‘The Porch’ providing hearty Southern food

Hearty Southern food helps many get through a day of hard labor, and The Porch in Socastee aims to do just that. A small but charming restaurant next to The Cooper House, this new business replaced the Sawkastee Bait and Tackle shop a few months ago and already seems to be a regular stop for some locals.

Because of its small stature, the building can fill up pretty fast during lunchtime. With some businesses nearby and construction down the road, a lot of customers are on a lunch break and know where to come for a lot of food for not a lot of money.

Once you’ve settled at your table and you’re offered a drink (of which you’re encouraged to get refills whenever you want), take a good look at the menu. Their breakfast options, available all day, aren’t messing around, and their rolls are hardcore as well, so take this menu seriously!

When it says “stuffed,” they mean stuffed.

Some Southern favorites with a twist that show up at The Porch include Chicken Bog and Sausage and Biscuits, and they come in the form of a roll. They also have Mac and Cheese in a roll, and hot dogs in a roll. If you’re feeling extra brave, try their decadent Stars and Stripes, which is two rolls filled with red velvet waffles, white chocolate, and fresh berries.

One of the heftiest meals The Porch has to offer is their Carolina Breakfast Burrito, and this monster will definitely wake you up. Pulled pork, peppers, onions, potatoes, and cheese all stuffed into a giant wrap then fried and smothered with gravy and two fried eggs.

For something a little less intense, The Porch has sandwiches and wraps, including a fried flounder sandwich. Dinner plates are the most expensive items on the menu, but still nothing goes over $10. There are sides for the plates as well, including some of The Porch’s own “I Love My Country Gravy.”

If you haven’t been stuffed to the rafters yet, try their red velvet and vanilla ice cream sandwich.

The Porch has nailed their waffles, but ice cream makes everything better. They also have a few shakes, like chocolate and strawberry, with the most rich being the Reese’s shake.

At The Porch, it’s all about Southern meals in a friendly atmosphere… and comfort food has never hit harder. They have some great meals, both in size and taste, which come out quickly and can feed a family. So if you’re in need of some comfort food, or just a substantial meal to get you through the day, The Porch is looking forward to serving you.

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 7:02 AM with the headline "‘The Porch’ providing hearty Southern food."