5)Nicole L.
Great atmosphere, casual service, and friendly people. Food was fantastic!! Overall it was so much fun
(4)Pastor-GAvery W.
The atmosphere in this restaurant is great. It has an old country laid back feel. Our server was a little inconsistent but I guess she meant well. The food was absolutely wonderful. I have no complaints about it at all. As an out of town visitor I would definitely recommend this place to others!!
(4)Shannon M. S.
Here visiting for the weekend and happen to run across while in 5 points.. Took a chance and went in during brunch and Joey was our waiter. He's the most adorable young man and made us feel comfy. I ordered the Steak and eggs and switched the ribeye for flank cooked medium (Yummy) with a side of scrambled eggs and cheese grits. It was AWESOME.
(5)Leigh B.
Favorite restaurant. Chicken fried steak is the best thing on the menu. Beware if you have a shellfish allergy. Do not eat the fried food. They fry shrimp in the same oil as everything else. Vegetable plate is great. Kid friendly..
(4)Stephen R.
Food was 4 stars, same with staff. It was a crowded sat night and I was seated promptly. Sure the decor looks a little eclectic but I was impressed by the decent prices, generous portions, and selection. Bathroom could use some love tho. Garlic bread was a bit.....cafeteriaish. I may be back, but more than likely will just remember a great meal....yesterday.
(3)Luke S.
Yesterday's has everything from chicken Alfredo to steaks to nachos. There is an option for everyone and the food is great. They deliver too if you don't want to make the trip. The prices are very reasonable and there's a bar if you want a good beer on tap. The chicken alfredo, chicken parm and rib eye steaks are on my list of favorites. The chicken fried chicken is always good and Cuban pork lion is a good option for something a little different. The jambalaya is amazing but may only available as a special. The meatloaf is also a strong choice.
(5)Anthony D.
Fashioned to serve similarly to a northeast diner but isn't the greatest in terms of food. Service is good generally and is in a pretty sweet location. The atmosphere is the nicest part of yesterdays, homely and nice.
(3)Darrel R.
Just had great food at Yesterday's. Country fried steak was great and the yuengling was nice and cold.
(5)G L.
This place is garbage. If you can eat that stuff, there is something wrong with your taste buds.
(1)Tom O.
I was in town for a conference and wandered into Yesterday's with a small group. We were immediately seated and Joey our waiter was very good. He was not old enough to drink but somehow knew the right local beers. Good listening skills I assume. Extra corn bread for the table was great and the food came out fast and hot. The fried chicken was great. I was concerned I would code out during the dinner as it was not heart healthy but really good. Another reason to be on Crestor. I would recommend this place for a fun relied atmosphere where you can eat and laugh. Thanks a lot.
(5)Taylor S.
This restaurant has a really nice design and looks very interesting. I really liked the atmosphere. But the food I wasn't a fan of. I couldn't really decide what I wanted so I got the sampler plate and everything on it was pretty bad. The chicken tenders tasted dried out, the mozzarella cheese sticks failed to have cheese in them, and the quesadilla rolls weren't very tasty. Maybe it was just an off day, but I don't think I'll be back to find out.
(2)Adam B. J.
This was my favorite place as a kid. I even remember the St. Andrews location. Still love it. Best chicken fingers ever (childhood fav). Get it with the white gravy. Chicken and Grits, Arkansas Traveler, chicken fried steak, and London Broil all great menu items. Great sides (love their fries, cucumber salad), salads (great homemade dressings), burgers and sandwiches. Lots of draft beers. 90% of the time you'll get good service.
(4)Steven B.
Waited at the bar for a solid 5 minutes without ever even seeing a bartender. Turns out she was just standing on the other side of the wall and when I got up out of my chair to draw her attention to the other side of the bar she didn't even apologize. It's 6:15, and there's only 5 guests at the bar. Teach your bartenders to walk around the bar or schedule two bartenders if one is incapable of handling 5 guests. The food is good though
(2)Michael S.
Great always has been Forever! Veggies. Try their veggie burger also very good. Yesterdays Restaurant & Tavern is famous for good Southern cookin'with fresh local produce. I have been a patron almost thirty years. It's great for lunch or dinner. I'm vegetarian and yes, the vegetables are cooked with meat. It's Southern...The ones with "V" on the menu are not. I usually get the 4 Vegetable platter. It comes with a sweet muffin, so I ASK for cornbread muffins also. The collards black eyed peas wild rice and steamed broccoli come in little bowls. Just pour them in your platter and have at it! Bliss! The Veggie Burger with Guacamole and steak fries are mighty fine also. Park in the parking lot next door and have the waitress validate your parking ticket for FREE Parking! They are open late: Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30-Midnight, Fri-Sat: 11:30-1AM
(5)Nicole L.
Great atmosphere, casual service, and friendly people. Food was fantastic!! Overall it was so much fun
(4)Pastor-GAvery W.
The atmosphere in this restaurant is great. It has an old country laid back feel. Our server was a little inconsistent but I guess she meant well. The food was absolutely wonderful. I have no complaints about it at all. As an out of town visitor I would definitely recommend this place to others!!
(4)Suzanne W.
My gf & I were in South Carolina for her brother's wedding and were looking for places to visit/site-see. Well, there weren't too many options around the Lexington area. lol. I did a little research and found a strip of restaurants. Yesterday's caught our eyes with the cool tub above their door. We almost didn't go inside...but we were in one of those moods to just try a new place. It looked like a really cool bar from the outside. I definitely didn't expect a southern food joint. We didn't really get a friendly greet. However, our server did make up for that. It's been a few weeks now .. and I really wish I remembered our server's name. The food was pretty good. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was pretty different from allllll the spinach artichoke dips I've had....but it was a nice, fresh tasting surprise. I ordered the country fried steak and it was good but needed a little salt. Their mac-n-cheese was my favorite. My gf ordered something with extra cheese and bacon on top. She said that it was a bit much but was okay.
(3)Chris R.
Yesterdays has been in Five Points for years and is essentially a landmark at this point. The food is generally decent and the portions will not leave you hungry. For those reasons I am avoiding giving them a 1-star rating. That said, I would avoid ordering delivery if at all possible. That is where they really deserve a zero-star rating. They are signed up with services like Campus Specials/EatStreet. The problem is that they apparently never bother to actually read or check the orders. I have had delivery from them about a dozen times now - and I am being sincere and honest when I say I have NEVER had a single order that was correct. The mistakes haven't been enough to make me not want to place another order - but the mistakes are irritating and unprofessional. I have had drinks left off, the wrong side items delivered, biscuits that were supposed to be included forgotten, requests like "no olives" ignored. Again, nothing major - but just irritating. Today was the final straw though..wrong sides and an additional side forgotten (but I was charged for it). That's it. I'm done. Yes, sure you can go through a call the next business day to the manager for the $2 refund - but my time is worth more than that to me. Clearly they don't care.
(2)Liz D.
What a pleasant casual spot near campus! I've been coming to Yesterday's for at least a decade, and it is a real Columbia institution. The food is always good (not terribly fancy, but tasty southern-style food), and the service is generally friendly. The atmosphere is casual, but feels cozy and home-like. The beer list could generally use a little work, but I think the good food well outweighs that. Note: there is free parking in the pay lot behind the restaurant for 1.5 hours. Just show your Yesterday's receipt when you leave.
(4)Jonathan M.
Awesome place, good southern food great grits and buffalo tenders. Right in 5 points they stay open late.
(4)Mike I.
Pretty damn good food at good prices with friendly staff.
(4)Amber H.
In town on business and was recommended Yesterday's for lunch. It did not disappoint! I ordered shrimp and grits with a side of collard greens accompanied by a cornbread muffin. Wow! Creamy grits with plenty of shrimp that melted in my mouth. Collards that were peppery, with no bitterness. Cornbread moist and didn't need the butter that came with it. It all tasted like I was eating at my Grandma's table. It's a good thing I don't live here or I'd have my own table at Yesterday's!
(5)Denell J.
our home was broken into and our pomeranian killed during the time my father was in the hospital. 256 to go knew we were away from home these 3 particular days because we ordered yesterdays to our hospital room!!! shortly before this incident occured, someone whom tried to attack me in traffic called them making threats to write bad reviews on the company if they did not give them my information, and 256 to go gave it to them!!!! what type of business is this to betray their customers and employees in such a way??? its time for the word to be spread about the dishonesty of this company!! do not trust them with your addresses and names because if your enemy finds out youre ordering from them, all they have to do is call 256 to go with a bad review threat and theyll tell them everything they know about you to save their company!! there are police reports for these incidents at 811 washington st. none of this is fbricated!!!!
(1)Taylor H.
Always good food. Try a "blackberry patch" drink if you're looking for a new cocktail. Also, their Shrimp St. Thomas or Chicken & Grits are great dinner options.
(5)Brandon D.
I wanted to like this place so badly after hearing good things about it. After eating here I can honestly say that Lizard's Thicket is better than this joint (and I don't care much for Lizard's). I got the Chicken Fried Steak with mac & cheese and Green Beans. The steak for alright, but the all of the breading feel off when I cut into it, and the steak was not that tender either. The gravy was alright. The mac & cheese was tasted like it was sitting out for a while, was blan and really didn't have any flavor. Green bean was your typical can type cooked with some pork. If you want bread you have to request it. You get a cornbread muffin and a cheddar biscuit. Both of them were kinda of cold when they arrived. In addition the biscuit had an overwhelming taste of garlic, and I could not eat it. I would honestly rather have Lizard's Thicket's food than food from this place. The service was just okay, nothing to special.
(2)Bryan B.
I'm from Chapin and we were downtown late so decided last minute to grab dinner. Tried Yesterday's for the first time. HORRIBLE! Horrible food, horrible service, horrible outdated decor. What a waste of money!
(1)Jason H.
Yesterday's serves neo-Southern fare in a great atmosphere. Easy to spot with the cowboy in a bathtub over the door, Yesterday's is an excellent spot for a inexpensive filling meal. Their chicken and grits turns most people's notion of grits on its head. These aren't the usual soupy grits, but are a creamy tasty bowl of grits with deep-fried chicken strips, onions, tomatoes, and cheese on top. If collard greens are in season they are a perfect side. The meatloaf is also excellent, however the broccoli is a hit and miss side. The only other negatives for Yesterday's is the sometimes sporadic service and that the bar can get rather rowdy the closer it is to the weekend.
(4)Spencer S.
Good place for a casual local restaurant in 5 points and near campus (good place to take mom and dad). Extensive menu with something for everyone. Would say they are best known for their meat loaf. Decent drink specials as well. Also nice that you can park free in the lot behind them (just get the hostess to validate your ticket).
(4)Pete J.
My buddy Ronnie worked there for several years, so everytime we'd go, he'd wind up serving us. A good place to grab a reasonably priced, reasonably fast dinner in Five Points. Better & cheaper than Harper's, in my opinion, & they do a great job on their chicken & greens. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could, but I don't feel right bumping it up to 4.
(3)Meg D.
After coming here countless times during college, there is some great and some average dishes here. Whenever you come, get the cheddar fries and the artichoke dip. Good for you, not. But delicous yes. By far the best cheese fries I have ever had. The chicken fingers, wings, and fish and grits are pretty good also.
(4)Megan K.
was with about 10 people. they were open on a sunday afternoon, which is why we went. outside seating is always a plus, but the server was slow and a little confused. he got better as the time went on. management did send out some free aps. i guess he was worried we were drinking so much on empty stomachs, but we had just left buffalo wild wings where we all stuffed our fat faces. good people watching from the outside. gives you a feel for the town.
(3)Rishi D.
A long standing institution. An establishment that everyone whether you are a Gamecock or visiting opponent or tourist from out of town must go to. The food is incredibly rich and filling. Incredible shrimp and grits, breakfasts, biscuits and cornbread to die for, and collard greens. Drinks are rock bottom cheap, especially during happy hour - with two for ones, and free appetizer samplers. It doesn't get much better than this. Go!
(4)Jeff Q.
Great place for bar food (El nacho man is great) or drinking. I ate there several times for dinner and lunch when I lived in Columbia. The Confederate Fried Steak is my favorite dish. The sides are great - especially the grits. Lunch specials are usually good and I like the grilled chicken breast or even a burger.
(4)Mike W.
Not very impressed, despite the hype and the good reviews here. Perhaps it was an off night, but the shrimp and grits had only paltry, small, shrimp with little flavor to their seasoning and much worse, when I ask about desserts, I asked directly about the rum cake to have the waiter explain "the boss makes it--I don't know what else to say about it, really". So I ordered it, expecting either a white cake with a standard frosting that was rum-flavored or else perhaps a pound-cake soaked in rum. However, what was brought out was a trifle-like confection with ice cream and whipped cream atop of it and a strawberry sauce: there was some sort of bread-like dessert at the very base of all of this but its flavors were fully overpowered by the ice cream and strawberry sauce. I asked the waiter if this was a mistake, if they brought me the wrong dessert but he said no, in fact this was the "rum cake". How such could be was beyond me, and I was not charged for it, but still: very odd. Moreover, the waiter said "did you read the menu description of it?" . . . no, I didn't, because I saw it on the specials board and asked that very same waiter about it; if I asked you about it, why would you think I'd read the menu description?! I mean, really. Maybe this was just a space cadet waiter, maybe it was an off night. But overall, rather unimpressed.
(2)Calvin H.
Went in here for the first time thinking this was going to be a great dinner date but I was mistaken. I ordered the southern fried chicken that tasted like they dunked it in flour and fried them and put it on a plate. No spice, no flavor, and no seasoning. The mac and cheese was bland, and the Cajun fries had way to much salt. But the lemonade was good and so was the music.
(2)Todd T.
Something for everyone. Nachos, Country Fried Steak, Burgers, Cornbread and great Local (when available) vegtables. This is my go to place for Bad Day at work, headache, etc. Love the Chicken n Grits as well with Collards on the side. They also have a full bar with TV's in the back. Just ask to be seated back there if you come into the front. Always ask for bread with the meal as well, its fantastic.
(5)Erik D.
I'm running behind on reviews but here it goes. As recent USC alum I will admit I'm biased as it brings back good memories eating here. Nevertheless I have never had anything bad here, although I would stick to southern foods as it's where it hits it's stride. It a fun place to drink and eat. the divey feel that makes you feel like you're welcome, and it's pretty much my favorite place to eat in five points.
(5)Adam B.
Place is pretty dated, and the food is nothing to call home about. I'd say you've got a lot better choices around five points
(2)Lisa F.
The food was great but the service was super shotty. My boyfriend and I went here on a Saturday night. Five Points was extremely quiet, but we figured out the reason why--It was a game day. Therefore, we were really pleased because there was nobody in Yesterdays. So we're thinking that we were going to have a nice, quiet dinner. WRONG! First mistake was made by the hostess. She wanted to sit us in a booth that had food crumbs on the seat. When I informed her of that, she answered "I can wipe it off." Why go through all that trouble when you can just seat us somewhere else? I pointed that out to her and she did seat us in a booth that didn't have any food in it. The waiter came over and seemed pretty attentive at first. However, after we got our food, he didn't come back for any refills on our drinks. He was too busy talking to the other waiters and the hostess at a front table. I was getting pretty upset, sipping on the water from the melted ice cubes. But it gets worse. In comes a group of about 20 people. Instead of taking these people and putting them on the side of the restaurant where the game was playing (which they were most concerned about seeing), they moved tables around and set them right next to my boyfriend and me! These people were just a cursing up a storm, completely rude, and I was completely over the whole dinner. At that point, then the waiter comes back for refills. But I was done. I told my boyfriend to pay and we left. I don't think I'll go back to Yesterdays until they get some staff that understands how to wait tables and treat people. It's best for a college crowd; not for people who give a crap about good service.
(2)Jaclyn S.
Really wanted shrimp and grits, but service was slow and food was lackluster. Have had much better food elsewhere. We should have listened to the reviews. We will not be going back!
(2)NG Girl A.
We're only in Columbia for one day for our daughter's graduation from Army AIT. Yesterday's was suggested to us by our hotel. We're so glad that if we had to only have one meal while we were in Columbia this was the one place we stopped to eat. I had the tilapia green beans and the world famous mac & cheese. Everything was amazing!!! Every item ordered by everybody and our party came in good time and without fault!!!
(5)Lily N.
I've been coming here since I was a kid, but as an adult I can't stomach it. This place uses the cheapest possible ingredients. The atmosphere is good, and the old ads that are enameled into the tabletops are entertaining, but the food fails.
(2)Paul B.
Went here today just as more of a hangin out time with the family- ordered a few Guinness beers, an order of hot wings, an order of El Nacho Man nachos- someone got a roast beef sandwich and a bowl of black bean soup. Everything was great! Nice comfortable place to hang out for a while and have a little lunch. The more time I spend here the more I like it! We sat in the tavern section of the restaurant- Love the atmosphere!
(4)Ellen B.
I keep going back hoping to walk in and discover they have cleaned the place up. Nope, not yet. This most recent trip, the place smelled like a giant rat died and was rotting in the middle of the place.
(1)Matt S.
Yesterday's is the Mom and Pop comfort food restaurant that I have been looking for. If you are looking for a trendy meal or a place to take a date, this is definitely not the place to go. However, if you are looking for good ole down home cooking, I would highly suggest Yesterday's. Situated right in the middle of Five Points it is a great place to get a good base of food in before a long night of drinking or really a great place to go to start the road to recovery after a long night of drinking. Yesterdays has a very eclectic menu that covers everything from Seafood, Burgers, comfort food all the way t Tex Mex. I personally went with the Southern Comfort food as it has been a while since I had found a restaurant that does it right. And let me say the Chicken Fried Chicken and Mac and Cheese that I had were perfect. The Chicken was perfectly covered in wonderfully seasoned batter fried to golden perfection and the Mac and Cheese didn't disappoint. The decor could probably use some updating however in my opinion that would just take away the charm of the restaurant. If you are like me you are going there for good food for a reasonable price. Frankly the decor shows me that they have been around and thriving for years off what really matters, their food. My only reasoning for keeping with 4 starts is their one outdated policy that I cant live with, their soft drinks only come with 1 free refill. All if you are in the need of a little greasy comfort food go ahead give Yesterday's a try.
(4)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Great food. Good southern cooking!
(4)Kristen M.
This place wasn't too bad considering the options you have in this area. Food was really good but prices were a tad high. If I was in the area I wouldn't go back simply because it wasn't that great and I would like to see what else that area has to offer.
(3)Kate L.
I've been coming here since I was little and still love this place. The front part of the restaurant has a country feel with a roof over the side booths. The back is the bar area and tends to get loud and crowded. My favorite is the country fried steak with a side of mac and cheese and black eyed peas. The black bean soup is also pretty tasty.
(4)Allison T.
Ordered the shrimp and grits, which is a dish I normally love, but there was probably a half cup of butter/oil in theirs. It was so greasy I couldn't eat it.
(2)Donna W.
Our office picked up lunch from here today. Everyone was pleased with their meal. I ordered the shrimp and grits meal with green beans as the side. The grits are amazing here! They were excellent again today. The portions were generous and everything was delicious. A friend ordered the chicken and grits and said the dish was her favorite. One of the salads I saw today looked great as well With an order io about 10 lunches, they did a great job. All orders were correct and everything was included (napkins, straws, cups, ice, salad dressings, muffins, corn bread, etc). One of my more favorite places to eat. I know I can always get a good meal here, reasonably priced.
(4)Stephanie D.
I always find myself returning here a couple of times a year despite the fact the food isn't spetacular. If you have a southern friend who is willing to feed you home cooked meals, you'll get better food from them. If not, this is the only place I know where you can get food like this. Each experience I've had here has also been inconsistent. There are times when the food comes out either too greasy (shrimp and grits) or way too dry (meatloaf one out of the two times I've had it). However, I've always recieved a fair porton for my price. The whole batch of tea is watered down sometimes. Another inconsistency is the service. One waitress came off as if she was stereotyping- providing the best service to groups that LOOKED like they would tip more. We ended up leaving her an amount that reflected her neglect. A few months later, my group gets a cheerful fella who earned a tip worth 40% of the bill. I can't say I recommend anything to people who aren't used to eating American southern food, but I've only tried the steaks, meatloaf, shrimp and grits, and country fried steak. The only thing I liked were the grits as a side. Even that isn't worth the drive. I'll give Yesterdays 3 stars for their menu and variety.
(3)Cathy B.
I may never make meatloaf again after having their meatloaf sandwich! You see, I don't make meatloaf very often but when I do, it's pretty darn good. In fact, I have several great recipes for meatloaf I pull from when I want some but I rarely order it from restaurants because mine are quite yummy. However, eating at a place called Yesterday's makes me think this is a "grandma's recipe" kinda place and indeed it is! Let me back up a moment - I was told my a friend of my sister's (Hi Jeni!) that I shouldn't leave Columbia, SC without eating at Yesterday's so being that my next meal in Columbia would be the one I was planning on grabbing before heading to the airport, I was a little pressed for time. It's on a very unique intersection - the corner of Harden, Devine and Santee (a.k.a. Hootie and the Blowfish Blvd) and the front door of Yesterday's is in a point of the building so it's not the most obvious place but hard to miss as well, thanks to it's unique shape. I pulled up a few minutes before 11 am and found that they don't open for lunch until 11:15 am. I was sad that I might miss the opportunity but the hostess did let me in to use the restroom (*whew*) and on my way to find somewhere else to eat, told me that the waiter and his section were ready and so was the kitchen so they could serve me a little early, seeing as I was needing to drive to Charlotte, NC to catch my plane (FYI, it's a cheaper airport to fly in and out of). So, after perusing the menu, meatloaf it was! They have 2 options for the meatloaf - the meatloaf plate with two sides or the sandwich with one. I wasn't starving nor did I want to be overfull and stuck on airplanes all day so I went with the sandwich. My waiter told me that was a good choice because their regular portion is quite large. You can have BBQ sauce with it but I promise, you don't need it. I even ended up pulling the bread off and eating it with a fork because I didn't want anything to get in the way of the wonderful flavor. A side of mashed potatoes and some sweet tea and I was in someone's grandma's kitchen. SIDEBAR - Why not my own grandma? One is Japanese and the other is British so meatloaf wasn't quite what we grew up on until I was in around middle school. So, there you have it. Listen to my sister's friend Jeni and go to Yesterday's if you're in Columbia, SC. But, try to wait until at least 11:15 am when they open, okay?
(5)Dave G.
My family and I visit Yesterdays ritualistically once a year. Great homemade food. Extremely reasonably priced. The meatloaf is really good. The cheddar fries are the best !!!
(4)Dave M.
Good local staple for southern food, like a meat and three vegetables. Nothing fancy but good.
(3)bert s.
Low country shrimp and grits were awesome, as was uncle john's (bbq) chicken. Collard greens and zuccini/tomatos for sides. Add some of the best cornbread, and cheddar cheese bisquits, and presto... a slice of southern bliss.
(4)Josh S.
Every time i'm here it's great! My family has been coming here and getting drunk for years and we always have a good time (except when we get in yelling matches about music)! Good food, service and beer! Will definitely be back around thanksgiving when I have my kids and my ex-wife wants to get some grub. It's going to be fun and I hope we don't get kicked out again!
(5)Katie R.
Yesterday's is decent food, but the best dish is the chicken and grits. I haven't loved most stuff I've gotten there, but the chicken and grits is definitely one of the best items on the menu. The menu overall is HUGE so if you're with picky people, they're bound to find something they like. The vibe is casual and I sure would like to know more about the bathtub man on top of the restaurant!
(3)Erik M.
Encouraged by the relatively high yelpitude of this place, I braved a 12 mile drive in the dark and rain after a long day of travel to get some down home southern style food, and Yesterdays didn't disappoint on that front. It was pretty slow in the restaurant area when I arrived on a Tuesday night, but the bar area seemed to be pretty full for trivia night, which was in full swing when I walked in. The hostess was cheerful, and ushered to my booth where I was promptly greeted by my waitress in an equally agreeable manner. I started with an order of the guacamole, which was pretty awful. I hope they don't make it in house, and if they do they don't own up to it. I have to assume it's a food service mistake because my entree of fried catfish and grits was spot-on. The fish was flavorful and tender, and the batter wasn't overly greasy and heavy. The grits had a nice, creamy consistency and the flavor meshed perfectly with the catfish. Each bite of around 70% fish and 30% grits was delightful, and by the time I finished my entree I realized I hadn't left room for the daily special dessert of apple pie. The mac and cheese was okay, but not great. As I paid my bill, I pondered whether the entree sufficiently made up for the guac to bump what felt like a very solid three to a four star experience. And then I visited the men's room on the way out. I'm not a squeamish person, and when it comes to restrooms, particularly in bars, I think my standards are not particularly stringent with regards to public toilets. But the moment I set foot in Yesterdays washroom, I had to suppress a gag reflex and all of the pleasure I just derived from my dinner was instantly gone, and very nearly on the floor. The cleanliness of the washroom was acceptable, but the odor appeared to be a mix of sewer gas and cleaning chemicals. And not like the sink p-trap dried out and was seeping gas into the room, it was a deeply ingrained odor that no amount of minty urinal cakes could hope to overcome. High marks for the entree quality and price, the friendly service, and homey restaurant atmosphere. Average marks for the guac and mac n' cheese. Health department alert for the men's room, which unfortunately has to tip the balance to the dark side.
(2)Jeremy H.
I worked at Yesterday's as a waiter and busboy for 2+ years in college. Because of that, I've had just about every dish on the menu. I have a lot of memories (both good and bad) from Yesterdays. Pros: - Extensive menu that has lots of choices for many moods (Tex Mex, Southern, grub food) - reasonably priced - people seem to love the confederate fried steak - i like the cheese fries Cons - very crowded seating arrangement - waitstaff/barstaff contains many of the typical, sexist, dumbass frat boys
(3)Christopher C.
My wife and I have had both good and bad experiences here, the food is always good albeit a bit greasy. Its the service that is hit or miss, sometimes we go in and get served immediately and other times its as though the servers don't know which tables they're covering. We have walked out after waiting 15 minutes without anyone taking our drink orders.
(3)Jordan R.
Yesterday's is perhaps the most famous spot in 5 Points (USC's university dining/nightlife area). Its been around forever and holds a special spot in the hearts of Columbia residents. With that said, it best functions as a place for students and their parents to grab a bite or for homesick southern kids to get a facsimile of a home-cooked meal. The menu is huge and features lots of southern/comfort food staples like shrimp + grits, chicken-fried steak, and meatloaf w/ gravy. Most entrees come with a choice of sides like collard, mac + cheese, black-eyed peas, etc. so at least there are some vegetables amongst all the starch and grease. I've never been overwhelmed by the food here but it could be a good, inexpensive introduction for some to a kind of representation of southern food. BUT, again, I'd class most of the menu in the category of down-home "comfort food" as its not always specifically southern. Also, not a bad place for happy hour as the drinks are cheap and you can really get a feel for a wide cross-section of Columbia's population.
(3)Kate M.
Heavy, salty, just like mom used to make if mom weighed 300 lbs and had a heart attack at 47. They should really just put butter on the menu. The beer list was extensive and moderately priced, though for some reason Corona was one of the most expensive beers there.
(3)Nicholas K.
Let's get real... This place is about what you'd expect from a really good Southern style food restaurant that isn't religious enough to proscribe a vast beer menu and locate a great sports bar inside it. The menu is quite simply bar food + southern specialties. The bar food is better than adequate: great wings, great nachos, great cheddar fries, creamy grits, etc. The southern specialties are delicious and a cut above in quality and about a buck or two higher in price as compared to the other local Southern food spots in Columbia. Roberto's meatloaf speaks for itself, but the Arkansas Traveler you have to see for yourself. Roast beef, cornbread, and black-eyed peas all smothered in brown gravy and served with 2 sides. I like the greens and the mac n cheese but there are about 10 other things to choose from. Yankees, don't forget the Confederate Fried Steak and Pork Chops, you'll wish you lost! Also, the location here is truly unique. Located in the heart of Five Points (Columbia's University Nightlife District) in Columbia's only flat-iron building, you can't miss it. There's a dummy in a clawfoot tub above the front door!
(5)Coleen T.
Amazing caeser salad and "confederate fried steak" (also known as "country fried steak"). Awesome service and cool atmosphere... we sat on the side with the tavern but there is also a restaurant side. We had a cute waitress... always a plus... and she knew her stuff.
(5)Emilio A.
Yesterday's Restaurant and Tavern is a very respectable place when it comes to all around service. The food that was made wasn't prepared to my specifics, but was prepared to my liking. I ordered the london broil with the mash potatoes and veggies. The food was not that fast as I was able to get through a guiness before the plate arrived. I also didn't see much of my server besides him dropping off what I ordered to the table! He didn't really check in on us and didn't really see how we liked our entree's. As far as the food itself, like I said it wasn't prepared to my specifics, as being cooked medium, but it was still just as good when it came to flavor. I like the horseradish sauce it came with, and that is what I remember of the dish because it was a good piece of meat. My friend had the shrimp and grits! I tried it out and the grits were good, but the shrimp tasted like Bilo big bag shrimps with the seasoning being a little too much. I personally don't believe the shrimp should be seasoned too much, but I also believe it was just the shrimp in itself! I enjoyed my time at Yesterday's, It's just Yesterday's at this moment, nothing I'm thinking about today! I do want togo back and try other things on the menu! I just wasn't wowed my first time around! I would reccommend it as a place for anyone looking for a place to eat in the 5 points area though!
(3)Kim Z.
Great meeting place. Has something to please everyone. I haven't had anything that's especially spectacular. Although now that I live up north, I am dying for some of their chicken fried steak!!! It seems like a good place for kids as well. The huge fish tank is pretty cool. I like the fact that they have historical references on the walls and on the tables. Makes it a fun dining experience.
(3)Lindsey B.
i give this 3.5 stars, it is good and great variety, and staff is often excellent. Food you don't find elsewhere in town... and usually well prepared. I never remember hearing I was going there for supper that I wasn't happy to hear that. I expect a nice experience, and I usually get it.
(3)Robert S.
Fun location for a beer and a casual dinner.
(4)Doug P.
Tried their late night men specifically their quesadilla rollups...mmmm, mmmm, good! The banana bread muffin was to die for!
(4)Kevin L.
Big portions. Great atmosfere. American bar with a wide variety of food and beers.
(4)Ted N.
We are split on this one. The wife does not like it but I do. The food is southern style home cooking. The mac and cheese is very good. If you are brave try the Arkansas Traveler, it was made famous when an ESPN announcer ate it during a USC football game. It has gravy on top of gravy. If you are not sure what to get ask the waitress they can turn you onto the most popular items. Parking in 5 points can be a nuisance depending on when you go.
(4)Ted N.
We are split on this one. The wife does not like it but I do. The food is southern style home cooking. The mac and cheese is very good. If you are brave try the Arkansas Traveler, it was made famous when an ESPN announcer ate it during a USC football game. It has gravy on top of gravy. If you are not sure what to get ask the waitress they can turn you onto the most popular items. Parking in 5 points can be a nuisance depending on when you go.
(4)Jason H.
Yesterday's serves neo-Southern fare in a great atmosphere. Easy to spot with the cowboy in a bathtub over the door, Yesterday's is an excellent spot for a inexpensive filling meal. Their chicken and grits turns most people's notion of grits on its head. These aren't the usual soupy grits, but are a creamy tasty bowl of grits with deep-fried chicken strips, onions, tomatoes, and cheese on top. If collard greens are in season they are a perfect side. The meatloaf is also excellent, however the broccoli is a hit and miss side. The only other negatives for Yesterday's is the sometimes sporadic service and that the bar can get rather rowdy the closer it is to the weekend.
(4)Meg D.
After coming here countless times during college, there is some great and some average dishes here. Whenever you come, get the cheddar fries and the artichoke dip. Good for you, not. But delicous yes. By far the best cheese fries I have ever had. The chicken fingers, wings, and fish and grits are pretty good also.
(4)Megan K.
was with about 10 people. they were open on a sunday afternoon, which is why we went. outside seating is always a plus, but the server was slow and a little confused. he got better as the time went on. management did send out some free aps. i guess he was worried we were drinking so much on empty stomachs, but we had just left buffalo wild wings where we all stuffed our fat faces. good people watching from the outside. gives you a feel for the town.
(3)Spencer S.
Good place for a casual local restaurant in 5 points and near campus (good place to take mom and dad). Extensive menu with something for everyone. Would say they are best known for their meat loaf. Decent drink specials as well. Also nice that you can park free in the lot behind them (just get the hostess to validate your ticket).
(4)Pete J.
My buddy Ronnie worked there for several years, so everytime we'd go, he'd wind up serving us. A good place to grab a reasonably priced, reasonably fast dinner in Five Points. Better & cheaper than Harper's, in my opinion, & they do a great job on their chicken & greens. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could, but I don't feel right bumping it up to 4.
(3)Rishi D.
A long standing institution. An establishment that everyone whether you are a Gamecock or visiting opponent or tourist from out of town must go to. The food is incredibly rich and filling. Incredible shrimp and grits, breakfasts, biscuits and cornbread to die for, and collard greens. Drinks are rock bottom cheap, especially during happy hour - with two for ones, and free appetizer samplers. It doesn't get much better than this. Go!
(4)Jeff Q.
Great place for bar food (El nacho man is great) or drinking. I ate there several times for dinner and lunch when I lived in Columbia. The Confederate Fried Steak is my favorite dish. The sides are great - especially the grits. Lunch specials are usually good and I like the grilled chicken breast or even a burger.
(4)Ellen B.
I keep going back hoping to walk in and discover they have cleaned the place up. Nope, not yet. This most recent trip, the place smelled like a giant rat died and was rotting in the middle of the place.
(1)Matt S.
Yesterday's is the Mom and Pop comfort food restaurant that I have been looking for. If you are looking for a trendy meal or a place to take a date, this is definitely not the place to go. However, if you are looking for good ole down home cooking, I would highly suggest Yesterday's. Situated right in the middle of Five Points it is a great place to get a good base of food in before a long night of drinking or really a great place to go to start the road to recovery after a long night of drinking. Yesterdays has a very eclectic menu that covers everything from Seafood, Burgers, comfort food all the way t Tex Mex. I personally went with the Southern Comfort food as it has been a while since I had found a restaurant that does it right. And let me say the Chicken Fried Chicken and Mac and Cheese that I had were perfect. The Chicken was perfectly covered in wonderfully seasoned batter fried to golden perfection and the Mac and Cheese didn't disappoint. The decor could probably use some updating however in my opinion that would just take away the charm of the restaurant. If you are like me you are going there for good food for a reasonable price. Frankly the decor shows me that they have been around and thriving for years off what really matters, their food. My only reasoning for keeping with 4 starts is their one outdated policy that I cant live with, their soft drinks only come with 1 free refill. All if you are in the need of a little greasy comfort food go ahead give Yesterday's a try.
(4)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Great food. Good southern cooking!
(4)Kristen M.
This place wasn't too bad considering the options you have in this area. Food was really good but prices were a tad high. If I was in the area I wouldn't go back simply because it wasn't that great and I would like to see what else that area has to offer.
(3)Kate L.
I've been coming here since I was little and still love this place. The front part of the restaurant has a country feel with a roof over the side booths. The back is the bar area and tends to get loud and crowded. My favorite is the country fried steak with a side of mac and cheese and black eyed peas. The black bean soup is also pretty tasty.
(4)Allison T.
Ordered the shrimp and grits, which is a dish I normally love, but there was probably a half cup of butter/oil in theirs. It was so greasy I couldn't eat it.
(2)Suzanne W.
My gf & I were in South Carolina for her brother's wedding and were looking for places to visit/site-see. Well, there weren't too many options around the Lexington area. lol. I did a little research and found a strip of restaurants. Yesterday's caught our eyes with the cool tub above their door. We almost didn't go inside...but we were in one of those moods to just try a new place. It looked like a really cool bar from the outside. I definitely didn't expect a southern food joint. We didn't really get a friendly greet. However, our server did make up for that. It's been a few weeks now .. and I really wish I remembered our server's name. The food was pretty good. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was pretty different from allllll the spinach artichoke dips I've had....but it was a nice, fresh tasting surprise. I ordered the country fried steak and it was good but needed a little salt. Their mac-n-cheese was my favorite. My gf ordered something with extra cheese and bacon on top. She said that it was a bit much but was okay.
(3)Chris R.
Yesterdays has been in Five Points for years and is essentially a landmark at this point. The food is generally decent and the portions will not leave you hungry. For those reasons I am avoiding giving them a 1-star rating. That said, I would avoid ordering delivery if at all possible. That is where they really deserve a zero-star rating. They are signed up with services like Campus Specials/EatStreet. The problem is that they apparently never bother to actually read or check the orders. I have had delivery from them about a dozen times now - and I am being sincere and honest when I say I have NEVER had a single order that was correct. The mistakes haven't been enough to make me not want to place another order - but the mistakes are irritating and unprofessional. I have had drinks left off, the wrong side items delivered, biscuits that were supposed to be included forgotten, requests like "no olives" ignored. Again, nothing major - but just irritating. Today was the final straw though..wrong sides and an additional side forgotten (but I was charged for it). That's it. I'm done. Yes, sure you can go through a call the next business day to the manager for the $2 refund - but my time is worth more than that to me. Clearly they don't care.
(2)Liz D.
What a pleasant casual spot near campus! I've been coming to Yesterday's for at least a decade, and it is a real Columbia institution. The food is always good (not terribly fancy, but tasty southern-style food), and the service is generally friendly. The atmosphere is casual, but feels cozy and home-like. The beer list could generally use a little work, but I think the good food well outweighs that. Note: there is free parking in the pay lot behind the restaurant for 1.5 hours. Just show your Yesterday's receipt when you leave.
(4)Jonathan M.
Awesome place, good southern food great grits and buffalo tenders. Right in 5 points they stay open late.
(4)Mike W.
Not very impressed, despite the hype and the good reviews here. Perhaps it was an off night, but the shrimp and grits had only paltry, small, shrimp with little flavor to their seasoning and much worse, when I ask about desserts, I asked directly about the rum cake to have the waiter explain "the boss makes it--I don't know what else to say about it, really". So I ordered it, expecting either a white cake with a standard frosting that was rum-flavored or else perhaps a pound-cake soaked in rum. However, what was brought out was a trifle-like confection with ice cream and whipped cream atop of it and a strawberry sauce: there was some sort of bread-like dessert at the very base of all of this but its flavors were fully overpowered by the ice cream and strawberry sauce. I asked the waiter if this was a mistake, if they brought me the wrong dessert but he said no, in fact this was the "rum cake". How such could be was beyond me, and I was not charged for it, but still: very odd. Moreover, the waiter said "did you read the menu description of it?" . . . no, I didn't, because I saw it on the specials board and asked that very same waiter about it; if I asked you about it, why would you think I'd read the menu description?! I mean, really. Maybe this was just a space cadet waiter, maybe it was an off night. But overall, rather unimpressed.
(2)Calvin H.
Went in here for the first time thinking this was going to be a great dinner date but I was mistaken. I ordered the southern fried chicken that tasted like they dunked it in flour and fried them and put it on a plate. No spice, no flavor, and no seasoning. The mac and cheese was bland, and the Cajun fries had way to much salt. But the lemonade was good and so was the music.
(2)Todd T.
Something for everyone. Nachos, Country Fried Steak, Burgers, Cornbread and great Local (when available) vegtables. This is my go to place for Bad Day at work, headache, etc. Love the Chicken n Grits as well with Collards on the side. They also have a full bar with TV's in the back. Just ask to be seated back there if you come into the front. Always ask for bread with the meal as well, its fantastic.
(5)Erik D.
I'm running behind on reviews but here it goes. As recent USC alum I will admit I'm biased as it brings back good memories eating here. Nevertheless I have never had anything bad here, although I would stick to southern foods as it's where it hits it's stride. It a fun place to drink and eat. the divey feel that makes you feel like you're welcome, and it's pretty much my favorite place to eat in five points.
(5)Josh S.
Every time i'm here it's great! My family has been coming here and getting drunk for years and we always have a good time (except when we get in yelling matches about music)! Good food, service and beer! Will definitely be back around thanksgiving when I have my kids and my ex-wife wants to get some grub. It's going to be fun and I hope we don't get kicked out again!
(5)Katie R.
Yesterday's is decent food, but the best dish is the chicken and grits. I haven't loved most stuff I've gotten there, but the chicken and grits is definitely one of the best items on the menu. The menu overall is HUGE so if you're with picky people, they're bound to find something they like. The vibe is casual and I sure would like to know more about the bathtub man on top of the restaurant!
(3)Amber H.
In town on business and was recommended Yesterday's for lunch. It did not disappoint! I ordered shrimp and grits with a side of collard greens accompanied by a cornbread muffin. Wow! Creamy grits with plenty of shrimp that melted in my mouth. Collards that were peppery, with no bitterness. Cornbread moist and didn't need the butter that came with it. It all tasted like I was eating at my Grandma's table. It's a good thing I don't live here or I'd have my own table at Yesterday's!
(5)Denell J.
our home was broken into and our pomeranian killed during the time my father was in the hospital. 256 to go knew we were away from home these 3 particular days because we ordered yesterdays to our hospital room!!! shortly before this incident occured, someone whom tried to attack me in traffic called them making threats to write bad reviews on the company if they did not give them my information, and 256 to go gave it to them!!!! what type of business is this to betray their customers and employees in such a way??? its time for the word to be spread about the dishonesty of this company!! do not trust them with your addresses and names because if your enemy finds out youre ordering from them, all they have to do is call 256 to go with a bad review threat and theyll tell them everything they know about you to save their company!! there are police reports for these incidents at 811 washington st. none of this is fbricated!!!!
(1)Taylor H.
Always good food. Try a "blackberry patch" drink if you're looking for a new cocktail. Also, their Shrimp St. Thomas or Chicken & Grits are great dinner options.
(5)Brandon D.
I wanted to like this place so badly after hearing good things about it. After eating here I can honestly say that Lizard's Thicket is better than this joint (and I don't care much for Lizard's). I got the Chicken Fried Steak with mac & cheese and Green Beans. The steak for alright, but the all of the breading feel off when I cut into it, and the steak was not that tender either. The gravy was alright. The mac & cheese was tasted like it was sitting out for a while, was blan and really didn't have any flavor. Green bean was your typical can type cooked with some pork. If you want bread you have to request it. You get a cornbread muffin and a cheddar biscuit. Both of them were kinda of cold when they arrived. In addition the biscuit had an overwhelming taste of garlic, and I could not eat it. I would honestly rather have Lizard's Thicket's food than food from this place. The service was just okay, nothing to special.
(2)Bryan B.
I'm from Chapin and we were downtown late so decided last minute to grab dinner. Tried Yesterday's for the first time. HORRIBLE! Horrible food, horrible service, horrible outdated decor. What a waste of money!
(1)Adam B.
Place is pretty dated, and the food is nothing to call home about. I'd say you've got a lot better choices around five points
(2)Lisa F.
The food was great but the service was super shotty. My boyfriend and I went here on a Saturday night. Five Points was extremely quiet, but we figured out the reason why--It was a game day. Therefore, we were really pleased because there was nobody in Yesterdays. So we're thinking that we were going to have a nice, quiet dinner. WRONG! First mistake was made by the hostess. She wanted to sit us in a booth that had food crumbs on the seat. When I informed her of that, she answered "I can wipe it off." Why go through all that trouble when you can just seat us somewhere else? I pointed that out to her and she did seat us in a booth that didn't have any food in it. The waiter came over and seemed pretty attentive at first. However, after we got our food, he didn't come back for any refills on our drinks. He was too busy talking to the other waiters and the hostess at a front table. I was getting pretty upset, sipping on the water from the melted ice cubes. But it gets worse. In comes a group of about 20 people. Instead of taking these people and putting them on the side of the restaurant where the game was playing (which they were most concerned about seeing), they moved tables around and set them right next to my boyfriend and me! These people were just a cursing up a storm, completely rude, and I was completely over the whole dinner. At that point, then the waiter comes back for refills. But I was done. I told my boyfriend to pay and we left. I don't think I'll go back to Yesterdays until they get some staff that understands how to wait tables and treat people. It's best for a college crowd; not for people who give a crap about good service.
(2)Jaclyn S.
Really wanted shrimp and grits, but service was slow and food was lackluster. Have had much better food elsewhere. We should have listened to the reviews. We will not be going back!
(2)NG Girl A.
We're only in Columbia for one day for our daughter's graduation from Army AIT. Yesterday's was suggested to us by our hotel. We're so glad that if we had to only have one meal while we were in Columbia this was the one place we stopped to eat. I had the tilapia green beans and the world famous mac & cheese. Everything was amazing!!! Every item ordered by everybody and our party came in good time and without fault!!!
(5)Lily N.
I've been coming here since I was a kid, but as an adult I can't stomach it. This place uses the cheapest possible ingredients. The atmosphere is good, and the old ads that are enameled into the tabletops are entertaining, but the food fails.
(2)Paul B.
Went here today just as more of a hangin out time with the family- ordered a few Guinness beers, an order of hot wings, an order of El Nacho Man nachos- someone got a roast beef sandwich and a bowl of black bean soup. Everything was great! Nice comfortable place to hang out for a while and have a little lunch. The more time I spend here the more I like it! We sat in the tavern section of the restaurant- Love the atmosphere!
(4)Cathy B.
I may never make meatloaf again after having their meatloaf sandwich! You see, I don't make meatloaf very often but when I do, it's pretty darn good. In fact, I have several great recipes for meatloaf I pull from when I want some but I rarely order it from restaurants because mine are quite yummy. However, eating at a place called Yesterday's makes me think this is a "grandma's recipe" kinda place and indeed it is! Let me back up a moment - I was told my a friend of my sister's (Hi Jeni!) that I shouldn't leave Columbia, SC without eating at Yesterday's so being that my next meal in Columbia would be the one I was planning on grabbing before heading to the airport, I was a little pressed for time. It's on a very unique intersection - the corner of Harden, Devine and Santee (a.k.a. Hootie and the Blowfish Blvd) and the front door of Yesterday's is in a point of the building so it's not the most obvious place but hard to miss as well, thanks to it's unique shape. I pulled up a few minutes before 11 am and found that they don't open for lunch until 11:15 am. I was sad that I might miss the opportunity but the hostess did let me in to use the restroom (*whew*) and on my way to find somewhere else to eat, told me that the waiter and his section were ready and so was the kitchen so they could serve me a little early, seeing as I was needing to drive to Charlotte, NC to catch my plane (FYI, it's a cheaper airport to fly in and out of). So, after perusing the menu, meatloaf it was! They have 2 options for the meatloaf - the meatloaf plate with two sides or the sandwich with one. I wasn't starving nor did I want to be overfull and stuck on airplanes all day so I went with the sandwich. My waiter told me that was a good choice because their regular portion is quite large. You can have BBQ sauce with it but I promise, you don't need it. I even ended up pulling the bread off and eating it with a fork because I didn't want anything to get in the way of the wonderful flavor. A side of mashed potatoes and some sweet tea and I was in someone's grandma's kitchen. SIDEBAR - Why not my own grandma? One is Japanese and the other is British so meatloaf wasn't quite what we grew up on until I was in around middle school. So, there you have it. Listen to my sister's friend Jeni and go to Yesterday's if you're in Columbia, SC. But, try to wait until at least 11:15 am when they open, okay?
(5)Dave G.
My family and I visit Yesterdays ritualistically once a year. Great homemade food. Extremely reasonably priced. The meatloaf is really good. The cheddar fries are the best !!!
(4)Dave M.
Good local staple for southern food, like a meat and three vegetables. Nothing fancy but good.
(3)bert s.
Low country shrimp and grits were awesome, as was uncle john's (bbq) chicken. Collard greens and zuccini/tomatos for sides. Add some of the best cornbread, and cheddar cheese bisquits, and presto... a slice of southern bliss.
(4)Coleen T.
Amazing caeser salad and "confederate fried steak" (also known as "country fried steak"). Awesome service and cool atmosphere... we sat on the side with the tavern but there is also a restaurant side. We had a cute waitress... always a plus... and she knew her stuff.
(5)Emilio A.
Yesterday's Restaurant and Tavern is a very respectable place when it comes to all around service. The food that was made wasn't prepared to my specifics, but was prepared to my liking. I ordered the london broil with the mash potatoes and veggies. The food was not that fast as I was able to get through a guiness before the plate arrived. I also didn't see much of my server besides him dropping off what I ordered to the table! He didn't really check in on us and didn't really see how we liked our entree's. As far as the food itself, like I said it wasn't prepared to my specifics, as being cooked medium, but it was still just as good when it came to flavor. I like the horseradish sauce it came with, and that is what I remember of the dish because it was a good piece of meat. My friend had the shrimp and grits! I tried it out and the grits were good, but the shrimp tasted like Bilo big bag shrimps with the seasoning being a little too much. I personally don't believe the shrimp should be seasoned too much, but I also believe it was just the shrimp in itself! I enjoyed my time at Yesterday's, It's just Yesterday's at this moment, nothing I'm thinking about today! I do want togo back and try other things on the menu! I just wasn't wowed my first time around! I would reccommend it as a place for anyone looking for a place to eat in the 5 points area though!
(3)Kim Z.
Great meeting place. Has something to please everyone. I haven't had anything that's especially spectacular. Although now that I live up north, I am dying for some of their chicken fried steak!!! It seems like a good place for kids as well. The huge fish tank is pretty cool. I like the fact that they have historical references on the walls and on the tables. Makes it a fun dining experience.
(3)Lindsey B.
i give this 3.5 stars, it is good and great variety, and staff is often excellent. Food you don't find elsewhere in town... and usually well prepared. I never remember hearing I was going there for supper that I wasn't happy to hear that. I expect a nice experience, and I usually get it.
(3)Robert S.
Fun location for a beer and a casual dinner.
(4)Doug P.
Tried their late night men specifically their quesadilla rollups...mmmm, mmmm, good! The banana bread muffin was to die for!
(4)Kevin L.
Big portions. Great atmosfere. American bar with a wide variety of food and beers.
(4)Kate M.
Heavy, salty, just like mom used to make if mom weighed 300 lbs and had a heart attack at 47. They should really just put butter on the menu. The beer list was extensive and moderately priced, though for some reason Corona was one of the most expensive beers there.
(3)Erik M.
Encouraged by the relatively high yelpitude of this place, I braved a 12 mile drive in the dark and rain after a long day of travel to get some down home southern style food, and Yesterdays didn't disappoint on that front. It was pretty slow in the restaurant area when I arrived on a Tuesday night, but the bar area seemed to be pretty full for trivia night, which was in full swing when I walked in. The hostess was cheerful, and ushered to my booth where I was promptly greeted by my waitress in an equally agreeable manner. I started with an order of the guacamole, which was pretty awful. I hope they don't make it in house, and if they do they don't own up to it. I have to assume it's a food service mistake because my entree of fried catfish and grits was spot-on. The fish was flavorful and tender, and the batter wasn't overly greasy and heavy. The grits had a nice, creamy consistency and the flavor meshed perfectly with the catfish. Each bite of around 70% fish and 30% grits was delightful, and by the time I finished my entree I realized I hadn't left room for the daily special dessert of apple pie. The mac and cheese was okay, but not great. As I paid my bill, I pondered whether the entree sufficiently made up for the guac to bump what felt like a very solid three to a four star experience. And then I visited the men's room on the way out. I'm not a squeamish person, and when it comes to restrooms, particularly in bars, I think my standards are not particularly stringent with regards to public toilets. But the moment I set foot in Yesterdays washroom, I had to suppress a gag reflex and all of the pleasure I just derived from my dinner was instantly gone, and very nearly on the floor. The cleanliness of the washroom was acceptable, but the odor appeared to be a mix of sewer gas and cleaning chemicals. And not like the sink p-trap dried out and was seeping gas into the room, it was a deeply ingrained odor that no amount of minty urinal cakes could hope to overcome. High marks for the entree quality and price, the friendly service, and homey restaurant atmosphere. Average marks for the guac and mac n' cheese. Health department alert for the men's room, which unfortunately has to tip the balance to the dark side.
(2)Jeremy H.
I worked at Yesterday's as a waiter and busboy for 2+ years in college. Because of that, I've had just about every dish on the menu. I have a lot of memories (both good and bad) from Yesterdays. Pros: - Extensive menu that has lots of choices for many moods (Tex Mex, Southern, grub food) - reasonably priced - people seem to love the confederate fried steak - i like the cheese fries Cons - very crowded seating arrangement - waitstaff/barstaff contains many of the typical, sexist, dumbass frat boys
(3)Christopher C.
My wife and I have had both good and bad experiences here, the food is always good albeit a bit greasy. Its the service that is hit or miss, sometimes we go in and get served immediately and other times its as though the servers don't know which tables they're covering. We have walked out after waiting 15 minutes without anyone taking our drink orders.
(3)Jordan R.
Yesterday's is perhaps the most famous spot in 5 Points (USC's university dining/nightlife area). Its been around forever and holds a special spot in the hearts of Columbia residents. With that said, it best functions as a place for students and their parents to grab a bite or for homesick southern kids to get a facsimile of a home-cooked meal. The menu is huge and features lots of southern/comfort food staples like shrimp + grits, chicken-fried steak, and meatloaf w/ gravy. Most entrees come with a choice of sides like collard, mac + cheese, black-eyed peas, etc. so at least there are some vegetables amongst all the starch and grease. I've never been overwhelmed by the food here but it could be a good, inexpensive introduction for some to a kind of representation of southern food. BUT, again, I'd class most of the menu in the category of down-home "comfort food" as its not always specifically southern. Also, not a bad place for happy hour as the drinks are cheap and you can really get a feel for a wide cross-section of Columbia's population.
(3)Nicholas K.
Let's get real... This place is about what you'd expect from a really good Southern style food restaurant that isn't religious enough to proscribe a vast beer menu and locate a great sports bar inside it. The menu is quite simply bar food + southern specialties. The bar food is better than adequate: great wings, great nachos, great cheddar fries, creamy grits, etc. The southern specialties are delicious and a cut above in quality and about a buck or two higher in price as compared to the other local Southern food spots in Columbia. Roberto's meatloaf speaks for itself, but the Arkansas Traveler you have to see for yourself. Roast beef, cornbread, and black-eyed peas all smothered in brown gravy and served with 2 sides. I like the greens and the mac n cheese but there are about 10 other things to choose from. Yankees, don't forget the Confederate Fried Steak and Pork Chops, you'll wish you lost! Also, the location here is truly unique. Located in the heart of Five Points (Columbia's University Nightlife District) in Columbia's only flat-iron building, you can't miss it. There's a dummy in a clawfoot tub above the front door!
(5)Mike I.
Pretty damn good food at good prices with friendly staff.
(4)Josh S.
Every time i'm here it's great! My family has been coming here and getting drunk for years and we always have a good time (except when we get in yelling matches about music)! Good food, service and beer! Will definitely be back around thanksgiving when I have my kids and my ex-wife wants to get some grub. It's going to be fun and I hope we don't get kicked out again!
(5)Donna W.
Our office picked up lunch from here today. Everyone was pleased with their meal. I ordered the shrimp and grits meal with green beans as the side. The grits are amazing here! They were excellent again today. The portions were generous and everything was delicious. A friend ordered the chicken and grits and said the dish was her favorite. One of the salads I saw today looked great as well With an order io about 10 lunches, they did a great job. All orders were correct and everything was included (napkins, straws, cups, ice, salad dressings, muffins, corn bread, etc). One of my more favorite places to eat. I know I can always get a good meal here, reasonably priced.
(4)Paul B.
Went here today just as more of a hangin out time with the family- ordered a few Guinness beers, an order of hot wings, an order of El Nacho Man nachos- someone got a roast beef sandwich and a bowl of black bean soup. Everything was great! Nice comfortable place to hang out for a while and have a little lunch. The more time I spend here the more I like it! We sat in the tavern section of the restaurant- Love the atmosphere!
(4)Ellen B.
I keep going back hoping to walk in and discover they have cleaned the place up. Nope, not yet. This most recent trip, the place smelled like a giant rat died and was rotting in the middle of the place.
(1)Lindsey B.
i give this 3.5 stars, it is good and great variety, and staff is often excellent. Food you don't find elsewhere in town... and usually well prepared. I never remember hearing I was going there for supper that I wasn't happy to hear that. I expect a nice experience, and I usually get it.
(3)Robert S.
Fun location for a beer and a casual dinner.
(4)Doug P.
Tried their late night men specifically their quesadilla rollups...mmmm, mmmm, good! The banana bread muffin was to die for!
(4)Kevin L.
Big portions. Great atmosfere. American bar with a wide variety of food and beers.
(4)Ted N.
We are split on this one. The wife does not like it but I do. The food is southern style home cooking. The mac and cheese is very good. If you are brave try the Arkansas Traveler, it was made famous when an ESPN announcer ate it during a USC football game. It has gravy on top of gravy. If you are not sure what to get ask the waitress they can turn you onto the most popular items. Parking in 5 points can be a nuisance depending on when you go.
(4)Stephanie D.
I always find myself returning here a couple of times a year despite the fact the food isn't spetacular. If you have a southern friend who is willing to feed you home cooked meals, you'll get better food from them. If not, this is the only place I know where you can get food like this. Each experience I've had here has also been inconsistent. There are times when the food comes out either too greasy (shrimp and grits) or way too dry (meatloaf one out of the two times I've had it). However, I've always recieved a fair porton for my price. The whole batch of tea is watered down sometimes. Another inconsistency is the service. One waitress came off as if she was stereotyping- providing the best service to groups that LOOKED like they would tip more. We ended up leaving her an amount that reflected her neglect. A few months later, my group gets a cheerful fella who earned a tip worth 40% of the bill. I can't say I recommend anything to people who aren't used to eating American southern food, but I've only tried the steaks, meatloaf, shrimp and grits, and country fried steak. The only thing I liked were the grits as a side. Even that isn't worth the drive. I'll give Yesterdays 3 stars for their menu and variety.
(3)Katie R.
Yesterday's is decent food, but the best dish is the chicken and grits. I haven't loved most stuff I've gotten there, but the chicken and grits is definitely one of the best items on the menu. The menu overall is HUGE so if you're with picky people, they're bound to find something they like. The vibe is casual and I sure would like to know more about the bathtub man on top of the restaurant!
(3)Adam B.
Place is pretty dated, and the food is nothing to call home about. I'd say you've got a lot better choices around five points
(2)Jordan R.
Yesterday's is perhaps the most famous spot in 5 Points (USC's university dining/nightlife area). Its been around forever and holds a special spot in the hearts of Columbia residents. With that said, it best functions as a place for students and their parents to grab a bite or for homesick southern kids to get a facsimile of a home-cooked meal. The menu is huge and features lots of southern/comfort food staples like shrimp + grits, chicken-fried steak, and meatloaf w/ gravy. Most entrees come with a choice of sides like collard, mac + cheese, black-eyed peas, etc. so at least there are some vegetables amongst all the starch and grease. I've never been overwhelmed by the food here but it could be a good, inexpensive introduction for some to a kind of representation of southern food. BUT, again, I'd class most of the menu in the category of down-home "comfort food" as its not always specifically southern. Also, not a bad place for happy hour as the drinks are cheap and you can really get a feel for a wide cross-section of Columbia's population.
(3)Kate M.
Heavy, salty, just like mom used to make if mom weighed 300 lbs and had a heart attack at 47. They should really just put butter on the menu. The beer list was extensive and moderately priced, though for some reason Corona was one of the most expensive beers there.
(3)Nicholas K.
Let's get real... This place is about what you'd expect from a really good Southern style food restaurant that isn't religious enough to proscribe a vast beer menu and locate a great sports bar inside it. The menu is quite simply bar food + southern specialties. The bar food is better than adequate: great wings, great nachos, great cheddar fries, creamy grits, etc. The southern specialties are delicious and a cut above in quality and about a buck or two higher in price as compared to the other local Southern food spots in Columbia. Roberto's meatloaf speaks for itself, but the Arkansas Traveler you have to see for yourself. Roast beef, cornbread, and black-eyed peas all smothered in brown gravy and served with 2 sides. I like the greens and the mac n cheese but there are about 10 other things to choose from. Yankees, don't forget the Confederate Fried Steak and Pork Chops, you'll wish you lost! Also, the location here is truly unique. Located in the heart of Five Points (Columbia's University Nightlife District) in Columbia's only flat-iron building, you can't miss it. There's a dummy in a clawfoot tub above the front door!
(5)Mike I.
Pretty damn good food at good prices with friendly staff.
(4)Coleen T.
Amazing caeser salad and "confederate fried steak" (also known as "country fried steak"). Awesome service and cool atmosphere... we sat on the side with the tavern but there is also a restaurant side. We had a cute waitress... always a plus... and she knew her stuff.
(5)Emilio A.
Yesterday's Restaurant and Tavern is a very respectable place when it comes to all around service. The food that was made wasn't prepared to my specifics, but was prepared to my liking. I ordered the london broil with the mash potatoes and veggies. The food was not that fast as I was able to get through a guiness before the plate arrived. I also didn't see much of my server besides him dropping off what I ordered to the table! He didn't really check in on us and didn't really see how we liked our entree's. As far as the food itself, like I said it wasn't prepared to my specifics, as being cooked medium, but it was still just as good when it came to flavor. I like the horseradish sauce it came with, and that is what I remember of the dish because it was a good piece of meat. My friend had the shrimp and grits! I tried it out and the grits were good, but the shrimp tasted like Bilo big bag shrimps with the seasoning being a little too much. I personally don't believe the shrimp should be seasoned too much, but I also believe it was just the shrimp in itself! I enjoyed my time at Yesterday's, It's just Yesterday's at this moment, nothing I'm thinking about today! I do want togo back and try other things on the menu! I just wasn't wowed my first time around! I would reccommend it as a place for anyone looking for a place to eat in the 5 points area though!
(3)Kim Z.
Great meeting place. Has something to please everyone. I haven't had anything that's especially spectacular. Although now that I live up north, I am dying for some of their chicken fried steak!!! It seems like a good place for kids as well. The huge fish tank is pretty cool. I like the fact that they have historical references on the walls and on the tables. Makes it a fun dining experience.
(3)Jason H.
Yesterday's serves neo-Southern fare in a great atmosphere. Easy to spot with the cowboy in a bathtub over the door, Yesterday's is an excellent spot for a inexpensive filling meal. Their chicken and grits turns most people's notion of grits on its head. These aren't the usual soupy grits, but are a creamy tasty bowl of grits with deep-fried chicken strips, onions, tomatoes, and cheese on top. If collard greens are in season they are a perfect side. The meatloaf is also excellent, however the broccoli is a hit and miss side. The only other negatives for Yesterday's is the sometimes sporadic service and that the bar can get rather rowdy the closer it is to the weekend.
(4)Spencer S.
Good place for a casual local restaurant in 5 points and near campus (good place to take mom and dad). Extensive menu with something for everyone. Would say they are best known for their meat loaf. Decent drink specials as well. Also nice that you can park free in the lot behind them (just get the hostess to validate your ticket).
(4)Pete J.
My buddy Ronnie worked there for several years, so everytime we'd go, he'd wind up serving us. A good place to grab a reasonably priced, reasonably fast dinner in Five Points. Better & cheaper than Harper's, in my opinion, & they do a great job on their chicken & greens. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could, but I don't feel right bumping it up to 4.
(3)Meg D.
After coming here countless times during college, there is some great and some average dishes here. Whenever you come, get the cheddar fries and the artichoke dip. Good for you, not. But delicous yes. By far the best cheese fries I have ever had. The chicken fingers, wings, and fish and grits are pretty good also.
(4)Megan K.
was with about 10 people. they were open on a sunday afternoon, which is why we went. outside seating is always a plus, but the server was slow and a little confused. he got better as the time went on. management did send out some free aps. i guess he was worried we were drinking so much on empty stomachs, but we had just left buffalo wild wings where we all stuffed our fat faces. good people watching from the outside. gives you a feel for the town.
(3)Rishi D.
A long standing institution. An establishment that everyone whether you are a Gamecock or visiting opponent or tourist from out of town must go to. The food is incredibly rich and filling. Incredible shrimp and grits, breakfasts, biscuits and cornbread to die for, and collard greens. Drinks are rock bottom cheap, especially during happy hour - with two for ones, and free appetizer samplers. It doesn't get much better than this. Go!
(4)Jeff Q.
Great place for bar food (El nacho man is great) or drinking. I ate there several times for dinner and lunch when I lived in Columbia. The Confederate Fried Steak is my favorite dish. The sides are great - especially the grits. Lunch specials are usually good and I like the grilled chicken breast or even a burger.
(4)Donna W.
Our office picked up lunch from here today. Everyone was pleased with their meal. I ordered the shrimp and grits meal with green beans as the side. The grits are amazing here! They were excellent again today. The portions were generous and everything was delicious. A friend ordered the chicken and grits and said the dish was her favorite. One of the salads I saw today looked great as well With an order io about 10 lunches, they did a great job. All orders were correct and everything was included (napkins, straws, cups, ice, salad dressings, muffins, corn bread, etc). One of my more favorite places to eat. I know I can always get a good meal here, reasonably priced.
(4)Stephanie D.
I always find myself returning here a couple of times a year despite the fact the food isn't spetacular. If you have a southern friend who is willing to feed you home cooked meals, you'll get better food from them. If not, this is the only place I know where you can get food like this. Each experience I've had here has also been inconsistent. There are times when the food comes out either too greasy (shrimp and grits) or way too dry (meatloaf one out of the two times I've had it). However, I've always recieved a fair porton for my price. The whole batch of tea is watered down sometimes. Another inconsistency is the service. One waitress came off as if she was stereotyping- providing the best service to groups that LOOKED like they would tip more. We ended up leaving her an amount that reflected her neglect. A few months later, my group gets a cheerful fella who earned a tip worth 40% of the bill. I can't say I recommend anything to people who aren't used to eating American southern food, but I've only tried the steaks, meatloaf, shrimp and grits, and country fried steak. The only thing I liked were the grits as a side. Even that isn't worth the drive. I'll give Yesterdays 3 stars for their menu and variety.
(3)Tom O.
I was in town for a conference and wandered into Yesterday's with a small group. We were immediately seated and Joey our waiter was very good. He was not old enough to drink but somehow knew the right local beers. Good listening skills I assume. Extra corn bread for the table was great and the food came out fast and hot. The fried chicken was great. I was concerned I would code out during the dinner as it was not heart healthy but really good. Another reason to be on Crestor. I would recommend this place for a fun relied atmosphere where you can eat and laugh. Thanks a lot.
(5)Leigh B.
Favorite restaurant. Chicken fried steak is the best thing on the menu. Beware if you have a shellfish allergy. Do not eat the fried food. They fry shrimp in the same oil as everything else. Vegetable plate is great. Kid friendly..
(4)Stephen R.
Food was 4 stars, same with staff. It was a crowded sat night and I was seated promptly. Sure the decor looks a little eclectic but I was impressed by the decent prices, generous portions, and selection. Bathroom could use some love tho. Garlic bread was a bit.....cafeteriaish. I may be back, but more than likely will just remember a great meal....yesterday.
(3)Luke S.
Yesterday's has everything from chicken Alfredo to steaks to nachos. There is an option for everyone and the food is great. They deliver too if you don't want to make the trip. The prices are very reasonable and there's a bar if you want a good beer on tap. The chicken alfredo, chicken parm and rib eye steaks are on my list of favorites. The chicken fried chicken is always good and Cuban pork lion is a good option for something a little different. The jambalaya is amazing but may only available as a special. The meatloaf is also a strong choice.
(5)Anthony D.
Fashioned to serve similarly to a northeast diner but isn't the greatest in terms of food. Service is good generally and is in a pretty sweet location. The atmosphere is the nicest part of yesterdays, homely and nice.
(3)Darrel R.
Just had great food at Yesterday's. Country fried steak was great and the yuengling was nice and cold.
(5)G L.
This place is garbage. If you can eat that stuff, there is something wrong with your taste buds.
(1)Taylor S.
This restaurant has a really nice design and looks very interesting. I really liked the atmosphere. But the food I wasn't a fan of. I couldn't really decide what I wanted so I got the sampler plate and everything on it was pretty bad. The chicken tenders tasted dried out, the mozzarella cheese sticks failed to have cheese in them, and the quesadilla rolls weren't very tasty. Maybe it was just an off day, but I don't think I'll be back to find out.
(2)Kristen M.
This place wasn't too bad considering the options you have in this area. Food was really good but prices were a tad high. If I was in the area I wouldn't go back simply because it wasn't that great and I would like to see what else that area has to offer.
(3)Kate L.
I've been coming here since I was little and still love this place. The front part of the restaurant has a country feel with a roof over the side booths. The back is the bar area and tends to get loud and crowded. My favorite is the country fried steak with a side of mac and cheese and black eyed peas. The black bean soup is also pretty tasty.
(4)Allison T.
Ordered the shrimp and grits, which is a dish I normally love, but there was probably a half cup of butter/oil in theirs. It was so greasy I couldn't eat it.
(2)Shannon M. S.
Here visiting for the weekend and happen to run across while in 5 points.. Took a chance and went in during brunch and Joey was our waiter. He's the most adorable young man and made us feel comfy. I ordered the Steak and eggs and switched the ribeye for flank cooked medium (Yummy) with a side of scrambled eggs and cheese grits. It was AWESOME.
(5)Chris R.
Yesterdays has been in Five Points for years and is essentially a landmark at this point. The food is generally decent and the portions will not leave you hungry. For those reasons I am avoiding giving them a 1-star rating. That said, I would avoid ordering delivery if at all possible. That is where they really deserve a zero-star rating. They are signed up with services like Campus Specials/EatStreet. The problem is that they apparently never bother to actually read or check the orders. I have had delivery from them about a dozen times now - and I am being sincere and honest when I say I have NEVER had a single order that was correct. The mistakes haven't been enough to make me not want to place another order - but the mistakes are irritating and unprofessional. I have had drinks left off, the wrong side items delivered, biscuits that were supposed to be included forgotten, requests like "no olives" ignored. Again, nothing major - but just irritating. Today was the final straw though..wrong sides and an additional side forgotten (but I was charged for it). That's it. I'm done. Yes, sure you can go through a call the next business day to the manager for the $2 refund - but my time is worth more than that to me. Clearly they don't care.
(2)Liz D.
What a pleasant casual spot near campus! I've been coming to Yesterday's for at least a decade, and it is a real Columbia institution. The food is always good (not terribly fancy, but tasty southern-style food), and the service is generally friendly. The atmosphere is casual, but feels cozy and home-like. The beer list could generally use a little work, but I think the good food well outweighs that. Note: there is free parking in the pay lot behind the restaurant for 1.5 hours. Just show your Yesterday's receipt when you leave.
(4)Jonathan M.
Awesome place, good southern food great grits and buffalo tenders. Right in 5 points they stay open late.
(4)Amber H.
In town on business and was recommended Yesterday's for lunch. It did not disappoint! I ordered shrimp and grits with a side of collard greens accompanied by a cornbread muffin. Wow! Creamy grits with plenty of shrimp that melted in my mouth. Collards that were peppery, with no bitterness. Cornbread moist and didn't need the butter that came with it. It all tasted like I was eating at my Grandma's table. It's a good thing I don't live here or I'd have my own table at Yesterday's!
(5)Erik M.
Encouraged by the relatively high yelpitude of this place, I braved a 12 mile drive in the dark and rain after a long day of travel to get some down home southern style food, and Yesterdays didn't disappoint on that front. It was pretty slow in the restaurant area when I arrived on a Tuesday night, but the bar area seemed to be pretty full for trivia night, which was in full swing when I walked in. The hostess was cheerful, and ushered to my booth where I was promptly greeted by my waitress in an equally agreeable manner. I started with an order of the guacamole, which was pretty awful. I hope they don't make it in house, and if they do they don't own up to it. I have to assume it's a food service mistake because my entree of fried catfish and grits was spot-on. The fish was flavorful and tender, and the batter wasn't overly greasy and heavy. The grits had a nice, creamy consistency and the flavor meshed perfectly with the catfish. Each bite of around 70% fish and 30% grits was delightful, and by the time I finished my entree I realized I hadn't left room for the daily special dessert of apple pie. The mac and cheese was okay, but not great. As I paid my bill, I pondered whether the entree sufficiently made up for the guac to bump what felt like a very solid three to a four star experience. And then I visited the men's room on the way out. I'm not a squeamish person, and when it comes to restrooms, particularly in bars, I think my standards are not particularly stringent with regards to public toilets. But the moment I set foot in Yesterdays washroom, I had to suppress a gag reflex and all of the pleasure I just derived from my dinner was instantly gone, and very nearly on the floor. The cleanliness of the washroom was acceptable, but the odor appeared to be a mix of sewer gas and cleaning chemicals. And not like the sink p-trap dried out and was seeping gas into the room, it was a deeply ingrained odor that no amount of minty urinal cakes could hope to overcome. High marks for the entree quality and price, the friendly service, and homey restaurant atmosphere. Average marks for the guac and mac n' cheese. Health department alert for the men's room, which unfortunately has to tip the balance to the dark side.
(2)Jeremy H.
I worked at Yesterday's as a waiter and busboy for 2+ years in college. Because of that, I've had just about every dish on the menu. I have a lot of memories (both good and bad) from Yesterdays. Pros: - Extensive menu that has lots of choices for many moods (Tex Mex, Southern, grub food) - reasonably priced - people seem to love the confederate fried steak - i like the cheese fries Cons - very crowded seating arrangement - waitstaff/barstaff contains many of the typical, sexist, dumbass frat boys
(3)Christopher C.
My wife and I have had both good and bad experiences here, the food is always good albeit a bit greasy. Its the service that is hit or miss, sometimes we go in and get served immediately and other times its as though the servers don't know which tables they're covering. We have walked out after waiting 15 minutes without anyone taking our drink orders.
(3)Steven B.
Waited at the bar for a solid 5 minutes without ever even seeing a bartender. Turns out she was just standing on the other side of the wall and when I got up out of my chair to draw her attention to the other side of the bar she didn't even apologize. It's 6:15, and there's only 5 guests at the bar. Teach your bartenders to walk around the bar or schedule two bartenders if one is incapable of handling 5 guests. The food is good though
(2)Adam B. J.
This was my favorite place as a kid. I even remember the St. Andrews location. Still love it. Best chicken fingers ever (childhood fav). Get it with the white gravy. Chicken and Grits, Arkansas Traveler, chicken fried steak, and London Broil all great menu items. Great sides (love their fries, cucumber salad), salads (great homemade dressings), burgers and sandwiches. Lots of draft beers. 90% of the time you'll get good service.
(4)Michael S.
Great always has been Forever! Veggies. Try their veggie burger also very good. Yesterdays Restaurant & Tavern is famous for good Southern cookin'with fresh local produce. I have been a patron almost thirty years. It's great for lunch or dinner. I'm vegetarian and yes, the vegetables are cooked with meat. It's Southern...The ones with "V" on the menu are not. I usually get the 4 Vegetable platter. It comes with a sweet muffin, so I ASK for cornbread muffins also. The collards black eyed peas wild rice and steamed broccoli come in little bowls. Just pour them in your platter and have at it! Bliss! The Veggie Burger with Guacamole and steak fries are mighty fine also. Park in the parking lot next door and have the waitress validate your parking ticket for FREE Parking! They are open late: Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30-Midnight, Fri-Sat: 11:30-1AM
(5)Nicole L.
Great atmosphere, casual service, and friendly people. Food was fantastic!! Overall it was so much fun
(4)Pastor-GAvery W.
The atmosphere in this restaurant is great. It has an old country laid back feel. Our server was a little inconsistent but I guess she meant well. The food was absolutely wonderful. I have no complaints about it at all. As an out of town visitor I would definitely recommend this place to others!!
(4)Suzanne W.
My gf & I were in South Carolina for her brother's wedding and were looking for places to visit/site-see. Well, there weren't too many options around the Lexington area. lol. I did a little research and found a strip of restaurants. Yesterday's caught our eyes with the cool tub above their door. We almost didn't go inside...but we were in one of those moods to just try a new place. It looked like a really cool bar from the outside. I definitely didn't expect a southern food joint. We didn't really get a friendly greet. However, our server did make up for that. It's been a few weeks now .. and I really wish I remembered our server's name. The food was pretty good. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was pretty different from allllll the spinach artichoke dips I've had....but it was a nice, fresh tasting surprise. I ordered the country fried steak and it was good but needed a little salt. Their mac-n-cheese was my favorite. My gf ordered something with extra cheese and bacon on top. She said that it was a bit much but was okay.
(3)Denell J.
our home was broken into and our pomeranian killed during the time my father was in the hospital. 256 to go knew we were away from home these 3 particular days because we ordered yesterdays to our hospital room!!! shortly before this incident occured, someone whom tried to attack me in traffic called them making threats to write bad reviews on the company if they did not give them my information, and 256 to go gave it to them!!!! what type of business is this to betray their customers and employees in such a way??? its time for the word to be spread about the dishonesty of this company!! do not trust them with your addresses and names because if your enemy finds out youre ordering from them, all they have to do is call 256 to go with a bad review threat and theyll tell them everything they know about you to save their company!! there are police reports for these incidents at 811 washington st. none of this is fbricated!!!!
(1)Taylor H.
Always good food. Try a "blackberry patch" drink if you're looking for a new cocktail. Also, their Shrimp St. Thomas or Chicken & Grits are great dinner options.
(5)Brandon D.
I wanted to like this place so badly after hearing good things about it. After eating here I can honestly say that Lizard's Thicket is better than this joint (and I don't care much for Lizard's). I got the Chicken Fried Steak with mac & cheese and Green Beans. The steak for alright, but the all of the breading feel off when I cut into it, and the steak was not that tender either. The gravy was alright. The mac & cheese was tasted like it was sitting out for a while, was blan and really didn't have any flavor. Green bean was your typical can type cooked with some pork. If you want bread you have to request it. You get a cornbread muffin and a cheddar biscuit. Both of them were kinda of cold when they arrived. In addition the biscuit had an overwhelming taste of garlic, and I could not eat it. I would honestly rather have Lizard's Thicket's food than food from this place. The service was just okay, nothing to special.
(2)Bryan B.
I'm from Chapin and we were downtown late so decided last minute to grab dinner. Tried Yesterday's for the first time. HORRIBLE! Horrible food, horrible service, horrible outdated decor. What a waste of money!
(1)Mike W.
Not very impressed, despite the hype and the good reviews here. Perhaps it was an off night, but the shrimp and grits had only paltry, small, shrimp with little flavor to their seasoning and much worse, when I ask about desserts, I asked directly about the rum cake to have the waiter explain "the boss makes it--I don't know what else to say about it, really". So I ordered it, expecting either a white cake with a standard frosting that was rum-flavored or else perhaps a pound-cake soaked in rum. However, what was brought out was a trifle-like confection with ice cream and whipped cream atop of it and a strawberry sauce: there was some sort of bread-like dessert at the very base of all of this but its flavors were fully overpowered by the ice cream and strawberry sauce. I asked the waiter if this was a mistake, if they brought me the wrong dessert but he said no, in fact this was the "rum cake". How such could be was beyond me, and I was not charged for it, but still: very odd. Moreover, the waiter said "did you read the menu description of it?" . . . no, I didn't, because I saw it on the specials board and asked that very same waiter about it; if I asked you about it, why would you think I'd read the menu description?! I mean, really. Maybe this was just a space cadet waiter, maybe it was an off night. But overall, rather unimpressed.
(2)Calvin H.
Went in here for the first time thinking this was going to be a great dinner date but I was mistaken. I ordered the southern fried chicken that tasted like they dunked it in flour and fried them and put it on a plate. No spice, no flavor, and no seasoning. The mac and cheese was bland, and the Cajun fries had way to much salt. But the lemonade was good and so was the music.
(2)Todd T.
Something for everyone. Nachos, Country Fried Steak, Burgers, Cornbread and great Local (when available) vegtables. This is my go to place for Bad Day at work, headache, etc. Love the Chicken n Grits as well with Collards on the side. They also have a full bar with TV's in the back. Just ask to be seated back there if you come into the front. Always ask for bread with the meal as well, its fantastic.
(5)Erik D.
I'm running behind on reviews but here it goes. As recent USC alum I will admit I'm biased as it brings back good memories eating here. Nevertheless I have never had anything bad here, although I would stick to southern foods as it's where it hits it's stride. It a fun place to drink and eat. the divey feel that makes you feel like you're welcome, and it's pretty much my favorite place to eat in five points.
(5)Lisa F.
The food was great but the service was super shotty. My boyfriend and I went here on a Saturday night. Five Points was extremely quiet, but we figured out the reason why--It was a game day. Therefore, we were really pleased because there was nobody in Yesterdays. So we're thinking that we were going to have a nice, quiet dinner. WRONG! First mistake was made by the hostess. She wanted to sit us in a booth that had food crumbs on the seat. When I informed her of that, she answered "I can wipe it off." Why go through all that trouble when you can just seat us somewhere else? I pointed that out to her and she did seat us in a booth that didn't have any food in it. The waiter came over and seemed pretty attentive at first. However, after we got our food, he didn't come back for any refills on our drinks. He was too busy talking to the other waiters and the hostess at a front table. I was getting pretty upset, sipping on the water from the melted ice cubes. But it gets worse. In comes a group of about 20 people. Instead of taking these people and putting them on the side of the restaurant where the game was playing (which they were most concerned about seeing), they moved tables around and set them right next to my boyfriend and me! These people were just a cursing up a storm, completely rude, and I was completely over the whole dinner. At that point, then the waiter comes back for refills. But I was done. I told my boyfriend to pay and we left. I don't think I'll go back to Yesterdays until they get some staff that understands how to wait tables and treat people. It's best for a college crowd; not for people who give a crap about good service.
(2)Jaclyn S.
Really wanted shrimp and grits, but service was slow and food was lackluster. Have had much better food elsewhere. We should have listened to the reviews. We will not be going back!
(2)NG Girl A.
We're only in Columbia for one day for our daughter's graduation from Army AIT. Yesterday's was suggested to us by our hotel. We're so glad that if we had to only have one meal while we were in Columbia this was the one place we stopped to eat. I had the tilapia green beans and the world famous mac & cheese. Everything was amazing!!! Every item ordered by everybody and our party came in good time and without fault!!!
(5)Lily N.
I've been coming here since I was a kid, but as an adult I can't stomach it. This place uses the cheapest possible ingredients. The atmosphere is good, and the old ads that are enameled into the tabletops are entertaining, but the food fails.
(2)Matt S.
Yesterday's is the Mom and Pop comfort food restaurant that I have been looking for. If you are looking for a trendy meal or a place to take a date, this is definitely not the place to go. However, if you are looking for good ole down home cooking, I would highly suggest Yesterday's. Situated right in the middle of Five Points it is a great place to get a good base of food in before a long night of drinking or really a great place to go to start the road to recovery after a long night of drinking. Yesterdays has a very eclectic menu that covers everything from Seafood, Burgers, comfort food all the way t Tex Mex. I personally went with the Southern Comfort food as it has been a while since I had found a restaurant that does it right. And let me say the Chicken Fried Chicken and Mac and Cheese that I had were perfect. The Chicken was perfectly covered in wonderfully seasoned batter fried to golden perfection and the Mac and Cheese didn't disappoint. The decor could probably use some updating however in my opinion that would just take away the charm of the restaurant. If you are like me you are going there for good food for a reasonable price. Frankly the decor shows me that they have been around and thriving for years off what really matters, their food. My only reasoning for keeping with 4 starts is their one outdated policy that I cant live with, their soft drinks only come with 1 free refill. All if you are in the need of a little greasy comfort food go ahead give Yesterday's a try.
(4)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Great food. Good southern cooking!
(4)Cathy B.
I may never make meatloaf again after having their meatloaf sandwich! You see, I don't make meatloaf very often but when I do, it's pretty darn good. In fact, I have several great recipes for meatloaf I pull from when I want some but I rarely order it from restaurants because mine are quite yummy. However, eating at a place called Yesterday's makes me think this is a "grandma's recipe" kinda place and indeed it is! Let me back up a moment - I was told my a friend of my sister's (Hi Jeni!) that I shouldn't leave Columbia, SC without eating at Yesterday's so being that my next meal in Columbia would be the one I was planning on grabbing before heading to the airport, I was a little pressed for time. It's on a very unique intersection - the corner of Harden, Devine and Santee (a.k.a. Hootie and the Blowfish Blvd) and the front door of Yesterday's is in a point of the building so it's not the most obvious place but hard to miss as well, thanks to it's unique shape. I pulled up a few minutes before 11 am and found that they don't open for lunch until 11:15 am. I was sad that I might miss the opportunity but the hostess did let me in to use the restroom (*whew*) and on my way to find somewhere else to eat, told me that the waiter and his section were ready and so was the kitchen so they could serve me a little early, seeing as I was needing to drive to Charlotte, NC to catch my plane (FYI, it's a cheaper airport to fly in and out of). So, after perusing the menu, meatloaf it was! They have 2 options for the meatloaf - the meatloaf plate with two sides or the sandwich with one. I wasn't starving nor did I want to be overfull and stuck on airplanes all day so I went with the sandwich. My waiter told me that was a good choice because their regular portion is quite large. You can have BBQ sauce with it but I promise, you don't need it. I even ended up pulling the bread off and eating it with a fork because I didn't want anything to get in the way of the wonderful flavor. A side of mashed potatoes and some sweet tea and I was in someone's grandma's kitchen. SIDEBAR - Why not my own grandma? One is Japanese and the other is British so meatloaf wasn't quite what we grew up on until I was in around middle school. So, there you have it. Listen to my sister's friend Jeni and go to Yesterday's if you're in Columbia, SC. But, try to wait until at least 11:15 am when they open, okay?
(5)Dave G.
My family and I visit Yesterdays ritualistically once a year. Great homemade food. Extremely reasonably priced. The meatloaf is really good. The cheddar fries are the best !!!
(4)Dave M.
Good local staple for southern food, like a meat and three vegetables. Nothing fancy but good.
(3)bert s.
Low country shrimp and grits were awesome, as was uncle john's (bbq) chicken. Collard greens and zuccini/tomatos for sides. Add some of the best cornbread, and cheddar cheese bisquits, and presto... a slice of southern bliss.
(4)