This dinner by Gullah chef BJ Denis is the type of thing I’d go to if I still lived in Charleston.
Link snagged on HO:
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Ive been meaning to write this for a bit. I spent a few months down in Charleston for a job and wanted to share some highlights that might go beyond the more obvious names I had heard (I’m looking at you Chubby Fish. You are incredible but you get enough attention. )
My favorite was Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop. I dont think I had a single miss here. I would often go in and be sad I hadn’t left with more stuff. I ate a lot of biscuits while I was in Charleston. Welton’s biscuit is S Tier.
Breakfast biscuit (Storey Farms eggs, cheddar, Benton’s country ham)
Jimmy Red grit and cheddar danish (Marsh Hen Mill Jimmy Red corn grits, with WTB
pimento cheese and benne)
Vegetarian sandwich (basil pesto, whipped goat cheese, roasted zuchinni, local greens on house sourdough foccacia)
WTB MUFFLETTA (mortadella, salami, provolone & olive salad)
Honey pie
Biscuit with strawberry preserves
There were a couple of really solid BBQ places that are part of the current wave of pitmasters riffing on American BBQ dishes by combining them with dishes from their ethnic heritage.
King BBQ feels like eating at the house of that friend you had growing up who’s badass Chinese dad married an equally badass Southern Belle. The restaurant was constantly riffing on new specials that seemed like the right combination of playful, adventurous and appetizing.
BBQ meats on noodles plate (Chinese spiced pulled pork, ginger scallion kielbasa, and bok choy served over noodles)
Crispy smoked chicken sandwich (Smoked fried chicken, pickled collard greens and ranch)
I’m gonna agree with most folks that Lewis is the best BBQ that Charleston has to offer but Palmira BBQ definitely gives it a run for its money. The smoked beef cheeks stand toe to toe with any well cooked Texas-style brisket I have have had. When you order, you’ll get a contact high just by watching them pull your beef cheeks out from deep within a warm pool of tallow.
Smoked beef cheeks
Barbacoa (shredded smoked beef cheeks, pickled red onions, cilantro and cotija on a tostada)
Da Toscano Porchetta Shop had just opened up a few months prior to me arriving in Charleston. They nail their sandwiches pretty hard. Tank from Holy City Hogs posted on his instagram about an off menu sandwich called “The Tank”. When I went in and asked for it they looked at me like I was crazy. After describing what was in it they figured it out. Anyway, just ask for the country ham sandwich if you go. It’s painfully expensive at 30 bucks but its quality.
Country ham sandwich (Holy City Hogs x Benton’s Ossabaw country ham, strawberry preserves, taleggio cream on house foccacia)
Finally, I dont have any pictures but I highly recommend Tarvin Seafood / Miss Paula’s Shrimp. Freshly caught local gulf shrimp that is impossibly delicious. They are the supplier of choice for most of the good restaurants in the area. They post the daily catch and prices on their instagram. You can place an order for pick up. It’s a family run operation and they are friendly as hell.
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