Grooby's Too: A Sandwich and Soul Food Institution in Columbia

What Grooby's Too serves and where to find it

Grooby's Too is a deli and soul food restaurant on Main Street in downtown Columbia that has been serving the Midlands since 1985. The menu centers on sandwiches—thick-cut roast beef, turkey, and ham on fresh bread—alongside traditional Southern plates like fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread. The space itself is modest and straightforward: a counter where you order, a handful of tables, and the kind of no-frills atmosphere that signals the food matters more than the décor.

The restaurant sits in the heart of Columbia's historic downtown district, making it accessible whether you're working nearby, visiting the State House, or exploring the Five Points neighborhood. Parking is street-level along Main Street or in nearby lots. Hours tend toward lunch and early dinner rather than late night, so plan accordingly if you're coming after 6 p.m.

Key Takeaways

• Grooby's Too specializes in hand-built sandwiches and soul food plates that reflect Columbia's African American culinary tradition.
• The restaurant has operated continuously since 1985 and remains a gathering place for downtown workers, longtime residents, and visitors seeking authentic local food.
• Portions are generous and prices are moderate, making it a practical choice for lunch or an early dinner.
• The space is casual and counter-service oriented, so expect to order at the register and find your own seat.

The sandwich menu and what makes it distinctive

The sandwiches at Grooby's Too are built to order on soft white or wheat bread, with meat sliced fresh rather than pre-packaged. A standard roast beef or turkey sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, and you can add cheese, bacon, or hot peppers without much fuss. The roast beef is the signature item—tender, well-seasoned, and piled high enough that the sandwich requires both hands to eat.

What sets these sandwiches apart from chain delis is the attention to the bread itself and the proportion of meat to everything else. The bread is soft enough to bite through without tearing, sturdy enough not to fall apart, and the meat-to-bread ratio skews toward meat. This is not a vegetable-forward sandwich; it is a meat sandwich with vegetables as support.

Soul food plates and sides

Beyond sandwiches, Grooby's Too serves traditional soul food plates that change slightly day to day depending on what the kitchen has prepared. Fried chicken comes golden and crispy, collard greens are cooked low and slow with seasoning, mac and cheese is creamy and rich, and cornbread is sweet and buttery. These are not health-conscious versions; they are the full-flavored originals that have anchored African American cooking in the South for generations.

Sides are ordered separately, so you can build a plate to your preference. A typical lunch might be fried chicken with collards and cornbread, or a sandwich with a side of mac and cheese. Portions are large enough that many people take leftovers home.

The role of Grooby's Too in Columbia's food culture

Grooby's Too is part of Columbia's African American culinary heritage, a category that includes restaurants, barbecue stands, and family kitchens that have shaped the city's food identity since before the Civil Rights era. The restaurant sits in a neighborhood where that history is visible in the buildings, the street names, and the institutions that have served the community for decades.

For many Columbians, Grooby's Too is not a destination restaurant you plan a trip around; it is a place you go when you want lunch that tastes like home, made by people who know what they are doing. That consistency—same location, same quality, same menu structure—is part of what has kept it open for nearly four decades in a downtown that has changed significantly around it.

Practical information for your visit

Grooby's Too operates as a counter-service restaurant, meaning you order at the register, pay, and then find a seat while your food is prepared. The wait is usually short for sandwiches (five to ten minutes) and slightly longer for hot plates. The dining area is small, so during lunch rush (roughly 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays) you may need to wait for a table or eat standing up.

Cash and card are both accepted. Prices are moderate—sandwiches typically run between $8 and $12, and plates with sides between $10 and $15. The restaurant does not appear to have a website or social media presence, so calling ahead if you have questions about daily specials or hours is the most reliable approach.

Nearby attractions and how to combine your visit

Grooby's Too sits within walking distance of several downtown Columbia landmarks. The South Carolina State House is two blocks away, the Columbia Museum of Art is three blocks north, and the Congaree River boardwalk is a short walk south. If you are visiting downtown for any reason—work, shopping, a museum visit—Grooby's Too is a natural lunch stop that does not require a reservation or a long wait.

The Five Points neighborhood, known for independent shops and galleries, is also nearby. Many people combine a Grooby's Too lunch with browsing the vintage stores, bookshops, and coffee roasters that line the surrounding streets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

No. Grooby's Too operates on a walk-in, counter-service basis. During lunch rush on weekdays you may wait a few minutes for a table, but reservations are not taken or needed.

Can I order ahead or get delivery?

The restaurant does not appear to offer online ordering or delivery through third-party apps. Calling ahead to ask about your options is the best approach if you want to confirm current policies.

What are the hours?

Hours vary, but Grooby's Too typically operates during lunch and early dinner on weekdays and may have limited or no weekend hours. Calling ahead is recommended to confirm the day you plan to visit.

Is there parking?

Street parking is available along Main Street, and several public lots are within a short walk. Downtown parking is generally easy to find outside of peak business hours.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

The menu is meat and soul-food focused, so vegetarian options are limited. The kitchen staff can discuss what is available on any given day if you ask at the counter.