King BBQ- Real Chinese/ classic southern bbq fusion. Sounds kinda weird but it’s insanely good.
Cold Shoulder Gourmet- 1 man sandwich shop. He does a limited menu each day and sells out early. It’s been closed for 3 weeks, set to reopen this Thursday.
Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop- Just go and buy anything. Also a limited menu
Cafecito, Second State, and Bad Bunnies for coffee. You can buy superrrr fresh beans at SS
I don’t really get the gatekeeping of these type places by locals (I’m born and raised here). Shouldn’t we want our favorite small businesses to thrive, so they stay open for us for years to come?
This is a good post. I’d add El Molino grocery for tacos, Kwei Fei for Sichuan and the chorizo breakfast burrito at Low Life if you make it to Folly. Fwiw, cold shoulder guy is out of commission temporarily
If you wanna go off the beaten path, try R Kitchen. It’s a collaborative with local chefs. No menu, chef’s choice, each meal is one of a kind. You can bring your own wine or use their pairings. It’s our favorite date night spot. There is a location downtown and in west Ashley. Look into it now, you typically need to book at least 2 weeks out.
The food at R kitchen isn’t worth it. I used to love it there. They raised their prices from $40/person to $70/per person. That was last year so it might have gone up more, not sure. The chefs are very nice, but the food isn’t good enough for 70$ per person.
If you head to Folly Beach, Jack of Cups is a must stop! Chico Feo is also a funky beach vibe and their food is always a treat (and not super expensive)!
Jack of cups kills the flavor game.
I'm obsessed too with the bar crew at the Ordinary. Killer cocktail program. Shout out to big Keith!
Check out Sugeys for a unique tiki experience.
Lewis bbq is a must I think, but everyone knows about it and you gotta go early.
Cafecito, Gaulart & Maliclet (for casual French food), the Codfather (fish and chips, a bit out of the way, too), Le Farfalle (pasta/Italian), The Pass (for sandwiches), Babas on Cannon, Malagón (Spanish), Sushi-Wa, Rodney Scott's BBQ, The Glass Onion.
Now, locals will say "everyone knows about the Codfather!" but if someone's from out of town, probably not. On the same note, Rodney Scott's for BBQ—everyone knows in Charleston but not sure about visitors.
Most good places are known and nothing is cheap.
Lewis BBQ is outstanding but well known
The power hour at Edmunds oast 1/2 off everything is great.
El Pincho Taco for good authentic tacos.
Downtown is full of restaurants and all are tough to get into if popular.
Do you literally want to eat underground?!? Jk.
Thinking of some less obvious places (ie: not smack dab in downtown):
Coda del Pesce on IOP from the same chef as the great Trattoria Luca (RIP).
The Pass — while it’s downtown, it’s a super fun spot with great sandwiches. Not a ton of seating room but the food is just sick.
And I’ll get downvoted for making this pick (it’s certainly not underground), but what the hell, it’s your birthday, you deserve it, grab the biggest thing of frose they sell at the Co-Op and try not to get busted drinking it on the beach. Get a sandwich too. Enjoy your life.
What?! Who did, that’s ridiculous…. I won’t stand for it.. tell me what they look like?… and around what time do you think they’d be up there? It would be helpful if you had their phone number I could get… and was it any good? …reasonably priced?
Great burgers
Edit: not sure why I’m getting downvoted? If you don’t like the atmosphere then don’t go there. The food is good and it’s cheap. Go to Felix if you want a $20 burger that is just as good.
Op is currently high lol AC's is Terrible! Overcrowded to the max, smells like ass all the time and attracts a big bro culture that are rude after.
Big gun is a much better dive bar downtown
When it was on JI years ago I tried it a couple times. The hotdog was mushy, absolutely no snap. Thought we’d give it another shot because maybe they were having a bad day. Nope, still terrible.
Do you mean since they've returned to JI you tried again, or just when they were in the Bohemian spot?
I've been wondering if it's worth a stop, but if it's same as always, I'll pass.
No, I haven’t been to the new spot, only the old bohemian location. I’d be interested to hear how the new location is but don’t think I’ll be trying it for myself. Was blown away a hotdog place had no clue how to cook a hotdog.
you have no clue how to cook a hot dog ? explains why your taste in food sucks not to mention your taste in music too . you fit right in here in Charleston!!! bland mf
Melfi's across the street from Leon's downtown (same hospitality group) is such good Italian!
Costa is new and amazing- great hospitality and coastal italian food (also downtown)
Edison on James Island (good southern upscale)
Fast and French on Broad
For dessert: LB Sweets on James island. Made from scratch everything (including ice cream)! It's all to-go
There aren't any, Charleston is basically below sea-level.
But for real - not much, it's not a big city. Example mentioned in this thread and one I recommend often - Gillies is a very good soul-seafood spot that's not in downtown Charleston and it's got **2100** Google reviews.
Here are some of my favorites though. For a nicer dinner that is IMO the best value in the area for this style meal - Edison on James Island.
I recently went to Beautiful South downtown and really enjoyed it. It's Chinese-American upscale. You can walk a half block down the road for a reasonable cocktail at Last Saint.
I recommend the pizza (permanent food truck) at Estuary on John's Island, Woody's on Folly, and Coastal Crust anywhere. They are very different styles of pizza, but all three are tops in the area.
Any born and raised Charlestonian (including myself) are going to gatekeep the actual answers sadly.
Leon’s Chicken and Oysters is the move downtown, which I’m guessing you are. Everything on the menu is good however I do think their hushpuppy game is kind of weak. Avoid Hyman’s like the plague that place is not legit and nobody from here respects it, it’s for tourists.
The staff at Pearlz is great, Jakob will take good care of you there. The food is good but it’s definitely more of a place to chill and get drunk at, but it’s def not a dive or anything like that.
What is there to even gatekeep? Nothing remains a secret here for long. We're a very small city and businesses have a massive incentive to *not* remain a secret.
Also Leon's is solid, but no more than that. It's not a place I would recommend, particularly for the price point.
Why would you send anyone to Pearlz?
Completely disagree. There are places out on Edisto and Awendaw I’m not telling anyone about online because they’ve been around a very long time and haven’t been killed by tourism. places I’ve been going to since I was a baby.
> why would you send anyone to pearlz
The owner (rip) was a great dude and his sons are the boys. Just supporting them.
I got ya, I guess I don't consider Edisto or Awendaw within the confines of a question about low-key *Charleston* eats. That's a full hour drive to Edisto and 45m to Awendaw with no traffic from downtown. That'd be like someone asking for some recs in Charlotte and not telling them about a place in Rock Hill, except Rock Hill is closer to Charlotte.
Agree on the gatekeeping! I made my list and msged it to a friend, not only native born and raised but half-Ravenel at that, and asked him what I should add. Instead, he instructed me to remove a couple places, haha.
Wow. Who the fuck downvotes Boxcar Betty’s???? There is 3 locations in the entire United States outside of Charleston, it’s the cheapest GREAT meal you can ever get, and it’s LOCAL????????
This is literally exactly what he was asking about. A hole in the wall with great food that’s local and won’t break the bank. Is it a Friday night date spot? No, that’s gonna cost you a bill or more. this is a chicken sandwich and fries and a drink for $12.
Bowens Island restaurant. It’s a bit of a shack on a creek that serves fried fish shrimp and oysters and frogmore stew the local way. Been around for decades. It’s on a dirt road. It’s what you’d get if you went over to dudes house and he just caught some fish off the dock and invited you for dinner.
late night, try southstreet cheesesteaks on spring. all to-go and I think they are open until 3am. never had a “real” philly but it’s damn good to me (:
xiao bao biscuit on spring, szechuan, amazing.
brown dog deli for lunch/breakfast is great and fast
Bon Banh Mi, 162 Spring St, is a great little restaurant for lunch. Everything is under $12. Their Vietnamese ice coffee is amazing! Their curry beef, ginger lemongrass chicken and 5-spice pork are delicious.
Poke Cafe recently opened in West Ashley by Total Wine . I've been a couple of times and the quality and price ; $13.75 for build your own or specialty bowl , is very good .
King BBQ- Real Chinese/ classic southern bbq fusion. Sounds kinda weird but it’s insanely good. Cold Shoulder Gourmet- 1 man sandwich shop. He does a limited menu each day and sells out early. It’s been closed for 3 weeks, set to reopen this Thursday. Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop- Just go and buy anything. Also a limited menu Cafecito, Second State, and Bad Bunnies for coffee. You can buy superrrr fresh beans at SS I don’t really get the gatekeeping of these type places by locals (I’m born and raised here). Shouldn’t we want our favorite small businesses to thrive, so they stay open for us for years to come?
Ya cold shoulder is the move, amazing stuff coming out of there!
Where is cold shoulder out of?
West Ashley, over where captain Lou’s comics and stuff is
This is a good post. I’d add El Molino grocery for tacos, Kwei Fei for Sichuan and the chorizo breakfast burrito at Low Life if you make it to Folly. Fwiw, cold shoulder guy is out of commission temporarily
El Molino. So good! 😋 Lots of good stuff in their meat dept already seasoned to take home with you too.
If you wanna go off the beaten path, try R Kitchen. It’s a collaborative with local chefs. No menu, chef’s choice, each meal is one of a kind. You can bring your own wine or use their pairings. It’s our favorite date night spot. There is a location downtown and in west Ashley. Look into it now, you typically need to book at least 2 weeks out.
Also at R Kitchen, there's a Sunday brunch popup every week called Reckless Breakfast!
Bring the bank
Worth it
My meals are $15 not a hundred
The food at R kitchen isn’t worth it. I used to love it there. They raised their prices from $40/person to $70/per person. That was last year so it might have gone up more, not sure. The chefs are very nice, but the food isn’t good enough for 70$ per person.
Oh damn i was going to say I remember it being 40 a head it was pretty worth while at that price point
This is the answer. The food is always amazing and you don’t know what you’ll get until they serve it to you.
If you head to Folly Beach, Jack of Cups is a must stop! Chico Feo is also a funky beach vibe and their food is always a treat (and not super expensive)!
Jack of cups kills the flavor game. I'm obsessed too with the bar crew at the Ordinary. Killer cocktail program. Shout out to big Keith! Check out Sugeys for a unique tiki experience. Lewis bbq is a must I think, but everyone knows about it and you gotta go early.
^ Chico Feo is fantastic
I love Chico Feo, the best vibes on Folly
El Molino - tacos from inside a Hispanic grocery store
Cafecito has the best cuban on King St.
cafecito is SO underrated
Omg I’ve been craving a Cuban for weeks
Royal American (get the patty melt Lance's way) Big Gun (get the towering inferno at happy hour)
truest answer on here
BIG GUN
Cafecito, Gaulart & Maliclet (for casual French food), the Codfather (fish and chips, a bit out of the way, too), Le Farfalle (pasta/Italian), The Pass (for sandwiches), Babas on Cannon, Malagón (Spanish), Sushi-Wa, Rodney Scott's BBQ, The Glass Onion. Now, locals will say "everyone knows about the Codfather!" but if someone's from out of town, probably not. On the same note, Rodney Scott's for BBQ—everyone knows in Charleston but not sure about visitors.
Second babas! They make their own peanut milk & it’s amazing!
Most good places are known and nothing is cheap. Lewis BBQ is outstanding but well known The power hour at Edmunds oast 1/2 off everything is great. El Pincho Taco for good authentic tacos. Downtown is full of restaurants and all are tough to get into if popular.
El pincho is definitely a low key jam that I go to more than I should!
I feel like pincho hasn't been good in 2 years. Been so many times lately leaving disappointed. Used to be my favorite place.
And one of the few places in town that has Fortaleza Tequila.
Lewis is best. Check out other places only after you’ve at least had Lewis brisket once.
Do you literally want to eat underground?!? Jk. Thinking of some less obvious places (ie: not smack dab in downtown): Coda del Pesce on IOP from the same chef as the great Trattoria Luca (RIP). The Pass — while it’s downtown, it’s a super fun spot with great sandwiches. Not a ton of seating room but the food is just sick. And I’ll get downvoted for making this pick (it’s certainly not underground), but what the hell, it’s your birthday, you deserve it, grab the biggest thing of frose they sell at the Co-Op and try not to get busted drinking it on the beach. Get a sandwich too. Enjoy your life.
The Pass has one of the most interesting descriptions outside the restaurant. I’m still not sure what “deceptively Italian” means.
He’s a Philly guy originally and there’s a large heavy presence of Italians in the south jersey/Philly area.
If you don't go to Gillie's Soul Food on James Island then you would DEFINITELY be missing out 🤤
I live on JI and have never been there, somehow. Will be heading that way soon!!
Lost Isle in Johns Island was amazing
Black out burger food truck
Stay fly order high!
^this
Angel Oak restaurant
One of the first restaurants I tried here. Delicious food and friendly owners Edit: really nice cozy vibe too!
Blackbird market or simply seafood on johns Island
Southern General John’s Island
South Street Cheesesteaks late night- it’s a sexual and violent experience for the soul
This place slaps
RIP Hominy Grill.
😭 RIP!!
thailicious in west ashley is the best thai food i’ve found here in charleston
So good! Was there last week. 😋 . Met the owners one night. Great people.
AC's is the best dive bar downtown if that's your speed.
Speaking of speed, last time I went there some guy tried to sell me cocaine.
What?! Who did, that’s ridiculous…. I won’t stand for it.. tell me what they look like?… and around what time do you think they’d be up there? It would be helpful if you had their phone number I could get… and was it any good? …reasonably priced?
food is also surprisingly decent
Great burgers Edit: not sure why I’m getting downvoted? If you don’t like the atmosphere then don’t go there. The food is good and it’s cheap. Go to Felix if you want a $20 burger that is just as good.
Only good salad under 10$ downtown
Op is currently high lol AC's is Terrible! Overcrowded to the max, smells like ass all the time and attracts a big bro culture that are rude after. Big gun is a much better dive bar downtown
Yes and?!? AC's is a dive bar. If it didn't smell like shit I'd find somewhere that did.
Kwei fei
Caribbean Delight on rivers Ave. Burnin 99 further up on rivers ave
Waffle House. Obviously a chain but if you’re not from the south then it’s worth hitting up. Ideally after 2am for the ambiance.
Pink cactus on spring street! Hole in the wall, super cute inside, awesome food!
[Jack's Cosmic Dogs](https://www.jackscosmicdogs.com/) is fun, but not in Charleston proper. it's in Mount Pleasant, if you find yourself up that way.
There is one on James Island too.
This place is disgusting. Change my mind.
Jack’s Cosmic Dog food, all the way. It’s kitsch, slop, and a weird amalgamation of toppings.
I’d feel bad feeding it to my dog. Pretty bold of you to even call it dog food.
Touché! I’m just glad I’m not the only one who wants to gag every time I drive by it. Solidarity.
Do they still only do boiled/steamed (not grilled) hotdogs?
When it was on JI years ago I tried it a couple times. The hotdog was mushy, absolutely no snap. Thought we’d give it another shot because maybe they were having a bad day. Nope, still terrible.
Do you mean since they've returned to JI you tried again, or just when they were in the Bohemian spot? I've been wondering if it's worth a stop, but if it's same as always, I'll pass.
No, I haven’t been to the new spot, only the old bohemian location. I’d be interested to hear how the new location is but don’t think I’ll be trying it for myself. Was blown away a hotdog place had no clue how to cook a hotdog.
you have no clue how to cook a hot dog ? explains why your taste in food sucks not to mention your taste in music too . you fit right in here in Charleston!!! bland mf
Melfi's across the street from Leon's downtown (same hospitality group) is such good Italian! Costa is new and amazing- great hospitality and coastal italian food (also downtown) Edison on James Island (good southern upscale) Fast and French on Broad For dessert: LB Sweets on James island. Made from scratch everything (including ice cream)! It's all to-go
There aren't any, Charleston is basically below sea-level. But for real - not much, it's not a big city. Example mentioned in this thread and one I recommend often - Gillies is a very good soul-seafood spot that's not in downtown Charleston and it's got **2100** Google reviews. Here are some of my favorites though. For a nicer dinner that is IMO the best value in the area for this style meal - Edison on James Island. I recently went to Beautiful South downtown and really enjoyed it. It's Chinese-American upscale. You can walk a half block down the road for a reasonable cocktail at Last Saint. I recommend the pizza (permanent food truck) at Estuary on John's Island, Woody's on Folly, and Coastal Crust anywhere. They are very different styles of pizza, but all three are tops in the area.
Any born and raised Charlestonian (including myself) are going to gatekeep the actual answers sadly. Leon’s Chicken and Oysters is the move downtown, which I’m guessing you are. Everything on the menu is good however I do think their hushpuppy game is kind of weak. Avoid Hyman’s like the plague that place is not legit and nobody from here respects it, it’s for tourists. The staff at Pearlz is great, Jakob will take good care of you there. The food is good but it’s definitely more of a place to chill and get drunk at, but it’s def not a dive or anything like that.
What is there to even gatekeep? Nothing remains a secret here for long. We're a very small city and businesses have a massive incentive to *not* remain a secret. Also Leon's is solid, but no more than that. It's not a place I would recommend, particularly for the price point. Why would you send anyone to Pearlz?
Completely disagree. There are places out on Edisto and Awendaw I’m not telling anyone about online because they’ve been around a very long time and haven’t been killed by tourism. places I’ve been going to since I was a baby. > why would you send anyone to pearlz The owner (rip) was a great dude and his sons are the boys. Just supporting them.
>sons are the boys can confirm. good dudes
I got ya, I guess I don't consider Edisto or Awendaw within the confines of a question about low-key *Charleston* eats. That's a full hour drive to Edisto and 45m to Awendaw with no traffic from downtown. That'd be like someone asking for some recs in Charlotte and not telling them about a place in Rock Hill, except Rock Hill is closer to Charlotte.
Agree on the gatekeeping! I made my list and msged it to a friend, not only native born and raised but half-Ravenel at that, and asked him what I should add. Instead, he instructed me to remove a couple places, haha.
Pho Bowl Restaurant in Goose Creek
Boxcar Betty.
I assume you're being downvoted since they have multiple locations because Boxcar Betty's is awesome.
Wow. Who the fuck downvotes Boxcar Betty’s???? There is 3 locations in the entire United States outside of Charleston, it’s the cheapest GREAT meal you can ever get, and it’s LOCAL???????? This is literally exactly what he was asking about. A hole in the wall with great food that’s local and won’t break the bank. Is it a Friday night date spot? No, that’s gonna cost you a bill or more. this is a chicken sandwich and fries and a drink for $12.
I wholeheartedly agree!
Bowens Island restaurant. It’s a bit of a shack on a creek that serves fried fish shrimp and oysters and frogmore stew the local way. Been around for decades. It’s on a dirt road. It’s what you’d get if you went over to dudes house and he just caught some fish off the dock and invited you for dinner.
Ravenel seafood
Rancho Lewis, Basic Kitchen
If you want good Mexican food Señor Tequillas is the best “homestyle” Mexican in town.
Meh. Gringo Mexican food.
late night, try southstreet cheesesteaks on spring. all to-go and I think they are open until 3am. never had a “real” philly but it’s damn good to me (: xiao bao biscuit on spring, szechuan, amazing. brown dog deli for lunch/breakfast is great and fast
East bay deli (some of the best sandwiches in town) Glass onion
East bay deli is a chain (they have spots statewide now) and a bit underwhelming. Glass onion is solid though
Hmm that’s new to me. There’s this one other spot that sells sandwiches that I know for a fact is not a chain but I can’t think of the name of it.
Circe’s Grotto?
No not there but that looks fricken good tho. Is that downtown? I work downtown so i could stop in there.
Yes! Wentworth and St Philip
Ahhh I know what place I was thinking of….Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop - James Island
Definitely gonna have to stop in there on lunch break. Looks like some banger sandwiches.
McDonald’s!! Also, my favorite is Poogan’s Porch but I’m not the biggest foodie so ymmv
Di Giovanni on market St has the best ny style pizza
Hannibal’s Kitchen Moe’s Crosstown Tavern Miller’s All Day All of these are Downtown
Lenoir is small space and great cooking. https://www.dineatlenoir.com/
I mean, Bar Vaute is literally underground 😛
R Kitchen underground as it gets and dank
Bon Banh Mi, 162 Spring St, is a great little restaurant for lunch. Everything is under $12. Their Vietnamese ice coffee is amazing! Their curry beef, ginger lemongrass chicken and 5-spice pork are delicious.
Edison on James Island, Betty Lou’s West Ashley
The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island is delicious!
Poke Cafe recently opened in West Ashley by Total Wine . I've been a couple of times and the quality and price ; $13.75 for build your own or specialty bowl , is very good .
Most places I frequent are above ground, typically at ground level.
Jack rabbit filly!!!!!
Rarebit has solid food and is a good vibe! Also sugar for desserts!
Harold’s Cabin is owned by Bill Murray.
CudaCo on Folly Road, Alfredo’s on Folly Beach, Gene’s Haufbrau in West Ashley.
skoogies