Where locals eat - Charleston, South Carolina
 

Where do the locals eat in Charleston and surrounding area- Mt Pleasant, Isle of Palms.
Interested in a great breakfast, reasonable prices for lunch and dinner. We love seafood, Mexican and of course Low Country food. Help please!

Seewee, Boulevard Diner, Page's, Mustard Seed, the Wreck, Sea Biscuit are a few.

Actually, locals eat at the iconic Charleston places like FIG, SNOB, Peninsula Grill, Carolina's, Magnolia's. I just recently moved away from Charleston after being there for decades. We ate in the HD all the time since those places are seriously good!

You won't see locals at the big touristy places that have people standing on the street hawking you to come in.

Suewoo is the expert, but we were there last week and ate at The Hominy Grill and seemed to see a lot of students and families there, we had a nice brunch. We had two great meals nearby at John's island at Fat Hen and Wild Olive on an other trip, but I think those are probably "touristy". It may be that I am completely wrong and I am sure Suewoo can answer this thought.

willowjane, I adore Fat Hen! I never got to Wild Olive, but my friends who know agree with you.

Locals eat with tourists all the time. I was happy to do it! It's so interesting to me that locals really don't care who's sitting at the next table. Good food is everywhere, so just pick a place where you like the menu, and enjoy.

I would agree with Suewoo.

You are not visiting Las Vegas, Charleston's mainstay for the restaurants is local trade. Most of the restaurants are good quality at all levels. The few tourist traps are pretty obvious to spot, there was one with a queue of blatant tourists outside which was operated by some local celebrity chef. TA slated it and it looked awful. Just can't remember the name.

We had a lovely middle level meal at Fleet Landing and had the added benefit of watching the dolphins feed under our table !!

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I've read a few reviews for See Wee, Hominy Grill, Mustard Seed, SNOB, we will definitely eat at these restaurants!!

I've never heard of Boulevard Diner, Pages, The Wreck and Sea Biscuit but will search reviews.
THANKS AGAIN!

Is there a particular "Carriage Ride" company that is really good in Charleston?

Can anyone recommend these restaurants that I saw on DINER'S DRIVE-INS & DIVES -

PAWLEY'S PORCH
TATOOED MOOSE
THE GLASS ONION
FUEL STATION

Any recommendations for the BEST She-Crab Soup in Charleston/Mt. Pleasant/Isle of Palms?
This is my all time favorite soup!!!

And Shrimp n Grits??

THANKS!!!!!!!

Just pour some cream over some crab meat and add sherry!!

I think I've heard from a foodie friend that he loved Hominy Grill's shrimmp and grits. Also REALLY easy to make at home.

Suewoo: You have helped SO MANY people, including me, with Charleston planning. Your help is apprciated.
Cheryl

Aw, thank you, Cheryl. It has certainly been my pleasure. It's a great place to visit and to EAT! I'm going down in May.

tede, according to a poll done by the City Paper every year, 82 Queen gets best she-crab consistantly. I have to agree-it's wonderful and the patio setting is very nice if you can get it. That's tough this time of year.

The carriage rides are on a lottery. The companies choose routes each morning so choosing a company doesn't guarantee a particular route. They are all good, companies and routes, and while some of the guides are more experienced than others none are bad.

I've been to Poogan's Porch if that's what you mean. I don't know of a place at Pawley's by that name, but there might be one. Poogan's is ok, but with such grand choices I'd go elsewhere. I like Tattoed Moose for that duck sandwich, but again, I'd pick a Charleston icon like SNOB or FIG. I love Glass Onion-been there numerous times and the food is wonderful. But it's out Savannah highway, which is trafficky all the time. Fuel Station is a great spot. I've only been twice but it's nice enough. That Diner Drive-In guy gives me a headache so I don't put much stock in his choices, even those these are fine. He should have gone to Seewee if he were seriously looking for a dive. I saw him put sundried tomatoes in turkey dressing one time and thought "What?"

Ah, and Shrimp and grits. My favorite are at SNOB, High Cotton, and the now-defunct (sniff) Atlanticville. Best depends on your taste, of course, and mine runs very simple. If I get shrimp right off the boat I just saute them with some (okay a lot) of butter, make grits with cream or milk, salt pepper and that's it. The shrimp are just too good to cover up with a bunch of stuff. Some places put cheese in the grits (delicious with a piece of ham, but not with grits, IMO), some places put traditional tasso gravy on top. So it depends on what you like. Hominy does theirs with the gravy, as does Page's. People love it. I always get whatever fresh fish they have and some of that divine tomato pudding.

So, it depends on what you like. Try a few and see how you do. You won't be sorry.

Sue's got it (of course) about the shrimp and grits. I DO put cheese in mine--no gravy, but a garnish of bacon?, yes.

Tomato pudding? I think I may have a recipe but tell me about that!!
I WILL tell you that at BiLo stores you can buy Lakeside grits--these are absolutely delicious grits, stone ground, and cheap.

Hey, Miss Gretchen! Tomato pudding reminds of my grandmama (Blanche Pickens!)'s scalloped tomatoes. A little brown sugar, some butter and crunchy ritz cracker top. There ain't a BiLo up here! And I don't have a Piggly Wiggly either. Sigh. I guess I'll just adjust, like I am in every other part of my life, lol.

Thank you, thank you for all the suggestions,
Suewoo, from all your knowledge about Charleston, it sounds like you use to live there. When I get back home from visiting Charleston, I'm probably going to weigh 5-7 pounds heavier!
Thanks for mentioning 82 Queen, I now remember hearing about it, they probably take reservations, will check into it.
Have a wonderful trip back to Charleston next month!

How's McCrady's?? Saw it listed as a top restaurant; thanks~

Hey Sue. We need to get together and I'll bring you some grits. Our BiLos have gone down here also. But be on the lookout for Lakeside. They may be the same grits as Adluh. I think I know the tomato dish--oMG!!

tede, yes, I lived there for a long time. I left a bearing Meyer lemon tree and 50 antique rose bushes in my beautiful yard to come back to NC and help Mama with my failing Daddy. It was the right thing, but I do miss Charleston. I know you'll enjoy it.

DebitNM, McCrady's is a great restaurant. I've been there numerous times as well and enjoyed it. It's not as traditional lowcountry as some of the others but it's really interesting. Take a look at their website and see what you think.

Gretchen, email me. My address is on my profile.

tede, Pawley's Front Porch is a burger joint in Columbia, SC. Their burgers are really fantastic, but you won't find it in Charleston!

We enjoyed these restaurants while visiting Charleston. Ate at Toast several times due to the convenience to our hotel.

The Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge @ Cannon (843) 937-0930

Poogan's Porch
72 Queen Street (843) 577-2337; res’v recommended

Also, for something quick and with a wide variety, we enjoyed
Toast
155 Meeting Street (843) 534-0043

Il Cortile Del Re
193 King Street (843) 853-1888