Celebrate Soda City, and save some money, with $8.03 specials on Columbia's 803 Day (2024)

COLUMBIA — On Aug. 3, Soda City will have the opportunity to celebrate itself with the inaugural 803 Day festival.

803 Day, an homage to Columbia’s 803 area code, has been a longstanding, unofficial Columbia holiday. But this year, Columbia real estate agent Khali Gallman is taking the festivities to the next level.

Programming includes a free ticketed festival featuring a 5k run, citywide scavenger hunt, giveaways and participation from local vendors. Outside of the event grounds, themselves, Columbia residents and visitors can take advantage of $8.03 specials — from full meals and BOGO clothing to reduced-price gym memberships — offered by local businesses.

“I think ‘pride’ is the word that I would want people to take away from the day,” Gallman said. “A lot of times, people are like, ‘Oh, there’s nothing to do here; there’s nothing fun for different ages.’ I want people to have pride in where they live, whether it’s their hometown or they are new here.”

While Gallman said the process of funding the event and gaining sponsors has been an uphill battle, especially since the event’s lack of nonprofit status means at it is ineligible for a City of Columbia hospitality tax grant, she believes the cause is worth it.

“It’s been a challenge, but it really is inspiring to just see the people who do believe in the notion,” she said. “We don’t want to be left behind when it comes to opportunities that bigger cities are doing.”

Local restaurant specials make up over half of the confirmed $8.03 specials — and the list continues to grow as the day approaches. Click here to keep up with all participating restaurants and retail stores, and, in the meantime, keep reading for a list of some of the best-value $8.03 specials on August 3.

Trini Lime Caribbean Cafe

2008 State St.

803 Day Hours: 11 a.m. — 8 p.m.

Special: Chicken Pelau for $8.03

Savings: $3.97 (originally $12)

Cayce’s Trini Lime Caribbean Cafe specializes in “Trinibagoian cuisine,” grounded in Trinidad and Tobago staples with international flavors.

Their rotating weekly lunch specials include everything from curry beef to stew red snapper, but one of their consistent hits is pelau, a one-pot Caribbean dish featuring tender, slow-simmered meat and rice. The dish tastes cohesive, but each ingredient holds their own — including the rice itself, which miraculously is firm and not overcooked. The dish’s addictive, savory flavor pairs naturally with a side of sweet, creamy coleslaw. The included side salad is bathed in a green garlic dressing that packs a surprisingly spicy and acidic punch.

If you make tour way to their State Street location on Aug. 3, be prepared to make it your only meal of the day — this heaping portion is a workout to eat, and for nearly 25 percent off, it clocks in as 803 Day’s largest food discount.

Rambo’s Fat Cat Biscuits

2430 Main St.

803 Day Hours: 9 a.m. — 2 p.m.

Specials: Classic Bacon, Egg & Cheese for $8.03; two mimosas for $8.03

Savings: $1.22 on Classic (originally $9.25); $3.97 total on two mimosas (originally $6 each)

Your Saturday brunch plans, drinks included, could be under $20 if you stop by Rambo’s Fat Cat Biscuits on 803 Day.

Their on-special Classic Bacon, Egg & Cheese biscuit sandwich comes stacked with a swirled, “tornado-style” egg omelet, a slice of stretchy and sharp orange cheddar and two pieces of crispy bacon sandwiched between a dense and buttery homemade biscuit. The classic mimosa’s juice-to-bubbles ratio tastes 1-to-1, and the sandwich-and-drink combination is a grown-up version of a textbook Southern breakfast.

Rebel Dogs

504 Gervais St.

803 Day Hours: 11 a.m. — 7 p.m.

Specials: Carolina Classic hot dog combo for $8.03; off-menu Backyard BBQ hot dog combo for $8.03

Savings: $3.86 (originally $11.89)

If, like me, reading the phrase “Gourmet Hotdogs” made you scratch your head, make your way down to Rebel Dogs to see — and taste — them for yourself.

Their all-beef hot dogs weigh in at about a quarter pound each, and their signature grilled buns help seal up the piled-high toppings.

On 803 Day, you have a choice between the Carolina Classic hot dog, which includes sweet, tomato-heavy house-made chili, finely chopped creamy coleslaw, diced onion and mustard, or their off-menu Backyard BBQ hot dog with Carolina gold barbecue sauce, diced onion, pulled pork and coleslaw. Both come with a bottled drink and your choice of chips or coleslaw.

East Bay Deli

1426 Main St.

803 Day Hours: 8 a.m. — 8 p.m.

Special: The Citadel sandwich

Savings: $2.96 (originally $10.99)

On 803 Day, New-York-style East Bay Deli will put their bestselling The Citadel on special. The sandwich is stuffed with thinly sliced oven-roasted turkey and ham, as well as Swiss and cheddar cheeses, honey mustard dressing, bacon, lettuce and tomato on sweet, toasted wheat bread. It’s a quintessential sink sandwich with harmonious and familiar flavors. Served with chips and a pickle, it’s teeming with nostalgia.

Mr. Seafood Northeast

494 Town Center Pl.

803 Day Hours: 12 p.m. — 10 p.m.

Special: Fish Basket with whiting

Savings: $2.92 (originally $10.95)

Located less than 15 minutes outside of Elgin, Mr. Seafood Northeast serves up both fried and boiled seafood with all of the fixings.

Their whiting Fish Basket, which comes with two fillets with fries and hushpuppies, will be on special this 803 Day. If you pay them a visit, you can expect a peppery, flaky fish fry that’s heavily seasoned but not spicy, crinkle-cut fries dusted with Old Bay and well-done hush puppies with incorporated sweet corn kernels.

Chances are, you’ll need to take advantage of the roll of paper towels sitting on every table — especially if you opt for a side of the restaurant’s signature garlic butter sauce.{span class=”print_trim”}