Best Ribs, Fried Chicken, and Seafood (Charleston, Goose Creek: house, restaurants, food)

[luvs2fish]

I will be visiting the Charleston area in a few weeks and would like to know the best places for ribs, fried chicken, and seafood. Separate restaurants for each category is fine.

[fqtravlr]

Ribs: Melvin's BBQ makes outstanding pork ribs. They are just a touch better than Sticky Fingers. I am sure there are others around that are pretty good. Stay away from Shane's Rib Shack. Melvins and Sticky Fingers are both locally owned chains and can be found in several locations.
Fried Chicken: There is a little soul food restaurant on Hwy 17N in Mt Pleasant called the Gullah Cuisine. They have a lunch buffet during the week and a Sunday brunch. Great fried chicken every day. The rest is pretty good too.
Hamburger: Your Place Restaurant by Shem Creek in Mt Pleasant (I just felt like throwing that out there.)
Seafood, Fried: The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene, Shem Creek in Mt Pleasant. Bring cash.
Seafood, various styles: Station 22 on Sullivan's Island.
Raw Bar: Shem Creek Bar and Grill
Seafood, worth a try: Bowen's Island Restaurant. I believe they are back in business on the way to Folly Beach. If they are, they are worth a look.

[bepeaceinsc]

Ribs: Melvin's uses spare ribs, whereas Sticky Fingers uses baby-back, thus Melvin's are meatier. The dry rubbed ribs at Melvin's are very good, but high in sodium. Ray's Barbecue on Coleman Blvd. in Mt. P has very good spare ribs, too. His are unadorned, but there are several tasty house sauces you can try. Melvin's and Ray's also have good vegetables for sides.
I second Gullah Cuisine on the fried chicken. They also make an excellent bread pudding and I like their roast duck.
I can't eat seafood, so I can't contribute to that part of the conversation.
As for a hamburger, Rue de Jean on John Street in downtown Charleston has excellent burgers. They grind their own meat, so you can have a rare burger if you desire. Poe's on Sullivan's Island also has good, home ground burgers available with a variety of toppings.

[Rggr]

Those are all right on. I love Melvins.
Gullah Cuisine - be prepared to have to be rolled out.
I would add in Hanks and the Boathouse for seafood.

[susie4]

Oh, Melvins! Thats where I forgot to go. I had heard about this place but didn't even think of it.

We were in Charleston two weeks ago. But if you go into Goose Creek and are looking for a great hamburger, go to Saphires. This is a bar/restaurant. Their burgers are huge and are the best I've ever had.

[luvs2fish]

Thanks everyone! I'm printing this out and will try each one. I can't wait to try the Gullah restaurant!

[little nell]

melvins has good burgers too. also 5 Guys for burgers. Momma Brown's for BBQ.
the last time i dined at Gullah the place was crawling with roaches. i am not trying to start anything but that was our experience. they were up the walls. i will never, ever go back.
Hanks is a great choice, love the crab appetizer!
the best fried shrimp and oysters i've had is at Bowens Island.

[ZUMAN]

Is Your Place still in business?? I heard they closed. Can't go wrong with 5 Guys but it is a big chain. I personally prefer Melvin's for both BBQ and burgers.

[fisher33]

i like sullivan's fried shrimp and gilligan's for general fried seafood - i know gilligans is kind of corny, but i do really like it. i also like queen anne's revenge on daniel island for most everything.

ribs - melvins like everyone else has said and their french fries are delicious. and you will love gullah.

red's is also good for seafood - they have good fried shrimp too and really good coconut shrimp. their tuna "treat" is good too. the wreck is good but their shrimp are TOO big if there is such a thing and they don't devein very well, it kind of grosses me out. but they have good scallops too. it's a hilarious place so be sure to look it up on here before you go. plasticware, plastic chairs, but no plastic cards (have to take cash), no air, but the food is good and that's why people go.

i could go on....but i'll stop here!

[Rggr]

Originally Posted by little nell

melvins has good burgers too. also 5 Guys for burgers. Momma Brown's for BBQ.
the last time i dined at Gullah the place was crawling with roaches. i am not trying to start anything but that was our experience. they were up the walls. i will never, ever go back.
Hanks is a great choice, love the crab appetizer!
the best fried shrimp and oysters i've had is at Bowens Island.

I love Momma Brown's!
I've never had that experience at Gullah Cuisine.
Bowen's Island is a good call. If you go there, please understand that it it very "lowcountry" and rustic.