13 People Cross County Lines In South Carolina Just To Get A Plate From These Soul Food Icons
Growing up, I quickly learned that the best meals are always worth a little extra mileage. In South Carolina, that lesson holds true at every turn.
The state is home to some of the most irresistible soul food joints you’ll ever find—places so good that folks think nothing of driving hours just to grab a plate.
These beloved restaurants dish out heaping servings of crispy fried chicken, tender collard greens, creamy mac and cheese, and golden cornbread that tastes like pure comfort. Get ready to explore eight legendary spots where every bite feels like a celebration of Southern flavor and tradition.
1. Bertha’s Kitchen — North Charleston
Last summer, I drove forty minutes out of my way just to taste what everyone kept raving about, and boy, was it worth every mile. Bertha’s Kitchen has been dishing out authentic Lowcountry soul food since 1980, and the line out the door tells you everything you need to know. Owner Sharon Bertha Robinson carries on her mother’s legacy with recipes that haven’t changed in decades.
The fried chicken here is crispy perfection with meat so tender it falls off the bone. Their lima beans simmer all day with just the right amount of seasoning, and the cornbread is sweet enough to be dessert. Every plate comes loaded with generous portions that’ll have you loosening your belt before you’re halfway done.
People travel from Summerville, Mount Pleasant, and even Columbia to grab a plate from this North Charleston treasure.
2. Hannibal’s Kitchen — Charleston
Walking into Hannibal’s feels like stepping into your favorite aunt’s dining room, except the portions are even bigger. Chef Hannibal started cooking at age seven and brings decades of experience to every single dish that leaves his kitchen. His passion for feeding people shows in the care taken with each recipe.
The oxtails here are fall apart tender and swimming in rich gravy that begs for extra rice. Their candied yams strike the perfect balance between sweet and savory, with a buttery glaze that catches the light. Regulars swear by the Tuesday special, which changes weekly but never disappoints.
Folks from Johns Island and West Ashley make this spot their weekly pilgrimage. The smothered pork chops alone justify the drive across town during rush hour traffic.
3. Nigel’s Good Food — Charleston Area (Ladson/Hanahan)
My coworker practically dragged me to Nigel’s last month, and now I understand why she talks about it constantly. This family owned gem serves up soul food with a side of genuine hospitality that makes you feel like part of the crew. Chef Nigel Grant puts his heart into every plate, creating dishes that honor tradition while adding his own special touch.
The shrimp and grits here will ruin you for all other versions, with plump shrimp nestled in creamy, perfectly seasoned grits. Their collard greens cook low and slow with smoked turkey, creating layers of flavor that dance on your tongue. The mac and cheese gets baked until the top forms that golden crust everyone fights over.
Customers drive from downtown Charleston and Goose Creek regularly, proving distance means nothing when the food is this good.
4. Workmen’s Cafe — Charleston (James Island)
Sometimes the best restaurants hide in plain sight, and Workmen’s Cafe is proof of that delicious truth. Tucked away on James Island, this spot has been feeding hungry locals and savvy visitors since way back when. The no frills atmosphere lets the food do all the talking, and trust me, it speaks volumes.
Their fried fish comes out hot and crispy with a cornmeal coating that shatters at first bite. The red rice carries just enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming your taste buds. Breakfast here hits different too, with country ham and biscuits that could make a grown person weep with joy.
People from Folly Beach and West Ashley cross the bridge specifically for these plates. The portions are generous enough to fuel a full day of work or play.
5. My Three Sons of Charleston — North Charleston
Family recipes taste different when they’re made with actual family love, and that’s exactly what you get here. My Three Sons serves up home cooking that reminds you of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house, complete with the warm fuzzy feelings. The owners named the restaurant after their three boys, and that family pride shows in every detail.
Their smothered chicken drowns in onion gravy so good you’ll want to drink it straight from the bowl. The string beans get cooked with potatoes and bacon until they’re tender and full of smoky flavor. Save room for the peach cobbler, which arrives bubbling hot with a buttery crust that’ll make you reconsider your life choices in the best way.
Regulars come from Summerville and Goose Creek, often bringing out of town guests to show off real Charleston soul food.
6. Big Mike’s Soul Food — Myrtle Beach
Beach vacations usually mean seafood and tourist traps, but Big Mike’s breaks that mold with soul food that rivals anything you’d find inland. I stumbled upon this place after a long day at the beach and left planning my next visit before I even finished eating. Owner Big Mike cooks with the kind of passion that turns first timers into lifelong fans.
The fried chicken wings here are legendary, arriving perfectly seasoned with a crunch that echoes across the dining room. Their collard greens simmer with ham hocks until they reach that perfect tender texture that melts in your mouth. The banana pudding layers vanilla wafers and creamy custard in a way that should probably be illegal.
Locals from Conway and Little River skip the tourist spots to eat here instead. Even vacationers return year after year, making Big Mike’s a mandatory stop.
7. Gullah Grub Restaurant — St. Helena Island
Eating at Gullah Grub isn’t just a meal, it’s a cultural experience that connects you to centuries of Lowcountry tradition. Chef Bill Green serves authentic Gullah cuisine that preserves the foodways of his ancestors, and every bite tells a story. The restaurant sits on beautiful St. Helena Island, where the Gullah Geechee culture remains strong and vibrant.
Their okra soup is a revelation, thick and savory with chunks of shrimp and sausage swimming throughout. The deviled crab comes packed with fresh crabmeat and secret seasonings passed down through generations. Red rice here tastes like it should, cooked with tomatoes and shrimp stock until every grain soaks up flavor.
Food lovers drive from Beaufort, Hilton Head, and even Savannah to taste this authentic Gullah cooking. The trip across the bridge becomes part of the adventure.
8. Wade’s Restaurant — Spartanburg
Since 1947, Wade’s has been serving up soul food that makes Spartanburg proud and keeps people coming back generation after generation. My grandfather used to talk about eating here as a young man, and now I understand why those memories stuck with him. The recipes haven’t changed much over the decades because when something works this well, you don’t mess with it.
Their fried pork chops come out golden and juicy, with a seasoned coating that adds the perfect crunch. The butter beans cook until creamy and rich, needing nothing more than a piece of cornbread for dunking. Breakfast brings country ham so salty and delicious it’ll wake up every taste bud you forgot you had.
Customers travel from Greenville and even Charlotte to grab a plate at this upstate institution. The history here tastes as good as the food.