The Food Section

The Food Section
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Every week, The Food Section shares one restaurant find from our resident reviewer, the legendary Michael Stern, originator of Roadfood. Listen along to discover where to score your next magnificent fried chicken thigh or smoked pork sandwich. For more from Michael (and a slew of deeply reported stories about Southern food and drink that you won't read anywhere else), visit us online at thefoodsection.com.

  1. May 26

    WingPlace

    This week, Michael reflects on how Buffalo-style wings weren't always a thing--but its rendition at an Aiken bar goes to show how standard the preparation has become. WingPlace: 732 East Pine Log Road, Aiken, SouthCarolina, 803-644-7777, wing-place.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

    6 min

  2. May 19

    Hammonds Ferry Larder

    This week, Michael found plenty to chew on at Hammonds Ferry Larder, an all-day bistro in North Augusta--but he found several dishes to recommend, too. Hammonds Ferry Larder: 89 Crystal Lake Dr., North Augusta, South Carolina. 803-599-5149, hflarder.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

    6 min

  3. May 12

    Emperador Asian Mex

    Michael tells us that emperador means swordfish, but he found that's one of the few items not served by an ambitious Aiken restaurant that has seemingly every familiar Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mexican dish on its menu. Emperador Asian Mex: 2645 Whiskey Road, Aiken, South Carolina, 803-843-6494, emperadorasianmexsc.com Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠⁠

    6 min

  4. May 6

    Outlaw Dog's

    Everybody needs a goal in life. For Mertis Outlaw, it involves sweeping canned chili into history's dustbin. According to Michael, the chili he serves at his hot dog truck makes a compelling case for eaters to grab their brooms. Outlaw Dog’s, no permanent address, no published phone number. Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section, a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠

    5 min

  5. May 4

    Spirited Brunch 2026

    We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to share an audio postcard from The Food Section's signature event, Spirited Brunch, a free and self-guided snack tour of downtown Charleston's prayerful spaces. This dispatch was recorded on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

    4 min

  6. Apr 28

    Cafe 209

    If you blink, you might miss Cafe 209 on Broad Street in Augusta, Georgia--but that would mean missing out on one of the city's outstanding meat-and-twos. Café 209: 566 Broad St., Augusta, Georgia, 706-722-9692, cafe-209.res-menu.net Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section,a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠

    6 min

  7. Apr 21

    Just Julie's

    Before you dismiss the standard lunch counter sub, Michael suggests a visit to Just Julie's, where the staff doesn't need anything fancy to make a great impression.Just Julie's: 951Pine Log Road, Aiken, South Carolina, 803-649-2721 Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section,a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant finds and recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠

    6 min

  8. Apr 14

    Cliff's Seafood & Grill

    This week, join Michael for a visit to a seafood shack where he says the tartar sauce quality makes no difference, since only a fool would apply any kind of condiment to what's fried at Cliff's. Cliff's Seafood & Grill: 12743 Heritage Highway, Bamberg, South Carolina, 803-245-0701⁠Michael's reviews are published by The Food Section,a reader-supported daily newsletter covering food and drink across the American South. Subscribe today to access the entire archive of his restaurant findsand recommendations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thefoodsection.com/subscribe/⁠⁠

    5 min
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About

Every week, The Food Section shares one restaurant find from our resident reviewer, the legendary Michael Stern, originator of Roadfood. Listen along to discover where to score your next magnificent fried chicken thigh or smoked pork sandwich. For more from Michael (and a slew of deeply reported stories about Southern food and drink that you won't read anywhere else), visit us online at thefoodsection.com.

Information

  • Creator
    The Food Section
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Food Section
  • Show Website
    The Food Section