Southbound Smokehouse- Riverside — Restaurant in Aiken County

Not a great first impression. Went 4/25/24 around 8:55 pm. Service: Hostess was welcoming and sweet and was even reassuring that there was plenty of time since they didn't close until 10 pm. The man who checked on us after our server finally saw us was nice (10 minutes isn't awful but it wasn't packed enough for not even acknowledging a table). We ordered our drinks, appetizer, and meal at the same time. Thankfully we did that since our server came to our table 4 times total- to get our order, to bring our drinks, take some of our plates, and after we had to stare him down to bring our check. My fiance had to grab a napkin dispenser off another table and I had to grab the sauce caddy from their shelf. I'm not sure if he didn't want to wait on us because we weren't with a group or drinking alcohol and he thought that meant he wouldn't get a decent tip even though we ordered over $50 worth of food.

Food: The Soul Rolls were great! The pulled pork tacos were okay. The pulled pork plate with mac & cheese was average. The pulled chicken plate wasn't great. The hash had so much liquid smoke I could have drank a bottle straight to get the same flavor. Sweet tea was decent. The three sauces were bad. I'm not sure if there were other flavors because we didn't see our server but for 15 seconds as he grabbed dishes without speaking to us. It's not worth the price.

Atmosphere: I should have requested a table outside. I would have when the welcoming hostess asked for my preference if I'd known it was going to be as loud as it was. We did ask our server about switching to an outside table (I understand it's inconvenient if his table would have left his section, but since we barely got service from him, it seems irrelevant at this time). Our server stated once bingo was over soon, the music would turn down some. My fiance and I were basically yelling at each other because it got even louder inside after the...

Literally only come here because we like the food that much….especially the wings. This place has SO much potential. It is literally one of the most perfect locations. We’ve been here like four times and every single time the service has been awful to the point we say we won’t go back (again it’s the food). Tonight we were encouraged to do the QR menu and order online which we gladly did thinking the service would be better. NOPE! We saw our server one time except the times she walked by us not even acknowledging us. My husbands beer sat at the bar for 10 minutes while a ton of servers picked it up, looked at the ticket and sat it back down. It wasn’t until we asked a second person if we could have it that they finally brought it. Our wings were plopped in front of us…no napkins, no utensils, no plates, just the little tray they were on. Finally got someone to bring us napkins. Then our meal was brought which consisted of items that utensils are needed. The lady literally dropped them on the table and quickly walked away. Had to stop the manager who had walked by several times and ask if we could please have utensils and barbecue sauce. After that we never saw anyone again at our table. third time we’ve been here that we would have ordered more drinks were it not for knowing we wouldn’t see them anytime soon. I have NEVER not tipped at least 20%, most of the time more. Tonight I tipped 10% and honestly didn’t even feel like that was deserved. I mean I get that folks are short staffed but this place has been like this every time and it just keeps getting worse and it’s so sad because the food...

I tried their location on Central a long time ago. That was terrible and, even then, I was surprised they had an entire other location. But of course, right? They lucked up with the great views but the food is still not good. The soul rolls are southwest eggrolls and they're fine. My friend got the chicken. It came in one of those food truck bowls and looked like dog food, tbh. Quality dog food though lol - the kind lightly covered in gravy and has peas. She said it was good. I didn't agree but i only had a bite to taste the sauces. My to-go wings were overcooked. The sauces were ok. My friend liked their white/yumyum sauce. It tasted like Miracle Whip to me.

The good: Based on the reviews, plenty of people enjoy this place, food and all. Except the overcooked wings, me not liking the food has little to do with the kitchen staff; i just don't like the recipes. Our waitress was attentive, the hostess was accommodating, the food was hot, the trivia going on seemed like a good time, the view was nice, and the beer was as expected. Everyone at the bar looked like they were having fun. The decor is reminiscent of all the cool things from the 60s,70s, and 90s: skater/stoner/hippie/rock/soul cultures plus some highlights of local Georgia musicians. I would go back to hang out at the bar, step outside to enjoy the views,...