Cafe$upper-king
Brown Dog Deli on Calhoun Street is a quick-service Charleston sandwich shop that has fed MUSC students and downtown lunch crowds for years.
Try: Philly Collins cheesesteak, Folly Beach Crunch Wrap, sandwich plates
Tip: Order at the counter for grab-and-go or sit-down. Sidewinder Fries and the Buffalo Chicken Crunch are the most-ordered items.
Seafood$downtown
Pearlz Oyster Bar on East Bay Street keeps Charleston's reliable happy-hour table: $1.25 oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp and crab dip, weekdays 16:00-19:00.
Try: Happy-hour oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, crab dip
Tip: Walk-in only at the bar; happy-hour menu is bar-only. The West Ashley Magnolia Road location runs the same special.
Burgers$eastside
Smash City Burgers on Cooper Street runs a stripped-back smashburger counter in the old Fair Deal Grocery on the Charleston Eastside. At 47 Cooper St.
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.
Street food$upper-king
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.
Try: Roti flatbread wraps under $12
Tip: Check eatrotirolls.com for the green truck's daily location. The Mother Clucker is the budget standard.
American BBQ$upper-peninsula
John Lewis's central-Texas pit fires brisket and sausage every morning at the Nassau Street counter. Located in Upper Peninsula. At 464 N Nassau St.
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.
Soul food$eastside
Hannibal's Kitchen has fed the Eastside of Charleston soul food since 1985. At 16 Blake St. Reservations advised. A neighbourhood favourite.
Try: Crab rice, smothered pork chop, fried whiting, lima beans
Tip: Counter order, dining-room seat. Lunch beats dinner; the line peaks 12:30-13:30 weekdays.