My family and I are out of towners we were on a college tour weekend. We were late getting into Columbia and wanted a good dinner. The reviews led us to Mr. Friendly's. It was a Saturday night, and we had no reservations, but were there late and so there was a table available. The experience started with the helpful woman at valet. She was so friendly and accommodating. She recommended the fried green tomatoes, which were great. The appetizers and mains were excellent, but the sides of creamy grits and greens were the best I've had. They also had a great beer and wine selection and excellent pricing. Definitely a satisfying experience, and I would go back again anytime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Torwah Noah
I had a wonderful experience at a casual dining spot in Columbia. The food was exceptional, and the old-fashioned drink I ordered was a perfect 10/10. The waiter was attentive and made sure that we had everything we needed throughout the meal. Additionally, the restaurant was spacious, and it was easy to make a reservation. Overall, I feel like this is an underrated gem in Columbia that more people should know about.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rodney Etheridge
Decided to try something new. SW this place had great reviews. So we headed on over. Luckily we went during the week and early in the evening. They usual require reservations.. because they get crowded. But we went in and were seated right away. The waitress was very good and pleasant forgot her name it was unusual and different though. She went over menu with us brought water out immediately for table. We ordered some appetizers amd sald. I had a half and half(Arnold palmer) with peach tea.. omg it was delicious. I ended up getting a special they had that night. Meatloaf. I personally didn't like the sauce on it. But the meatloaf itself was good. I was offered a new order with out the sauce but I just ate around it on the one I had. But all in al everone enjoyed the food and the atmosphere was decent they had outdoor seating as well. Actually would he a good spot for a date night. But it was a bit pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Chris Schweighart
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Hutson
Quirky atmosphere — in a good way. Food was outstanding and the service on point.Portions a bit small given the price but overall still 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian Hunt
Arguably the best restaurant in Columbia. No gimmicks, claims and over priced food. ALWAYS great service, ALWAYS great food and ALWAYS a fair price. We’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember. Never a bad experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast
David Danner
Stopped here because I was meeting a client for lunch, and rating was great.Very nice servers & the meal was top notch. Started with the lobster tomato soup, and on to the chicken stack with fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes & some bacon.Excellent food & would set up a meeting with a client here anytime.Wheelchair accessibility: ADA compliant. Easy in & out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill Muse
Awesome food and service! Food and service is always good with Harold and Justin working!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hope Keyes
Not at all what we were expecting when we arrived. Not being from here an hearing a Southern Cafe we were really expecting just a little mom an pop restaurant.The first thing that clued us in was the valet parking. The 2nd was when we walked in an was asked if we had reservations. We did not. But our good luck they had someone that had just canceled. Seated quickly, waitress was prompt. Lots of good things on the menu, was kinda hard to decide. The food itself was divine. My foodie husband just about died with his lobster tomato bisque. When his entree came he was really in heaven, he had the bronzed redfish. I also had the bisque along with the Friendly salad. Both I found really good. Would be back for sure. But now we know that reservations for a Friday evening are a must, an it isn't your little mom an pops country cooking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maria Espinosa
Delicious food and service attention it was pronto.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blackened Shrimp and Grits w Creole Sauce, Blackened Chicken & Grits
Tried the meatloaf and shrimp soup, superb. Price and quantity can be better balanced. Recommend to try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Frank Jervey
We went there for Valentines. It was our first time eating there. The food was fabulous. I had the Mahi and my wife had the flounder, both were excellent. We'll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TOMMY Bryant
Came in on a Friday night (2-24). We did reservations and were seated right on time of it. The service was great. The food was good . I thought the ribeye was much better than the beef ribs. All the food came out in a timely manner and was hot. It's kinda small in the side, and the bathroom is even smaller. With the food being good and I did leave full, I don't think the price reflects the food portion. It's kinda on the higher end in my opinion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sheila Moore
Loved everything! Chocolate martini was delish. Salmon was cooked to perfection. Our server, Lawton, was absolutely on point throughout our entire meal and is surely an asset to the restaurant. We had a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon with Peach Chutney BBQ and Grits
Laura Badinski
I can’t believe no one else takes issue with this restaurant passing on bank charges to its consumers so blatantly on the bill. There is one charge for cash and another for card transactions. What’s next? Are we going to have to pay for your employee benefits? Incorporate that into the price of the
My family and I are out of towners we were on a college tour weekend. We were late getting into Columbia and wanted a good dinner. The reviews led us to Mr. Friendly's. It was a Saturday night, and we had no reservations, but were there late and so there was a table available. The experience started with the helpful woman at valet. She was so friendly and accommodating. She recommended the fried green tomatoes, which were great. The appetizers and mains were excellent, but the sides of creamy grits and greens were the best I've had. They also had a great beer and wine selection and excellent pricing. Definitely a satisfying experience, and I would go back again anytime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a wonderful experience at a casual dining spot in Columbia. The food was exceptional, and the old-fashioned drink I ordered was a perfect 10/10. The waiter was attentive and made sure that we had everything we needed throughout the meal. Additionally, the restaurant was spacious, and it was easy to make a reservation. Overall, I feel like this is an underrated gem in Columbia that more people should know about.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Decided to try something new. SW this place had great reviews. So we headed on over. Luckily we went during the week and early in the evening. They usual require reservations.. because they get crowded. But we went in and were seated right away. The waitress was very good and pleasant forgot her name it was unusual and different though. She went over menu with us brought water out immediately for table. We ordered some appetizers amd sald. I had a half and half(Arnold palmer) with peach tea.. omg it was delicious. I ended up getting a special they had that night. Meatloaf. I personally didn't like the sauce on it. But the meatloaf itself was good. I was offered a new order with out the sauce but I just ate around it on the one I had. But all in al everone enjoyed the food and the atmosphere was decent they had outdoor seating as well. Actually would he a good spot for a date night. But it was a bit pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Quirky atmosphere — in a good way. Food was outstanding and the service on point.Portions a bit small given the price but overall still 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arguably the best restaurant in Columbia. No gimmicks, claims and over priced food. ALWAYS great service, ALWAYS great food and ALWAYS a fair price. We’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember. Never a bad experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast
Stopped here because I was meeting a client for lunch, and rating was great.Very nice servers & the meal was top notch. Started with the lobster tomato soup, and on to the chicken stack with fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes & some bacon.Excellent food & would set up a meeting with a client here anytime.Wheelchair accessibility: ADA compliant. Easy in & out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome food and service! Food and service is always good with Harold and Justin working!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not at all what we were expecting when we arrived. Not being from here an hearing a Southern Cafe we were really expecting just a little mom an pop restaurant.The first thing that clued us in was the valet parking. The 2nd was when we walked in an was asked if we had reservations. We did not. But our good luck they had someone that had just canceled. Seated quickly, waitress was prompt. Lots of good things on the menu, was kinda hard to decide. The food itself was divine. My foodie husband just about died with his lobster tomato bisque. When his entree came he was really in heaven, he had the bronzed redfish. I also had the bisque along with the Friendly salad. Both I found really good. Would be back for sure. But now we know that reservations for a Friday evening are a must, an it isn't your little mom an pops country cooking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food and service attention it was pronto.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blackened Shrimp and Grits w Creole Sauce, Blackened Chicken & Grits
Restaurantji Recommends
Tried the meatloaf and shrimp soup, superb. Price and quantity can be better balanced. Recommend to try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went there for Valentines. It was our first time eating there. The food was fabulous. I had the Mahi and my wife had the flounder, both were excellent. We'll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came in on a Friday night (2-24). We did reservations and were seated right on time of it. The service was great. The food was good . I thought the ribeye was much better than the beef ribs. All the food came out in a timely manner and was hot. It's kinda small in the side, and the bathroom is even smaller. With the food being good and I did leave full, I don't think the price reflects the food portion. It's kinda on the higher end in my opinion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved everything! Chocolate martini was delish. Salmon was cooked to perfection. Our server, Lawton, was absolutely on point throughout our entire meal and is surely an asset to the restaurant. We had a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon with Peach Chutney BBQ and Grits
I can’t believe no one else takes issue with this restaurant passing on bank charges to its consumers so blatantly on the bill. There is one charge for cash and another for card transactions. What’s next? Are we going to have to pay for your employee benefits? Incorporate that into the price of the
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5