Charleston?

This dinner by Gullah chef BJ Denis is the type of thing I’d go to if I still lived in Charleston.

Link snagged on HO:

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Ive been meaning to write this for a bit. I spent a few months down in Charleston for a job and wanted to share some highlights that might go beyond the more obvious names I had heard (I’m looking at you Chubby Fish. You are incredible but you get enough attention. )

My favorite was Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop. I dont think I had a single miss here. I would often go in and be sad I hadn’t left with more stuff. I ate a lot of biscuits while I was in Charleston. Welton’s biscuit is S Tier.

Breakfast biscuit (Storey Farms eggs, cheddar, Benton’s country ham)

Jimmy Red grit and cheddar danish (Marsh Hen Mill Jimmy Red corn grits, with WTB
pimento cheese and benne)

Vegetarian sandwich (basil pesto, whipped goat cheese, roasted zuchinni, local greens on house sourdough foccacia)

WTB MUFFLETTA (mortadella, salami, provolone & olive salad)

Honey pie

Biscuit with strawberry preserves

There were a couple of really solid BBQ places that are part of the current wave of pitmasters riffing on American BBQ dishes by combining them with dishes from their ethnic heritage.

King BBQ feels like eating at the house of that friend you had growing up who’s badass Chinese dad married an equally badass Southern Belle. The restaurant was constantly riffing on new specials that seemed like the right combination of playful, adventurous and appetizing.

BBQ meats on noodles plate (Chinese spiced pulled pork, ginger scallion kielbasa, and bok choy served over noodles)

Crispy smoked chicken sandwich (Smoked fried chicken, pickled collard greens and ranch)

I’m gonna agree with most folks that Lewis is the best BBQ that Charleston has to offer but Palmira BBQ definitely gives it a run for its money. The smoked beef cheeks stand toe to toe with any well cooked Texas-style brisket I have have had. When you order, you’ll get a contact high just by watching them pull your beef cheeks out from deep within a warm pool of tallow.

Smoked beef cheeks

Barbacoa (shredded smoked beef cheeks, pickled red onions, cilantro and cotija on a tostada)

Da Toscano Porchetta Shop had just opened up a few months prior to me arriving in Charleston. They nail their sandwiches pretty hard. Tank from Holy City Hogs posted on his instagram about an off menu sandwich called “The Tank”. When I went in and asked for it they looked at me like I was crazy. After describing what was in it they figured it out. Anyway, just ask for the country ham sandwich if you go. It’s painfully expensive at 30 bucks but its quality.

Country ham sandwich (Holy City Hogs x Benton’s Ossabaw country ham, strawberry preserves, taleggio cream on house foccacia)

Finally, I dont have any pictures but I highly recommend Tarvin Seafood / Miss Paula’s Shrimp. Freshly caught local gulf shrimp that is impossibly delicious. They are the supplier of choice for most of the good restaurants in the area. They post the daily catch and prices on their instagram. You can place an order for pick up. It’s a family run operation and they are friendly as hell.

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Hi Y’all !

A friend will be in Charleston for business and is arranging group meals. My husband volunteered me (or rather food talkers :slightly_smiling_face:) to give him some dining options that are local/central.

Looks like Lewis BBQ is the place for cue?

Best S. Carolina low-country cooking?

Was thinking of Chubby Fish for upscale but read the website instructions about getting in line at 4pm and waiting until they open at 5pm to hopefully get a table. That won’t work for group business dinners. Can you give me a couple options for upscale, sit down spots that take reservations? Not necessarily seafood-only as I don’t know all their eating preferences.

Anything on here you love, like or hate?

Much appreciated!

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Upscale Lowcounty - consider FIG, Vern’s, perhaps Lowland (haven’t been yet), and The Grocery (haven’t been recently).

Didn’t love my meal this past fall at The Ordinary. Chubby Fish really is great, and for raw bar/seafood 167 Raw etc. For a business group FIG is probably the choice, though I find the menu a little safe aka traditional.

Lewis bbq is great but Texas not South Carolina style. Palmira is also great, a hybrid of Texas, South Carolina (really like their hash), and Puerto Rico.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I grew up in Charleston and visit multiple times per year!

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Thanks @ShadrackToussaint!

I will pass on these recs. It’s good to have multiple options.

I’ll recommend FIG for the business dinner and also include Chubby Fish (with a caution) just in case - it seems great.

Will give him both BBQ places. He loves BBQ so it’s ok if it’s Texas-style or hybrid as long as it’s good.

Not sure they’ll have time for breakfast as they’ll be in meetings & conferences and breakfast may be provided. Just in case, do you have a favorite breakfast spot?

I wish it was me going on this trip! I so wanna eat Lowcountry cooking at the source instead of what I try to recreate in my kitchen with cookbooks and the internet. :smiling_face:

Happy South Carolina Eating!

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Cool!

Chubby Fish now has a cocktail bar next door, Seahorse, which I assume is designed to capture the overflow etc. Haven’t been yet.

In terms of BBQ, some people love Rodney Scott. I prefer Lewis overall, but the cracklins, banana pudding, and ribeye sandwich at Rodney Scott are great. And some folks do like his pulled pork.

I’m not a big breakfast person, but Miller’s All Day, perhaps Daps (it may skew a little young), The Daily (though it’s not very Lowcountry), and Marina Variety Store for shrimp and grits.

I also like Bertha’s for soul food, but it’s definitely an experience.

Let me know if you need more opinions! I do miss the food there.

PS - Also wanna second all of @doughboy’s recs, especially Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop.

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Thanks @ShadrackToussaint… and @doughboy!

Oh and I’ll make sure to mention Seahorse in case they want to chance the waitlist at Chubby Fish.

Sounds intriguing. :smile:

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We never miss Magnolias on every visit. It never disappoints. Went to Hust for first time last visit. It was good with some minor flaws. Poogan’s Porch has a nice atmosphere and good food.

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