Charleston, SC

LJ’s Soul Food
L.J. Huger offers food, music and entertainment with poetry readings on Wednesday nights, Reggae on Thursdays, and live music or DJ on other nights; menu includes wings, burgers, fries, and a soup bar with okra, lima bean, cabbage and other soups; Tue-Sun 5p–2a; 578 King Street in the MLK Historic District; 843-577-7855

Hannibal's Kitchen
If you like Soul food dinners, this is your place; enjoy a cocktail with your meal; cash only; seats 25; Mon-Fri 7:30a-11p; 16 Blake Street; 843-722-2256

Martha Lou's Kitchen
Soul Food prepared with love since 1983; lima beans & rice and pork chops are signature dinners; typical Charleston eateries affordable prices on the menu; cash only; seats 14; Mon-Fri 8a-7p, Sat 9a-4p; 1068 Morrison Drive; 843-577-9583

Charleston's Pie Café
All the custard and sweet potato pies you crave; also features a pie of the month for less than $6; cash only; Mon-Sat daytime; 3309 Rivers Ave, plus two other locations,; 843-566-0133

South Charleston, SC

Savannah’s on the Creek Restaurant
Joe Grant offers upscale, Low Country cuisine including: blackened catfish, calabash fried shrimp, hickory-smoked porterhouse pork chops, she crab soup, and shrimp grits; the restaurant is situated along Long Branch Creek with incredible marsh views; seats 86 plus a banquet room for special occasions; Mon–Thu 3p-9p, Fri-Sat 3p-10p; 2600 Savannah Highway (Highway 17 South); 843-556-5506; http://www.savannahsrestaurant.com

Mount Pleasant, SC

Gullah Cuisine
Gullah and American cuisine by Charlotte Jenkins since 1997; her signatures are Gullah Rice with shrimp chicken and sausage and okra gumbo; the shrimp & grits, frogmore stew and corn muffins made from scratch and bread pudding are to die for; American dishes include marinated roast chicken and duck, seats 150; major credit cards ok; Mon–Sat 11a–4p, Buffet available 11a–2p, Sunday Brunch 11a–3:30p; 1717 Highway 17, from I-26 Freeway at the Georgetown exit, North; 843-881-9076