They have great burgers and chicken. This is the only place that has coleslaw that I actually love to eat. The milk shakes are so good!
(4)
Roger Y.
Ok fast food - great soft serve ice cream!
(3)
Chanelle T.
A Columbia Institution. They have wonderful fried chicken that I've had a few times through take-out. Everything else I have tried is typical, quick food. Nothing to write home about but not awful either. It's hard not to want to stop with the big ol' ice cream peering at you when you pass by!
(3)
Mark C.
It is what it is, a fast, cheap greasy-spoon chicken burgers fries and soft serve ice cream dive. Totally worth the $3 when my 10 year old daughter keeps saying "yum, thank you daddy" between bites of a hot fudge sundae.
(3)
David H.
I have had Zesto's on and off for 25 years now. Live on the other side of the country and every time I'm in town, I make it a point to stop by. Food is delicious and high quality and the service is second to none! Thanks to everyone that does such a wonderful job over there!
(5)
Adam B. J.
West Columbia royalty! I can remember going here just out of diapers for a chocolate covered nut roll cone with my Aunt Vivian. If I had a sore throat growing up, Mom got me a shake from Zesto. There wasn't a church cover-dish with out a bucket of cold Zesto's Fried Chicken. So as you can see this place is Tri-City and a huge part of West Columbia where I grew up. My favorites now are the Zesto Burger Basket or the Wing Dinner. I never know which to get. Sometimes I'm a total fat a$$ and get a Zesto Burger with a side of two wings. The slaw is unique and good. The only coleslaw my sister and wife will eat. The hot dogs are great too. I have pescitarian (vegetarians who eat fish) friends that come here for the fish sandwich when they are in town. Everyone I know that has grown up in West Columbia and moved away, Zesto is the one place they have to go before going home.
(5)
Jay B.
You can not stay in or near Columbia and not go to Zesto's! I have been eating at Zesto's since as long as I can remember. They have the best fried chicken you can find and their cole slaw is nothing less than a gift from God. The staff is extremely friendly and very quick to get to know you if you keep coming back. I would also like to note that the owners are there working in the kitchen every single day and they'll be the first ones to say hey! Parking is the only thing that often becomes a problem as it is so crowded but I've always been able to find a spot somewhere. If you don't go here for lunch or dinner at some point you are truly missing out!
(5)
Taylor S.
I have only had ice cream from here. But I was very disappointed with how it tasted. It may just be me, but I won't be returning here.
(2)
Kel B.
Zesto's is awesome! They have the nicest staff and really good cheeseburgers! Their fried chicken is ridiculously good. I come here allllll the time and am never disappointed! Even their fish sandwich is good. Only thing they need is bacon to put on the burgers. But then I would eat bacon cheeseburgers every day!
(5)
KeiKei B.
Don't believe the hype. I had a milkshake & it was runny. I had 2 hotdogs & threw away 1. Fries were ok. Hubby lived his chicken sandwich but he's easy to please. Grandson had chicken tenders (they're fresh from the freezer). I will go again to try a burger because in Phoenix they were great. Prices are on the high side for the fare.
(2)
Lauren F.
Your standard burger and shake place. The setup is confusing. I went when it was busy, and ordering was a hassle. You have to order on one side, then walk outside and in another door to get seating. The food is decent, but the seating and parking are inconvenient enough that I'd rather not go back.
(3)
Dominique B.
Went down for 2 days and found this place, yummy!
(5)
Jake V.
Great fried chicken
(4)
Packet R.
Was not impressed. My first time there and they offered no explanation on how it worked or what was recommended.
(2)
Robb M.
I've been going here as long as I can remember. Great food, and anyone who says otherwise is completely bonkers. Parking is better than it once was but can still be an issue. Hot fudge cake sundae = success.
(4)
Paul B.
'70s Hamburger Joint Was out in this area of Columbia and remembered reading about Zesto's- Thought it was worth a try. This is a throw back to yesteryear hamburger joints before they became a dime a dozen. The burger is pretty standard- a single patty fried on a grill with a little salt. The burgers are made to order, I had mine all the way which means- lettuce (shredded- seems this was ordinary fare back when) little bit of onion, pickles, and tomatoes, and yes, a liberal amount of mustard- I don't think there was any ketchup on the burger, if there was couldn't tell.. The fries were regular standard french fries- the place is pretty busy so they were fresh and hot - good with a little salt and lots of ketchup! I was thinking about a peanut butter, banana & chocolate shake I read about in another review from Zesto's on Forest drive, however it wasn't available here :( yelp.com/biz/zesto-fores… I ordered a cherry milkshake that was cold and thick! with lots of chunky cherries! As I stated before the place is shakin and hopin! , it was busy busy! No drive thru window here- you get out of the car and order then they bring the food to you. They have two fairly large dining rooms that are sparsely decorated but are clean! The staff are mostly young and are friendly. I was looking for extra ketchup and ventured into the kitchen, from what I could see it was very clean and tidy I wasn't there long before a nice supervisor lady kindly escorted me out :) All in all- it was good. We got two burgers, one order of fries, one sweet tea, and one large shake for around 12 deniros!
(3)
Dog F.
If you've been to West Columbia, chances are you've driven by the big chocolate-coated ice cream cone of Zesto. They've been a Triangle City staple since 1949. Zesto also has a Forest Drive location and has to have some connection to the Rosewood Dairy Bar. If you want to know more specifics about Zesto, you're going to have to go ask yourself. The place is a lunch-time machine. There's no time for chit-chat with hundreds of people hungry for their Zesto burger, slaw dog or chicken snack. Seriously, there's a small ordering area out front and a sea of dining rooms that are teeming with diners during the lunch rush. At Zesto, the hot dogs come in a few varieties: corn dog, chili dog and slaw dog. One dog that's not available: a hot dog with barbecue on top. Un-w00t. While we assume Zesto's dogs (and buns) are steamed, we were able to confirm the slaw and chili are homemade. A hot dog is served with chili, mustard and onions. A slaw dog is served with chili, slaw, mustard and onions. A corn dog comes with a side of happiness. Since we were venturing to the other side of the Congaree River, we thought we'd meet up with a gaggle of Dog Fight fans from SCANA. They did not disappoint, sharing their fries as well as their plans for creating a Dog Fight-esque study of local barbecue joints. Yum-o! We were lucky enough to be joined by another special guest, Sarah Waller, a former co-worker just back from nanny-ing in Italy. It was the biggest Dog Fight in Dog Fight history: 20 hot dogs, 13 diners, 6 milkshakes, 3 Family Guy references, 1 giant hot fudge sundae and too many odd stares to count. How the Dog Fight went down. Jeff: Dog 1: Chili Dog 2: Chili Dog 3: Slaw Amy: Dog 1: Corn dog Dog 2: Chili dog Julie Dog 1: Corn dog Dog 2: The rest of Amy's chili dog Tim Dog 1: Chili Dog 2: Slaw Dog 3: Corn dog Dean Dog 1: Slaw Dog 2: Chili Dog 3: Corn dog Sarah: Dog 1: Corn dog (Production note: The lunch orders of the SCANA crew- Carley Welsh, Keela Middleton, Stacy Farrell, Chris Merck, Nicole McLean, Lee "Potatohead" Price and Melissa Harper - will be made available in the director's cut.) The Dogs Sadly, most agreed there was nothing special in the wiener. Jeff found the texture a little mushy and there wasn't much taste. Dean thought the hot dogs could have been as good as Jimmy's Mart if the meat was better. Nicole said the hot dog was merely a vehicle to get a Zesto milkshake. Those that ordered the corn dog, really liked it. Big, juicy, moist wiener. Sweet-ish, crunchy coating. A great corn dog that rivals those at the State Fair. The Toppings Dean, after accidentally elbowing some poor unsuspecting man leaving the restroom, declared the chili excellent. Jeff, Julie and Tim agreed, for a change. Jeff found the chili second only to the chili at Jimmy's Mart. Dean, who had by now reeled in his flailing appendages, said the slaw was so chunky, he thought it would be bad but later felt the chunkiness made the texture and presentation better. Melissa agreed saying the slaw and hot dog complemented each other well. Keela thought the onions were a little *too* chunky. Lee said he thought the slaw dog was too salty which drew a big buh-haw from Nicole as she pointed out that Lee had put an equivalent of a tablespoon of salt on the fries she was polishing off. The Verdict Zesto is a very efficient eatery that offers extra value in the people-watching area. According to Jeff, Dog Fight Director of Math and Spreadsheet Maintenance, Zesto just barely topped Mack's with a score of 21.57 with kudos going out to the homemade chili and the corn dog. No, the milkshakes did not count. The bottom line? Zesto is fast and still the first choice of many Columbians who need to shake off the remnants of whatever they did last night that that they shouldn't have. If you want to see all reviews with pictures check out facebook.com/theadamsgro… and click the Dog Fight Tab.
(3)
jill h.
Decent hamburgers,great ice cream,TERRIBLE fried chicken. Lean how to make a decent batter that adheres to the chicken and doesn't fall off.A little crispy on the out side,tender on the inside. What? Do they poor a little flour on it,and then fry away,kinda greasy but tender.I had an Aunt who made 'fried chicken' just like Zesto's;really bad...(God rest her soul)
(3)
Kyle M.
I've been going here since I was a child and still love getting by there when I get the chance. Best fried chicken around, also make great burgers. Food comes out very fast and the workers are always very friendly
(5)
Karen S.
Yep - this is a burger joint you cannot find anywhere else in the area. You go up to a counter and place your order. Seating is in the back. Since the couple of times I stop here the past week I was only getting a shake, I am no sure ho it works if you order you meal as order in. As I said, I ordered shakes the two times I came here. I managed to come during the lunch rush and was waited on quickly both times. For me, it is worth the wait for the shakes, as they are hand spun (unlike McDonalds or any of the other fast food establishments in the area). I would recommend giving this place a try if you are in the area.
(5)
James N.
Ordered a cheeseburger combo. The layout is kind of weird your first time as you order on one side, go outside and back in to the diner area. The burger was excellent and the fries were very good. Sweet tea was great. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Sarah K.
I love the cheeseburgers here, my boyfriend always gets fried chicken. The service is nice and friendly. And I love stopping back for a ice cream cone on the way out.
(4)
Kristin D.
We were given a gift certificate for this place and I was skeptical of someplace that seemed to serve greasy food and dairy products, since I don't eat either. Daughter loved her ice cream cone. Husband could not get enough of their fried chicken. I ended up removing all the fried skin and just eating the meat, which was really tasty, and making little sandwiches out of the rolls.
(4)
JOSE R.
Quick fast food... its ok... coleslaw taste like Ka-Ka... but the butterscotch milk shake was the highlight along with the corndog
(4)
Charlie F.
Having a few minutes to leave my work site and find something for lunch, I went to this most interesting place I had driven past for a couple of days. Really hard to not notice a business with a giant chocolate ice cream cone on the roofline! I went to the to go counter and notice a massive army of employees all hustling to prepare customer orders. I ordered a cheeseburger without onions, fries, and sweet tea. It was ready quickly. Back at work I enjoyed this lunch. Burger was a little thinner than I had expected, but was an ample size and had a generous portion of tomatoes and lettuce. Fries were good and thick and fried to my liking. I was told by some locals that I should have ordered the fried chicken, as they proclaimed the "the best in SC". Might have to check it out if I am ever back in that area.
(3)
Ethan E.
The food was ok. I ordered a chicken dinner which consisted of a breast, wing, thing, and leg all for around $8.00 The chicken wasn't breaded like most places and I could really taste the heavy salt however, it was still ok but ,I won't be ordering it again. It didn't include a drink either but I guess thats not a big deal. The problem with the drink was that a Large is actually smaller than a Small drink that you might get from other fast food restaurants like Rush's, Zaxbys, or McDonalds. So imagine a childs drink and a small drink, Zestos large is in-between the two which really sucks. At least the refill didn't cost extra but just wait...after getting my food I asked the nice young girl that brought it out to me if I may have some Honey Mustard for my chicken, she replied, and told me that it would be 70 cents. This is what really pisses me off about this place, I just ordered a chicken dinner and I have to pay for sauce? Really Zestos, is 10 dollars not enough to buy some honey mustard with your chicken.... Oh and the chocolate dipped ice cream cone looks better than it actually tastes in my opinion. In conclusion...I don't think I'll be back but, if I do go back I'll stick with a water and burger. Otherwise, I'll just go with Rush's for my burger and fried chicken needs. -your lost customer, Ethan
(3)
Veronica J.
Ive been coming to zesto for years, i love the chicken, i think its the best in columbia. My only complaint is that depending on when i go, sometimes the chicken is super salty. It should be consistant with the same mixture. Ice cream is great too and good burgers!!! Thanks
(4)
David Y.
this is my home grounds . grew up in cayce. this is the original zesto with the big ice cream cone chocolate . the food is really good.but the price doesnt match. really good staff / really good clean building/ but i went with 4 people got 4 hotdog baskets cost 38 dollars. noooooooooooooo not for hot dogs. ( if you go and get this way overpriced food get chicken.its good)
(3)
Dave R.
This is a review for the Zesto's Ice Cream Only as I am a vegetarian, so that's all I get here. First let me say I'm a fan of ice cream of all flavors and types. Although I must say soft serve has a special place in my heart and Zesto's does soft serve right! I especially recommend the chocolate dip or the nut roll, of if you're feeling crazy, both! If your not the soft serve cone type, the milkshakes are just as great. Although u must mention one last thing about the cones themselves....they're huge. I don't mean the ice cream on top of the cone, that's average, I mean the cones themselves are massive. Back to the milkshakes. I heart the banana myself but the other flavors are delicious as well. Haven't tried the sundaes yet, but I will!!
(4)
Helen E.
Felt like I walked onto the set of Triple D. The place is full of ole school southern charm and a true classic. No where else have I placed an order, walked out side to re-enter the establishment via another door. We had the fried chicken, fries, Cole slaw and ice cream. Allot of food for little bucks. The chicken was juicy but a little saltier then my liking. Not the best fried chicken I have had but it was tastee...
(3)
Andy L.
Best fried chicken in town! I normally get the chicken wings because I love chicken wings. But you can get any piece of chicken and it's going to be amazing. Also try a pineapple milkshake or an ice cream cone. You wouldn't be disappointed.
(5)
Kurt D.
Disgusting. Come on Columbians, set your standards higher. I pretty sure everything here is heated after being frozen. Look at the biscuits in the pictures; stale and cheap. The only good thing was the sweet tea. If you want food like this, but better, go to Cookout.
(1)
Will C.
The old school place I was looking for! The hot dog was the best I've had down here- besides Five Guys believe it or not. The fries were really good - crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Be weary on the sundaes - the small is still really big! One thing I noticed is that you only get a half of a cherry. It gave us something to talk about, do they buy them like that or do they cut the cherry in half? That kept us busy for a while. Anyway, I was really happy about my trip here and I'm definitely going back for the burgers and the famed chicken and dipped cones!
(4)
Matt H.
I would give Zesto 10 stars if allowed. And here's why. I've been eating here since I was a child. My grandmother lived a stone's throw away, and every visit included lunch from here. ( that's roughly 4 decades now ) I still eat here regularly and will until I'm out on high blood pressure meds :) and even then will sneak it in. Out of the estimated 400 times I've eaten here, I've gotten hotdogs about 10 times, cheese burger about 5... And the fried chicken the rest. I love salt. I've literally sucked on paper salt packets before ( I know, TMI...) but that's just to prove a point here. Their chicken it SALTY! Let me rephrase that... Their chicken is DEEP FRIED HEAVEN. Any time I have friends or even business partners visit downtown, if they remotely like fried chicken, I bring them here, and the results are the same 'best chicken I've ever had'. Their slaw which comes with every basket is on point. And yes. Salty. But oooooh so good. Toss in a little Texas Pete, and BOOM, saltyspicyyummie. Pro-tip: you can get a 'white snack' which is all white meat vs the default mix of both. If you like chocolate (what? Are you unamurcan?) you'll love their milk shakes. I personally like to get a half and half (chocolate/vanilla) blend. But if you REALLY like chocolate you'll love their dipped cones. Just in case you're full from everything else, you can get a kids cone. It's super small and let's you sample the goodness that is Zesto. Love me some Zesto. Gus has created a monster business that gets people serviced within moments of walking in. Even on the business days at the business times. NEXT PLEAAAASE!!!!!
(5)
Ashely S.
Delicious!!! It's amazing on how they remember your face from the front window and can bring you your food in the back. Friendly customer service. And their Coke.... Their Coke is amazing! I heard it comes from an old fashioned soda machine....
(5)
Dave J.
Really disappointing service. Not only did they forget my order, but when I pointed that out to them, they started to make a big deal about it.... finally needed a third person to review my receipt to get my order... Didn't even acknowledge the mistake... really should've gotten a manager involved but was fed up with the place and just walked out... Won't be back that's for sure
(1)
Dean D.
Classic family friendly and great food. Fried chicken is the way to go for sure although I have tried the burger and it was awesome! Don't forget the ice cream!
(5)
M S.
This restaurant caters to most persons with picky opinions of how fast food should taste. I visited this restaurant on a busy Saturday...let me correct this...it's ALWAYS busy, but the service and speed in which they produce excels from other competing restaurants surrounding their restaurant. I ordered the chicken filet basket w/o cole slaw, a corn dog, and their "famous" ice cream cone (small) dipped in chocolate with nuts. Presentation - Yes. Most of their items are put on a paper basket keeping the food in place so it does not scatter throughout the bag like other fast food places. Sandwiches are individually wrapped and made correct the first time. The ice cream cone was very well put together and looked tempting enough to eat before I ate anything else. Overall...thumb's up. Restaurant Cleanliness - Yes. For a restaurant that filters through a lot of people, the staff and management have a system in place that exceeds other places and is a model of excellence for the fast food industry. Customer Service - Yes. This place excels in customer service. Lines, although somewhat long, move at a feverish pace and orders are taken with precision. To date, I have yet to receive an order with some type of mistake...unless it was of my own doing. Taste - Yes. The chicken filet sandwich basket was filling and actually tasted very good compared to other places that sell chicken filet sandwiches. The chicken was moist and delicious. The breading surrounding the chicken was also good to eat without any scars from over-cooking (meaning burnt). The ice cream cone, while melting because of being dipped, was pleasing to my senses and tasted very good. The fries that came with the basket was not over/under cooked. Just right! Parking - Needs Improvement. Because of its location, parking can be a difficult situation. Unless you back into a spot on 12th Street, you're really taking a chance with traffic and those not paying attention while driving. I have not seen an accident, but this is something that can be an issue. The spots alongside the building and in front where you order are tight. I do not recommend parking in these as customers are not as courteous when it comes to opening/closing their doors. I would recommend backing into a spot on 12th Street or parking across the street where the businesses are not fully using their lots. Overall - Yes. I'm a very critical person when it comes to rating businesses and do not often find businesses with this level of being just that good. I don't work in the food business or blog or any of that stuff. I'm in federal law enforcement and travel a lot in my position throughout the country. So...that being said...I highly recommend this restaurant for food.
(5)
Jessica M.
Great place to eat chicken or hamburgers! Service is quick and great! The downside of this restaurant is the parking....if it's prime time to eat you will circle this restaurant a few times before you are able to park in the very tiny parking lot.
(4)
Joshua H.
Just spent fifteen minutes eating this chicken with my hands, getting increasingly angrier and angrier over the lack of a fork, only to get up for more tea and come back to see one lying on the table, on the other side of my heaping basket. This is an adept analogy for Zesto's itself: any fault you may think you see, in reality is a boon to the overall charm and functionality of the restaurant.The simple, classic, large-diner style of operating, with the kitchen and counter in the front, large dining area in the back is at first overwhelming and a bit unintuitive, but you soon come to realize that it's the most effective and efficient way to operate and serve the quite large crowds that seem to be omnipresent.The quaint tables, smooth benches seem to be worn just right for a tired pair of legs, and the staff is equally smooth and friendly.All this, simply the atmosphere. The food is the re-imagining of the finest minimalism, the classicy-est of classics. Only a fool would stray from the fried chicken, however. It's the kind of restaurant where everything is served on a paper basket, fries, coleslaw, and plain soft buns are topped with a golden crown of sweet, crunchy birds, always hot from the kitchen because there are far too many milling customers to let any sit out. The breading is thin and tight and hot, with just the right amount of crunch before a hot, juicy piece of chicken.The bread and fries are just breathers, a break for your taste buds before rejoining the war on blandness going on within your maw.This is also the kind of restaurant that has a sweet tea dispenser in the dining area, to compensate for the only drink worth having on a hot day in the dirty south, and accommodate all of the diners who almost exclusively drink it. And it is perfectly sweet, an exceptional mix of sweet enough to be a dessert, and cold enough to be refreshing.And in the world of actual desserts? A dipped cone of soft-serve ice cream, poured and then handed across the counter, the top of the chocolate still hardening in your first bite, mixing with the vanilla in an unholy, syrup-y sin. It can also be covered with nuts, if you have that problem. All in all, Zesto's is the provider of quintessential southern comfort food. The kind of food that makes a cloudy day a little brighter. The kind of food that puts a small grin on your face, that takes you to a place that can remind you that the world isn't all that bad, after all.
(4)
Cathy T.
Let me say first off Im a newcomer to Columbia by way of new Orleans and the prices you people ask for fried chicken dinner or a hamburger are outrageous and yeah cookout is much better . I would never pay the price that Zesto's asks . I m not used to these prices for take out food . wow would much rather go to cookout .
(2)
Brandon D.
Great place for fried chicken. Service is always super quick, even when they are busy. I usually get the two piece meal with extra fires. The chicken is always hot, fresh and delicious. Perfectly cooked also. Their sweet tea is awesome. Don't be affarid to ask for something special, they will try their best to make it for you. Price wise, it is a great value for what you get. Get their early because parking fills up quickly!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Karla K.
They have great burgers and chicken. This is the only place that has coleslaw that I actually love to eat. The milk shakes are so good!
(4)Roger Y.
Ok fast food - great soft serve ice cream!
(3)Chanelle T.
A Columbia Institution. They have wonderful fried chicken that I've had a few times through take-out. Everything else I have tried is typical, quick food. Nothing to write home about but not awful either. It's hard not to want to stop with the big ol' ice cream peering at you when you pass by!
(3)Mark C.
It is what it is, a fast, cheap greasy-spoon chicken burgers fries and soft serve ice cream dive. Totally worth the $3 when my 10 year old daughter keeps saying "yum, thank you daddy" between bites of a hot fudge sundae.
(3)David H.
I have had Zesto's on and off for 25 years now. Live on the other side of the country and every time I'm in town, I make it a point to stop by. Food is delicious and high quality and the service is second to none! Thanks to everyone that does such a wonderful job over there!
(5)Adam B. J.
West Columbia royalty! I can remember going here just out of diapers for a chocolate covered nut roll cone with my Aunt Vivian. If I had a sore throat growing up, Mom got me a shake from Zesto. There wasn't a church cover-dish with out a bucket of cold Zesto's Fried Chicken. So as you can see this place is Tri-City and a huge part of West Columbia where I grew up. My favorites now are the Zesto Burger Basket or the Wing Dinner. I never know which to get. Sometimes I'm a total fat a$$ and get a Zesto Burger with a side of two wings. The slaw is unique and good. The only coleslaw my sister and wife will eat. The hot dogs are great too. I have pescitarian (vegetarians who eat fish) friends that come here for the fish sandwich when they are in town. Everyone I know that has grown up in West Columbia and moved away, Zesto is the one place they have to go before going home.
(5)Jay B.
You can not stay in or near Columbia and not go to Zesto's! I have been eating at Zesto's since as long as I can remember. They have the best fried chicken you can find and their cole slaw is nothing less than a gift from God. The staff is extremely friendly and very quick to get to know you if you keep coming back. I would also like to note that the owners are there working in the kitchen every single day and they'll be the first ones to say hey! Parking is the only thing that often becomes a problem as it is so crowded but I've always been able to find a spot somewhere. If you don't go here for lunch or dinner at some point you are truly missing out!
(5)Taylor S.
I have only had ice cream from here. But I was very disappointed with how it tasted. It may just be me, but I won't be returning here.
(2)Kel B.
Zesto's is awesome! They have the nicest staff and really good cheeseburgers! Their fried chicken is ridiculously good. I come here allllll the time and am never disappointed! Even their fish sandwich is good. Only thing they need is bacon to put on the burgers. But then I would eat bacon cheeseburgers every day!
(5)KeiKei B.
Don't believe the hype. I had a milkshake & it was runny. I had 2 hotdogs & threw away 1. Fries were ok. Hubby lived his chicken sandwich but he's easy to please. Grandson had chicken tenders (they're fresh from the freezer). I will go again to try a burger because in Phoenix they were great. Prices are on the high side for the fare.
(2)Lauren F.
Your standard burger and shake place. The setup is confusing. I went when it was busy, and ordering was a hassle. You have to order on one side, then walk outside and in another door to get seating. The food is decent, but the seating and parking are inconvenient enough that I'd rather not go back.
(3)Dominique B.
Went down for 2 days and found this place, yummy!
(5)Jake V.
Great fried chicken
(4)Packet R.
Was not impressed. My first time there and they offered no explanation on how it worked or what was recommended.
(2)Robb M.
I've been going here as long as I can remember. Great food, and anyone who says otherwise is completely bonkers. Parking is better than it once was but can still be an issue. Hot fudge cake sundae = success.
(4)Paul B.
'70s Hamburger Joint Was out in this area of Columbia and remembered reading about Zesto's- Thought it was worth a try. This is a throw back to yesteryear hamburger joints before they became a dime a dozen. The burger is pretty standard- a single patty fried on a grill with a little salt. The burgers are made to order, I had mine all the way which means- lettuce (shredded- seems this was ordinary fare back when) little bit of onion, pickles, and tomatoes, and yes, a liberal amount of mustard- I don't think there was any ketchup on the burger, if there was couldn't tell.. The fries were regular standard french fries- the place is pretty busy so they were fresh and hot - good with a little salt and lots of ketchup! I was thinking about a peanut butter, banana & chocolate shake I read about in another review from Zesto's on Forest drive, however it wasn't available here :( yelp.com/biz/zesto-fores… I ordered a cherry milkshake that was cold and thick! with lots of chunky cherries! As I stated before the place is shakin and hopin! , it was busy busy! No drive thru window here- you get out of the car and order then they bring the food to you. They have two fairly large dining rooms that are sparsely decorated but are clean! The staff are mostly young and are friendly. I was looking for extra ketchup and ventured into the kitchen, from what I could see it was very clean and tidy I wasn't there long before a nice supervisor lady kindly escorted me out :) All in all- it was good. We got two burgers, one order of fries, one sweet tea, and one large shake for around 12 deniros!
(3)Dog F.
If you've been to West Columbia, chances are you've driven by the big chocolate-coated ice cream cone of Zesto. They've been a Triangle City staple since 1949. Zesto also has a Forest Drive location and has to have some connection to the Rosewood Dairy Bar. If you want to know more specifics about Zesto, you're going to have to go ask yourself. The place is a lunch-time machine. There's no time for chit-chat with hundreds of people hungry for their Zesto burger, slaw dog or chicken snack. Seriously, there's a small ordering area out front and a sea of dining rooms that are teeming with diners during the lunch rush. At Zesto, the hot dogs come in a few varieties: corn dog, chili dog and slaw dog. One dog that's not available: a hot dog with barbecue on top. Un-w00t. While we assume Zesto's dogs (and buns) are steamed, we were able to confirm the slaw and chili are homemade. A hot dog is served with chili, mustard and onions. A slaw dog is served with chili, slaw, mustard and onions. A corn dog comes with a side of happiness. Since we were venturing to the other side of the Congaree River, we thought we'd meet up with a gaggle of Dog Fight fans from SCANA. They did not disappoint, sharing their fries as well as their plans for creating a Dog Fight-esque study of local barbecue joints. Yum-o! We were lucky enough to be joined by another special guest, Sarah Waller, a former co-worker just back from nanny-ing in Italy. It was the biggest Dog Fight in Dog Fight history: 20 hot dogs, 13 diners, 6 milkshakes, 3 Family Guy references, 1 giant hot fudge sundae and too many odd stares to count. How the Dog Fight went down. Jeff: Dog 1: Chili Dog 2: Chili Dog 3: Slaw Amy: Dog 1: Corn dog Dog 2: Chili dog Julie Dog 1: Corn dog Dog 2: The rest of Amy's chili dog Tim Dog 1: Chili Dog 2: Slaw Dog 3: Corn dog Dean Dog 1: Slaw Dog 2: Chili Dog 3: Corn dog Sarah: Dog 1: Corn dog (Production note: The lunch orders of the SCANA crew- Carley Welsh, Keela Middleton, Stacy Farrell, Chris Merck, Nicole McLean, Lee "Potatohead" Price and Melissa Harper - will be made available in the director's cut.) The Dogs Sadly, most agreed there was nothing special in the wiener. Jeff found the texture a little mushy and there wasn't much taste. Dean thought the hot dogs could have been as good as Jimmy's Mart if the meat was better. Nicole said the hot dog was merely a vehicle to get a Zesto milkshake. Those that ordered the corn dog, really liked it. Big, juicy, moist wiener. Sweet-ish, crunchy coating. A great corn dog that rivals those at the State Fair. The Toppings Dean, after accidentally elbowing some poor unsuspecting man leaving the restroom, declared the chili excellent. Jeff, Julie and Tim agreed, for a change. Jeff found the chili second only to the chili at Jimmy's Mart. Dean, who had by now reeled in his flailing appendages, said the slaw was so chunky, he thought it would be bad but later felt the chunkiness made the texture and presentation better. Melissa agreed saying the slaw and hot dog complemented each other well. Keela thought the onions were a little *too* chunky. Lee said he thought the slaw dog was too salty which drew a big buh-haw from Nicole as she pointed out that Lee had put an equivalent of a tablespoon of salt on the fries she was polishing off. The Verdict Zesto is a very efficient eatery that offers extra value in the people-watching area. According to Jeff, Dog Fight Director of Math and Spreadsheet Maintenance, Zesto just barely topped Mack's with a score of 21.57 with kudos going out to the homemade chili and the corn dog. No, the milkshakes did not count. The bottom line? Zesto is fast and still the first choice of many Columbians who need to shake off the remnants of whatever they did last night that that they shouldn't have. If you want to see all reviews with pictures check out facebook.com/theadamsgro… and click the Dog Fight Tab.
(3)jill h.
Decent hamburgers,great ice cream,TERRIBLE fried chicken. Lean how to make a decent batter that adheres to the chicken and doesn't fall off.A little crispy on the out side,tender on the inside. What? Do they poor a little flour on it,and then fry away,kinda greasy but tender.I had an Aunt who made 'fried chicken' just like Zesto's;really bad...(God rest her soul)
(3)Kyle M.
I've been going here since I was a child and still love getting by there when I get the chance. Best fried chicken around, also make great burgers. Food comes out very fast and the workers are always very friendly
(5)Karen S.
Yep - this is a burger joint you cannot find anywhere else in the area. You go up to a counter and place your order. Seating is in the back. Since the couple of times I stop here the past week I was only getting a shake, I am no sure ho it works if you order you meal as order in. As I said, I ordered shakes the two times I came here. I managed to come during the lunch rush and was waited on quickly both times. For me, it is worth the wait for the shakes, as they are hand spun (unlike McDonalds or any of the other fast food establishments in the area). I would recommend giving this place a try if you are in the area.
(5)James N.
Ordered a cheeseburger combo. The layout is kind of weird your first time as you order on one side, go outside and back in to the diner area. The burger was excellent and the fries were very good. Sweet tea was great. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)Sarah K.
I love the cheeseburgers here, my boyfriend always gets fried chicken. The service is nice and friendly. And I love stopping back for a ice cream cone on the way out.
(4)Kristin D.
We were given a gift certificate for this place and I was skeptical of someplace that seemed to serve greasy food and dairy products, since I don't eat either. Daughter loved her ice cream cone. Husband could not get enough of their fried chicken. I ended up removing all the fried skin and just eating the meat, which was really tasty, and making little sandwiches out of the rolls.
(4)JOSE R.
Quick fast food... its ok... coleslaw taste like Ka-Ka... but the butterscotch milk shake was the highlight along with the corndog
(4)Charlie F.
Having a few minutes to leave my work site and find something for lunch, I went to this most interesting place I had driven past for a couple of days. Really hard to not notice a business with a giant chocolate ice cream cone on the roofline! I went to the to go counter and notice a massive army of employees all hustling to prepare customer orders. I ordered a cheeseburger without onions, fries, and sweet tea. It was ready quickly. Back at work I enjoyed this lunch. Burger was a little thinner than I had expected, but was an ample size and had a generous portion of tomatoes and lettuce. Fries were good and thick and fried to my liking. I was told by some locals that I should have ordered the fried chicken, as they proclaimed the "the best in SC". Might have to check it out if I am ever back in that area.
(3)Ethan E.
The food was ok. I ordered a chicken dinner which consisted of a breast, wing, thing, and leg all for around $8.00 The chicken wasn't breaded like most places and I could really taste the heavy salt however, it was still ok but ,I won't be ordering it again. It didn't include a drink either but I guess thats not a big deal. The problem with the drink was that a Large is actually smaller than a Small drink that you might get from other fast food restaurants like Rush's, Zaxbys, or McDonalds. So imagine a childs drink and a small drink, Zestos large is in-between the two which really sucks. At least the refill didn't cost extra but just wait...after getting my food I asked the nice young girl that brought it out to me if I may have some Honey Mustard for my chicken, she replied, and told me that it would be 70 cents. This is what really pisses me off about this place, I just ordered a chicken dinner and I have to pay for sauce? Really Zestos, is 10 dollars not enough to buy some honey mustard with your chicken.... Oh and the chocolate dipped ice cream cone looks better than it actually tastes in my opinion. In conclusion...I don't think I'll be back but, if I do go back I'll stick with a water and burger. Otherwise, I'll just go with Rush's for my burger and fried chicken needs. -your lost customer, Ethan
(3)Veronica J.
Ive been coming to zesto for years, i love the chicken, i think its the best in columbia. My only complaint is that depending on when i go, sometimes the chicken is super salty. It should be consistant with the same mixture. Ice cream is great too and good burgers!!! Thanks
(4)David Y.
this is my home grounds . grew up in cayce. this is the original zesto with the big ice cream cone chocolate . the food is really good.but the price doesnt match. really good staff / really good clean building/ but i went with 4 people got 4 hotdog baskets cost 38 dollars. noooooooooooooo not for hot dogs. ( if you go and get this way overpriced food get chicken.its good)
(3)Dave R.
This is a review for the Zesto's Ice Cream Only as I am a vegetarian, so that's all I get here. First let me say I'm a fan of ice cream of all flavors and types. Although I must say soft serve has a special place in my heart and Zesto's does soft serve right! I especially recommend the chocolate dip or the nut roll, of if you're feeling crazy, both! If your not the soft serve cone type, the milkshakes are just as great. Although u must mention one last thing about the cones themselves....they're huge. I don't mean the ice cream on top of the cone, that's average, I mean the cones themselves are massive. Back to the milkshakes. I heart the banana myself but the other flavors are delicious as well. Haven't tried the sundaes yet, but I will!!
(4)Helen E.
Felt like I walked onto the set of Triple D. The place is full of ole school southern charm and a true classic. No where else have I placed an order, walked out side to re-enter the establishment via another door. We had the fried chicken, fries, Cole slaw and ice cream. Allot of food for little bucks. The chicken was juicy but a little saltier then my liking. Not the best fried chicken I have had but it was tastee...
(3)Andy L.
Best fried chicken in town! I normally get the chicken wings because I love chicken wings. But you can get any piece of chicken and it's going to be amazing. Also try a pineapple milkshake or an ice cream cone. You wouldn't be disappointed.
(5)Kurt D.
Disgusting. Come on Columbians, set your standards higher. I pretty sure everything here is heated after being frozen. Look at the biscuits in the pictures; stale and cheap. The only good thing was the sweet tea. If you want food like this, but better, go to Cookout.
(1)Will C.
The old school place I was looking for! The hot dog was the best I've had down here- besides Five Guys believe it or not. The fries were really good - crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Be weary on the sundaes - the small is still really big! One thing I noticed is that you only get a half of a cherry. It gave us something to talk about, do they buy them like that or do they cut the cherry in half? That kept us busy for a while. Anyway, I was really happy about my trip here and I'm definitely going back for the burgers and the famed chicken and dipped cones!
(4)Matt H.
I would give Zesto 10 stars if allowed. And here's why. I've been eating here since I was a child. My grandmother lived a stone's throw away, and every visit included lunch from here. ( that's roughly 4 decades now ) I still eat here regularly and will until I'm out on high blood pressure meds :) and even then will sneak it in. Out of the estimated 400 times I've eaten here, I've gotten hotdogs about 10 times, cheese burger about 5... And the fried chicken the rest. I love salt. I've literally sucked on paper salt packets before ( I know, TMI...) but that's just to prove a point here. Their chicken it SALTY! Let me rephrase that... Their chicken is DEEP FRIED HEAVEN. Any time I have friends or even business partners visit downtown, if they remotely like fried chicken, I bring them here, and the results are the same 'best chicken I've ever had'. Their slaw which comes with every basket is on point. And yes. Salty. But oooooh so good. Toss in a little Texas Pete, and BOOM, saltyspicyyummie. Pro-tip: you can get a 'white snack' which is all white meat vs the default mix of both. If you like chocolate (what? Are you unamurcan?) you'll love their milk shakes. I personally like to get a half and half (chocolate/vanilla) blend. But if you REALLY like chocolate you'll love their dipped cones. Just in case you're full from everything else, you can get a kids cone. It's super small and let's you sample the goodness that is Zesto. Love me some Zesto. Gus has created a monster business that gets people serviced within moments of walking in. Even on the business days at the business times. NEXT PLEAAAASE!!!!!
(5)Ashely S.
Delicious!!! It's amazing on how they remember your face from the front window and can bring you your food in the back. Friendly customer service. And their Coke.... Their Coke is amazing! I heard it comes from an old fashioned soda machine....
(5)Dave J.
Really disappointing service. Not only did they forget my order, but when I pointed that out to them, they started to make a big deal about it.... finally needed a third person to review my receipt to get my order... Didn't even acknowledge the mistake... really should've gotten a manager involved but was fed up with the place and just walked out... Won't be back that's for sure
(1)Dean D.
Classic family friendly and great food. Fried chicken is the way to go for sure although I have tried the burger and it was awesome! Don't forget the ice cream!
(5)M S.
This restaurant caters to most persons with picky opinions of how fast food should taste. I visited this restaurant on a busy Saturday...let me correct this...it's ALWAYS busy, but the service and speed in which they produce excels from other competing restaurants surrounding their restaurant. I ordered the chicken filet basket w/o cole slaw, a corn dog, and their "famous" ice cream cone (small) dipped in chocolate with nuts. Presentation - Yes. Most of their items are put on a paper basket keeping the food in place so it does not scatter throughout the bag like other fast food places. Sandwiches are individually wrapped and made correct the first time. The ice cream cone was very well put together and looked tempting enough to eat before I ate anything else. Overall...thumb's up. Restaurant Cleanliness - Yes. For a restaurant that filters through a lot of people, the staff and management have a system in place that exceeds other places and is a model of excellence for the fast food industry. Customer Service - Yes. This place excels in customer service. Lines, although somewhat long, move at a feverish pace and orders are taken with precision. To date, I have yet to receive an order with some type of mistake...unless it was of my own doing. Taste - Yes. The chicken filet sandwich basket was filling and actually tasted very good compared to other places that sell chicken filet sandwiches. The chicken was moist and delicious. The breading surrounding the chicken was also good to eat without any scars from over-cooking (meaning burnt). The ice cream cone, while melting because of being dipped, was pleasing to my senses and tasted very good. The fries that came with the basket was not over/under cooked. Just right! Parking - Needs Improvement. Because of its location, parking can be a difficult situation. Unless you back into a spot on 12th Street, you're really taking a chance with traffic and those not paying attention while driving. I have not seen an accident, but this is something that can be an issue. The spots alongside the building and in front where you order are tight. I do not recommend parking in these as customers are not as courteous when it comes to opening/closing their doors. I would recommend backing into a spot on 12th Street or parking across the street where the businesses are not fully using their lots. Overall - Yes. I'm a very critical person when it comes to rating businesses and do not often find businesses with this level of being just that good. I don't work in the food business or blog or any of that stuff. I'm in federal law enforcement and travel a lot in my position throughout the country. So...that being said...I highly recommend this restaurant for food.
(5)Jessica M.
Great place to eat chicken or hamburgers! Service is quick and great! The downside of this restaurant is the parking....if it's prime time to eat you will circle this restaurant a few times before you are able to park in the very tiny parking lot.
(4)Joshua H.
Just spent fifteen minutes eating this chicken with my hands, getting increasingly angrier and angrier over the lack of a fork, only to get up for more tea and come back to see one lying on the table, on the other side of my heaping basket. This is an adept analogy for Zesto's itself: any fault you may think you see, in reality is a boon to the overall charm and functionality of the restaurant.The simple, classic, large-diner style of operating, with the kitchen and counter in the front, large dining area in the back is at first overwhelming and a bit unintuitive, but you soon come to realize that it's the most effective and efficient way to operate and serve the quite large crowds that seem to be omnipresent.The quaint tables, smooth benches seem to be worn just right for a tired pair of legs, and the staff is equally smooth and friendly.All this, simply the atmosphere. The food is the re-imagining of the finest minimalism, the classicy-est of classics. Only a fool would stray from the fried chicken, however. It's the kind of restaurant where everything is served on a paper basket, fries, coleslaw, and plain soft buns are topped with a golden crown of sweet, crunchy birds, always hot from the kitchen because there are far too many milling customers to let any sit out. The breading is thin and tight and hot, with just the right amount of crunch before a hot, juicy piece of chicken.The bread and fries are just breathers, a break for your taste buds before rejoining the war on blandness going on within your maw.This is also the kind of restaurant that has a sweet tea dispenser in the dining area, to compensate for the only drink worth having on a hot day in the dirty south, and accommodate all of the diners who almost exclusively drink it. And it is perfectly sweet, an exceptional mix of sweet enough to be a dessert, and cold enough to be refreshing.And in the world of actual desserts? A dipped cone of soft-serve ice cream, poured and then handed across the counter, the top of the chocolate still hardening in your first bite, mixing with the vanilla in an unholy, syrup-y sin. It can also be covered with nuts, if you have that problem. All in all, Zesto's is the provider of quintessential southern comfort food. The kind of food that makes a cloudy day a little brighter. The kind of food that puts a small grin on your face, that takes you to a place that can remind you that the world isn't all that bad, after all.
(4)Cathy T.
Let me say first off Im a newcomer to Columbia by way of new Orleans and the prices you people ask for fried chicken dinner or a hamburger are outrageous and yeah cookout is much better . I would never pay the price that Zesto's asks . I m not used to these prices for take out food . wow would much rather go to cookout .
(2)Brandon D.
Great place for fried chicken. Service is always super quick, even when they are busy. I usually get the two piece meal with extra fires. The chicken is always hot, fresh and delicious. Perfectly cooked also. Their sweet tea is awesome. Don't be affarid to ask for something special, they will try their best to make it for you. Price wise, it is a great value for what you get. Get their early because parking fills up quickly!
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