City Editor Erika here. As a self proclaimed foodie, living in the Holy City has some perks. I’m always amazed at how long the list in my notes on my phone is getting after I keep adding restaurants around Charleston to try.
One of the ways you can stay up to date with places to try is with Lowcountry Eat Out! The Facebook group, which has amassed more than 100,000 followers, describes itself as “A group of food-loving people who are supporting restaurants through dining, recommendation, sharing and engaging with restaurants and their social media. We are your restaurant referral network.”
We caught up with Christine England, one of the admins of the group, keep reading to learn more.
For those unfamiliar with Lowcountry Eat Out!, what is it?
Lowcountry Eat Out! started on March 18, 2020, as Lowcountry Quarantine Take-out + Delivery. The goal was to share with our other foodie friends what restaurants were open and closed, the new menus, and whether they were doing take-out or delivery. As the group grew, I decided to keep the group positive. The goal is always to talk about the places you love. Those spots that you would be sad if they closed.
What makes the local food and beverage scene unique in Charleston?
I think people forget that we are literally at the end of the road, so in terms of available ingredients, it’s not always easy (or cheap) to get things here. When you look at the diversity of restaurants that are popping up, they are making some incredible menus.
It’s wild to think I know some chefs/owners who drive to Atlanta a couple of times a month to make sure they can get the ingredients they prefer to use. They do that because they truly love what they do and are passionate about delivering an experience. We aren’t a major city with a year-round growing season.
How yummy does this food from King BBQ look?
Photo provided by Lowcountry Eat Out!
Can you shout out a few places you’ve eaten or drank at recently that you enjoyed?
Pinky + Clyde’s Arcade Bar, Prophet Coffee (Pro tip: That citrus cardamom scone is incredibly good), King BBQ with after cocktails at the Starlight Motor Inn, and Honeysuckle Rose for a complete experience. I’ve also been eating a lot of Cleats. lately.
Are there any specific tips you can give us for supporting the Charleston food and beverage community during the slower months?
There are lots of ways to support. The best (and completely free way) is to write 5-star reviews (Google, Facebook, Yelp, TripAdvisor) for your favorite spots about why you love it and share posts or comment on posts from your favorite spots on social media. It helps them more than you know. I could teach a whole class on this topic. We have a plethora of tourists visiting the area. Let’s help them find the spots we love. Also, plan for eating out. There is nothing wrong with creating a dining-out budget for the year. This way, when January rolls around next year, you are in a position to go out. It’s a great time to dine in downtown Charleston.
Is there anything cool you’re working on, food and beverage-wise? Or anything we should be on the lookout for?
I am now the Catering and Events Manager at Cleats and the spaces at The Refinery. So, right now, my head is in this game. Ultimately, Lowcountry Eat Out! will start doing its own series of events and dinners around town in 2024. The goal is to create a 501(c)3 and raise money towards helping restaurants and their staff in various ways.