A new culinary gem has emerged in Columbia. The Living Room Cafe, founded by Brent Truesdale, is more than just a place to eat; it’s a testament to a life dedicated to the art of cooking and the joy of bringing people together.
Brent Truesdale was born in Columbia at Moncrief Army Hospital in 1974. He attended Eau Claire High School. After graduation, he move to El Paso, Texas, where he sold cars during the summer. In the winter, he worked as a chef in Colorado.
“I started cooking more seriously in Pagosa Springs, Colorado,” Brent recalls. “I was already into cooking, but living up there, I got more into it and started traveling with different catering companies.”
For over 25 years, Brent honed his skills as a traveling chef, working with renowned catering companies like Aramark and Proof of the Pudding. His career took him to major sports events and conventions, including reopening the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina and catering for NFL, MLB, and NHL teams.
After years on the road, Brent returned to Columbia in August 2023, driven by a new dream. Inspired by conversations with his brothers and the desire to create a community space, he founded The Living Room Cafe. The concept was born in the comfort of their living room, envisioning a place where people could enjoy good food, relax, and soak in a welcoming atmosphere.
“The idea is to have a nice place for you to come, have some good food, relax, and enjoy good vibes and music,” Brent explains. “We’re focusing on breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with plans to expand into late-night dining once we get our liquor license.”
The Living Room Cafe’s menu is a reflection of Brent’s culinary creativity. One of his standout items is the Carolina Rice Balls, available in beef, chicken, and shrimp varieties. These unique creations have quickly become a favorite among patrons.
“The closest place you can get something like this is in Texas,” Brent says. “I saw someone making them and came up with my own way of doing it. People love them because they’re unusual and
something they’ve never tried before.”
Other popular items include the Five Dollar Breakfast, featuring grits, two eggs, two meats, and toast for just $5.50, and the cafe’s famous chicken wings, offered in flavors like Carolina Gold, High Honey, and Asian Thai Chili.
While The Living Room Cafe currently focuses on breakfast and lunch, Brent has ambitious plans for the future. Once the cafe secures its liquor license, he envisions transforming it into a late-night dining destination with a lounge-like atmosphere. The dinner menu will feature dishes like baked chicken, stuffed salmon, and pot roast with vegetables, promising a delightful dining experience for all.
Brent says that he has been pleased with the growth of the restaurant since it opened last month.
“People have been really excited about the food,” he said. “I had a bunch of food critics come in. I didn’t know who they were, but next thing I know, it started blowing up on Facebook and (@and)Instagram and (@and)that helped out a lot.”
The Living Room Café also offers a variety of catering services. The restaurant is available for catered events of up to 80 people. Brent says that they can cater events in the Midlands for groups as large as 200 people. Clients have the option of having sitdown meal, having the food delivered or picked up from the restaurant.
In October, The Living Room Café plans to offer delivery through DoorDash and UberEats.
“We’ll be having deliveries and stuff like that,” he said. “That’s coming, hopefully, next month.”
Whether you’re stopping by for a hearty breakfast, a quick lunch, or looking forward to the upcoming dinner offerings, The Living Room Cafe promises a warm welcome and a memorable dining experience.
To place a takeout order, call (803) 661-8926.
The Living Room Cafe is located at 1320 Bush River Road in the former Walmart shopping center. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.
