The story
The story of Halls Chophouse begins in 2009, when the Hall family opened their first chophouse on King Street in Downtown Charleston. Bill Hall had spent more than four decades running hotels and restaurants at places like Napa Valley, Pebble Beach, and Hilton Head Island, always with his wife Jeanne at his side. When their daughter Stacey settled in Charleston, the Halls planted roots in the Lowcountry and built something of their own. The guiding principle — "service before self," the words now used to honor Mr. Hall's memory — shaped every detail of the dining room from day one.
In 2018, that same commitment traveled inland. Halls Chophouse Columbia opened at 1221 Main Street, steps from the South Carolina State House, bringing the family's brand of fine dining to the capital city.
The kitchen at this Columbia steakhouse centers on USDA Prime and Midwestern Angus beef sourced from Allen Brothers of Chicago, wet- or dry-aged for tenderness and depth of flavor. The steak list runs from an 8 oz. Petite Filet Mignon to a 34 oz. dry-aged Tomahawk Rib Eye, with options that include Japanese A5 Wagyu by the ounce and a 26 oz. dry-aged Porterhouse named Red's. For those who want to push further, accompaniments like seared foie gras, Oscar-style jumbo crab, and black truffle butter are available alongside classic sauces from béarnaise to house Worcestershire.
The menu extends well beyond beef. Lowcountry touches run throughout — She-Crab Soup, Fried Green Tomatoes with crab and shrimp succotash, and Shrimp & Grits with tasso ham gravy and stone-ground grits. Seafood options include pan-seared Nantucket diver scallops with vegetable risotto and caviar, and Chilean sea bass with grilled artichoke. The wine program earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and a downloadable list is available for those who want to plan ahead.
Guests describe the atmosphere consistently: the music, the lighting, and the energy of the room make it the kind of place people choose for anniversaries, birthday dinners, and family celebrations. Live music is a regular feature, and the space accommodates both intimate dinners and large private events. Seating is available inside and on the outdoor patio, with a bar area set aside for walk-ins. The dress code leans business casual in the dining room — a small but telling signal of how seriously the room takes the experience it offers.
Sunday brunch adds another dimension, with a bacon-wrapped filet alongside eggs, a Chophouse Omelet with prime steak and creamed spinach, and classic Eggs Benedict — the steakhouse sensibility carried right through to midday.
Recognition
Ambience
Location