The Food Section

If you think Michael's already reviewed Joyful Cafe, you're right--except the restaurant's relocated since he last assessed it. Listen to what he thinks of the destination restaurant at its new address.Joyful Café: 245 White Pond Rd., Williston, South Carolina, 803-770-2321, joyfulcafe.bizMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Feeling flush? Probably not--but if you can afford a meal at Abel Brown, Michael says the leader of Augusta's fine dining scene provides a guaranteed luxurious evening out.Abel Brown Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar:491 Highland Ave., Augusta, Georgia, 706-738-6491, abelbrownaugusta.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

This week, Michael reflects on how Buffalo-style wings weren't always a thing--but its rendition at an Aiken bar goes to show how standard the preparation has become.WingPlace: 732 East Pine Log Road, Aiken, SouthCarolina, 803-644-7777, wing-place.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

This week, Michael found plenty to chew on at Hammonds Ferry Larder, an all-day bistro in North Augusta--but he found several dishes to recommend, too.Hammonds Ferry Larder: 89 Crystal Lake Dr., North Augusta, South Carolina. 803-599-5149, hflarder.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Michael tells us that emperador means swordfish, but he found that's one of the few items not served by an ambitious Aiken restaurant that has seemingly every familiar Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mexican dish on its menu.Emperador Asian Mex: 2645 Whiskey Road, Aiken, South Carolina, 803-843-6494, emperadorasianmexsc.comMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

Everybody needs a goal in life. For Mertis Outlaw, it involves sweeping canned chili into history's dustbin. According to Michael, the chili he serves at his hot dog truck makes a compelling case for eaters to grab their brooms.Outlaw Dog’s, no permanent address, no published phone number. Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to share an audio postcard from The Food Section's signature event, Spirited Brunch, a free and self-guided snack tour of downtown Charleston's prayerful spaces. This dispatch was recorded on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

If you blink, you might miss Cafe 209 on Broad Street in Augusta, Georgia--but that would mean missing out on one of the city's outstanding meat-and-twos.Café 209: 566 Broad St., Augusta, Georgia, 706-722-9692, cafe-209.res-menu.netMichael's reviews are published by The Food Section,a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠