Northeast of Calhoun, Black-owned anchors and working kitchens: Hannibal's Kitchen on Blake Street, Martha Lou's lineage, Ravenel Bridge views.
Hannibal's Kitchen on Blake Street in Charleston has run family-owned soul food cooking since 1985. Crab rice, lima beans over rice, smothered pork chops, sweet tea included.
Signature: Crab rice, Smothered pork chops
Order: The crab rice with okra soup, plus a side of mac and cheese.
Tip: Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; closed Sunday. Counter ordering.
Smash City Burgers in Charleston took over the old Fair Deal Grocery on Cooper Street in July 2024. The food truck still works the city; the storefront does the same burger sit-down.
Try: Smash burger on a potato bun
Tip: Walk-in only, no reservations. The Classic Single with American cheese and crinkle fries is the move.
Hannibal's Kitchen on the Charleston Eastside has been feeding soul food since 1985. Shark steak with grits, fried whiting, lima beans with smoked turkey, in a Blake Street counter room.
Try: Shark steak, sauteed crab and shrimp over grits, fried whiting
Tip: Order at the counter, find a seat in the simple dining room. Crab rice is the move if shark isn't running.
Hannibal's Kitchen has fed the Eastside of Charleston soul food since 1985. Lunches under $15 include crab rice, smothered pork chops, fried whiting and rice with two sides.
Try: Crab rice, smothered pork chop, fried whiting, lima beans
Tip: Counter order, dining-room seat. Lunch beats dinner; the line peaks 12:30 to 13:30 weekdays.
Smash City Burgers on Cooper Street runs a stripped-back smashburger counter in the old Fair Deal Grocery on the Charleston Eastside. Classic Single under $10, fries to share.
Try: Classic Single cheeseburger with crinkle fries
Tip: Open Wed-Sun for dine-in, delivery to midnight. Cash or card; build-your-own option for catering orders.