I sampled plenty of unremarkable dishes during my seven years of reviewing Charleston restaurants, but there were lots of bright spots, too. Here, in no particular order, is my list of the 30 most memorable dishes I ate.
I’m omitting dishes eaten at special events or just dining around town when off duty, though there have been plenty of memorable ones on those occasions, too. Restaurants marked with an asterisk are, sadly, no longer in business.
Creamed sweet corn at Six Tables, 664-G Long Point Road, Mt. Pleasant*
Boudin from Cherie’s Specialty Meats, 1005 Tanner Ford Blvd. #104 Hanahan*
Sumac-rubbed duck breast from Muse, 82 Society St. Downtown
Cumin-scented lamb belly with Sea Island red peas at Two Boroughs Larder, 186 Coming St. Downtown
Grilled quail and venison sausage at Red Drum, 803 Coleman Blvd. Mt. Pleasant
Ribeye deckle at The Macintosh, 479 King St. Downtown
Vegetable stew at Heart Woodfire Kitchen, 1622 Highland Ave. James Island
Fried oysters with deviled egg sauce at The Grocery, 4 Cannon St. Downtown
Farmer’s pick salad at The Lot, 1977 Maybank Hwy. West Ashley
Fried oyster sliders and blood-orange scallops at The Ordinary, 544 King St. Downtown
Carrot, potato, and egg salad at Edmund’s Oast, 1081 Morrison Drive, Downtown
Spring radish puree soup at Soif, 357 North Shelmore Blvd. Mt. Pleasant*
She-crab soup at Crave Kitchen & Cocktails, 1968 Riviera Drive, Mt. Pleasant
Siam salad at Leon’s, 698 King St. Downtown
Old-school lasagna at Iacofano’s, 626 Coleman Blvd. Mt. Pleasant*
Freedom Burger at Liberty Tap Room, 1028 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant
Lowcountry Carbonara (with onion “impasta”) at Tristan, 10 Linguard St. Downtown*
Pulled pork-filled hushpuppies at The Palmetto Chef, 120A Tupperway Drive, Summerville*
Purloo at Hominy Grill, 207 Rutledge Ave. Downtown
Cheddar bologna cheese-stuffed quail at Husk, 79 Queen St. Downtown
Summer Rolls at H&L Market, 5300 Rivers Ave. North Charleston
Pho at Mi Xao 1055 Hwy. 41, Mt. Pleasant
GD Burger at The Green Door, 251 East Bay St. Downtown*
Fried shrimp and scallops at The Wreck of Richard and Charlene, 106 Haddrell St. Mt. Pleasant
Warpig taco at Cha Cha’s Tequila Bar, 1409 Folly Road, James Island
Carnitas at Carmen y Juan, 1118 Park West Blvd., Suite 1-B, Mt. Pleasant
Smoked pork chop at The Granary, 624 Long Point Road, Mt. Pleasant
Asparagus crudo at The Obstinate Daughter, 2063 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island
Spring tomato salad at Annie’s Bistro, 1795 N. Hwy. 17 #3 Mt. Pleasant
Poached shrimp salad with green beans at Chez Nous, 6 Payne St. Downtown Stay cool. Support City Paper. City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.