South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, the state’s tourism agency, and the SC Restaurant and Lodging Association unveiled the Palmetto Priority initiative today, aimed at showing the public whether a restaurant is following precautions recommend by the Centers for Disease Control and the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control to limit the the virus’ spread.

The program allows restaurants to voluntarily commit to following key cleaning and safety guidelines and it also calls for restaurateurs to take online courses and to have a limited DHEC food safety inspection.

The Program at a Glance

Restaurants that choose to participate in the program will complete a checklist of operational assurances as outlined in the restaurant reopening guidelines, participate in required free online education, and participate in a DHEC limited-scope food safety inspection.

Restaurants that successfully complete the checklist and sign a commitment to their employees and customers will earn the endorsement of the program.

​The SC Restaurant and Lodging Association will oversee this consumer-driven program by providing patrons with the opportunity to share their experience, both positive and negative, through a short survey. This form will also be used to file a report if a restaurant not honoring its commitment.

You can share your restaurant experience by clicking the button below. 

While it's not the way Ms. Joann Elliott expected to celebrate 50 years of Ball & Que Restaurant, it'll have to do for now.

The famous eatery is marking their half-a-century foothold in Georgetown with commemorative t-shirts, available for purchase at their location.

Cost is $20.00. Call Debi for details at 843-833-4114.

We wish Elliott and her entire family and staff on this huge accomplishment. 

​We thank you for Ball & Que. 

Once restaurants were able to open in South Carolina and allowed to serve customers, people were noticing some of their favorites were remaining shut. Some posted they didn't feel comfortable at the time to open, others posted no updates.

A favorite in the City of Georgetown was quiet and folks here began asking questions.

About Root.

The restaurant is a Simply Amazing Dish of the Month alumnus and a Taste of Georgetown winner, so it was fitting to wonder why they hadn't reopened. 

Well, we have answers. 

The restaurant officially transferred ownership on June 12, 2020. The new owner is a familiar face.

Jimmy Hildebrandt, former Root general manager, begins his journey as owner with an awesome culinary canvas and a stout playbook. 

His energy, enthusiasm and passion was always on display at the eatery, and he represented the previous owner's vision very well. 

Now, he gets his chance to shine.

In a phone call, he said he plans to keep some popular items on the current menu, but wants to revamp it with new dishes and new flavors. 

A reopening date has not been set as of yet, but it will be a grand reopening. 

We'll keep you posted on our Facebook page with updates. 

Congratulations, Jimmy. We know you'll do great. 

Longtime seafood favorite Admiral's Flagship is changing the culinary game with their "Biergarten" menu addition. From looking at the reveal, and some insider communication, folks are going to be super happy with the new choices.

Rest assured, however. The all-you-can-eat crab legs option is still alive. Owners will start that next week. 

For now, take a look at the menu and plan ahead. The pork or chicken schnitzel, peach bbq salmon, sausage platter are sure to be favorites. 

And beer cheese fries? Wow.