When I make that run I normally run to Florence and cut over that way you skip Durham, Greensboro & Charlotte Traffic.

That route will also take you close enough to Wilson to eat at Bill Ellis' BB-Q,(http://www.bills-bbq.com) which is as good an Eastern NC Barbeque as you’ll find. It’s full of lip smacking artery clogging goodness. Mmmmmm.

For those of you unfamiliar with Eastern NC Barbeque, it’s a noun and is made up of Chopped Pig with a Vinegar based sauce. Damn, I’m hungry now.

I’ll contact a couple of my clients in Columbia to see what they recommend.

Wilson (or rather, the travel plaza on I-95 at that exit) has always been a waypoint for me on the runs south, and our LLama Military Correspondent lived there for a while as well. My brother also used to live in Kinston.

I'm from SC, but I now live in No.VA. I LOATHE I-95, so when I drive "home", I usually go the 85-77 route. Granted, there is a some construction on 85 in Durham and on the north side of Charlotte. But, they've finished the construction on I-85 in Greensboro (they've finally separated I-85 and I-40), making travels thorough that part of NC a breeze.

The only place where you really have to worry about traffic is Charlotte--if you can avoid going through Charlotte during rush hour (and I'm talking a NC rush hour, not DC's) it is worth going this way. I think I-95 may be slightly shorter (probably only 20 miles or so) but I prefer my way b/c the drive is a little bit more interesting. And you won't have to see any of the annoying South of the Border billboards.

One of my favorite restaurants in Columbia is The Blue Marlin. EXCELLENT Shrimp and Grits. It's also located in "The Vista", which is home to a bunch of really good restaurants and some cool bars. Enjoy your stay in Columbia!

Phin's right-stop at Bill's barbeque--it is the best on the East Coast. Can't help you out on places to eat in Columbia--I am most familiar with the eateries around Fort Jackson and they are not much to write home about.

I agree about avoiding I-95. Plus I-77 is much prettier than the other route. Miyo's is very good for Chinese. It is not typical Chinese food, the lady who owns the restaurants (2 or 3) goes back to China every year to create new recipies. Decent wine selection too (well, at least for Columbia). There's also a nice spot in the old train station, I forget the name.

I e-mailed a client in Columbia & here's his response:

Harbison Blvd. is where everyone comes to Columbia to eat - for Italian there's Macaroni's, Carabas, the Olive Garden - for steak there's Longhorn Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, the Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse - for wings and BBQ there's Smoakies, Carolina Wings, D's Wings, Maurice's BBQ, and one other I can't recall the name - for Japanese/Chinese there's Yamoto's, Miyakis, and one other inside the mall on Harbison that is excellent! I personally like the grilled chicken Calsoneta from Macaronis.

Hope this helps...
Travel safe.

Note: I've been out of Columbia for 5 years, but I'm pretty sure you mean I-20. :)

You didn't say what part of Columbia you're going to.

Greasy spoons: Kinch's on Assembly Street, across from the State House kicked major ass, I used to eat there way too much. I'm sure prices have gone up, but 4 pieces fried chicken, fries, and tea was $4.25. (Kinchs Restaurant, (803) 256-3843, 1115 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29201)

BBQ: (Ignore the insane people telling you about NC BBQ.) - Piggie Park. The original. There are some chain stores, they're not _bad_, but go to the original if you can, in Cayce/West Columbia. Just over the bridge from downtown. (http://www.google.com/local?hl=en&lr=lang_en&safe=off&q=piggie+park&near=Columbia,+SC&sa=X&oi=locald&radius=0.0&latlng=34000556,-81035000,7073387697034354038)
I know of lots of other great places, probably further than you'd want to go. (Googling for the best BBQ buffet there was, north of town, I'm not finding it)... and of course, a lot might have changed in the last 5 years. :)

Try LaBrasca's Pizza...been there over thirty years. Try the Italian Sub...best you will ever eat.

Located on Jackson Blvd right off 77 at exit 10 I think. Sits in a direct line between the Kmart and Kroger.