By admin 
The Columbia area loves its Southern food, and there are plenty of restaurants to explore.
Read more Remember Columbia’s Del Taco? The nation’s best fast food restaurant is back in SC
Chances are, you’ve tried Southern food at least once. But what exactly is this cuisine, and where do its roots originate?
According to the National Endowment for the Humanities, Southern cuisine is a blend of the culinary traditions and ingredients of three primary groups: Native Americans, immigrants from the British Isles, and West and Central Africa.
Southern cuisine can be found from Virginia to Texas, and there are plenty of different varieties to try, such as soul food, Creole, Cajun and Tex-Mex. Restaurants and chefs are actively creating new dishes inspired by the core of Southern food.
Now, The State wants your opinion on where you can find the best Southern cuisine in the city in our newest poll.
Read more 2 Greenville County restaurants close temporarily after failing health inspection
To find the best Southern restaurants in the Columbia area, we selected 22 spots known for their delicious food and warm atmosphere and added them to our poll. Whether it’s fried chicken, shrimp and grits or biscuits and gravy, there’s a little something for everyone in Columbia.
This is not an exhaustive, comprehensive list of every place that serves Southern food in the Columbia area. Rather, it’s a wide-ranging selection representing the variety our city offers.
In the unscientific poll, you will see soul food restaurants, diners, BBQ joints and fancy restaurants. When voting for your favorite beer joint, don’t discount the unique atmospheres and tasty food each place strives to make.
You have until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, to vote in the poll below. You can vote as many times as you want. We will post the results once the poll ends.
Read more Supporting Trump, while talking spending. 5 takeaways from SC GOP Senate debate