Steve Cook on Columbia South Carolina’s Food Scene: New Restaurants, Cafe Strudel & Oyster Bars

In this episode of the Soda Citizen Podcast, hosts Brad Allen and Mary Lane Sloan sit down with Steve Cook, Columbia’s 2025 Restauranteur of the Year and owner of multiple beloved local eateries.Steve shares his journey from opening Saluda’s to building a larger restaurant group, acquiring Cafe Strudel, and rebranding Il Bucato as State Pizza. He also gives an insider look at Slip 53, a historic oyster bar coming to Five Points, and discusses what makes Columbia South Carolina’s food scene unique and full of opportunities.Tune in as they cover:Why Columbia’s foodie scene is on the riseNew and upcoming restaurant openingsChallenges and rewards of running multiple restaurantsWhat Columbia still needs for its culinary landscapeWhether you’re a local foodie, a restaurant entrepreneur, or just curious about the Columbia SC dining scene, this episode is packed with insights and stories you won’t want to miss.Check out Steve Cook's restaurants: https://www.saludas.com/https://thestatepizza.com/https://www.emberlexington.com/https://www.arroyofivepoints.com/https://cafestrudel.com/