Charleston
— CHARLESTON —
Lynn and I are in our discovery phase… we’re looking for a warmer place to retire in the future. Charleston is on the list with it’s warm weather, beaches, amazing food, outdoor markets, and super friendly people. We will continue to explore the area different times of year to make sure we experience the weather at it’s hottest and most humid. Our most recent visit at the end of October, the weather was absolutely amazing. We are always looking for the interesting food… not just the top places, but where would we want to go if we lived there. During our last visit we ate at some long time favorites and found some new to us gems.
Our exploration spanned Charleston, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant and a bit of James Island and the food was all delicious!
Our list contains restaurants we’ve tried, restaurants recommended that we want to try; international and specialty markets; and I threw in some food festivals we want to keep an eye on… maybe we’ll plan our next trip around one of them.
Edmond’s Oast
New American, Craft Cocktails, & Brewpub
NOMO, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
What a great space… every time I think about our evening at Edmond’s Oast I find myself looking forward to our next visit. We were there on a quiet Monday night, the space was beyond comfortable. They have a big open outdoor space surrounded by palm trees an Inside was warm and cozy with high ceiling and dim lighting.
We were connected to Scott Shor, chef/owner, through one of my friends. Scott stopped by our table a couple of times to see how our meal was (keep in mind, it was a quiet Monday). The food was the perfect upscale southern vibe and their cocktails were tasty. Since the lighting was dim, the pictures came out a bit dark. Also note, Lynn had a chance to try Edmond’s Oast beer at Wreck of the Richard & Charlene, she said it was awesome.
2484 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
BOXCAR BETTY’s
Award Winning Fried Chicken Sandwiches
West Ashley, North Charleston, Mt Pleasant, South Carolina, USA
BUENA COMPANIA EMPANADILLA
Puerto Rican Empanadas
Food Truck - Various Locations (see social media for upcoming spots)
In my travels to a few local ethnic markets, I came across the Neighbors Commissary Kitchen. Naturally I had to pop in and check it out. It’s a commissary kitchen with a total chill vibe where food truck owners and food incubators can buy time to create products or do their prep for their food trucks. I met Victoria Marie Martinez, Chef/Owner of Good Company and She’s just about the nicest person you’d ever want to meet. She was cranking out sheets of empanada dough and told me that they would be In front of a bottle shop on James Island from 3-9. So of course Lynn Clingman and I went to support her.
Her empanadillas are typical of empanadas that you would find in Puerto Rico and her flavors are deep and vibrant. We had a Fricasse de Pollo — organic whole chicken, beer braised & shredded, queso blanco, a Carne y Papas — ground beef, american cheese, potatoes, simmered in our signature sazón blend & sofrito, and her most popular Guava BBQ —slowly braised pork butt, caramelized peppers and onions, house made guava BBQ sauce. We also had Sorullitos — traditional puerto rican corn fritters, crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside. Everything was as amazing as her smile and energy.
This my friends is a recipe for success and we wish her all the success that there is in the universe!
Check her out!
POOGAN’S PORCH
Traditional LOW cOUNTRY Southern Cooking
French Quarter, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Poogan’s porch is housed in a 1888 Victorian Townhouse, sitting quietly on a side street just off Meeting St. It’s rumored to have the ghost of a dog named Poogan, hanging around on the porch waiting for scraps to fall from the tables. We didn’t have reservations, even though the restaurant dinning room was full, they were able to quickly seat us at their communal table in the bar area. We were positioned to watch the servers quickly move in and out of the kitchen rushing to get the food to its eager diners
Poogan’s Porch is known for it’s low country cooking, fried chicken, she crab soup, Pimento Cheese Fritters, and fried green tomatoes… we ate them all.
72 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401 | +18435772337 | website
708 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Magnolia’s
Upscale Southern Cuisine
French Quarter, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Had an amazing dinner at Magnolias last night! Beautiful southern cuisine. This is in the top 2 non-BBQ meals we’ve had in Charleston
Pan fried Chicken Livers with Carmelized Onions, crisp Bacon and Demi Glacé sauce
Blue Crab Bisque
Steamed Mussels
Fried chicken
Low Country Boulliabase
Shrimp and Sausage over Grits
185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
The Glass Onion
Refined Locally Sourced Soul Food & cocktails
West Ashley, South Carolina, USA
We had lunch at The Glass Onion. We got this recommendation from a stranger that was sitting next to us at Bar Cañete in Barcelona of all places. It was excellent southern comfort food. Lynn had the Fried Chicken Sandwich and I had to try their Shrimp Toast appetizer and also had a Fried Shrimp Po Boy with a side of grits which were some of the best grits I’ve had here in SC so far.
We finished off with Chocolate pudding that was surprisingly close to the chocolate pudding that I make.
1219 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
La PizzEria
Classic Italian PizzEria
Northcutt Plaza, Mount Pleasant, SC
Went on a recommendation from Gary, the General Manager of King's Leaf Cigars in Downtown Charleston, we went to @lapizzeria in Mount Pleasant, SC- a scant 3 minute drive from our airbnb.
It was a charming little place owned by a lovely Italian woman named Laura who imports as many ingredients as possible from Italy and even serves Olive Oil from her family back home.
It was delicious and very light so we left there feeling satisfied and not painfully full as one often is after eating red sauced Italian food.
976 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
1011 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Jackrabbit Filly
Contemporary Chinese American cuisine
North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Last night we ate at Jackrabbit Filly, a funky little joint dishing out Asian inspired small plates with a twist.
We had a Crab slider
The Onion Pancake
Pork and Cabbage Dumplings
Spicy Szechuan Karaage (fried Chicken)
Sautéed Gai Lan with Garlic
And Cumin Lamb Pot Pie.
While everything was great and spicy, it was a challenge for me to embrace the departure from the authentic Chinese food that I’m used to getting in NJ.
4628 Spruill Ave #101, North Charleston, SC 29405
Swig and Swine
House Smoked Meats & Sides
West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, South Carolina, USA
Had the esteemed pleasure of meeting and being fed by Anthony DiBernardo and his wildly acclaimed Swig & Swine BBQ!
Everything was perfect including the best Turkey Breast I’ve ever had!
Thanks for your hospitality Anthony!
1217 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
544 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
Wreck of the Richard & CharlenE
FRESH Seafood (Fried, Broiled, Grilled) All Served on Paper Plates
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, USA
We happened upon the Wreck when looking for something casual with good seafood, overlooking the water, near our airbnb. The seafood was super fresh and they had beer and wine. Who would have known that this hole in the wall, serving all their food on paper plates was named Condé Nast Traveler “greatest restaurants around the globe”… ranking them with the likes of Noma in Copenhagen, rated #1 in the world.
We were there with friends, sat a large table inside… outside might have been more fun with the great view of the fishing boats. We had fried green tomatoes, peal and eat shrimp, fried oysters, fried shrimp, fried scallops (see the theme here?1?), hush puppies… they are fried too! And Lynn had to get an Edmond’s Oast beer, since she didn’t get a chance to try when we were at Edmond’s Oast restaurant. We’ll have to go again next time we’re in town!
106 Haddrell St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Multicultural Asian cooking & cocktails in a trendy converted gas station
Downtown Charleston, South Carolina, USA
224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
280 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
2805 N Hwy 17, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466
464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403
Tattooed Moose
Elevated Bar Food & Craft Beer… With Live Music Events
John’s Island (pictured) & North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
4845 Chateau Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC 29401
2484 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
INTERNATIONAL & SPECIALTY FOOD MARKETS
Please share markets you love!
H & L Asian Market | North Charleston
Saigon Supermarket | North Charleston
El Molino Supermarket | West Ashley | Mexican Grocery Store & Prepared Foods | In store made tortillas; incredible tacos
India Spice | West Ashley | Indian spices, ingredients, foods, snacks, cooking classes
Euro Foods Bakery & Cafe | West Ashley | Eastern European deli, cafe, bakery, canned goods & ingredients
Geechie Seafood, Trawler | Mt. Pleasant/Shem Creek | Fresh shrimp, right off the boat
Fish | Mt. Pleasant/Shem Creek | right next to Geechie Seafood, Trawler; I don’t remember the name
Whole Foods | West Ashley. Mt. Pleasant | I normally wouldn’t put Whole Foods on this list, but so far, the it’s the best place I’ve found locally for meat. Restaurant Depot and Costco are good options if looking for sub-primal cuts
Abundant Seafood** | Mt. Pleasant/Shem Creek | Community Supported Fishery
EVO Craft Bakery** | North Charleston | pastries & breakfast treats and rotating sandwich menu featuring our artisan breads
Goat-Cheese-Cow** | Downtown Charleston | cheese, charcuterie, wine and gourmet groceries
** haven’t been to the places with ** yet
FESTIVALS TO LOOK OUT FOR
NOTE: We haven’t been to the festivals yet… just gathering info for future planning. Please share festivals you love!
Low Country Nosh - Charleston Jewish Food & Heritage Festival (November, pre order in October)
Holy Smokes - A Lowcountry BBQ Festival; All you can eat BBQ, 30 pitmasters/chefs, live music, beer/wine/cocktails (November)
Restaurant Week - 11 day celebration of restaurants (January)
Lowcountry Oyster Festival - World’s largest oyster festival, 60,000#’s of oysters, shucking contest, music, beer/wine (February)
Charleston Wine & Food Festival - Infuses homegrown flavor with top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans, experts, and food enthusiasts from around the globe for a five-day event (spans the first full weekend March)
Charleston Food Truck Festival - 5 acres, 35 food trucks, beer, wine, cocktails (May)
Black Food Truck Festival - “the ultimate family reunion” 30+ food trucks, live music (looks like newer festival, Spring & Fall)
Low Country Hospitality Association
TOO MANY PLACES TOO LITTLE TIME
SUGGESTIONS FROM FRIENDS AND SITE VISITORS
EVO Pizzeria (Ross Mcfarlane) | North Charleston | Pizza & Craft Bakery
Bertha's Kitchen | North Charleston | Must Have - Southern Comfort Food
Leon's Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop (Tim Shafer) | North Central, Charleston | Fried Chicken, Oysters
Chubby Fish | Cannonborough Elliotborough, Charleston | Sustainable Seafood
Wild Common | Cannonborough Elliotborough, Charleston | Must Have - Sexy beautiful food
The Grocery (Tim Shafer) | Cannonborough Elliotborough, Charleston | locally sourced, seasonal menu & cocktails
EastSide Soul Food (Julie H) | Ansonborough, Charleston | Everything! fried pork chop, butter beans, Mac n cheese, okra soup over yellow rice, collard greens & banana bread pudding. In a house in a residential area . Super owners and the best soul food ever!
Sushi-Wa | Wagener Terrace, Charleston | Have - Japanese-style sushi omakase
167 raw oyster bar (Tim Shafer) | French Quarter, Charleston | Oysters
Millers All Day (Tim Shafer) | French Quarter, Charleston | Must Have - Breakfast Sandwiches, cute restaurant
Penninsula Grill | French Quarter, Charleston | 843-723-0700 | Must Have - Planters Punch, Ultimate Coconut Cake
SNOB - Slightly North of Broad (Tim Shafer) | French Quarter, Charleston | Eclectic Low Country Bistro
Poogan's Smokehouse | French Quarter, Charleston | Classic Southern BBQ | Must Have - Skillet Corn bread, Fried Chicken, BBQ
Cru Cafe | French Quarter, Charleston | Must Have - fried green tomato app with pork belly croutons
82 Queen | French Quarter, Charleston | Must Have - Hush Puppies, Frogmore Stew, fried green tomatoes
Church and Union | French Quarter, Charleston | New American in posh, yet casual church
Eli's Table | French Quarter, Charleston | Must Have - Fried Chicken, Breakfast
FIG (Ross Mcfarlane) | French Quarter, Charleston | Elevated Southern Classics
Oyster House | French Quarter, Charleston | Upscale Seafood & Cocktails | Must Have - Oysters
Hyman's Seafood | French Quarter, Charleston | Must Have - Hush Puppies, Shrimp & Grits, Boiled Peanuts, Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Chicken
Hannibal's Kitchen (Ross Mcfarlane) | Charelston | Soul Food
Hymans (Tim Shafer) | Downtown Charleston | Seafood
Fleet Landing Restaurant | Downtown Charleston | Southern Seafood/water view | Must Have - Shrimp & Grits, Fried green tomatoes, Fried Chicken
Home Team BBQ (Tim Shafer) | Downtown Charleston, West Ashley, Mt Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island | Comfort Food & BBQ
Obstinate Daughter (Ross Mcfarlane) | Sullivan’s Island | Eclectic Southern Cuisine
Red's Icehouse (Tim Shafer) | Mt Pleasant | no frills seafood & pub food
Page’s Okra Grille (Tim Shafer; Kirsten N) | Mt Pleasant | Casual, Southern Home Cooking | Must Have - breakfast
Langdon’s (Kirsten N) | Mt Pleasant | Upscale, low country/global flavors | Must Have - catch of the day
Bowen's Island Restaurant (Ross Mcfarlane) | Charleston near Folly Beach | Waterfront Seafood
Toast! All Day | Downtown Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Summerville | Must Have - Breakfast
Myles and Jun Yakitori Japanese Char Grill (Kirsten N) | Summerville | wagyu beef tongue, saki sangria & anything on the menu!
OTHER SC
Scott's Pit BBQ (Tim Shafer)| Hemmingway |
Sweatman's BBQ (Ross Mcfarlane) | Holly Hill en route from NJ (only open Friday and Saturday)
PLEASE SHARE YOUR CHARLESTON RECOMMENDATIONS HERE
If you have any suggestions, please share them… THANKS EVERYONE!
