Locals Say These 10 South Carolina Soul Food Spots Are Too Good To Share
Y’all ever had a secret spot so tasty you almost didn’t want to tell your friends? South Carolina is bursting with hidden soul food treasures that locals have been quietly enjoying for generations.
These family-owned kitchens serve up plates of comfort that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting at your grandma’s Sunday dinner table. From crispy fried chicken to creamy mac and cheese, these spots dish out Southern hospitality with every bite.
1. Bertha’s Kitchen, North Charleston
Blue-painted and family-owned since 1979, this James Beard Award winner serves soul food that’ll make your taste buds dance! The lima beans alone are worth the trip, slow-cooked to perfection with smoky ham hocks.
Folks line up early for their famous fried chicken and okra soup. Each recipe comes straight from Mama Bertha herself, passed down through generations with that special touch only family can provide.
Pro tip: Don’t skip the red rice or collard greens. They’re seasoned with so much love, you might just shed a tear of joy!
2. Martha Lou’s Kitchen, Charleston
Housed in a tiny pink building that you might miss if you blink, Martha Lou’s has been Charleston’s worst-kept secret for decades. The late Martha Lou Gadsden started cooking here in 1983, creating a legacy that continues today.
Her fried chicken recipe? Absolutely legendary! Crispy outside, juicy inside, and seasoned with spices that’ll make you close your eyes in pure bliss.
Customers become family the moment they walk in. The cornbread melts in your mouth, and the lima beans might just be the best you’ve ever tasted. Cash only, y’all!
3. Big Mike’s Soul Food, Myrtle Beach
Mike Chestnut (yep, that’s really Big Mike) serves up portions as generous as his personality in this Myrtle Beach gem. His turkey wings fall right off the bone, no knife needed!
The mac and cheese here isn’t just a side dish; it’s practically the main event. Gooey, creamy, with that perfect crispy top that makes you want to hug the chef.
Sunday afternoons bring locals and tourists alike standing in line for a taste. Their sweet potato pie might be the closest thing to heaven you’ll find on earth. Just don’t tell your grandma I said that!
4. Jestine’s Kitchen, Charleston
Named after Jestine Matthews, who lived to the impressive age of 112, this Charleston institution honors her Lowcountry cooking legacy. The fried green tomatoes here will make you slap your knee with joy, tangy, crispy, and served with a special remoulade.
Coca-Cola cake is their signature dessert, moist and rich with a hint of that classic soda flavor. It’s worth saving room for, trust me!
Tourists flock here, but locals still squeeze in for their comfort food fix. The chicken and gravy might be simple, but it’s the kind of dish that reminds you why soul food touches your heart.
5. Hannibal’s Kitchen, Charleston
“Food for the soul, from the soul” isn’t just their motto, it’s their promise! Family-owned since 1985, this East Bay Street treasure serves crab rice that locals would probably keep secret if they could.
The shark and grits might sound unusual, but one bite will convert you for life. It’s a uniquely Charleston dish that perfectly blends seafood and Southern comfort food traditions.
Grab a seat at one of the no-frills tables and prepare for magic. Their garlic crabs are messy to eat but worth every napkin. Just wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty!
6. Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen, Charleston
Inspired by Florence Powell’s 1960s family recipes, this Market Street jewel takes Lowcountry classics to heavenly heights. Their shrimp and grits come loaded with bacon, mushrooms, and a cream sauce that’ll make you want to lick the plate clean.
The hush puppies arrive hot and crispy with a honey butter that’s absolutely swoon-worthy. I’ve seen grown adults fight over the last one, no joke!
Dessert lovers, listen up! Their banana pudding uses homemade vanilla wafers instead of store-bought. This small touch makes a world of difference in this classic Southern treat.
7. Gullah Grub, St. Helena Island
Hidden on St. Helena Island, this treasure preserves authentic Gullah cooking traditions that date back generations. Chef Bill Green serves dishes made from ingredients grown right on his own farm!
The garlic crabs are caught fresh from local waters. Watching folks crack open those shells is like witnessing a delicious treasure hunt, messy but worth every bit of effort.
Frogmore stew (don’t worry, no frogs here!) combines shrimp, corn, sausage and potatoes in a single pot of seasoned perfection. It’s the ultimate taste of Sea Island culture that connects you directly to this region’s rich heritage.
8. Mary’s Kitchen, Columbia
This unassuming spot in Columbia might look plain from the outside, but inside? Pure soul food magic happens daily! Mary’s oxtails are fall-off-the-bone tender, swimming in a gravy so good you’ll want to drink it with a straw.
The candied yams taste like they’ve been blessed by angels, sweet, buttery, with just the right amount of cinnamon. They pair perfectly with their crispy fried chicken.
Regulars know to save room for the peach cobbler. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top, it’s the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes and sigh with happiness.
9. Nana’s Soul Food Kitchen, Greenville
Run by a grandmother who insists everyone calls her Nana, this Greenville jewel feels like Sunday dinner at your favorite relative’s house. Her smothered pork chops are fork-tender and covered in onion gravy that’ll make you want to sop up every last drop.
The collard greens have that perfect balance of savory and tangy. Rumor has it Nana adds a secret ingredient that nobody’s been able to figure out, though many have tried!
Don’t skip the sweet potato pie. Made from Nana’s great-grandmother’s recipe, each bite tastes like Southern history and love mixed together in the perfect flaky crust.
10. Kiki’s Chicken And Waffles, Columbia
Kiki Cyrus turned her grandmother’s recipes into Columbia’s hottest soul food spot! Her chicken and waffles combo hits that perfect sweet-savory balance, crispy fried chicken atop fluffy Belgian waffles, drizzled with syrup and butter.
The red velvet waffle version? Absolutely mind-blowing! It’s become so famous that even celebrities stop by when they’re in town.
Beyond the signature dish, their shrimp and grits deserve serious praise. Creamy stone-ground grits topped with plump shrimp and a sauce that’s got just enough kick to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.
