Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters in Charleston runs buttermilk-brined fried chicken and char-grilled oysters from a converted body shop on King Street.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Fried chicken sandwich, Char-grilled oysters
Must order: The fried chicken sandwich and a half-dozen char-grilled oysters.
Tip: Walk-in counter seating. Weekday lunch easier than weekend dinner.
Address: 698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston runs pan-Asian cooking from a converted gas station on Rutledge Avenue since 2011. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$.
Signature: Okonomiyaki, Daily Asian specials
Order: The okonomiyaki cabbage pancake and whatever daily noodle is up.
Tip: No reservations. Lunch Mon-Fri only; weekday dinner is the easier seat.
Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston opened on King Street in 2015 with classic American tavern food. Located in Upper King. Booking recommended.
Signature: Tavern Burger, Wedge salad
Order: The Tavern Burger with American cheese, a glass of the daily red.
Tip: Reservations on Resy. Walk-in bar seats serve the full menu till midnight.
Home Team BBQ in Charleston runs pulled pork, wings and brisket from a Williman Street smokehouse since 2006. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$.
Signature: Pulled pork, Smoked wings with Alabama white sauce
Order: The pulled pork plate with two sides, plus a half-pound of smoked wings.
Tip: Open until midnight; full menu late. Live music nights draw a crowd.
Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston runs pan-Asian cooking from a converted gas station on Rutledge Avenue since 2011. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$.
Signature: Okonomiyaki, Daily Asian specials
Order: The okonomiyaki cabbage pancake and whatever daily noodle is up.
Tip: No reservations. Lunch Mon-Fri only; weekday dinner is the easier seat.
Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston opened on King Street in 2015 with classic American tavern food. Located in Upper King. Booking recommended.
Signature: Tavern Burger, Wedge salad
Order: The Tavern Burger with American cheese, a glass of the daily red.
Tip: Reservations on Resy. Walk-in bar seats serve the full menu till midnight.
Page's Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant has run family-owned Southern cooking on Coleman Boulevard since 2008. Kitchen leans southern, lowcountry.
Signature: Ashleigh's shrimp and grits, Fried green tomatoes
Order: Ashleigh's shrimp and grits with andouille and tomato gravy.
Tip: No reservations. Walk-ins only; cash and card both accepted.
Renzo in Charleston runs wood-fired pizzas and a natural-wine list from an industrial Huger Street storefront since 2018. Located in Upper Peninsula.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Burrata and chicories
Order: Whatever chalkboard pizza is on, plus burrata with seasonal vegetables.
Tip: Book on Resy. Small room, books out by midweek for the weekend.
Home Team BBQ in Charleston runs pulled pork, wings and brisket from a Williman Street smokehouse since 2006. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$.
Signature: Pulled pork, Smoked wings with Alabama white sauce
Order: The pulled pork plate with two sides, plus a half-pound of smoked wings.
Tip: Open until midnight; full menu late. Live music nights draw a crowd.
John Lewis's Lewis Barbecue in Charleston runs central-Texas-style brisket and hot-guts sausage from a Nassau Street smokehouse since 2016. Priced at $$.
Signature: Brisket by the pound, Hot guts sausage
Order: A quarter-pound of fatty brisket and a hot-guts link, plus the green chile corn pudding side.
Tip: Order at the counter. Brisket runs out by 19:00 most nights; arrive earlier for the full menu.
