Mr. Friendly's New Southern Cafe

Finally got around to trying Mr. Friendly’s. Our party of two had a 6:30 PM reservation on a Saturday night. We were a few minutes early and our table wasn’t quite ready, so we went to the bar. I ordered a Mr. Friendly’s 75, which is their version of a French 75. It was quite good. My friend got the Watermelon-Basil “Mojito”, which was very refreshing. We barely got our drinks before our table was ready, so we had to close out at the bar before heading to our table. Sam greeted us right away and gave us plenty of time to look over the specials and menu. We ordered the skillet baked Country Ham Spinach Dip and fried Adluh Yellow Grit Cakes for appetizers. The spinach dip was quite good, but the bread was not toasted, as indicated on the menu. It looked to be a sliced store-bought baguette, very plain and not appealing to the eye. The grit cakes were OK, and not something I would order again. For our entrées, we ordered the Cornmeal Fried NC Catfish and the Char-Grilled CAB Ribeye. The catfish was delicious, along with the collard greens, tartar sauce, and grits that came with it. Again, the ribeye was OK, but if I order a steak in a restaurant, I expect it to be better than what I could make at home. There was nothing special about it. I normally order my steak medium rare, but because I was sharing with my table mate, I went with medium, which was exactly how it was cooked. The blue cheese stuffed peach was less than good. Great idea, in concept, but the blue cheese was way overpowering. The mashed potatoes were delicious, as were the seasonal vegetables. We finished with two desserts, the Peanut Butter Fudge Pie, and the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake. The pie was absolutely delicious, but I think the crème brûlée cheesecake missed the mark. Just not a lot of flavor. Sam was a wonderful waiter and was attentive when he needed to be, but not intrusive otherwise. I had high expectations for Mr. Friendly’s, and they came in a little below the bar. I would be willing to try it again. The atmosphere was nice. I enjoyed the interior artwork, and it was quiet enough that you could hold a conversation without shouting. There was ample parking in the lot right outside.

Mr. Friendly’s is one of our all time favorite restaurants. This time we drove out of our way to stop to eat. We were driving from Jacksonville to Charlotte and figured Columbia was close enough for a great southern meal and great bar. We can say enough about the quality and taste of the food and the friendliness of the staff.

Had no idea this place was open for lunch. We enjoyed our afternoon with great food, great service and great… mimosas! Chef Whit touched our table and was very welcoming and hospitable. I came for the fried oysters and he delivered the fried oysters!

We had a great experience at Mr. Friendly’s! The food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. They were able to accommodate our party of 8 with less than two hours’ notice, which we really appreciated. The staff was friendly and made sure everyone in our group was well taken care of. We also loved that they were willing to adjust the dishes to meet allergen preferences. Our family enjoyed themselves, and we will definitely be returning!

Our second time here but first for dinner, and it was fantastic. The we started with a couple of appetizers and both were delicious. The Caesar salads were very well done too…the dressing was phenomenal. I love how they started us off with warm bread with a house made butter too…so delicious. Our son enjoyed his chicken tenders and tater tots…it’s a great place for the whole family. Excellent service too, and reasonably priced considering the high quality of the experience. We’ll be back again!

Delicious, juicy swordfish! Creamy grits, tasty peach spring rolls, salty-sweet grilled watermelon. Amazing food, fabulous service, patio seating on a beautiful evening. It was the perfect meal!

This place is amazing. You can absolutely tell the management staff is experienced and takes pride in their establishment. There are chill lunch tunes. The staff is knowledgeable about their products. The salad and dressing were delicious and balanced, however the star of the experience was the BBQ burger special. Wow! Juicy and well put together. Just big enough you had to handle with two hands but not so big you couldn’t keep it from falling apart. Complimenting flavors and the beef tasted like it was made with a sprinkler of World Peace. Wow!

We’ve dined at Mr. Friendly’s many times over the past years. Tonight: We thought the food was the best we’ve experienced there …it was all spot on and the service even better. My husband had one of the night’s specials, the pork tenderloin stuffed with the house made sausage and I had another one of the nightly specials, the NC red trout. They both were AMAZING! And dessert? The team hit a grand slam with the peaches and cream eggrolls with caramel sauce. You need this in your life…just saying.

I had dinner here when I was in town for training nearby. Someone recommended the restaurant and a friend and I walked over. This was almost a year ago so I can't remember what he ate, but I had a pre-fix meal with an appetizer featuring pumpkin, a salmon entree and a delicious key lime pie for dessert. This is a cozy home-town style place. Service was good. I plan to go back next time I'm in town.

In town for the day. I was able to get a 5:15 reservation called 10 minutes before opening. Host was very friendly. We loved everything. The ambiance, food and customer service were all fantastic. I will definitely visit again when in town.

Such a great spot! Found it on a busy graduation night and it was the perfect place to celebrate. Amazing food, fantastic service--we will be back the next time we are in town!

I had a very tough time writing this one.. First of all the bread and herb seasoned butter served prior to our meal was excellent. So much so that when the owner asked if we wanted a bit more with our meal, I said yes but yet bread never came.?? The Cheese curds were amazingly good and my wife's salmon was excellent as well. I was totally discontented with my meatloaf. The portion was enormous .,way too much for one person. (Guessing about 10 oz?) The thickness of the serving caused the loaf to be dry and not moist which left it hard for me to eat very much .. So I didn't The owner asked me if everything was OK and at that time before my entree was served the answer was way better than okay but darn it all I so wanted that entire meal to be so as well! Perhaps another visit without the meatloaf may change my mind.

I enjoyed the food and service at Mr. Friendly's. I ate everything fried, which I guess is acceptable in the South! Our server strongly recommended the fried oysters, and I'm glad we took his recommendation. They were delicious, just the right size, and still moist inside. The fried green tomatoes were also good, and I liked that the pimento cheese was sandwiched in between to melt the cheese a bit. My fried chicken was excellent, as were the potatoes and collards. We also added the roasted garlic, which was a delicious little added savoriness to everything. Our server was helpful and honest, which I always appreciate. It was also half-price wine night, and they had a good selection of sale bottles. I hope to return the next time I'm in Columbia!

I like the vibe and the ambience of this restaurant, it is busy, but keeps the local vibe and offers great service. I made a reservation, but decided to sit at the bar because there were seats open, and I was by myself. The bartender was great, she was very attentive and my food came quickly and was very hot. The rock shrimp appetizer had sesame-soy cucumbers to give it an Asian flair and they were delicious. For dinner I got the fried chicken with ham gravy and collard greens. It was good as well although had a bit too much breading for my taste, and there was an ingredient in the fried chicken. I did not particularly like. However, it was prepared well and I will just try something different next time. There is parking behind the restaurant and down the side, it is a bit tucked away on a side street. They also offer valet parking.

Everything about our experience was five stars. They live up to the hype. We will be back!

My Friendly's was so yummy! It was our first evening in town and I'd made a booking for the 4 of us for dinner. I knew we'd be seeing my son for graduation in the coming days and admittingly hoped I hadn't just made the best dinner plans without him in attendance, it was so tasty I began to feel bad being there without him. Luckily, we did share some other great places with him. I started with a chocolate orange old fashioned, creature of habit ;) It was great! My son teases me about how much I love dark liquor and it's true. This drink reminded me of something I'd had at Jameson, in Dublin so I had to try it. We shared the fried green tomatoes to start with, and they were fantastic. I love that they sandwiched pimento cheese in-between the stack of them. Two of my favorite items, in one dish. My bestie and I went halfsies on two entrees because we wanted to try the meatloaf but I also wanted catfish. Our two entrees were delish!!! We love meatloaf and make it often, but we always try to make it a little "healthier" and use turkey meat so having Mr. Friendly's was a REAL treat. My bff mentioned it really didn't need the sauce, which is true it's solid on it's own but I did like sauce. Their collards, grits and mashed potatoes are all very yummy too. I think my Mom had the oysters and my sons girlfriend had the grit cakes, but in all honesty I can't recall. We had just had wine and light bites before we came here, but my appetite is non stop unlike most normal peoples. My drink and two entrees were so delish, they were my sole focus but I think my Mom and my sons girlfriend enjoyed their choices as well. Service was great and very friendly too :) I would definitely recommend dining here. I'm so grateful we did.

Mr. Friendly's lived up to all my expectations, leaving us with satisfied stomachs and smiles. This family-owned gem exuded a local feel on the end side, creating a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere. I wholeheartedly recommend this spot for those seeking delicious, hearty fare. Our order included the Adluh Yellow Grit Cakes, which were bursting with flavor and incredibly filling. The Peach-Mustard BBQ Glazed Atlantic Salmon proved to be a standout, offering a very tasty combination. The Cornmeal Fried N.C. Catfish was fried to perfection, providing a satisfying crunch. Overall, a highly enjoyable dining experience that I would gladly repeat.

I really enjoyed our experience here. I can't lie; I was unsure about the experience I would have here and started to pivot but decided to stick with the plan. Also, the reservation was late, so I was prepared for second-hand food and so on. So here we go..   I love that they have complimentary valet because it provides an opportunity to support the person providing the valet services. Being greeted by the staff upon entry was really nice. We waited for just a few minutes, but nothing too bad. I loved the vibe--very cozy.   We ordered the fried shrimp appetizer that came with a fried grit cake that was sliced like cornbread. The shrimp were a good size and fried well! I wish there were more than 4. The grit cake was okay. It was a decent compliment, especially with the pickled onions and hot sauce.   I absolutely loved my cocktail, which was a chocolate old fashioned. It is a must order, and it comes garnished so beautifully. My camera messed up the first time. So, I used that as my excuse to order another one, and the server said, "Whoops, sorry, it fell in." I was disappointed, but I laughed it off and will return and possibly get another one then.   There was a 12-hour braised beef short rib special with blue cheese butter, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and collard greens. It was magical. No exaggeration; it was good! Everything complimented each other so well. I'm so glad everything turned out well. I definitely enjoyed my experience.

Simply amazed by this spot. Wonderful staff, exquisite southern food. Pretty sure they paid very cool local folks to come and talk with me at the bar while I was alone on a business trip.

Visited here for my birthday dinner with a great man. The waiter was very attentive and nice. I got the rib-eye steak and it was amazing. Perfectly cooked and I loved the mashed potatoes and asparagus it came with. The mushrooms could've been cooked better, but still tasty. Then i had the salmon croquettes, they were alright. Would definitely go again! Wish their menu was a bit bigger and more wide spread.

Great food and great prices. Excellent wine list and service from this locally owned Five Points bistro.

Dinner Saturday 10-29-22 was excellent. Reservations were for 6pm. Great service by Lindsay. Food was well prepared and came to the table hot and fresh. Appetizer fried green tomatoes were really excellent. Wife had the Mahi-mahi which she raved about. I had the Catfish which was excellent. Reminded me of the catfish they serve In Arkansas at the catfish houses they have on every corner. The star of my dinner was the collard greens they served with my catfish. I have NEVER eaten any collard greens that I enjoyed eating.....until tonight. My wife is a collard greens perfectionist and everyone her family loves them. She was shocked I ate all of them except a small taste so she could try to replicate them. The only thing I didn't like was the credit price vs the cash price in the bill. Who carry's around a couple hundred bucks with them except financially well off rich people? (See photo) Great dinner and can't wait to come back.

I went here last night with some friends for the first time on a recommendation from a couple of people, and I was not disappointed. It is a casual style restaurant with a fine dining appeal, with excellent cuisine and many different southern style options. I had the classic shrimp and grits with andouille creole sauce. The amount of heat in the blackened seasoning was perfect, and the grits were cooked to a nice, velvety texture which added to the depth of the meal. My friend had the 14oz CAB ribeye that comes with mashed potatoes, asparagus, a nice rich Demi glaze and mushroom cream sauce to top it. Overall the meal and food and vibe was immaculate. The service was a little slow, I think just because of the individual server we had. All the other servers were killing it!

I'm not impressed overrated! I dine out daily & I've had much better other places. Wow. My food is mediocre. My server Amanda has an attitude. Ambience is nice. I am factual. Don't like negativity, however from the onset was not the best. Even the bread was hard crusty.My meatloaf burnt on the edges. I don't plan to return. Just not a pleasant dining experience.

If you are looking for fresh local fare in the Capital City, then Mr. Friendly's delivers. The seasonal menu, daily specials, and craft cocktails are always delectable. This restaurant never disappoints because the offerings are consistently flavorful and cooked perfectly. The impeccable service and valet parking add to the charm of Mr. Friendly's.

Busy spot which attests to its reputation, but I didn't think the food was that great. It was certainly good. Service was good, drinks were good. Ambience varies where you are seated, ours was good.

Certainly! Here's a concise review: Mr. Friendly's New Southern Café offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with Southern comfort on every plate. Our family dinner was a delightful experience, with mouthwatering dishes and friendly service. A must-visit for anyone craving authentic Southern flavors!

I have eaten here at least 3 times in the last 10 years when visiting Columbia or passing through and the name and and the quality of dishes makes it easy to remember. They always have a great assortment of dishes and as well as I can remember I have got the buttermilk fried chicken entree every visit. This visit I ordered the zucchini fritters with tzatziki sauce and cous cous for an app which was a great and tasty starter. I followed that with my tried and true favorite comfort food; buttermilk fried chicken with Tasso ham gravy mash potatoes and collar greens. Ample portion of all parts of the meal and everything tasted as expected, The bartender and one of the servers helped me select my appetizer and provided great service. I was even asked by one of the managers midway through my meal how the meal was which shows they take pride in making great food that pleases their customers. This place has always been a warm and inviting place for locals and travelers. The staff are very conscientious of the customers and do their best to provide great service. Mr. Friendly's remains on my short list of must eat places in Columbia. Thanks!

The food was wonderful. My husband had the fried red snapper in a coconut curry broth which he said was perfect. I had the pimento cheese filet that was cooked to a perfect medium. The decor is just ok, but the staff were super friendly. We would definitely return.

We were invited here with friends for a birthday celebration. We did luck out and get a parking space, but definitely plan ahead for parking. This spot is tucked away, and although I had heard of it, I never knew it was right in the middle of Five Points. To begin with, the customer service was excellent. We had our daughter with us, and oddly enough they only had two high chairs and they were both in use. The host was distraught over this, and immediately made accommodations to change our table, so that she could use a booster seat in a booth. We knew we weren't going to a super kid friendly restaurant, so we would have made it work, but I was so impressed by the attention and the effort that was made to ensure we enjoyed our evening. The menu is amazing. We started with fried oysters, and they were out of this world! They have nightly specials, and my husband took advantage of one of those. I ordered the Shrimp and Grits, and they give you a choice of gravy. I also had a cup of low county chowder that was delish. We got our daughter the catfish nuggets and she devoured them. I did manage to get a bite of one, and they were very good. My husband's meal came with collard greens and they did not disappoint! We were too full for dessert but they had some nice options. Entrees average about $20, but honestly for the quality and quantity of food, I felt like this place a really great value.

Meatloaf was good need to try the Shrimp and Grits next visit. Place was on fire on a Tuesday night!

One of the best meals I have ever had. I got the fried catfish, my parents got the Special Meatloaf, and my grandmother got the salmon. We each truied eachothers and all were good. Even the sides, collard greens, grits cooked like risotto, and mashed potatoes. Service was also excellent.

Everything I ate was fresh and very tasty. The fish was cooked perfectly, moist and flaky

Tasked with coordinating a Birthday Dinner for a very special someone (for what ended up being six people), I knew exactly where to turn. Mr Friendly's has been a tried-and-true staple of the SC Midlands for many years now. I do enjoy branching out and trying new places and things, however there is something to be said for the old cliche, "if it ain't broke..." -- and Mr Friendly's went above and beyond the towering bar they have already set for themselves. Greeted by warm, welcoming, smiling faces, we floated to our waiting table. To say the service we received was impeccable would be an understatement. From the initial reservation to the satisfied stroll out the door, everyone agrees this experience was exceptional. Absolutely A++ on: cocktails, appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, and desserts. Everything was absolutely top notch as usual, including but not limited to STILL THE BEST FRIED OYSTERS IN THE WORLD. I said it. Fight me. There is one drawback to dining at Mr Friendly's, however - the fact that every meal in life cannot be this good. Caution: Mr Friendly's may ruin other dining experiences for you. Proceed at your own risk...

Had a nice lunch here! If you are looking to dabble with some south carolina staples, this is the place. From shrimp & grits, to fried fish, to green tomatoes...you know you are getting some quality comfort food. I had their dirty chicken sandwich and fried green tomatoes. Everything was good, but being totally honest, I didn't leave feeling absolutely wowed by any dish. And that's not to say it was bad by any means, and I can say of everything we had, those tomatoes stole the show. Served with bacon & pimento cheese, you can really indulge with these. You know this is popular spot - we got there around noon and seating was packed both inside & out. I've learned to trust the crowds, and I can see why most people claim this as a must visit.

I got really great service here. The wait was long, like 1 hour but they told me they may be able to squeeze me in and they did after 30m. And the food was quite good. I was very happy with the fish I got and all the appetizers we shared. Had a solid botte of wine also.

Food was amazing. Friendly and informed staff. Don't miss the key lime pie. Highly recommended!

I'm betting you know Mr Friendly's as a great place for Dinner. I certainly agree with that. It is however a really great place for lunch. I mean a really great place for lunch. They have a regular offering lunch menu with supper items on it like Salmon, many Salads and a wonderful Burger. This week they had a special menu, Soft shelled Crab as a meal or Po-boy. My wife had the Soft shelled Crab meal, I had the special burger. There is no better burger anywhere, you might find one as good but none better. So if you want a super nice lunch with the best food in town, and elegant surroundings. Go to Mr Friendly's

One of my favorite places for fried chicken and succotash! The pimento cheese and bread points is always a great way to start a meal. The manager is extremely nice and was able to put together a vegan option for my wife. The complementary bread basket and butter cheese is delicious. The fried green tomatoes stole the show on our most recent visit. Overall a great experience

The fried shrimp appetizer was tasty, but the breading kept falling off. I enjoyed the fried chicken and the salmon very much. Mixed drinks were well made. Service was on point. Bathrooms were clean. Ambience is a bit loud. Adequate parking. The only serious complaint I have is there is no sign out front, so it can be hard to find. I would eat here again.

Absolutely loved this! I got the Shrimp and grits, but you must get it with the creole sauce!!! The staff was super friendly and helpful, shout-out to Courtney for making our experience so pleasant for our first time there! A very homey, warm vibe inside. Can't wait to go back!

Delicious food, great service and wonderful drinks. We were not disappointed and will definitely be back. Make a reservation if you are thinking ahead

I just had a nice lunch at Mr. Friendly's and was it good. Their fried catfish is tops! Their grits and slaw rounded out a great meal. One of my top 10 places in town.

Went to Mr Friendly's while on a college tour with my wife and son. The service was outstanding throughout the entire dinner. The meals was far better then expected, each item was perfectly prepared and well paired. They also brought us a small plate of grits because we didn't order any and they wanted us to experience them. The grits were delicious, smooth and creamy. This place is a hidden gem and worth a visit anytime you are in the area.

The food and service was perfect! Our son LOVES the fried chicken. Our daughter said the fried chicken sandwich is the best one she has ever had. On this visit they did not have collards, but if you go there and they do we HIGHLY recommend!

I needed a good meal to help with my self-care. I have been here a few times. I made a reservation for one via Resy. I had forgotten where it was located but each time I called they were helpful just like the first time 7 years ago. I was greeted with a smile and seated immediately. Sam was awesome. He gave me some valuable tips in deciding on what to have tonight. If you are here on a Monday or Tuesday you have yo take advantage of the half price wine and the meatloaf. Everything was enjoyed. I definitely feel better. A good meal does help one deal with life's challenges.

Hard to have a conversation because it was so loud. Also surprised so many people were dressed informally. But maybe that's the nature of 5 points? Food was good but not quite remarkable. The fried flounder was nice and crispy, but then they loaded it with goopy remoulade and other toppings, so it made the top mushy. Bring cash, they charge extra fees for credit cards.

Our favorite restaurant in Columbia, SC. The food is to die for ... service is always excellent and very reasonable priced. Be sure to make a reservation.

I wavered between 4 and 5 on this review but the congenialty of the staff and managers won me over. Such a great "friendly" place for dinner. My husband and I ordered the fried green tomatoes as the appetizer. Perfectly cooked with a light and crispy coating and no greasy texture at all. I would like them to be sliced slighty thinner to reduce the firmness of the tomato slice. Accompanying sauce was good but the pimiento cheese between the slices was a little lost. Might be nice to add that as a spread. I ordered the Mahi Mahi special on rice surrounded by a sauce. The Mahi Mahi was perfectly seared and a nice, fresh cut of fish. The sauce was a little over curried for the amount on the plate. Very hot and spicy. It perfectly matched the dish but the amount of it was a little overwhelming. The fish was really king of the dish. We started out with the red blend wine feature, The Walking Fool, which passed the taste test but grew increasingly too sweet as the petite syrah in it took over. I switched over to a cab, Crios, which was a bolder wine that better matched the stronger flavors in my entree. First time back at Mr. Friendly's in a while. We will be back!

18+ year Columbia resident, finally decided to try this hidden gem about 4 visits ago this year alone... Yes, it can be packed. Yes, you might wait for a table at peak hours. Yes, you can eat outside or at the bar. Yes, the food is ABSOLUTELY worth the wait. Yes, your might well have visceral dreams of visiting again. Food service and drink service are and have been on point and unique. I will gladly take a cocktail at the bar to taste their rolling menu of goodness, but I'm just as happy to wait for table service too. Friendly staff, great food.

The food was great. The inside ambiance looked nice ... from the hostess stand. However , a suggestion moving forward - if the server acknowledges that this is suppose to be fine dining - including fine dining price , I do not believe that you should use a two top metal table up against the glass , outside - that wobbles. In my opinion , this table should be for a sit and wait until your table is ready. Ambiance is a large part of "fine dining." And when you receive a check for almost $200 and you feel a lackluster experience it hits the wallet with some frustrations.

Awesome food service and atmosphere. A Columbia must go to. Friends from out of town loved it too

This is one of the best restaurants in town! Service was great! Went for lunch and it was excellent! Had their fried chicken which was boneless breast. Their fried flounder was outstanding! Ambiance was good for lunch. I highly recommend them for lunch and dinner!!

Tried the shrimp & grits and the blackened chicken sandwhich. Not bad, but nothing special. Tater tots were nice and crispy.

Always good! Always good! Did I say "always?" Rarely here for lunch. Met a friend to catch up. I had a special, grilled Shrimp Salad. Just perfect. Delicious combination of flavors. Wish I could eat here every day!!

Wonderful food, great management and customer services. Manager is one of the best in Columbia and the food is always fresh, southern and consistent. Cocktails are well done as well.

Was once my favorite restaurant, always looked forward to dining there. The last two times did not care for the menu changes or food preparation. Discovered they have a new chef. I am sure some are happy with the changes, but the restaurant is just not for me anymore.