Early Bird Diner Archives - Charleston FYI

Featured Image Credit: Magnolias Facebook

Every southern restaurant worth its salt serves a version of the classic shrimp and grits. This hearty meal is usually made of shrimp, some kind of gravy, and creamy grits. You’ll find variations on this theme in kitchens across Charleston, both in restaurants and private homes. And while some people say their family has the best recipe, you can exactly show up on their doorstep expecting a meal. However, at the following five restaurants, you will find delicious versions.

Image Credit: Joanna N. on Yelp

Hominy Grill

A favorite of tourists and locals, Hominy Grill is helmed by James Beard Award recipient Chef Robert Stehling. His version of this southern classic includes mushrooms, scallions, bacon, and of course plenty of shrimp over cheese grits. Be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait in the legendary line.

Image Credit: Magnolias Facebook

Magnolias

At this fine dining establishment, you’ll find an amazing version of this southern staple. Magnolia’s shrimp and grits also include scallops and a lobster butter sauce. So it’s not just shrimp and grits, it’s really more of a shellfish over grits situation, and we’re not complaining. As you’re sampling cuisine throughout the Lowcountry, be sure to give Magnolias a try.

Image Credit: Poogan’s Porch Facebook

Poogan’s Porch

Not only is Poogan’s Porch home to some of the best mac and cheese in Charleston, but this Charleston institution also has some of the best shrimp and grits in town. You can have this scrumptious dish for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Poogan’s Porch’s version has tasso ham gravy, peppers, onions, and sausage.

Image Credit: Stefany V. on Yelp

Slightly North of Broad

Slightly North of Broad, or S.N.O.B. as it’s also known, has been around for a long time. So when they do something they know how to do it right. Their shrimp and grits dish includes tomatoes, house sausage, country ham, green onion, and garlic over Geechie Boy yellow grits.

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Early Bird Diner

Early Bird Diner in West Ashley is known for their chicken and waffles. However, don’t let that dissuade you from trying their shrimp and grits. They’re typically served two ways: either sautéed with tomato bacon gravy or fried with sweet and spicy jelly. They also like to make special versions of the classic dish featuring things like cheese and broccoli or applewood smoked bacon.

Featured Image Credit: Three Little Birds/ Facebook

Here in the Holy City, we take breakfast very seriously. Brunch is a lifestyle in the south, usually going into the late afternoon hours. There’s nothing quite like sipping a mimosa while chowing down on some cheesy grits and sizzling bacon. With restaurants littering the Charleston area it can be hard to pick your next breakfast spot. Here are the top 5 best breakfast places in Charleston according to the Taste app.

#1 The Junction Kitchen & Provisions

Looking for breakfast at 1 pm, awesome sandwiches, comforting dinners and a few drinks? The Junction is the perfect spot for you! Join them Tuesday through Sunday for breakfast all day. They are a large advocator for local products, carrying local produce, cheeses, honey, eggs, beer, wine, and cider. Stop by and try their famous buzzed doughnuts too!

#2 Marina Variety Store Restaurant

Whether you’re an early riser or sleep-all-day kind of person, Marina Variety is perfect for every type of breakfast lover. Serving breakfast Monday through Saturday from 6:30 am – 4 pm and Sundays from 6:30 am -3 pm, there’s plenty of time to get your bacon and eggs. You can’t leave Marina Variety without trying their Famous Fried Green Tomatoes & Shrimp over Salty Mike’s Creamy Grits.

#3 Early Bird Diner

Looking for a cozy place with some out of this world breakfast? This quiet little diner is right up your alley. With walls decked out in art by local artists, the atmosphere is as comforting as the food. You’ll never get tired of their breakfast as the Sunday brunch menu changes weekly. Don’t miss out on the all you can eat pancakes every Friday.

#4 Page’s Okra Grill

Named the #2 Southern Comfort Food Restaurant in the U.S.A, you don’t want to miss out on their breakfast. It’s located just over the Ravenel Bridge in Mount Pleasant complete with a large space for outdoor seating. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 8 am – 2 pm featuring items like their pimento cheese filled home fries, buttermilk biscuits and Redneck Benedict.

#5 Three Little Birds

With a mantra like “Peace, Love, and Pancakes” expect nothing but good things at this southern cafe. With items on the menu like Peanut Butter, Banana, & Honey Stuffed Challah French Toast and Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Sausage Scramble, you can’t go wrong. Join them for breakfast as late as 3 pm any day and 2 pm on Sundays.

To find more great lists of places to eat & drink visit the app, Taste. Foodies love it and locals need it. Instead of picking places you might not like, Taste, makes it simple to find the best places around town!

By choosing from 9 simple categories it makes choosing a restaurant simple and EASY. Other apps leave you searching through reviews trying to find the best spots while Taste gives you the top picks in your area. What’s even cooler is that you get to have an opinion too! If you have a favorite place in one of the categories, it gets 100 points in the ranking. Also, if you love one category and are visiting it frequently, the weight of your ranking increases in points.

Don’t waste time trying to find a great restaurant or bar, let your app help you out click here to download the FREE appfor iOS devices.

Early Bird Diner

A Favorite Southern Classic: Top Five Shrimp And Grits In Charleston

The Best Breakfast Spots In Charleston