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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.

New In Charleston

College of Charleston Freezes Tuition for the 2020/2021 Calendar Year

As of June 9th, the College of Charleston Board of Trustees voted in favor of a tuition freeze. The 2020-21 academic year is the first semester set to be enforced. What this means for Charleston students is affordable and accessible academics. There won’t be any unexpected surges in tuition costs. 

College of Charleston president Andrew T. Hsu comments, “I appreciate and applaud the Board of Trustees for not increasing tuition. While College administrators will need to be even more creative in dealing with rising costs, not raising tuition is the right thing to do.” 

Undergraduate SC residents will continue to pay $6,259 per semester. Out-of-state undergraduates will still pay $16,424. This tuition freeze offers relief for those fearing a high increase in response to COVID-19.

In effect July 1st through Sept. 30, the board will enforce this change. Throughout the 2021 fiscal year, the board will regroup and discuss further changes. This could mean increases in the College’s dormitory halls or an increase in meal plan costs. Both budgets are subject to change in the coming August/September board meeting.

Events

RiverDogs Announce Summer Camp Offerings

This summer isn’t a bummer thanks to the announcing of the RiverDogs Youth Summer Camps. Even though the 2020 baseball season remains delayed, that won’t stop the Charleston youth from practicing their grounders. Beginning Tuesday, June 16th, RiverDogs director Chris Singleton and his team welcome sign-ups for five weeks of baseball camp. 

You can find them at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park throughout the summer as camps begin. Signups cap off at 40 campers, which then splits into smaller groups of 10. With limiting the spread of COVID-19 in mind, drop-off procedures are to be enforced. 

Players can expect all the fundamentals of a normal practice. From batting, stealing, to stretching, this camp covers all your bases. Campers meet at 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day from Tuesday-Friday. Ages 6-13 are welcome to attend. Registration cost begins at $250.

If baseball isn’t quite your forte, the RiverDogs have also announced a summer culinary camp. 15 attendees will learn proper cooking skills while crafting a new lunch dish. Meeting Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17, students can expect a lot of exciting information packed into the 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. time slot. Pricing begins at $300 per week. 

For more information and the link to registration, click here.

Eat & Drink

coffee

5 Awesome Coffee Shops in Charleston

Just because the weather is warming up doesn’t mean that we love this hot drink any less. For the best beans around, look no further than these five cozy coffee spots here in Charleston.

Located in West Ashley since 2006, Charleston Coffee Exchange offers six fresh-roasted coffee brews every day, seven days a week. Talk to co-owner and master roaster Paul Kelly to hear how he learned coffee growing while visiting plantations in Costa Rica, and sip on coffee flavors like Bourbon Pecan, Rainforest Crunch, or Costa Rica Black Honey.

Looking for a place that satisfies the desire for malted brews as much as cold brews? Look no further than Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer, a shop in the heart of downtown that offers both. Stop in during the morning for a chocolate croissant and a cappuccino, then come back in the evening for pours from local breweries like Holy City Brewing Co., Charles Towne Fermentory, and Freehouse Brewery.

Bitty and Beau’s is a beloved Southern coffee chain that strives to give back to the community. The Wilmington location exclusively employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism. Named after two of the founders’ children, every sip you take in this wholesome shop will make you feel great.

For a small interior with a cozy atmosphere, head over to Muddy Waters Coffee Bar off Maybank Highway. This shop offers a variety of fair trade coffees (try the spicy Chai latte for a kick!), as well as teas harvested from the Charleston Tea Plantation and pastries delivered from local sweet shop Wild Flour Bakery.

Broom Wagon Coffee is a micro-batch, specialty coffee roaster that sources single-origin coffee beans from around the world. Packaged bags show the flavor profile and origin country for different varieties, sometimes even naming the farm they were harvested from. Head to Ashley Hall Road to enjoy a cup of coffee with a made-in-house yogurt waffle or cinnamon sugar toast.

Featured

The Best Products Made Right Here In Charleston

Featured Image: Lowcountry Cuisine

Even after seven years as Travel + Leisure’s ‘Best City in the United States,’ Charleston still has that small-town feel. That’s because the only thing Charlestonians love more than Charleston itself is keeping Charleston true to its identity, an identity that is centered around tradition, community and loving all things local. So it should be no surprise that Charlestonians love these seven Charleston-made products:

Sweetgrass Baskets
A beautiful and long-standing tradition, sweetgrass baskets are one of the more well-known products that come from Charleston. Once used as winnowing fans to separate rice seeds from their chaffs, sweetgrass baskets have become a highly sought after cultural souvenir – and a symbol of Charleston. Locals and tourists alike can find sweetgrass baskets at the Charleston City Market, or at the many roadside stands in the area.

Brackish
Charleston’s twist on the classic bowtie. Brackish creates handmade, all-feather and sustainably-sourced bow ties and accessories. Since all materials and feathers are picked individually for each creation, no two items from Brackish are exactly the same. Founded by two local Charlestonians, Brackish bow ties and accessories have been worn by celebrities such as Cam Newton and Blake Lively. Find them in stores all over the Lowcountry or check out their website and

 

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Our job isn’t done until that final feather is perfectly placed. Then it’s up to you to bring it to life.

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Lowcountry Olive Oil
What started as a farmer’s market business has developed into one of Charleston’s staple shops, with more than 60 different varieties of olive oil and vinegar. Founded by the Benjamin family in 2011, Lowcountry Olive Oil has been proudly serving the Lowcountry’s largest selection of olive oil and vinegar ever since. With stellar customer service as a priority, shoppers are encouraged to sample their specialties of Lowcountry Herb Olive Oil and both Strawberry Champagne and Bourbon Balsamic Vinegars.

The Joggle Factory
Dating back to 1804, joggling boards gained popularity for their calming range of motion, often making users feel at ease with their gentle swaying. Since their inception, joggling boards have become a staple for the spacious porches that are often found in Charleston. To learn more about the history of joggling boards or to purchase one for your porch, you can visit The Joggle Factory’s website or Instagram.

Lillie’s of Charleston
Keeping the traditions (and secrets) of Charleston kitchens alive, Lillie’s offers the best of Charleston’s authentic spices and sauces needed to cook any and every Lowcountry dish. With barbecue and hot sauces, spice rubs and seasoning mixes, Lillie’s of Charleston has it all. You can find Lillie’s products in most specialty shops and markets in Charleston or check them out online on their website or Instagram.

Old Whaling Co.
Creating effective and affordable bath and body products is challenging, but Old Whaling Co. has been able to do this for customers since 2012. Old Whaling Co. proudly sells their soaps, bath bombs, body butters, roll-on perfumes, and salt scrubs, all inspired by the sea. Featuring intoxicating scents such as Bamboo and Teak, Indigo and Rice, and Sea La Vie, Old Whaling Co.’s products are a one of a kind. Visit one of their three Charleston locations, head to their website or check out their Instagram to start shopping today!

 

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I’ve had this photo saved for some time now. A great shot from a very long time retailer @two_cumberland @twocumberlandspartanburg They have carried our soap for about five years now I believe. We were both quite green when we met, but we had huge ambitions. Jennifer is one of those people you meet and think to yourself – I can’t wait to see where she is in ten years because she’s going to kill it. I’ve watched them grow from a booth at an antique mall to three gorgeous stores – one on King Street and one in Mount Pleasant, and one in the Upstate (what we call the northern part of South Carolina). When I think of hustle and heart they always come to mind. If you’re out shopping today pop in to one of their stores! They carry lots of pretty jewelry + fun summer apparel. ? @two_cumberland

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J. Stark
With its flagship store located Downtown on Coming St., J. Stark sells aesthetically pleasing, but minimalistic and highly functional bags, wallets and accessories. Made with heavyweight twill, waxed or heavyweight canvas and bridle leather, J. Stark products are designed to last. Though it’s a small shop, J. Stark makes their bags right there in the store, and are highly customizable. Stop by their Coming St. store the next time you’re downtown or check out their website and Instagram!

 

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We’ve been busy lately. What with new designs alone, you’d think we had our hands full. But the truth is, on top of new design work, we also spend a significant portion of our day sifting through fabric and leather swatches to find new ways to offer you our tried and tested silhouettes. There are several components that factor into our decision making process when it comes to choosing new fabrics and leathers to add to the line. First of all, we look for beauty and uniqueness of texture and tone. We want vivid colors, of course. But we also want those colors to be evocative. We want them to make you feel something, even if you don’t know exactly what that something is, but you know it’s good. In addition to the look, we also focus heavily on feel. How does that fabric feel to the touch? How does the leather feel in your hand? And again, when you know, you know. But perhaps the most important aspect of the materials we choose is the durability. We’ve chosen these twills and bridle leather because they’re built to last, and look good while doing it. So, as we make our way toward fall, we’d like to introduce you to our new heavyweight twill collection. It’s the J. Stark silhouettes you’ve come to know and love, but with new texture and contrast.

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Did we forget your favorite Charleston-made products? Be sure to let us know!

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

Guest Columns

The Best Rainy Day Chucktown Activities

Featured Image Credit: Frothy Beard Facebook

Hang out at your favorite brewery.

Frothy Beard Brewing Company: Located on Sam Rittenberg Avenue, Frothy Beard is our favorite West Ashley brewery. It’s the perfect place to kick back and relax. Home to a variety of good beer, a friendly staff, and old school video games, Frothy is a family friendly location to spend your rainy days.

Strike out at your local bowling alley.

The Alley: Located on Columbus Street, The Alley is the best local hangout spot in Charleston. The Alley has a variety of food options, trivia nights, and some nights include all-night happy hour.

Don’t be spoiled by spoilers, catch the latest film.

Cinebarre: Located in Mount Pleasant, Cinebarre is a movie theater that also serves all types of food. It is a family-friendly, casual place to spend your rainy days.

Support your local coffee shops.

Bitty & Beau’s: Located on Church Street, Bitty & Beau’s is a coffee shop that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Bitty & Beau’s is more than just a coffee shop, but a great place to spend time with family and meet there super sweet staff.

Get lost in a local museum…and learn A LOT.

Everyone knows that Charleston is rich with unique history. Even if you’re not a history buff, it’s still important to know how Charleston became Charleston! Below is a list of museum’s downtown:

Gibbes Museum of Art (will re-open May 28, 2016)

Historic Homes

Joseph Manigault House

The Aiken-Rhett House

Edmondston-Alston House

Heyward Washington House

Nathanial Russel House

Calhoun Mansion

Wander around The South Carolina Aquarium.

The South Carolina Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the country, and we’re not just saying that because we’re biased.  They have a state-of-the-art sea turtle hospital that just recently opened to the public. The entire experience is informative AND impressive!

Solve puzzles with your friends at Escape in 60.

Escape room games are fairly new to Charleston, but they are definitely something to add to your bucket list. Each scenario has a different goal, and you and a team of friends are given 60 minutes to unlock the mystery!

Guest Columns

For Locals Only: Where To Go To Escape Tourists In Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Edisto Beach Facebook

Obviously, we love Charleston. And we love that other people love Charleston. But sometimes us locals can get a little overwhelmed by the tourists that pour into town all year. So, if you want to have a little time to yourself or commune with locals, then try to get away for a while and visit one of the following places.

Edisto Island

Edisto Beach has fewer tourists than Charleston Beaches

Image Credit: Edisto Beach Facebook

It’s off the beaten path, so it’s a little bit of a trek, but Edisto Beach is worth a day trip. This island community is small, but welcoming. A beautiful beach with fewer tourists than Folly, IOP or Sullivan’s awaits after the drive. Once you’re there you can simply enjoy the beach or head out on a boat or eco tour. There’s also a museum on the island and a serpentarium as well as a golf course. And one of the most untouched and eerie beaches is located on the island at Botany Bay Plantation (pictured).

Chapel Street Fountain Park

Not Many Tourists at Chapel Street Fountain Garden

Image Credit: Kevin Cunningham Facebook

There are plenty of charming neighborhood parks in Charleston that you can retreat to when you’re tired of tourists. Chapel Street Fountain park is just one of them. This pocket park on Chapel Street is a hidden downtown Charleston oasis. In the park, lush gardens surround an iron fountain. It’s the perfect place for quiet and reflection.

Daniel Island Waterfront Park

No Tourists on Daniel Island

Featured Image Credit: McKenzie Danyelle Wardwell Facebook

Aside from the tennis stadium, Daniel Island is primarily a residential part of Charleston. Therefore, you won’t find many tourists on the island. There are several parks on the island perfect for walking, running, or cycling. One with the best view is Daniel Island Waterfront Park. As the name suggests, it’s on the water, situated on the Wando River. Go for a stroll and take in the beauty of one of Charleston’s many waterways.

Charleston Library Society

Duck into the Charleston Library Society to escape tourists

Image Credit: Charleston Library Society Facebook

If you’re not in the mood to go to a park while you’re downtown, you can escape to in Downtown Charleston, there’s another quiet place you can duck into to want to ditch the tourists. The Charleston Library Society is in the heart of historic downtown and allows visitors to come in during normal operating hours and enjoy the main reading room. It’s a great place to read (obviously), study, or just get your thoughts together. If you’re fond of the library, it might be worth it to get a membership and get access to more of the library.

Old Santee Canal Park

Old Santee Canal Park

Image Credit: Old Santee Canal Park Facebook

Another destination you may want to consider if you want to avoid tourists in Charleston is Old Santee Canal Park. Take a day trip from the Peninsula to Moncks Corner and visit the site of the country’s first canal. Packed with history and plenty of recreational opportunities (canoeing, fishing, picnicking), Old Santee Canal Park is full of fun. There are four miles of meandering boardwalks for nature viewing, an interpretive center, a museum and heritage center, and a plantation on the 195 acre park.