The Most Anticipated Charleston Restaurant Openings, Winter 2017

Healthy eating resolutions, big credit card bills, and chilly temps may tempt you to stay in this season, but there will be many new openings around Charleston to interest you. Chefs, restaurateurs, and investors aren't slowing down just yet. While deadlines always shift, this is what we're expecting to see in the next three months.

Robert Donovan

RODNEY SCOTT'S BBQ

Location: 1011 King St., downtown
Key Players: Acclaimed pitmaster Rodney Scott
Projected Opening: Before the end of the year
Charleston is so excited about Hemingway legend Rodney Scott opening up here, that we're sure everyone has their fingers crossed that it will come online as soon as possible. Scott brings years of whole hog barbecue knowledge and an affable personality with him to the Lowcounty. If you don't already know all about Scott and his pulled pork, take a look over here for a visit to Scott's Bar-B-Que.

PANCITO & LEFTY

Location: 708 King St., downtown
Key Players: Restaurateur Jimmy Poole and chef Robert Berry
Projected Opening: Winter
Jimmy Poole and Robert Berry are renovating the former Zappo's Pizza space to become their ideal Mexican restaurant, complete with a lively atmosphere, tequila and mezcal drinks, and, of course, tacos.

Provided

HEN AND THE GOAT

Location: 869 Folly Rd., James Island
Key Players: Restaurateur/chef Thomas Smith
Projected Opening: Soon
Upscale sandwich shop Hen and the Goat will be a mix of elements found at places like Caviar & Bananas, Butcher & Bee, and Artisan Meat Share. They will sell items like a pork belly grilled cheese and a salad with roasted shrimp, feta, and poblano. Owner Thomas Smith says it’s Northern meets Southern ingredients.

Frothy Beard

FROTHY BEARD BREWING COMPANY/ZOMBIE BOB’S PIZZA

Location: 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., West Ashley
Key Players: Push Digital CEO Wesley Donehue, Zombie Bob chef Ryan Dedrickson, Frothy Beard co-owners Michael Biondi, Steve McCauley, and Joseph Siconolfi
Projected Opening: Late Winter
Frothy Beard will expand into a larger space in West Ashley. The building will also house creative agency Push Digital, and food truck Zombie Bob’s Pizza will also have its first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Pizza + Beer. What more do you need?

Erin Perkins

PAWPAW

Location: 209 East Bay St., downtown
Key Players: Pinot Group and chef Jared Rogers
Projected Opening: December 20
Restaurant builders Pinot Group (Stars, Amen Street, and Southend Brewery) declared earlier this summer that Southern-focused eatery Pawpaw would take over the former Wet Willie’s space on East Bay Street. The menu from chef Jared Rogers will be Southern small plates, handmade pastas, and wood-fired local ingredients.

Susan Lucas

SMOKE BBQ

Location: 713 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant
Key Players: Co-owners Roland and Michael Feldman
Projected Opening: Winter
Popular King Street stop Smoke BBQ announced plans to expand to Mount Pleasant earlier this year. The second outpost of the meaty eatery will bring the same smoked goodness off the peninsula and into a bigger space on Coleman Boulevard.

Rappahannock Oyster Company

RAPPAHANNOCK OYSTER BAR

Location: 701 East Bay St., downtown
Key Players: Co-owners Travis and Ryan Croxton and chef Kevin Kelley
Projected Opening: Late Winter 2017
Opening in the Cigar Factory in downtown Charleston, the Rappahannock Oyster Bar will offer light seafood dishes, a raw bar, and plenty of cocktails. There will be a market area, a patio, and a 152-seat indoor space.

Also, keep an eye on:

• Benny Ravello's Pizza (Downtown)
• The Brick (Downtown)
• Cinco Tex-Mex (Mount Pleasant)
• Delish! Bakery & Bistro (Downtown)
• Farmer & Exchange (Downtown)
• Fatty’s Beer Works (Downtown)
• Food Truck O Rama (Downtown)
• IHOP (Downtown)
• Ink n Ivy (Downtown)
• Kristen Kish/Brooks Reitz Concept (delayed) (Downtown)
• Nico Romo's New Place (Mount Pleasant)
• Root + Spiller (delayed) (Downtown)
• Saint Alban (Reopening Downtown)
• Stella’s (Downtown)
• Superica (Unknown)
• The Granary (Moving) (Mount Pleasant)
• Unnamed Huger Street Pizza/Wine Bar (Downtown)
• Wahlburgers (Unknown)
• The Workshop (Downtown)
• Westside Deli (Downtown)