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Shiloh To Go: Takeout Burgers and Sandwiches in Columbia

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What Shiloh To Go serves and where to find it

Shiloh To Go is a carryout burger stand in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, operating from a small storefront on Harden Street. The menu centers on hand-formed burgers, hot sandwiches, and sides—the kind of place where you order at the counter, wait a few minutes, and leave with a paper bag. It's been a neighborhood fixture for decades, known for consistent quality and portion size rather than novelty.

The restaurant does not have a dining room. Everything is packaged for takeout or delivery through third-party apps. Parking is street parking along Harden Street or in nearby lots; the location is walkable from the surrounding residential blocks and close to the University of South Carolina campus.

Key Takeaways

  • Shiloh To Go serves hand-formed burgers, hot sandwiches, and sides from a counter-service location on Harden Street in Five Points.
  • The restaurant operates takeout only—there is no dining room, but you can order at the counter or through delivery apps.
  • Burgers come in single and double sizes, and you can customize toppings at the time of order.
  • The menu also includes fried chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and classic sides like fries and onion rings.
  • Hours and current pricing are best confirmed by calling ahead or checking the restaurant's social media, as both change seasonally.

The burger menu and customization options

Shiloh To Go makes burgers to order, which means the patties are formed and cooked after you order rather than sitting under heat lamps. You choose between a single or double burger, then add toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, ketchup, mayo, and cheese are standard. The restaurant also offers bacon and grilled onions for an additional charge.

The beef is not advertised as grass-fed or locally sourced, and the burgers are straightforward—no house-made special sauce or elaborate presentations. That simplicity is part of the appeal for regulars who have been ordering the same burger for years. If you want something beyond the basic burger, the menu includes a cheeseburger (cheese added to the patty), and you can request variations like a burger with bacon or double cheese.

Hot sandwiches and other menu items

Beyond burgers, Shiloh To Go serves fried chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and fish sandwiches depending on the day. The chicken sandwich is a fried breast on a bun with your choice of toppings. Hot dogs come plain or with chili and cheese. These items are cooked to order in the same kitchen as the burgers, so wait times can vary depending on how busy the counter is.

Sides include hand-cut fries, onion rings, and sometimes hushpuppies or coleslaw. Drinks are bottled or fountain sodas. The restaurant does not serve alcohol. Dessert is not on the menu.

Hours, pricing, and how to order

Shiloh To Go is typically open for lunch and dinner on weekdays and weekends, though hours can shift with the seasons and staffing. The best way to confirm current hours is to call the restaurant directly or check their social media pages, as posted hours on third-party apps sometimes lag behind actual changes.

Pricing is moderate—a single burger usually costs less than ten dollars, and a double burger with fries and a drink will run you between twelve and sixteen dollars depending on what you add. Exact prices change, so calling ahead or checking the menu online before you go removes the guesswork. The restaurant accepts cash and card payments.

Parking and neighborhood context

Shiloh To Go sits on Harden Street in Five Points, a neighborhood of older homes, small shops, and student housing near the University of South Carolina. Street parking is available along Harden Street and nearby side streets, though it can fill up during lunch and dinner rushes. The walk from campus is about ten minutes depending on where you start.

Five Points has other restaurants, coffee shops, and bars within a few blocks, so you could combine a trip to Shiloh with other errands in the neighborhood. The area has a casual, established feel—not trendy, but reliable and well-used by locals.

What to expect when you visit

Shiloh To Go operates as a counter-service restaurant with a short line most days. You order at the window or counter, pay, and wait while your burger is cooked. During peak lunch and dinner hours, the wait can be ten to fifteen minutes. Off-peak times are faster. The staff is accustomed to customization requests and will ask you how you want your burger prepared.

The restaurant is small and does not have seating, so plan to take your food elsewhere—home, a nearby park, or back to your dorm or office. The packaging keeps food warm for a short drive, but it's not designed for a long wait. If you're ordering for a group, call ahead so the kitchen can prepare multiple burgers at once rather than one at a time.

Delivery and third-party apps

Shiloh To Go appears on delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, which means you can order from home and have food delivered to your address. Delivery fees and wait times vary by app and time of day. Ordering directly at the restaurant is usually faster and cheaper than using an app, but delivery is an option if you cannot pick up in person.

When ordering through an app, check the estimated delivery time and add it to the restaurant's cooking time—a burger that takes ten minutes to cook will take longer to reach you if the driver is busy. During peak hours, delivery can take thirty minutes or more from the time you place the order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order ahead by phone?

Yes. Calling ahead is a good idea during lunch and dinner rushes, especially if you're ordering for multiple people. The restaurant will start your order when you call and have it ready when you arrive, cutting your wait time significantly.

Do you have vegetarian burger options?

The menu is built around beef burgers and meat sandwiches. If you eat vegetarian, you could order a cheese sandwich or ask if the kitchen can prepare something off-menu, but Shiloh To Go is not set up as a vegetarian-focused restaurant.

Is the restaurant open late?

Hours vary by season and day of the week. Call or check social media to confirm whether Shiloh To Go is open at the time you want to visit, especially on weekends or holidays when hours sometimes change.

What's the difference between ordering at the counter and using a delivery app?

Ordering at the counter is faster and cheaper because you avoid delivery fees and the app's markup on menu prices. Delivery apps are useful if you cannot leave your location, but expect to pay more and wait longer than if you picked up in person.

Can I get a burger cooked a certain way?

You can request toppings and customizations when you order. If you want your burger cooked to a specific temperature (rare, medium, well-done), ask the staff when you order—they will do their best to accommodate, though a small burger stand may not have the same precision as a full-service restaurant.