Start your day with some stick-to-your-ribs dishes. Southern breakfast fare and lunches define Charleston’s Early Bird Diner . The combo of fried chicken breasts and crispy, cinnamon-spiked waffles landed them a spot on Guy Fieri’s Food Network TV show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives . A honey mustard-maple syrup drizzle gives them a patron-approved twist. Since 1981, Mr. Bunky’s Market in Eastover has catered to locals with a spread of faves like fried chicken, stewed tomatoes, blackeye peas and such. Mornings draw the catfish crowd who file in for a fresh catch plated up with grits and eggs. Or go down on the farm at Cahill’s Market and Chicken Kitchen in Bluffton, serving up sumptuous Southern plates like the iconic “Love Handle”—a fist-sized homemade biscuit crowned with a buttermilk-marinated, battered and fried chicken breast smothered with sausage gravy. In Travelers Rest, The Hungry Drover is a historic cafe named for the drovers of old who once traversed the area. Everything is made from scratch, including personal sized tomato pies that are flaky, cheesy and served piping hot. When lunchtime calls, step back in time at Jewel’s Deluxe , a meat-and-three joint operating in a historic building on the Darlington Square. Seat yourself, take up pencil and paper, write down your order, then savor what most all Darlingtonians say is the best fried chicken on the planet. The baked rice and gravy make a worthy plate partner. Tommy’s Self-Service , a former gas station in Hartsville, is smoking— literally—churning out slabs of saucy, meaty, tender ribs throughout the week. Tuesdays are particularly tempting, however, when the hearty Pee Dee delicacy, chicken bog, is the daily special. Featured on Anthony Bourdain's TV show Parts Unknown , Scott’s BBQ in Hemingway is the rustic convenience store where James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott honed his barbecue chops. Order the legendary pulled pork as a deconstructed sandwich with white bread and sauce on the side. Go full-on local by padding that sammie with cracklin’ pork skins. The classic Cooper’s Country Store in Salters is famous for salt-cured smoked hams and pit-cooked Photos (clockwise from left) Early Bird Diner, Charleston; Grits and Groceries, Belton; Scott's BBQ, Hemingway; Coopers Country Store, Salters; Cahill's Market and Chicken Kitchen, Bluffton > DiscoverSouthCarolina.com 19
South Carolina Vacation Guide SC 2023: Page 19
