The Spartanburg institution joins restaurants from New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Philadelphia on the prestigious list.
“When you think of a James Beard award, you think of restaurants that are really high-profile,” owner Wade “Hamp” Lindsey Jr. says. “There’s nothing really fancy about us. I guess you just don’t expect it’s going to happen to a small hometown restaurant. I just always pictured it as being someone else other than us.”
Why Wade’s won
To win this prestigious food award, restaurants must be 10+ years old and “locally and independently owned” with “timeless appeal” + must be “beloved in its region for food that reflects the character and cultural traditions of its community.”
Wade’s checks all those boxes. Open for 77 years, this family-run meat-and-three restaurant uses family recipes, and according to The Beard Foundation 2,500 guests visit daily and eat:
Dan + Shay: Heartbreak On The Map Tour | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 7 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $36-$136 | Spend your spare day with Dan + Shay and Ben Rector.
Drag Queen Bingo | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 7-10 p.m. | Aloft Greenville, 5 N. Laurens St., Greenville | Free entry | Enjoy an evening of Drag Queen Bingo to benefit to Upstate Pride SC.
Toasty Farmer’s Market | Saturday, March 2 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Fireforge Crafted Beer, 311 E. Washington St., Greenville | Free | Shop 30+ vendors and sip a drink from Coffee Coffee or Fireforge.
“A Sense of Place” Wine Tasting With Lisa Simons | Saturday, March 2 | 3:30-4:45 p.m. | Topsoil Kitchen and Market, 13 S. Main St., Travelers Rest | $40 | Lisa Simons, Wine Director at Topsoil Restaurant, will take you on a new journey each month connecting wine with the culture, community and elements from the places they originate.
Sunday, March 3
“Down the Mycological Rabbit Hole” | Sunday, March 3 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Mushroom Spot, 1358 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville | $10 | Come listen to the latest research and what may be on the horizon involving fungi and civilization.
Join the YMCA of Greenville for their Summer Staff Era
The YMCA of Greenville is hiring for a wide range of positions, including summer day camp counselors, lifeguards, child watch staff, sports counselors, kitchen staff, field trip coordinators, and cabin and adventure trip leaders. | Photo provided by YMCA of Greenville
Looking to make a genuine impact in your community this summer? You’ll be in good company at the Y.
With a focus on building healthier, confident, and closer-knit communities, the YMCA of Greenville offers a wide range of opportunities for meaningful work — from day camp counselors to cabin and adventure trip leaders.
Make your summer one to remember when you work for the Y. Did we mention that they’re big on work-life balance too?
K&S Restaurant — a meat-and-three — is closing today, Feb. 29. The restaurant, which has been open for 50 years, is located at 3107 White Horse Rd. + did not give a reason for the closure. (WYFF 4)
Edu
A yet-to-be-named elementary school is under construction at 61 Isbell Ln. in Greenville. The school will serve up to 750 pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students + focus on environmental science when it opens for the 2025-2026 school year. (Greenville Journal)
Number
10. That’s how many awards the Greenville Chamber presented to local businesses and individuals during its 135th Annual Meeting. See the full list of winners.
ICYMI
In case you missed it, TODAY’s Al Roker was in Greenville yesterday for the “Start TODAY walking challenge.” The participants met in front of the Grand Bohemian Lodge and walked through Falls Park. (Greenville Journal)
Holiday
Celebrate Easter in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains with The Omni Grove Park Inn’s family-friendly Easter Bunny Bliss package — featuring Easter-themed events, a $150 food and beverage credit, complimentary parking, and a keepsake item. Pro tip: Don’t miss the lavish Easter brunch or a photo with Major Bunny.*
The secret to spotless furniture: ChomChom’s reusable lint roller, which picks up pet hair and lint like nobody’s business. Get it on sale for a few more hours.*
Correction
The art moved us too much. We told you Sally Mavor’s exhibit at the Upcountry History Museum was open now, but it actually opens on Saturday, March 2 and runs through Sunday, May 5.
Asked
Food
Winner of GVLtoday’s pizza bracket
With the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments just around the corner, we’re joining the fun of bracket competitions with a face-off of our own with our GVLtoday pizza bracket.
But first, we need your help nominating the spots you think should be in the bracket.
Using the nomination form below, submit the local spot that has your favorite slice of pie, and we’ll use your nominations to create a bracket and battle it out in our newsletter and on socials.
Need help brainstorming? Check out our pizza guide to get started.
New tees for a new season. Freshen up your spring wardrobe with tees that feel as good as they look from Carolina Surf Dogs, Salt Monkey, and Sandlot Goods.
It’s hard to believe I’m coming up on two years with GVLtoday. It felt like it was time for a new headshot, and I want to give a big thank you to my photographer friend Lauren Newton for capturing me in some of my favorite Greenville spots.
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