Some of the best meals in South Carolina come from places you would drive right past without a second look. A plain storefront, a short line at the counter, and a paper bag handed over with a smile can hide food that sticks in your memory for weeks.
This is the story of one of those spots, where the shrimp are big, the garlic sauce has real heat, and most people carry their dinner home. If you love seafood and a good surprise, keep reading.
A Strip-Mall Seafood Counter on Garners Ferry Road
Tucked into a row of shops at 8006 Garners Ferry Rd, Suite C, in Columbia, sits a seafood joint that never tries to look fancy. Seafood and More Garners Ferry is a modest, counter-serve eatery, and that simplicity is part of its charm.
The menu leans on baked and fried seafood, plus shrimp and crawfish, with boils and platters filling out the board. You walk in, check the menu, order at the counter, and wait for your name to be called.
Located on the southeast side of the city, it works well for locals heading home from work and visitors passing through town. One couple even picked it off a map without knowing a thing about it, then promised to return.
That kind of happy accident seems to happen here a lot, and it sets the tone for everything else about this low-key spot.
How a Quiet Shop Became a Local Secret
Ask around Columbia and someone may call this place the best kept secret in town. That nickname fits a restaurant with no flashy marketing and a whole lot of word-of-mouth.
Guests describe it as small but fast-paced, and many say it is always packed. A crowd at a tiny counter usually means the kitchen is doing something right, and regulars treat that steady buzz as proof.
Out-of-towners have found it too. One group visiting for a friend’s graduation from basic training came because the spot was highly recommended, and all twelve of them ordered something different.
Others stopped in for dinner, loved it, and came back the very next day for lunch before leaving town.
Stories like these explain how a humble shop builds a loyal following. Nobody needs a billboard when happy customers keep sending friends through the door.
Spicy Garlic Shrimp, the Dish Everyone Mentions
Big, fresh shrimp swimming in a fiery garlic sauce. That is the order people talk about most, and it is easy to see why.
Diners call the spicy shrimp incredibly flavorful, and one fan ate it in the dining room one day and ordered it to go the next. Another visitor admitted wanting to buy a bottle of the sauce to take home.
That is serious devotion.
Here is a handy tip from regulars: pair it with white rice. One table expected the Cajun rice to match, but found that plain rice made the sauce pop even brighter.
Heat lovers will be happy, though there is a catch for milder palates. The kitchen does not offer a non-spicy version of the garlic shrimp spaghetti, so staff may steer you toward something gentler, such as shrimp Alfredo.
Know your spice limit before you order.
Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti and Other Pasta Plates
Pasta at a seafood counter? It sounds unexpected, but the Spicy Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti has quietly earned its own fan club.
A caller who phoned in a lunch order said the pasta had just the right amount of spice and flavor. The shrimp portion on top was described as perfect, generous without drowning the noodles.
One traveler liked the Spicy Garlic Shrimp dinner so much that he came back for the spaghetti version the following day. That says plenty about how well the sauce works on more than one base.
For anyone who cannot handle the heat, shrimp Alfredo is an option that staff have suggested as a creamier swap. It gives you the same plump shrimp in a gentler setting.
Pasta plates also travel well, making them a smart pick for a takeout lunch at the office or a cozy night in.
Crab Legs and the Low Country Boil
Crab legs show up in conversation even more often than the famous shrimp. When a platter arrives, you understand the hype.
One guest ordered the two-cluster crab legs and shrimp platter and found it came loaded with potatoes, eggs, sausage, and corn. Everything was described as nicely seasoned and cooked just right.
The spicy Cajun garlic butter sauce tied it all together.
The low country boil gets praise too. A diner said it smelled and tasted amazing, and service was quick and easy.
Fun fact: a low country boil is a coastal Carolina tradition, usually built from shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage cooked together in one big pot.
Plan for a little mess and plenty of napkins. Cracking crab and peeling shrimp is half the fun, and these platters are made for slow, happy eating, whether at home or at a small table inside.
Fried Catfish, Flounder, and Golden Fish Platters
Southern fried fish is serious business, and this kitchen treats it that way. Catfish and flounder both come up often among regulars.
A catfish and shrimp combo was so big that one diner could not finish it. Picture a mound of fries, hush puppies, shrimp, and two large catfish fillets, all cooked just right instead of overdone.
Other guests praise the perfect cook and seasoning on the fish. Tilapia can be ordered grilled or breaded, and one visitor tried both styles across two meals.
Their advice? Try the tartar sauce.
Fried oysters earn compliments for being cooked properly, not rubbery or overcooked like at some places. Snapper has fans as well.
Leftovers are part of the deal with portions this size. One person even reported the fish and fries came back to life nicely in an air fryer the next day.
Hush Puppies, Fries, and Old Bay Corn
Great sides can turn a good seafood plate into a memorable one. Here, the extras get almost as much attention as the main event.
Hush puppies are among the most talked-about items on the menu. These little fried cornmeal bites are a Southern staple, and they come stacked alongside many platters.
Fries earn love for their golden crisp. Corn on the cob gets a sprinkle of Old Bay flavoring, and one diner felt it was worth the small upcharge.
Crab cakes are another tasty option, though one guest suggested asking for them without the lettuce bed underneath, since the greens affected the flavor a bit.
Rice lovers can choose between white and Cajun versions. Coleslaw is available too.
Mix and match sides to round out your meal, and do not be shy about ordering an extra basket of hush puppies for the ride home.
Peach Lemonade and Homemade Sweet Tea
Get the lemonade. That short, confident advice from one happy customer sums up a drink menu that punches above its weight.
Freshly squeezed lemonade comes in fun flavors, with peach getting frequent mentions. One diner blended strawberry and peach and called it refreshing and delicious, a cool partner for spicy seafood.
Homemade sweet tea is the other star. Guests describe it as perfectly prepared, which is high praise in a state that takes its sweet tea very seriously.
Fair warning for budget watchers: one visitor noted the lemonade costs $5.99, which felt steep to them. Most people seem to think the flavor makes up for it, but it is good to know before you order for the whole family.
Either drink helps tame the heat from that garlic sauce, so grabbing one alongside the shrimp is a smart move.
Friendly Faces Behind the Counter
Warm greetings, patient answers, and a smile at the register. Many guests say the people here are just as memorable as the food.
Visitors describe staff who make great recommendations, double-check orders, and hand over condiments before you even ask. One diner with several food allergies said the woman at the counter spoke with the cook, and the kitchen prepared a special meal to fit every need.
A recent guest called the lady taking orders a doll and a gem. Others mention staff who are always patient and kind.
To be fair, experiences are not identical every time. One couple felt they were not greeted and that service seemed rushed and a bit cold.
Still, the large majority of comments paint a picture of genuine hospitality.
Small places live on personal touches, and this crew clearly puts in that effort most days.
Small Dining Room, Big Takeout Culture
Most customers grab a bag and go. That is simply how this place runs, and it works well.
A few tables sit inside for those who want to eat on the spot, and guests describe the space as small and quaint yet homey. Some call the decor whimsical, while others say it is a bit sparse.
One diner put it plainly: they came for seafood, not for the walls.
Tables can feel close together during busy times, so takeout may be more comfortable if you want elbow room.
A sweet community touch stands out too. A local entrepreneur has been allowed to sell handmade jewelry inside the restaurant, giving the room a neighborly feel.
Cleanliness comes up again and again. Many visitors note the place is always clean and well kept, which matters a lot in a busy seafood kitchen.
Who Will Love a Meal Here
Spice fans, crab crackers, and anyone craving a no-fuss fried fish dinner will feel right at home. Seafood lovers seem to be the main audience, and the menu covers plenty of ground.
Families and groups do well here. A party of twelve visiting from out of town said everyone loved their meal, even though nobody ordered the same thing.
Busy workers appreciate the quick service and easy online ordering for pickup. One guest called the process really easy and smooth.
Travelers passing through Columbia might find it a worthy detour, especially those who want local flavor without a dress code.
Picky about atmosphere? This might not be your romantic date night.
Folks who care more about what is on the plate than the decor, though, will likely leave happy and maybe already planning their next order.
Hours, Prices, and Ordering Tips
Planning ahead makes a visit smoother. Doors open at 11 AM every day of the week.
Closing time is 8 PM Saturday through Thursday, with Friday running a bit later until 9 PM. That extra hour makes Friday a handy night for a late seafood fix.
Call-in orders are welcome at 803-814-2899, and online ordering for pickup is available through garnersferryseafood.com. Since the shop is often packed, ordering ahead can save time.
Prices are generally seen as reasonable. One table reported that fish, spicy garlic shrimp, two drinks, tax, and tip came to about $45, which fed three people.
Others felt some items ran a little pricey, so expectations may vary.
Quality has not been perfect for everyone, as a few guests reported off meals. Checking your order and eating it hot is always a wise habit with seafood.
Worth the Stop on Garners Ferry
Sometimes the most satisfying meals come in a foam box. Seafood and More Garners Ferry proves that point with style, even if the room itself stays humble.
Spicy garlic shrimp leads the way, with crab legs, boils, fried fish, and crispy hush puppies right behind. Lemonade and sweet tea round things out nicely.
Service gets mostly warm marks, the space stays tidy, and portions often stretch into a second meal. A few bumps exist, as with any busy kitchen, but most guests walk away grinning and planning a return.
So next time you are cruising along Garners Ferry Road and your stomach starts talking, pull over. Order the shrimp, ask for white rice, and grab a peach lemonade.
You may just find your new favorite secret in Columbia, tucked into a plain little strip mall.
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