In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, this week is the Charleston Comedy Festival. And in honor of all the funny stuff happening around town, we’ve decided to seek out some of the most entertaining fare our city has to offer.
If you’ve ever been to Jack’s Cosmic Dogs, then you know that they offer some pretty crazy topping combinations on their hotdogs. From blue cheese slaw to the signature sweet potato mustard, nothing will tickle your taste buds quite like a snack from one of their three locations. Try the Neutron Dog, which is topped with housemade mango peppa ketchup and jalapeño slaw; or their popular Galactic Dog, which, according to manager Josh Clayman, is “the messiest dog” they offer, and is covered with the aforementioned sweet potato mustard and blue cheese slaw, along with chili and cheddar cheese. “The best way to describe our sweet potato mustard is that it’s kind of a combination of mustard and barbecue sauce,” says Clayman. “And our blue cheese slaw is made here with blue cheese dressing, cabbage, and blue cheese crumbles.” The funniest named menu item definitely goes to one of their vegetarian options — the Bunny in a Bun, which replaces the usual frankfurter with a marinated carrot.
The food trucks are also getting in on the fun with quirky names like the Magic Cheese. This local truck is rolling around town, redefining the grilled cheese sandwich by slamming whatever they can fit between two slices of bread. Past special the Big Hog ($8.50) combined slow-cooked BBQ, their famous mac n’ cheese, caramelized onions, and a whole lot of cheddar, all melted together to toasted perfection. “This ain’t your momma’s grilled cheese” exclaims their Facebook page, where you can follow the truck around town and check for location updates. Find the truck any day of the week and choose from truly magical staples like the Ham and Swiss Delight, Buffalo Chicken Melt, and Fried Bologna with American cheese, all served with a cup of homemade tomato basil soup for $8.
A sponsor of the Charleston Comedy Festival, the Mellow Mushroom is your best bet to get silly with some of the festival’s comedians and the Eggy and Leggy pizza ($11-$24.50), a pie found only at the restaurant’s downtown and Avondale locations. Starting with a garlic and olive oil base and topped with a heaping of cheese and pancetta, this pizza is half-baked before it’s removed from the oven to receive several deliciously gooey fresh-cracked eggs. After being placed back in the oven to finish cooking, the final product is one delish pie topped with sunny-side up eggs and a sprinkling of scallions. Get a pie and share it late night at the Comedy Festival’s L’After Parties at the downtown Mellow.
If you find yourself craving something sweet after attending a comedy show, head over to Big Gun Burger Shop for a Twinkie milkshake. It’s a sinfully rich concoction made only with vanilla ice cream, milk, and a Twinkie, all blended together and served in a large milkshake glass. The best part, though, is what you’re drinking the shake from — it’s yet another Twinkie, stabbed right down the center with a large plastic straw. And although Vincent Vega may not think much of a $5 shake, we definitely think this one is worth trying at least once.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No newspaper subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations from downtown to North Charleston to Johns Island to Summerville to Mount Pleasant.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.