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Shrimp and grits at Hominy Grill
Shrimp and grits at Hominy Grill
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8 Charleston Tourist Traps Still Worth a Visit

In case a relative drags you there

by Erin Perkins
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Shrimp and grits at Hominy Grill
| Provided
by Erin Perkins

Everyone has a visiting aunt or cousin who insists the group must go to a restaurant they saw on the Food network or the Travel Channel five years ago — a place that locals rarely visit anymore because of the long lines of non-residents. Not all of the “tourist traps” are bad though. There’s some good to be found among the crowds.

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Wreck of the Richard & Charlene

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Locals like to debate whether Shem Creek dive Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is too touristy or just the right amount of out-of-towners. Nestled on the water, the dining room is not much more than a screen porch and some plastic furniture. It’s no frills, so stop by after a trip to the beach for some boiled peanuts, a cold beer, and fried shrimp.

106 Haddrell St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 884-0052
(843) 884-0052
Seafood plate at the Wreck Joseph O./Yelp

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Hominy Grill

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The trick to Hominy Grill is to not go on the weekends. Go in the mornings during the week for Southern favorites like shrimp and grits or the infamous Charleston Nasty (pictured here).

207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-0930
(843) 937-0930
Leslie Ryann McKellar

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Hank's Seafood Restaurant

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Old-school fine dining restaurant Hank’s still turns out some great Lowcountry-inspired plates. Look for large seafood towers, oyster stew, or local grouper with a citrus beurre blanc.

10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-3474
(843) 723-3474

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Kaminsky's

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Sometimes, only a giant slice of chocolate cake and a boozy coffee drink will do to end the night. Kaminsky’s provides homemade desserts for anyone searching for something sweet after dinner.

78 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 853-8270
(843) 853-8270

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

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The lines are always long for the namesake item at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. For those lucky enough to grab a few doughy delights right out of the oven, it’s worth the wait.

188 Meeting Street, Suite N17, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-8900
(843) 577-8900
Jason Stemple

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Marina Variety Store Restaurant

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Best known for breakfast, Marina Variety Store is like a diner by the sea. Go for shrimp and grits and views of the Marina. Stay for the never-ending cups of coffee.

17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-6325
(843) 723-6325

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Poogan's Porch

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Established in 1976, Poogan’s Porch has been a place to go for Charleston hits like shrimp and grits and she-crab soup ever since. The restaurant is housed in a grand Victorian home, so guests get a taste of the genteel Southern life.

72 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-2337
(843) 577-2337
Fine Dining Shrimp & Grits at Queen Street Classic Poogan’s Porch

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Bowens Island Restaurant

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Buckets of steamed oysters and Lowcountry boils draw tourists from downtown Charleston to the scenic views of the tidal creeks. If the lines are long, grab a cold beer during the queue. Go right before sunset, so there’s a view to go along with the wait.

1870 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-2757
(843) 795-2757
Bill Addison

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Wreck of the Richard & Charlene

106 Haddrell St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

Locals like to debate whether Shem Creek dive Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is too touristy or just the right amount of out-of-towners. Nestled on the water, the dining room is not much more than a screen porch and some plastic furniture. It’s no frills, so stop by after a trip to the beach for some boiled peanuts, a cold beer, and fried shrimp.

106 Haddrell St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 884-0052
(843) 884-0052
Seafood plate at the Wreck Joseph O./Yelp

Hominy Grill

207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

The trick to Hominy Grill is to not go on the weekends. Go in the mornings during the week for Southern favorites like shrimp and grits or the infamous Charleston Nasty (pictured here).

207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-0930
(843) 937-0930
Leslie Ryann McKellar

Hank's Seafood Restaurant

10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC 29401

Old-school fine dining restaurant Hank’s still turns out some great Lowcountry-inspired plates. Look for large seafood towers, oyster stew, or local grouper with a citrus beurre blanc.

10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-3474
(843) 723-3474

Kaminsky's

78 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401

Sometimes, only a giant slice of chocolate cake and a boozy coffee drink will do to end the night. Kaminsky’s provides homemade desserts for anyone searching for something sweet after dinner.

78 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 853-8270
(843) 853-8270

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

188 Meeting Street, Suite N17, Charleston, SC 29401

The lines are always long for the namesake item at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. For those lucky enough to grab a few doughy delights right out of the oven, it’s worth the wait.

188 Meeting Street, Suite N17, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-8900
(843) 577-8900
Jason Stemple

Marina Variety Store Restaurant

17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401

Best known for breakfast, Marina Variety Store is like a diner by the sea. Go for shrimp and grits and views of the Marina. Stay for the never-ending cups of coffee.

17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-6325
(843) 723-6325

Poogan's Porch

72 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401

Established in 1976, Poogan’s Porch has been a place to go for Charleston hits like shrimp and grits and she-crab soup ever since. The restaurant is housed in a grand Victorian home, so guests get a taste of the genteel Southern life.

72 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-2337
(843) 577-2337
Fine Dining Shrimp & Grits at Queen Street Classic Poogan’s Porch

Bowens Island Restaurant

1870 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

Buckets of steamed oysters and Lowcountry boils draw tourists from downtown Charleston to the scenic views of the tidal creeks. If the lines are long, grab a cold beer during the queue. Go right before sunset, so there’s a view to go along with the wait.

1870 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-2757
(843) 795-2757
Bill Addison

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