eastsideMon-Sat 11:00-20:00, closed Sunday
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.
downtownMon-Sat 11:00-23:00, closed Sunday
167 Raw on King Street runs a counter raw bar with New England DNA. Lobster roll, tuna burger, oysters from Canada to the Lowcountry, served on a marble bar in a narrow room.
Try: Lobster roll, oysters on the half shell, tuna burger
Tip: First come, first serve. Wait list opens around 17:00 nightly. Lunch is the easier sit.
upper-kingVaries, check operator calendar
Roti Rolls in Charleston rolled out in 2010 as the city's first food truck. Flatbread wraps stuffed with creole mac, smoked pork, kimchi, butter-poached shrimp.
Try: Roti flatbread wraps with Southern and Caribbean fillings
Tip: Check eatrotirolls.com or the Street Food Finder app for the green truck's daily location before driving anywhere.
eastsideWed-Sun 11:00-21:00
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.
upper-kingTue-Fri 11:30-15:00 and 17:30-23:00, closed Sat-Mon
Dave's Carry-Out in Charleston runs a counter-only soul food and seafood window on Morris Street. Fried fish sandwich, shrimp platters, devil crab, all to go.
Try: Fried fish sandwich, fried shrimp platter
Tip: No dine-in seating, just a couple of benches inside to wait. Card or cash both fine; order the fish sandwich.
mount-pleasantDaily varies, check operator calendar
Cachita's Kitchen in Mount Pleasant parks on Chuck Dawley Blvd from a colorful Mexican-Cuban truck. Al pastor, chicharron tacos, shrimp Cachitaco, churros to finish.
Try: Al pastor tacos, Shrimp Cachitaco, Cuban sandwich
Tip: The truck has parking-lot tables and umbrellas. A second location runs at 6 N Market St downtown for the same menu indoors.