If you’re looking for a place where great food meets a fun, laid-back atmosphere for the whole family, let us introduce you to The Shack! While the restaurant itself opened about a year ago, they just opened their outdoor space—and it is awesome!! Rachael visited with her family and she’s got all the details for you below.
Outdoor Space Designed for Families
The vibe outside is chill and laid back, making it easy to relax while the kids play and explore.
There’s a dedicated area for kids with:
- Basketball
- Jumbo blocks
- Giant Connect Four
And it’s not just for the kids—there’s plenty for adults to enjoy too:
- Ring toss
- Bean bag toss
- Two cornhole sets complete with drink holders AND a scoreboard
One detail we especially loved? The space is thoughtfully designed for comfort. Every picnic table has an umbrella, and they keep them adjusted and angled for optimal shade—huge win for those sunny Midlands days!
Welcoming Atmosphere & Great Service
The restaurant is welcoming both inside and out, with a friendly staff and excellent service.
The menu made choosing a meal difficult because everything looked so good—always a great problem to have!
What We Tried (and Loved!)
The menu has something for everyone, and the portions are generous—especially the mac and cheese dishes.
They offer five different mac n cheese options, and they are huge! One standout we didn’t order but couldn’t stop watching go by was the Cowboy Mac (Flying Pig):
- 3 cheese mac
- Pulled pork
- Pickled jalapeños
- Bacon
- Drizzled with BBQ sauce
It looked absolutely delicious!
Here’s what we did try:
- Blue cheese pecan celery sticks – So good! Light, full of flavor, and served on a bed of greens so we could enjoy every last bit of toppings.
- Cowboy pizza – Similar flavor profile to the mac, with a jalapeño ranch base, mozzarella cheese, pulled pork, jalapeños, and BBQ drizzle. Delicious!
- Kids’ meals – Cheeseburgers, mac & cheese (the real stuff)… all 🔥 according to the kids!
A Place to Gather & Connect
We met up with some friends there and even made new ones before we left.
We were really impressed with what an inviting and family-friendly space this is—plus the high-quality food makes it even better. It made for a perfect evening together, and we all left happy!
More Photos from The Shack
Visiting The Shack
If you go, plan to spend a little extra time outside—the kids will not want to leave, and honestly, you probably won’t either.
It’s a great spot for:
- Family dinners
- Meeting up with friends
- Letting kids play while you relax
The Shack, 1250 Chapin Road, Chapin, SC
Have you been to The Shack yet? Tell us what your family ordered—we’d love to hear your favorites!
Love a good meal out? We have a huge family restaurant guide to Columbia, SC with lots more ideas!