Can anyone recommend a couple of casual eateries where the southern cuisine is GREAT? I'm leaving in 2 weeks so please hurry.....

Try the Hominy Grill on Rutledge. I am still dreaming about the shrimp and grits I had there, along with the big hunk of cornbread and a tall glass of sweet tea.....yum!

Cheap eats: Poogan's Porch. They have the same old ladies cooking there that they had 20 years ago.

If fried chicken is on the lunch special, get it. Shrimp and grits are to die for, biscuits devine.

Locals favorite.

Thanks GO TRAVEL! What's your take on: Blossom; Hank's; and, tea at Charleston Place Hotel?
PS Do you live in Charleston? You seem so well informed.
Thanks much.

Jestine's.

Jestine's also and Hominy Grill is pretty good.

Charleston Place Hotel is wonderful with the best location in Charleston.

Blossom's and Hanks are a little above average. I really like Penninsula Grill and SNOB.

I live outside Charleston on a barrier island south of town.

Louanne, I'll also put in a vote for Hominy Grill - there have been lots of postings on www.chowhound.com on Charleston so you could get some good recommendations from locals.

I wouldn't call Hank's, Blossom, Charleston Place, SNOB, or Penninsula Grill "casual eatery".

i was in charleston in december -- two nights, two very nice meals (though not casual eateries) -- Cypress Lowcountry (I travel about 100 nights a year, and this might have been the best meal of the year); and McCrady's, very nice as well but in second place; they wouldn't allow me to order the tasting menu since I was alone, so i must admit, that bugged me a bit.

thanks everybody for the great feedback. By "casual eatery", I mean someplace where I woudn't be uncomfortable eating by myself.

louanne, while Penninsula Grill is the nicest, there are no coat and tie required restaurants in Charleston. It is simply too hot several months out of the year and they'd go out of business. While I wouldn't wear casual shorts into the Pennisula Grill, I wouldn't hesitate to wear nice ones into SNOB.