Big Bone Take Out in Columbia — Fried Chicken and Sides Worth the Drive

What Big Bone Take Out serves and where to find it

Big Bone Take Out is a counter-service soul food spot in Columbia that specializes in fried chicken, ribs, and traditional sides. You order at the counter, pay, and pick up your food — no table service, no frills. The restaurant sits on a busy street in a working neighborhood, and the parking lot fills up during lunch and dinner rushes, especially on weekends.

The menu centers on fried chicken sold by the piece or in family-size boxes, along with smoked and fried ribs. Sides include mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and candied yams. Prices run lower than sit-down restaurants, which is part of why the place draws a steady crowd of regulars who know what they want and move through quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Big Bone Take Out is a counter-service restaurant where you order and pick up food rather than sit down to eat.
• The menu focuses on fried chicken and ribs with traditional soul food sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and candied yams.
• Parking fills up during lunch and dinner, so arriving before the peak rush (around noon or 5:30 p.m.) means shorter waits.
• The restaurant does not take phone orders, so you must order in person at the counter.

What to order and how portions work

Fried chicken comes as individual pieces — thighs, breasts, wings, and drumsticks — or in family boxes that feed four to six people. The chicken is seasoned and fried to a golden brown, and the skin cracks when you bite into it. Most people order a mix of pieces rather than sticking to one cut.

Ribs are sold by the rack or half-rack and come either smoked or fried. The smoked ribs have a deeper, slower-cooked flavor and pull cleanly from the bone. The fried ribs are crispier on the outside and work well if you prefer texture over smoke.

Sides come in small or large containers. A small is enough for one or two people; a large feeds a family. Collard greens are cooked with meat stock and have a savory depth. Mac and cheese is creamy and rich. Candied yams are sweet and soft. Cornbread is dense and slightly sweet, good for soaking up gravy or sauce.

When to go and what to expect

Lunch rush runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner rush from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you arrive during those windows, expect to wait in line — sometimes 10 to 15 minutes depending on how many people are ahead of you. The line moves steadily because the staff knows the menu cold and most customers order the same things every time.

Off-peak times are mid-afternoon (2 to 4 p.m.) and late evening (after 8 p.m.). You will walk up to an empty counter and order immediately. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and Tuesday through Thursday afternoons are the slowest times overall.

The restaurant is cash-friendly but also takes cards. Bring cash if you want to avoid any payment friction, though the card reader works fine most days.

How Big Bone Take Out fits into Columbia's soul food scene

Columbia has several soul food restaurants, but they fall into two camps: sit-down places with table service and full menus, and counter spots like Big Bone that focus on one or two things and do them well. Big Bone belongs to the second group — it is the kind of place people go when they want fried chicken or ribs without ceremony, and they want it fast.

The restaurant has been in the same location for years and draws a mix of longtime regulars, families picking up dinner, and people passing through Columbia who heard about it from locals. It is not a destination restaurant with a big online presence or a chef with a following — it is a neighborhood place that does its job and lets the food speak.

Parking and location details

Big Bone Take Out sits on a commercial street with street parking and a small lot. The lot has maybe 10 to 12 spaces, and during busy times all of them fill. Street parking is available but can be tight depending on the time of day and what else is happening nearby.

The storefront is modest — a simple sign, large windows, and a door that opens directly into the ordering area. There is no waiting room or seating inside. Some people stand outside while they wait; others sit in their cars. On warm days, the line sometimes spills onto the sidewalk.

What to bring and how to eat it

Big Bone packs food in cardboard boxes and paper containers. Chicken comes in a box lined with paper. Sides come in clear plastic or paper containers with lids. They give you napkins, but not many — bring extra if you are eating in your car or at home. The food stays warm for 20 to 30 minutes after you pick it up.

If you are eating at home, transfer the chicken to a plate and reheat it in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes if it has cooled. Sides reheat well in the microwave or on the stovetop. The collard greens and mac and cheese taste almost as good cold the next day as they do fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call ahead to order?

No, Big Bone Take Out does not take phone orders. You must order in person at the counter. This is one reason the line moves quickly — the staff is not juggling phone calls and walk-ins at the same time.

Do they have a kids menu?

There is no formal kids menu, but you can order single pieces of chicken or a small side for a child. Most families order a family box of chicken and share sides, which is cheaper than ordering individual meals.

What if I do not eat meat?

The menu is built around chicken and ribs, so vegetarian options are limited. Collard greens, mac and cheese, candied yams, and cornbread are all meat-free, but they are usually cooked with meat stock or lard for flavor. Ask the staff if any sides are prepared without meat.

Is the food spicy?

The fried chicken and ribs are seasoned but not hot. If you want heat, ask if they have hot sauce at the counter — most places do, though Big Bone does not always advertise it. The collard greens have a savory bite but are not spicy.

How much does a family box cost?

Prices vary depending on what you order and the size of the box, but a family box of chicken with two or three sides typically runs between $25 and $40. Individual pieces and smaller portions cost less. Prices change, so ask the staff for current pricing when you order.