West Coast Mexican Restaurant Matador Offers Half-Off Tequila on Meeting Street

Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a regularly-updated round-up of restaurant openings big and small across the Lowcountry. For all the restaurants in the winter of 2023, check out this list.

May 30, 2023

ANSONBOROUGH — Mexican restaurant Matador has a string of locations in Portland and Seattle, but now it's settling closer to owner Zak Melang's home state of North Carolina with an address in Charleston and more planned for Charlotte and Greenville. The restaurant bills itself as “adult-friendly” and only allows customers who are 21 and above. The food ranges from tacos to burritos to fajitas. On Tuesdays, the $16+ tequilas are priced half off. The massive space takes over both floors of the former Sticky Fingers building and boasts a rooftop dining area. 235 Meeting Street; website.

PARK CIRCLE — The new pool club at Mixson, Paradiso, opened coffee shop/grab-and-go shop the Market at Paradiso. The space also offers gourmet groceries, beer, and wine. 4401 McCarthy Street; website.

MOUNT PLEASANT — The owners of Kiki & Rye changed up the restaurant to offer a family-friendly experience involving milkshakes, games, and wood-fired pizza. There’s a little something for everyone at Bar Pizza. 656G Long Point Road; website.

NORTH CHARLESTON — Chipper Dog BBQ Sauce owner Brandon Close grew up in Illinois and loves a good Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich, so he decided to build his own. Close and wife Laura recently opened Hazel and Hank’s Gourmet Market to provide the Lowcountry with sandwiches like the Italian beef, Philly cheesesteak, and a massive fried pork tenderloin sandwich. 5117 Dorchester Road; website.

ANSONBOROUGH — Pakistani restaurant Ma’am Saab offers butter chicken, lamb samosas, biryani, and nalli nihari in a hip and vibrant dining room. The music is loud and the cocktails are fun (each drink can be made without alcohol or with the addition of Delta-9 THC). 251 Meeting Street; website.

May 4, 2023

LOWER KING — Food and beverage vet Chaz Wendel (previously operating partner at Charleston Crab House) joined forces with former Husk chef Tyler Hunt to open Legend Deli, a shop full of steamed bagels, breakfast burritos, and pun-filled sandwiches. Open Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the store serves creative combinations on Normandy Farm breads, like the G.O.A.T, which is black pepper turkey, whipped goat cheese, onion jam, arugula, and red pepper mayo on seeded rye bread. 41-A George Street; website.

WEST ASHLEY — If you’re near the Citadel Mall on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, look for the bright purple Daddy’s Food Truck. The new mobile kitchen on the scene serves espresso drinks, baby cakes (fried chicken wrapped in a pancake), and huge breakfast sandwiches with choices of bacon, chorizo, sausage, ham, chicken, and pork roll. Various locations; Instagram.

MOBILE — Food truck the Wedge serves many of the classics you’d expect to find at a New York deli, like a chopped cheese and B.E.C. sandwiches. Owner Gerry Meehan (formerly of Monza and Pink Bellies) also offers fried chicken sandwiches and smash burgers. Various; Instagram.

MOUNT PLEASANT — James Island tavern and beer garden Bohemian Bull now has another family-friendly outpost in Mount Pleasant. Expect burgers, wings, salads, and wraps. 2668 U.S. Highway 17; website.

HARLESTON VILLAGE — Executive chef Dominic Chantepie, son/beverage director Mathis Chantepie, and general manager Benjamin Boisson opened European restaurant Azur to bring the flavors of France, Italy, and Spain to downtown Charleston. Expect classics like boeuf en croute, mussels, meatballs in tomato sauce, plenty of cheese plates, caviar, and more. 159 Market Street; website.

March 20, 2023

EAST SIDE — Restaurateur Taylor Grant moved his Hanover Street dive, Palace Hotel, to a new spot on Meeting Street. The updated address has all the features of the previous space: funky decor, cold beer, innovative hot dogs, and frequent visits from Southern Charm star Shep Rose. 504 Meeting Street; Instagram.

CANNONBOUROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — The employees, students, and professors at the Medical University of South Carolina have a new option for breakfast and lunch with the opening of gourmet cafe Caviar & Bananas. The shop carries coffee, bagels, salads, sandwiches, ice cream, and more. 170 Ashley Avenue; website.

NORTH CENTRAL — The owners of pizza place D’Allesandro’s and dive bar Cutty’s have a new metal music bar on King Street. Ben and Nick D’Allesandro put former Cutty’s manager Sarah Griffith in charge of the space, and she created Sugey’s — the only bar in Charleston dedicated to heavy metal bands, ‘80s horror films, and tiki drinks. 638 King Street; Instagram.

WEST ASHELY — The couple behind Christophe Artisan Chocolatier, Carly and Christophe Paume, opened all-day French cafe LaBonne Franquette. The restaurant serves traditional French fare, like quiche, croque monsieur, ham croissant, pork rillette, escargot, and more. 652 St. Andrews Boulevard; Instagram.

SOUTH OF BROAD — Stunning Italian restaurant Sorelle focuses on southern Italian cooking, which means arancini stuffed with bolognese, pasta-baked branzino, ricotta tortelloni with prosciutto, and much more. During the day, the Mercato is open and serves Lamill coffee drinks and breakfast items like mascarpone and Nutella toast. For lunch, the shop offers sandwiches ranging from meatballs and ricotta to chicken and broccoli rabe, as well as salads and Sicilian-style pizza by the slice. 88 Broad Street; website.

LOWER KING — Venerable white tablecloth restaurant Charleston Grill reopened with an updated dining room and a new chef. The restaurant’s longtime chef Michelle Weaver will now be the culinary ambassador for the Charleston Place, while sous chef Suzy Castelloe will step into the role as chef de cuisine. The food will remain “elevated Lowcountry cuisine,” with selections like pork shank ragout with cavatelli or snapper in a tomato broth. 224 King Street; website.

CANNONBOUROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — Owners of breakfast spot Baguette Magic have turned their kitchen into Harriet’s Delicatessen serving pastrami, matzo ball soup, corned beef hash, and bagel towers. 73 Spring Street; website.