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Main Street Eats: Sumter

Libby Wiersema Libby Wiersema
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago, where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
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If you want to get a feel for a small town’s identity, just take a walk down Main Street. This is where you’ll find the heartbeat of a community, the places where locals come together for relaxation, fun and sharing. You’ll also discover a treasure trove of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars from no-frills grills to elegant dining rooms.

Sumter’s Main Street is a fine example. Thanks to a robust revitalization effort, you’ll find an appealing streetscape appointed with several interesting shops, entertainment venues like the Sumter Opera House, and varied dining options. So, take a stroll through the heart of town and discover the many flavors of this small, but vibrant town.

 

Brubaker’s Café & Bakery

The PBLT - pimento cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato on house sourdough – is a seasonal favorite at Brubaker’s Café
The PBLT - pimento cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato on house sourdough – is a seasonal favorite at Brubaker’s Café

13 N. Main Street
(864) 872-2402

The neighborhood vibe at Brubaker’s attracts java afficionados with a thirst for crafty coffee drinks built upon a foundation of locally roasted beans. Breakfast and lunch offerings as well as the lineup of freshly baked goods match the quality of the joe. Take a seat outside or sip and nosh in the inviting café.

 

J. O’Grady’s

J. O’Grady’s nacho plate
J. O’Grady’s nacho plate is piled with chips and smothered in all your favorite accoutrements.

5 S. Main Street
(803) 938-5699

A fun, casual atmosphere and hearty pub eats are the hallmarks of J. O’Grady’s. Cold beer, a friendly waitstaff and taste tempters like pulled pork tacos, two-fisted burgers, salads, sandwiches, chili-laden nachos and savory beer-battered onion rings are among the many reasons folks pile in. On Saturdays, start your day with a brunch bowl and a Bloody Mary. A quaint adjoining courtyard is a great space for alfresco dining.

 

Sidebar

the brisket sandwich at Sidebar
Succulent and smoky, the brisket sandwich at Sidebar is a fan favorite.

30 N. Main Street
803-774-4410

Since 2015, Sidebar has been serving up fine Texas-style barbecue to the smoked meat-loving crowd. Armed with a 1,000-gallon smoker, reverently known as “Big Daddy,” and a 500-gallon smoker called “Lil’ Smokey,” Sidebar churns out real-deal brisket, ribs, pulled pork and more. Other options on the menu run the gamut from Carolina fried shrimp to a juicy guacamole burger. Craft beer on tap and a nice lineup of bourbons are highlights, too. And when the bar gets crowded, there’s still plenty of room in the restaurant’s adjoining Main Room as well as their outdoor patio.

 

Hamptons

33 N. Main Street
(803) 774-4400

Fine dining on Sumter’s Main Street can be experienced at Hamptons. Elegant and refined, this award-winning restaurant, operating in a beautiful historic building, serves a seasonal menu of American cuisine with Italian influences. Chef Raffaele Dall’Erta, who hails from Milan, Italy, has distinguished himself in culinary circles and served as a South Carolina Chef Ambassador in 2020 and 2021. He helped distinguish Hamptons as a dining destination where people come from across the state for stellar brunches, lunches and dinners. For a special treat, head up to the rooftop wine bar, Rafters, and enjoy fine wine and small plates.

 

Main Street Tavern

24 N. Main Street
(803) 773-0495

No Main Street is complete without a local watering hole. Main Street Tavern is such a place. This is where locals go to meet up with friends for a cold beverage ora game of pool, or to watch the big game. They also serve all your favorite appetizers and snacks: pizzas, fried pickles, chili-cheese fries, wings and more.

 

Sumter Original Brewery

Sumter Original Brewery's towering burgers
Sumter Original Brewery's towering burgers go great with a cold craft brew.

2 S. Main Street
(803) 774-4425

Here’s something you probably didn’t expect to find on a small-town Main Street: a world-class brewery. This spacious, three-story taproom and brewhouse is family-friendly and the place to go for craft beer, live music and more. The first floor is a wide dining space and the setting for weekly trivia and other events. They’ve got the goods when it comes to food, too. Try a tasty gyro, taco salad, fried chicken sandwich or double smash burger. On the second floor, you can engage in a little friendly competition of ping pong, billiards and other games. When the weather’s fine, head straight to the top where you can spread out on the rooftop patio and enjoy live music and, on designated days, burgers on the grill.

 

El Paso Tacos & Tequila

Mexican dishes from El Paso's
Choose your favorite Mexican dishes from El Paso's extensive menu.

154 S. Main Street
(803) 757-1220

Toward the end of downtown’s stretch of Main Street, the cuisine takes a Tex-Mex turn at El Paso Tacos & Tequila. The brightly colored dining room makes a festive environment for sipping fruity margaritas and indulging in everybody’s favorite appetizer: chips and salsa. (Ask about the tequila flights!) Burritos, enchiladas, tamales, fajitas, chiles rellenos and tacos—you’ll find them all here along with a host of other authentic dishes. End your Main Street meal on a sweet note with crunchy churros, fried ice cream, creamy flan or warm sopapillas.

 

Sumter Cut Rate Drug Store

32 S. Main Street
(803) 773-8432

Main Street doesn’t get more old school than a locally owned drugstore with a soda fountain tucked inside. Operating in the same location since 1935, the Sumter Cut Rate boasts one of the oldest soda fountains in the state. Take a stool at the counter and enjoy meals straight out of the past. For breakfast, go for grits, eggs and plate-size pancakes. A side of fried bologna is the traditional meat of choice. For lunch, the pimento cheese BLT, juicy cheeseburger or fried pork chop are popular with the Sumter crowd. The soda fountain still serves fountain drinks, too. For a classic delight, get the patty melt or their renowned chicken salad, and don’t forget a milkshake!

Libby Wiersema
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago, where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.