A staple in Chinese cuisine, traditional egg rolls are often filled with shredded pork and cabbage, then fried in hot oil. Now a go-to appetizer menu option for any restaurant due to their handheld, shareable and satisfying nature, eateries all over the region have put their own cultural spin on the popular meal starter. Grab your dipping sauce and get ready for some crispy-crunchy goodness featuring surprising flavor combinations within.
Southern Egg Rolls at The Root Cellar
Let’s start with a shameless plug for our Pimento Cheese Passport, shall we? At The Root Cellar in Lexington, house made pimento cheese and pulled pork take up residence inside the lightly fried casings while a side of Root Cellar bbq sauce is the finishing touch that makes these Southern Eggrolls sing.
Irish Egg Rolls at The British Bulldog Pub
Over in Irmo, you can enjoy egg rolls with a Celtic twist at The British Bulldog. Featuring corned beef, cabbage and cheddar cheese nestled in an egg roll wrapper and fried golden brown with 1000 Island dressing as the dip of choice, it’s like a St. Patrick’s Day dinner in a neat little handheld package that we can’t get enough of.
Lowcountry Egg Rolls at D’s Wings
A newer addition to the menu, these bad boys are double stuffed with saffron rice, shrimp, smoked sausage and sauteed onions and peppers. Dunk them in their signature Sweet Chili wing sauce for a zesty pop of flavor that takes them to the next level.
Big Cat Rolls at Transmission Arcade
A fun spot deserves a fun menu and Transmission Arcade certainly doesn’t fall short in that endeavor. And while we could go on and on about their famous smoked wings, Banh Mi fries and brunch offerings, we’re here to strictly talk egg rolls. Loaded with pulled pork, collards and cheesy mac, then drizzled with their tasty Abacus sauce, the Big Cat Rolls are sure to fuel your time spent going for that high score.
Italian Eggrolls at Villa Tronco
You don’t get to be the oldest restaurant in the state without a little innovation. While the rest of the appetizer-eating world is munching away on mozzarella sticks with marinara, Villa Tronco said hold my vino. Enter the Italian Eggrolls, an ingenious creation with mozzarella, spinach and roasted red pepper on the inside and a balsamic glaze topping it all off with a zing.
Jalapeno Popper Egg Roll at Jake’s
We’re here for this appetizer mash-up that’s as iconic as the patio on which you’ll enjoy them. In-house pimento cheese, jalapeno and bacon come together for a melty, spicy, craveable combination that’ll keep you coming back for more. Save us a seat at the picnic table, please.
Cajun Egg Rolls at Private Property
Get a taste of Louisiana in Lexington. Private Property’s jambalaya-inspired Cajun Egg Rolls are packed with all the proteins: andouille sausage, Tasso ham and shrimp and served with a zippy sweet chili dipping sauce. Enjoy them inside the stunning space of the grand Southern house in which the restaurant resides or out on the fairy tale-like patio for an evening you won’t soon forget.
Pulled Pork BBQ Eggrolls at Cola’s Restaurant
Tradition and tomorrow pair perfectly at Cola’s, the cozy luxe eatery housed in a former RC Cola bottling plant on Assembly. In keeping with the restaurant’s focus on Southern favorites with global influences, we encourage you to slip into a seat and dig into their Pulled Pork BBQ Eggrolls. The hearty, smoked pork is complemented by a mustard-based sauce and “Cola” slaw, resulting in a dish that’s as sumptuous and approachable as the atmosphere.
Southwest Chicken Egg Rolls at Lucky’s Sports Shack
You can always count on a burger joint to have the good snacks. And among the cheeseburger dip, mini corn dogs, chili cheese tots and more found on the Lucky’s appetizer lineup, you’ll also spot the Southwest Chicken Egg Rolls. Bringing the heat and a surprising amount of fillings, these come prepared with chicken, pepper jack cheese, corn, black beans and jalapenos all wrapped in a flour tortilla instead of a standard egg roll wrapper. Ask for a side of ranch or their signature Petal sauce to kick them up a notch.
Philly Cheesesteak and Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls at Iron Hill Brewery
BullStreet’s new brewery, the Delaware-based brand Iron Hill, has a considerably sized food menu to go hand in hand with their robust beer list. Here, you’ll find not one, but two different egg roll options. Order up either the Philly Cheesesteak egg rolls filled with ground beef, fried onions and American cheese with ketchup and horseradish sauce, or the Buffalo Chicken egg rolls complete with marinated chicken, carrots, celery, Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses with bleu cheese dressing and buffalo sauce. Or, if you’re like us, you’ll just order both and find out which one’s your favorite.
Kingston Jerk Chicken, Island Oxtail or Salmon Eggrolls at Tati’s Island Cuisine
Let your tastebuds transport you to somewhere tropical at Tati’s Island Cuisine. Not to one-up Iron Hill or anything, but Tati’s has *three* different egg roll modifications on their menu. Satisfy your craving for Caribbean flavors with their jerk chicken, oxtail or salmon egg roll offerings.
Fried Cheese Cake at Tsunami
All this savory has us hankering for something sweet. At Tsunami, you’re going to want to save some room for dessert, because the Fried Cheese Cake can’t and won’t be ignored. Creamy, decadent cheesecake awaits within a deep-fried tortilla that’s finished off with a dusting of cinnamon sugar. We’ll completely understand if you don’t want to share.
Honorable Mentions
Reuben Egg Rolls at Home Team BBQ
While you won’t find egg rolls on the regular menu, occasionally Home Team’s weekly specials will include a Reuben variation that includes pit smoked pastrami, Swiss cheese and kraut with a side of 1000 Island. Please consider this our official motion for them to added to the permanent menu, though. We’re not above begging and pleading.
Egg Rolls at Pearlz Oyster Bar
Another special circumstances egg roll can be found at Pearlz in the Vista. Available during happy hour only, pair your $3 champagne or $5 martini with their take on egg rolls. Shrimp, andouille Cajun red rice and slaw are encased within the crispy outer layer and a tangy citrus jalapeno marmalade brings it home. Catch us counting down the hours until 4 p.m.
