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10 Places to Pick Up a Picnic-Worthy Sandwich

by Erin Perkins
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by Erin Perkins

Springtime is all about spontaneity and enjoying the pre-death-by-humidity phase of the year. What better way to get outside and take advantage of Charleston's beauty other than a picnic? And while the word "picnic" may have some thinking of hours of planning, here's a secret: pre-made sandwiches, a bunch of grapes, and some wine (though, most likely illegal in public parks) works just fine to enjoy the great outdoors. Grab those baskets and load up on these wonderfully toteable creations.


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Bon Banh Mi

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162 Spring St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 414-7320
(843) 414-7320
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If your tastes run a bit more Vietnamese, then this Spring Street shop has the sandwich and Sriracha for you. You can pick your fillings from red curry beef to five-spice tofu to accompany the traditional banh mi condiments.

2. Butcher & Bee

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654 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
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Lunchtime stop Butcher & Bee might be the undisputed king of gourmet sandwiches in Charleston. Multiple publications have cataloged them in top ten lists for meat on bread. Check their social media for daily offerings and expect menu items like barbecued pork, lamb pita, or double cheeseburger.

3. Caviar & Bananas

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51 George St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-7757
(843) 577-7757
Visit Website
If you haven't been lately, busy lunch/take-out space Caviar & Bananas debuted a new sandwich menu a few months back to freshen up their offerings. Patrons can still build their own, but now there are also selections like Mediterranean chicken, a Cuban panini, and an indulgent pimento cheese BLT.

4. goat.sheep.cow.

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106 Church St
Charleston, SC 29401
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With an endless supply of ingredients, it's only natural that this little cheese shop would get into the sandwich game. Down on Church Street, goat.sheep.cow. utilizes what they have on hand to produce a small amount of highly covetable handheld lunches every day. One of their favorites to assemble is prosciutto cotto, Big John's Cajun cheddar, Lusty Monk whole grain mustard, Vermont Creamery cultured butter and cucumber slices on an EVO semolina baguette.

5. Persimmon Cafe

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226 Calhoun St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 937-5399
(843) 937-5399
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Lobster rolls in a laundromat—that’s all you need to know. The couple that opened this tiny soup and sandwich shop is redefining the meaning of convenience food. Get your fix with a fancy grilled cheese, like the grilled zucchini with Fontina, red onions and pistachio pistou, or the previously mentioned Maine staple.

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6. Queen Street Grocery

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133 Queen St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-4121
(843) 723-4121
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This storied Harleston Village corner shop offers pressed paninis any time of the day. The Tenacious Turkey with a secret honey basil sauce is their most popular staple, while the Happy Houdini with Virginia ham comes in a close second. Check their specials board for a creative twist on their usual offerings.

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7. Ted's Butcherblock

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334 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-0094
(843) 577-0094
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This butcher shop shaves the meat to order, so you know it’s good. Owner Ted Dombrowski knows his cuts, so trust him to build a perfect BLT or Wagyu beef sandwich.

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8. The 'Wich Doctor

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106 W Hudson Avenue
Folly Beach, SC 29439
(843) 588-6666
(843) 588-6666
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This Folly Beach pit stop gives new meaning to the town’s title, “Edge of America.” Their offerings push the boundaries of what should be sandwiched between two pieces of bread. Or they do away with the traditional carbs all together and slap a fried chicken breast between two waffles and drizzle it with smoked maple mustard.

9. The CO-OP

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(843) 882-8088
(843) 882-8088
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Headed to the beach for your picnic? The Co-Op is an easy stop on the way. Their sandwich menu ranges from classics, like egg salad or a Reuben, to a little more creative, like the Cro-Magnon (a beef and bacon with cheese meal).

10. The Southern General

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3157 Maybank Hwy, Unit ED
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 640-3778
(843) 640-3778
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With two winning reviews from local publications under their belt, craft sandwich shop The Southern General is pulling in crowds bored of the same old meat and cheese menus. Creative takes on classics like the pulled pork Super Butt with sweet potato cream cheese on grilled brioche are waking up the lunch crowds on Johns Island.

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1. Bon Banh Mi

162 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
If your tastes run a bit more Vietnamese, then this Spring Street shop has the sandwich and Sriracha for you. You can pick your fillings from red curry beef to five-spice tofu to accompany the traditional banh mi condiments.
162 Spring St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 414-7320
Visit Website

2. Butcher & Bee

654 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Lunchtime stop Butcher & Bee might be the undisputed king of gourmet sandwiches in Charleston. Multiple publications have cataloged them in top ten lists for meat on bread. Check their social media for daily offerings and expect menu items like barbecued pork, lamb pita, or double cheeseburger.
654 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
Visit Website

3. Caviar & Bananas

51 George St, Charleston, SC 29401
If you haven't been lately, busy lunch/take-out space Caviar & Bananas debuted a new sandwich menu a few months back to freshen up their offerings. Patrons can still build their own, but now there are also selections like Mediterranean chicken, a Cuban panini, and an indulgent pimento cheese BLT.
51 George St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-7757
Visit Website

4. goat.sheep.cow.

106 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401
With an endless supply of ingredients, it's only natural that this little cheese shop would get into the sandwich game. Down on Church Street, goat.sheep.cow. utilizes what they have on hand to produce a small amount of highly covetable handheld lunches every day. One of their favorites to assemble is prosciutto cotto, Big John's Cajun cheddar, Lusty Monk whole grain mustard, Vermont Creamery cultured butter and cucumber slices on an EVO semolina baguette.
106 Church St
Charleston, SC 29401
Visit Website

5. Persimmon Cafe

226 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
Lobster rolls in a laundromat—that’s all you need to know. The couple that opened this tiny soup and sandwich shop is redefining the meaning of convenience food. Get your fix with a fancy grilled cheese, like the grilled zucchini with Fontina, red onions and pistachio pistou, or the previously mentioned Maine staple.
226 Calhoun St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 937-5399
Visit Website

6. Queen Street Grocery

133 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
This storied Harleston Village corner shop offers pressed paninis any time of the day. The Tenacious Turkey with a secret honey basil sauce is their most popular staple, while the Happy Houdini with Virginia ham comes in a close second. Check their specials board for a creative twist on their usual offerings.
133 Queen St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-4121
Visit Website

7. Ted's Butcherblock

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
This butcher shop shaves the meat to order, so you know it’s good. Owner Ted Dombrowski knows his cuts, so trust him to build a perfect BLT or Wagyu beef sandwich.
334 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-0094
Visit Website

8. The 'Wich Doctor

106 W Hudson Avenue, Folly Beach, SC 29439
This Folly Beach pit stop gives new meaning to the town’s title, “Edge of America.” Their offerings push the boundaries of what should be sandwiched between two pieces of bread. Or they do away with the traditional carbs all together and slap a fried chicken breast between two waffles and drizzle it with smoked maple mustard.
106 W Hudson Avenue
Folly Beach, SC 29439
(843) 588-6666
Visit Website

9. The CO-OP

2019 Middle St., South Carolina 29482
Headed to the beach for your picnic? The Co-Op is an easy stop on the way. Their sandwich menu ranges from classics, like egg salad or a Reuben, to a little more creative, like the Cro-Magnon (a beef and bacon with cheese meal).
(843) 882-8088
Visit Website

10. The Southern General

3157 Maybank Hwy, Unit ED, Johns Island, SC 29455
With two winning reviews from local publications under their belt, craft sandwich shop The Southern General is pulling in crowds bored of the same old meat and cheese menus. Creative takes on classics like the pulled pork Super Butt with sweet potato cream cheese on grilled brioche are waking up the lunch crowds on Johns Island.
3157 Maybank Hwy, Unit ED
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 640-3778
Visit Website

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