Sugar South

Review by: Michael Stern

***THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED. IT CONTINUES TO CATER***

Bakery, restaurant, and caterer, Sugar South defies easy classification. People come for dazzling hand-decorated cookies to take home, to chat ‘n’ chew over coffee and quiche in the morning, to eat an artisan sandwich at lunch, and to sip tea and nibble pastries in the afternoon.

In some ways, it feels like an old-fashioned ladies-lunch type of place with couches and easy chairs up front and decorative local art (for sale) on the walls; and indeed, many of its tables are occupied by groups of lady friends eating light. But hearty soups and generously apportioned sandwiches attract big-appetite guys (and gals!) in search of serious sustenance at a friendly town cafe.

First, about the cookies, which are a signature item, sold individually or by dozens for special events. They are made by co-owner Janet Ferguson, who often can be found at a back table scrupulously decorating them, one by one. They celebrate holidays, seasons, Clemson University, and pop culture icons. Below meticulous artistry on the icing, the cookie itself delivers gentle crunch and the pure flavor of butter and sugar with a velvety vanilla halo.

Sugar South opens at 8am. Its short breakfast menu includes eggs, a breakfast burrito, quiche of the day, and “gourmet grits” available topped with bacon, sausage crumbles, cheese, sour cream, et al. Coffee or tea is complementary.

Among the many cakes and pastries always on display, a few favorites are cherry cheese Danish (think deluxe cheesecake), lemon bars that gently balance cream and citrus, fluffy coconut cake, and sweet little cinnamon rolls.

Lunchtime sandwiches include a traditional Reuben, a panini-pressed Cuban,  an Aiken hero (roast beef, cheddar, horseradish), and a vegetarian Mediterranean grill of hummus, peppers, zucchini, and provolone with a balsamic glaze. Some day, I will try all of them, but until that day, I am going to order, and re-order, what’s billed as a New Orleans muffaletta. It’s a splendiforous stack of salami, capicola, ham, pepperoni, and provolone dressed with a thick ribbon of olive salad that fairly hums with spice. Steve Ferguson, co-owner and chef, told me that he’s not a fan of pickled vegetables and so, unlike more traditional muffaletta olive spreads, his contains none. This one is all about the flavor of olives. It is bold and brawny enough to be a full flavor foundation for the cold cuts atop it. I don’t want to say this sandwich is an improvement on the traditional New Orleans version, but honestly, I enjoy it every bit as much.

What To Eat

Cookies

DISH
Muffaletta

DISH
Lemon Bar

DISH
Cinnamon Roll

DISH
French Onion Soup

DISH
Chocolate Chunk Brownie

DISH
Double Chocolate Muffin

DISH
Coconut Cake

DISH
Bourbon Pecan Pound Cake

DISH
Pineapple Upside Down Cake

DISH
Cherry Cheese Danish

DISH
Gourmet Grits

DISH
Peach Pie

DISH
Breakfast Burrito

DISH
Cookies & Cream Ooey Gooey Bar

DISH

Sugar South Recipes

Discuss

What do you think of Sugar South?

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