Named after a freshwater sunfish and set in a former auto repair garage, this casual-cool joint serves up whole-hog barbecue from its wood-fired outdoor pit as well as hearty Southern specialties like chicken bog, quail legs, and catfish stew. Stick around for nightcap craft cocktails at the popular bar.

What it's known for: The War Mouth offers some of South Carolina's most time-honored dishes: whole-hog barbecue slowly cooked over hardwood embers, Carolina Gold rice, old-fashioned hash, smoked ribs, catfish stew, cornbread, deviled eggs, boiled peanuts and more. The focus on local produce and other farm-fresh ingredients goes into so many dishes on the menu, be it beef, seafood, pork, poultry or a lovely salad. In fine weather, enhance your local dining experience by requesting a table in the open garages for a view of the South Carolina State House.

On North Main in the Cottontown neighborhood, the beloved watering hole serves the classics—whole-hog barbecue, chicken bog with Carolina Gold rice, smoked ribs, and catfish stew, for instance—alongside patrons’ thoughtfully crafted cocktail of choice. Helmed by the chef Rhett Elliott, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu and the son of a Camden, South Carolina, pitmaster, the no-frills eatery is a love letter to the region, and has been praised for its thoughtful cuisine that tastes like home.

When it comes to classic Southern food, The War Mouth is where it’s at. Tucked into the NOMA District, the quirky decor and vibrant cocktails are a perfect spot to brunch in Columbia SC. We recommend either bellying up to the bar where you can chat with bar manager David Adedokun or snagging a table on their dreamy back patio. On the menu you’ll find things like crawfish eggs Benedict, a classic egg sandwich and some seriously good biscuits and gravy.

Named after a type of sunfish in South Carolina, The War Mouth is one of the most creative restaurants in Columbia. Chef Harold Pendleton uses downhome Southern ingredients (think pig ears, cheese straws, and pickled okra) to create delicious plates with a gourmet flair. A French-Canadian by birth, Pendelton has lived in South Carolina for most of his life, and his menu blends elements of both celebrated culinary traditions.

Chef Rhett Elliott told me that his favorite hashes growing up were from Sweatman’s in Holly Hill and Ward’s in Sumter. I myself grew up eating Ward’s hash, so that might explain some of my affinity for The War Mouth’s hash, but their approach is much bigger and bolder than what I grew up with and is all the better for it. Using more mustard than most in the sauce makes for a tangy burst of flavor with every bite.

The War Mouth is one of those places that you feel like you never want to leave. The menu is always so interesting and we can never decide on just one or two items, so we end up getting several and splitting them all. There is a secluded outdoor patio area out back with twinkle lights, perfect for catching up with friends or connecting with your significant other.

The War Mouth is a classic gastropub that offers all of the traditional southern staples you might expect to find in South Carolina. From monstrous racks of ribs, to small plates of crispy fried pork belly. Instead of trying to invent a ‘new’ take on southern classics, The War Mouth sticks to tradition and does it in a fantastic way.

The War Mouth is a Southern gastropub located in the Cottontown neighborhood. The menu features classic Southern dishes with a modern twist, like the smoked brisket sandwich with pickled onion and pimento cheese. The cocktail menu is also worth checking out, with drinks like the Lavender Lemonade and the Bourbon Peach Tea.

The initial 16 included Big T’s Bar-B-Que, City Limits Barbecue, Railroad BBQ, Southern Belly BBQ, The War Mouth, Roy’s Grille, Ward’s Bar-B-Que, Little Pigs Barbecue, Palmetto Pig Bar-B-Q, Hite’s BBQ, Shealy’s Bar-B-Que, Doc’s Barbeque, Hudson’s Smokehouse BBQ, Midwood Smokehouse, Farm Boy’s Barbeque and Home Team BBQ.

The War Mouth is a local favorite where you can get not only great barbecue but also unique drinks and cocktails!. They are most famous for their whole-hog barbecue – be sure to give it a try while you’re there. Word around town is that they’ve also got some of the best old-fashioned hash and deviled eggs!

Find classics from chicken bog to boiled peanuts at the War Mouth where they welcome guests with quirky decor and an inventive rotating cocktail menu. At Spotted Salamander, order the deviled egg of the day and whichever salad or sandwich tickles your fancy. Just be sure to save room for dessert.

1209 Franklin StColumbia, SC 29201(803) 569-6144 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Set in Cottonwood, the War Mouth is another neighborhood restaurant that serves Southern classics. It stands within a five-minute walk from the Bellevue Historic District.

Get back to your homegrown roots at the War Mouth, where the menu consists of Southern staples like chicken bog and smoked catfish. Grab a side of smashed and fried Yukon Gold potatoes with pimento cheese and wash it all down with one of their specialty cocktails.

If you crave Southern-style cooking with a twist, then The War Mouth is right up your alley. The menu includes smoked pork belly, fried chicken, shrimp, and grits. If you are looking for a drink, it has an excellent selection of craft beers and cocktails.

- Rating: 4.0/5 (215 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 1209 Franklin St. Columbia, South Carolina - Categories: Southern, Desserts, Cocktail Bars- Read more on Yelp. You may also like: Homes for sale in Columbia at every price point

For authentic Southern barbecue and soul food, look no further than The War Mouth. Located in Columbia SC’s Cottontown neighborhood, this cozy eatery serves up mouthwatering dishes made from scratch using locally sourced ingredients.

The War Mouth |Tuesday-Saturday,1:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | The War Mouth busts out fresh biscuits for its brunch menu. Pro tip: Try the fried chicken biscuit with the housemade pimento cheese.

The Vista and Five Points districts are the city’s hotspots for nightlife. Enjoy craft cocktails at The Whig, local sample brews at Hunter-Gatherer Brewery, or dance the night away at Social Bar & Lounge.

Options in Columbia are extensive, but you can’t go wrong with Doc’s Barbeque, The War Mouth, or Little Pigs Barbecue.

Light + fluffy with a crunchy and sweet crust, the bourbon cream pie at The War Mouth is the stuff of dreams.