Get ready for a mayo-nificent adventure right here in Greenville, SC, with the all-new Eugenia Duke's Unofficial Mayo Guide to Greenville! This delicious quest is jam-packed with 20 stops that'll tickle your taste buds with snacks and entrées that are all about that creamy, Duke's Mayo goodness. But hold on to your mayo jars, because this trail isn't just about feasting; we've sprinkled in four stops of historical importance that'll whisk you back in time while you savor your favorite condiment. Get set to dive into a flavor-packed journey featuring this saucy devil, where every bite comes with a side of history and a dollop of personality!
The History of Duke's Mayonnaise in Greenville, SC
If you ask any Southern chef today what mayo they use, chances are it’ll be Duke’s. It’s a Southern staple with a cult following—we all can’t quite get enough of that twang. Back in 1917, Duke’s Mayo was started by one of the earliest female entrepreneurs, Eugenia Duke, here in Greenville, South Carolina.
Eugenia began selling her homemade sandwiches to World War I soldiers training at nearby Camp Sevier. It wasn’t long before her sandwiches grew in popularity, known for their smooth and creamy homemade mayo. Given the demand, she began bottling her mayonnaise around 1923 in an old carriage factory, still standing today as the iconic Wyche Pavilion, in downtown Greenville. Today, the flagship mayonnaise is still made according to Eugenia’s original recipe right in Greenville.
VisitGreenvilleSC honors Eugenia Duke’s legacy by launching Eugenia Duke’s Unofficial Mayo Guide to Greenville—a self-guided trail of 20 delicious bites that let her beloved condiment shine, along with four bonus historical stops. From snacks to entrées, Greenville’s restaurants are spreading the Duke’s love. Mayo enjoy every moment!
Stop in at these six snack spots for delicious, mouthwatering appetizers—all featuring the legendary Duke's Mayonnaise as a key ingredient. From creamy, tangy dressings to luscious dips and spreads, these appetizers will leave your palate dancing with delight and have you craving more. You mayo need to explore more enticing destinations along the Mayo Trail, where you'll discover portions that are generously satisfying.
Get ready to embark on a culinary escapade filled with creamy indulgence and tantalizing flavors as we present you with a lip-smacking list of 14 gastronomic havens. From Southern comfort classics to innovative twists, these spots are bound to entice your taste buds with a mayo-licious medley of entrées. Prepare to dive into a world where Duke's Mayonnaise takes center stage, elevating each dish to a symphony of savory delight!
In 1925, Eugenia Duke began bottling her acclaimed mayonnaise recipe in the building now known as the Wyche Pavilion, located in the heart of downtown Greenville. The building was constructed in 1904 and originally served as a paint shop for the adjacent Greenville Coach Factory. Today, it's one of the area's favorite open-air wedding and event venues.
Eugenia Duke Bridge
Named for one of Greenville’s earliest female entrepreneurs (and the founder of Duke’s Mayonnaise), this green, wood-treaded footbridge was built just after the Peace Center completed construction in 1990. The footbridgecrosses the Reedy River just upstream from the falls, connecting Art Crossing at RiverPlace and the Peace Center complex.
This marker is at the intersection of Wade Hampton Boulevard (U.S. 29) and Artillery Road in Taylors, SC. In August 1917, Eugenia Duke and her daughter Martha began selling homemade sandwiches for 10¢ each at YMCA-run Army canteens to help make money for their family during World War I. Due to requests from soldiers at nearby Camp Sevier (a National Guard Training Camp) and others in the area, she started bottling her mayonnaise in 1923.
Ottaray Tea Room
Duke's Mayonnaise set up shop in 1920 at the Ottaray Hotel in downtown Greenville, selling Eugenia's popular sandwiches at Ottaray’s Duke Tea Room—where the Hyatt Regency Greenville now stands on North Main Street.
