Charleston Dining Experts Share Headline Predictions for 2017

In keeping with Eater tradition, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types and bloggers. To kick it off in Charleston, Eater asked the group eight questions, ranging from the restaurants they frequent most to the biggest surprises of the year. Responses are in no particular order, and readers are encouraged to leave answers in the comments.

Q. What are your headline predictions for 2017?

Brian Stetson, Eater Charleston photographer:
Closings, too much happening unsustainable especially with the staffing shortage.

Sydney Gallimore, Queen of the Food Age and Thrillist Contributor:
Charleston BBQ Smog extends into the upstate.

Jenny Ouellette, writer:
Charleston gets three new barbecue spots, five new breweries, eight hotel restaurants, and zero people to staff any of them.

Vanessa Wolf, food writer and critic for Charleston City Paper:
Hopefully the continued arrival of some diverse ethnic cuisines.

Suzanne Cohen, critic for Charleston City Paper:
That we'll hopefully have enough people to staff all these great restaurants we're so famous for in Charleston. Also, I predict that Top Chef will bring an unprecedented level of culinary tourism to the city so let's hope we're fully prepared. The bubble hasn't burst yet, and we're only going to get busier in the years to come.

Erin Perkins, editor Eater Charleston:
Shake Shack Opens in Hampton Park: Wagener Terrace Facebook Page Implodes

Robert Donovan, photographer and contributor to Eater Charleston:
Whatever happens, let's hope the President elect's eating proclivities (and restaurants for that matter) do not influence anything. Have you see how he eats or what they serve at his place? *shudder Also there will be white tiles everywhere. So many white tiles.

Marion Sullivan, Culinary Institute of Charleston and food editor Charleston Magazine:
If new restaurants continue to open in Charleston at the current pace, the labor market will become even more stressed. It's time to take a breath.

Jenny Ouellette, writer:
Charleston gets three new barbecue spots, five new breweries, eight hotel restaurants, and zero people to staff any of them.

Kinsey Gidick, managing editor for the Charleston City Paper:
After the success of the Women's March on Washington, local Pantsuit Nation members organize Women's March on the "Ladies Bar."

Will Chesak, Eater Charleston contributor:
Food Based Crawls

Miguel Buencamino, Holy City Handcraft and Eater Charleston contributor:
Rodney Scott to move/expand Scott's BBQ to the NoMo area

Peg Moore, contributor and food critic for The Mercury:
There will be more closings. It is difficult to replace experienced staff. A Zagat survey reports that noise is more of a problem than disappointing food. I like to believe more restaurants will work on noise control.

Stephanie Barna, founding editor Charleston City Paper:
Barbecue and beer district merge into one giant party zone for locals.

Hanna Raskin, food writer and critic for the Post & Courier:
Six more Charleston restaurants announce plans to open Summerville locations