Gut Reaction | Tongy’s popular with students, but good food and prices make it a spot for everyone

Setting the Table

Walking into Tongy’s is everything you expect from a popular college student bar, with a splash of teal thrown in. There’s music playing, the games are helping illuminate the inside with flashing colors, and the pool tables are ready to go.

Along with the bar, this hangout doesn’t need much more to make the students come in droves. But Tongy’s doesn’t stop there; they deliver some excellent food at decent prices to make the fun atmosphere even better. Plus, who doesn’t love a little bit of competition, either on the big screen or the beer pong table?

With their newly finished addition, Tongy’s Shmackhouse across U.S. 501 from Coastal Carolina University is bigger and better than ever. The extension, which opens in the evenings, has a second bar and extra games, like foosball. It looks like Thirsty Thursdays have become even thirstier.

Down the Hatch

There is plenty to peruse on the menu, which was recently upgraded to include some new dishes, like The Reg sandwich, and the Don Vito burger. Even when it isn’t happy hour, 4-7 p.m., the prices remain reasonable, which of course makes sense given the restaurant’s main audience.

The burger menu is impressive and mouthwatering, so the numerous awards come as no surprise, although choosing one becomes that much more difficult.

The Bear remains a Tongy’s favorite, although anything with bacon and three types of cheese is sure to reign supreme. As usual, these award-winning burgers are huge and tender, so think carefully about which side you want to go with your meal. You might end up sharing, or taking some home.

Out of all the sandwiches, wraps and tacos, the favorites are just that for a reason. Professor Riley’s must be one smart cat, because his Panini is a cavalcade of flavor on toasted sourdough bread. And as it seems to go with Tongy’s, the sandwich was filling enough, so the side was consumed at a separate time.

Check, Please

Iyou’re going to Tongy’s during the late afternoon and into the evening, it will probably be filled with college students. Midday and early afternoon greets the restaurant with a lull, so if rambunctious students aren’t your thing, keep that in mind.

Happy hour at Tongy’s means discounted appetizers at $4.75. Sandwiches and wraps are $5, while specialty burgers are a reasonable $6. Their drink specials change regularly, so keep up with Tongy’s Shmackhouse Facebook and Twitter accounts to be in the know.

A sandwich and side salad along with a tip was less than $15 outside of happy hour. All in all, a visit to this burger giant for its giant burgers is well worth your time. If you’re ready to party, stop by on Tongy’s Tuesdays and Thirsty Thursdays for extra savings and extra fun.

This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 1:58 AM with the headline "Gut Reaction | Tongy’s popular with students, but good food and prices make it a spot for everyone."