Local Fare - Chester SC and Surrounding Area         

Chester, SC is a small country town.  Everyone knows everyone.   It is a "Picture Perfect" town where a lot of movies are filmed.  There was one being filmed on Main Street last week, (Patriotsville). (!st week of September)

Chester is starting to grow.  This is a good thing as far as eateries are concerned.  Most of the small gathering places, (where the locals go), leave me wanting. I'm not saying the food is bad.  It's because they serve "home cooking", and that means common, everyday fare.  It is something that I could make at home for a lot less money...things like grits, cornbread, collard greens, black eyed peas, macaroni and cheese...  Why then go out to eat?  Simply put, eating is Chester's only recreational outlet besides local wrestling, dirt track, Little Theater, and the YMCA.  There isn't much to do in Chester and so people eat. 

The senior citizens hang out at McDonalds, Wal-Mart, or Hardee's, (or any fast food restaurant that serves breakfast).  Everyone meets for breakfast and lunch in Chester.   Most don't open until 11:00 AM for lunch and then close at 2:00 PM.  Wednesdays, most of the businesses and banks close by 1:00 pm.  It is a Southern thing and a tradition in Chester.  Most of the antique shops are only open certain days--mostly Thursday, Friday & Saturday. 

There are some very fine eateries in Chester despite the old-time atmosphere.  Most establishments are not smoke free.  You will find a haze covering the dining room in some who do not have adequate ventilation and where one dining room serves all.  In most of the local hangouts it is like walking back in time to the 1950's.  The decor is....well, for most diners there just isn't any. You will find a few nostalgic photos hung around the room--prom photos, grand openings, special events that warrant remembrance by the locals. 

Most have wood paneling.   Most places are filled with your basic metal and laminate tables and chairs, (well worn from years of use).  There doesn't seem like too much incentive to remodel, as the locals are comfortable in familiar surroundings.  The floor coverings have been there since the place opened years ago. At the Cyclone Restaurant, the floor is tiled in a white mosaic.  I have seen that same mosaic, (except in red), in the restrooms of old gas station quick stops.  This pattern seems to be one that was prevalent when they were built.

The tables will be jammed together in no apparent scheme.  Most dining rooms are crowded and uncomfortable.  The surroundings will be stark and not very exciting.  In some, there are live plants decorating the corners and empty spots around the diner.  The food is often served fast-food style, (you order at the window). However, A waitress or two will be flitting around filling up coffee cups.  In some, she will even take your order.  You will find the local blue collar worker and the farmer there. Just a typical place where you can come as you are and relax. 

Like I said, there are a few diners worth mentioning and I have talked about them on Our Cactus Flower Awards.  Please check them out!  Chester has numerous places to eat.  There is, of course, the McDonalds, KFC, one Chinese buffet, one Chinese take out, and one sit down Chinese restaurant.  The Chinese take out , (The Hong Kong), has the best food of the three!  It is located near the Wal-Mart shopping complex that houses several business.  It is on the corner of Highway 9, (Lancaster Highway), and the By-Pass.

 The Chinese buffet has good food and seems to be a great alternative to the Pizza Hut or Bo Jangles.  There is a Wendy's, a Burger King, A Sonic, and The Captain's Galley, (a very good place to eat dinner if you like seafood).  All of these are on the Bypass.  I read in the local news paper, "The News and Reporter", that McDonalds will be torn down and rebuilt in the same spot with a new design concept being introduced by McDonalds.  We ill miss it while it is being rebuilt because their ice cream cones are the best!

You see, there is going to be a big economic explosion here in the next few years and that means an influx of new people.  I heard that not only is a car manufacturing plant going to move to this area, but a Kenworth truck manufacturing plant will be built nearby.  The York Tech technical college is building a satellite campus in Chester and a couple of other businesses are coming to Chester.    We are even seeing properties that have been sitting empty for years, being snapped up and refurbished.  Chester doesn't have a lot of housing available so investors are working overtime to fill the gap.  It is exciting to see the flurry of activity here as we prepare for the growth.  They are even fixing streets!  Fortunately, this also means we will be getting some new eateries and that can only be a good thing!

Oh, and there is the rumor that the new construction going on next to Bo Jangles is a Taco Bell.  Now that is my kind of  eating!  Unfortunately, I have it by a good source that it is an O'Riley's auto parts store.  Bummer!   How about it, Taco Bell...we need a Taco Bell! Oh, and an Arby's would be good!

 We also have an authentic Mexican restaurant , Los Magueyes, where you can get wonderful food, but the seating leaves a lot to be desired.  There are no tables that seat more than 4 people.  It is difficult to take my daughter and grandkids out to the Mexican restaurant because of that.  The food, is Grande!

As far as "where the locals go..." We have Genes Restaurant, The Cyclone Restaurant, Anna's Arbor, (look for this restaurant on our Cactus Flower Award.  It is the best place to eat in Chester!  There is the Crossroads Restaurant, Currence Family Restaurant, The Golden Wok, (sit-down Chinese), The Panda Garden, (Chinese buffet), Summit Food and Spirits, Patriots Bar & Grill, (If you like to belt down a couple while you eat),  and a newly opened Restaurant that is in the old Bus Station building.  It is T & M's Restaurant.  They have really remodeled the building nicely and serve good food at an affordable price.  And, it is not filled with smoke, (something I detest).

The Summit has been around for a long time, while Patriots is a fairly new establishment.  Patriots has your typical sports bar atmosphere while the Summit is less sporty and more traditional...a lot of the lawyers eat at the Summit since it is just up the street from the Courthouse. 

Now, let me say this.  Most of the locals eat at the local places because they like the food and they enjoy meeting their friends and families there and catching up on the latest gossip. And, there are a lot of places that still foster smoking.  They like their favorite spot just the way it is.  It is a way of life here.  However, I am looking at things from the point of view of a tourist.  We came here almost nine years ago.  We have traveled all over the country and eaten in a lot of different places.  When I spend my time and money to go out and eat, I want more than just food.  I want an experience.  I want ambiance. I want stimulating decor and an opportunity to do something special.  I can cook at home and eat in front of the TV if I wanted "home cooking".  Going out to eat, for me, is a special occasion.  It is a special treat!  It is meant to not only satisfy my hunger, but also my other senses. 

There are few I would recommend to anyone passing through or visiting Chester.  The first one is Anna's Arbor.  It is on Gaston Street, downtown Chester.  It is only open from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the lunch crowd.  It is wonderful food, beautifully decorated surroundings and lots of tables!  It is also non-smoking.

The second place I can recommend is The Captain's Galley.  If you like seafood, this is the place to go.  It is next door to our only motel, The Executive Inn and it is on the By-Pass. 

I will recommend the only authentic Mexican Restaurant here, Los Magueyes,  because the food is fabulous!  They also serve beer and alcohol.  The seating is old style cafe benches and tables, but the food is worth it! 

The Old English Coffee House sits right next to Anna's Arbor.  I haven't been in yet but I hear it is a great place to pick up a cup of Joe.

T & M's Restaurant, newly opened in the old Bus Station building on Church Street, is quiet and clean.  The food is good and the price can't be beat.  I haven't noticed any haze hovering over the tables, which makes for a nice place to sit and visit.  The dining room is large and not crowded.   It is a great place to be if you have a hanker'n for simple fare.

The Hong Kong is the best and this is where I get my take-out....

I would recommend the Panda Garden for a buffet experience.  You can also order from the menu and order take-out.

I think I have just about covered the many eateries in Chester.  Let me count them... I count at least twenty-three within Chester City Proper.  That's a lot of eating for such a small town, though it is the County Seat.

We also have an indoor flea market on the By-Pass in the Chesterville Commons strip mall.  It is down from the IGA and the Dollar store on the corner of Highway 121/72 and the Bypass behind the carwash.  It's called Stoney Creek Flea Market and is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

So, if you ever get on over here in your travels, we have a lot of historic homes and places to visit.  The town is filled with antique stores and quaint buildings. We are just a few minutes from Historic Brattonsville where "The Patriot" was filmed.  Aaron Burr stopped here on his way to prison.  He hopped off his horse and stood on a rock that sits in the center of town, pleading for help from the locals, (which, of course, he didn't get.  Kevin Costner has filmed near here.  Also, a made-for-TV children's movie, "The Ghost in Grandma's House" was filmed smack dab in the middle of Main Street during our Hilarity Festival.  I owned a boutique on Main Street at the time and so I was able to be right in the middle of the activities.  They used the festival as a backdrop to some parts of the movie.   We are in the heart of Civil War country.  There are several Civil War re-enactment sites near by So, don't forget to check out Hilarity, our October fall festival, or Flowers Flowers, our spring festival.  We even have a Christmas parade.  Give us a look! 

C. Bruun