mac and cheese

The Best Places In Charleston To Break Your New Year’s Resolution Diet

Featured Image Credit: Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe

We all start the New Year with the best of intentions. We resolve to eat better, exercise, clean out our closets, and spend more time doing what matters to us. The diet resolution might be the toughest one to keep, especially in a town like Charleston where there is so much good food that’s not always good for you. So, now that the first month of the year has passed and February is flying by, you might be ready to throw those good intentions out the window. If you decide to cave and indulge in something calorific, we won’t judge you. We’ve even picked out our favorite spots in Charleston that are ideal for breaking your New Year’s resolution diet.

Ye Ole Fashioned Cafe & Ice Cream

Featured Image Credit: Ye Ole Fashioned Cafe & Ice Cream Facebook

Ye Ole Fashioned on Savannah Highway is the perfect joint to break your New Year’s Resolution diet. Of course, they have ice cream in multiple satisfying flavors, but don’t count out their sinful entrees and sides. They have a famous BLT piled so high with bacon that you might have a hard time fitting it in your mouth. Add some classic French fries and you have a mouthwatering meal not approved by Dr. Atkins.

Carmella’s

Image Credit: Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar

Carmella’s no doubt has some awesome desserts. Different flavors of mousse, gelato, Italian ice, the famous Peanut Butter Passion, and more will all satisfy your sweet tooth. But if you want something for lunch or dinner, Carmella has you covered. Salami and cheese boards complement the wine selection and there are sandwiches, paninis, baguettes, and even Stromboli will fill you up.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Image Credit: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (King Street) Facebook

Splendid is in the name of this spot, and it’s not false advertising. With freshly made ice creams in a myriad of delectable flavors, you can’t go wrong at Jeni’s on King Street. Whether you choose one flavor in a waffle cone or multiple flavors in a dish, you’ll be thinking about this ice cream long after you’ve finished it.

Jestine’s Kitchen

Image Credit: Keisha P. on Yelp

Jestine’s is a Charleston institution and it’s well worth breaking your New Year’s resolution diet to enjoy what they have. It’s homestyle southern fare that will make you glad you live in the Lowcountry. Fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, fried okra, fried oysters, fried shrimp, and of course fried chicken all feature on the menu. Don’t forget to save room for the famous Cola Cake.

Saffron Restaurant & Bakery

Image Credit: Saffron Restaurant & Bakery

Saffron is one of the best bakeries in the area. Decadent baked goods like tiramisu, red velvet cake, cheesecake, brownies, tarts, scones, muffins, croissants, danishes and more await you at this Charleston gem. If you want something to eat before dessert, they have a Middle Eastern inspired menu that’s on the healthy side and a selection of sandwiches that aren’t on the Weight Watchers diet.

Recovery Room

Image Credit: AH on Yelp

Nobody expects bar food to be healthy. Recovery Room is great for late nights all week and hangovers on Sundays. Their Tater Tachos are legendary and they have the goods when it comes to fried delicacies such as onion rings and mozzarella sticks. Burgers and sandwiches are available for those looking for a meal and for brunch you can chow down on fried French toast, waffles, and their Famous Egg Sandwich. And you can wash it all down with a can of PBR. Gwyneth Paltrow would be disgusted, but you’ll be delighted.

Kaminsky’s

Featured Image Credit: Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe Facebook

If you’re downtown in the French Quarter and you’re craving something sweet then make a beeline for Kaminsky’s. Their dessert case is beyond impressive. A multitude of cakes (including the classic southern red velvet), pies, and brownies are all available. Plus, they have some boozy beverages that will also satisfy that sweet tooth. Dessert martinis anyone?

Crave

Image Credit: Crave Kitchen & Cocktails

Crave in Mount Pleasant is a primo spot to break that New Year’s resolution diet. With some of the best mac and cheese in the Lowcountry, maybe the country you can be confident they know what they’re doing. The famous melty masterpiece can be topped with: scallops, short ribs, sautéed shrimp, broccoli, grilled chicken, pulled pork, or bacon. If you’re not into the mac (what’s wrong with you?) then you can indulge in a sandwich like their 3/4 pound burger, fried chicken BLT, or spinach & tomato grilled cheese.

Eat & Drink

Keep On Truckin’: The Best Food Trucks In Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Immortal Lobster Facebook

The Charleston food scene is top notch these days, and not all of the establishments turning out amazing food are in brick and mortar buildings. Some of the best food in Charleston comes from the many food trucks that roam the city. No matter what kind of food you’re in the mood for, there’s probably a truck that serves it. When you’re out and about, keep a look out for the best food trucks in Charleston.

Image Credit: Platia Greek Food Truck Facebook

Platia Greek Food Truck

As the name suggests, Platia serves Greek and Mediterranean food. Parked between King and Spring on weekend nights and popping up at other spots throughout the week, Platia is a great place to get a gyro, souvlaki, or falafel.

Image Credit: Bac’n Me Crazy Facebook

Bac’n Me Crazy

If bacon is your favorite ingredient in most recipes, then you need to seek out Bac’n Me Crazy. They have many bacon centered dishes including the triple bacon burger, salads featuring bacon wrapped chicken strips and bacon vinaigrette, and a BLT with pimento cheese and bacon aioli. For dessert try the bacon brownie or the chocolate dipped bacon.

Image Credit: Short Grain Facebook

Short Grain

This Japanese influenced food truck has amazing bowls. Diners love the OG Bowl and rave about the Karrage Don, a bowl featuring Japanese fried chicken, shaved cabbage, lemon mayo, egg, and sushi rice. If you like things on the spicy side, then try the Karrage Don with hot chicken.

Image Credit: Just Eat This! Facebook

Just Eat This!

The brains behind one of the best food trucks in Charleston, Chef Chris, is also a personal chef and caterer. But no matter what setting people experience his food in, they have rave reviews. From the food truck, the most popular dishes are the chicken and waffles and the short rib poutine.

Image Credit: Dashi Facebook

Dashi

The motto for this Charleston food truck is “put some sriracha on your sombrero,” highlighting the truck’s Latin and Asian fusion. Pork belly tacos, duck confit ramen, pork belly Pad Thai, and duck has are among their specialties. And if you follow them on social media, you’ll get their secret menu posted daily.

Image Credit: Roti Rolls Facebook

Roti Rolls

Roti rolls is definitely one of the best food trucks in Charleston. Their roti rolls are filled with fresh local ingredients that compliment each other perfectly. If you go to the farmer’s market on Saturday morning be sure to get a Wakey Bakey.

Image Credit: The Immortal Lobster Facebook

The Immortal Lobster

Just as the name of this stellar Charleston food truck suggests, the star of the show here is lobster. You can get lobster rolls two ways: Maine, served cold with mayo or Connecticut served warm with butter. Other specialties include lobster grilled cheese and lobster bisque.

Image Credit: Mac Daddy Facebook

Mac Daddy

If you’ve heard about Crave’s life changing mac and cheese and you want to try it for yourself, then track down Mac Daddy. This mobile version of the Mt. Pleasant eatery serves the famous cheesy noodles with different toppings throughout the Charleston area.

Eat & Drink

Get Cheesy! The Best Mac And Cheese In Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Crave Kitchen & Cocktails/ Facebook

There’s nothing quite like a good mac and cheese. It’s practically an essential food here in the south, perfect alongside fried chicken, barbecue, or even all by itself. Everyone loves a box of Kraft every now and then, but here in Charleston, we can do better than that. Much better. Check out the five restaurants below for the best mac and cheese in Charleston.

Image Credit: Cru Cafe Facebook

Cru Cafe

Cru Cafe has some of the best mac and cheese in Charleston. It’s down to the orichette pasta they use along with the blend of four hand-grated cheese (pepper jack, aged cheddar, mozzarella, and fontina) in the sauce. Topped with more cheese and baked to perfection, this is some mac and cheese to write home about.

Image Credit: Crave Kitchen & Cocktails Facebook

Crave

The mac and cheese at Crave is legendary. It consistently wins the Charleston Mac Off and has even been recognized by Esquire. The spiral noodles they use are covered in a delectable creamy sauce that you’ll be talking about for days after you’ve tried it. The sauce is complemented by melted cheese on top, making for an ooey gooey masterpiece.

Image Credit: The Rarebit Facebook

The Rarebit

The Rarebit’s mac and cheese is not as creamy as some others, it’s more of a classic baked macaroni that your grandmother may have made you. But it’s still some of the best mac and cheese in Charleston. Pair it with one of their delectable entrees and you’re in business.

Image Credit: Swig & Swine Facebook

Swig & Swine

Any barbecue restaurant worth its salt has decent mac and cheese. Swig & Swine’s mac and cheese isn’t just decent, it’s noteworthy. The peppery and cheesy dish pairs perfectly with pork or brisket and the assortment of sauces. A side may not be enough, but try not to lick the paper dish it’s served on.

Image Credit: Poogan’s Porch Facebook

Poogan’s Porch

Poogan’s Porch is one of the oldest restaurants in Charleston and one of the most well known. And that is for good reason. The restaurant routinely turns out delicious southern meals like fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, pork chops and more. And the smoked gouda mac and cheese is something you don’t want to miss out on when having your dinner there. Order it as a side for their famous fried chicken and find food heaven.

Eat & Drink

It’s On! Get Ready To Mac Your Face Off This Weekend

Featured Image Credit: themacoff.com

Charleston’s favorite event is coming to town this Saturday, November 4th! What we do in the south is indulge in comfort foods. Other than grits, our favorite side happens to be… MAC & CHEESE. Nothing says comfort better than eating mac and cheese as a side or having it as your full entrée.

Ready to consume 4,125 pounds of mac and cheese? That’s how many visitors consume during last year’s event. The festival will feature 20 different mac and cheese restaurants. Just as you thought that was enticing, they also offer a kids zone, live music, beer, wine, and cocktails. Take a blanket or chair and kick back with some live music. The festival is great for all ages and kids under 8 are free! Bring the family out and have a good time this weekend!

Image Credit: themacoff.com

Local restaurants and food trucks you might recognize are The Loophole, Tavern & Table, Mac Daddy, The Shelter Kitchen + Bar, Roti Rolls, and much more! Want to feel a little better about eating all those carbs? A portion of the proceeds benefits Low Country Local First! The festival also takes place in Columbia, Greenville, and Knoxville, Tennessee

The event takes place at The Grove at Patriots Point from 11am-5pm on November 4^th.

For ticket information, click here.