Not to be confused with the Texas burger chain, West Columbia’s What-A-Burger opened in 1953. | Photo by COLAtoday
With the Masters Tournament week in full swing, pimento cheese is back in the national spotlight. While the spread didn’t originate in Columbia, the pimento cheeseburger was popularized by Jacob “J.C.” Reynolds of the former Dairy Bar on South Main Street in the 1960s.
Here’s where to taste this hometown classic:
Burger Tavern 77 | “The Charleston” burger is topped with smoked pimento cheese, bacon, and pickles for a tangy twist.
Jack Brown’s | Available Thursdays only, the “When in Roam...” stacks chipotle pimento cheese, bacon, and jalapeño jelly on an American wagyu patty.
Jack Brown’s “When in Roam...” burger is a Thursday special. | Photo by Jack Brown’s
The Kingsman | “The Palmetto” layers homemade pimento cheese, fried jalapeños, and bacon on a ground ribeye patty.
Mack’s Cash Grocery | A Columbia staple known for its short-order grill and no-frills charm, Mack’s serves a straightforward pimento cheeseburger with a patty, melted pimento cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
Fishing With Friends | 9-11 a.m. | Southeast Park | Free | Bring your own equipment and lure in some fun with friendly competition at a fully stocked pond.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | CVETS Dog Days of Summer: Treat your furry friend to a night out at Segra Park and enjoy $5 White Claws on White Claw Wednesday.*
Thursday, April 10
Spring Plant Sale | HC Members-Only Early Access | 4-6 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | Price of purchase | Attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants propagated from the Living Collections across all of our historic sites.
Zach Top | 8 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $102+ | The country star performs his “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” with guest Lauren Watkins.
Friday, April 11
“Camp Rock” | Through Sunday, April 13 | Times vary | Town Theatre | $12+ | This high-energy student musical features bold choreography, catchy songs, and a heartwarming story.
Artista Vista | Through Sunday, April 13 | Times vary | The Vista | Free | Celebrate the area’s arts and culture with a weekend of events including art crawls, live displays, an art market, and an art scavenger hunt.
Kaitlin met with Kathy Fincher, a registered dietitian + certified diabetes care and education specialist, for an insightful and empowering session where she got her questions answered. During the private appointment, Kaitlin learned about all aspects of managing diabetes. Think:
Monitoring blood sugar + what to do if it’s too high or low
This comprehensive program is available (with a physician’s referral) at multiple locations in and around the Midlands. Whether you’re living with diabetes or just looking to learn more, these specialist sessions offer valuable tips and insights.
USC’s International MBA program is No. 1 in the US for the 11th straight year, per U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 grad school rankings. The Darla Moore School of Business has held a top-three national spot for 36 consecutive years.
Announced
The Gervais Street Bridge Dinner returns in October after a one-year hiatus. The sunset supper atop Columbia’s iconic bridge will again unite both sides of the river, with a date to be announced soon. Follow updates on the event’s Facebook page.
Coming Soon
Frozen yogurt + ice cream chain 16 Handles is opening its first Midlands location at Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres. The NYC-based shop will offer vegan options, 16 rotating flavors + a toppings bar. No official opening date is set. (The Post and Courier)
Real Estate
SC is selling its longtime Department of Mental Health headquarters on Bull Street, asking $5.1 million for the four-story building and eight acres next to the BullStreet District. Bids open on Friday, May 16, as the agency prepares to relocate to Otarre Parkway in Cayce. (The State)
Eat
Finer Dining returns to CITY GRIT on Tuesday, April 29, with a five-course jam-inspired menu in collaboration with Sakhar Jams. Each dish will highlight a different handmade flavor, including one crafted specifically for the event.
Sports
Breakout star: Tristan Smith transforms Clemson’s offense at its spring game. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Clemson Tigerswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
We know you’re smart (you subscribe to COLAtoday, after all), but we all have our blind spots when it comes to spending. Here are the 11 dumbest things smart people waste money on.*
A handwritten “Property of F. Scott Fitzgerald” inscription appears in the author’s book on display in USC’s Gatsby centennial exhibit. | Photo via USC
Tomorrow marks 100 years since The Great Gatsby was published, and USC Libraries is honoring the milestone with a public exhibit on the novel’s legacy.
On view at the Hollings Library through July 15, the display features everything from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s report card and annotated manuscripts to translated editions and a first edition of the book itself. Curated by Dr. Michael Weisenburg, the exhibit highlights Fitzgerald’s life, the novel’s Jazz Age roots, and its global influence.
Visitors can explore themes like flapper culture, Jazz music, and Fitzgerald’s friendships with literary icons like Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. A special read-aloud of The Great Gatsby will celebrate the novel’s 100th anniversary on Thursday, April 10.
Admission is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Buy
The Buy
We all want the best for our pets, and premium care can come at a premium cost. With pet insurance, you can reduce the strain on your budget, whether it’s for treating a chronic condition or an unexpected emergency.*
Village Idiot Pizza is getting in on the pimento cheese fun with its April special. The Spicy Pimento Cheese Pizza comes topped with creamy pimento cheese, mozzarella, and jalapeños for a Southern twist with a kick.
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