One of the best things about so many of the bars in Five Points, is that they provide for a great nightlife experience, and many of them double as restaurants. The Salty Nut Cafe is a favorite restaurant and bar among USC students, with great food offered throughout the day and a unique bar experience for nighttime activities.     

Salty Nut is located in the heart of Five Points and an easy walking distance to campus, if you feel like a casual beer and some delicious food after a late class. The menu is down home American cuisine, from burgers and salads to everything in between. The atmosphere is comfortable for families during the day, and their many indoor booths and outside tables also make for a enjoyable late night experience. Salty Nut is open seven days a week, Monday to Sunday, with the kitchen running from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The bar hours cater to Columbia city rules of 4 a.m. closing hours on weekdays and 2 a.m. closing hours on weekend nights.      

Salty Nut is famous for their delicious crack and eat peanuts that are available by the bag, free of charge with a purchase of a drink at night. Shells sprawled across the table and floors of the bar are nothing out of the ordinary for Salty, and I like to think it gives the bar a little bit of character.      

There are a number of great food and drink specials, depending on the day of the week, so it is definitely worth a try.   

Monday: Mexican Mondays.     

Tuesday: Burger day; pint night. 

Wednesday: Trivia; wing night.     

Thursday: Half off select appetizers; ladies' night from 10 p.m. to midnight; $3 fireball.     

Friday: $5 premium liquor.     

Saturday: Brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $5 PBR pitchers.     

Sunday- Brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $5 specialty bloody Marys.     

The menu features a plethora of delicious food from sandwiches, burgers, wraps, soups, salads and more. Here are some favorites.    

Salty Nut club.This sandwich isn’t named after the restaurant for nothing. This club is a combination of ham, turkey and bacon strips, triple stacked on Texas toast with lettuce, tomato, mayo and American cheese. If you are in the mood for a hearty sandwich, this is the one for you.     

Sausage, egg and cheese croissant. This item is featured on the weekend brunch menu and is a hit among Salty customers. This dish consists of a fresh ground sausage patty with a fried egg under melted American cheese, all served on a buttery croissant and a side of either grits, fresh fruit, French toast, hash browns, tots or fries.    

Black & blue burger. This burger will give your taste buds a punch with its Cajun spices and melted blue cheese crumbles over the burger, served with lettuce, tomato and mayo.     

Salty Nut Cafe will continue to be a favorite among USC students with its prime location, great menu and desirable drink specials. There are also t-shirts and other various apparel available upon your visit to Salty, so stop in and share a pitcher of Long Island iced tea with friends!