Neighborhood Dishes
Mack's
1809 Laurel Street, Columbia + 779-9858
Story and photos by Natasha Derrick
Natasha@TheColumbiaStar.com

Owner, Clyde Patrick, prepares a bun while long-time employee, April Iriel, cooks the burger.

In 1977, Bill Martin's coworkers at BellSouth asked him to join them for lunch at a nearby restaurant. "They said they were just going to take me to this little hole in the wall," he said. "And I've been coming here ever since."

Some people may call Mack's a hole in the wall, but they might also say it is the best place in town to get a chili cheeseburger, onion rings, or a hot dog.

The foundation for Mack's was laid back in 1965 when Clyde Patrick, 69, opened a grocery store on the corner of Laurel and Barnwell. He named the store in honor of his wife's maiden name, Mack. In 1973, Patrick decided to leave the run down store and build a new building down the street at 1809 Laurel. One part of the structure would serve as a grocery store and hot dog stand, while the other would be a liquor store.

Patrick continued to expand his food offerings to include hamburgers, onion rings, French fries, chicken tenders, and a breakfast menu. Eventually, both the grocery and liquor stores were shut down in order to expand the restaurant.

Vicky Kelly takes Jeremy Coulter's order.

"I never knew of where that happened before," Martin said. "Where the food was better than the liquor."

Mack's doesn't look like much from the outside. Situated across the street from the Columbia Fire Department Headquarters, there is only a small awning to lead customers to the front door. During the lunch rush people pack into the small dining area to chow down on one of Mack's signature dishes, the chili cheeseburger. Patrick takes pride in the fact that his kitchen uses the freshest ingredients to prepare their dishes. "Our hamburger patties are made fresh every day," he said. "People also love our tea because it is brewed the old-fashioned way each morning."

In addition to the food, customers at Mack's prize the efficiency with which the employees are able to deliver their lunch. Patrick has been able to keep many of his employees for over 10 years. Often long-time Mack's customers will not even have to order because the staff already knows what they like. "I've been coming here for so long they already know what I want to eat," Martin said.

Gamecock memorabilia and pictures of the capital city line the walls at Mack's.

Even though people might not know each other's names, there is still a feeling of community among the people who eat at Mack's. Perhaps it is the familiar feeling that is infused into all aspects of the restaurant. Just about every spare surface of Mack's reflects a facet of Patrick's life and interests. The tiny model airplanes and tractor figurines represent his hobbies. The walls are covered in Gamecock memorabilia and pictures of the capital city.

This feeling of community has brought quite a few well-known Columbians through the doors of Mack's. One of Patrick's favorite customers was USC basketball coach Frank McGuire. "He would come in all the time," Patrick said. "He was a good man. He'd talk to all the kids." According to Patrick, even when his health was failing, McGuire would still have his wife bring him to Mack's for a hot dog.

Bill Martin, a customer since 1977, enjoys a Mack's cheeseburger and french fries.

With its base of loyal customers and first time visitors, Mack's must have more to offer than meets the eye. Its humble surroundings and inconspicuous location do not seem to prevent people from seeking it out. Despite the variety of customers that Mack's attracts, from firefighters to doctors, they all seem to be drawn here for similar reasons. Dennis Morgan, customer of 32 years, sums it up, "The food is great, it's reasonably priced, and the service is good."