The Travel Chica

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Loving Lowcountry and Southern Cuisine

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I blame Kristin.

 

When planning my trip to Charleston, I asked her for recommendations on where to eat as it seemed this southern girl from Nashville might know a few things about southern cities.  She replied with a list of 19 places to check out.

Nineteen!

 

Charleston MUST have good food.

 

And I was determined to make this a food-focused vacation (as if I ever have any other kind).

While there is a variety to the cuisine in Charleston, many of the restaurants have a selection of lowcountry dishes on the menu.

What is lowcountry cuisine?

The lowcountry includes the coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia.  The style of cooking in this region has influences from the Caribbean and Africa and frequently centers around the rich variety of seafood available.

My favorite Lowcountry and Southern dishes

Big Nasty Biscuit

I don’t think you can get more southern than this signature item at Hominy Grill.  A fried chicken sandwich on a biscuit smothered in gravy.

 

Even Anthony Bourdain loved it.

Shrimp and Grits

I think this has become a trendy menu item as I have seen it in my hometown of Columbus.  However, I was saving my first time for Charleston.

 

Husk was one of my most memorable meals.

 

Okra, Tomatoes, and Squash

Fresh, local vegetables are a staple of lowcountry and southern cooking.

 

Another thing I adore about Hominy Grill is the plethora of veggies to choose from as sides for an entree or even to make up a whole meal.  I had the tomatoes with okra and squash casserole are incredibly flavorful.

Scallops

 

I had scallops at three different restaurants during my time in Charleston.

 

This is a must-order at McCrady’s and The Grocery.

Pimento Cheese

An appetizer involving pimento cheese seemed to be on the menu at every restaurant.

Southerners claim to have invented pimento cheese, however, some internet research shows it was actually invented by Northern cheese manufacturers seeking to expand the usage of their new product cream cheese.

Boiled Peanuts

 

Brisket

This is the best brisket sandwich I have ever had in my whole life.

This probably just means I need to explore more of the south, but Home Team BBQ on Sullivan’s Island has set the bar.

 

Hummingbird Cake

 

If you love carrot cake like I do, you will love hummingbird cake.  I ordered a HUGE slice (plenty for two people) of banana pineapple spice cake from Kaminsky’s

Have you tried these Lowcountry and Southern foods? 

Any other must-try dishes and restaurants for my next visit?

Comments

  2. Check around at your grocery for boiled peanuts in a can. You can eat them straight out of the can or heat in a microwave. If not there, ask your grocer to order them for you. Great surprise appetizer before a dinner party since most people aren’t familiar with them.

  4. I’ve never tried Lowcountry food but want to now. Everything except the boiled peanuts looks really good. I’ve never been a fan of grits either but with shrimp, looks like a delicious mix. The scallops = WOW! I’m not a fan of beef but even that brisket I’d like to try.
    Mike | Earthdrifter recently posted..An Impromptu Wedding Guest

  6. i just ate breakfast, but am officially hungry again! agreed on the boiled peanuts – never seen them before, but would love to try. i have a guest article on charleston this week, and they also mention husk – must be one of the best.
    eva recently posted..my favorites: markets

  7. Loooooooove Husk!! Did you get any she crab soup in SC? I ate it every day for four days straight – delicious!!

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