Hilton Head landmark Plantation Cafe and Deli opens location in Bluffton
Bluffton has a new spot for brunch and lunch, but it’s owners aren’t new to the restaurant business.
Plantation Cafe and Deli opened its third location on Buckwalter Parkway in August. The restaurant has been serving customers at its Pope Avenue location on Hilton Head since 1974 and also has a location in Port Royal Plaza Shopping Center on the island’s north end.
“I had so many people from Bluffton that have asked us — people who used to live on the island and now live in Bluffton or used to come to the Sam’s Club — over the years I had so many people ask when we were going to come to Bluffton,” said co-owner Vic Neeley.
Neeley said the owners started talking about the new location in late 2018 but were waiting for the right location to be available. The building at 20 Discovery Drive, across from Frankie Bones and next door to Chicken Salad Chick, ended up being having just the right draw.
“That is a location that, I think, is going to be better next year and be better five years from now and be better 10 years from now,” Neeley said.
While some communities on Hilton Head have removed the word plantation from their names, Neeley said owners have no plans to change the name of the landmark restaurant.
“It has not been a topic of conversation,” he said, explaining that the original founders — he has been an owner for only the last 15 years — chose the name because of the proximity to Sea Pines, which had plantation in its name at the time.
Neeley said the customer response to the Bluffton location has been “excellent,” due in part to the large outdoor dining area available.
The menu
Diners who have eaten at the Hilton Head locations likely will find their favorites on the Bluffton menu, which is largely the same.
One popular menu item is the Plantation Breakfast ($9.95) that includes two eggs, hashbrowns or grits, a choice from six meats, and a choice from among eight bread options. Other favorites include Crab Cakes Benedict for $12.95, the Nova Benedict that features salmon for $13.99, or the Whistle Stop BLT that has fried green tomatoes and parmesan peppercorn dressing ($9.95).
Breakfast is served all day on weekdays and the brunch menu is available Saturdays and Sundays.
Customers for lunch (starting at 11:30 a.m. on weekdays) can chose from the $9.99 Meat and 3 Veggies plate lunch, a long list of sandwiches that includes a pimento grilled cheese with applewood smoked bacon and a variety of salads and soups.
If you go
What: Plantation Cafe and Deli in Bluffton
Where: 20 Discovery Drive, Suite 100, off Buckwalter Parkway near Kroger
When: 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Phone: (843) 815-5550
Online: www.plantationcafeanddeli.com
