A Look at the International Cuisine of Spartanburg
Friday, January 03, 2020
Spartanburg’s food options reflect its status as a growing, diverse, and global community. With more than 75 countries represented by more than 100 international businesses countywide, authentic flavors from all over the globe can be found around Spartanburg County.
Mexican
Burrito Hub
Burrito Hub is Spartanburg’s local version of Chipotle or Moe’s, featuring fast-casual (and delicious) Mexican food that serves up the classics – burritos, tacos, quesadillas and nachos – all made with fresh ingredients. Specialty guacamole, one with mango and cucumber and the other with pork and cheese, have become signature appetizers at Burrito Hub.
Mezcal Taberna Mexicana
Mezcal celebrates traditional Mexican food by featuring tapas made with traditional Mexican ingredients and an upscale, modern technique. Serving lunch and dinner, Mezcal’s menu includes distinctly flavorful salads, tortas (Mexican sandwiches), and tapas-sized taco with smoked brisket, pork-belly carnitas, ahi tuna or roasted chicken.
El Chile Rojo
Along Downtown Landrum’s main drag – Rutherford Street – El Chile Rojo is a classic Mexican restaurant serving up the favorites. El Chile Rojo is a popular gathering space in Landrum thanks to their menu and specialty drinks.
Mr. Jalapeno
While we’re talking about popular Mexican restaurants in emerging towns in Spartanburg County, we have to mention Woodruff’s Mr. Jalapeno. The centerpiece of a shopping strip brought to life by a local family, Mr. Jalapeno benefits from its proximity to the locally-owned Country Meat Center.
Holy Molli
New to the scene in Spartanburg is Holy Molli, with food from northwest Mexico made with fresh ingredients featured on a rotating basis. Classic Mexican faire meets nontraditional style on the menu, featuring things like Mexican flavor-inspired sushi rolls.
Asian
Soulisa’s Fine Thai Dining
Soulisa’s brings together Thai and Japanese flavors in historic Downtown Landrum. With a plethora of soups and appetizers, Soulisa’s offers red, yellow, and green curry sure to satisfy any spice fans, and Thai noodle dishes, fried rice and other entrees bringing out traditional Thai flavors. You can also find Japanese favorites like teriyaki and hibachi style proteins with veggies and rice, and an entire portion of the menu dedicated to vegan diets specifically.
Thai Taste
Just outside the City of Spartanburg, Thai Taste has become a popular lunch spot with many thanks to their abundant fried rice varieties, noodle soups, and other Thai dining specialties. And don’t worry, there are non-spicy options if you have a sensitive tongue.
Pokenori
Hawaiian-style poke is brought to Spartanburg at Pokenori, with poke bowls and sushi burrito options filling the menu. Poke – with clean, fresh ingredients, features sustainable raw fish, or chicken, along with a plethora of freshly-cut vegetables, toppings and sauces that come together to form a fresh, flavorful dish that’s hard to compare to anything else.
Lemongrass Kitchen
Downtown Spartanburg’s Lemongrass Kitchen focuses on classic Vietnamese noodle dishes like pho, and the popular street food, the Banh Mi sandwich. Served on a French baguette, the Banh Mi features a variety of proteins and vegetables, typically including jalapenos, pickled carrots and daikon radish, and cilantro.
Miyako Sushi Group
Miyako Sushi Group brings fresh, clean flavors to the table at its Downtown Spartanburg restaurant. A downtown staple for years, Miyako brought its unique sushi rolls to a new, bigger space on Magnolia Street, helping anchor a new dining corridor downtown.
ITALIAN
Sidewall Pizza Co.
Inside the historic Montgomery Building, Sidewall Pizza unites craft pies with funky vibes that’ll satisfy any pizza craving.
Renato In Centro
Renato’s (as it’s commonly known) is a date-night favorite, but its elegant ambiance, attentive service, and upscale Italian fare feel like a lunch or dinner reward any old day. Time-tested classic Italian recipes like spaghetti carbonara, veal saltimbocca, eggplant parmigiana, and margherita pizza earn consistent raves.
EUROPEAN
Delaney’s
While Delaney’s Irish Pub is maybe most popular for their drinks, don’t sleep on the classic English and Irish food they’re serving up. Classics like Shepherd’s Pie, corned beef and cabbage, and bangers and mash can be found on their menu all year long.
Gerhard’s Café
Gerhard’s serves up European-American classics, specifically some German cuisine along with specialty pizzas. Opened in 1993, the café brings German and Austrian dishes like wiener schnitzel, roasted pork and more to hungry Spartanburg diners.
The Crepe Factory
Locally owned and operated, The Crepe Factory brings the French classic it’s named for together with local ingredients, offering sweet and savory crepes sure to appease any palette. Inside a historic building from the early 1900s, The Crepe Factory is a popular spot to start spring and summer mornings when the temperature is just right.