44 Canteen — Restaurant in Columbia Township

I ordered the steak tacos. The description sounded tasty. They were just average. Flavor really didn’t stick out. The hand cut french were the best thing we ordered. The iced tea was good. Tables seemed too close together. We were rubbing elbows with the couple next to us. The floor looks like it was undercoated. It’s dark black and, while it was probably clean, it was distracting. The rubber base molding needs replaced as it looks badly stained. The silverware is nice and heavy. I will probably go back, but I’ll order a burger and see how that is.

2nd Visit

We walked into the restaurant and it was about half full—which, honestly, is perfect. Enough people to know it’s not a health hazard, but not so many that we’d need to shout over a birthday party. There were big tables, little tables, and a bar area. They asked if we wanted a seat with “full bar service,” which sounded a little too Vegas for a Wednesday, so we said no and sat in the back.

There’s a window back there. You can see out of it, but there’s nothing particularly scenic unless you’re really into parking lots.

Our server? Fantastic. Friendly, fast, and genuinely seemed to care that we didn’t hate our lives. I got an iced tea, which was surprisingly great. I mean, it’s iced tea—but it had that “someone actually brewed this” taste, not the usual brown water from a syrup gun.

Then came the main event: I ordered the Korean burger with kimchi and added an egg on top. This thing was no joke—two patties, cheese, kimchi, and a fried egg oozing all over like a delicious landslide. Was it messy? Extremely. Did I regret it? Absolutely not. Napkin count: seven, minimum.

My wife ordered the fried chicken sandwich with fries, and she got some sort of mystery dip. It was white, ranch-adjacent, but with a flavor twist that said, “I’m not like other dips.” We don’t know what it was, but we’d both be willing to fight someone to get more of it.

Now, onto the not-so-delicious part: the cleanliness. The bathroom faucet looked like it had given up on life sometime in 2019, and the artificial sweetener container? Let’s just say it was dirty enough to have its own ecosystem. The walls may have been going for “industrial chic,” but landed closer to “we forgot to wipe them since opening day.”

And look—I’ve seen the inside of enough restaurant kitchens to know that if the bathroom looks like that, the back of house might be a full-blown biology experiment. Hopefully I’m wrong, because the food really was great.

Despite the questionable hygiene, I’ll probably be back. Next time I’ll just order something stronger to drink—preferably with enough alcohol content to kill 99.9% of germs,...

My recent visit to 44 Canteen was a delightful experience, particularly for those with a taste for unique and flavorful fusions. I ordered the Korean BBQ Burger, a dish that masterfully blends the smoky, savory flavors of Korean barbecue with the comforting familiarity of a classic American burger. The patty was juicy and perfectly cooked, but what truly elevated the dish was the Korean mayonnaise. Its creamy texture and subtle, tangy notes complemented the rich meat and sweet BBQ sauce, creating a harmonious and memorable flavor profile. While the main course was a resounding success, I found the fries to be a slight disappointment. They were a bit greasy and lacked the crispy texture I was hoping for. Despite this, the quality of the burger more than made up for it. The exceptional service also deserves a special mention. From the moment I walked in, the staff was attentive, friendly, and efficient, ensuring a pleasant dining experience from start to finish. The server was knowledgeable about the menu and provided prompt service without being intrusive. Overall, 44 Canteen is a fantastic spot for anyone looking to try a creative twist on a classic. While the fries could use some improvement, the Korean BBQ Burger and the excellent service make this restaurant well...

This place is so cute, quaint, and in a great location in Columbia! The hostess we had was very responsive and kept the long line going. She also helped run food and clean up tables when she saw the opportunity. Our server was very attentive as well. She came around just enough, and we were able to get our food, refills, etc. In a short amount of time. Because it's small, beware that if you're seated in front that the front waiting area can get loud. It got loud tonight because it was very cold outside so a lot of people congregated inside. It got hard to hear my partner at times because of the noise. Luckily each table in front is a good distance from the rest. Food is very good. Suggestion: don't get any sauce with the fries because I don't feel like it's worth the price. Nor are the sauces the most compatible with fries, specifically. My partner said the tiger's blood margarita was good, but not memorable. All together we got the fries with queso and buttermilk sauce, nachos with pulled chicken, canteen burger, and Korean tacos. We got way too much. Very good portions. They don't look large, but they are...