Today was my first (of many, I'm sure) visit to Compton's and I sure am glad I took the time to check it out (thanks for/to your review, Nicholas; though you had me wanting biscuits & gravy and I was too late for that). What I did get was a pretty good size portion of chicken fried steak, black eyed peas, pickled beets, a biscuit, a cornbread muffin and tea all for $5.99 (total, with tax). The slight difference is that, at places like Sarah's (a diner like this by my place in Dalzell), you can tell some of the stuff is prepackaged/canned. Here, the black eyed peas weren't mushy like they'd been in a can/jar and actually tasted like they came straight from the field. The beets were super, super sour so I'm guessing they were canned by someone locally and not purchased at a grocery store/supplier. I ate my cornbread with the meal but saved my biscuit for desert because there were jellies on the table (single serving packs). Then I discovered they had apple butter packs! Nom nom nom... And my tea never dropped below half a cup. And I agree, it's definitely much better than Lizard's Thicket.
(4)
Annelise K.
disclaimer: I am from the west coast, so I don't know chicken and dumplings, but I thought I'd try them for the first time. Wish I'd gotten something else, I found it a boring bowl of yellow broth with just a bit o' chicken, no veggies, and deliciously mooshy wide noodles. The mac & cheese was delicious, and the squash casserole was over the top--really yummy, altho don't get both, cuz they both ring the same creamy oozy comfort food bell, and the squash casserole is the best. At breakfast, tried the liver pudding--pretty darn good for liver! Like corned beef hash, but, well, livery. The country ham was fabulous--salty & a little funky, really tasted like an old-fashioned ham, not some industrial attempt. Also--fried flounder for breakfast? yes please! Breakfast options abound. Take country ham for example. Get it from the biscuit menu ($1.55) or the sandwich menu ($2.10) or the breakfast menu ($4.00 or $5.75). Same range of choices for the other tempting meats, so you can definitely get a smaller cheaper meal or snack, or try a bunch of things. Portions are huge, prices are ever so reasonable, and the service is friendly. Definitely full of locals and regulars. One improvement--how about real butter instead of "restaurant spread" for those biscuits & corn muffins? They DO offer real half & half for the coffee, at least....
(4)
Rachel O.
Good food, good people, good prices! Recently purchased a "Midlands Connect" deal for Compton's Kitchen. I grew up in West Columbia but had never heard of this restaurant. Seemed like a mom and pop kinda place and I'm all for trying somewhere new so I bought it! When you enter Compton's you order first at the counter and pay. Then the food is brought to your table. The place was very busy (I'm guessing because of the coupon) but a waitress came to take our drink orders before we got to the front of the line and the coffee was already on the table when we got there. The cup was NEVER empty either. Ladies were coming around the entire time we were there to refill cups, ask how things were and to see if we needed anything. We ordered 2 cups of coffee, pancakes, sausage patties, ham and cheese omelet, bacon, grits, biscuit and toast. I think the total was around $15.00. It was all delicious. One standout was the sausage patties. I would definitely recommend getting those and the biscuits were also delicious. They had Smuckers Apple Cinnamon Jelly, Apple Butter and other jellies and jams on the table. Only two small things I noticed that could be improved. The sign that lets you know to order at the register first is hanging right in front of the menu and it's a bit hard to read while you are waiting in line. Also, the ham in my omelet was a little odd. I would definitely order the sausage and cheese omelet next time (if it's made with those tasty sausage patties). Compton's Kitchen is an institution to the local people of West Columbia. Many of the waitresses knew the patrons and joked around with them. Jackie was particularly hilarious and helpful. She told us about the frequent customer card (be sure to ask for one when you go) and gave us a menu to take with us (you can find it online). She also told us that they use fresh produce. We will definitely be going back (we have another coupon) for the food and the atmosphere. It was a fun and delicious way to start our Saturday. Just want to note that they are only open for breakfast on Saturdays (until 12pm) but are open for lunch and breakfast Monday - Friday.
(4)
Moon P.
It's a neighborhood small hole in a wall diner. Nothing spectacular with the food. Service was courteous with friendly staff. Took a bit for anybody to acknowledge that I was sitting at a table. Other than that, food was promptly served.
(3)
Tom D.
My wife and I came here for lunch yesterday. I had the hamburger casserole. It tasted OK but I didn't have a spoon and it could've used one. The scalloped potatoes were good but the mac and cheese left something to be desired. My wife had the chicken and dumplings which was more like a soup than a stew, and she had the coleslaw which she liked, and fried okra, which she didn't like. Overall, we felt the food was kind of bland, but a little salt helped. We didn't try the fried chicken, which, as we were leaving, we saw an employee having on their break. I think we'd be willing to try this place again if we were in the area again.
(3)
Keith K.
Three and a half stars for an old-school Waffle-House type joint seems about right. CK's is basically an upgrayedded Awful Waffle, with potentially better food and friendly service, that ain't open past the lunch rush. Today, I got a charmingly well-abused coffee mug with a chip knocked out of it, but the coffee was cheap and kept a-flowing. Food... got your waffles, pancakes, bacon plates, country steaks. Biscuits, gravy, hashbrowns, grits - what you'd expect. The "Combo Biscuit" is a fat piece of sausage, two bits of well-cooked bacon, American cheese and brown gravy over a biscuit. Will fill you up and is recommended for the hungover or those who want some real Southern Food. Not bad, and the prices are 1990s-esque. I digress, but I admit a soft spot in my heart for these family-run little diners and cafes that, honestly, are practically never very good, or healthy, but continue to hang on and deliver sweet caffeine and cholesterol via animal grease to the Early Riser. They speak of simpler, pre-OmniCorp times and it'd be a shame to see them completely disappear. Bottom Line: If you like and frequent Waffle House for their Actual Breakfast, give Compton's a try. If the idea of the former disgusts you, this ain't your jam, change stations.
(3)
Mary M.
Since the manager Monica left, the place has gone downhill. It's dirty, the service is lacking, and the food is inconsistent. Very sad.
(2)
Miranda G.
A great breakfast place in Columbia! Like Waffle House, but with some more regional options. Tons of great choices to choose from, all at great prices. Will come here again for sure!
(5)
Amanda S.
Great local southern food in Triangle City. I have been for the meat & three, fried fish was tasty! Went this last time for breakfast for the first time which was lovely--had the corned beef hash with eggs, grits and bacon. Nothing fancy here! Will have to go back for the waffle smores :)
(5)
Mandy W.
Heard great things so my grandma and I decided to check it out for lunch. We had the Monday Special "Chicken Pan Pie" which was very disappointing. Sadly, a frozen pot pie from the grocery store would have been much better. Our side items (pole beans, Mac & Cheese, and cabbage) were good. Maybe we will try again.
(2)
KeiKei B.
Service was slow. But the food wasn't any better. Oil encrusted eggs & half burned bacon. My GF's grits were runny. Prices are great but food isn't worthy of your money. I hope they get better as it is in a neat little center and it used to be great.
(1)
Gregory L.
Absolutely do not miss this breakfast place. One of a kind that definitely has character. I have eaten here everytime I am in Columbia and it reminds me of the good old days. Inexpensive and plenty of food. Real Southern breakfast to boot. Pay absolutely no attention to Martin V. He has no idea what he is talking about. The women working in Compton's Kitchen are wonderful. The atmostphere is, well, diner-like and the other customers are as local as you can get. When I have been there I have seen a local State Senator (Jakey) to down home folks. This place has everything you could possibly want in a local non-chain breakfast restaurant.
Oh boy. Oh boy! ooooooh boy. If you've ever seen the move 'My Cousin Vinny' when he and his girlfriend go eat breakfast and he watches the dude throw an ice cream scoop of lard on the grill....this is that restaurant, relocated to SC. I know I'm one of those 'damn yankees' but what the HELL is fatback?! How does that sound appetizing in any way? Anyways, this place was tried in an effort to expand our breakfast options in Columbia. It will forever go down in gastrointestinal history as 'The Insurrection of 2012'. In historical terms, if my stomach was Columbia, this place went Sherman on it. I got the safe option, eggs, bacon, and a biscuit. I thought I would play it safe, best not rock the boat, I thought. Oh how naive, oh how utterly senseless. From the moment the plate was placed in front of me i sensed this would be a duel. A duel I would win and walk away from, but not without a scar. I faced the eggs, undercooked and glistening with salmonella in a menacing manner, and knew that this meal would forge my bowels to steel but only after taking me to the depths of the cauldron and back. The bacon was cut from pure stone. The biscuit, a mutated version of cement and lard. It defied physics the way it fell into my stomach with a weight that dared me to attempt to stand. Gross.
(1)
TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Best breakfast restaurant in Columbia. Great food, casual atmosphere and the best service in town! Not kidding. Cant wait to go back for lunch!
(5)
Larry D.
Breakfast. YUCK! Cheap food, cheap service, cheap building, cheap prices. Service was just slow. You should bring a book. The food was very forgettable. The coffee was flavored water. This place is near a residential area and I think there are regulars that meet here and talk. It was noisy because of that. The restaurant is run down, old and neglected. I regretted our choice to visit this place the very second I walked in the door. It only got worse after that. Maybe they used to be good. We went there because of the ratings. At one time, this restaurant probably cared about the food they served but now it's terrible food. Disgusting.
(1)
Nicholas K.
Yessir, a greasy spoon in an otherwise greasy spoon-less town. Where have you gone Martin's? Why so quiet Capitol Grill? 5 Points Diner? Eek, Columbia we have a problem! There are no good greasy spoons downtown anymore. I have to go to Waffle House or IHOP to get my breakfast groove on? WTF? Where the rents get a little cheaper and the restaurants get less branded you'll find what you are looking for. In West Columbia, at the corner of 12th and B, you'll find Compton's Kitchen. It's pretty much like Lizard's Thicket but cheaper, even MORE Southern, and a lot more neighbor-friendly. I think there are people in The Avenues who have eaten here every day for years. When I go for a little $3 breakfast special (bacon, sausage, biscuits, hash browns, eggs), the long-time waitresses (the friendliest ever!) always seem to be deep in conversation with one of their long-time patrons. And yet they somehow still know exactly when I'm done with my coffee or water and need a refill. Biscuits-n'-gravy fan? Oh yeah... $1.80 for an enormous order of em. So obviously I usually go here for breakfast and I must say that the breakfast is what earns my admiration. But lunch is special too. You can order take-out and there's specials for every day of the week. It's usually around $5 a plate for a very large container's worth of greasy goodness.
(5)
Patrick L.
Fantastic food and service. Totally worth the extra time! June 2, 2012
(5)
kido m.
was Ok... just another lizards thicket! friendly servers n cheap food!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : Yes
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Greg W.
Today was my first (of many, I'm sure) visit to Compton's and I sure am glad I took the time to check it out (thanks for/to your review, Nicholas; though you had me wanting biscuits & gravy and I was too late for that). What I did get was a pretty good size portion of chicken fried steak, black eyed peas, pickled beets, a biscuit, a cornbread muffin and tea all for $5.99 (total, with tax). The slight difference is that, at places like Sarah's (a diner like this by my place in Dalzell), you can tell some of the stuff is prepackaged/canned. Here, the black eyed peas weren't mushy like they'd been in a can/jar and actually tasted like they came straight from the field. The beets were super, super sour so I'm guessing they were canned by someone locally and not purchased at a grocery store/supplier. I ate my cornbread with the meal but saved my biscuit for desert because there were jellies on the table (single serving packs). Then I discovered they had apple butter packs! Nom nom nom... And my tea never dropped below half a cup. And I agree, it's definitely much better than Lizard's Thicket.
(4)Annelise K.
disclaimer: I am from the west coast, so I don't know chicken and dumplings, but I thought I'd try them for the first time. Wish I'd gotten something else, I found it a boring bowl of yellow broth with just a bit o' chicken, no veggies, and deliciously mooshy wide noodles. The mac & cheese was delicious, and the squash casserole was over the top--really yummy, altho don't get both, cuz they both ring the same creamy oozy comfort food bell, and the squash casserole is the best. At breakfast, tried the liver pudding--pretty darn good for liver! Like corned beef hash, but, well, livery. The country ham was fabulous--salty & a little funky, really tasted like an old-fashioned ham, not some industrial attempt. Also--fried flounder for breakfast? yes please! Breakfast options abound. Take country ham for example. Get it from the biscuit menu ($1.55) or the sandwich menu ($2.10) or the breakfast menu ($4.00 or $5.75). Same range of choices for the other tempting meats, so you can definitely get a smaller cheaper meal or snack, or try a bunch of things. Portions are huge, prices are ever so reasonable, and the service is friendly. Definitely full of locals and regulars. One improvement--how about real butter instead of "restaurant spread" for those biscuits & corn muffins? They DO offer real half & half for the coffee, at least....
(4)Rachel O.
Good food, good people, good prices! Recently purchased a "Midlands Connect" deal for Compton's Kitchen. I grew up in West Columbia but had never heard of this restaurant. Seemed like a mom and pop kinda place and I'm all for trying somewhere new so I bought it! When you enter Compton's you order first at the counter and pay. Then the food is brought to your table. The place was very busy (I'm guessing because of the coupon) but a waitress came to take our drink orders before we got to the front of the line and the coffee was already on the table when we got there. The cup was NEVER empty either. Ladies were coming around the entire time we were there to refill cups, ask how things were and to see if we needed anything. We ordered 2 cups of coffee, pancakes, sausage patties, ham and cheese omelet, bacon, grits, biscuit and toast. I think the total was around $15.00. It was all delicious. One standout was the sausage patties. I would definitely recommend getting those and the biscuits were also delicious. They had Smuckers Apple Cinnamon Jelly, Apple Butter and other jellies and jams on the table. Only two small things I noticed that could be improved. The sign that lets you know to order at the register first is hanging right in front of the menu and it's a bit hard to read while you are waiting in line. Also, the ham in my omelet was a little odd. I would definitely order the sausage and cheese omelet next time (if it's made with those tasty sausage patties). Compton's Kitchen is an institution to the local people of West Columbia. Many of the waitresses knew the patrons and joked around with them. Jackie was particularly hilarious and helpful. She told us about the frequent customer card (be sure to ask for one when you go) and gave us a menu to take with us (you can find it online). She also told us that they use fresh produce. We will definitely be going back (we have another coupon) for the food and the atmosphere. It was a fun and delicious way to start our Saturday. Just want to note that they are only open for breakfast on Saturdays (until 12pm) but are open for lunch and breakfast Monday - Friday.
(4)Moon P.
It's a neighborhood small hole in a wall diner. Nothing spectacular with the food. Service was courteous with friendly staff. Took a bit for anybody to acknowledge that I was sitting at a table. Other than that, food was promptly served.
(3)Tom D.
My wife and I came here for lunch yesterday. I had the hamburger casserole. It tasted OK but I didn't have a spoon and it could've used one. The scalloped potatoes were good but the mac and cheese left something to be desired. My wife had the chicken and dumplings which was more like a soup than a stew, and she had the coleslaw which she liked, and fried okra, which she didn't like. Overall, we felt the food was kind of bland, but a little salt helped. We didn't try the fried chicken, which, as we were leaving, we saw an employee having on their break. I think we'd be willing to try this place again if we were in the area again.
(3)Keith K.
Three and a half stars for an old-school Waffle-House type joint seems about right. CK's is basically an upgrayedded Awful Waffle, with potentially better food and friendly service, that ain't open past the lunch rush. Today, I got a charmingly well-abused coffee mug with a chip knocked out of it, but the coffee was cheap and kept a-flowing. Food... got your waffles, pancakes, bacon plates, country steaks. Biscuits, gravy, hashbrowns, grits - what you'd expect. The "Combo Biscuit" is a fat piece of sausage, two bits of well-cooked bacon, American cheese and brown gravy over a biscuit. Will fill you up and is recommended for the hungover or those who want some real Southern Food. Not bad, and the prices are 1990s-esque. I digress, but I admit a soft spot in my heart for these family-run little diners and cafes that, honestly, are practically never very good, or healthy, but continue to hang on and deliver sweet caffeine and cholesterol via animal grease to the Early Riser. They speak of simpler, pre-OmniCorp times and it'd be a shame to see them completely disappear. Bottom Line: If you like and frequent Waffle House for their Actual Breakfast, give Compton's a try. If the idea of the former disgusts you, this ain't your jam, change stations.
(3)Mary M.
Since the manager Monica left, the place has gone downhill. It's dirty, the service is lacking, and the food is inconsistent. Very sad.
(2)Miranda G.
A great breakfast place in Columbia! Like Waffle House, but with some more regional options. Tons of great choices to choose from, all at great prices. Will come here again for sure!
(5)Amanda S.
Great local southern food in Triangle City. I have been for the meat & three, fried fish was tasty! Went this last time for breakfast for the first time which was lovely--had the corned beef hash with eggs, grits and bacon. Nothing fancy here! Will have to go back for the waffle smores :)
(5)Mandy W.
Heard great things so my grandma and I decided to check it out for lunch. We had the Monday Special "Chicken Pan Pie" which was very disappointing. Sadly, a frozen pot pie from the grocery store would have been much better. Our side items (pole beans, Mac & Cheese, and cabbage) were good. Maybe we will try again.
(2)KeiKei B.
Service was slow. But the food wasn't any better. Oil encrusted eggs & half burned bacon. My GF's grits were runny. Prices are great but food isn't worthy of your money. I hope they get better as it is in a neat little center and it used to be great.
(1)Gregory L.
Absolutely do not miss this breakfast place. One of a kind that definitely has character. I have eaten here everytime I am in Columbia and it reminds me of the good old days. Inexpensive and plenty of food. Real Southern breakfast to boot. Pay absolutely no attention to Martin V. He has no idea what he is talking about. The women working in Compton's Kitchen are wonderful. The atmostphere is, well, diner-like and the other customers are as local as you can get. When I have been there I have seen a local State Senator (Jakey) to down home folks. This place has everything you could possibly want in a local non-chain breakfast restaurant.
(5)EC S.
Had breakfast at this very nice locally-owned restaurant. Casual southern-style atmosphere. We ate outside so I can't comment about the inside. (We had a dog which was not a problem.) Scrambled eggs and cheese were perfectly cooked, not too runny nor too dry. Grits were also cooked well. Bacon was not your typical breakfast bacon-- thicker and cooked well. We also had an veggie omelet which was tasty with apparently sautéed vegetables! Service was good--never had to ask for more coffee or water. Wait staff was super friendly. We spoke to the owner (yes, the owner was there). Looked like a lot of locals-- usually a good sign. Only down side was the coffee, which was a little weak for my taste. We'll be back. Always on the lookout for local businesses and a good breakfast.
(4)Martin V.
Oh boy. Oh boy! ooooooh boy. If you've ever seen the move 'My Cousin Vinny' when he and his girlfriend go eat breakfast and he watches the dude throw an ice cream scoop of lard on the grill....this is that restaurant, relocated to SC. I know I'm one of those 'damn yankees' but what the HELL is fatback?! How does that sound appetizing in any way? Anyways, this place was tried in an effort to expand our breakfast options in Columbia. It will forever go down in gastrointestinal history as 'The Insurrection of 2012'. In historical terms, if my stomach was Columbia, this place went Sherman on it. I got the safe option, eggs, bacon, and a biscuit. I thought I would play it safe, best not rock the boat, I thought. Oh how naive, oh how utterly senseless. From the moment the plate was placed in front of me i sensed this would be a duel. A duel I would win and walk away from, but not without a scar. I faced the eggs, undercooked and glistening with salmonella in a menacing manner, and knew that this meal would forge my bowels to steel but only after taking me to the depths of the cauldron and back. The bacon was cut from pure stone. The biscuit, a mutated version of cement and lard. It defied physics the way it fell into my stomach with a weight that dared me to attempt to stand. Gross.
(1)TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Best breakfast restaurant in Columbia. Great food, casual atmosphere and the best service in town! Not kidding. Cant wait to go back for lunch!
(5)Larry D.
Breakfast. YUCK! Cheap food, cheap service, cheap building, cheap prices. Service was just slow. You should bring a book. The food was very forgettable. The coffee was flavored water. This place is near a residential area and I think there are regulars that meet here and talk. It was noisy because of that. The restaurant is run down, old and neglected. I regretted our choice to visit this place the very second I walked in the door. It only got worse after that. Maybe they used to be good. We went there because of the ratings. At one time, this restaurant probably cared about the food they served but now it's terrible food. Disgusting.
(1)Nicholas K.
Yessir, a greasy spoon in an otherwise greasy spoon-less town. Where have you gone Martin's? Why so quiet Capitol Grill? 5 Points Diner? Eek, Columbia we have a problem! There are no good greasy spoons downtown anymore. I have to go to Waffle House or IHOP to get my breakfast groove on? WTF? Where the rents get a little cheaper and the restaurants get less branded you'll find what you are looking for. In West Columbia, at the corner of 12th and B, you'll find Compton's Kitchen. It's pretty much like Lizard's Thicket but cheaper, even MORE Southern, and a lot more neighbor-friendly. I think there are people in The Avenues who have eaten here every day for years. When I go for a little $3 breakfast special (bacon, sausage, biscuits, hash browns, eggs), the long-time waitresses (the friendliest ever!) always seem to be deep in conversation with one of their long-time patrons. And yet they somehow still know exactly when I'm done with my coffee or water and need a refill. Biscuits-n'-gravy fan? Oh yeah... $1.80 for an enormous order of em. So obviously I usually go here for breakfast and I must say that the breakfast is what earns my admiration. But lunch is special too. You can order take-out and there's specials for every day of the week. It's usually around $5 a plate for a very large container's worth of greasy goodness.
(5)Patrick L.
Fantastic food and service. Totally worth the extra time! June 2, 2012
(5)kido m.
was Ok... just another lizards thicket! friendly servers n cheap food!
(3)