Aiken, South Carolina’s culinary scene hits its stride.
First impressions can make or break a visit to a new town. Aiken’s 125-year-old live oak trees along South Boundary Avenue make me gasp and have me wondering what other surprises await.
As I set out on this 48-hour food-finding adventure, I suspected I would only scratch the surface of Aiken’s culinary awakening.
FRIDAY
An overnight stay in one of the 23 rooms and suites at The Willcox makes this walkable town easy to navigate. Built in 1898, the historic landmark honors the town’s history in well-appointed rooms with modern conveniences. Photos of Aiken’s polo matches, horse races, and Bing Crosby when he visited The Willcox in the 1940s, hang in the elevator. The equine tradition persists: Modern-day guests, traveling with their horses for events, shows, and weekly fox hunts, can tether their horses to the hitching post and order a cocktail in the lounge. On cool days, the fireplaces stay lit…