Stax Omega Diner, Greenville

The bakery case greets customers as they enter this bustling Greenville mainstay, reminding patrons to stay for the cake. Trish’s maple butter pecan and the paradise piña colada will delight your taste buds. Before that slice of pie, there are options galore on an expansive menu that goes well beyond crepes, omelets, pancake stacks and challah bread French toast.

They also come by their fraternity-friendly sobriquet honestly, and owner George Koumoustiotis plays to his roots offering up myriad Mediterranean dishes, including gyro platters and chicken souvlaki. For added measure, the spanakopita and Greek salad are both made with imported feta cheese.

Hilton Head Diner, Hilton Head Island

Americana vibes, variety and cheat-day sized portions rule the day at this local standby across the street from Palmetto Dunes. Settle into a padded booth and satisfy your hankering for classic comfort food, seven days a week. If you’re hankering for a triple-decker club sandwich, a heaping plate of country fried steak and eggs, a broiled half-pound burger or perhaps chicken marsala with button mushrooms and linguine, you’ve come to the right place. And for those who prefer stuffed peppers, popcorn shrimp or roasted turkey and cranberry sauce—if you crave it, they’ve got it.

Early Bird Diner, Charleston

Fresh off crushing a serious yoga sesh and looking to refuel? Or maybe you just need a hearty meal? This funky West Ashley joint with original art-adorned walls is a tasty gravy train to hop aboard.

You could fill up on home classics like a spicy honey fried chicken biscuit, fried pickles with buttermilk ranch dressing or chicken and waffles (above), but the Early Bird also offers creative takes on favorites, like their grilled meatloaf accompanied by a chipotle molasses barbecue sauce, or “The Mess”– an intermingling of curried veggies with egg, avocado and potatoes.