If you’ve never been, and have only one day in Old Town Rock Hill, SC to check out the food & drink scene, where do you go? Thankfully, we didn’t have to figure it out for ourselves. Visit York County SC set up an exceptional itinerary for our small group.
NOTE: Click gallery images for details in captions.
The Mercantile, 153 E White Street
COFFEE & BREAKFAST BITES
We began with coffee and snacks at The Mercantile’s Jackass Cafe. There’s so much going on in this 10,000 sq ft space, it rated it’s own article.
Elk Ave Tavern, 125 Elk Avenue
LUNCH
After closing down Cibi! Cibi!, their much loved food truck, to open Elk Ave Tavern, owners Anthony Legatie and Hunter Newton have their next hit on their hands.
We didn’t order lunch. Lunch ordered us! Let me take this opportunity to profusely thank the folks at EAT (see what I did there?) for the amazing spread they sent to our tables. Our server was a super friendly beast, handling quantities of food he probably doesn’t handle for two tables.
Takeaways – granted, after only one visit:
- EAT comes off as a neighborhood Tavern in every way. It’s warm, relaxed, and comfortable.
- Their menu is a mix of delicious creative surprises, as well as dishes more like what you’d expect at a tavern.
- Occupancy numbers aren’t huge, so if you want to go, be strategic so you get a table. If you have a group, I’d recommend calling ahead. There are about a dozen seats at the bar. That’s where I’d sit, unless I’m with more than one other person. In that case, a table or booth would be the way to go. I don’t think they take reservations?
- Molly and I both really liked the Smoked Pork Belly Skewers. I also loved the presentation, flavors, and textures in the Golden Beet & Burrata Salad. Details are in Gallery image captions.
- I was mortified at the potential waste of food. We couldn’t possibly eat all, or even close to all, of the food delivered to our tables. Luckily, one of the people at our table runs a non-profit and was encouraged by our server, so boxed up as much of the leftover food as possible to share with those in need.
Rock Hill Coffee Shop & Roasters, 139 E Main Street
DESSERT & SERIOUS COFFEE
Bryan Boan, owner of Rock Hill Coffee shop and roasters, is a force of nature – especially when talking about coffee and his business. He’s passionate about “coffee culture” and “community”. He talked about single origin, blends, and sourcing beans. While you’re at the shop, get your coffee of choice, pick up a pastry, or tea if you’re in the mood.
A few interesting Bryan Boan quotes:
- “Think bigger. Not in numbers, but in impact.”
- “I don’t want a hundred stores. I want three stores.”
- “I want to have a farm in Uganda where I’ll work with the people there, growing coffee, bringing health care, and education to the farm families”.
Sleeping Giant Distillery, 122 Southern Street
TOUR & RUM TASTING
One of the most delicious things I tasted on this Crawl was Sleeping Giant Distillery’s Lemongrass & Vanilla Rum Liqueur. Oh my gosh, it’s so smooth and tasty. My only regret is not bringing a bottle home with me. It’s only available at the distillery and surrounding ABC stores.
York County’s first legal distillery since the days of prohibition, I got all caught up in the name when I saw the very “compact” building they’re in. Giant’s in the name, but not in the building. But . . . with my predicted success, they’ll probably end up in a giant building. Brothers William and Patrick founded the micro-distillery, and named it after a game they always played.
Stop in for tastes at the front counter. The business end, distillery tanks, kegs, etc., are in the back. They’re hoping to have a couple small tables with chairs out front in nicer weather.
Elsie’s at Kounter, 135 E main Street
COCKTAILS & TASTING
Elsie’s is a tucked away jewel of a speakeasy across a hallway from Kounter restaurant, both created by Chef Robert Masone. You have to say the current password, found on their social media, at a front counter. If you have it right, a button is pushed unlocking the door to the secret entrance.
There are plenty of creative, tasty dishes on the limited menu: snacks, charcuterie, and desserts. I’m guessing from the looks of the bar and watching the bartenders, I’m guessing they can whip up pretty much what ever you want in the way of a drink. They refer to what they do as “building” cocktails, as opposed to “making” them.
Bottom line, it’s a cozy, bougie, sexy, private-feeling space that has rules intended to maintain all that. Things like, put your phone on silent and no taking calls. Here’s an Elsie’s article I published back in December, 2024 that has more details.
GALLERY: Long tap to brighten. Tap to enlarge.
