Charleston, South Carolina isn’t only famous for its Southern grace and relaxed pace of life, it’s also an amazing foodie destination. The charming city dishes out fantastic Southern fare with flair and after a visit, you’ll marvel at how the locals manage to exercise any form of self-control, given all the delicious options around them.
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Jestine’s Kitchen
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If you’re craving Southern fried chicken, then a stop at Jestine’s Kitchen has to be at the top of your itinerary. Be warned, Jestine’s is popular so you will wait during popular times, but believe me it’s well worth it. The service and warm hospitality are the perfect accompaniments to their famous chicken that is moist on the inside and crispy on the outside – just as it should be. Go with the collard greens and mashed potatoes as sides, and make sure you ask if they have the Coca-Cola cake for dessert, and of course wash everything down with a massive glass of sweet iced tea.
Photo by Cobalt123
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Ernie’s
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Photo by Mark H Anbinder
Ernie’s might not look much on the outside, but that’s part of the appeal. If you want to avoid the cruise ship crowds at the likes of Bubba Gump’s, then you need to make a beeline for this eatery, which, from the outside, doesn’t even appear to be a restaurant. Ernie’s serves up some seriously good soul food, and you don’t even need to look at the menu – the servers have it memorized for you and will go over what they’re offering that day. Frequent additions are regional classics like okra soup and even pigtails. If you stop by for lunch, get there a little before noon; otherwise expect a wait as locals form a constant line to get their filling of the day’s goodies.
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Dave’s Carry Out
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Photo by Foodie Buddha
If you’ve had a long day of walking about and want something fast, casual and easy then Dave’s Carry Out is the perfect place for you. A takeout restaurant that specializes in seafood, the fried shrimp is heavenly, and always dished out in generous portions with a big, wide smile. Hipster students and old Southern gents alike line up to get their take out boxes crammed full of flavor, and if the man behind the counter asks if you’d like extra sauce, you’d better answer with a yes!
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Poogan’s Porch
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The South is known for its graceful elegance and Charleston in particular is famous for its antebellum mansions and refined manners. Reflecting the city, Poogan’s Porch epitomizes Southern class, but without being pretentious. Said by locals to be haunted, the restaurant occupies a beautiful townhouse but don’t let the architecture fool you – the food is the main focus here. The chicken sliders and sweet potato fries are my top picks and are well worth the risk of running into a ghost in the bathroom.
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Kaminsky’s
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Photo by I Believe I Can Fry
If you have a sweet tooth, then drop by Kaminsky’s, where the best pies and cobblers in Charleston are rustled up. Butterscotch, peach, and coconut are just some of the concoctions on offer, although the real winner has to be the mixed berry cobbler; all made fresh of course. Get it hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and just let it melt all over for the perfect end to your culinary explorations.