OT - Charleston, SC trip coming up

caliking

We're heading to Charleston for a family shindig, 11/25-11/28. I'm looking for dining suggestions for 2-3 meals, and grocery suggestions too (things to bring back to Houston, e.g. GRITS!)

No dietary restrictions. We eat just about everything. Suggestions for down-home Southern cooking, breakfast/brunch, or toddler-friendly joints would be appreciated. 

Thanks!

blasting

I drove to Charleston and back this summer.  Didn't do a lot of dining out, but I sure did like the chicken sandwiches they offer at Boxcar Betty's.  Toddler friendly, very casual.  Had my first fried green tomatoes at this place.

One to avoid is Bessinger's BBQ - some of the worst I've had.

Have a good trip.

DoubleEgger

Hominy Grill 

AppStateDDS

Cru Cafe is a great little lunch spot - I'd get a reservation though.  We also like Pearlz Oyster Bar in the historic discrict - casual and gets busy during happy hour.  

Dyal_SC

Toast and/or Husk for brunch. They are a must IMO. The Ordinary is a cool place as well... used to be a bank and their kitchen is built in the old vault. A little pricey, but very good. Hominy Grill is a pretty cool little joint too. 

REB17

Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters- King St.

20stone

Rodney Scott sounds like he is moving into Charleston - http://charleston.eater.com/2016/8/29/12688996/rodney-scott-barbecue-charleston

Sean Brock made the best bite I had at Southern Smoke a year ago - http://huskrestaurant.com/about/

Eggcelsior

blasting said:

I drove to Charleston and back this summer.  Didn't do a lot of dining out, but I sure did like the chicken sandwiches they offer at Boxcar Betty's.  Toddler friendly, very casual.  Had my first fried green tomatoes at this place.

One to avoid is Bessinger's BBQ - some of the worst I've had.

Have a good trip.

This opinion is bad and you should feel bad. Not a mustard fan?  

Eggcelsior

Page's Okra Grill in Mt Pleasant is good. For grits, go to Geechie Boy Mill on Edisto.

northGAcock

DoubleEgger said:

Hominy Grill 

+1   and I am a bigger fan of their breakfast than dinner....but it is all good.

northGAcock

Eggcelsior said:

Page's Okra Grill in Mt Pleasant is good. For grits, go to Geechie Boy Mill on Edisto.

Dylan is spot on with the Geechie Boy grits. 

tarheelmatt

If BBQ, there's John Lewis's place, Lewis BBQ.

caliking

Thanks for the recs.

Hominy Grill was one I had been thinking of. I remember Bessingers from when I was a kid , but haven't heard good things about them in recent times. 

blasting

Eggcelsior said:

blasting said:

One to avoid is Bessinger's BBQ - some of the worst I've had.

This opinion is bad and you should feel bad. Not a mustard fan?  

It is possible I caught them on a bad day, however me experience would not have me going back.  We had the pulled pork sammies and at least three sides.  Each component was sub par. (and they mixed up the order)

@caliking   We had shaved ice for the first time on this trip.  That was a big hit for the kid (and for me).  They add something crazy addictive to the stuff.  

The Cen-Tex Smoker

you should try John Lewis' place for sure. 

fljoemon

caliking said:

Thanks for the recs.

Hominy Grill was one I had been thinking of. I remember Bessingers from when I was a kid , but haven't heard good things about them in recent times. 

If you go to Hominy Grill for brunch try the She Crab Soup ... DO NOT miss out on the Shrimp & Grits .. I didn't even like Grits until I ate it here .. Dang .. I want to visit Charleston again.

I also ate at Hanks seafood, but the hype got to me and I went there with great expectations .. left a little disappointed :-(

Another interesting restaurant I went was Xiao Bao Biscuit ... Asian Inspired Soul Food .. amazing!

If you are craving BBQ, Fiery Ron's is decent .. .nothing to brag about.

northGAcock

Some good microbrewery's there for the tasting. Palmetto & Holy City jump out at me. The Tattooed Moose (near Palmetto) is a great lunch option. The Pork Belly Sandwich is outstanding. 

I enjoy Charleston Cooks (kitchen shop)...always enjoy looking through their stuff. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

20stone said:

Rodney Scott sounds like he is moving into Charleston - http://charleston.eater.com/2016/8/29/12688996/rodney-scott-barbecue-charleston

Sean Brock made the best bite I had at Southern Smoke a year ago - http://huskrestaurant.com/about/

I can tell you that his pulled pig sandwich at Southern Smoke made me realize I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to doing authentic pulled pork. I put way too much vinegar sauce on mine- his was sublime.

Acn

northGAcock said:

Eggcelsior said:

Page's Okra Grill in Mt Pleasant is good. For grits, go to Geechie Boy Mill on Edisto.

Dylan is spot on with the Geechie Boy grits. 

Another rec for these and for Husk.  You can also mail order these grits.

DoubleEgger

northGAcock said:

DoubleEgger said:

Hominy Grill 

+1   and I am a bigger fan of their breakfast than dinner....but it is all good.

Me too 

GrateEggspectations

Love Charleston! Last time my wife and I were there, we went to a bar where they had a wall full of adult slushies. Perhaps as a result, I cannot remember the names of any dining establishments we frequented.

caliking

I figured I would end up with more suggestions for good eats than i would know what to do with

I had read about Lewis' place some time ago, but had forgotten about it. Wasn't planning on bbq, but may try to slip it in. 

And I'm pretty sure I'm coming back with some Geechie Boy grits. 

May even decide to ditch the family shindig and just go eat. Which is not sounding like a bad idea...

cazzy

Another vote for Lewis Barbecue.  

Elijah

I don't think I've ever eaten anywhere in Charleston or the surrounding area that I didn't like. The standards are so high that a mediocre place goes out of business quick.

Taco boy has some good stuff if you're looking for that.