Here in the Holy City, it’ll be hard to find enough wildlife on your own to completely sustain you, day in and day out. But we’ve got several mighty food halls and some smaller, specialty food shops to help you keep your strength up — and hunger away — for whatever comes your way.

Bi-Lo
445 Meeting St.
Downtown
(843) 722-2766

Bi-Lo acted like a phoenix and rose from the ashes of the late Piggly Wiggly when the franchise closed its Meeting Street location last year. Fresh produce and quality meats are available, and when you’re too focused on your studies to cook, Bi-Lo has you covered with its hot deli selection. Try the fried chicken. The store’s customer card is also pretty handy and saves you pennies on gas at participating stations.

Burbage’s Self-Serve Grocery
157 Broad St.
Downtown
(843) 723-4054

Burbage’s opts for a smaller — perhaps even hobbit size — shop rather than a mass food hall. But in this case, size doesn’t matter. The grocer provides us laypeople with bountiful local goods, from Rosebanks Farm produce to Rio Bertolini’s pasta.

Caviar and Bananas
51 George St.
188 Meeting St.
Downtown
(843) 577-7757

A triumvirate of shops — grocer, deli, and coffee — as powerful as the partnership between Arthur, Lancelot, and Merlin, Caviar and Bananas provides young scholars with a shoppe to meet all their needs. Its grocery section stocks high-end goods from olive oil to chocolate, and the deli/sushi/salad stations serves up fast eats that can be easily transported amidst your scrolls and spare gauntlets. Plus its coffee bar will help you stay awake when you’re learning about those who came before you.

Charlie’s
119 Spring St., Ste. 4
(843) 414-7642
1 Jasper St.
(843) 853-0351
Downtown

Once upon a time, a young squire traveled to the far reaches of the desert, got lost, and was saved by a traveling merchant selling delicious fried balls of chick peas. In order to save himself from starvation, the young sire vowed to bring the balls back to his land. And that is how falafel found its way to Charleston — and to Charlie’s convenient store on Jasper Street. The small family shop also offers more traditional eats, like sandwiches that use Boar Head’s deli meat. Both locations stock snacks, beer, and wine as well.

Earth Fare
74 Folly Road Blvd.
West Ashley
(843) 769-4800

Those woodland elves of Asheville really knew what they were doing when they started this healthy supermarket chain. The store doesn’t stock food with artificial ingredients, meaning your gut will be as clean and pure as fresh spring water. Plus, Earth Fare offers killer deals during the week if you sign-up for their emails and texts — $5 sushi anyone?

Food Lion
1015 King St.
Downtown
(843) 577-8990

Food Lion provides the dwellers of the upper peninsula with a convenient location to forage for their staples of milk, eggs, bread, and beer.

Harris Teeter
290 E. Bay St.
Downtown
(843) 722-6821

If you don’t have a steed for transportation, the Teet is your best bet. Close to campus, you’ll be able to take back to your chamber whatever strikes your fancy — be it their subs, beer, or $5 meal deal (protein and two sides). And don’t forget to grab a cookie for the walk back.

Queen Street Grocery
133 Queen St.
Downtown
(843) 723-4121

Given its name, you’d think only royals shopped at Queen Street Grocery, but you’d be wrong. The purveyors wouldn’t dream of keeping their crêpes from the mouths of all citizens. It’s also a good place to stock up on soda and chips or to grab a sandwich to go.

Ted’s Butcherblock
344 E. Bay St.
Downtown
(843) 577-0094

A step up from the butcher shop in your last kingdom, Ted’s provides fresh cuts of meats — steak, veal, lamb, poulty, you name it — to all. But we’re more prone to order their BLT of the month or grab some cheese to go when we’re on the run from evil goblins.

Trader Joe’s
401 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.
Mt. Pleasant
(843) 884-4037

Joe is a benevolent trader who finds eats from all over the world and sells them at ridiculous prices. Of course, he’s famous for his Two Buck Chuck wine, which is actually $3, but he also stocks farro, quinoa, frozen dinners like killer pad see ew, and more to keep your pantry full for cheap.

Whole Foods
923 Houston Northcutt Blvd.
Mt. Pleasant
(843) 971-7240

Whole Foods is a great source for local and organic goods — we’re talking hormone-free chicken, veggies, grass-fed beef, and nuts galore. And while these goodies may cost a little more, you can get your money’s worth on samples alone — Saturday offers the most nibbles.

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