eat and drink

Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” to Feature This Charleston BBQ Icon

You’ll soon be craving BBQ because Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” has decided to feature Charleston icon, Rodney Scott. For their seventh season, it’s all smoked and juicy barbeque. The local and fan-favorite, Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ will make its debut on the streaming service come Sept 2.

Scott will be highlighted alongside world-renowned names for BBQ. The fellow chefs and pitmasters hail from all different corners, each with a unique take on grilling. As the show airs, it will take you through their dishes as well as the stories behind them. Netflix is teasing viewers with a short preview.

Charleston’s Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ has been officially smoking hogs since 2017. Though Scott is no newbie when it comes to grilling. He’s been behind the smoke since he was 11-years-old. In the restaurant’s first year of operation, it was named one of the 50 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit Magazine. Come 2019, Scott had opened up a second location in Birmingham, AL. This isn’t Scott’s first time on screen, as he’s made appearances on The Today Show helping Al Roker feed folks affected by devastating tornadoes in Alabama.

Folks can taste the classic BBQ at the King Street locale, as well as classic sides like potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, collard greens, and hush puppies. Open for guests Monday – Sunday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. The restaurant’s motto is that “Every day is a Good Day,” so there’s no wrong time to grab a plate of smoked BBQ.

Eat & Drink

Local Charleston Hotel and Restaurants Ranked Amongst Best in The World

Charleston has been home to so many accolades over the years, including Top City in the World Outside the United Kingdom for the 9th year running. Now to add to the tally, Tripadvisor has released it’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards. Charleston received a #1 hotel in the country title and 3 restaurants made the top 10 fine dining list.

The fabulous French Quarter Inn was named #1 hotel in the country and #24 in the world. Hall’s Chophouse comes in #3 for fine dining, Charleston Grill at #9, and Peninsula Grill at #10. With over 7 million visitors each year, it’s no surprise that Charleston hotels and restaurants are consistently successful.

This year, Tripadvisor’s 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards were conducted pre-pandemic. “This has been a tough year for our industry, but the global desire to go and explore, whether the destination is an hour away or across the world, remains strong,” said Lindsay Nelson, chief of experience and brand officer at Tripadvisor. “The Travelers’ Choice program is one way that travelers and diners can benefit from the real-life experiences of other people so they can plan their perfect trip that meets their needs, budget and style.”

The French Quarter Inn is open for business this summer, so you still have a chance to book a stay. As for the restaurants, they remain practicing social distancing, and take-away is a safe option for those unable to leave their homes.

Uncategorized

Best Ice Cream Shops in CHS

In honor of National Ice Cream Day, this July 19th, we’ll be celebrating the best way we know possible, eating our way through the Lowcountry! What better way to enjoy the day than with a cold scoop of soft serve. If you’re looking to celebrate, here’s a round-up of the best ice cream and gelato joints in CHS.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

This creative flavor chain always has a line out the door, so you’ll want to come early before your favorite scoop runs out. Located in the heart of Downtown, you’ll know you’re close when you smell the savory aroma. Take a pint to-go, or enjoy a waffle cone to beat the summer heat. Hours are noon – 11 p.m. daily.

Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream

As a Charleston staple, Ye Ole is known for its lip-smacking good milkshakes and fantastic food. Hit the drive-through for soft-serve at locations in North Charleston, West Ashley, Mt Pleasant, and Goose Creek. Celebrate the holiday with Ye Ole from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. today.

Off Track Ice Cream

Off Track is hardly off the beaten track. This delicious ice cream parlor crafts homemade flavors from pop tart to your classic vanilla. You’ll find their storefront on Beaufain and King Street open 12 p.m. – 10 a.m. With traditional and vegan options, Off Track is sure to please everyone in your family.

Park Circle Creamery

You know it, you love it. It’s the famous Park Circle Creamery. This North Charleston ice cream shop is offering a free scoop this National Ice Cream day for its first 150 customers. Grab a friend and enjoy a cone from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Eat & Drink

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.

Events

Safe Sounds at Firefly Distillery

Not all concerts are canceled this summer! Now in regulation with social distancing, Firefly Distillery announces “Safe Sounds,” a seven week-long outdoor concert series which began June 12th.

Listen to live music every Friday and Saturday night throughout the months of June and July. Stocked with beer, wine, and local food trucks, this outdoor arena can be enjoyed by up to four guests in each 10×10 safe space.

In order to respect social distancing, Firefly has several precautionary measures in place. Aside from general suggestions of hand-washing, Firefly has several safe spaces on their field so guests are evenly spread out. With 8-ft distances between each 10×10 square, you won’t have to stress about keeping apart. All common surfaces are sanitized after each customer’s use, and several hand sanitizing stations are scattered around the premises.

At this week’s concert on Saturday, June 27th you can expect performances from The Majestics and Lady & The Brass with special guest DJ Natty Heavy. All sets are 21+ with doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime at 7 p.m. Leave your furry friends at home and kick back on the greenspace. Each Safe Space Square is available for four friends starting at $25.00 an individual ticket.

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.

Featured

An Afternoon in Summerville

Featured Image: Middleton Place

In the heart of the Lowcountry, Summerville, South Carolina offers the quaintness of a small southern town while still featuring plenty of fun activities and sights to see. Located right down the road from Charleston, it’s easy to take a trip up to Summerville and spend an afternoon in “Flowertown.”

Before you decide how to spend your afternoon in Summerville, also known as the Birthplace of Sweet Tea, it’s important to know that a whole day could be spent on the Sweet Tea Trail! Experience some of the greatest cups of this classic southern drink as you wander through Summerville and explore its history. If you don’t want to spend the whole day on the Sweet Tea Trail, you can always feel free to sprinkle parts of this trail into your afternoon in Summerville as you go!

Start your afternoon in Summerville off strong with lunch at Swig & Swine off Old Trolley Road. This local chain has received national recognition for its perfect execution of smoked meats. From brisket to macaroni and cheese, this southern soul food will keep the hunger away so you can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring.

After lunch, it’s time for some sightseeing. With so many historical sights in Summerville, it’s hard to choose just one to visit. While you can visit Colonial Dorchester, Drayton Hall or the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, we recommend stopping by Middleton Place for a peaceful walk through the oldest landscaped gardens in America.

Next, we head to another historical sight: downtown Summerville. Not only is the scenic downtown a beautiful place to stroll through, but it also has some of the best places to shop as well. With DIY woodshops, wine stores and clothing boutiques, downtown Summerville has options to entertain everyone, including a farmer’s market with fresh, local produce and live music every Saturday.

As the day cools off, it’s time to move to nature. Your next stop could include kayaking the Edisto River or simply birdwatching at one of the many nature hotspots that Summerville offers. The Jessen Boat Landing on the Ashley River is another great place to visit, offering walking trails and a fishing pier to spend some time on until your day is coming to a close.

Finish your afternoon with dinner at the best of Summerville, Oscar’s. Oscar’s has been serving up locals for over 35 years with a sure-fire menu full of southern classics. Whether you’re craving fresh-caught seafood or a fancy twist on your side of grits, this upscale casual restaurant is the perfect way to end your afternoon in Summerville.

Eat & Drink

The Best Steakhouses in the Holy City

It’s hard not to talk about food when thinking about the best of Charleston. From dive bars to five stars, the Holy City is a mighty force in all things food. A city can’t have a nationally recognized food scene without phenomenal steakhouses. Thankfully, there is no shortage of melt-in-your-mouth steaks in Charleston and these five steakhouses will prove it.

Oak

Oak Steakhouse has it all. Sitting on historic Broad Street with four dining areas spanning three floors, the ambiance complements the food, making Oak the perfect dining experience worth every penny.

5Church

Even though it opened recently in 2015, 5Church has no shortage of good press. Gaining attention from big names like Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today, and Eater, 5Church has mastered its own unique 60-second steak. Searing the steak on one side to reach a perfect medium-rare temperature, 5Church serves you a steak you won’t forget.

Hall’s Chophouse

Hall’s Chophouse has been loved by so many that it has now expanded into four locations across the state. Located on Upper King, the delicious steak is paired with hospitality that is unmatched by any other restaurant. As soon as the host or hostess greets you, you’ll know your steak is being prepared by people who want to serve you the best.

Grill 225

Attached to the Market Pavilion Hotel on East Bay Street is Grill 225, a steakhouse that exclusively serves prime steaks aged for a minimum of 42 days. The time they put into developing the perfect steak shows and will pair great with one of their many delicious sides.

Burwell’s

Burwell’s Stonefire Grill calls themselves one of the most “forward-thinking” steakhouses in America and we agree! Getting to know the farmers that provide their food, Burwell’s assures quality ingredients and quality cuts of meat. Their signature hot rock appetizer with a 700-degree lava rock allows you to sizzle your steak to perfection right at your table!