The Top 5 Customer Favorite Dishes at Will's Cookery (Ranked by Orders)

Every week, Columbia families order from our rotating menu of homemade dishes. But which meals consistently earn the most orders and rave reviews? We've analyzed our order data and customer feedback to bring you the definitive ranking of Will's Cookery customer favorites.

These crowd-pleasers have earned their spot through consistently delighting families across Shandon, Brandon Acres, and beyond.

In This Article

• #5: Hearty Beef Bourguignon
• #4: Classic Lasagna Bolognese
• #3: Herb-Roasted Salmon
• #2: Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings
• #1: Chicken Fricassée
• Honorable Mentions
• What Makes These Dishes Special?

Key Takeaways

• Will's most popular dishes combine comfort food elements with gourmet techniques
• Protein-forward dishes with elegant sauces dominate the top spots
• Many favorites feature slow-cooking methods that busy families can't replicate at home
• Seasonal ingredients influence popularity, with hearty dishes rising in colder months
• The perfect side pairings significantly contribute to a dish's popularity

#5: Hearty Beef Bourguignon

Coming in at number five is our rich, slow-simmered Beef Bourguignon. This classic French comfort food features tender chunks of beef braised in red wine with pearl onions, mushrooms, and herbs.

Why Customers Love It

• Depth of flavor that only comes from proper slow-cooking
• Make-ahead friendly - many customers say it tastes even better the next day
• Versatile sides - equally delicious with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread

"Will's Beef Bourguignon rivals what I had in Paris. The meat is fall-apart tender, and the sauce has so many layers of flavor. It's my husband's absolute favorite for Sunday dinner." — Rebecca, Melrose Heights resident

Pairs Well With

Our Beef Bourguignon is most commonly ordered with:

• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Simple green salad with Dijon vinaigrette
• Crusty French bread for sauce-sopping

#4: Classic Lasagna Bolognese

Our fourth most popular dish is the timeless favorite: Lasagna Bolognese. Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and three Italian cheeses create the ultimate comfort food experience.

Why Customers Love It

• Family-friendly appeal that satisfies both adults and children
• Generous portions often providing leftovers for lunch the next day
• Perfect balance of meat, sauce, cheese, and pasta in every bite

"As an Italian-American, I'm picky about lasagna. Will's version is the real deal—no shortcuts, proper béchamel (not ricotta!), and a bolognese that tastes like it simmered all day. Because it did!" — Michael, Old Woodlands resident

Pairs Well With

Our Lasagna Bolognese is typically ordered with:

• Caesar salad with house-made dressing
• Garlic bread with herb butter
• Roasted seasonal vegetables

#3: Herb-Roasted Salmon

Taking the bronze medal in our rankings is our Herb-Roasted Salmon. This dish features sustainably-sourced Atlantic salmon with a delicate herb crust, roasted to perfection and served with a lemon-dill sauce.

Why Customers Love It

• Health-conscious option that doesn't sacrifice flavor
• Consistent execution - perfectly cooked every time
• Bright, fresh flavors that work year-round

"I order the salmon whenever it's on the menu. It's always cooked perfectly—never dry—and the herb crust adds so much flavor without overwhelming the fish." — Jennifer, Shandon resident

Pairs Well With

Our Herb-Roasted Salmon is frequently enjoyed with:

• Roasted asparagus (spring) or brussels sprouts (fall)
• Wild rice pilaf with toasted almonds
• Lemon wedges for an extra brightness boost

#2: Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings

The runner-up in our customer favorites is our Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings. This hearty dish combines tender chicken, vegetables, and herbs in a velvety broth, topped with fluffy, scratch-made dumplings.

Why Customers Love It

• Nostalgic comfort that reminds many of family recipes
• One-dish complete meal with protein, vegetables, and dumplings
• Perfect for any weather, but especially popular during cooler months

"Will's Chicken and Dumplings is better than my grandmother's—and I'd never admit that to her! The broth is rich without being heavy, and those dumplings are cloud-like perfection." — James, Rosewood resident

Pairs Well With

Our Southern-Style Chicken and Dumplings is typically ordered with:

• Buttermilk biscuits
• Simple green beans
• Southern-style collard greens (seasonal)

#1: Chicken Fricassée

Taking the crown as our most ordered dish of all time is our signature Chicken Fricassée. This French classic features tender chicken slowly simmered in a white wine cream sauce with mushrooms, carrots, and pearl onions.

Why Customers Love It

• Perfect balance of familiar comfort and gourmet technique
• Silky, crave-worthy sauce that's the star of the dish
• Versatility - sophisticated enough for a special dinner but comforting enough for a weeknight

"The Chicken Fricassée is why we started ordering from Will's Cookery in the first place. It's become our Tuesday tradition—the kids actually look forward to it every week!" — Amanda, Lake Katherine resident

Pairs Well With

Our Chicken Fricassée is most commonly enjoyed with:

• Buttered egg noodles
• Steamed green vegetables
• Crusty French bread for the incredible sauce

Honorable Mentions

While not quite making the top five, these dishes deserve recognition for their strong followings:

• Shrimp and Grits - A local favorite showcasing South Carolina coastal flavors
• Will's Famous Garlic Bread - Often ordered as an add-on to multiple meals
• Classic Pot Roast - A Sunday dinner staple for many families
• Vegetable Lasagna - Our most popular vegetarian option
• Seasonal Berry Cobbler - Our most-ordered dessert

What Makes These Dishes Special?

Looking at our top five dishes, some common elements emerge:

1. Sauce-forward preparations - Dishes with memorable sauces consistently rank highest
2. Comfort food with elevation - Familiar concepts executed with professional technique
3. Make-ahead friendly - Meals that reheat beautifully for busy families
4. Broad appeal - Flavors that satisfy diverse family preferences
5. Difficult to replicate at home - Dishes requiring time, technique, or equipment most home cooks lack

The Flavor Analyzer app recently featured our Chicken Fricassée in their "Most Beloved Community Dishes" roundup, noting its perfect balance of familiar and sophisticated elements.

<div class="bg-amber-100 p-6 rounded-lg my-10 text-center border border-amber-200 shadow-sm"> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mb-3">Want to Try Our Most Popular Dishes?</h3> <p class="mb-4">Check this week's menu to see which customer favorites are available. Our most popular items tend to sell out quickly!</p> <a href="/menu" class="bg-amber-600 text-white px-5 py-2 rounded-full font-medium hover:bg-amber-700 transition-colors">View This Week's Menu</a> </div>

Have you tried all of our top five dishes? We'd love to know your personal favorite Will's Cookery meal. Share your thoughts when you place your next order, and you might see your comments featured in an upcoming blog post!