Callie's Hot Little Biscuit on King Street fires miniature buttermilk and cheese biscuits to order from a walk-up window in Charleston. A full breakfast for under $10.
Tip: Single biscuits start under $4. Open from 06:30 weekdays, latest 14:00 close; an upper King go-to before fresh espresso.
Address: 476 1/2 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Brown Dog Deli on Calhoun Street is a quick-service Charleston sandwich shop that has fed MUSC students and downtown lunch crowds for years. Counter sandwiches, salads, acai bowls.
Try: Philly Collins cheesesteak, Folly Beach Crunch Wrap, sandwich plates
Tip: Order at the counter for grab-and-go or sit-down. Sidewinder Fries and the Buffalo Chicken Crunch are the most-ordered items.
Roti Rolls in Charleston runs the city's longest-running food truck (since 2010), wraps under $12. Creole mac with smoked pork, butter-poached shrimp, Cajun chicken with cotija.
Try: Roti flatbread wraps under $12
Tip: Check eatrotirolls.com for the green truck's daily location. The Mother Clucker is the budget standard.
Brown Dog Deli on Calhoun Street is a quick-service Charleston sandwich shop that has fed MUSC students and downtown lunch crowds for years. Counter sandwiches, salads, acai bowls.
Try: Philly Collins cheesesteak, Folly Beach Crunch Wrap, sandwich plates
Tip: Order at the counter for grab-and-go or sit-down. Sidewinder Fries and the Buffalo Chicken Crunch are the most-ordered items.
Pearlz Oyster Bar on East Bay Street keeps Charleston's reliable happy-hour table: $1.25 oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp and crab dip, weekdays 16:00 to 19:00.
Try: Happy-hour oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, crab dip
Tip: Walk-in only at the bar; happy-hour menu is bar-only. The West Ashley Magnolia Road location runs the same special.
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.
Roti Rolls in Charleston runs the city's longest-running food truck (since 2010), wraps under $12. Creole mac with smoked pork, butter-poached shrimp, Cajun chicken with cotija.
Try: Roti flatbread wraps under $12
Tip: Check eatrotirolls.com for the green truck's daily location. The Mother Clucker is the budget standard.
John Lewis's central-Texas pit fires brisket and sausage every morning at the Nassau Street counter. A two-side plate under $18 is Charleston's best-value barbecue lunch.
Try: Brisket sandwich, sausage plate with two sides
Tip: Order at the counter, sit at the picnic tables. The brisket sandwich at lunch is the move when the full plate is too much.
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.
