COLUMBIA'S LUNCH REVIEW

Amazing Atmosphere. Average Food at Best.

The White Mule is Main Street’s newest lunch option, having just opened in June. The restaurant is below street level and features a cool atmosphere with a full service bar and modern art adorning the walls. There is a back patio that would work perfect for a spring or fall happy hour. Understandably, the Mule’s major focus appears to be on the night life. Dave Britt and Travis Maynard, two local booking agents previously associated with Sudworks Taphouse in Five Points, are working to make the White Mule the new destination for singer-songwriter shows in the evening.

While the Mule has lots of potential as an after work hangout or a good spot to have a drink while taking in a live show, we’re not sure if lunch is its strong suit.

The menu features lots of creative sandwiches and salads, and a customer can also build his own menu item by selecting from standard meats, cheeses, breads, and toppings. Our group of five tried different items including the Mexicali, the Italiano, and the Mediterranean. I opted to create my own sandwich and had a roast beef spinach wrap with a side salad.

No one was wild about their chow. While everyone agreed the food was serviceable, it was by no means memorable. What makes this place stand out is the aforementioned atmosphere that was further bolstered by management’s choice of music from Pandora that day – new wave. Being greeted by Depeche Mode at a lunch spot is a rarity in Columbia. The music was particularly enjoyable for our dining companion Pizza the Hut (so named for his love of the large chain’s all you can eat lunch buffet – which he has been known to eat solo), who came of age in the 1980’s.

Another particular disappointment was that the pizzas – what the place is known for – are only available during dinner. This further reinforces our position that the White Mule, while not a good lunch option, is probably best enjoyed with friends after a long day at work, when patrons can hoist a few adult beverages at the bar and enjoy a slice of homemade pizza while taking in some fresh music.

- Rabbit