Halls Chophouse Columbia — Restaurant in Columbia

We came to Hall’s for graduation dinner. Overall for the price, the experience left us a bit disappointed.

The food:

The appetizers were the best part of the meal. We had raw oysters, steak tartare, and the stuffed mushrooms. The champagne mignonette complemented the oysters perfectly. The tartare was very flavorful and came with accompaniments that compliment it very well. The mushrooms were standard, but good.

The bison was very tender and flavorful - by far the best out of the entrees. The porterhouse was fine, but nothing extraordinary. The fish was fine, but again not extraordinary. The mushroom risotto was under seasoned and lacked the truffle flavor that it’s description promised it would have.

The service:

Everyone was very friendly, but when you’re paying the prices Hall’s is charging, you need a bit more than nice. Instead of saying “pardon my reach”, the server should make the extra effort to walk another three steps to serve from the left and take from the right.

In addition, proper wine serving etiquette would be expected. Over pouring the wine in glasses to finish off the bottle (especially when the wine is a nicer one) is not preferred.

When our main courses were served, a portion of the risotto was dropped on the floor. Nothing was said or done about this except a lack luster “I’m sorry”.

The timing of the appetizers was great, but another 45 minutes for the entrees was not ideal. Although the restaurant offered two free deserts, we had a pre-bought a graduation cake that was to be brought out at the end of dinner - which our server was surprisingly unaware of. We declined the offer for dessert and were not able to enjoy the cake we brought due to the delayed timing of our meals.

Ultimately, a dinner that costs over $100 per person would come with a baseline of expectations - expectations that Hall’s does not meet. Perhaps some feedback would be (1) not to start off new servers on graduation night and (2) have their staff or management team be a little bit more conscientious on their level of service. We will likely not return as the food and service do not justify the...

Disappointed.

After many years of visiting Hall's on King Street while living in Charleston, Hall's had a special place in our minds. Our first visit to the Columbia location a while back was a huge disappointment. We spent almost $500 (including tip) for two people. Especially for this kind of spend in Columbia, the experience just wasn't up to par.

We were sat at a 2-person table in the "aisle" between a large round and a booth and her back was against the wall and my view behind my beautiful wife was the thermostat on the wall. To our right was a large party at the big round table and another couple at the booth to our left. We involuntarily got to participate in the large party's festivities. Not a big deal, I guess this was just unfortunate luck of the draw on the seating lottery.

I ordered the bone-in filet, and again, for around $100 for the entree, I was underwhelmed. The steaks we ordered were fine, but nothing to write home about. Not what I remember eating in Charleston, where every bite is a treat. Additionally, it was a little awkward that they ask you to cut them open right there, with an audience of 2-3 service staff, to okay the finish temperature.

We ordered 4 or 5 different sides and they were all very good, but (and I'm not exaggerating here) 2 of them were cold. Not ice cold, but not warm either. This was very disappointing. Just seemed like a big miss for a restaurant of this caliber.

We ordered drinks also, and they were not consistent. The one I was ordering, the first one was a dark blueish/purple and the second was just grey. Just not consistent mixology with the cocktails with the color and taste. Again, not a huge deal, just surprising for a place like this.

The service was decent overall, but the underwhelming entrees, the under temped appetizers, and the inconsistency from the bar really left us feeling like $400 for two people was not reasonable. We still tipped $100, but we definitely won't be back for dinner any time soon.

The lunch/brunch offerings, thus far, have been far more appealing for the price point/service...

Halls Chophouse — A Cut Above the Rest

From the moment I stepped through the doors of Halls Chophouse, I knew I was in for something extraordinary. The atmosphere radiates elegance without the slightest hint of pretension — a rare balance only the best can achieve. But it’s not just the dim lighting, warm wood tones, or live jazz whispering through the air that makes Halls unforgettable — it’s the experience. And let me be crystal clear: Halls Chophouse didn’t just meet expectations — it obliterated them.

Let’s talk service. I’ve been to Ruth’s Chris more times than I can count, and while the food is solid, the service there feels scripted — robotic even. At Halls? It’s personal. It’s thoughtful. The staff doesn’t treat you like a customer — they treat you like a guest of honor. From the host who greeted me by name, to the waiter who made perfect pairing suggestions, to the manager who stopped by to make sure everything was flawless — every moment felt intentional. This is five-star service with a heartbeat.

And the food… oh, the food. The filet mignon was so tender it practically melted on the fork. The bone-in ribeye? Smoky, juicy perfection with a crust that dreams are made of. Every side was a star in its own right — the creamed spinach was rich without being heavy, and the lobster mac and cheese? Pure decadence. And somehow, despite the luxury on the plate, the check was less than what I’ve dropped at Ruth’s Chris.

Yes, less. Better quality. Better service. And for a lower price point. It's almost unfair.

Halls doesn’t feel like a steakhouse chain trying to be elite. It feels like the real deal — a family-run gem where every detail matters, where passion and hospitality live and breathe in every dish and every interaction.

Bottom line? Halls Chophouse isn’t just better than Ruth’s Chris — it’s in a different league. It’s the gold standard for what a fine dining experience should be. If you’ve never been, go. If you’ve already been — go again. Trust me: once you’ve had Halls, there’s...