KJ Kearney’s Black Eats in Charleston

Swank Desserts

Danetra, the owner of this bakery, crafts some of the best macarons this side of France. And on Saturdays, you can catch them (if you're in time) breaking out their Brioche Bread fried chicken and pimento cheese sandwiches and other savory treats. If you're just here for the desserts, may I suggest their Nutella stuffed chocolate chip cookies, salted caramel apple cookie sandwiches, or the sweet potato pie cheesecake.

Rodney Scott’s BBQ

After learning the trade from his father's Hemingway, South Carolina shop, Rodney Scott has since gone on to open multiple, highly acclaimed locations of his own. These world renown barbecue shops allow Rodney the freedom to showcase his idea o what a BBQ spot can be. Obviously, this Hal of Fame pitmaster comes correct with the meats-I'm particularly fond of the half chicken—but don't sleep on the banana pudding! PRO-TIP: always ask for more white sauce. You can never have enough.

Nigel’s Good Food

Nigel & Louise Drayton have two restaurants: one in Ladson, South Carolina and another in North Charleston. Both serve the same delicious foods like their super decadent Lowcountry Ravioli, mouth watering baked turkey wings, and expertly seasoned lima beans over white rice, and their finger lickin' Geechee Wings! They are also one of only restaurants to have Kool-Aid on their menu, if you're interested in revisiting your childhood.

ChuckTown Mobile Seafood & Cafe

Don't let the name fool you! You will not have to search for a food truck in order to taste their delicious fried seafood. They started out doing pop-up events and eventually worked their way into a brick and mortar location. Speaking of locations, they are situated directly across the street from the main gate for Joint Base Charleston (most locales just called it the "Air Force Base"). Did I mention that I like their fried shrimp? Because I really do and I hope you will as well!

Caribbean Delight

This is one of my favorite spots for delicious, melt-in-ya-mouth oxtails. I tend to get double collards instead of the rice and peas but I can't lie, there is something special about them oxtails over rice because that oxtail juice is EVERYTHING! Anyway, if you're not much of an oxtail person, consider getting the shrimp curry. It's just as good and they always give you a satisfactory portion for the price! Add a Ting grapefruit soda to complete the Jamaican experience.

Chill-N-Grill Xpress on Trolley

To my knowledge, Chill N Grill was one of the first Black owned restaurants in Charleston to carry Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, which gives them bonus points in my book. But the food is nothing to sneeze at either. I'm a fan of their crab rice, veggie quesadillas, and duck drummettes. The sauce they use is just a tad bit sweet and the meat has a unique quality of sharing the same vocabulary as chicken while tasting like nothing you've had before!

Bertha’s Kitchen

James Beard awarded while being approved by the locals, Bertha's is run by a host of Black women who know how to make Soul Food the right way! They are located in North Charleston but with them being so close to Downtown Charleston, they get their fair share of both "Comeyas" (aka "Come Here" aka "Not From Charleston") and Beenyas (natives). Don't let their accolades distract you from the fact that they have some of the best fried chicken, fried fish, and Red Rice in all of South Carolina.

Gillie's Seafood

Gillie's is one of my favorite restaurants. Not just "favorite Black owned", I mean one of the best places l've ever eaten in my entire life. If you do nothing else, make sure you get an order of their Soul Rolls: fried egg rolls stuffed with Red Rice (with sausage), collard greens, pimento cheese, AND pulled pork. And while all of their seafood is good, I swear by their burger. It's really one of the top things on their menu. Yes, better than the Catfish Charleston.

Daddy’s Girls Bakery

If you've never had a Charleston Chewie (think Blondies but better), I wouldn't hesitate to send you to Daddy's Girls to get your first taste of this Black Charleston dessert of choice. And it doesn't just stop with the Chewies themselves. They also have Charleston Chewie ice cream (with or without nuts) and Chewie Cheesecake! | mean, they have a variety of other desserts like cookies, cupcakes, and pound cake but really, the Chewies are the start of this storefront if you ask me.