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Fried pork chops at Nigel’s
Iman M./Yelp

6 Underrated North Charleston Restaurants

From fried pork chops to curried goat

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Fried pork chops at Nigel’s
| Iman M./Yelp

Charleston is known as a culinary city worth reckoning. But for those looking for some good food without the tourist or the hassle of finding a parking spot, head to North Charleston. The restaurants on this list may not have made the pages of any international travel magazines or nationally syndicated shows but they have developed a loyal customer base by making some really good food at really great prices.

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Nigel's Good Food

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Nigel’s Good Food is a North Charleston staple. Every dish is made with a down home feel, hence the use of its “just what your soul needs” slogan. The food became so popular that the owners opened a second location in Ladson (9616 Hiway 78, Ste 11, Ladson, South Carolina 29456). But no matter which location, make sure you order Nigel’s very popular Geechie Wings. They are battered, fried, and tossed in a homemade sweet and sour wing sauce.

Iman M./Yelp

Chill-N-Grill

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At Chill-N-Grill customers can find both seafood and American cuisine on the menu. Located off of Ashley Phosphate, the newly renovated restaurant has lots of televisions for customers to watch the game, two bars to order from, and one of the best crab rice dishes in the Lowcountry. Those not up for the rice should try the one of their signature french fry dishes like the Here Piggy Piggy with bacon and cheese.

Mei Thai Restaurant & Sushi Bar

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Located in a shopping center that’s in the parking lot of the shopping center that houses the Carolina Ice Palace, Mei Thai serves both Thai and Filipino comfort food. For those wanting to try one of the restaurant’s specialties, ask for the Pompano fish dinner. The kitchen fries it whole, head on, and give diners white rice and a garlic flavored vinegar for their dipping pleasure.

North Park Grill

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North Park Grille is literally hidden behind a bridge and located next to one of the few remaining Piggly Wiggly grocery stores. But for those who like shooting pool while eating good bar food, this is the place. Do not mistake NPG for just another beer and wing spot, it even serves oven-baked pizzas from its North Charleston location that are worth the drive.

Poblanos Mexican Restaurant

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Located near the top of Rivers Avenue, across the street from Walmart, this Mexican restaurant serves both traditional items and updated versions of conventional dishes. Try the nachos del mar — the plate is topped with grilled shrimp, scallops, bell peppers, and the signature cheese sauce — everything you didn’t know you needed on nachos until just now.

Caribbean Delight

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Caribbean Delight is the definition of a “locals only” restaurant. Located at the corner of Rivers and Reynolds avenues, this Jamaican restaurant doesn’t even have a website but that hasn’t slowed its business down in the slightest. The menu has a few standby items, but the featured entree changes every day. Some days, it’s jerked chicken, other days it’s the curried goat. But no matter when you go, it’s going to be filling.

Nigel's Good Food

Nigel’s Good Food is a North Charleston staple. Every dish is made with a down home feel, hence the use of its “just what your soul needs” slogan. The food became so popular that the owners opened a second location in Ladson (9616 Hiway 78, Ste 11, Ladson, South Carolina 29456). But no matter which location, make sure you order Nigel’s very popular Geechie Wings. They are battered, fried, and tossed in a homemade sweet and sour wing sauce.

Iman M./Yelp

Chill-N-Grill

At Chill-N-Grill customers can find both seafood and American cuisine on the menu. Located off of Ashley Phosphate, the newly renovated restaurant has lots of televisions for customers to watch the game, two bars to order from, and one of the best crab rice dishes in the Lowcountry. Those not up for the rice should try the one of their signature french fry dishes like the Here Piggy Piggy with bacon and cheese.

Mei Thai Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Located in a shopping center that’s in the parking lot of the shopping center that houses the Carolina Ice Palace, Mei Thai serves both Thai and Filipino comfort food. For those wanting to try one of the restaurant’s specialties, ask for the Pompano fish dinner. The kitchen fries it whole, head on, and give diners white rice and a garlic flavored vinegar for their dipping pleasure.

North Park Grill

North Park Grille is literally hidden behind a bridge and located next to one of the few remaining Piggly Wiggly grocery stores. But for those who like shooting pool while eating good bar food, this is the place. Do not mistake NPG for just another beer and wing spot, it even serves oven-baked pizzas from its North Charleston location that are worth the drive.

Poblanos Mexican Restaurant

Located near the top of Rivers Avenue, across the street from Walmart, this Mexican restaurant serves both traditional items and updated versions of conventional dishes. Try the nachos del mar — the plate is topped with grilled shrimp, scallops, bell peppers, and the signature cheese sauce — everything you didn’t know you needed on nachos until just now.

Caribbean Delight

Caribbean Delight is the definition of a “locals only” restaurant. Located at the corner of Rivers and Reynolds avenues, this Jamaican restaurant doesn’t even have a website but that hasn’t slowed its business down in the slightest. The menu has a few standby items, but the featured entree changes every day. Some days, it’s jerked chicken, other days it’s the curried goat. But no matter when you go, it’s going to be filling.

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