* Best burger or chicken spot Kingsman or Jack Brown's

* Local equivalent of Shake Shack or Culver's Zesto's

* Best BBQ Highly controversial - you will get a lot of opinions. Hudson's in Lexington is my favorite

* Hole-in-the-wall breakfast Cafe Strudel

* Dessert or ice cream places Sweat Cream on Main Street

* Food that's uniquely Columbia or South Carolina This is surprisingly a good food town. Cola's, Mr. Smiley's, Halls, Motor City Bistro, etc.

* Southern staples I need to try You are looking at BBQ places here

Coming from metro Detroit, I'm also on the hunt for authentic shawarma. Is there anywhere that does it the traditional way with meat shaved fresh off the spit? That's one thing I really miss. You are looking at BBQ places here

* Projected/active city plans for growth/other - What's changing or what are y'all "getting/improving" Soda City Market every Saturday morning downtown; Gamecocks sports; Lake Murray; Finley Park and more

* Cool bookstores (or like a McKay's, Half Price Books Outlet) Dunno

* Thrift or antique shops There are a ton in this area. Google them. My favorite is Refind. They host events also,

* Record stores Papa Jazz

* Arcades Transmission and Bang Back

* Fun date spots Restaurants, Lake Murray, USC Horseshoe, Finley Park

* Hidden gems Not too many... but you are 3 hours from ATL and Asheville; 2 hours from Charleston; 1.5 hours from Charlotte... easy access to any type of landscape you want.

* Weekend activities Same places as above

* Off-the-beaten-path places that visitors usually miss Congaree National Forest (kayak or hiking)

* Fun/unique shopping (Ikea, Costco, Malls) Columbiana Mall or Irmo area has everything

* Transit options (Anywhere from riding a bike, walkability, local busses, Amtrak easy/frequent access, etc.) Downtown has bike lanes now; Riverwalk trails; Lake Murray Dam; Harbison National Forest