How This WELL-LOVED Southern Gem Won Hearts in Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg's Main Street is hiding a seriously underrated Southern dining destination

Fried Fish and Grits at Cribbs Kitchen in Spartanburg, SC
Name
Cribbs Kitchen
Address
226B W Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Hours
Open Tue–Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–9 PM (closed Mon)

Right on Main Street in Spartanburg, South CarolinaCribbs Kitchen has built a reputation as the city’s most beloved local gem, ranking as the top-reviewed restaurant in town. 🍔

This locally-owned restaurant blends Southern comfort with creative flair across an eclectic menu of burgers, salads, and elevated entrees.

From house-smoked pork to eccentric burger creations, this Spartanburg dining destination has become a true downtown institution.

Jalapeño Popper burger at Cribbs Kitchen in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Linda

How Cribbs Kitchen won Spartanburg’s hearts

The concept behind Cribbs Kitchen is built on genuine local sourcing, from Greenbriar Farms pork shoulder smoked in-house to fresh grits from Colonial Milling. 🐖

The restaurant leans heavily on Southern staples reimagined with global twists, like Piedmont empanadas filled with braised collard greens and pulled chicken, or fried green tomatoes stuffed with pimento cheese.

That commitment to locally-sourced, house-made ingredients has made it a genuine standout in the Upstate South Carolina food scene.

food at Cribbs Kitchen in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Marco

What really sets Cribbs apart is its now-famous eclectic burger menu, which includes winning creations from the restaurant’s annual burger cook-off with RJ Rocker Brewing. 🍺

Regulars specifically call out the impressive range of choices, from creative appetizers to hearty handhelds, as a reason they keep returning.

That variety, paired with a genuinely warm neighborhood feel, is exactly why this beloved Spartanburg restaurant has held its top local ranking for years. 🎉

Food Highlights

Fried Chicken Sandwich at Cribbs Kitchen in Spartanburg, SC
Heather
  • Fried Chicken Sandwich: Crispy buttermilk fried chicken breast piled high with pickles and a signature sauce on a soft bun. 🍗
  • Fried Green Tomatoes: Colonial Milling grits and pimento queso topped with chili pepper candied bacon, arugula, and tomato jam.

  • Ahi Tuna: Chopped yellowfin tossed with avocado corn relish, toasted sesame, and nori, finished with crispy wontons.

Fried Fish and Grits at Cribbs Kitchen in Spartanburg, SC
Kayla
  • Fried Fish and Grits: Crispy fried fish served over a bed of creamy grits, finished with a savory sauce for a Southern comfort classic. 🐟
  • C.K. Cuban: A sandwich built on locally sourced, in-house smoked Greenbriar Farms pork shoulder.

  • Crusted Ribeye: A hearty seared ribeye entree served with garlicky mashed potatoes and a shiitake pan sauce.
  • A.C. Rauchenburger: The 2016 burger cook-off winner, topped with smoked gouda, prosciutto, romesco, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. 🍔
Stella Blue Burger at Cribbs Kitchen in Spartanburg, SC
Heather
  • Stella Blue Burger: A hearty beef patty topped with bleu cheese crumbles, crispy bacon, and caramelized onions on a toasted bun.

  • Red Wine Braised Short Rib: Slow-braised beef short rib finished in a rich red wine reduction, served with creamy mashed potatoes. 🍷

Atmosphere

Cribbs Kitchen keeps its downtown Main Street space casual yet stylish, with a lively bar scene and full dining room. 🎶

interior of Cribbs Kitchen in Spartanburg, South Carolina
B L

The vibe stays relaxed enough for a quick lunch but dresses up nicely for dinner with cocktails and shared plates.

Its downtown location makes it a natural stop before catching a show or event nearby. It’s the kind of spot where locals feel instantly at home.

Bottom Line

Come for the eclectic, award-winning burgers, house-smoked Cuban sandwiches, and creative Southern appetizers. Add locally sourced ingredients, a lively downtown setting, and a menu built for every craving, and it’s easy to see why this hidden Spartanburg gem stays packed. 🍔

Address:


226B W Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29306

📞 (864) 699-9669
🕔 Open Tue–Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–9 PM (closed Mon)