In 2020 many Black-owned restaurants across the US including Charleston were forced to close or adjust their availability. I’ve always been a big supporter of Black-owned restaurants and businesses. Last year my Facebook friend, KJ (who I met at Chef Kardea’s Gullah Supper Club) created a document of Black-owned restaurants in the Charleston Tri-County area. KJ’s list and his Black Food Fridays social media page also helped me identify more places to support.
If you are in the Charleston, SC area and you want some good eats, I have a list for you! Here is a list of Black-owned restaurants that I want you to try. Most of them I’ve eaten at before. A couple have been recommended by people I’ve come in contact with.
Soul Food
Nigel’s Good Food
I love Nigel’s! You definitely have to get the award-winning Geechee Wings. It’s available as a starter. You also have to get the cornbread. It’s thick and sweet. My favorite entrees are the Meat & Three and Seafood Platter. Another thing, Nigel’s shows appreciation to their customers. I’ve been to at least one customer appreciation dinner. OMG- the food was so good and it never ran out!
Nigel’s was recently featured on Food Paradise on the Cooking Channel. The segment featured the owner, Nigel making red rice, fried pork chops, and Grandma Fred’s Shrimp & Grits. Nigel’s Good Food is located in North Charleston. The second location, Nigel’s Good Food II is located in Ladson. I have to say Nigel’s is my favorite Black-owned restaurant in town.
Hannibal’s Kitchen
Photo courtesy of Black Food Fridays 
Photo courtesy of Black Food Fridays 
Photo courtesy of Black Food Fridays
Hannibal’s serves soul food. I haven’t eaten there yet, but I heard the food is good. Guess what you can get on your order! You can get some oxtails and shark steak here. In my experience, you’ll find oxtails at a Caribbean restaurant, so this is good to know. Shark steak- I never heard of shark steak until I met my husband. He said it tastes good. Maybe it’s a Lowcountry thing.
Buckshot’s Restaurant
Buckshot’s Restaurant is located in McClellanville. I was introduced to their food at the Sweetgrass Basket Festival which is held in Mt. Pleasant. The food is really good. They have items such as red rice, collards, macaroni, chicken, etc.
My Three Sons
The restaurant has been featured in Southern Living magazine. They are located in N. Charleston on Dorchester Rd. It’s not far from the Tanger Outlet. From what I’ve seen, the food looks really tasty.
I tried to give them my business on my birthday in April 2021. However, no one answered the phone when I attempted to confirm that they were open. I figured I could place an order upon arrival at the location. Nope! When I got there, there was a sign that stated orders need to be placed online or via phone. Well at the time I didn’t see an online option. In addition, as of June, the online option is still not functional. Maybe you’ll have better luck than me. Oh, and I tried to patronize their location last year. No one answered the phone then either.
Caribbean
One Love Cuisine
I’ve been here a couple of times. I had rice, collards, oxtails, and plantains. The food tastes good and a bit spicy. In addition to the delicious food, the dining area is spacious. I love the design style of the bathroom too. They are located on Dorchester Rd. in N. Charleston.
Caribbean Delight
There are two locations. One in N. Charleston and Moncks Corner. We started eating here last year. We normally get rice & peas, collards, cabbage, oxtails, chicken, and plantain. Here the cabbage is shredded and mixed with carrots. My husband and I hadn’t seen that before. The food was good. They also offer cocoa bread, so I decided to try that. It’s not what I thought it was. I thought it was going to be sweet. In the meantime, I’ll stick with what I know.
Ma Gloria’s Trinidad Restaurant
Have you ever ate Trinidadian food? I hadn’t until I learned about Ma Gloria’s last year. We had oxtails and calypso rice. I’m not a fan of cilantro, so I didn’t like the rice. I didn’t know it was made with cilantro prior to ordering. I’m a bread lover. I really wanted something sweet, but the cakes were sold out. Therefore I tried the pholourie. It’s a small round bread that you dip into some sauce. It has a different taste. I’ll probably try it again.
Currently, you can get your authentic Trinidadian food at the Charleston Hotel on Dorchester Rd near I-26. Ma Gloria’s was temporarily closed late last year, but now they are back open for business! Use their menu that’s on Facebook for ordering. The website has items listed for catering.
Barbecue
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Mr. Rodney is an award-winning pitmaster. He branched out from his well-known family-owned Scott’s BBQ location in Hemingway, SC to Charleston. In addition to barbecue, they serve turkey sandwiches, French fries as well as other tasty items. You should definitely visit them.
Indoor and outdoor seating is available. It is located in Downtown Charleston on King Street. Parking may be a little tricky. We’ve parked in the Food Lion parking lot across the street and just walked over.
Slaughter House
The Black-owned restaurant serves barbecue, chicken, and more. It’s located right beside Nigel’s Good Food II in Ladson on Hwy 78 between Summerville and N. Charleston. The food is good and so is the customer service.The restaurant serves barbecue, chicken, and more. It’s located right beside Nigel’s Good Food II in Ladson on Hwy 78 between Summerville and N. Charleston. The food is good and so is the customer service.
Seafood
Marvin’s Seafood
We ate at Marvin’s Seafood for the first time on Juneteenth last year. I had red rice, green beans, hush puppies, and 3 pc fried fish (whiting). It was filling and delicious. Plus it was affordable. We ate at Marvin’s Seafood for the first time on Juneteenth last year. I had red rice, green beans, hush puppies, and 3 pc fried fish (whiting). It was filling and delicious. Plus it was affordable.
The bright blue building is located in North Charleston on Dorchester Rd. Plus there’s ample parking.
Shrimp and Grits Cafe
This eatery opened in 2020 at the Citadel Mall food court in West Ashley (Charleston). There was a long line of customers when the site first opened. I think it’s worth trying.
Chef Carlos who owns the spot has cooked for celebrities such as Jakalyn Carr and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Nana’s Seafood
This seafood restaurant has two locations (Downtown & N. Charleston). Coworkers at my previous job raved about how good the food was. They’re locals, so I’ll take their word. I’m just really not a big seafood person. This seafood restaurant has two locations (Downtown & N. Charleston). Coworkers at my previous job raved about how good the food was. They’re locals, so I’ll take their word. I’m just really not a big seafood person.
Vegan
Dellz
Here you can find all types of healthy vegan foods. They have sea moss (good for removing mucus), pizza, nachos, salads, wraps, and rice bowls.
We went to Dellz when they were on Rutledge Ave Downtown in January of 2020. I had a black eye pea rice bowl. It was so hearty and delicious. My husband had a wrap that he really enjoyed. During Covid, they took a break, but I look forward to returning for more healthy meals. They are currently located in the West Ashley area of Charleston.