Crispy Does It
In the former carriage house across the courtyard at Cartwright Food Hall, which was recently occupied by White Wine and Butter, you’ll now find Hendrix Chicken & Waffles. This is the third venture for the Butter Brand group from Mike Sibert, who was named a South Carolina Chef Ambassador for 2024. A match made in food heaven, juicy 24-hour brined chicken tenders are fried up crispy and golden and served with freshly made waffles in several combinations.
Sides include sweet potato fries, beer-braised collards with onions caramelized in duck fat, and mac ‘n’ cheese. You can get a side of the latter plain, but our money’s on the 24K mac ‘n’ cheese, a bowl of creamy, cheesy elbow pasta studded with garlic waffle bits and chicken tenders, then topped with the secret recipe “gold dust.” And for dessert? Nothing other than a Belgian waffle ice cream sundae will do.
Hendrix Chicken & Waffles, 215 Trade St., Greer, @hendrixchicken
Cornering the Market
Mauldin’s new farmers market debuted May 2 at BridgeWay Station. Held in the common area of the Italian-inspired complex of apartments, offices, shops, eateries, and entertainment venues, the BridgeWay Station Farmers Market brings more than 50 vendors each Thursday evening, bearing a diverse array of goods from fresh produce and pastured meats to artisanal crafts and homemade foods like jams and pickles.
In addition to live music, look for Market Talks on topics like beekeeping and fermentation, culinary demonstrations by local chefs, and art projects, scavenger hunts, and creative movement classes for kids. You can even bring your four-legged best friend to help you sniff out good bargains.
BridgeWay Station, 110 Via Corso Ave., Mauldin. May 2 thru Oct. 31, Thurs., 4–8pm. bridgewaymarket.com
True Blue
For lovers of summer berries, June ushers in blueberry season. You can find these native North American berries at myriad area farmers markets, as well as at area farms such as Arrowhead Acres in Travelers Rest, Blueberry Hill on Paris Mountain, and Overmountain Vineyards in Tryon. Hurry to get your fill before the season ends—not only are blueberries tasty, but they pack a hefty nutritional punch, too.
- Blueberries were first cultivated in the early 1900s; today nearly 1 billion pounds are grown in North America each year.
- One large handful (1/2 cup) of juicy blueberries contains just 44 calories and has 2 grams of dietary fiber and 10% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.
- Blueberries contain a flavonoid compound called anthocyanin, which gives the berries their blue color and their powerful antioxidant effect.
