South Carolina Restaurant Has One Of The Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches In the U.S.
I am a huge fan of chicken salad. And although it’s easy enough to make, there’s a skill in making one that stands out. I think I make a pretty solid chicken salad. That said, there’s a restaurant in Columbia, South Carolina that makes one of the best and I’ve tried to copy it for years!
Mashed has come up with a list of the best chicken salad sandwiches in the U.S., and the restaurant I love in Columbia, S.C. made the list. When discussing chicken salad, I think ‘good’ depends on your tastes. Many folks in the South love nuts and grapes in chicken salad. Personally, I’m not a big fan of a chicken salad with grapes in it.
I lived in Columbia, South Carolina for about eight years and there’s a restaurant in 5 Points that has THE best chicken salad I’ve ever had. The Gourmet Shop is known for many things, but almost everyone that’s had their chicken salad will say it’s amazing! Their recipe isn’t complex and there’s not too much mayo. I don’t like an overabundance of mayo in a chicken or tuna salad. The Gourmet Shop puts just enough mayo in their chicken salad to give it a smooth texture.
Years ago, while living in Columbia, I’d meet a friend of mine for lunch every month or so, and we’d always go to The Gourmet Shop. My friend would have the chicken salad on a croissant. I’d always go for the fresh tomatoes stuffed with chicken salad. Simplicity at its finest!
This chicken salad is so good that for years every time I’d visit friends in Columbia, I’d go by The Gourmet Shop and buy a pound of chicken salad to take home. It got a bit pricey, so I had to curb my addiction. LOL!
If you’re traveling to Columbia, South Carolina anytime soon, a stop at The Gourmet Shop is a must. Outside of their chicken salad, the shop has lots of yummy items including specialty cheeses, meats, pastries, and wine.
I’m sure this recipe is somewhere online, but I just made it on my own a few years ago. One of the chicken salads I make uses goat cheese instead of mayo. I roast chicken breasts and while they’re still hot, I’ll shred them. Instead of adding mayo, I’ll add goat cheese while the chicken is still hot. The cheese will melt and act as a binder. I’ll then add chives, chopped walnuts, red pepper, salt, pepper and a touch of honey. So good! Not for everyone, but if you want to try something different, give this a shot.
