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Ernie's - Charleston, SC

Ernie's is a small, well-established soul food restaurant in Charleston -- well-known to locals but seldom found by tourists. Prices are low, food flavors are high.
100% Approval Rating (2 votes)
5 - Overall: Worth driving from anyplace
Overall: Worth driving from anyplace

Must Eats

Lima Bean Dinner ($6.00)
Okra Soup ($5.00)
Bread Pudding ($3.00)
Fried Chicken ($7.00)
Corn Bread ($1.00)

Written Reviews

rating
Michael Stern
Roadfood.com Editor
"The most useless suggestion Jane and I can give for finding good Roadfood is to look for a restaurant that has no sign outside. That's where you'll find some of the best local meals ... providing you can find the place at all! Ernie's is an excellent example. Nothing ..."   [Read More].

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Map & Directions

Yahoo Link
64 Spring St., Charleston, SC
843-723-8591

Hours & Policies

Seasons:Open Year Round
Meals Served:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Operational Hours:Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:No
Alcohol Served:No
Outdoor Seating:No
Reservations Accepted:No
Delivery Available:No
Takeout Counters:Yes
Ernie's thick and bracing okra soup is really more of a stew. Here it is sided by fried chicken and rice, but if you want to go whole hog, you can get it loaded with pink hunks of tender ham.
"Ernie's thick and bracing okra soup is really more of a stew. Here it is sided by fried chicken and rice, but if you want to go whole hog, you can get it loaded with pink hunks of tender ham."
Michael Stern





Charleston's sleeper meal, a staple of several soul food restaurants that are popular among locals, but seldom found by tourists: the lima bean dinner. This picture does not show the big plate of onion-laced rice that comes alongside, but that bowl in the foreground does indicate the ridiculously large amount of meat included.
"Charleston's sleeper meal, a staple of several soul food restaurants that are popular among locals, but seldom found by tourists: the lima bean dinner. This picture does not show the big plate of onion-laced rice that comes alongside, but that bowl in the foreground does indicate the ridiculously large amount of meat included."
Michael Stern


The name of this place is not No Loitering. It is Ernie's -- enough of a local favorite not to need a sign.
"The name of this place is not No Loitering. It is Ernie's -- enough of a local favorite not to need a sign."
Michael Stern


Ernie's fried chicken has a good crunch to its skin and plenty of juice inside. You can buy it by the piece or as dinner; you can have chicken barbecued or stewed. Fried gizzards also are available.
"Ernie's fried chicken has a good crunch to its skin and plenty of juice inside. You can buy it by the piece or as dinner; you can have chicken barbecued or stewed. Fried gizzards also are available."
Michael Stern


Bread pudding is a huge, heavy block of moist bread laced with fruit cocktail. It comes with plenty of crunchy-chewy strips from the edge of the pan.
"Bread pudding is a huge, heavy block of moist bread laced with fruit cocktail. It comes with plenty of crunchy-chewy strips from the edge of the pan."
Michael Stern


For mopping gravy, dipping into soup or crumbling onto just about anything, Ernie's corn bread is a welcome presence on the table.
"For mopping gravy, dipping into soup or crumbling onto just about anything, Ernie's corn bread is a welcome presence on the table."
Michael Stern


Before lunch hour, Ernie's has plenty of available seats. Even when all are occupied, there is a quiet, civil tone about the place that adds grace to the expertly made food.
"Before lunch hour, Ernie's has plenty of available seats. Even when all are occupied, there is a quiet, civil tone about the place that adds grace to the expertly made food."
Michael Stern


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