41 George Lunch & Dinner everyday, open late Fri & Sat $ After an attempted visit to the food trucks to find nothing but super long lines and vendors quickly running out of food we had street food on the mind and had been hoping to try Patat Spot for quite some time now. When you first enter the rather cozy restaurant on the busy row of restaurants on George Street, you’ll immediately notice the bright yellow tiles covering the wall and the rich smell of fried food (don’t worry if you don’t get enough of this smell while you’re
Midtown Bar & Grill
559 King Lunch, Sunday Brunch, Dinner & Late Night Bar Menu (Thurs.-Sat.) $ American/Pub/Southern How to save some cash: The plates are huge- split an order! Midtown opened in 2009 on Upper King, and has been going strong ever since – leading the charge in Upper King’s recent popularity. The owners are often around and make friends with the patrons. Maybe that’s why they were voted 2009 Best New Bar in Charleston City Paper and haven’t looked back since. They were also just voted 2012 Best College Bar (although I get the impression that’s a title they’re not necessarily too
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La Hacienda
354 King Street Mexican $$ How to save some cash: We used a $6 off coupon found in a free coupon book floating around the CofC campus “You’ve got to try this Mexican restaurant– this one isn’t like all the other ones,” they said. Well, they’re all filthy liars. I’m starting to think I have a prejudice towards Mexican restaurants (none at all, though, against our neighbors to the south) because every time I hear the above phrase from a friend I normally dismiss it immediately. On the way to La Hacienda with a group of friends that were visiting from
Coast
39 John Street Dinner, $$$ Seafood How to save some money: Costco often sells $100 Giftcards for $80 that can be used here or at any sister restaurants. Or, go with your parents–that’s what we did! Have a hankering for some seafood? Look no further than Coast. You might have to look hard, though, because you won’t stumble across it accidentally. It’s hidden down an alley behind Rue de Jean on John Street. But once you find it, I don’t think you’ll forget where it is. It’s not only close to Rue de Jean in proximity, but it’s also owned
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Bull Street Gourmet & Market
120 King Lunch $, Dinner $$ How to save some cash: Grab one of those free coupon books floating around the CofC campus for 20% off (not sure if you have to show a college ID) The original Bull Street Gourmet, tucked away in Charleston’s residential Harleston Village on the corner of Bull & Smith, has been serving up delicious, fresh café fare since 2006. In late 2011, they opened their second Charleston location near King and Broad St. and, given its popularity during our Sunday brunch visit, haven’t looked back yet. The newer location sports a much larger footprint (at least
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Chucktown Tavern
159 Market $$ Lunch, Dinner, Bar Scene How to save some cash: Grab a $25 or $50 Restaurant.com giftcard. It won’t work during happy hour, but you can use it on drinks later in the night. So, buy a round for the bar if you’re having trouble hitting the minimum. Your typical pub serves food only because they are required to by law if they want to serve alcohol. As a result, it does the bare minium to call themselves a restaurant but no more (think frozen mozzarella sticks, generic chicken wings, bagged greasy potato chips, etc.). Well, after spending nearly two and a
Juanita Greenberg’s Nacho Royale
439 King Street Mexican/Southwestern $ Lunch, Dinner, Late Night The hostess led us through the narrow bar and kitchen to the outdoor patio which was noticeably grimy. The hostess said in passing:”This place looks pretty good–you should have seen how much of a wreck it was last night!” She timed her comment perfectly with the smell of ripe vomit and stale beer that overwhelmed our senses as we took our seats. Needless to say, we opted for the more cramped indoor seating. Don’t come to Juanita Greenberg’s expecting free CHIPS AND SALSA that 99% of all other Mexican/Southwestern restaurants offer; here they’ll
Husk
76 Queen Lunch, Dinner $$$ How to save some cash: Best bet is to go during Restaurant Week, you’ll pay $30 for 3-courses vs appx $45 for 3-courses during normal times Recently voted Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit, Husk is one of the most talked-about restaurants in the city. We decided to see what all the fuss was about, and thought Charleston’s Restaurant Week (Jan. 12-22) would be a good time to go. After hearing mixed reviews from our friends (“You better like pork before you go in there…” and “I know everyone loves it, but I didn’t…”), I
39 Rue de Jean
39 John Street Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ Tips for saving money: Sunday brunch entrees are around $10. Try Sunday brunch during the month of January for a $5 burger. Rue de Jean, a Charleston staple, has been serving up some of the town’s best brasserie style French food for as long as I can remember. We hit it up for Sunday brunch and were lucky enough to catch them on one of their few half-priced burger days (apparently a well-kept secret). One of the best and most French dishes Rue de Jean offers is their ESCARGOT ($8.99). They come six to an
Quan’s Hot Dog Cart
Quan’s Hot Dog Cart Corner of King and Morris 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. Weekend only. $ (Dirt Cheap) This isn’t your parents’ hot dog stand (because they play Scrabble and go to bed by 9): Been out drinking for the night? Made it til at least 11 p.m. and need to soak up all that Red Bull and Vodka with something salty, cheap and delicious? Well, you’re in luck because the hot dog stand at King and Morris is likely open to serve up just what the doctor ordered. I tried the Italian sausage with sauerkraut, onions and mustard.