brunch

Best Fried Chicken in Charleston

If there’s one thing Charleston does well, it’s fried chicken. This Southern delicacy is a must-have during a visit to the Holy City. Fried Chicken is a staple here, so much so that we have a day dedicated to celebrating the dish. While nothing beats your age-old family recipe, our local restaurants run a close second. Craving this down south dish? Well, you will be after reading our list of the best fried chicken Charleston has to offer.

Here’s a round-up of the best places to get fried Chicken in Charleston on National Fried Chicken day, Monday, July 6th.

Boxcar Betty’s

You’ll want to get a second helping after a visit to Boxcar Betty’s. The local’s favorite gourmet fried chicken sandwich is award-winning, actually. Betty’s took home Buzzfeed’s “Best of Sandwich Shops in SC” title in 2019. With locations in North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and West Ashley, you’re never too far from a Boxcar!

Leon’s Oyster Shop

Don’t be fooled by the Oyster Shop name, Leon’s features delicious fried chicken alongside they’re famous seafood. This old garage turned restaurant will leave you licking your fingers. If the table’s feeling hungry, order the Leon’s Big Chicken Platter for the whole bird and two large sides.

Dave’s Carry Out

If you aren’t paying attention, you might accidentally miss this hole in the wall restaurant. Nestled in the historic neighborhood on the corner of Morris and Coming, Dave’s Carry Out serves food for the soul. While they’re not open on Monday, you can stop in on Tuesday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. for their home recipe style fried chicken wings.

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit

Buttermilk biscuits and petit fried chicken, can you think of anything better? Callie’s has it all at their King and Market street locations. You’ll want to add a side of pimento cheese to this decadent dish. Make sure to get em’ while their hot, Charleston!

Edmund’s Oast

Grab your lunch box, or should we say Edmond’s Oast’s “Lunchbox.” This fried chicken sammy is all the entre you could want and more. If you’re dining with friends, go for the “Porch Picnic,” as you won’t want to go hungry. Head to Edmund’s Oast on Morrison Drive from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. for a lip-smacking bite of fresh fried chicken.

Eat & Drink

The Best Rooftop Bars in Charleston

Open-air restaurants are all the rage this summer, as establishments adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Luckily, Charlestonians already love to dine outdoors. While many restaurants are finding ways to create more patio seating, nothing quite compares to a rooftop view. Here’s a roundup of the best rooftop bars in Charleston for the next time you decide to hit the town.

Stars Rooftop & Grill Room

This King Street beauty has a short, but sweet, rotating menu. With stellar drinks and a downtown view, this establishment is nothing short of fabulous. Locals love the weekend Brunch as it’s known iconically for their decadent selection. Pop a cork and cheer mimosas with friends on their open-air rooftop.

The Rooftop Bar at The Vendue

Enjoy al fresco lunch on the highrise patio at this chic hotel. For lively atmosphere and Southern architecture views, join the folks at the Vendue. On hotter days, a Strawberry Basil Lemonade will quench your thirst. Their plethora of seating offers options for parties of all sizes.

The Watch

You’ll forget to check your watch as time spent on the rooftop of the Restoration Hotel is time well spent. Guests will want to head to the restaurant at sunset for an incredible Holy City golden hour. As you soak up the last of the sun, share appetizers while picking through their selection of sweet libations.

Revelry Brewing

Calling all IPA drinkers! This rooftop brewery is young, lively, and perfect for an evening escape. Their large selection of home-brewed beer is iconic in this city. Crack a cold one safely outdoors at this large beer garden.

Red’s Ice House

Ditch downtown and head to Shem Creek for sunset drinks at Reds. The motto here? “Inside is boring!” Enjoy this laid back setting for seafood and drinks as you watch boats float by. The occasional dolphin even makes an appearance along the creek!

Eat & Drink

National Doughnut Day

National doughnut day is nearly upon us. Every June 5th, doughnut shops across the country pass out sugary bites, free of charge. The holiday was originally created not as a marketing ploy, but rather a way to boost morale for soldiers in World War I back in 1938. Considering we could all use a reason to celebrate, here’s a round-up of participating doughnut shops in Charleston.

Krispy Kreme

Over these last few months, time has seemed to be on a course of its own. Days feel like weeks and weeks feel like days. The good news? Krispy Kreme gets it. Instead of celebrating national doughnut day on its usual June 5th, this year you can get your favorite doughnut, free of charge from June 1st – 5th. Limited to one doughnut per person. For more information visit here.

Dunkin’ Donuts

As if we needed another excuse to go to Dunkin! This national donut day they’re offering what they call, “The Sweet Treat American Deserves.” Participating locations will be offering a free donut of your choosing with any beverage purchase on June 5th. You’ll want to stop in quick before they run out of your favorite sprinkled treat. In case you can’t make it on the 5th, order off GrubHub from June 6th-7th for a free half dozen on all orders $10 or more. Interested in free donuts for a year? All it takes is your best slogan ideas answering the question, “What does The Donut Party stand for to you?” To enter, use the #DunkinDonutPartySweepstakes on Instagram. For more information visit here.

Duck Donuts

Not one, not two, but three days of celebrating is in store for Duck Donuts’ lovers. From June 5th – 7th all online, app, or carry-out orders will be receiving a free cinnamon sugar donut. And if you download their rewards app prior to June 4th, a second cinnamon sugar donut will be headed home with you! For more information visit here.

Eat & Drink

5 Charleston Brunch Spots Locals Are Obsessed With

Charleston local and phenom lifestyle blogger, Lovely In Grey, recently shared her favorite brunch spots and because we’re all friends here, we’re passing along the info to you:

Whenever I have someone come into town to visit, the first thing I think of is “Where can we go for brunch?” And as such a boozy city, Charleston has no shortages of amazing brunch places. So as we’re gearing up for the weekend, I thought I would share a few of my favorites.

Park Cafe

If you’re looking for brunch on the lighter side, I would definitely recommend the Park Cafe. Located just off of upper King Street, Park Cafe has the best avocado toast in town, hands down. Order one of their amazing lattes as well and you’ll be set for the day, without the overstuffed feeling brunch can sometimes leave you with.

Miller’s All Day

One of the newer places in Charleston for a delicious brunch, my favorite thing about Miller’s All Day is the decor. And not to take away from the food and drink at all, but I just love how uniquely decked out this little spot is. If you’re in the area, you can’t go wrong with the Short Stack or an order of their Biscuits and Gravy – so good!

Page’s Okra Grill

Honestly, I wish I could go to Page’s every day for brunch, if only just for the bloody mary’s. But since drinking on an empty stomach is never my best idea, I’m happy to dig into their amazing menu every time. And since Page’s Okra Grill is located so close to Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, it’s an ideal place to start if you’re trying to keep the Sunday day drinking going.

Hominy Grill

An absolute classic, Hominy Grill is my go-to for when I have guests in town. With a “drive-thru” style outdoor bar and no reservations allowed, Hominy Grill is always a good choice. I 100% recommend getting the grits if they don’t already come with your order – and if they do, just go ahead and order some more on the side, that’s how good they are.

Mill Street Tavern

Though it’s not actually a place I’ve been before, I am dying to try out Mill Street Tavern. Located on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, the menu is packed full of amazing dishes that I can’t wait to try. I’m already trying to decide if I’m going to get the West Coast Benedict, Hash of the Day or the Fat Stack of Pancakes when I finally make it there.

For more local insider tips and hot spots visit lovelyingrey, one of our favorite Charleston lifestyle blogs. #CHSLikeALocal

Eat & Drink

Charleston Weekend Events: Jan. 18-20, 2019

Image Source: Rebel Taqueria FB

Trying to figure out what to do this weekend in Charleston? We’ve got you covered.

Fri, Jan. 18, 2019

January Drink Local Series

A reoccurring event, this series celebrates local craft beer at different spots around town. This time it’s at Pour Taproom and will feature 2-3 beers from some of our local breweries with a rep from each. Try some beer, maybe get some free swag, and have a lot of fun from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Hops N Headphones

Another reoccurring event, Hops N Headphones is hosted by Quiet Kingz Headphones and Charleston Beer Works. So, after you finish up at Pour Taproom you can head down King Street to Beer Works and enjoy some food, drinks, and tunes. The silent disco party starts at 10 pm and ends at 2 am.

8th Annual Shuck-A-Rama

Come out and help support the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina with oysters, chicken and white bean chili, and live music from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Held under the Bus Shed at the Charleston Visitors Center in Downtown Charleston, tickets are $45 and all proceeds go towards helping and supporting people and families with brain injuries. Don’t miss out though, ticket sales end at 6:30 pm the night of the event.

Taste of Folly

Kicking off at 7 pm, the annual Folly event is back with competitions, food, live music, and some pretty awesome drink specials. The two-day event starts with a cocktail competition at Tides and is followed up with a Center Street festival on Saturday.

Sat, Jan. 19, 2019

January Charleston Night Bazaar

On the third Saturday of every month, you can enjoy food and drinks with local artisans while shopping and exploring jewelry, skin care, art, decor, and more. This month the event is being hosted by Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co. on King Street and will be running from 4 pm to 9 pm.

Edgar’s 210th Birthday Party

Edgar Allan Poe is turning 210 on Saturday and Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island is throwing an epic birthday party for him. Think cake, balloons, tacos, burgers, fries, and more. Join the crew at 11 am and party the day away in honor of Poe.

Sea Turtle Jam

Who doesn’t want to eat oysters that will help protect sea turtles? From 2 pm to 9 pm, you can enjoy all you can eat oysters for $40 and enjoy live music at The Rusty Rudder. All proceeds benefit conservation and protective efforts for our sea turtles. Go buy your tickets.

Ashley River Kayak & Coffee

Want to start the day with an awesome scenic workout? Then grab a friend and head to Coastal Coffee Roasters in Summerville where you can rent kayaks or paddleboards for $45, or if you have your own equipment, hop on the shuttle for $20. The paddle is a little over 3 miles and will pass many historical sites for you to enjoy.

Sun, Jan. 20, 2019

Boozy Bingo

Boozy Bingo is making a triumphant return to Charleston Sports Pub in West Ashley from 11 am to 2 pm. Bingo is free to play and starts at noon for parties between 6-10 people.

Holy City Vintage Market

Returning to its home base, the Vintage Market will be at The Park Cafe on Rutledge Avenue from 9 am to 3 pm with brunch, bloodies, mimosas, coffee, and all the vintage merch you could want.

Sunday Brunch & Live Music

Brunch is served at The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits from 10 am to 3 pm with live music from 12 pm to 3 pm.

Free Barre South Class at The Container Bar

Bring your own mat and start your Sunday off with a free barre class at The Container Bar downtown. From 10 am and run to 10:45 pm you can get in a great workout, then reward yourself with a few drinks and bites afterwards.

Sunday Queso Fountain Brunch

Yes, we’re drooling too. You can build your own queso covered brunch bowl with Rebel Taqueria at Workshop on King Street from 10 am to 2 pm. Have the cheesiest brunch of your life.

Eat & Drink

Get Your Avocado Toast Fix At These Local Favorites

Featured Image Credit: Park Cafe Instagram

Avocado toast has fast become one of the most popular items on almost every breakfast and brunch menu in the Charleston area. This delicious array of smashed, or sometimes sliced, avocado on crispy toast with a dash of olive oil and sea salt just might be the best thing since sliced bread. If you love it, or just want to try it, here is a list of the best places to get it in Charleston:

The Park Cafe: 730 Rutledge Ave.

Park Café’s avocado toast is served with lemon, olive oil and chili flakes on top. The presentation alone is a reason to try it out, and you’ll probably be craving it again for days.

The Blind Tiger: 36-38 Broad St.

Don’t worry about not feeling full after eating here. The Blind Tiger serves its avocado toast on grilled whole grain wheat with lemon-zested crushed avocados, arugula, tomato, sunflower seeds and house-pickled shrimp.

Caviar and Bananas: 51 George St.

Caviar and Bananas only offers its avocado toast on the weekends, but it’s worth the wait – and the $6. It’s served on grilled sourdough bread with cotija cheese, pickled red onion, radish, fresh herbs, and you can add either egg or citrus grilled shrimp.

Cannon Green: 103 Spring St.

Cannon Green – known for its atmosphere and aesthetic – uses some of the freshest ingredients for its avocado toast.

The Daily: 652 King St.

The Daily is part coffee shop, part bakery, part café and part grocery store with premade foods, boutique ingredients, and cookbooks. It’s trendy, local and a must visit. Order the avocado toast plain or topped with tomato or a fried egg.

Collective Coffee: 766 S Shelmore Blvd.

A bustling coffee shop in Mount Pleasant, Collective Coffee is a great place to order your morning latte or drip coffee and a plate of creamy and crispy avocado toast.

Eat & Drink

More Mimosa For Your Money: The Best Mimosa Deals In Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Toast of Charleston Facebook

What’s brunch without some sort of libation? We’ve already found some of the best Bloody Marys in Charleston, so now we turn our attention to the best mimosa deals in Charleston. It’s hard to mess up a mimosa as its only two required ingredients are champagne (or other sparkling wine) and orange juice. However, not all brunch spots are created equal in terms of what kind of deal they have on this signature beverage. So we’ve found six places that are a bargain when it comes to mimosas.

Blind Tiger

Image Credit: Blind Tiger Facebook

Blind Tiger is a beloved pub downtown with a great atmosphere. It’s also a prime brunch spot. If it’s warm enough, head to the scenic outdoor space where you can enjoy your $10 carafes of mimosas during a delicious brunch.

Toast of Charleston

Image Credit:Toast of Charleston Facebook

With a name like Toast, you can bet the brunch game at this place is strong. And you wouldn’t be wrong. Their French toast is decadent and legendary. Their mimosa offerings are also amazing. You can get a $14 carafe or pay $14 a person for bottomless mimosas.

Triangle Char and Bar

Image Credit: Triangle Char and Bar Facebook

This Avondale hotspot is great for brunch. With good food and a great location you can’t go wrong. But we’re talking mimosas here and Triangle doesn’t disappoint on that front. They have $1 single mimosas or you can pay just $7 for a carafe.

Lowcountry Bistro

Featured Image Credit: Lowcountry Bistro Facebook

At Lowcountry Bistro in the French Quarter of Downtown Charleston, you will find a great mimosa deal. For an hour for $15 you can get unlimited mimosas to go with your Benedict, biscuits and gravy, or breakfast sandwich.

Tattooed Moose

Image Credit: The Tattooed Moose Facebook

The Tattooed Moose is home to one of the best sandwiches around, the triple decker duck confit club. And it’s also a great spot for brunch. While they have $5 mimosas all week long, during Sunday brunch they are only $3.

Virginia’s on King

Featured Image Credit: Virginia’s on King Facebook

Virginia’s on King is home to delicious brunch fare including southern classics like shrimp and grits and biscuits and gravy. But they’re also home to some great mimosas. Of course they have standard mimosas made with OJ and champagne, but you can also use any juice they have on the menu and add champagne to make a mimosa. Glasses are $7 but the better value is the carafe for $17.

Eat & Drink

Where To Snag Some Pretty Awesome Restaurant Week Deals

Image Credit: Charleston CVB

With some of THE BEST food in the entire nation; us Charlestonians look forward to this week all year long. Charleston Restaurant Week, that is! From brunches and lunches to dinners, here are some of the best restaurant deals downtown this week, taking place through September 17.

Due to Hurricane Irma, please be sure to call ahead to make sure these establishments are open if you decide to venture out!

Brunch

Le Farfalle offers a (2 for $20) deal that is only on Sunday. They have the go-to Chicken & Waffles, Banana Waffles, Vegetable Frittata, and Slow Roasted Pork Hash. They offer a few different options on their menu and also a dessert or drink with your meal for only $20!

East Bay Meeting House is offering something similar with a (3 for $20) meal. They have a larger variety of options with more breakfast items such as eggs, bacon, sausage, croissants, and potatoes!

Lunch

SOL, the new restaurant downtown has a (2 for $13) that offers an appetizer and entrée. They have a cool patio and a new space that can be a nice atmosphere for lunch this week! Be aware that they do not serve lunch on the weekend.

82 Queen is one of the most popular restaurants in Charleston. They have great food with an unbelievable outdoor courtyard. Their lunch deal is a (2 for $15) with their award winning she crab soup as an appetizer option.

Eleve on top of the Grand Bohemian is a little more upscale at (2 for $20) but worth splurging for the view. Their options are very limited but the ambiance makes up for it. Check out this spot for a cheaper meal than usual!

Dinner

One that tops our list is Zero George at (3 for $49) while this is one of the pricier options, their food does not disappoint. Quality products are used for their food such as grass-fed lamb. This is without a doubt one of the best deals this week.

Halls Chophouse is offering their typical restaurant week special (3 for $45). As we all know, Hall’s is one of the best Steakhouses in Charleston. If you have never been, you should definitely try it out this week.

Amen St has some of the best seafood in the low country and has a deal of (3 for $35). They are offering a few different options including snapper, steak, and pasta to accommodate all likings.

Basil is offering a large menu for only (3 for $22). If you like Thai food, this is the week to go. This is definitely the best bang for your buck this restaurant week! You definitely won’t leave Basil hungry on restaurant week.