Florida’s Metro Diner Invades the Westwood Plaza

Jacksonville, Florida-based Metro Diner, a former star attraction on Guy Fieri’s Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and now a rapidly expanding national brand, plans to make its debut in Charleston in the West Ashley’s Westwood Plaza retail hub.

The restaurant features hearty portions and creative twists on American comfort food. The chain’s motto of “where the locals eat” will be posted on signage inside the former home of Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant. Metro Diner will take over 3,700 square feet on the Sam Rittenberg Boulevard side of the building and share it with a 1,300-square-foot Tropical Smoothie Cafe facing the recently debuted Harris Teeter.

Also on the way, Duck Donuts, a create-your-own concept that lets diners choose their coatings, toppings and drizzles. The doughnut shop, based in Duck, North Carolina, plans to fill 1,628 square feet, sitting between a vacant space and an existing build-your own venture, MOD Pizza.

While neither outlet announced an opening schedule, Metro Diner fans can look forward to fried chicken and waffles, a sourdough Monte Cristo, and Charleston shrimp and grits for breakfast, six different Benedicts. and the famed Yo Holla on the Square creation, built with two thick slices of challah bread stuffed with a mixture of bananas, brown sugar, cream cheese and hazelnut syrup, prepared like French toast, and topped with a blueberry strawberry compote.

• All Coming Attractions [ECHS]