Pearlz Oyster Bar is a seafood budget eat in Downtown, Charleston.
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.
Editorially verified May 19, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Walk-in only at the bar; happy-hour menu is bar-only. The West Ashley Magnolia Road location runs the same special.
Address: 153 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bertha's Kitchen in North Charleston has run soul food cafeteria-style since 1979, the Grant family at the steam table. Fried chicken, okra soup, red rice.
Try: Fried chicken, okra soup, red rice with two sides
Tip: Cash and card both fine. Lunch only, Mon-Sat; arrive before 13:00 or the chicken sells out.
Dave's Carry-Out runs a Charleston counter-only soul food and seafood window on Morris Street. At 42 Morris St # C. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Try: Fried fish sandwich, fried shrimp platter
Tip: Tue-Fri lunch and dinner only, closed Sat-Mon. Order ahead by phone if you want to skip the line.
