Bad Daddy's Burger Bar — Restaurant in Forest Acres

My recent visit to Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar was a rollercoaster of expectations and surprises, ultimately landing on a high note thanks to both the kitchen’s willingness to make things right and a standout mocktail. First Impressions and the Order I came in craving something bold and settled on the Bacon Cheeseburger on Steroids, a burger that promises an over-the-top bacon experience with Monterey Jack cheese, three pieces of jalapeño bacon, three pieces of applewood smoked bacon, and housemade bacon mayo. The anticipation was real—after all, this burger is a signature item and is often praised for its flavor and sheer indulgence. A Rocky Start Unfortunately, my first burger arrived with the bacon burnt to a crisp. While some char can add flavor, this crossed the line into distraction, overpowering the rest of the burger’s elements. Disappointed but hopeful, I sent it back, giving the restaurant a chance to redeem itself—a move that, based on other reviews, often leads to a better second try. Redemption Achieved The replacement burger was everything I’d hoped for. The bacon was perfectly cooked—crispy yet still tender, delivering that smoky, savory punch without being overwhelming. The rest of the burger components came together beautifully, with the cheese melting just right and the bacon mayo adding a creamy, flavorful finish. This second attempt truly showcased why Bad Daddy’s is known for its creative and satisfying burgers. The True Standout: Pineapple Smash Mocktail What truly elevated my experience, though, was the Pineapple Smash mocktail. Refreshing, vibrant, and expertly balanced, it was the perfect companion to the rich flavors of the burger. While many come for the burgers, the mocktail menu deserves its own spotlight—this drink was a revelation and left a lasting impression. Final Thoughts Despite a misstep with the first burger, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction by quickly correcting the issue and delivering a stellar second effort. The Pineapple Smash mocktail was the unsung hero of the meal, making the visit memorable. If you’re seeking bold burgers and creative drinks, Bad Daddy’s is worth a visit—just don’t hesitate to speak up if something isn’t right; they just might surprise you with how well they...

Disappointing Experience at Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar – Forest Acres

I recently visited Big Daddy’s Burger Bar in Forest Acres, hoping to try something different while I was on that side of town. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the worst restaurant experiences I’ve had in years.

When we arrived, there was a 20-minute wait for indoor seating, but we were told we could be seated outside immediately. Since it was a semi-nice day, we agreed. However, we sat outside for over 20 minutes before a server even acknowledged us. When she finally arrived, she apologized, saying, "Oh, I’m sorry, no one told me I had a table." Not a great start.

We placed our order—drinks, an appetizer of fried pickles, and four burgers with house chips. The burger customization options were cool, allowing us to pick the patty size, cheese, bun, toppings, and cooking temperature. I ordered my burger medium. After another 20 minutes, our drinks arrived. We had all ordered sweet tea, but it was weak and watered down, looking more like a fancy cocktail with water at the bottom and tea floating on top. Definitely not worth the $3 per tea.

When our food finally came out—after yet another long wait—I realized we never got our fried pickles. The waitress casually said, "Oh yeah, I forgot. We’re out of fried pickles, but we didn’t charge you." Well, that’s nice, I thought sarcastically. I asked if I could get a side of onion rings instead.

Then came the biggest disappointment: my burger, which I specifically ordered medium, was extremely well done. At that point, after waiting for over an hour and a half, I didn’t even bother complaining. To make matters worse, our drinks were never refilled, and we felt completely forgotten.

The onion rings finally arrived—after we were done eating. And they were so salty they were almost inedible, though dipping them in ranch helped a little.

All in all, this was a frustrating and disappointing experience. The food wasn’t great, the service was incredibly slow, and the extra fees made it feel even worse. I won’t be going back anytime soon.

⭐ 1/5 – Not...

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar at 4623 Forest Dr Ste 4, Columbia, SC 29206 is an acceptable restaurant. They honor Veterans on Veterans Day, although their service and layout is lackluster.

Takeout is in the back of the restaurant at the bar, which was unclean. The first female bartender is not in uniform and mistakes me being with a couple due to our proximity(read racism). This couple is before me, yet she chooses to ask for my order first. I tell her to attend to them first. She bungles their drink order, which takes over five minutes for two drinks. This first bartender takes my order after about six minutes, which is the All American Burger without cheese and fries as the side.

A second female bartender, in uniform, corrects the first bartender's errors and apologizes to the couple after my order. I sit for fifteen minutes waiting on my simple order, observing both bartenders. The uniformed bartender is customer oriented, serving a group of three that follows behind my arrival, who also receives dreadful beer(excessive froth) from the first bartender.

I receive my meal after fifteen meals and leave the establishment. I check the All American Burger in the car and it has cheese on it. I do not eat the burger and give it to a family member who can eat it. They are unimpressed by the quality of the burger.

I choose not to obliterate this establishment for this incompetent ununiformed female bartender, but she should receive retraining or expulsion for her racist ignorance and inattentive nature.

On the other hand, the uniformed female bartender is exceptional. She deserves a commendation and should be given a higher hourly wage($20) or salary($40,000) for her poise, consistency,...