Although disappointed by the lack of actual Kung Fu, the Kung Fu Cantina is a scrumptious new addition to downtown Clemson’s food scene.
Walking in, you’ll notice the open space, the low-profile color scheme and the massive capacity space.
“We try to offer American favorites with a regional twist,” said Mike Gillman, the general manager of the Cantina. “It’s not your typical bar food; we offer things from different parts of the world.”
The menu ranges from appetizers and salads to mix-and-match tacos and vegetarian tostadas. I happened to get the tostada and was not disappointed. My initial thought was “Wow, those are some teeny, tiny tacos.” But, after finishing, I was surprisingly content and realized the initial disappointment was merely due to the massive US portions that usually leave me stuffed to the point of comatose. On the other hand, my friend got a power salad bowl and had trouble finishing it because of the size. So, for all appetites and tastes, Cantina can satisfy.
As for the ambiance, two thumbs up. Although the constant commercials for Kung Fu movies may seem like the restaurant is trying just a little bit too hard at first, after seeing Jackie Chan defeat the bad guys for the sixth time, it holds a certain charm. Also, the music was absolutely fantastic when I visited. Usually downtown restaurants cater to the top 40 taste of Justin Bieber and Meghan Trainor. But Cantina played throwbacks as well as up and coming songs on the more underground stations. The ambiance really benefited from the lack of “my sign is no, my number is no,” playing on repeat.
In terms of community life, there’s often a shortage of fun downtown activities for under 21-ers, but fear not. Kung Fu Cantina will offer trivia every Monday at 8pm starting the second week of September. But, for those who fall into the legal drinkers category, there’s plenty to do as well. Kung Fu offers many specials on drinks such as discounts for national dog day, a themed ‘80s night and eight-dollar margarita pitchers on Monday.
As for downsides, the prices are a bit of a stretch on a college budget. When asked what a weakness of the restaurant was, Gillman said, “We’re just a little off the beaten path. People don’t know about us, but they also don’t see us.”
So, for those looking for food, fun and trivia, head down to Kung Fu Cantina right behind the Campus Copy Shop and try out the sure-to-be-soon Clemson favorite.