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Name: Hank’s Seafood Restaurant
Address: 10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC, 29401
Telephone: (843) 723-3474
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.01

Hank’s Seafood Restaurant

10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC, 29401

(843) 723-3474
Store is closed

Hank’s Seafood Restaurant Menu

Cold Appetizers

Sesame Crusted Rare Tuna

Ceviche Selection Of Fish And Shellfish

Tuna Tartare

Smoked Salmon
Hot Appetizers

Hank's Oyster Stew

Steamed Mussels

Oysters Casino

Crispy Rock Shrimp And Calamari

Sauteed Lump Crabcakes

Fried Oysters

Local Clams
Soups And Salads

Soup Of The Day

Charleston She Crab Soup

Tossed House Salad

Spinach Salad

Belgian Endive Salad

Shellfish Cocktail

Hank's Seasonal Salad
Chef's Specialties

Pan Seared Sea Scallops

Grilled Swordfish

Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Roasted Salmon

Rare Seared Tuna

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Shellfish Pasta

Roast Grouper
Local Specialties

Seafood A La Wando

Low Country Bouillabaisse

Curried Shrimp

Shrimp And Grits

Chef's Jumbo Shrimp

Broiled Maine Lobster
Seafood Platters

Platter A

Platter B

Platter C

Platter D

Broiled Seafood Platter
Ala Carte

Local Grouper

Yellowfin Tuna

Swordfish

Atlantic Salmon

Jumbo Grilled Shrimp
The Raw Bar

Gulf Oysters

Oyster Sampler

Crab Fingers

Lump Crab Cocktail

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Peel 'n Eat Shrimp
Hank's Homemade Desserts

Southern Pecan Pie

Classic Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee

Key Lime Pie

Hank's Banana Cream Pie

Creamy Peanut Butter Pie

Sorbet Selection

Healthy Meal suggestions for Hank’s Seafood Restaurant

Cold Appetizers

Sesame Crusted Rare Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche Selection Of Fish And Shellfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot Appetizers

Hank's Oyster Stew [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oysters Casino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Rock Shrimp And Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Lump Crabcakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Local Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups And Salads

Soup Of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Charleston She Crab Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tossed House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Belgian Endive Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shellfish Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hank's Seasonal Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chef's Specialties

Pan Seared Sea Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rare Seared Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buttermilk Fried Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shellfish Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Grouper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Local Specialties

Seafood A La Wando [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Low Country Bouillabaisse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curried Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp And Grits [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Jumbo Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Maine Lobster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood Platters

Platter A [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platter B [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platter C [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platter D [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Seafood Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ala Carte

Local Grouper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellowfin Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Grilled Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
The Raw Bar

Gulf Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oyster Sampler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Fingers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lump Crab Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peel 'n Eat Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hank's Homemade Desserts

Southern Pecan Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Key Lime Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hank's Banana Cream Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamy Peanut Butter Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sorbet Selection [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Charleston for healthy meals suggestion.

Charleston Grill ( 224 King St )

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

Write An Anonymous Review

Julie D.

I had really high hopes for this place but was immediately disappointed after being sat 15 minutes late for our reservation on a Monday evening and quickly realizing my date and I were way overdressed. Most of the patrons were wearing beach attire and there wasn't a tie in sight save my handsome boyfriend. I started with she crab soup (my new favorite low country dish) and it was great! However all the she crab soup I've had has been great, the only thing that set this apart was the crab shells I found while devouring this delicious appetizer. I also enjoyed the broiled seafood platter. Don't get me wrong it was excellent, the flavors were simple and the presentation beautiful. However I honestly preferred Roadside Seafoods simple flavors to this place and paid about 20% the cost. I can only assume that we were paying for the ambiance and exquisite service we received. Greg was our server and his manners and open hand service were impeccable. Each time a fork or spoon was removed it was silently replaced and our wine glasses were never empty. On that note the establishment did have an exceptional wine list with a large variety of interesting whites and reds. If you are a tourist and looking to impress your date then this might be the place for you however if you are a local than you are probably already in the know that there are numerous restaurants that your money would be much better spent at. Our overall experience was unfortunately forgettable on a night that we hoped would have been the gold star on our visit to Charleston.
(3)
Megan C.

Took my sister while she was visiting. Our reservation was not ready so we went to the bar for a drink. The bartenders were extremely rude. They looked at me several times and not once smiled or said I will be with you in a minute. I contemplated just leaving the restaurant but luckily we stayed. The seafood tower was delicious and the price was a lot less then I thought it would be. The scallops were great! The atmosphere was nice as well. Highly recommend trying it out!
(4)
Leven H.

It is a nice restaurant... However we stumbled in wearing flip flops and t shirts and the staff was very accommodating the meal was awesome!
(5)
Megan F.

This was the perfect end to our trip to Charleston. Food was great - I had scallops and the hubby had one of the fish specials. The atmosphere and service were also wonderful. Definitely recommend!
(5)
T R.

Great local favorite - crowded and very touristy but great food and servers are real pros. She-crab, oysters, shrimp and grits all great. Get a reservation or you may be waiting a while.
(4)
Taylor Mackenzie S.

Went in for a seafood dinner tonight, Chad was our waiter and he was wonderful! Very knowledgeable about the wine, suggested all the great specials. I got the oyster sampler which was amazing, my friend got the salad special with fried green tomatoes, arugula, manchego, and a mango chutney, so delicious! She got the vegetarian pasta as an entree which looked delicious, I order the roasted grouper with risotto, spinach, goat cheese and OMG! The grouper was delicious, very tender, and the risotto was to die for, especially mixed with the brown butter. Highly recommended!!
(5)
Jei R.

Positives: The oysters and grouper were good. The goat cheese risotto, she-crab soup, and collards were excellent. Negatives: A little pricey perhaps and the atmosphere is nothing special, but I enjoyed everything I ate, so that's number one for me. Conclusion: There are so many good places in Charleston, so I can't say this is a must-stop location. But if you are looking for a slightly upscale seafood restaurant, then I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Kaitlin C.

Ordered the seafood pasta. It came out luke warm, tasted decent. $100 and a couple of hours later, I'm sick.
(1)
Peyton W.

First visit and I would say it is the best seafood restaurant downtown. I had the seafood A La Wando which was great. Everyone at our table seemed to enjoy their dinner. Glad I finally got around to trying this Charleston staple.
(4)
Matt N.

My expectations were so high for Hanks but there are just too many other places that do it better. I picked Hanks because I wanted Lobster and I know here in Chucktown the options are limited. The service was below average as the waiter was almost annoyed at us wanting to order another round (of $8-$12 cocktails) which blows my mind. She Crab soup was decent, about the same as Halls, but lacking some flavor. I was very impressed with the portions of their Lobster BUT it was a little dry and tough. If the portions were not as big as they were I would've been really disappointed but it is what it is. My wife didn't like the chunky red sauce on the shrimp and grits. I tried it and thought it was ok but Its sad to say Hyman's shrimp n grits are twice as good as Hanks.
(3)
JD D.

Made a reservation for 9:15 and was seated after 10:00 pm. I realize that customers' comings and goings are difficult to predict, but this was unacceptable. Be prepared to wait even if you make reservations. Once we were finally seated, we were not approached by the manager. The food was pretty decent - you definitely won't be disappointed by the entrees and appetizers if you're in a seafood mood. Overall 3-4 star food with 1-2 star service.
(2)
Jenni T.

The seafood is fresh, no doubt. However, I think some components of the dishes can be further seasoned to taste to be comparable with the quality of the food and the price. Some components just lacked flavor. Maybe the goal is to expose the purity of the seafood, but to me, a lack of flavor is unappealing.
(3)
Tyler C.

My wife and I had dinner at Hank's last night. Nice sophisticated traditional Charleston type of restaurant. It was as expected for pricing ... we each had a couple drinks, a bowl of the She Crab, and the entree for a total bill of $100. The She Crab was excellent and my wife's dinner was great. I ordered swordfish and it was ok. I would definitely come back, but I would love to see more unique fish options on the menu. Lots of raw options, but limited otherwise.
(4)
Julia S.

The atmosphere is nothing for date nights unless you sit in a booth. The food is excellent, try the oyster samples as an appetizer. We had the tuna and curry shrimp for dinner which was delicious. The bar however is horrible. The wine and cocktails are really bad. The presentation of drinks is poor and doesn't fit the well presented and tasting food
(3)
Grace C.

This is the best restaurant I ate at in Charleston! The seafood gumbo, seared tuna and bread pudding were delicious!
(5)
Cheryl C.

Totally disappointed after so many people recommended Hank's to us while we were visiting Charleston. We were greeted with a very cold welcome, server didn't seem well informed with the preparation of the food, poor plate presentation, food was not the quality that was expected, server never offered coffee or dessert. Overall, would never recommend this restaurant and would definitely not go back if visiting Charleston again, there are too many really fabulous restaurants in Charleston, this is not one of them.
(1)
Fae W.

Food was really good and our waiter was awesome. He was polite, quick and had a great attitude. We ordered calamari and baked oysters for appetizers. Both cooked well. We also had shrimp and grits and scallops for our entrees. Food was yummy no complaints at all. The atmosphere is a little dated but the food and service make up for the ambiance.
(4)
Stanley Z.

No reason not to give this place call 5 stars! Even on a busy night with no resetvation, we were seated promptly. Service was excellent, food was superb -our waitress Samantha goes by Sam - was absolutely tops! My only complaint is that the bathroom is a one-holer.
(5)
Brian C.

While in town for the weekend wedding, we found this place using an OpenTable search. When we arrived 15 minutes before our reservation time, the dinning room was packed, so we grabbed a cocktail at the bar before our table was ready. I don't recommend their cocktail that includes jalapeÃ±os, but their gin mojito is pretty awesome! The calarmi and shrimp appetizer was fresh and crispy with just the right amount of breading. My Roasted Salmon entrÃ©e was also top-notch. Our sever was very attentive and pleasant without being overbearing as many servers are. She also made some thoughtful recommendations for nightlife spots in the area based on various types of social preferences. I would absolutely recommend eating at Hank's when visiting Charleston, SC.
(4)
Bryan D.

Seafood platter was great and the best value on the menu. And the best friend shrimp in town. The she-crab was delicious but very heavy and rich. Staff was very friendly
(4)
Samantha M.

Arrived a little before 9pm on saturday and were told the wait for a table would be about 90mins- make reservations! Given the popularity of this restaurant, we should have known better and planned ahead. At any rate, they were happy to accommodate us at the bar. My guy had the salmon and I had the scallops, both were great and worth ordering again. All of the food I observed around us looked and smelled great too. Our only complaint was with the judgement of the bartender. She was clearly experienced and efficient, making drinks in record speeds, however, she shook my husbands manhattan like crazy- thus serving him quite a watered down cocktail. Never have we encountered a bartender shaking a manhattan without being asked to do so, as proper form for this very classic cocktail is to stir and then serve straight or on the rocks. The drink aside, we were very happy with our meal and will return if in Charleston again. I just feel like I'm insulting a bartenders intelligent if I tell them to stir a manhattan, so a bit confused on how to avoid this in the future! lol
(4)
Joshua D.

Was in Charleston for work and everytime we asked where the best seafood was we would get the tourist answer, Hyman's or Fleet Landing. But the best seafood I've had in my life was at Hank's, hands down. The calamari and oysters casino are great appetizers. And southern fried seafood was perfect all the way down to their amazing coleslaw and hush puppies. I'll definitely be eating there again I'd I'm ever back in town.
(5)
Michael M.

Amazing appetizers! Divine entrees! Impeccable service and the best bartender (April Cox) in the South! This is restaurant is a must for special occasions while in Charleston, or even just for a quick drink and a snack at the bar. Don't pass this place up.
(5)
Lindsay F.

I've never had a more enjoyable experience at a restaurant. We got there at 4:50pm on a Friday, and they told us we had to wait 10 minutes until they were open. After about 3 minutes, they were nice enough to seat us. Our server, Grant, was great and was totally on top of his game. We ordered two incredible dishes- shellfish pasta & seafood a la wando. Both tasted like the seafood had just been caught that day. I don't think I've ever had a dish that tasted more fresh. Incredible experience and worth every penny.
(5)
Tian Q.

Food: -She-crab soup, delish and easy-pleaser since I love all crabby creamy soupy things, though a tad salty -Seafood wando, the flavor was perfect and omgz delish, just wish the sauce wasn't as soupy -Southern fried seafood combo, pretty legit deal overall, comes with good fried sweet potatoes, good fried shrimps, okay hushpuppies, fake-tasting coleslaw -Banana cream pie, a surprisingly disappointment to my sweet tooth, the whole pie was too bland and basically tasted like a generic block of cream Okay service with a somewhat snooty waiter who def catered to the classy-looking old couple seated next to our right and another more mature-looking couple seated to our left. Don't hate cuz we're young and beautiful.
(3)
David M.

Very nice atmosphere -- we were lucky to get in with no reservations because this place was VERY busy and it was Monday evening. Be prepared to sit at the community table though, if you have no res. This was ok with us. We had shell fish pasta, and the tenderloin. Both very tasty.
(4)
Maria M.

We had a wonderful experience! I highly recommend making reservations. The place was packed on Tuesday night but rightfully so. Food was so fresh and absolutely delicious! I ordered #5 (broiled grouper, shrimp, scallops) and it was outstanding. My husband got shrimp & grits and it was equally good. Their sauces are good but overall they don't overload their meals with a bunch of foo-foo and just let the ingredients shine. Fresh food prepared extremely well. Service was impeccable! If you're looking for an intimate atmosphere, Hank's is not the place. Try Cypress instead. Otherwise it's perfect for couples or groups alike. Your waiters will be wearing uniforms with ties and it's white table cloth. For the love of God, people, do NOT wear shorts and T-shirts!!!
(5)
Vince A.

Had a 6:30pm reservation on a Saturday night , waited about 15 minutes to be seated , not a problem because the place was packed . Ordered the She Crab soup and ceviche - was not totally impressed with those two . Seemed like they both lack flavor . Soup was average and ceviche lacked something , maybe spice or citrus . We both had the local beer , the staff who was near the bar was very helpful . Our server was very friendly and accommodating , his name on my receipt is G. Mest. The main course , on the other hand were both awesome . My companion ordered the Roast Grouper and I had the seafood ala Wando. We shared and the two conflicting tastes were soooo good to our palette - the balsamic grouper and my creamy seafood - awesome . Would definitely recommend the place , so much better than the other place that starts with an H , a few blocks away !
(4)
Jarred P.

We had an amazing dinner at Hank's last Monday night. We made reservations for 7:30, which I highly recommend. There was a substantial wait, which surprised me for a Monday evening. we were seated with in minutes of our reservation though, so it was not an issue. The staff seemed a little overwhelmed, but we were so busy enjoying the food that it wasn't an issue. My fiancÃ©e had their cucumber mojito which she said was fantastic and would highly recommend. I went with the southern gentleman cocktail, which wasn't anything special. For an appetizer, we shared the crab cakes which might have been the best we've ever had. There were large chunks of real crab meat and the sweet corn added a terrific flavor. They were seared rather than fried which kept the flavors intact. I had the fried seafood plate #1 which seemed a little silly at a nicer restaurant, but I thought was a great choice. The shrimp and grouper were lightly breaded and were very fresh. The coleslaw was very good (light on the mayo) and the sweet potatoes were plentiful as they were tasty. My fiancÃ©e had the roast grouper and especially enjoyed the goat cheese risotto that came with it. We splurged on dessert and had the dark chocolate croissant bread pudding and the key lime pie. I would highly recommend either of these based on your dessert preferences.
(5)
Tricia M.

Just one word AMAZING!! Was in Charleston for business and I travel constantly and this is one of the best seafood places in the country! Great service, great vibe in the dinning room! Tuna Tartare app was the best and my salmon entree was mouth watering!!
(5)
Greg S.

Amazing food, great service. Make reservations no matter what night. This place is very popular for good reasons.
(5)
Matthew P.

Phenomenal customer service, phenomenal drinks, and unbelievable food. Treated me exceptional as an active duty officer and made the night one of our best evenings ever in Charleston .
(5)
Summer H.

Taste good. Roast Grouper, Shrimp and Grits, tastes awesome. The portion of seasonal salad is kind of small but taste ok. Banana pie is good too. Kind of expensive, but good to go.Make sure you have made a reservation before you go.
(4)
Mclaurin B.

Definitely one of my top favorite seafood restaurants in Charleston....which I think is a great success, considering the number of other seafood places. Always fresh and outstanding.
(4)
Rachel L.

Oh me oh my oh! Yes! Yes! And a little more yes! A little more on the pricey side but absolutely worth it!
(5)
Tammy R.

Excellent. We really enjoyed this restaurant. It was a recommendation which was very good. It was very busy because it was restaurant week. They seated us immediately. Our waiter was very kind and helpful. we opted not to do the dining menu instead we just ordered from the regular menu. Cocktails were yummy and the fried shrimp with this sweet potato chips were excellent. A definite recommendation
(5)
Juliet K.

i was excited to eat here based on the reviews but i wasnt OVERLY impressed. dont get me wrong the food was good. i ordered She Crab Soup and the seafood pasta dish. the soup was really good. i couldve had 2 bowls of that for dinner. the pasta a big underwhelming. the mussels still had a very briny taste to them, and wasnt flavored well. the shrimp and the scallops were good too, but the sauce was very lackluster. it just seemed very bland and oily. just felt like the dish needed something more. a colleague of mine that i went to Hank's with ordered the calamari and the #1 fried platter. the calamari was decent, but there was some unexpected shrimp in there. but the calamari pieces were cut fairly small and had more batter instead of focusing on the calamari itself. As for the fried platter, dont think it was really worth the money. It was just fried seafood which you could get at any mom and pop shop seafood carryout and probably pay half the money. i did notice a lot of people ordering the tuna tartar and oysters. unfortunately, or fortunately (whichever way you look at it), i'm preggo so i wasnt able to indulge in those items. Will definitely have to come back and try their raw bar when i am not with child.
(3)
Eric K.

Two words: SEAFOOD CASTLE Hank's had, without a doubt, the best fresh seafood I've had in Charleston. Some family came to visit, and I've heard great things about Hank's, so we decided to give it a go. Reservations were full. No worries, we waited for about 15 minutes until a spot at the community table opened up. About 20 people all seated at a long high-top table; It was a great atmosphere. The service was great. Our server, Ellison, knew what he was talking about and recommended some great stuff. However, all of his recommendations went out the window once I saw the Seafood Castle on the menu. Basically, it was a plethora of fresh seafood on ice. Mussels, oysters, shrimp, and lobster filled to the ceiling. Literally. To. The. Ceiling. This thing was 2 feet high. There was also a seafood tower, which was about 50% less food, same selection...The decision to order the castle was the easiest choice I've made since deciding to move to Charleston. Overall, it was a great night. My dad and I split the Castle, and fought over who had to eat the last shrimp because we were both so full. Food coma quickly followed.
(5)
Erica P.

Service left much to be desired. Food was so-so. They said they could accommodate a vegetarian when we made reservations, but a plate of rice, fried mashed potatoes, sautÃ©e mushrooms and fried sweet potatoes is not sufficient.
(1)
Jen E.

Everything we ordered was fabulous, great staff. Wonderful place, would come again and often if I lived in the area. Recommend the Seafood a la Wando and curried shrimp.
(5)
Eli P.

Dinner tonight was a true let down. Lets start with the fact that the table was of poor quality. Glasses wobbled each time you even touched the table. The round table ends sloped down and needless to say, I was nervous all night that something would spill... Which it did! My husband ended up jamming a spoon under the table to stable it. The heat was unbearable! My tuna was ok. The spinach was horrible! The fried mash was really good. The oysters were good. The grouper was tasteless and the risotto was horrible! It was like hard rice! Yuck! The swordfish was dry and tasted like chicken. The she crab soup was good but a bit gritty for me. The drinks were good and our service was good. Would never go back, too many great restaurants in the area to waste time here.
(1)
Rhoda S.

The food and service was great! Reservations a must! I had the scallops and the portion is large enough to share. Go hungry!
(5)
Bailey W.

My only complaint about Hanks would be the cocktails. While visiting Charleston, Open Table recommended Hanks. We grabbed a few drinks waiting for our table and they were a lacking in flavor (Pretty in Pink and the margarita with jalapeÃ±o simple syrup). The food however was excellent. The calamari mixed with shrimp was extremely crispy, the shrimp and grits could use a little spice but were good as well. The roasted salmon had the perfect crust on the outside. Our server, (last name Hooper) was excellent, very knowledgable and attentive without being overly present. Our second round of cocktails were much better (sangria and the mojito with Hendricks). The atmosphere was very open and classic southern. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Molly B.

My family and I went here on a busy graduation weekend for most places in downtown Charleston. We had eaten at the Ordinary the night before and we were looking for something a bit different and decided on Hanks. We have been here before and have always had great service and good food. This time, the food was AMAZING. I had the Seafood A La Wando and it was the best thing I have ever ordered there. This dish had an even array of seafood and the fried grit cake on top was cooked to perfection. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and that dish to anyone!
(5)
James L.

Think McCormick's but a little better food. The night we went was full of older monied and younger wanna-be monied groups. The food was overall pretty good but a bit over salted. There was nothing to complain about with the service other than it was a little on the stuffy side. I think if I were in town with my parents and they wanted to dress up, go to a comfortable place, and spend a lot on a seafood dinner this place would make sense.
(4)
Michael D.

Hank's Seafood Restaurant is an old-fashioned Charleston fish house that serves Southern and Lowcountry dishes. It is close to the Market area and is situated in a completely renovated turn-of-the-century warehouse. The dining area consists of one large room that contains an old-time saloon bar and a raw bar. It is very nicely decorated and furnished with booths and tables, including one large communal table for walk-ins who don't have reservations. This restaurant enjoys a fine reputation and has a strong following. It buzzes with energy appropriate for this type of eatery, which creates a most enjoyable ambiance. My wife and I stopped in for dinner. I started with the gulf oysters that were nicely presented and delectable. For our entrÃ©es my wife had the red drum and I had the roast grouper. All the food was fresh, well prepared, and delicious. Our server was competent and attentive and the cost reasonable. Hank's Seafood Restaurant is a first-rate fish house and highly recommended.
(5)
Bob Q.

We went to Hank's recently while visiting Charleston and thought it was very good. It was crowded so either make a reservation or wait around to try to eat at the bar. They also have a community table where you can squeeze in with others. The prices were reasonable and service was very good. I had a seafood dinner with fish, shrimp and oysters. Everything was cooked well and tasted great. It had a light batter without being greasy. Also had a bowl of she crab soup, one of their specialities. It was excellent! I would highly recommend this place. All around very good and conveniently located in the heart of Charleston's historic district.
(4)
Mickie M.

Was really looking forward to this much-hyped restaurant. Wish I didn't have a preconceived idea. I thought the food was nothing special, service, o.k. ambiance o.k. On to the next . . . . . .
(3)
Chris L.

I will started by saying I am not a huge seafood fan. That being said my meal here was excellent. I had the salmon with roasted potatoes and asparagus. The potatoes were probably the best I have ever eaten. The salmon was good and not overpowering. The atmosphere was nice. I was there for a business function but it was a very laid back atmosphere. I would go back again.
(5)
Sarah E.

We had the best meal and customer service Thursday night at Hank's. We had reservation for 6 at 7pm arrived around 6:30ish, they were able to sit us within a few minutes. We had a 2 1/2 year old with us, they put in a booth which was perfect in the corner. The restaurant was definitively kid friendly, the waiter asked, if we would like his meal to come out before the rest of ours. We all split two "She Crap Soups" and Crispy Calamari and Shrimp. The She Crab Soup was to die for best I have ever had. I got the swordfish which was absolutely amazing, the sauce was full of taste. Two others for the Grouper one liked it but wish she got the swordfish instead, the other loved it. Then two others got the broiled seafood platter. It truly was the best meal, I've had in a long time and can't wait to go back there again.
(5)
sharon c.

We had a great dinner at Hanks. The place was very busy but we were waited on efficiently. Reservations are a must. The shrimp and grits is to die for and the grouper was excellent.
(5)
Lisa M.

Food was outstanding. Fried or gourmet..something for everyone. Service was excellent and ver quick. Casual or dressy..a very mixed crowd.
(5)
Derek F.

Nice selection of seafood and fish on the menu, though prices are a bit high and food is a bit salty. Try the seared tuna. No written kids menu, but several good choices for kids offered by the waiter.
(3)
Shante P.

DELICIOUS! Hanks has a neat and classic appearance. The food was very good and our waiter was attentive. This is THE restaurant to go to if you're downtown and looking for excellent seafood. The shrimp and grits was superb. My co-worker had buttermilk fried chicken and she loved it. I highly suggest making a reservation. We arrived at 6pm on a Saturday and were seated immediately, but it became crowded shortly after. There is a community table and bar which is first come first serve. Hanks most certainly met the expectations set by fellow yelpers!
(5)
Michael C.

I honestly did not feel anything notable about my experience at Hank's. ..with that said there was nothing bad to say either. I was a little disappointed with my meal, not because it wasnt good, but because it fell short of what I was expecting. The dish I had was seafood a la wando. I did not taste the saffron and the grit cake was bland. Although it was tasty overall the description definitely sounds better than it tastes. I would go back to try a different dish, but as of now hank's is just another high priced restaurant amidst many others in the Charleton area.
(3)
Paige B.

3rd time eating here. The ambiance is so comfortable, warm, yet elegant. The food does Charleston such justice!
(5)
J M.

Delicious every time we go. Get the crab cakes as an entree portion. Or the bouillabaisse, paired with a glass of their Rose from Provence. Side of collards too, of course. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Sydney V.

I made reservations for my girlfriends and I for an 8:15 dinner. We arrived on time and were told that they were running behind schedule. We had to wait 25 minutes to be seated. Since it was so late, we opted to just have she crab soup and salads when we were seated. The she crab soup was very rich, thick and very good! The spinach salad (decent sized) consisted of a whole lot of spinach, 4 grape tomates cut in half, 3 inch long bits of bacon and some crumbles of goat cheese. I can't even remember what the dressing was but it didn't have much flavor. My girlfriends ordered the salad special of the evening, topped with fried shrimp and avocado. They received a cereal bowl sized salad with about 10 leaves of arugula, 4 fried shrimp and 3 slices of avocado. I'd have been disappointed to have paid $16 for that. I'd be willing to go back and try a dish if I could get earlier reservations.
(4)
Stan M.

Had reservations (secured with a credit card ). Arrived early and got seated 25 minutes late. Watched as they bumped two parties in front of us and then they seated the seven of us at a small table for 5 next to the door. Hanks has Never been like this before. they need a new set of hostesses for Saturday nights. But I won't be back.
(1)
Danielle L.

While visiting Charleston, my boyfriend and I were informed that the locals top rated and favorite seafood restaurant was Hanks. Happily, we planned to try it out and made reservations. We showed up a few minutes early and sat at the bar for a couple of cocktails. The bar tenders were as kind as can be and very attentively well. We were loving the clean, warm and inviting environment and enjoying the well made drinks. Shortly after we were seated at our table and greeted by a very friendly waiter. The entire meal he was patient, informative, professional, and kind. The food was absolutely wonderful. We ordered the Grouper and Salmon dishes for dinner, oyster soup to share for a starter. Everything was prepared with excellence. You can taste the freshness and standard of excellence performed by the chef and staff in these dishes. We of course had dessert as well, which was also wonderful. We recommend Hanks to anyone wanting a quality dining experience and fresh seafood. We will come back again when we visit next time.
(5)
Julia W.

Great service- all waiters are very knowledgeable and know everything about the restaurant and town!! FOR ALL MASHED POTATO CONNOISSEURS: the deep fried mashed potatoes is a MUST! Love this place and will always come back!
(5)
Joey J.

Hank's is clearly at the top of the list for seafood in Charleston. We have visited several times and have found their service and quality flawless. They cook their seafood to the perfect temperature and texture with a great balance of spice and flavor. We will surely visit there often!
(5)
Martin L.

I'm staying next door at the Doubletree. Hanks offers room service which I used. The meal that was delivered was disappointing. the Southern Fried seafood plate #4 was not as advertised and scallops, which it don't like, were substituted for the crab cakes, which in was looking forward to. I wasn't asked about the substitution. All the food was cold, the potatoes leathery and inedible and the seafood sitting in liquid so it was not only cold but soggy as well. The coleslaw, bread, tartar and cocktail assumes were ok.
(1)
Laura H.

Fair to partly cloudy. If you like corporate style dining without much adventure, this is the place for you. Although everything was well prepared, it was nothing special and I would head to one of the many better establishments in Charleston, especially at the price. Also, it is cavernous and overall boring.
(3)
Jennifer K.

Lovely decor. Waitstaff was attentive, but not overly personable in the sense of southern charm. We booked reservation through open table and were immediately seated upon arrival. Raw oysters were fantastic as were the greens. The cevice was fresh and delish but on par with most other cevice I've had. The pecan pie was fantastic. Shrimp and grits were okay and by themselves would only be worth 3 stars at best. The shrimp still had the tails on. No one wants to have fingers covered in sauce at the start of the meal in a white tablecloth restaurant-- Sauce that tasted eerily familiar to the chef boyardee we ate as kids. Overall, a nice restaurant, but not a repeat for us and not worth the price.
(3)
Papa G.

A clean and elegant gourmet restaurant to dine out with family or friends. We found this place while searching for restaurants to eat at and Hanks stood out amongst the others. To start, we ordered the crispy calamari and shrimp, lump crabcakes, steamed mussels, and the salad special, which came topped with fried oysters. Our favorite were the crabcakes, they were crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The only criticism that I have was the lack of crab in the cakes. The salad was very tasty and the fried oysters were to die for. The steamed mussels were nothing special, but the broth that it came prepared in was delicious. Great for dipping or soaking your bread into. The calamari and shrimp were the only real disappointment. The dish was dominantly shrimp and the calamari was too fluffy for my taste. I have had better elsewhere. For our main course we ordered the roust grouper, curried shrimp, and the broiled seafood platter. The grouper was exceptional. It complimented the lobster risotto perfectly. The curried shrimp was prepared nicely and the curry sauce was very savory. The seafood platter had a generous array of shellfish, which is great for anyone that is looking to try a little bit of everything. To finish off our meal we got the pecan pie and the chocolate bread pudding. Both were elegantly presented and had rich flavor. If you are looking for a gourmet, handcrafted meal, Hanks is the place for you.
(4)
Tom D.

Disappointing. Do yourself a favor. This place is not up to par and over-rated. The fish was ok and the scallops tasted like ammonia.
(1)
Bryan M.

Amazing dinner! Glass of house chardonnay, house salad, and curried shrimp with white rice for supper. Great meal and had excellent company as well. For dessert I ordered the key lime pie; a little tart for my taste but it was a delicious, creamy treat.
(5)
Varun S.

great if you're stuffy & conservative
(3)
DeAnne M.

A serious surgery at MUSC brought me and my family to Charleston, SC last Monday, September 9th. Based upon a high recommendation from the Marriott Concierge, we decided to dine at Hanks Seafood Restaurant located on Hayne Street. After the waiter took our beverage order, the hostess came by with an armful of menus leading a large party to their table. She stopped abruptly and told my elderly father to remove his hat. She was both condescending and rude. My father was wearing a Fedora. This woman could have handled this situation differently, but instead chose create an embarrassing moment for my family. There was NO clear dress code as other patron's were wearing blue jeans, flip flops, and you guessed it BALL CAPS. As a matter of fact, the lady sitting at the next table was wearing a cheaply woven straw hat reminiscent of a character from the old Hee Haw television program broadcast in the 70's. My father removed his hat, and we quietly left the restaurant. I will never go back to Hank's.
(1)
Gary C.

I had grilled grouper with Champagne Citrus Beurre Blanc sauce and my mate had swordfish special with a truffle sauce. Both were fantastic, especially the sauces. We agreed the Pecan pie was the best we've ever had. Service was top notch.
(5)
Jaya Nell W.

Great shrimp and grits, loved the experience. Will definitely be back again. Highly recommend Hank's!
(5)
SweetPea C.

Horrible, Horrible, Horrible. I went here on my honeymoon and had a horrible dinner. It is sad that this place is so busy and you can only get in with reservations. Flashy tourist trap with lousy food and horrible service. The waiter never brought our drink orders and disappeared during our meal. The food was not good. Overpriced as well. Ugh, never again.
(1)
Katherine W.

I have lived in Charleston for a long time, and finally had the pleasure of having dinner at Hanks. I ordered the lobster, and was so pleased. The greens are some of the best I have ever had any where. It was very busy that day however, I opted to sit at the bar. The bar tender was very accommodating, and pleasant. I enjoyed it very much, and would go back. I found that the place was smaller than I thought it would be, so make sure you make a reservation. If going with a large group the community tables are great. If you want a small table for two make sure you plane ahead. During tourist season you can get away with casual dress, but if going on a nice dinner date dress up a bit.
(5)
Nicholas J.

To begin with, this is not a place you go to for piles for fried seafood. Think of Hank's more of an anniversary/engagement dinner location. They are a little pricey, but considering the portions, quality, and service, they are one of the best values for higher-end restaurants in Charleston. Their service is impeccable and the ambiance is quite nice being in an old disco club/warehouse I highly recommend the shrimp and grits or the grilled swordfish. If you have to splurge at one place in Downtown Charleston and want an awesome dining experience, go to Hank's. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Brooke S.

Liked, didn't love. Perhaps my expectations had been set a bit high, as a few people told me this was THE place to go for dinner. Don't get me wrong, I did really like my meal - shrimp and grits - but I also tried one of the specials as an appetizer which was also shrimp and grit-like (I can't remember exactly what it was at the moment), so although good, it was pretty much like I ordered two of the same thing. I wish the server had clued me in that I was making that mistake, but my fault. The restaurant was nice, so I would try it again.
(4)
Christina H.

what we ate- seafood tower, she crab bisque, shrimp and grits came here for my boyfriends birthday dinner. food in charleston is delicious in general and this was no exception. the place was packed so you definitely need to make a reservation even later at night. it is also pricey but totally worth it. the wait staff is very well trained, informative, and helpful. we did chuckle at throwing our guy a loop by asking for coffee at the start of the meal (it had been a long day of drinking beforehand). the food was delicious. we really enjoyed the raw bar seafood platter, it had a huge assortment of oysters, mussels, shrimp, lobster, crab, etc. yum!! everything else was also delicious. when you are in charleston she crab soup in a must. and the shrimp and grits were a tasty variation with a tomato based sauce.
(5)
G G.

Another stop on my restaurant tour of Charleston. I had the Seafood A La Wanda. It comes with a plethora of seafood selections in a light creamy sauce that is delicious. Especially the scallops. The atmosphere is casual yet classy. Prices are high for fairly small portions. That is why it's a 4 star. I've had similar excellent seafood experiences at lower prices. Not a bad experience by any means and I would go back but only to try something different and see if it gives a "wow" experience.
(4)
Julie M.

Lovely all the way around. We didn't have reservations, so sat at the community table. The service was impeccable--our server pretty much chose my meal on my request. I enjoyed the tuna tartare as an appetizer. After tasting many fabulous dishes around the table, I was sure I ordered best with the scallops. I would love to go back and try more of the menu!
(5)
Mrs. T.

A hoppin' joint...and for good reason. Impeccable service. Best crab cake I ever had. Many fabulous seafood entrees and appetizers from which to choose. Nice cocktail menu. My mojito was delicious. Highly recomended. Make a reservation because nobody likes to stand in the foyer and wait for people to leave.
(4)
Jeannette C.

We booked a reservation (DO THIS) for Hank's on the first night of our honeymoon in Charleston - we wanted to enjoy seafood right away. We started with the Oyster Casino. I ordered the seafood a la wando and my husband ordered the bouillabaisse. I loved my dish, he was feeling okay about his. Mine was rich and filling, so he was happy to eat off of mine. I ordered one of their "specialty cocktails" as they seemed to be popular and I was not impressed... I do wish that I went with a simple glass of wine instead. I would have done four stars if the service was better. Our server (I wish I remembered his name) seemed rude, condescending and exhausted of us. It was like he thought we were a waste of time. It really ruined the meal for us, to be honest. When anyone who we met the rest of the trip asked what our favorite meal had been so far, I would have said Hank's due to my seafood a la wando, but had to pick something else. It was a bummer, as this was our first choice and we were so excited to go there on our first day in town.
(3)
K B.

Absolutely one of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston. A little noisy but everything is so delicious!
(5)
Lynn C.

As good as it gets. A colleague recommended that if i like seafood, then i should check out Hank's. I'm so glad I did. I got in the place pretty late, about 930 on a Wednesday night. The place was still booming with chattering and laughter, despite this place is decked out like a high-end steak and seafood house with dark wood everywhere. It's definitely a good sign though, as when the patrons are this happy, the food can't be bad. The hostess asked me if i wanted a table or the bar and i opted for the bar, and im glad i did. The bartender who took my orders was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. I had a white SANGRIA which had fresh bits of strawberries in it. Delicious. I had wanted the she-crab soup, but because i was ordering the grouper, as recommended by the bartender, i wasn't sure if i could finish bisque, so he offered to give me a tiny cup for taste. The she-crab soup is PHENOMENAL and i almost wanted to order the full thing, despite knowing there was no way i can finish it. I guess it was good that i stopped myself because my ROASTED GROUPER with LOBSTER RISOTTO was really good and even though i was really full after 2/3rd of the way through, i ate it all anyway. The grouper was nothing special, but the risotto with the english pea and the lobster jus, and bits of lobster in it was full of the taste of the fresh lobster. It made me want to eat that risotto in bowls after bowls. Service was also phenomenal. Honestly, I wanted to eat everything on the menu and I can't wait to come back and try everything. I'd go back to Charleston just for Hank's.
(5)
Kevin B.

Hank's was recommended to us by locals who raved about it, so naturally I really wanted to love this place. White table cloths, low lighting and beautiful ambiance couldn't save this place from mediocrity. I started with the she crab soup which had a wonderful kick from the wine. For the main course, I had the roasted grouper with lobster and green pea risotto, the others at my table had the Seafood a la Wando (which they barely finished) and the fried chicken, which for the price, was not worth it for her. I lucked out with my dish. The grouper was well seasoned, perfectly cooked, and served on a bed of tender risotto with small bits of lobster and peas. My dish was good, slightly above average, but that just doesn't cut it for me, especially in Charleston. For the price there are a handful of other restaurants I'd rather go to, like Magnolia's or S.N.O.B That being said, you won't necessarily be disappointed, but you definitely won't write home about it!
(3)
Susan B.

Hank's may be the most expensive restaurant in Charleston but there is a reason for that. Our servers were top notch (we went twice in one week), our food was excellent, and as advertised, the air conditioning certainly works well!
(5)
Jenny S.

Delicious and lovely inside! I ordered The Castle (a 2 tiered cold seafood appetizer, about $75) for my parents birthday dinner. I was going to order 2, but one was enough for 5 adults. However, there is an off menu item called The Taj Mahal (3 tiers) which would have been perfect and made my Dad's jaw drop. We only learned about it after the fact. I feel the reservationist should have told me about this when I called ahead and pre-ordered The Castle (it doesn't require a preorder, but I am a nerd). The decor is lovely, don't be fooled by the outside!
(4)
R L.

Had a very memorable meal here on a recent weekend in Charleston. Service was top notch and our waiter was completely knowledgable about the menu as we had questions due to a food restriction. The restaurant is absolutely lovely and was not at all dated as per another Yelp review. It was very classy with dark woods, white tablecloths and a nautical theme. We had a reservation, and waited only a few minutes for the table to be ready. Everything was super delicious. Recommend the shrimp and grits and the Roasted Grouper. Hubby had the scallops (but wasn't thrilled with the touch of ginger, but it was listed on the menu description). Desserts were spectacular! I highly recommend this and will definitely visit again next time I'm in Charleston.
(5)
Joe S.

We went on the recommendation of a local on a Wednesday evening in the summer. We had an 8:45 reservation and were seated promptly. The seating is one big open room and seemed very loud as you stood by the hostess station but we were seated in a booth along the wall and other than an occasional shout from nearby tables it was quiet and we could easily converse. The waiter was very attentive and let us order and eat at our pace. Being the only non-fish eater in my family I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken, 2 boneless breasts mashed potatoes and coleslaw. Delicious. My wife and daughter had the roast grouper over lobster risotto which when I tell you my wife nearly licked the plate clean I am not exaggerating. My other daughter had the Seafood Wando and said it was very good. My 15 year old son devoured a plate of seafood pasta and in his words "the seafood to pasta ratio was good" aka enough seafood. Portions were good just not the typical oversized portions you find in many restaurants.
(4)
Chris A.

Very disappointed in our short visit at Hank's. After all the hoopla we expected much better. It started: Hostess sitting us...I requested a booth as I saw other couples in them. Her response was she couldn't because it was being reserved for a LARGER party. What a surprise when another couple sat down within 20 minutes. Waiter delivered water. Before I could request lemon, he was gone Husband ordered soup. Too salty for his taste. Told waiter. No response, expect to take bowl away. Tables very close, can hear most conversations - whether you want to or not. Energy is frenetic and not a calm dinner experience. Had a much, much dinners at Magnolia's and 82Queen.
(2)
willow b.

The restaurant seems to have an identity crisis: are they a family friendly down to earth mediocre seafood place or an upscale $$$ restaurant? The quality of the food suggests the former, the appearances/ambiance/price suggest the latter. When you pay $20+ per dish, you expect to be wowed by either the quality of the ingredients or the talent of the chef, hopefully both. We had a few of the appetizers and stuff from the raw bar:1) oyster sampler: as someone who loves all kinds of oysters, let me just say that please someone make sure to shuck them properly and wash them beforehand. Nobody wants muddy, sandy oysters with bits of shells mixed in. Also, it's unclear where the oysters are from; some of them were truly terrible (or perhaps good but hard to tell chewing on sand and shell). 2) ceviche: ok but one can tell that it's left over or old fish used in this dish. Besides, how hard is it to make a ceviche? 3) crab cakes: they were way too sweet and wet. They had sweet corn in them which made the whole thing more like a beignet (fried dough dipped in sugar) 4) clams in white wine: they were so overcooked that they tasted like nothing and they were chewier than rubber. So bad that we sent it back (they volunteered to take it off of the check. Yes, if I don't eat something you take it off of the check). With a few glasses of wine between 2 people, the total comes to around $150. Really? Also, what's up with the cold margarine-like butter and the salt and pepper on the table? A restaurant that charges $20+ does not have salt and pepper on the table. Solve your identity crisis and live up to your reputation- or else the new chefs in charleston will eat you alive! Peeps: please save your money and go somewhere else, or if you do go, don't expect anything good - appearances are very deceiving. Even though this place has been around for a while and won several awards on the quality of their seafood, I think that they are just relying on their reputation at this point and don't do quality control on their dishes.
(2)
B R.

Don't believe what others have written about staying away. I'm a tourist and yes Hank's is a bit touristy and a bit pricey but i loved the experience. My wife's swordfish was outstanding. My Shrimp and grits was tasty and the Thai Chili Margarita is INCREDIBLE. Whitney at the bar was the perfect barkeep. The only minor complaint I would have is that the shrimp cocktail were not cold enough. Worth a stop in but know what you are in for. Most "recommended" seafood places I found in Charleston were pricey. Dinner with two drinks and an app ran about 130ish before tip.
(4)
Daniel P.

We chose this for my Grandfather's 95th b-day, and the staff were top notch. They gave us great service, and the food was outstanding. After a poor restaurant experience our second night in town, we went back to Hank's for our final night. They didn't disappoint!
(5)
Jen F.

Wow, this place is amazing. Enjoyed ceviche as an appetizer. Rare seared tuna and beef tenderloin were both delicious. Will definitely come back here when we visit again. Highly recommend, food outstanding and service was great!
(5)
Christina P.

We came for dinner on a Saturday night and were seated right away without a reservation (full disclosure: we eat early. It was probably around 6PM). I really liked the decor which reminded me a lot of a steak house: it was the linen tablecloths and wood paneling. I like steakhouse ambiance so do with that what you will. I got the special which was trigger fish with scallops served on a bed of steamed kale with fried mashed potatoes. About the fried mashed potatoes, let me just say O.M.G. I would best describe it as tater tot on the outside, creamy mashed potatoes on the inside. Fan-frickin-tabulous! The Sauvignon Blanc was divine and for dessert I had the banana cream pie. I will dream about it: banana cream on a chocolate crust. I would definitely go again
(5)
Ellen W.

Make sure you get the seafood tower. I had the Swordfish which was unbelievable. Our table also haste scallops which melted in my mouth. The other 2 got the fried seafood platter and that was great as well.
(5)
Dan O.

I used to love going to Hank's. I haven't been in a long time and I'm not really sure why. During college I worked in the hotel industry and would always tell people Hank's was one of the best seafood places in town. The food is great - they are known for their she crab soup so you have to try that - the ambiance is lively if not a little loud, and all in all it's a guaranteed great seafood dinner in Charleston.
(4)
Jessica P.

Hanks was pretty average, there are better and more unique places in Charleston. It's quite pricey and I wasn't overly impressed with anything we got.
(3)
Laura H.

I would say Hank's was one of my 2 favorite restaurants to dine while in Charleston. We had a super friendly, down to earth waiter, Brandon. He had great suggestions for our meal. For appetizers, we shared the SHE CRAB soup and the crab cakes. Excellent! I then had the HUGE pan seared scallops and the fried mashed potatoes. In Texas, we do everything fried, but I don't recall having FRIED mashed potatoes...at least not like this! My husband had the tuna with an awesome olive tapenade and goat cheese. Unfortunately, we'd stuffed our faces at Jestine's (see my review on that) earlier that day so we did not make room for dessert. I was actually still too full to really eat at Hank's, but I forced it down - it was too good not to! :)
(5)
Susie G.

Although I realize that we live in a city with a never ending supply of great, not just good, but great restaurants every once and awhile one of them surprises me and reminds me of just what makes up a great dining experience. Hank's did just that the other night. Designed to look like a Charleston Fish House of the 1940's Hank's Seafood Restaurant is as charming as it gets. We have not been to Hank's in about eight years when we first started to visit Charleston. I remember that we liked it, but that was about it. After reading an article in Southern Living Magazine that featured Hank's it made me want to return. The photos of their food were so inviting. We arrived for our 6:45 reservation and were very thankful that we had called ahead. The place was PACKED with a line out the door. We were quickly escorted to our table and had a few minutes to people watch as we waited for our server to arrive. Our server was knowledgeable and helpful as he walked us through the menu and told us of the evening's specials. Although not a particularly large restaurant it has a great energy and feel to it. It's not a quiet restaurant by any stretch of the word, but that was something that quite frankly, I liked about it. Our appetizers were out in no time and they were great. We were having dinner with a couple that likes to sample many things so this course was for us, almost like a tapas meal, which was a treat. The Belgian Endive Salad with Blue Cheese, Arugula and Beets was absolutely beautiful and it tasted great. I personally love beets, but they are not a household favorite, so it's nice to have them when I can. The Crispy Rock Shrimp and Calamari with Spicy Tomato Remoulade Sauce were cooked perfectly. Lightly battered, crispy as described and oh, so tender. The "spicy" sauce was not-so-spicy but we liked it nonetheless. The Oyster Sampler with local and oysters from North Carolina and Washington State was a nice surprise. I like oysters, but don't love them. These however were delicious. Small, sweet and tender. It was at this point that I was very hopeful that dinner would be great. The White Bean Soup of the Day was really something. Filled with veggies in a light broth and very tasty. Boy, had we picked a winner for a restaurant this evening. Dinner arrived and it was spectacular. I had the evening's dinner special which was monk fish served in a light broth with a variety of beans, mussels and shrimp. The fish was perfectly cooked and the broth and its' accompaniments were just delightful. As I think of the dish it alone makes me want to go back to the restaurant... My husband had the Curried Shrimp. I don't care for curry that much so it rarely makes an appearance in our kitchen. He loved this dish! It was a coconut/curry sauce with bananas, mango, leeks, and sweet onion served over delicate white rice. The tails had been removed from the shrimp making it less work to enjoy. Despite my aversion to curry, I did give this dish a try and really liked it. It had a nice balance of spices and a hint of curry. Maybe I should rethink curry after all... The Roast Grouper dish was not available (out of season) and had been replaced with triggerfish served over Pea and Lobster Risotto with a Shrimp Basil Butter Jus. As much as I liked my entrÃ©e I had entrÃ©e envy. This dish was to die for. The fish was cooked perfectly and the risotto was a masterpiece. Simply perfect. I did not taste the Pan Seared Sea Scallops but they were a hit with the rest of the table. Served with Shitake Mushrooms, Seasonal Greens, Fried Mashed Potatoes (maybe I should have had those...), and a Ginger Lime Coriander Vinaigrette everyone thought that they were terrific. Large, plump scallops that were impeccably cooked dotted the plate. Everyone raved about them. I really can't find one thing that I didn't like about Hank's. The service, atmosphere and menu items were simply stellar. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Andreas K.

I don't really love seafood, but I love this place. cons: -They don't really have a plain old fashion salad. -It can be busy and can attract a certain..."douche" crowded, but that is the minority. However as we all know one table can ruin it for the whole restaurant. This is true anywhere though. Pros: The swordfish. Best I have ever had anywhere. I love the booths. I like the atmosphere. I love the swordfish. I have had other things, everything I have tried is amazing. The chef should be proud. I love this place. Swordfish.
(5)
David S.

Shellfish appetizer followed by the seared scallops.....nirvana! We popped in without a reservation and were told it was a 3 hr wait. A spot at the end of the bar was available and, quite frankly it was quite cozy being at the end of the bar. Whitney took great care of us from behind the bar. She deserves a 5 star rating for a mature level of professionalism beyond her years. Someone might say it was a bit pricey, but when I consider my level of satisfaction, it was a great deal.
(5)
Charles E.

3 years ago I made a pilgrimage to Hank's and had the best meal of my life! Now I make a point to stop by Hanks yearly (corresponding with the Cooper River Bridge Run) to sample their wares. The seafood here is remarkable. The swordfish is perfectly tender while their take on Shrimp and Grits was super tasty (the secret is a s-ton of butter). I'm not usually a big fan of Okra but even that was the bomb at this place. The "Bread Pudding" dessert may as well be a "Brownie" . It was baked to perfection and uber chocolatey whilst being creamy. I tend to get bread pudding at many restaurants I visit and this version definitely takes the cake (pun semi-intended) The waitstaff were super attentive in clearing our plates and refilling our water. The waiter was on the spot on any questions we had through the evening. I can't wait to make our reservations for next year!
(5)
Chari M.

Some of the most amazing seafood I've ever eaten ! Pricey yes!!! Worth every penny!!! Absolutely !!!!! Ditch Hymans!!! Hanks seafood Rocks!
(5)
Nina V.

We were looking for a place for a nice evening out to enjoy som delicious seafood and definitely found it at Hank's! Not only was the service great, but the food was absolutely amazing and full of flavour. We had the crispiest calamaris for starters. Being pregnant I have grown tired of drinking softdrinks or water with my meals, so I asked the waitress if they could make me someting different. The bartender made the most delicious non alcoholic cocktail that went great with the food.
(5)
Meghan E.

Service, food and atmosphere were perfect. Fresh and perfectly cooked seafood. A must visit.
(5)
Charles Y.

Would not go back....ever! Lobster was over cooked and soggy and the broiled seafood platter was over cooked and dry! The waiter obviously wanted to turn the table....he brought me the check while we were still eating dessert!
(1)
Andie C.

Our she crab soup was bland. My brother wasn't overly excited about his seafood. It didn't seem to live up to the expectation. Not many options for kids. Service was great, but food was mediocre.
(2)
Dennis M.

This is my 4th visit and I believe it's the best seafood restaurant in the southeast!
(5)
Robert P.

At first i thought this would be a tourist trap. I mean Under armor is not dressing up. But was pleasantly surprised. The food isn't cheap but the quality is good. The she crab bisque is very good. I wanted to stay away from fried food so I got the rare ahi tuna which was prepared perfectly and delicious. The sampler is plentiful as well. Topping off the night, I met Ted Turner, what a guy!
(4)
Cheryl D.

The she crab soup is amazing. I came with my sister and I had the a la wonda, which was fantastic and she had the salmon entree that she loved too. The service was also great and I will be coming back soon!!
(5)
Gene C.

I found Hank's to be good, not great. It was my first time so I may need to give it another try. The service was very good. Our wait staff was helpful and accommodating. I ordered from the fix price menu as a part of restaurant week. The soup was ok, the swordfish and accompaniments were bland and the cheese cake was average. Disappointed.
(3)
Carlos D.

1st time at Hanks. My experience was okay. Had the she crab as app. Found it bland and lacking interest. Crab was barely there. For dinner had the shrimp and grits. The first few bites was good but there after I found it a bit sour in taste. Couldn't finish it. My palate could be off but will not venture there again.
(3)
Kayleen L.

We found Hank's on Yelp, then asked the concierge at the hotel and they gave us the same recommendation. Wow, fantastic. We had the Tower seafood platter to start which was ample for five or six people. The seafood was fresh and plentiful. Then we enjoyed the She Crab soup. It was delicious and very rich with a generous portion of crab. Their bread was also great tasting and good for sopping up the soup left in the bowl. Everyone's main course was perfectly prepared and the serving sizes were sufficient. Add some wine and dessert and you will leave very full and satisfied.
(5)
Joe K.

You've never been? Are you seriously off your rocker? This place reminds me of a famous seafood house in New York or New Orleans. I sampled everything. Fall Out of your chair perfection. Ever seen a triple tower of seafood? You will now. Even if you want the low country shrimp and grits.. I would say you can buy their cookbook which you can. The reality is it is all in the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Good luck finding seafood caught earlier that day at your local grocery. As a matter of fact, if your seafood smells fishy, it is probably no good. Great seafood should not smell up a grocery. What ever you order you'll be begging for more. The service is five star and believe me they will ensure you walk out fat and happy.
(5)
David G.

Hank's offers tasty seafood and a great atmosphere. A lot of tourists do frequent this restaurant because of its location -- but what's wrong with tourists? I highly recommend this restaurant for seafood lovers.
(5)
Debie W.

Reviews of restaurants in Charleston are interesting. For restaurants with overall good reviews, there are also always a handful of horror stories. To me this means there is inconsistency in quality and service. I would say this was pretty much our experience of Charleston restaurants. Overall we found that restaurants matched their rating, but we also hit a couple where it seemed like we went to a different place than the one others had reviewed. Hank's was one of the cases where we had an experience that matched the overall positive ratings. Our food was very good. I had the mahi mahi special that was delicious and the chocolate bread pudding was to die for. We got there early, 6:00, so the place hadn't filled up yet and we had one of the booths so maybe our experience would have been different if we were at one of the tables, but we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)
Stephen W.

Hanks is the best seafood we have ever had. This is a big deal, living in Charleston, SC. Don't waste your time ordering fried seafood here, as you can get that anywhere. Go for something a little more exotic. Make sure you make reservations, wait times can be pretty long.
(5)
Heidi V.

Not the best service at the bar. On our last night in Charleston we decided to go out for a great seafood dinner, and ended up leaving Hank's to go elsewhere due to the service. My boyfriend and I wanted to order appetizers at the bar due to the long wait and could not get the bartender's attention. We split a beer because they did not come back to take my order, and after a few tries on appetizers, we decided if we were going to spend a decent amount on dinner we wanted to do it somewhere with better service.
(2)
Steve M.

Excellent traditional low country dining experience! Traditional atmosphere with an excellent bar. Many locals consider it their favorite Charleston restaurant.
(4)
Zig Z.

We chose Hank's based on Yelp reviews for our first dinner after arrival in Charleston from Philly. The hostess accommodated our unreserved arrival kindly and found us a table on a Saturday night in 20 minutes or so. Damon, our server, is the best waiter I have encountered in years: the perfect combination of brilliant familiarity with every dish, attentive service, timely ordering and anticipated our every need. Another reviewer's description of the buttermilk fried chicken over collard greens spoke to me, and I was astonished at how moist and savory it was (Damon clued us in on one secret: the skinless, boneless tender chicken is marinated overnight in buttermilk brine!). There cannot possibly be a better preparation of collard greens on the planet: I finally "get" collards! My wife's dish was likewise beautifully prepared. Despite knowing there are many worthy choices for eating here we made reservations to come back tomorrow to try the Grouper, which was the hostess' favorite dish here, and will give the enticing desserts a try if we have room: the portions are generous and satisfying. The wine and beer list has great breadth, wines range from $34 to $150 so there is something for everyone, nice selection of microbrew bottles alongside an expansive selection of American favorites, reasonably priced. Do not miss this restaurant!
(5)
Scott W.

Grouper over cooked. I tried to stomach through it because I really do love this place. I did not want to complain. I did mention to the server that it was extremely overcooked, and he just said sorry. No manager visit, nothing. I was not trying to get a free meal, just possibly a new piece of fish. Oh well. Unfortunate, because this place is where I tell everyone to go in Charleston. The service and food quality have definitely gone down over the past couple of years. I will try this place again, because this has been my favorite restaurant in town for years. Please guys, step it up.
(2)
James E.

Great seafood restaurant in charleston! We had tuna tartare that was very fresh, melt-in-your mouth quality, and nicely seasoned, and bouillabaisse that also had good quality fish/shellfish in a delicious broth. Atmosphere is busy and rather loud in a charming historic building. There's a farm table in the bar area that offers open seating if you don't have reservations. It's actually a fun way to dine with, and meet others not in your group.
(5)
Kellie B.

My daughter and I ordered the shrimp and grits after reading everyone's reviews. It was just okay. I didn't realize that it was the sauce was tomato based. I know it mentioned tomato, but I thought it was going to be chopped fresh tomatoes. The 6 medium-sized shrimps with about a cup of grits and chopped andouille sausage were paired with a moat of tomato sauce. My sauce was lukewarm. Maybe because it had to wait while my family's bouillabaisse was being prepared. Price was $23 and included bread. I would probably order bouillabaisse next time for $30. It was chock-ful of seafood in broth.
(3)
Ay K.

Great atmosphere. Had their salmon; moist yet well done.
(4)
Nicci M.

Visited this location last week on a suggestion from the desk at our hotel. We were seated immediately, because the place was deserted, though people did trickle in slowly after us, filling up about seven tables. We asked our waiter for his thoughts on the menu, asking between a few items. Instead of talking flavors, personal preference, popularity, or preparation, he instead discussed ingredients only. Thanks, that's on the menu. We asked again, specifically for his recommendation, and all he had to say was that the shrimp and grits is popular, which leads me to wonder if the man's even familiar with the menu. Or maybe he just doesn't like it. (Which seemed weird, particularly given some of the glowing reviews here on Yelp.) I ended up with the shrimp & grits, and my dining companion ordered the boulliabaisse. The first problem was when our food came out--my shrimp & grits were smothered in scallions, which aren't mentioned on the menu. I'm not an onion person. All the same, I dug around to the one portion of grits that wasn't touched, and tried that. Bland and heavily creamy. I didn't even taste any seasoning. The tomato based broth tasted of nothing but scallion, which was a problem. I was ready to pick them out and forge ahead, given reviews, but it just wasn't worth it. My companion's food was on the edge of cool. She seemed to enjoy it. I sampled hers, and can only come to the conclusion that the "flavor" from this kitchen relies almost entirely on the onion family. I ordered the ala carte shrimp and some mashed potatoes. By that point, I was just tired from the trip down, and wanted some good seafood to send me out into an evening or exploring the city. The Jumbo Grilled Shrimp ala carte is $23. You are presented with 5. They're more on the medium size of the scale. (I'm a shrimp lover from way back, and have had them everywhere from Cairo, Egypt to St. Petersburg, Florida.) Let me say that $23 buys you some beautifully grilled shrimp. The buerre blanc? Forgettable. The potatoes? Dense and bland. (Seriously, I've had better potatoes at Cracker Barrel.) $27 dollars worth of disappointment, despite that lovely grill on the shrimp. Just saying that out loud almost gives me heart palpitations. Those were the best shrimp I had in Charleston, by the way, though that isn't saying much. I think we just chose the wrong restaurants for this. Unless $27 is pocket change to you, and you can't grill your own shrimp, skip this place. In fact, drive down to Florida. There are dockside dives with better shrimp fare, and for that price you can walk away with free flip flops and souvenir mug. You know, because that's all we Ohio types are into. The sparkles and the frills. We don't really taste the food... right?
(1)
Jet L.

Loved this place. Amazing seafood and service.
(5)
Adam L.

My wife and I had an absolutely wonderful experience here. I started with the She Crab Soup - delicious - high recommend it. My wife started out with house salad, simple greens with light dressing - she loved it. Then came the mains - I ordered the Roasted Grouper with Green Pea/Lobster Risotto & Shrimp butter basil jus. Glorious. My wife ordered Scallops with fried mashed potatoes - excellent. The building is trendy and comfortable, the staff very friendly and attentive. We enjoyed our meal and will definitely return when we visit Charleston. The only negative is the menu posted on Yelp show prices slightly lower than the actual menu prices. The mains range from $20-35 each, but well worth the price. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Brian S.

Oh my God, it was terrific. Just got home. Took my wife and two kids there for my wife's birthday. Service was outstanding. I will disagree with anyone who said they are slow. The place was packed and the ENTIRE staff was all over the place. Totally on top of it. The food was exceptional. We have visited many restaurants in our excursions to Charleston and this ranks right up there. Started with shellfish cocktail and the calamari/shrimp appetizers for the table. Both with the spicy tomato remoulade sauce. The calamari was some of the best I have ever had. Crispy, fresh, not rubbery and oh, the flavor. Exceptional. Both wife and I had she crab soup. Seemed like a slightly different spin on a classic, but it worked great. Wife had the Bouillabaisse and I had the Seafood a la Wando. Believe the hype from the others, it was that good. Even my kids liked their meals and those of you with kids know how hard that can be. Finished with coffee, cappuccino, creme brÃ»lÃ©e and what my wife called the best pecan pie she has ever had. The place gets 4.5 stars. Wish yelp had a 1/2 star option. The only reason I give it 4.5 and not 5 is that they didn't have the bottle of wine we wanted and it cost $42 more for a comparable one. Otherwise this was great. Our server, Sam, and the rest of the staff that supported her where simply that good. Bravo!
(4)
Caleb B.

Took my extended family here when they were in town. They got the fried seafood and beer they love, I got the fresh seafood and nice wine I love. Service was great, highly recommend for a nice dinner, especially if you're craving good quality seafood. They also have two sister restaurants, Mercato (Italian), and Penninsula Grill (super fancy american).
(5)
Laura F.

BBQ Oysters. I could live off of these. Everything is great here and the atmosphere is a lot of fun
(5)
Colleen J.

The seafood at hanks is Ã¼ber fresh and delicious... but I just don't see what all the fuss is about. This place is boring! The service was just meh, the atmosphere is blah-touristy-blah and the prices are high. There were 8 of us (with reservations) and they still stuck us at a tiny round table with barely enough room to move our elbows. Being the smallest of the group, it's safe to say that if I have a problem with the space then it's gotta be pretty obvious they really tried to cram us in there like sardines. Yes, pun intended. My one recommendation is the seafood kingdom (or tower...or sword... or SOMETHING like that) it's a great appetizer for a large group, and has a huge amount of cocktail shrimps, muscles, oysters and crab - but again, it's up there in price.
(3)
Lauren C.

Came from out of town on vacation and discovered this place on Yelp. Delicious seafood. Would recommend to a friend travelling.
(4)
Scott A.

TOP OF THE LINE Don't expect to get out cheap, but every detail is done wonderfuly here. One thing that really stood out was the SERVICE. There's a big difference between a real pro, and just good service. These guys are pro. It seemed like an orchestration of the evening rather than just service. Timing was flawless on everything. We went for a graduation celebration with a large group and everyone was more than satisfied with their food. Right down in the historic area of Charleston.
(5)
Teresa W.

Just 5 stars in everything: food, service, ambiance. We have the calamari as an appetizer and probably the best we have ever had. For the main course we had the seafood platter. Everything was prepared to perfection. For dessert, the creme brulee was superb! Loved this place. Only downside: parking is difficult (especially if the garage is full) and the mixed drink menu is very limited.
(4)
Georgianne Z.

I wish I could give 500 stars! Awesome she crab. Nothing was anything other than fantastic!
(5)
Nicole W.

With the myriad of great seafood options in Chucktown, I didn't really know if I needed to open up my heart (and belly) to another. However, Hank's is definitely a contender in the "tasty things of the sea." Inside Hank's is nicely appointed but a bit plain. There's a fairly large bar to grab a drink or two and a very large, open dining room. Our server was fantastic - dealing with our group of six...most of us were already half way to drunktown. Hey - it was vacay. Don't judge. The menu is full of seafood treasures and southern staples. Everything from fish to fried chicken. Plus, the wine list is pretty solid. Price wise, expect most entrees in the $20-$30 price range. I went with the roast grouper - a perfectly cooked fish set on a bed of risotto with sweet corn, leek, lobster and rock shrimp covered with champagne citrus beurre blanc. As mentioned, the fish was nicely prepared and the risotto was rich and delicious. My only ish - I wish there was a bit more shrimp and lobster in the risotto. Hank's also has some pretty sweet desserts. Pun intended. Again, our on-the-way-to-obnoxioustown table ordered the bread pudding, the banana cream pie and the peanut butter pie for sharing. The 'naner cream pie was spectacular - creamy, sweet and most definitely homemade (like all their desserts). The PB pie was also damn tasty but a bit rich if we're going in for a whole piece. And lastly, the bread pudding was decent but paled in comparison to the other two. Hank's is now definitely on my go-to list for Charleston...tasty seafood, great service and a bit less expensive than its competitors!
(4)
Jim g.

I've only eaten at Hank's once. It was busy and we didn't make reservations. We ended up eating at the very busy FCFS bar. The bar host was friendly and helpful. the atmosphere was nice and charming. My wife's meal was very good. My shrimp and Grits were excellent. My only complaint was the noise level and crowd. Our meal was a little slow to come out, but it was worth the wait.
(4)
Matt A.

Good food. Pricey. Nice staff. Go when you're hungry. Great Pecan Pie!
(4)
Hugh L.

When at Hanks ask for Brenden at the bar!
(5)
Dean D.

Grouper was presented well but over cooked. Seafood boulubais was ok. Service was very good and atmosphere was really nice. Overall, pretty expensive for just average seafood.
(3)
Robert M.

Food was excellent even if I did go for the fried chicken in a seafood place. Colleagues had the seafood and raved about it. Pretty pricey though.
(4)
Linda P.

Oh wow this place. I went here on a recommendation from Christina H. and it was amazing. What we ate/drank: Southern gentleman Cucumber mojito Oyster sampler Muscles in white wine sauce Shrimp and grits Seafood a la wando Banana cream pie. So first off the service/atmosphere: This place is fancy, but not over the top. It doesn't give off a pretentious vibe at all, but still is sophisticated fine dining. Our waitress was amazing. I wish I would have gotten her name to give her a call-out in this review. When we were first seated I saw they had shecrab soup (one of my favorites), but since I am avoiding gluten I had to ask if it had a rue (flouer) base. She knew the answer without having to ask and gave me more detail about other soups with the same base. We put in our drink orders and waited before ordering so we could look over the menu. There were about 5 things I was trying to decide between. So when she returned with our drinks and to ask if we had questions I asked her for recommendations. She asked me based on my first question if I tried to avoid gluten, when I replied yes, she immediately told me which things were completely gluten free and then options for substitutions for the things that had gluten portions. I was amazed at her knowledge of the menu and ingredients in each dish listed. After her recommendations I went with the shrimp and grits, which was amazing. Lots of flavor and a good sized portion, not too big, but still filling. The food: Everything we ate and drank was amazing. This is a must try when you are in Charleston. I loved the a la wando and both the muscles were some of the largest I have ever seen! The oysters were delicious and very fresh.
(5)
Camille H.

We happened across Hank's during our recent visit to Charleston. We ended up there 3 out of the 5 night we were there. We only sat at the bar and JV and crew served us some of the best drinks and food in town. An amazing house cocktail called Hispaniola was my go-to drink. Infused with a "jalapeÃ±o honey" that gave this mouth watering drink the perfect kick. And we lucked out and were there during soft shell crab season. Yum! Great staff, drinks and food.
(5)
Mike G.

Went today (4-26-14)with some family. They have been trying to get reservations for forever. Waiter was average. Drinks had to be asked for by all. Noise was crazy. Couldn't hear what my family was saying. Food was average as well but was very over priced. I have had better food for at least half the price.
(1)
Diana M.

Get the pecan pie. TRUST ME.
(4)
Linda P.

Very good meal, service & atmosphere!!
(4)
Greg C.

Pricey but worth it! Wife had the grouper and I had the special: deep fried soft shell crabs (2). Server was wonderful although the place was very crowded and noisy. Felt a little rushed. This is the place for fresh Charleston seafood without a doubt
(4)
Amy P.

I'm giving Hank's five stars because my husband really loved their seafood boubaillaise. The broth was very flavorful and complex and filled with lots of different kinds of seafood. I had the seafood wando and though it was also tasty, I find it too rich and creamy for my taste. They also provided a kid's menu for our girls so that was good, the chicken fingers and fries from it were quite good as well. Service was wonderful, attentive waitress who also did a great job packaging our to-go food for us. This is a place we would definitely be visiting again on our next trip to Charleston.
(5)
Melissa R.

Absolutely delicious. We started with the shellfish cocktail. Amazing! The perfect blend of mixed seafood, seasoning and sauce. I had the Seafood A La Wando for my meal. Because I'm not a southerner, and a little unsure of grits, I swapped the fried grit cake for fried mashed potato. The whole thing was delicious. My husband had the beef tenderloin, and also loved his. We had 9:30 dinner reservations, and the restaurant was still quite busy at that time. We loved everything about our meal. Definitely recommend dining here!
(5)
Christopher O.

Outstanding atmosphere.....outstanding service and food.. If you are in the Low Country I highly recommend this eating establishment. Make reservations ahead!!
(5)
Dick B.

My low rating is based on the hurried and rushed atmosphere created by the staff. The waiter, while we were reading the menu asked if he could bring soup-salad while we were deciding on our entree. Absolutely not! Even though i am a fast eater and with food clearly still on my plate I was asked twice if they could take my plate. Hell no! While the food was quite food, the rushed and hurried atmosphere would prevent me from ever eating at Hank's again.
(2)
Justin L.

Wonderful dinner at this premier seafood establishment. Casual but elegant atmosphere, knowledgeable and attentive servers, respectful to diners and the fish they eat. GULF OYSTERS ($17.99/dozen) were fresh as can be, with no hint of foulness or BP oil. The horseradish was very mild, not that you'd want to put much on anyway when savoring such beautiful bivalves. OYSTER STEW ($13.99) was a knockout. Flavorful cream base (not too thick) with thinly sliced leeks and at least ten Gulf oysters, topped with three thick-cut lardons. It was so good we ordered another bowl. The SHE CRAB SOUP ($6.99) was also delicious, though I felt it was a bit too thick for my taste (even for a she crab soup standards), though the extra lumps of crab helped win some points. ROAST GROUPER ($29.99) on bed of corn and risotto in a cream sauce was outstanding: the fish was nicely seared on the outside but still tender on the inside. The 'risotto' wasn't exactly Italian in taste or texture, but it was good rice with lots of other ingredients. CHEF'S JUMBO SHRIMP ($25.99) was a nice take on the tradition SHRIMP AND GRITS ($21.99), which you can also order. The Jumbo Shrimp dish is exactly that: you get larger crustaceans and a pile of spinach, in addition to some creamy grits. SEAFOOD A LA WANDO (named after the nearby river) considered of shrimp, scallops, and chunks of tuna and salmon in a cream sauce over a puck of deep fried cheesy grits. The seafood morsels were very tender and the sauce tasty. Next time, I wouldn't bother ordering any of the SAMPLER PLATTERS because it's just deep fried in a rather ordinary way. But do order some dessert! We finished off with a piece of BANANA CREAM PIE ($7.25) which was winner.
(5)
Jimmy B.

Great seafood!
(4)
Aisha I.

We came here for our honeymoon 11 years ago and all these years later it continues to surpass our expectations. The food is exceptional and the service is amazing. Be sure to make reservations, spots fill up fast!
(5)
Tyler R.

Crab soup is ridiculously good and the rest of my meal was decent. Only real downside was we had to to sit at the communal table because we didn't have a reservation even though it was a fairly early dinner and there were a lot of open tables.
(4)
Nick L.

Really enjoyed my night at Hank's. We wanted a nice place to get seafood on vacation and this is where the locals said to go. Make sure you make a reservation! We have a family rule that we can judge the meal by the bread. The bread was wonderful and so was the meal. We got the Maine lobster, two each, and it came spilt down the middle. It was so easy to eat!
(5)
S S.

Shrimp and Grits, fried shrimp, banana cream and pecan pie were amazing! Service was good and very friendly. Will be back the next time in Charleston.
(4)
Deb B.

I was so disappointed with Hank's. I had family come in to visit and wanted a *nice* place to eat. I thought Hank's would fit the bill. The food was very good. That I will give them. The service sucked! We had a late go of it to begin with. Our reservation was for 8:15 (which is not late in the world of dining). The restaurant was not crowded, with about four tables all together and three servers working the floor. I have said this time and time again. A good restaurant can lose you with service. I was served one adult beverage at the beginning and never got served again, except water and that was when I had to get up and ask for it. We all had a meal and dessert. We were there maybe two hours. Most of which was waiting for service. The service was so bad, that my Uncle (who NEVER complains), made a comment about how to get a drink. I was so embarrassed. The ultimate worst part of it all, was all of the servers were gathered by the hostess talking. And with that, I will say the food is good, but the service was abysmal. I will never return and will NEVER take family I'm trying to impress there either. There are too many good places and too many people not going out to eat to get such lousy service.
(2)
Korrie B.

Wonderful! Location, Service, Food ALL top notch! We went on a Tuesday night and had reservations. We got a nice table for two by the window looking out at Market Street. I would defintely recommend reservations. I had the roasted grouper and it was out of this world! It comes with a seafood risotto that is so filling and delicious it could have been a meal on it's own! We started with the She Crab Soup which was amazing (lots of crab) and the spinach salad. The salad was good but I've had better. My fiance ordered the #2 seafood platter. He said that it was good but that he would order something different next time. The thing that made this restaurant stand out, other than the food, was the outstanding service. Our waiter (Randy) was amazing! He had our needs met before we even thought to ask. And he wasn't "chit chatty." You know how some waiters can be. I will definitely be recommending Hank's and eating here again!
(5)
Alden U.

Nice dinner with family on Labor Day night. Soup of the day - cauliflower and cheese was great, as were the calamari appetizer and beef tenderloin, plus tuna with black olive and vinaigrette.
(4)
Chad C.

A co-worker was talking about visiting Charleston, South Carolina and it reminded me of Hank's. I can't believe I didn't write a review of it before... but this place is wonderful. Very nice decor inside, very nice waitstaff and they made me feel imporant when I walked in. Gave us the best booth in the house and we ate some of the best seafood of our lives. We were recommended the place by two different cab drivers - and they apparently knew what they were talking about. I remember getting the fried seafood platter and loving every minute of it. I also took a picture of the best pecan pie I've ever tasted. I will be back the next time I'm in Charleston.
(4)
Kevin W.

Food was phenomenal. Definitely try the she crab soup and the seafood al a Wanda was delicious. My fiancÃ©e had one of the fried seafood platters and was overwhelmed by the amount if food. Definitely make a reservation as well.
(5)
Larisa D.

This was the first place we went to after arriving in Charleston. I was down there visiting Medical University of South Carolina, and got in the night before around dinnertime. It seemed very crowded for a Thursday night, but we started out at the bar while we waited for a table. The food, the service, everything was amazing! Let me start out by saying, being from Maryland, we have high expectations for crab cakes, and Hank's did not disappoint! We shared the crab cake appetizer, which definitely had a bit of a southern flare (it even had a few kernels of corn in it), but it was one of the best crab cakes I have had! The steamed mussels in the white wine sauce were delicious, and very generously portioned for an appetizer. For dinner, we split the roast grouper (my first time having this fish) with lobster and shrimp risotto, which was impeccable. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the risotto had a wonderful sauce and seasonings to complement the fish. Couldn't have asked for a better place to make a great first impression of the city and it's delicious food!
(4)
Christine W.

I ate at Hanks tonight and I will give it a five star review. The food was great low country and the selections were unusual. I had great local oysters on the half shell and they were iced down properly. So many times they are not cold. Excellent. For the main course I selected seared scallops with a mashed pancake and arugula. The scallops were the huge sea scallops and done properly. My son had the same. Myndaughter-in-law had shrimp and grits which I looked at first. It was amazing and I would get it the next time. I highly recommend Hank's. All selection were unique and what we had was delicious. It is right in the mall area.
(5)
Lora P.

This place was really good, but a bit too fancy for a summer vacation eatery. My husband and I walked in with t-shirt and shorts after walking around down town all day and felt very under dressed. Although there was no dress code, the other guests and decor of the place was fancier than we expected. The food was on the higher end for pricing, but was very good. We both enjoyed the special of the day which was a fish (can't remember which) with goat cheese grits, spinach, and peach marmalade. Total was about $90. Because of the price, I wouldn't recommend this place unless you aren't worried about money.
(3)
Suzanne K.

Family dinner night out here was fantastic. Everyone loved what they ordered, drinks were delicious, atmosphere was fancy but not intimidating. Our waitress took a bit of time to show up but she was very attentive once she began her service for us. We had white wine at the table, and the ice bucket was out of reach for us to refill on our own but our glasses were never low thanks to the waitress. Bread is delicious, the butter could be a tad softer. Also, we had a large round table which, we're assuming, is usually a square that has flip-out sides to expand as needed. Unfortunately, the flip out sides were sinking and we had to strategically place items so they did not end up on the floor. Comic relief was brought on by the wait staff and bussing crew who were constantly dropping things! I guess the full moon had everyone a little off, but overall lovely dinner out with the family.
(4)
makenzi e.

I was on a vacation in Charleston by myself and decided to visit Hank's for a nice meal. The ambiance is very nice, white tablecloth, and not too loud. They have a communal table near the bar, but I made a reservation and got a little two top to watch the action. I started with the raw oyster sampler platter and a negroni, which was perfect! My waiter was very nice and perfectly attentive. I had gone particularly for shrimp and grits, and I ordered the Chef's Jumbo Shrimp Creamy Grits and Wilted Spinach with Andouille Creole Mustard Sauce with the Les Charmes chardonnay. This was the absolutely perfect wine/food paring and I am still craving it! I was there at 9pm on a Saturday, which was the earliest table I could get last minute, and it was still packed, but the food and service were impeccable. Looking forward to a return visit soon.
(5)
Ceda X.

This is a lovely restaurant in great location, with excellent service. All things that would have made me post a five star review. However, my Lynch pin is always: how does the food taste? In this case, serviceable but not great. Our she crab soup arrived with much anticipation, but was way over salted. My order of broiled shrimp had the same problem; I could taste the individual grains of celery salt which wasn't appetizing at all. I'm sure there's amazing seafood in Charleston, but it's not gonna be found here.
(2)
Taylor B.

Bouillabaisse--wow.
(5)
David Z.

I'll be the first to admit that I was a little disappointed, but it was mostly my own fault. Why? I ordered the chicken. Who goes to a seafood place and orders chicken? Yeah, this guy. To my credit, I DID order some shrimp as an appetizer, and it was tasty. But the chicken entree was pretty bland. I said it at the time - "it's okay, but I'd be just as happy with some Popeye's chicken." Yeah, that about sums it up. The service was fine. We were there for a large party and they were very accommodating. They took pictures of the dumb tourists (us), and even split the check into a billion little groups. No problems there. But when I see a place that appears this upscale, with prices that reflect the upscale nature of the place, I expect to be blown away. It just didn't happen. At least with the chicken. Seriously, who orders chicken at a seafood place?
(3)
Demetria M.

I was very pleased with Hank's, the food was great and I had no problems with the service. They recommend reservations but we took our chances and we were able to get seating at a 'community table', which was perfect. I ordered the seafood alawando, and it was simply divine!
(4)
Matt R.

Excellent meal! I started off with the "Hispaniola" from the cocktail menu, it was a phenomenal beverage, a nice blend of rum, ginger, and honey that was very refreshing. Probably could have had 6 of them if I weren't driving. For my entree I choose a lighter meal, the seared sea scallops. They came with some fried potato "triangles" and a salad on top with a sauce. Very delicious. I was in a splurging mood, so I got the famous banana cream pie. Oh my, great presentation and taste, I like the crispy sugary coating the banana slices got from being cooked in some brown sugar.
(5)
Grace C.

This place was recommended by a reviewer in the LA Times. It was fabulous! I had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken. The batter was light and not too thick. The collard greens were tender and cooked in a great sauce. My friend has Seafood platter number 2 which had Crab cakes, Shrimp and friend mashed potatoes. She said they were light for a fried meal. We both started with a house salad with a yummy vinaigrette. They added blue cheese for us. We ended with a piece of heavenly pecan pie. The only negative was the server. We were seated and then a few minutes later, a family of five were seated, and the server went to them first. We eventually had to ask a server assistant who our waiter was and I watched as he went and told him to come to our table. The rest of the staff was great! The hostess even called a cab for us after our meal. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Andy O.

Absolutely amazing is all I can say. I had the Boiled Seafood Platter Broiled Seafood Platter with Grouper, Shrimp, Sea Scallops, a Crabcake and fried sweet potatoes. What a feast! The grouper was perfect, the crabcake delicious and the sweet potatoes were out of this world. You must get a cup of the She Crab soup as well just to get a taste of this delicious soup. The next time I am in Charleston, I will be back!
(5)
Enoch C.

it's tough to rate this place as an out-of-towner, but if i'm being mostly objective, i'd give this place a 4. as an out-of-towner, i'd probably give it a 3. so i was looking for a seafood place to eat at with my party of 7 and hanks came up as one of the best on yelp. i didn't want to go somewhere too touristy where the food's just ok. i wanted to go somewhere the locals go when they want good seafood and so hank's was our choice. don't be fooled yelpers, although it says this is a "casual" place on yelp, it's a pretty nice restaurant as you could probably tell from the menu. the service is top-notch and the food is quality. my table ordered a variety of items: she crab soup, mussels, oysters, shrimp and grits, and my gf and i ordered the bouillabaisse. i don't know good oysters, but my gf said the oysters were very fresh (we ordered the gulf oysters, turns out the sampler is a mix of oysters form the gulf, washington state area, and the new england area). everyone who ordered the mussels said they were good and they definitely gave a fairly large portion. our bouillabaisse also came with a large number of sea-dwelling animals and the broth was very tasty. i've heard a lot of people talk about places in charleston as having the "best shrimp and grits they've ever tasted." i'll tell you, this isn't one of those places. it wasn't bad, but i'm sure there are much better places. i say i would give it a 3 as an out-of-towner because even though the food was quality and service was excellent, it's not a place that i would take people if i lived in charleston and had visitors. i think there were better places my party and i could've gone to get a better local charleston seafood place for the average person. so if you're looking for a local place to get seafood, i'd probably suggest somewhere else. if you're a local to charleston and are looking for a nicer seafood restaurant to take a date or impress the in-laws, this is probably your place.
(4)
MadCanadian H.

Loved it ...I had their special and my fish was well done ( just the way i like it). Best part about the place is the community table ( Yaay) I must say its a great way of getting in the restaurant without waiting , frankly I rather eat at the community table then wait for days :) , a good way of meeting people from different state. Place is a little loud but hey that come with the popularity anyways much recommended .
(4)
Cathy B.

Hank's is located right near the straw market in the historic district, so be sure to make a reservation as it's very touristy and packed most of the time. Decor is nothing to write home about (nor were the bloody mary's), but the service was top notch and the seafood very delicious. I ordered the "seafood a la wando," which was a mishmash of multiple seafood items including sauteed shrimp, scallops, fish, and crab meat in a shellfish saffron cream sauce with a few mushrooms and scallions thrown in for good measure. All this deliciousness is served over a fried grit cake; how can you go wrong with a fried grit cake? Other diners at our table were equally pleased with their items, which included the curried shrimp, the fried chicken, and the roasted grouper. The desserts were also very, very good. We split three at our table of six; the bread pudding, the banana cream pie, and the peanut butter pie (which is mentioned in many reviews as being top notch). The banana cream pie was my fave, with the PB pie a close second. The bread pudding was okay, but I probably wouldn't order it again unless the restaurant ran out of the other two.
(4)
Frederic S.

Loved this place! Highly recommend the tuna tartare (oh so fresh), the shrimp and grits (love the creaminess of the grits, the tanginess of the sauce and sweetness of the shrimp), and the roasted grouper (divine saffron cream sauce). The fried chicken was a hit with our teenager while the fried oysters were very good, though the blue cheese is a bit much. Desserts sampled were the banana cream (great!) and the pecan pie (even better). Service was prompt and attentive. We'll be back.
(5)
Frank E.

Excellent place for delicious seafood. Great ambiance! I sat at the community table and enjoy talking to the people there. Everywhere I go in Charleston people seem to be so hospitable and kind. I love this city!
(5)
Mike M.

Amazing seafood 'nuff said.
(5)
Blak B.

The seafood here is totally worth checking out. If you read my reviews you know Im a big fan of shrimp and grits whenever I see it on a menu. I have to compare and see who has the best! Im such a fanatic when it comes to food. The crab cakes are with lump crab meat so that means its not a wimpy over breaded dish*claps*! the service isnt bad either but they can be a bit more attentive. As you could tell I went for the shrimp and grits and it was tasty. I also sampled my friend's dish which was the scallops and they were also highly recommended Overall my experience with the restaurant itself was nice but beware of the patrons. Its almost like they were back in time when they saw an ebony woman step into the building! *ALERT ALERT* lol.. yes its black barbie ;-)
(4)
Lisa E.

Not worth the wait, young manager needs to review customer service. Will not return. All of you that review, know I have a big tolerance for someone being rude. It was packed as usually, great waiters. BUT I pulled a seat to the hightop, and the manager told it, the stool needed to stay in its area. It was not in a pathway, and no one was sitting in it. He told me I would have to stand to eat the stools could not be moved. Really, very rude, and NO southern charm at all. I'll take my business elsewhere. Pick another to many great people eager for your business.
(1)
Patrick S.

We came expecting a good meal and we got one! The service was great and the seats were spacious! For an appetizer we got clams and smoked salmon, they were delicious! The entree wasn't quite as good as our appetizers, my seared tuna (ahi tuna-they feel the need to confuse people) was good but the pieces were thick. I like my ahi to be thinly sliced and tender. For dessert we all shared 3 desserts- I would say the best was the banana cream then the key lime pie and then the peanut butter pie. I'm not a huge peanut butter fan so I naturally wouldn't like it. It was a little more expensive than the quality would call for but overall it was very enjoyable and I would come back again. PLEASE NOTE:If you come here bring a coat just in case as it was pretty cold inside. Overlook this little detail for a good restaurant.
(4)
Jim L.

Really enjoyed our dinner here. Loved the She Crab Soup. Salmon was delicious. Our server, Yana, was very knowledgeable about the menu & kept our water & iced tea glasses full. Great experience!"
(5)
Michelle D.

I was told by many travelers and friends that Hank's was a great place for seafood in Charleston. The shrimp and grits were excellent as well as the salmon. The service was great and the servers were very accomodating and helpful. The atmosphere is very casual and relaxing- an overall great place for dinner.
(4)
ginger w.

White-tablecloth, very popular, seafood and Southern specialty place. Reservations are a must. It is NOT a quiet, romantic place. Busy, somewhat noisy, very happening. Food was great. As Californians visiting the SE, our intent was to sample regional fare. Our table was not ready, so we had a cocktail at the bar. It was so crowded I nearly lost my barstool when I went to the restroom. Once seated, we shared Oysters Casino to start and also shared a spinach salad (they didn't split it for us, but brought us an extra plate on request, which I found a trifle offputting. With a final tab of over $200 with tip, I would expect more indulgence.) We had a bottle of Oregon Pinot Gris, well-priced at $38. I had soft-shell crab, he had roast grouper. They were great - entrÃ©e prices are quite high, however: $35 and $33. We split an amazing piece of pecan pie and my husband had a cup of $3.75 coffee. It was really good food, slightly too expensive for a noisy place with a Friday-night feel to it. The bar servers were great. Our table server had a personality change midway through our meal (too many other diners? Dunno.) Still, I recommend Hanks - the seafood possibilities there were so many it was hard to choose and I feel like we sampled some great regional fare.
(4)
Liz M.

We got there right on time and our table was ready and waiting. Friendly greeting. Our waiter was great, attentive and knowledgable. The dining room was lively and not too noisy that you had to yell to carry on a conversation, very nice. Now the food...we both had salads each of us ate half and traded and we loved them both. Fresh and delicious. My husband and the local salad of the day and I had the spinach salad. For dinner. I had the cod special and my husband had the grouper, we both loved them. Grilled to perfection and the sauces were just enough, not overdone and not too much. We will both be looking forward to going back the next time we visit Charleston! Great place!!!
(5)
Charlie W.

Great service and superb food (and wine)
(5)
Dolly F.

Great food, great wine selection. We had the shellfish from the raw bar, the crab cake, and shrimp and grits. Everything was fantastic, particularly the crab cake and grits. We also had the creme brÃ»lÃ©e which was delicious. The only down side is it the noise level. It is a busy place so if you're looking for a quiet, romantic place this would not be ideal.
(4)
Fritz L.

We Tried Hank's for dinner on march 5th (last night). It was not an enjoyable experience on any level. The waiter rushed us through each dish, he failed to describe dishes and sauces when we inquired but he did let me know what HIS favorite fish preparation was and failed to ask me for my preference. Awful and unhelpful. He cleared our plates while we were still eating food on the plates. The volume level was such that even if we screamed, we could barely hear each other. The only reason I gave this tourist trap 2 stars is that the Oysters ( obviously not created by the chef) were very good. Stay away.
(2)
Kate S.

A classic seafood restaurant that's great for groups. It's a bit noisy, but they accommodated the 7 of us with a round corner table. Highly recommend the seafood tower - an epic collection of oysters, mussels, shrimp, and lobster - fantastic! Their menu is diverse and perfectly southern, but its appropriate for all kinds of palates. The dessert menu is also quite simple and nothing especially innovative, but they're tasty. A nice, safe bet.
(4)
Greg P.

First off - the food here is really good. Very good mix of seafood items - grilled, sauted, fried, etc. All the fish specials and grilled fish are really good. Why only 3 stars - the prices and service.. The menu is a little overpriced compared to other local similiar restaurants (Magnolias and SNOB). I have been coming here for 4 years now and while the quality of the food has always been very good - the service is not at all consistant. They seem in a hurry to turn the table - your entrees arrive just as you are finishing your appitizer. A few times our entrees were luke warm. Then we got smart - so we didn't order our entree until after our apps arrived - but then we were pestered every couple of minutes while we waited for the apps and while we were tyring to eat! The last time we went, they would not seat us without a reservation and yet the restaurant was half empy - so i went to the bar and used my cell to get a reservation and then was seated immediately Sorry, but Hanks has seen the last of me for awhile.
(3)
Laura G.

Hank's is always on our "Favorites" list when we visit Charleston. The ambience is classy, with a old time feel. And the wait staff are impeccably well trained, professional yet friendly, well informed, but not overbearing. Hank's is wel known for their She-Crab Soup, which is very rich, almost too much so. The grouper and scallops are delicious, and if you like fried seafood, theirs is good, not overly greasy. I would definitely recommend Hank's!
(4)
Stephen W.

Normally one of our favorite restaurant's in Charleston; we never miss an opportunity to eat at Hank's and it's usually a highlight of the trip; not tonight. To make a long story short, we did have an early reservation for a Friday night; as Hank's is normally busy, busy. The first problem was our server (Yana) was awful and not in attendance for refills, to check on the meals, etc. The food itself was lukewarm and relatively flavorless and the broiled shrimp was tough. The prices on entrees has remained about the same for usual menu items but the portion sizes have been reduced and the sweet potato fries have increased to fill the plate. The salads and desserts have also vastly increased in price. We actually had superior service at the Chili's on International Drive in North Charleston today at lunch (Thank you David)! To be fair, we wished we had been seated at the table next to ours; Christie, their server was attentive without being a helicopter, upbeat, friendly and very professional. Next time, if we go to Hank's we'll ask for her table!
(2)
Whit N.

Freezing inside! Service was just okay. We were expecting a lot more, especially after all the great things we heard. Food was not as good as we heard it would be:/
(2)
Jeff C.

Went to Hanks for Thanksgiving dinner. Excellent choice. From the wait staff to the food.I had the shrimp grilled and sautÃ©ed in a citrus champagne sauce that was so good. The entire evening down to the delicious Peanut butter pie was outstanding . Highly recommended if you're new to Charleston dining.
(5)
Nancy R.

Since we were staying at the DoubleTree Hilton, it was a very short walk to Hank's. This was a nice establishment and very accommodating to our party of 8. FOOD: Since we weren't that hungry, my friend and I split the Broiled Seafood platter #5 which had broiled grouper, crabcakes, scallops, and shrimp with sweet potato fries and coleslaw. I really enjoyed the scallops and shrimp that had a touch of spice, but I wasn't too fond of the grouper and crabcakes. The fries were crispy and the coleslaw was sweet. Overall, it was good, but if I came again, I would order one of the chef specialities.
(3)
Alyssa F.

I loved the food. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because the tables are too close together and service is both so fast you almost feel rushed but also borders on negligent. We strategically skipped appetizers and salads, and avoided fried options so that we could be hungry for dessert. We ordered the scallops (w arugula, a fried mashed potato cake that was surprisingly tasty, and an Asian-inspired sauce) and the grouper (on top of risotto w corn, leeks, shrimp and lobster). Both were excellent. And dessert-- AMAZING. The pecan pie is rich and sweet with a hint of bourbon. And the chocolate croissant bread pudding (a special) was out of this world chocolatey and decadent.
(4)
Tater L.

Busy! Fun! Loud! Great Seafood - this restuarant is a destination if you are looking for a festive meal out on the town... this will be right on point..
(4)
Matthew B.

Excellent food and excellent service. The servers worked together like they actually enjoy the job and respect their coworkers. The small details, like attentive but not intrusive service, proper silverware service, and prompt clearing of emptied plates made eating here a joy. I'm usually a bit on edge at restaurants as it always seems like I'm going to be interrupted at the worst possible moment - not so here! The food was delicious and straight-forward. Real complexity and freshness in the ingredients, without being overbearing. The she-crab soup (apparently one is required to order this from multiple restaurants in Charleston) was as good as promised and I enjoyed every drop. Good desserts, too.
(4)
Charles R.

I didn't find Hank's to be a tourist trap at all. Very busy on Wednesday night, if I had to guess I would say at least 3/4 of the diners were local people. Server very friendly and fast. Mains are $20-$30 a copy. Companion had boullabaise, which was a huge plate of shellfish and broth. Very good. My shrimp and grits were good, but overpriced, should be about half of what is charged. A large piece of Key lime pie was super puckery and delicious. 2 beers, two salads, two mains, and one dessert along with coffee ran around $110. Not for the faint of wallet but great food and service.
(4)
Bernard L.

With quite a few good reviews from fellow yelpers, we ate at Hank's during our vacation in Charleston. If I am only rating the food, I will not be hesitate to give Hank's 5 stars. We ordered the the oyster samplers (some from the Gulf of Mexico, some from the Charleston area, and some from the West Coast). The oysters were fresh and sweet. Wife ordered the jumbo shrimp and grits and I ordered the special (striped bass). Both were very tasty. I finally understand that shrimp and grits are the perfect marriage. Service wise, I think I am generous to give them 3 stars. Firstly, the hostess looked surprise when me and my wife walked into the restaurant with our infant. Yes, we look young, but it doesn't mean we can't afford to eat there. Secondly, our server did not seem how to provide proper service with my wife holding our baby girl. The server simply failed to acknowledge my girl's existence. Hello? we did not ask for a high chair or a coloring book. Also, my baby girl probably behaved better than most of the adults in the restaurant and had been very quiet during the whole meal. I don't see a sign saying no children allowed in the establishment. Finally to all the snobs eating in the restaurant, our baby girl did not ruin your "expensive" dinner. So please don't give us the dirty disapproving look. A good restaurant consists of both good food and good service. Hanks, you made the barely passing grade solely because of your food.
(3)
Stevan J.

Excellent!! One of the best restaurants ever.
(5)
Sean P.

As my girlfirend and I just were visiting the Charleston, which was amazing as has friendly people, comfortable feel, lots to do...anyway as the majority of the reviews state the seafood is amazing (I especially liked the rare seared tuna) but the service is spotty. For example the service started out great where we have resrvations at 6:30 and were sat immediately and the waiter was attentive and good. But as Hank's got busier the service started to go down. We waited for our check for a good twenty minutes. The atmosphere is kind of cramped as the restaurant is on smaller side and is popular. I would suggest either a early or late dinner and will solve most problems with ervice and will be able to enjoy the seafod when it is not as busy, also definitely make a reservation as day before we tried to just show up and they were booked on a Thursday! To sum up great seafood but a little expensive and service is spotty when gets busy.
(4)
Brad T.

My favorite seafood restaurant in Charleston. Every dinner I have had here has been great and the service does not disappoint either. If you are looking for good seafood in Charleston, this is your place!
(5)
Trish K.

This was my first visit to Hank's during the off season, and of course everything was sooo much better without the tourist mob! Started with the she-crab soup, then had the roast grouper with the corn, leek and lobster risotto. The grouper was so good, I had to leave the risotto alone to make sure that fish got the respect it deserved. I was seated at the bar, I guess the hostesses don't like to waste tables on us singles because I noticed all one-tops were seated here. It was nice to strike up a conversation with a fellow road warrior instead of reading my book, but I would have liked to have had the option of a table. See you soon guys. Thank you again for an awesome meal.
(4)
Evelyn G.

Safood here, yum! Expensive, thank the good lord for that time share pitch and their generous gift card.
(4)
Bill G.

This is as good as it gets in Charleston. 5:15PM Reservation, very early. Cayce was our server and he was very professional. For appetizer we ordered the she-crab soup which was un-real and the steamed clams which were fantastic too. For dinner we had Triggerfish and the seafood de Munda or something like that. I could not believe how good it all was, from start to finish. The fish was fresh and nothing was a bit off. It's a fancier type place so I wouldn't recommend coming in in your t-shirt, throw on a collar and you'll be fine. If I ever go back to Charleston I guarantee you I will revisit Hanks. I cannot say that for anywhere else I ate in the city.
(5)
Hannah M.

Amazing dinner!!!!! Loved every single bite!! The swordfish was so delicious!! My favorite meal while we were in Charleston!!!
(5)
A P.

Ok, this place was recommended to us by multiple people, including our carriage horse tour guide. It had been highly rated in a number of magazines and received a number of awards. Fine, great. All that means first and foremost, is that it's going to be expensive. And that it was. Average price for an entree over $25 and most over $30. The place is nice inside. The staff was very accommodating. They let us change our reservation time several times, on a weekend night. Our server was prompt and the food came out quickly. For appetizers we had the She Crab Soup and the Oysters Casino. The crab soup was just blah....not a lot of flavor at all. The oysters casino, however, were very good and they give about 6 or 7 large oysters for the $13 price tag. For entrees, we got the Salmon and Grouper. The grouper was recommended by our waiter as one of the best things on the menu. The portions are small...which is to be expected at a high end restaurant. For some reason, the more they charge for the plate, the smaller the quantity they give.....a long lived paradox of the restaurant industry. The risotto that came with the grouper was excellent. The Salmon as moist and tender, though it came with a type of mustard sauce that the wifey wasn't crazy about. THM (Take Home Message): Everyone will tell you to go here. The food is good, the ambiance is nice.....but 2 apps and 2 entrees comes with a $100 price tag. I"m happy to go once, but wouldn't go again. Check out the dozens of other seafood places in Charleston, especially the Crab Shack.......compare their menu and cost to Hank's and see if it's really worth paying the premium.
(3)
Stu W.

In spite of the many positive reviews, we were very disappointed with our meals. The sevice was too quick, as if they couldn't get rid of us too soon. The quality fo the food was not at all comparable to the price that was charged. My starter, ceviche, was $14 and had no more than an ounce or so of not very flavorful seafood in it. the balance of the dish was celery and some type of fried onion on top. There was much more fried onion and celery than anything else. The rest of the meal was likewise undistinguished and overpriced. We had to beg another waiter to refill our coffee as ours disappeared after we decided not to order desert. None of us plan to return. Charleston has a lot of options but this one is no longer on our list.
(2)
Robert L.

Great seafood at affordable prices. Dozen seafood sampler was great - east vs. west. Being from San Francisco, we have great seafood. Hanks was just as equal. The she crab soup was amazing and the seafood ala Wando was great. However the service was the best - Yana was service with a southern smile. We were the last ones to leave but the entire staff had to stay until the last customer left - what a concept! We'll be back!
(5)
Sam H.

Best seafood restaurant in Charleston, hands down. You will pay for the amazing food and impeccable service, but you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Natalie M.

This place was excellent. Expensive and classy, but amazing! Awesome place to take a date (: you should definitely try it at least once!
(5)
Jay N.

Good. Great service. Am continually amazed how each Charleston restaurant has its own charm, friendly service, and great food. If I lived here instead of in CT I'd have to learn to roll home I'd be so big.
(4)
Jeffrey V.

Roasted salmon was delicious. Service was good. prices were a bit high for a family.
(4)
Chuck D.

This was our second visit to Hank's. It was a very busy Saturday night but the food and service were terrific again. My combo platter of shrimp and oysters and my wife's platter of shrimp had the best fried shrimp and oysters I have ever eaten, and I eat a lot of shrimp. I recommend it to anyone who loves seafood.
(5)
Mark C.

A little pricey but every meal we have at our table was delicious.
(5)
Phil M.

Ordered the mouthwateringly described special of monkfish on a bed of mashed potatoes, surrounded by mushrooms and brussels sprouts in a red-wine reduction. Sounds great! This was the special of the evening, so I had high expectations. Even greater after all the wonderful reviews. I love fish. The monkfish was edible. Nothing special. For a 3 oz piece of fish that's the chef's special for the evening, I want my socks knocked off. The mashed potatoes were the highlight of the dish! When mashed potatoes--simple mashed potatoes--are the highlight of the dish, something is fundamentally wrong. The 6 or so quarters of brussels sprouts were so undercooked as to be tough, fibrous, and inedible. I know fresh and crisp-tender is the current mode, but taste those things before you put them on your guest's plate. If you have to chew on brussels sprouts like gum, reassess. I was so looking forward to the red-wine reduction--something rich and savory. I got brown, murky watery liquid of some kind--a reduction of some even more watery weak broth? Not the robust, intense flavors I wanted from a red-wine reduction. Utterly, utterly disappointing. My friends were pleased with their orders, but I don't think anyone was overly impressed. I suspect Charleston has much, much more to offer.
(1)
Troy R.

Every time I go there I don't have to worry about anything other than having a great meal! The Grouper is awesome!!
(5)
Xeekster d.

Reservation was on spot even though it was a crowded sat night. Had the fried platter #5 that was wonderful. Bouillabaisse was fantastic.
(4)
Scott R.

Delicious food. A little bit pricey but worth it.
(4)
Bruce T.

Our weekend in Charleston found us at Hanks Seafood on Saturday night. Made a reservation and arrived and they seated us immediately. The service was impeccable. I was amazed they had my favorite cocktail, which most don't, a (dark and stormy, black Bermuda rum and ginger beer). The entrees we ordered (swordfish steak and seafood a la Wando) were cooked to perfection. We couldn't resist taking a piece of banana cream pie with us to eat later.
(5)
Harry K.

We made a reservation in the morning to eat at 7 pm that night. Hank's is upscale and reservations are a must. Even in the middle of the week, it was a full house. I felt comfortable in a knit shirt and nice shorts. Susan wore a skirt. The food and service are five star. Our waiter helped us pick out the most popular items and we ate like it was our last meal. Everything was wonderful. We each had a bowl of she-crab soup. It's a local specialty. Rich, buttery, and heavy with cream, it's delicious. We split a dozen raw oysters in their sampler. They were fresh and tasty. Susan had the roast grouper with sweet corn, leek, lobster and rock shrimp risotto with a champagne citrus beurre blanc. I had the chef's version of shrimp and grits - jumbo creamy grits and wilted spinach with andouille creole mustard sauce. We had no room for desert, but settled for coffee. While it was pricey, it was everything it could have been.
(5)
Marty H.

Hank's might not be a very artistic name for a seafood restaurant but it is one of the very best in Charleston and you know it almost as soon as you walk through the front door. I ate dinner at 6 of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston this past week and this is the one I would come back to first if I had the chance to eat at any one of them again. The service was excellent and the food was prepared and served in a way that substantiates Hank's as an established first class seafood restaurant in Charleston. The menu is extensive but I settled on the raw oysters, which were fresh and delightful, the She Crab soup which was outstanding with lots of crab meat, and the seafood platter which was much bigger and better than I expected. No room for desert but then again the seafood was the reason I was there. I will be a regular at Hank's whenever I visit Charleston -- you should try it yourself, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Kristin W.

Delicious food, cute, tucked away spot.
(4)
Jennifer A.

The seafood dishes here were fresh and tasty. We tried the Shrimp and Grits and the A La Wando...both I felt were yummy. The decor was inviting and pleasant. I only wish weren't sitting center kind of in front of the door. It makes me feel like I am on the edge of the party circle or something.
(5)
Jim D.

The food was wonderful!! Oyster sampler was fresh, oyster stew was unique. Their soft shell crab was a good as I've ever had.
(4)
Adam S.

The rock shrimp and calamari appetizer was really, really tasty. The scallop dish was good as well. Only gets four stars because the wait staff I had were... less than attentive.
(4)
Josh C.

Hanks is a great place for those that like real seafood, rather than the fried crap you get at many touristy joints. Great atmosphere, friendly and helpful wait staff, and warm decor. Nice place for a casual dinner or a special event. Start off with the mussels cooked in white wine. Good raw choices too. Lots of choices for a great meal, but not the best for those that don't like seafood.
(4)
Jenny L.

Hanks is a wonderful place to eat. We are on a family vacation to Isle of Palms and ate at Hank's one night. Every meal that the 8 of us ordered was delicious - oysters casino, speciality salad, soup of day, crab soup, swordfish, sea bass special, shrimp and grits, seafood pasta, and flounder. The food was fresh and full of flavor. The atmosphere was awesome and the service was excellent. I highly recommend Hank's Seafood. Make a reservation ahead of time to be safe because even on a Monday night, it was busy.
(5)
Felix M.

I've been to Hank's twice and have nothing but great things to say about it! Order the entrees, not the platters and you'll be pleased. Great shrimp and grits, scallops, grouper. Tomato salad and she-crab soup were wonderful as well. Make reservations.
(4)
Tracy W.

Can't believe my first yelp post is not about the restaurants in GA; instead, it's about one in Charleston, SC. First meal here at Charleston and I'd say it's really a GOOOD start!! So my friend stayed at a Bed and Breakfast "hotel" called King George. The host there introduced him this one. It was not hard to find...well, Charleston's roads are pretty easy to understand in general. First tip about this place: MAKE RESERVATION!! yeah, we went there at 7pm -ish on a Wednesday night. The waitress told us that we had to wait till 9:15 if we wanted to get the table. But we can also sit right away at the bar or at one of their huge long high table. My friend and I weren't here for a formal dinner anyways, so we just went to the long table and bar area. We waited about 10 minutes until some group left the table and we grabbed the seat. The server cleaned up the table very fast. Then another group sat down next to us. I was glad we decided to sit at the long table cuz we got to know people around. Some were tourists like us and some were locals. There were this mom and daughter really helped me out to identify some MUST-GO restaurants that locals go a lot. Thank you! This is really a good spot for Single Travelers! you will definitely not feel weird eating alone there cuz you will meet so many people at this long table! I ordered a She-crab soup to share with my friend. Also, the mom and daughter highly recommended me this #3 meal on the menu: fried grouper, fried shrimp, fried oyster, hush puppies and FRIED SWEET POTATO CHIPS. I know...all fried...so southern. but well, even though I am not a big fan of fried food, the locals were all getting this. What can I do...the soup came pretty fast. It was really rich and creamy; a good amount of crab meat. But I could only have 3 spoons because it's SOOO creamy. Good stuff. I gave it 3.5 star. I saw the other group ordered a dozen of oysters. Look like pretty fresh and good size. They enjoyed it. I'm not a fan of Oyster, o well.. Yeah, the meal came! It was HUGE. I probably only finished 2/3 of it. You know what was the best? the SWEET POTATO CHIPS! it was so good. very crispy outside and so soft and sweet inside! Locals loved it and tourists around us loved it too! Grouper was ok. not THAT fresh; Shrimp was good! Also the fried oyster wasn't too bad because usually I could only eat 1 or 2, this time I ate almost all. My friend ordered Grilled Jumbo Shrimp over Grits. I guess I expected the grits really good in Charleston, this one wasn't as good as what I expected. but the shrimp seasoned pretty well and i could taste the freshness. So in general, this was a great start for my food searching tour in Charleston. Can't wait trying all the places the mom and daughter told me to go today. I seriously wrote them down.
(4)
Chris B.

we have been to Hanks twice, the first time was amazing! We were there last week and the food was sub standard at best. I wrote a very polite e mail stating I recieved a touch of food poisening and not even a reply. I was in the food business for 20 years and travel around the world eating out. The bouillabaisse was a bit off and should have sent it back. Not only did Hanks drop from my "new" favorite place to never going back. A place that does not have the decency to write back after a very poor experience does not deserve my business
(1)
Kayj F.

Superb scallops with lemon caper sauce...wonderful lemon drop martinis and great waitstaff. We'll be back.
(4)
Scott P.

Can't say enough about Hanks. Their seafood is the best in town and the service is also superb. The menu has something for everyone and the dishes are all paired with excellent sides. The wine list also has a great variety in price and selection. Definitely recommend their wine list. I personally had the salmon dish on my last visit and it was perfect. I encourage you to attend Hanks for dinner and be sure to make a reservation 2 weeks in advance during the busy season.
(5)
Courtney D.

Came here on out first night in Charleston and had a wonderful experience. Wait staff was extremely pleasant and attentive and the overall service was great! FOOD: Tuna tartare: when we first got it, it was lacking flavor as there was no avocado or soy sauce. We quickly asked for some soy and the waiter also brought spicy sauce. We sprinkled bit on and voila it was great. Crab soup- delicious and wonderful flavor. Lots of thick crab meat Crab cakes: they tasted better than they looked haha. They just appeared meager with an odd fry but they were actually very yummy. Not a lot of bread in which was a plus! Shrimp and grits: I thought they were fantastic and I loved the red sauce they came in! My hubby though said he would have preferred a buttery sauce. This is where we agree to disagree as I thought it was perfection! Absolutely would recommend as a place to try!
(4)
Jane D.

I was with a party of six who ordered different dishes. By far, the best thing on the table was the giant bowl of boullaibaise I chose. The seafood - fish, mussels, clams, shrimp, and oysters, were perfectly cooked. And don't even ask if they were fresh, because they tasted as if the docks were just out back. Also the saffron broth was superb. In addition to the great food, the service was seamless and professional. Out of the many great restaurants we ate this past week, Hank's was by far my favorite. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Michele W.

Reservations are recommended due to the place fills up quickly. They do offer at first come first serve bar and communal seating. The service is high caliber and the food is cooked perfectly. Cocktails are also expertly prepared.
(4)
Richard P.

My first time in Charleston and from several web searches, Hank's seems to be one of the favorite places locals recommend for seafood. Looking at the three dollar signs, we know this would be a bit of a splurge meal. We made a reservation for early dinner and were seated immediately. I have to say, Hanks is a borderline 3.5 star for me and here is why. We did have several really great dishes, but the price point was a bit high. However, I have to say the food was really good EXCEPT the crab soup. My wife and I both love she crab soup. So of course, we had to order it. What's surprising was it came out like within 3 minutes of us placing the order. So I get the soup can be made in batch, but when we got it, it was lukewarm at best. It was decent, but not great. That actually had us down for a bit, thinking we made a terrible choice to have our precious (as in limited # of meals to be had) meal at Hank's. Thankfully, all the main entrees that came out were stellar. We ordered Seafood A La Wando and Bouillabaisse, both were delicious. So it may just be an off day for the soup?
(4)
Charlie P.

Traditionally Charleston, sophisticated and upscale are words that come to mind when describing Hanks Seafood. If you are craving a big seafood dinner out and are willing to foot the tab on an expensive evening, Hanks is definitely worthy of a visit. I love the vast numbers of raw bar options, with the Tuna Tartare and Ceviche being my favorite appetizers. As far as entrees, the Bouillabaisse and Seafood A La Wando are amazing, served in huge portions and worth the $30 cost. The Fried Seafood Platters are also a good bet, with choice from grouper, shrimp, flounder, oysters and scallops paired with fried sweet potatoes and coleslaw. Hanks is my favorite spot to go with my Dad and I only wish I could afford to go more often. Must-order items: Tuna Tartare Ceviche Bouillabaisse
(5)
Lakeisha C.

This place was just ok for me. The food was ok and the drinks were subpar. I've gone to way better seafood restaurants than this. It's supposed to be a very high rated fine dine restaurant in Charleston, but to me this place is more around a three star joint. Based solely on food. The decor inside is nice and there's usually a lot of travelers who frequent Charleston on a monthly basis. The decor is probably what gives this place high ratings but it's a shame the food doesn't match the pretty setting. I would probably give them another try later down the line.
(3)
Jerry W.

We really thought this place was going to be great. The atmosphere was perfect, we sat at the "community table" and the server was spot on. The problem? The food was awful. First, the soup that was on special, the white beans were half done, so they were difficult to even bite through. That was sent back. The goat cheese, eggplant and arugula salad was also a miss as the eggplant was deep fried. for the main course, narrowing things down between the seafood pasta, bouillabaisse, and the shrimp and grits. The server suggested the bouillabaisse, which lacked any type of favor whatsoever. Even the shrimp were below average. This was our last night and really disappointed us.
(1)
Paul K.

Great menu, bouillabaisse was outstanding. Would definitely come back again. Dessert menu was lackluster.
(4)
Erin D.

My favorite seafood place in Charleston! I highly recommend the Seafoood a la Wando, she crab soup, all the fried platters, the spicy shrimp and calamari appetizer, and the seasonal sangria!
(5)
Tracie J.

Make a reservation first and foremost. We came early to enjoy a glass of wine and appetizer at the bar ... Which barely happened because this place is so busy. I don't understand any 3 star reviews here ... But, I'll move on. We had wine and two appetizers at the bar, the cerviche and calamari and shrimp, they also served us bread that was hot and to die for. Our starters were excellent. We moved to our table and had a gentleman named Casey, as our server, he was outstanding. I very rarely eat fried food but tried the shrimp and grouper that was so delicate and lacking grease, that I loved my dish. My hubby had the oyster soup with the biggest oysters I've ever seen and the Seafood a la Wando as his main course... Oh my!! The food and entire experience was top notch!! Outstanding indeed.
(5)
Katie Z.

Ate here on my last night in Charleston. The she crab soup was amazing. Had shrimp with collard greens, delicious! The staff was very friendly! I suggest making a reservation if possible. I would visit this place again.
(4)
Lindsay W.

Love the place! Customer service was excellent. The food was great, too! We had seafood a la wando, roasted salmon(medium), she crab soup, and oyster samplers. LOVE the seafood a la wando, it was full of surprises! There's a fried grit cake in the middle and lots of different seafood around. It was a pleasant experience and definitely a good memory for our trip at Charleston.
(5)
Anthony C.

We were in Charleston on vacation, and we made a reservation to eat at Hanks. I am so glad we did. I ordered the the Seafood a la wando which was out of this world amazing!! It was a wonderful melody of seafood, in a rich creamy sauce. It blew my mind how delicious, and fresh tasting it was. My girlfriend ordered the Scollops dish, which was good. But nowhere near as amazing as the a la wando! I ordered a cucumber mojito, and it was really good! For dessert I highly recommend the banana puddin' as it was one of the very best I've ever had! The best being my Aunt Bea's! Hank's is a great place, and I'd recommend it to anyone who is making a trip to Charleston!!!
(5)
Jeffrey R.

In a culinary-centric city like Charleston, when someone says "best seafood in the city" you take notice. I had the crab cakes appetizer and after many a cake in Baltimore, these were up there with the best. My main course was Shrimp and Grits, best I have ever had. Great service, a little dressy (no shorts and flip flops) but to act like an adult and get treated like one, DRESS LIKE ONE! A great meal, took clients out and they loved it.
(4)
Clare S.

Hanks IS your downtown destination for fresh, local seafood in a fine dining setting. There are others, but none are so elegant and come with such attentive service as Hanks. This is the place to take your parents when they come to visit - the setting and price point are more than ideal. Tip: Go all out with the Seafood Tower (or Seafood Castle) if you want something to share across a large party! Serious, serious seafood noms.
(5)
Huston O.

Ordered in from the Double Tree next door. The food was good but I expected this was going to be much better. I had the tuna entree and shared sides of spinach and mushrooms. All of it was very good, especially the sautÃ©ed onions and everything that the tuna came with, but nothing was out of this world especially for the price. The tuna burger I had the previous day at 167 Raw was WAY better. I would give this place another chance, mostly because it's a nice restaurant and I didn't dine in. But when it comes to food quality, I know there's much better out here in Charleston.
(4)
Wendy F.

It was dinner for three at Hank's Seafood, located at the corner of Hayne and Church. With a large public parking garage next door, our evening got off to a great start. My dining partners made their selections from the Restaurant Week menu, 3 for $40) designed to showcase the kitchen's skill in seafood preparation as well as artful presentation. Both chose shrimp bisque for their first course. I understand it was smooth and delicately seasoned. I eyed other diners loving their order of she-crab soup topped with crab. That would have been my preference. As I did not want dessert, I ordered two ala carte dishes, the first being a large house salad of crisp field greens, perfectly tossed is a light vinaigrette dressing topped with tomatoes. My husband enjoyed his entree of roasted salmon-prepared medium, as requested, and plated with roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus. He loved it (did not offer me a taste). Our guest loved every morsel of his shellfish and pasta dish. An ample bowl arrived at our table full of shrimp, mussels and clams over linguine nestled in a light lemon jus. My entree was the star of the evening ... a large bowl of fish, shrimp, clams and mussels in a saffron infused fish stock with large croutons for dunking and sopping up the well seasoned broth. I loved it! Both guys selected the lemon cheesecake for their dessert. I'm glad I passed. With its light and airy filling, it more closely resembled mousse ...which would have been OK, too ! We loved Hank's and will definitely return for another delicious fresh seafood dinner.
(4)
Matt B.

Hank's was great. From the minute we walked in to the minute we walked out...fantastic. Great service. I had the seafood a la wando. It was sumptuous. The fried grit cake is what really pulled the dish together. My fiancÃ© had the crab cakes appetizer as her entrÃ©e...it did NOT disappoint. Probably the best crab cakes I've had. The pan seared crust on them was incredible. If you are in Charleston and looking for a nice dinner with great service and an inviting atmosphere, I highly recommend Hank's.
(5)
Tim A.

We barely made it in before closing and felt bad doing so. The staff insisted that we come in and eat. I am so glad we did. It was amazing. The oysters on the half shell were some of the best we've had. Lump crabmeat cocktail was perfect, fried oysters were excellent, jalapeÃ±o seared tuna, steamed clams, and calamari all top notch, and we're big time foodies. It's simple, not reinventing the wheel, and that is exactly how it should be. Our server Greg was on his game, personable, chatty, prompt, just excellent. He recommended several places to go based off of what we like and sat and conversed with us about football and music and life. I can't imagine how much fun this place is when it was that awesome at the very end of the night. Perfect 10 on our scorecard
(5)
Adam G.

I don't usually order the same thing if I return to a restaurant, especially if it's a restaurant of Hank's caliber. However, I can confidently say that Hank's dishes out the best fried chicken I have every had. The skin is incredibly thin yet crisp, and the meet is juicy and tender. Alongside the buttermilk fried chicken, they serve some excellent collard greens and mashed potatoes. Some other favorites are the Bouillabaisse and Shrimp and Grits. Although Hank's is a tourist destination, locals surely frequent the restaurant as it serves consistently excellent food.
(5)
William K.

Between King street and the cruise ship docks, Hanks is a nice mid level place to dine. High ceilings, yet warm atmosphere with grass roots upscale fare. I had the bouillabaise, stocked with local sea food. Nice choice. Oh, one of my pet peeves~ the service was right on time.
(3)
Shannon P.

3.5 stars really..... Hanks is on the corner down by the market - which makes it convenient for all the tourists. That's really the pro and the con of this well known hot spot...it's always crowded. You really need a reservation if you want to get in regardless of the day. Hanks is your typcial upscale seafood restaurant offering great local (low-country) options. I had the low country bouillabaisse with fish, shrimp, oysters, muscles, & scallops in a tomato, leek, garlic broth. It was delicious - especially the fish. The flavor was rich yet smooth and silky. I'm usually fairly sensitive to too much salt - don't like it all really, and this was perfect - not salty. My friend got the Seafood a la Wando which was also great! Wine menu (by the glass) was good but not great - expected better quality options for a place of this caliber. Service was great and friendly. Atomsphere is nice but not too pretentious....you're okay to dress casually or dressy here. Check it out if you're in the area, get a res first.
(3)
Erin T.

In a word...YUM! I'm a New Englander and love my seafood and this was phenomenal! The decor was fabulous. My friend and I had several courses and every bite was incredible, beautifully prepared and timed perfectly. Our server, Christie, was fantastic and spot on with every suggestion. If you're in the mood for seafood in Charleston this is it. You won't be disappointed
(5)
Bobby C.

I walked into Hank's without reservations. I met their snob hostess who seemed more than happy to turn me away. It was around 7pm and she informed me I could have a table @9pm. She also said the community table or the bar weren't options as they were full too.I went around the corner to HYMAN's seafood. There I met Eli Hyman and received 2 complimentary appetizers! Avoid the bull with your seafood, Go to Hyman's
(1)
Zanne C.

Do you ever get, what I call, 'the treatment' with waiters? Sort of like being on a date with a guy when he's looking around finding how many girls in the room are better looking than the one he's taken out? That's what we got at Hanks. Our waiter (As a lady I would never mention names, but there are times...but I won't) was so distracted, looking around for some sort of mythical, better table. I saw him interacting with other tables (incidentally smaller parties) and working for his tip off of theirs, yet he completely neglected us. He'd rarely come by and offer to get us refills, he seemed downright unnerved that he got 'us'. I think if he could, he would have pawned us onto another person. Oh, that was until the end of the meal and the check was presented, then it was all smiles and chummy moments. We would have been very generous (in fact, we still were, considering our cool reception) and we were all very nice to him, so I don't understand why we received 'the treatment'. On to the food, they gave us bread, which was okay, kinda dry. I had the She Crab soup (She Crab trilogy in Charleston complete!). It was good, not the best I've ever had, but very good. I also had the lobster (as well as my father and sister). Now let me say I've had lobster in many different places (the best being a mom & pop place in Cape Cod and the Capital Grille in Pittsburgh), and this was lobster that was not so thrilling. It is supposedly 'broiled', which is my favorite treatment to lobster. However, it tasted steamed, and it was overly soft, almost as if it was underdone. This lent to a sort of a nauseating mouth feel. My sister-in-law had the Shrimp and Grits which she liked, and my brother had the tuna. He said it was good, but he didn't appear to finish it. The desserts were the saving grace of the night, however. I had the banana cream and my sister had the key lime pie (my father had the pecan as well), really very good and both were devoured to crumbs. I would say in all, it was good but a bit overpriced and overhyped. Know now, that I have come back to restaurants and establishments despite service! If someone has a quality product or fantastic food, I will ALWAYS overlook service. I came to Hanks with great expectations, prepared to be dazzled, everyone was excited to try it. I came away, knowing that I probably won't return.
(2)
Justin M.

White tablecloth seafood restaurant, specializing in low-country cuisine. She-crab soup was delicious, scallop special was amazing. A bit on the pricey side, but not unreasonably so. Sam, our server, was professional without being stiff. Service was incredibly well run. Good mix of locals and tourists.
(4)
Chuck H.

Was stuck at a conference out near the airport and was looking to have dinner with a group of 5 in town. Luck to get a recommendation from the concierge for this. I had shrimp and grits with a side of collards. All well flavored, well presented. A dining companion had a side of boiled shrimp. All very fresh, waitstaff very friendly. Even though we did not have a reservation, we were able to sit as a group at the "community table" and enjoyed it very well. Not a tourist trap. Not overly fussy. I get a sense of what the "old" city might have been.
(4)
Ryan C.

I went here with a coworker. Great seafood and great service. If you visit Charleston and are looking for a place with good food at a great price, I would would recommend Hank to my friends. Great food! I would go back next time I am in Charleston.
(4)
Carly B.

We had heard all good things, but were sorely disappointed. My husband ordered the shrimp and grits, which admittedly might be worth a 2nd chance - they were the best either of us had ever eaten. Unfortunately, we had a pretty terrible waitress who ruined the experience. We had to wait more than 20 minutes after our coffee & dessert were dropped off before we ever saw her again to get the bill. The atmosphere was very tight table to table and VERY loud. We barely talked to each other because we had to yell to hear each other. There are *much* better options in Charleston. Save the calories & $$ for other spots.
(2)
Melonie T.

The husband and I had a really great dinner here. The food was fresh, the service was not bad and the ambiance was very inviting. We sat at the long rather centeral communal table. It was fun sitting with total strangers and learning about their travels. I imagine that particular experience is not for everyone but we are very outgoing and didn't see the need to wait on a regular table to open up. The bisque I had was excellent and filling. If you are looking for a break from the super tourist traps, this place is a bit more authentic feeling. No t-shirts, no loud screaming kids, no celeb photos on the wall.
(4)
Katherine A.

I have been several times. The food has been a hit or a miss. The tuna dish was amazing, but the she crab bisque was just okay. They do have the best service I have had since I have been in Charleston.
(3)
Robert M.

Simply put top 5 for seafood in the city. Always fresh, Always good. Yes it is not cheap. Yes it is fancy. Yes the portion range from large to huge. When in doubt go with the curry shrimp.
(5)
Dan C.

Seafood a la Wando, delicious. Big hearty portions, with a big menu that'll cater to those wanting to try more local preparations in addition to the universal seafood staples. The exterior is shabby chic but the interior is elegant and lively. First dinner in Charleston, I was impressed.
(4)
Gretchen S.

Good seafood, nice atmosphere, but.we had such high hopes. It's not that Hank totally dissed us, but it really isn't worth the hype. The Seafood a la Wando was tasty enough to enjoy the leftovers the next day cold. The oysters were fresh and obviously precious based on the price. Biggest disappointment? Being seated at the tiniest table for two practically in the lap of another couple to the right and a four-top to the left. We had to finish our oysters first before our entrees would fit on the table and hubby's beer was always in danger of toppling over each time someone passed. I felt exposed and anxious the entire time. The drinks were cold and it was a lovely Saturday night in Charleston, but memorable? Nope. Will we be back? Nope.
(2)
Wendy E.

Food was good, everything was fresh. She crab soup was full of flavor. No ambiance. Nothing made this expensive meal special. Very casual attire OK.
(3)
Scarlett O.

Wonderful experience. Don't miss the she-crab soup. Wait staff is professional and knowledgeable. Would definitely return.
(5)
Dano M.

The food cost must be about 10%...Don't get much for your money....Seafood in Charleston is the same everywhere...I think Hank's is just trying to make money and not friends.
(2)
Pete and Mel R.

More like 3.5 or 3.75 stars. We went on a weekday evening and the place was packed, so I'd recommend reservations. Overall nice ambiance. We were seated right on time, and our server was good, but not exceptionally friendly. The ceviche appetizer was very good...very fresh and very bright. We ordered the broiled platter and the seafood a la wando. The broiled platter comes with grouper, crab cakes, sweet potatoes fries, and scallops...all good, but the grouper was a bit boring. The seafood a la wando is an assortment of seafood (scallops, salmon, tuna, crab) in a very rich sherry and butter/cream sauce. It was good, but I was disappointed by how much the sauce overpowered the fish...when I come to Charleston for fresh seafood, I want to be able taste it. Overall, there were a few disappointments, but it was a pretty satisfying experience.
(4)
Josh P.

Great service and seafood. I had the fried plate which included fried oysters, shrimp, and crabcakes. The crabcake was delightful. I was awfully jealous of my girlfriends buttermilk fried chicken dinner though. She graciously let me have a taste and i was instantly in love, The chicken was light yet still had a great crispy crunchy coating. If I had the chance to go back, I would get the chicken.
(4)
Charlie M.

Had shrimp and grits that was above excellent. My wife had boulabase which was also excellent. Creme brÃ»lÃ©e and signature banana pie was to die for. Excellent wait staff. Definitely recommended and went back second time for another great meal.
(5)
Hank M.

It was date night. We gathered with some friends at Hank's Seafood Restaurant to have a good night. Food was pretty good - nothing too memorable. I think the appetizers of seared tuna were the best thing we had all night. The wine list was mediocre - not very much selection, but the wine groupie in our band wrangled us up something good. Overall, it was a decent experience, but for the hype that I had heard, I was a little let down. Now I kind of know why people always say "Hank's Seafood? Why I haven't been there in YEARS!" If you haven't been there for a few years, there's probably a reason why.
(3)
Mark A.

What a disappointment! We arrived after a very special occasion and had high expectations. Hank's didn't come close. The service was slow and the waiter's demeanor aloof --- perhaps because his 18 percent tip was built into the check with our party of six. The food was just OK, nowhere near worth the prices. Our advice: look elsewhere.
(1)
Deidre B.

Hank's is absolutely killer. My family is in Charleston, so I'm down that way a lot. And it astounds me that more tourists haven't heard of this place (especially given it's location right near to the Doubletree and outdoor Market). But I suppose having all the locals there is what makes this place feel so relaxed and effortless in their service. I went a few weeks back with my family, fiance, and soon-to-be in-laws. The in-laws had never been to the South. Hank's was the perfect introduction for them of terrific lowcountry cooking and complete Southern hospitality. The waitstaff could not have been friendlier, or more attentive; yet not in an overbearing manner. I ordered the Seafood a la Wando after reading a couple glowing reviews here, and it did not disappoint! The broth was incredible -- completely flavorful, but without drowning out the taste of each individual piece of fish that was included. A harmonious blend of all tastes. One of our party actually had the fried chicken -- and it was some of the moistest I've ever tasted. Pretty impressed about that for a Seafood place! I may have to get my chicken here instead of Magnolia's from now on (although in all fairness, their's is pretty good too)! Thanks to Hank's for a great meal, and I'm hoping I can make it back soon!
(5)
BabaBooey D.

A lot of people consider this place one of Charleston's best downtown seafood restaurants, but in reality it is more of a tourist trap. Also, the service is peculiarly unfriendly and rude for some reason, but the food is slightly above average.
(2)
Walter M.

Great food. Southern flare to their seafood... not a good place for couples. There are only a few two-tops and they are all side by side and very close to each other. So close that even fitting between them to get to your seat is difficult.
(4)
Heather D.

Hank's Seafood Restaurant makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I'm so glad we decided to pop in here without a reservation on our last night in Charleston. I'm so happy we decided to sit at the bar like locals, converse with the friendly bartender and exchange niceties with the other patrons. I'm delighted we ordered the oyster sampler, which was delicious and linked our three places of origin: oysters from Washington State, Virginia and Charleston. I'm thankful we decided to share combo #1, which was a plate straight from fry-heaven which included fried grouper, hush puppies, fried shrimp, fried sweet potato fries and coleslaw. The grouper was delicious, with a subtle flavor. Everything else was awesome. The local beer they had on tap was delicious. The banana cream pie was so good and so unlike all the fake banana concoctions that pawn themselves off as the real thing. Every time I go to Charleston, I will come back here. It feels classy but casual at the same time, and is bound to be on everyone's top list.
(5)
John Patrick H.

Hank's is tucked on a corner near the City Market in the Historical District. Although walkins were welcome, 'tis best to get a reservation; especially if you get the oysters (half shell) and the Low Country Bouillabaisse as you will need the extra room for the garbage plates. Our waiter Randy was prompt, knowledgable and courteous. We ordered a dozen of the sweetest, softest Malpique oysters from PEI. My chum washed his oysters down with an Anchor Bay. I tried one of their Martinis. The oysters were all meaty and perfect. We played a game to see who could hold off the longest before finishing the tray f oysters. For our main course we ordered the Low Country Bouillabaisse. The combination of wine, garlic and a special flavoring I needed to ask about, gave the dish a level complexity often not found in shellfish stews or soups. Get it! For toppers, we shared a slice of pecan pie. Get to Hank's and enjoy the finest seafood in the South East US.
(5)
Emma A.

Went here with my parents the other night. We had appetizers, main courses, and shared desert. The food was great, the atmosphere was nice, and the service was fabulous. I would recommend this restaurant!
(4)
Katoe Y.

Hank's is one of my father's favorite restaurants in Charleston. We have been here for 4 nights and have eaten there twice already. Our first night we didn't have reservations, so we opted to dine at the bar instead of the community table. I don't really get the community table. Second night we had reservations. I don't think that hostess could find our reservations in her computer. We were directed to the bar for 30 minutes and barely ordered a drink before she came back to seat us. On the first night Mariah took great care of us at the bar, she was fantastic. Super personal, extremely professional and just a sweet gal. We didn't wait long for anything and the place was jammed. During our second visit Hayden took care of us at our table, and he was good...not great, but good. We had a little of everything: She Crab soup (large portion and delicous), Peel and eat shrimp (good but I am used to them hot, not cold), oyster sampler (my husband and father loved them), tomato and mozerella salad (very good we ordered it both times), scallops (absolutely perfectly done), grouper over risotto (I would order again), soft shell crabs (excellent), my dad loves the fish platters (hot and fresh...did I mention my dad is hard to please). The cucumber mojito was really good. I am not a fan of gin, but I will attempt to recreate this gem when I get home. Of course, we will go back during our next visit, but my dad is her for 6 more days and I bet he will be back a few more times.
(4)
David H.

Good food, nice atmosphere, reasonable prices for a nicer restaurant in downtown Charleston. No superlatives, but a good place. Seared tuna app was unremarkable. Bouillabaisse was good, not great. Peanut butter / chocolate pie was good except for overly-sweet graham cracker crust.
(4)
Todd S.

Hanks was amazing. I had the # 4 seafood platter. It included fried shrimp, oysters, crab cake and more. Very good. Best fried seafood I have had.
(4)
Jason K.

Went on a Sunday night around 5pm. Service was not as bad as some reviews seem to suggest, but then again I went on a Sunday. Started off with a basket of good warm bread, followed by she crab soup which was delicious. I had the shrimp n grits which was great. My wife had the seafood a la wando which was decent. Tables not too close together as others have mentioned, not sure those diners eat in big city restaurants too often. Overall, I would recommend Hanks. Oh, they also made a killer virgin mojito for my pregnant wife.
(4)
Russ H.

My family vacations in Charleston every year and we always dine out once or twice at Charleston's nicer restaurants. This is the second time we have eaten at Hank's, but I wish we would have left it alone at 1! We were a large party of 9 and they sat us at a table that was meant for no more than 6!!!! My mother asked if we could all move to a larger table and they did say we could all move but it would be 30-50 minutes before we could, so we tufted it out. We probably should have waited because we kept dropping silverware because there was so much silverware on the tiny table and my mom dropped a fork with food remnants on my new shoes!?! Anyway, the food was so-so, definitely not worth the price. We all split the rare tuna appetizer and the tuna had very little taste to it and only had 5 small strips of the tuna. If you are thinking about ordering this appetizer, DON'T! I had the she-crab soup (which I love) and it was average. It did have some big hunks of crab on top, but I thought it had a strong mayonnaise and pickle taste to it. My entree was shrimp and grits (another meal I love) and it was very good (4 stars on the S&G). The desserts are amazing, we ordered the key lime pie, banana cream pie, and pecan pie and shared bites. They were all excellent! If I had it to do all over again I would have dined somewhere else and gone to Hank's for coffee and dessert. Good luck to you and your dining choices in Charleston.
(2)
Amy S.

It's so loud in this place you can't even hear the waiter asking your order and my husband and i had to scream at each other across the table. We were sat right by the door and in december the cold draft made it very uncomfortable everytime someone opened the door. Our waiter was extremely rude to us the entire time but especially when we asked him to fix our wobbly table. That being said the seafood is amazing!
(2)
JAMES T.

Had dinner the night of May 31st, 2010 - the eve of my 36th wedding anniversary. Had reservations for 6:45 and arrived at 6:15 for drinks. Bar maid was friendly and prompt. Got table a little early - maybe 5 minutes.Waiter was totally distracted and probably ADHD. His performance led to me calling another waiter for a refill for my wife's drink. Second guy acted like we had leprosy. Food was prompt and delicious - while our waiter remained MIA. After a 15 minute wait while Bozo screwed around, I called the manager. Mr. MIA showed up a minute later and I told him to get lost - and I have witnesses. My suggestion - eat there only if you have your kid's Ritalin for the waiters.
(2)
Angela R.

This is the second time I have eaten at Hanks and I can honestly say I didn't find anything wrong with it either time. This time however we ate at the bar because we didn't make reservations (duh). The bar tenders were great. I had the Shrimp and Grits and it was amazing. I am from the north and don't eat grits but this dish is wonderful. My friend had the Seafood a la Wando and this was just a good! The restaurant has a great atmosphere also. This is a must do if you ever get a chance to eat here but I highly suggest reservations.
(5)
Heather H.

This place was wonderful! Drinks & food were AMAZING. Staff were very friendly and attentive even though we came pretty close to closing time. Very clean & comfortable scene....I was at first intimidated by the white tablecloths. The place was recommended to me by a friend & would definitely go back but don't go if you're scared to spend a little money. For my party of 3, it was about $160 with drinks & tip included.
(5)
Spencer K.

Outstanding seafood. Pecan pie desert was also excellent with toasted pecans. Have it with the Madera liquor.
(4)
Ray T.

Excellent service. Special of the evening was Wahoo. My wife ordered that and I had shrimp & grits. We were both pleased with our choices. Our only disappointment was coffee and dessert. The pecan pie and key lime pie had tough crusts and the coffee was thick and burned.
(4)
Jill J.

By far some of the finest seafood we have eaten. Anywhere! Simple yet really fresh and delicious. How can it be so hard for other places to accomplish this? Packed house even on a Sunday night we had to wait in line for a bar seat..don't go without reservations ...absolutely a must not miss in Charleston!
(5)
Odysseus P.

Very fresh. Very tasty. Check it out if you're in Charleston. Seared tuna and special mahi mahi were off the chain. Desert wrapped it up nicely (dark chocolate croissant bread pudding) and the service was friendly and prompt. We'll be back.
(4)
Mandy A.

Really nice place. Wonderful oysters and salmon. OK wine menu. Great dessert - be sure to get the keylime pie. White table cloth, but you can wear jeans - a lot of people there wear jeans so it's not stuffy. Service was really attentive and made the night very enjoyable. Not too pricey, but by no means cheap.
(5)
Anna P.

Good quality food and service in i nice atmosphere.
(4)
Matt H.

excellent shrimp and grits!!!! shrimped cooked to perfection mounted on creamy, rich southern grits in a tomato based sauce. tomato was a essential in cutting the richness of the grits - great combination.
(5)
Mason S.

The Roast Grouper was phenomenal. It came with a lobster and shrimp risotto on the bottom. The sweet potato fries aren't too bad either. The service is very friendly. One of the best seafood restaurants in the South.
(5)
Yvonne O.

LOVED Hank's. We went here the last night of our trip and sat at the bar. I got the fried oysters with pickeled okra and corn relish and a half order of their shrimp and grits. Finally, a place that doesn't turn shrimp and grits into soupy mush!!! Husband had a tenderloin with bleu cheese grits. Great service and great food - would totally come back here.
(5)
Regina S.

The first thing that struck me about Hank's was the pleasant atmosphere. It was packed on a Sunday night in February (this is remarkable because there's not a whole lot open late on Sunday nights in Charleston, especially in the off-season) and it wasn't loud. The hostess was terrific. The bartender was fast and really nice and the waitress was really good at explaining the specials. First, the appetizers. The ceviche was fresh and flavorful and the tuna tartar was the best I've had in town. Second, the entrees. I had the seafood platter #2 (crabcake) and it was excellent. The french fried sweet potatoes were my favorite part. My friends had the seared tuna (small portion but tasty) and the scallops (clean plat club worthy). My only gripe is a minor one. The variety of wine by the glass is minimal. There were a couple of bottle-only options I would have wanted a glass of.
(5)
Debbie L.

We went here because I'd received a gift certificate for Christmas. It was FANTASTIC! We were immediately seated at a booth, brought ice water and warm bread with butter. We shared a she-crab soup as an appetizer, husband got shrimp n grits, and I got the roast grouper. The she-crab soup was the creamy type... probably the BEST I have ever had. It was very rich but not heavy-tasting for some reason. Our food arrived shortly afterwards, and the presentation was nice. Shrimp n grits was excellent. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, not overdone or chewy. Normally I don't like grits, but these stone-ground grits were so creamy it almost tasted like polenta. The whole dish had just the right amount of spice and acid, and tasted very fresh. Roast grouper was fantastic. It came on a bed of risotto with rock shrimp and corn mixed in, and EVERY part of the dish was cooked perfectly. The fish was moist but the top was crusted nicely. The risotto was slightly al dente, and the shrimp was done well too. The sauce was interesting... in a good way. It was creamy and yet had enough lemon zest or some sort of acid in it to balance the cream. Overally the entire dish tasted very fresh and light. Service was fantastic. Water was constantly refilled (husband drinks a lot of water), we were checked on, and the check came promptly after we were finished eating. The server was friendly and recommended other restaurants we might like based on this one. Overall, a very pleasant experience. This is probably one of our favorite restaurants in Charleston now.
(5)
Chetan S.

We got a recommendation from a local for this very nice seafood restaurant in the center of town. Both food and ambiance were amazing and the service was spot on. The place was packed even on a Tuesday night so make reservations. We tried the crab cakes for an app and the shrimp and grits both of which were quite good. Would definitely recommend this place for a special occasion or a splurge while on vacation.
(4)
Gina C.

My friends and I ate at Hanks when we arrived to Charleston. We had a 9:00 reservation, so most of us shared dishes since we snacked around 6:00. I ordered the Broiled Seafood platter since I ate fried for lunch. The platter included shrimp, scallops, crab cakes, and grouper. I thought the shrimp was the best on the platter. It's probably one of the best broiled platters I've had. My sister and I shared the entree and we had mushrooms and coleslaw as our sides. Many people in our party ordered the broiled platter. My friends that ordered the salmon loved their dish. I tried it and it was delicious! I also had a glass of riesling and it accompanied the meal very well. We enjoyed our meal and the service was also very good.
(4)
Dave L.

Without reservations my wife and I stopped in at 9:30 on a Saturday night. Rather then wait, we sat at the bar. My wife ordered a Yuengling while I surveyed the wine list looking for a glass of red. Then, I happened across a Ginger flavored Margarita. Recognizing Yvonne's penchant for the Margarita, I was able to provide her joy in that I sacrificed and took the beer and she ordered the Margarita. The beer was crisp and cold and the candied Ginger Margarita was outstanding. We shared a bowl of she crab soup and the #1 fried grouper and shrimp dish. The cliff notes are: Excellent! The she crab soup was creamy, had minced crab meat in the center and was full of a comforting crab soup flavor. My only change was to add some cracked pepper. Not that I could improve the soup, but my improvement would be to add lump crab meat in the center. We were provided a half loaf of sour dough bread. Better then average, not San Francisco's best but good all the same. The grouper and shrimp were served with cocktail and tarter sauce. Sides were sweet potato chips, cole slaw and two hush puppies. The grouper was lightly fried, hot, moist in the center and flakey, in a word delicious. The shrimp were lightly fried and fresh sweet. The sweet potato chips were a surprise delight. The cole slaw was creamy, fresh and light - no bite, better than expected. Guess what, the hush puppies were barking with good flavor and just the right texture. Service was excellent, no long waits and not overly attentive. In this restaurant the wait service did not sit with us and write their name upside down. No cutesy stuff. Ambiance was on par with the meal and the service. No doubt, when next in town, we will eat at Hanks again.
(4)
J T.

I do quite a bit of business travel to Charleston but had not been here for dinner. It came highly recommended. I took my parents out here for our evening dinner visit in Charleston. While the room was half empty, they attempted to seat us directly in front of the door. We asked to be changed to another seat and were given a booth. It took 10 minutes for the server to attend to us with iced water and another ten minutes for him to return with it. The house specialty (a la wando) was lukewarm when served; the hush puppies appeared to be almost burnt or cooked in old grease and reheated. No water refills, plopped down the bread and butter on the table. Waiter with PMS? I will not recommend any one have a meal here as good food and hospitality are especially expected in downtown Charleston. Very disappointing.
(1)
Todd A.

An institution, my first choice for upscale, low country seafood in Charleston. Great bar, nice ambiance, professional non-intrusive service. Some of the best she-crab soup ever, shrimp and grits to rival my own and always an abundance of fresh seafood choices. Good portions and reasonable prices, consistently excellent and some elegant preparations beyond the broiled/fried standards.
(4)
Pete J.

My wife and I read on some pamphlet that gets thrown at you whenever ina touristy situation that Hanks prefers reservations. We called a couple hours before and once arriving at Hanks about a half hour early were seated immediately. The service was on average. I liked the large dining room and it was quite a friendly atmosphere with everyone talking. As an app I had 5 of the gulf oysters. very fresh. My entree was the shrimp and grits and my wife had one of the fried fish platters. She was impressed, but shes pretty easygoing and is more put off by appearance than anything. I had the shrimp and grits. The grits were creamier than other places and I liked that. The ham was almost unnoticable. My pet peeve on the shrimp is that they still had the tails on them. Take the damn tails off. We get the fact that the shrimp is fresh, but I dont like to have to pick each one up and detail them. Everything was on par but nothing overly impressive.
(3)
Roger S.

Good but not great, especially by Charleston's standards.
(3)
Thomas T.

The first thing I noted about this place is its atmosphere. The interior lighting was not too bright nor too dim, but could have been a little brighter. The tables are really close to each other and could make a dining experience slightly uncomfortable for plus-sized people. On a typical night, reservations are required. It is best to call-in (or use the Yelp application for the Android/-i-phone) for reservations. This restaurant is a moderately high-end, classy type, meaning that people normally dress up to dine here. However, there is no requirement posted here for formal dining attire, so if you stop by in street (casual) clothes and have a reservation, they will seat and serve you with the same courtesy as someone formally dressed. Their food selection is great and the servers provide recommendations of what to order, based on popularity and personal affinity. One of their best dishes served is the Roast Grouper with Risotto. This pairs well with the she-crab soup and a glass of pinot Grigio. I've had this combination in the past and its great. Recently I ordered the shrimp and scallop platter, served atop linguine pasta with crab/clam sauce. I paired this up with a glass of their local IPA and had their soup of the day, which was a creamy tomato/basil clam and scallop soup, garnished with oregano. This combination also works well in the pallette. Overall, based on my experiences here, this is a 4-star restaurant and would recommend Charleston visitors to visit the downtown area (parking can be a pain and costly), eat here, then walk down to King street and stroll by all the shops - this is a perfect place to take a date and then have a evening stroll afterwards.
(4)
Queen A.

This restaurant feels like a mill. Extremely mediocre food that I could not finish. If you like really good food, try FIG.
(1)
Tom S.

Excellent service. Relaxing experience and my wife loved her grilled seafood platter . I loved my scallops.
(4)
Deborah P.

Liked the atmosphere, but Hank's just didn't measure up to my expectations. It's expensive and frankly not worth it. Let's start with the service. We had the bad luck to be assigned a server who was also taking care of a huge table all on her own. Needless to say, service was slow and we had to resort to waving our hands in the air to get a water refill. The food was decent but not spectacular. The appetizer and main dish I ordered (Seafood a la Wando) had exactly the same sauce; an attentive server would have mentioned that, wouldn't you think? The main course was tasty enough, but the serving was small for the price. Disappointing for a special occasion dinner. Definitely will not go back--there are too many other good places to eat in town. Sorry, Hank's, but SNOB remains tops on my list.
(2)
M R.

The food is delicious, especially the fried chicken. it was very tender like what real southern fried chicken tastes should be... our group started with the with the tomato mozzarella salad with crisp greens and fresh mozzarella and tomatoes. We had a potato and sweet corn chowder which tasted just like clam chowder, but without any seafood. Then we had the fried chicken, the grouper with the burre blanc which was great. I am not a big fish fan but that was the some all right fish. One of us had peel and eat shrimp that was fresh, cold and tasty. The service is very attentive, our waiter guided us through the menu telling us his favorite meals, the specials of the day, and the staff is so very friendly. Overall, dining experience.
(4)
Jill k.

if you're going to charleston, it is an absolute requisite to have some seafood, and hank's is a great choice for that! i had my first taste of shrimp and grits here, and it was delicious! there was so much flavor in it, and i just loved the way they did grits. their shrimp and grits had a tomato base, and though very different from the one at the hominy grill, i loved it all the same. altogether, hank's is absolutely worth the hype! note: the place is nicely casual, so dress accordingly.
(5)
Lyndee O.

We hit Hank's on our first night in Charleston. Recommended by a young man at check in at our hotel. We usually shy away from recommendations from young kids after getting suggestions like, TGIF, Friendlies, etc. but it was late, we were hungry and this IS and eating town. I tried the fried fisherman's platter which was your standard fried fare, nothing special, but the fried sweet potatoes were wonderful. My husband ordered the Shrimp and Grits and they were simply amazing! I spent most of the meal "tasting" his dinner. After checking out several other restaurants for Shrimp and Grits, I must say that Hank's has by far the best ever. They have a spicy tomato base that is amazing and the creaminess and cheesiness of the grits was to die for! We never got back for another round of grits as our trip was way too short, and I have been dreaming of them since that evening, even googling to find their recipe to no avail. Hank's, you are on my short list!! I'm coming back!
(4)
Leonard K.

A tourist trap. The food is good but not great. The price is about 50% higher than it should be. Slightly pretentious without reason. For the money, there's much better in Charleston.
(2)
Sean T.

Had the Roast Grouper per the bar tender's request, it was decent. I would try something else the next time. Eating at the bar solo here was comfortable. One of the bar tenders was a little inattentive (chatting up some local women - can't blame him too much). Was, at times, tough to get a proper refill; however, I would come back to eat. Not a place to stick around for drinks while solo.
(4)
amy c.

Mmmmmmm.... My sis and I had a long day at the beach and went to Charleston for a tour- we were so hungry and the line at Hyman's was so long. They rec'ed Hank's and we were so happy. The interior is nice, the service was good and the food EXCELLENT. Well worth the money.
(4)
J. T.

I wasn't impressed with the layout or the atmoshere. Food was great. Dessert was the best thing I have ever eaten. I did not enjoy being a couple feet from complete strangers and their conversation. Had long tables so I could hear anything my plus one was saying. Eating in silence is fun (sarcasm)!
(3)
Maggie L.

I've been to Hank's 3 or 4 times now and I think its fantastic- one of the few gems in the market area downown. The food is consistently delicious and the atmosphere is lively but not loud. Its very much a traditional Southern seafood restaurant- upscale but not stuffy. I would highly recommend reservations (they are on Opentable.com ). We recently tried to walk in on a Monday night and they couldn't seat us. A great place to bring out of town guests. *Family friendly.
(4)
Martha D.

We ended up at Hank's on a whim and had no problems getting a table (granted, it was a Tuesday night at 6:30 ...), but it did get crowded pretty quickly. And the table we had was very close to the guy at the next table (who was dining alone ... and eaves dropping ... but that's to be expected when the guy next to you is dining alone and you're talking politics.) The food was supurb -- we started with crab cakes and the she crab soup for appetizers. Honestly, when the crab cakes came out, I thought I could call it dinner -- they were huge. But we had more coming -- seared tuna entree and the swordfish. Amazing preparation of unexpected flavors! We also ordered sides -- asparagus and mashed potatoes -- half expecting these to be abundant sides (like what you get at some of the big-name steak houses), but they were the perfect size for two people. The only negative part of the experience was our waiter -- who was flirting with my husband. And then as soon as a table of 10 sat down next to us, we never saw the server again. So we had a half bottle of wine left at the end of the meal, and he never poured our wine for us (and we couldn't find it to pour for ourselves), so that was frustrating. But server aside, the food was delicious, the restaurant was beautiful, and we will definitely return.
(4)
Bill J.

As of right now, this is my favorite place in town. Cool inside, great service but most important the food is awesome! A seafood place on the coast, this place get's it right. Has somewhat of a steakhouse feel, all wood, servers in white jackets. Not too upscale, but yet a step up from most places. Make sense? I have worn shorts, and also a jacket. Both were comfortable. Great food, great service right on the market.
(5)
W. Stephen T.

Hanke's is by far one of my favorite places in Charleston. The atmosphere is great and they really get you in and out in a moderate amount of time. I highly suggest the seared tuna. They have these two raw bar type apps called the tower and the castle. These consists of shrimp, clams. mussels, and I believe some oysters. I recommend getting the castle if you have more than 4 or 5 people at your table. It is also centrally located in the historic Market st. area.
(4)
Cully W.

This place is incredible. I took one bite of my dish, the A La Wando, and was stunned. Looking around the table at my 5 friends' expressions, they were all the same. We spent the rest of the meal trying each other's entrees and generally being wowed. The she-crab soup as an appetizer was also amazing. If there is any knock against this place, it would be that the food is a little on the over-the-top rich (I can't imagine how much butter & cream they go through). That being said, I wasn't complaining. I will definitely go back next time I'm in Charleston.
(5)
Deb M.

I took the #5 for a comfortable mix of broiled seafood and feel like I missed something. Served with sweet potato fries it was truly comfort food with a lot of comfort built in to the portion size. I was looking for the unusual and didn't find it there. I was suitably impressed with the service as I have come to expect gracious service in any downtown Charleston dining establishment.
(3)
Lee L.

Had a great dinner at the bar. Bartender was fantastic - over the top good service. Superb cocktails and the Girard Sauvignon Blanc is worth finding again. Shrimp and grits were delicious, albeit a bit under salted and in need of a few dashes of Tabasco. I'm sure the restaurant location requires that they tone that down a bit - easy enough to adjust to taste. The creamy Seafood A La Wando was lovely, the shrimp, crab and scallops were the highlight; the fish was a little uninteresting and a little overcooked. Overall, exceeded expectations. We had a great time and will definitely be back.
(4)
Sam B.

This is a neat place, it has a very classic appeal, the servers wear white coats. Although this place has a classic vibe it is still Charleston casual. The food was very enjoyable and the drinks were perfectly stout! I would surly make a stop at this establishment if you are in the mood for good seafood in a neat environment.
(4)
Irene M.

I went to Hank's for dinner with a group of 6 girls. We had reservations and were running pretty late since we were visiting from out of town and got lost on the way there. Regardless, Hank's was awesome in accommodating us and we only had to wait a few minutes before we were seated. The food was delicious! I ordered crab cakes and Roasted grouper with goat cheese and spinach risotto. The fish was cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and perfectly moist in the inside. The risotto was also perfectly delicious and oh so creamy :). I think it was just a perfect combination of flavors on one plate. The crab cakes were also really good! We had a great waiter that was very friendly, attentive and informative with the menu and dishes. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and return I ever find myself back in Charleston :)
(5)
Shannon L.

Absolutely exquisite. Delicious seafood, nice atmosphere.
(5)
Susan D.

The best food we had on our recent trip to Charleston with Magnolias a very close second. We dined on a Friday evening and were quickly seated. Started with drinks and then the tuna tartare lump crab appetizer. Fresh, fresh, fresh. I had the grouper on risotto and husband had seafood a la wando. Both were over the moon fantastic. Our server was warm and attentive. Perfect Southern food and atmosphere. Gracious,elegant but unstuffy. Must try.
(5)
Tom G.

We used they're online reservation and special requests. Our 'booth' was ready as scheduled. We even received a phone call earlier in the day to confirm our reservation. The fried chicken was the best ever tasted. I wasn't very hungry and just ordered the She Crab Soup and it was amazing. My entree was the app Mussels and I was more than satisfied. Best sauce ever. The Sea Food La Wanda was delicious and would certainly be ordered again on return. The calamari app was done to perfection. Don't miss Hanks. ENJOY!!!!!!
(4)
Maureen B.

This restaurant was delicious. It's a little pricey but all the food was great. We ordered the seafood cocktail for our app and it was perfect. So fresh and tasty. I got the number five for my entree it was a deletion of sea scallops, grouper fillet, shrimp, hush puppies and sweet potato fries. Everything was excellent including the wine we ordered. Service was outstanding. I'd definitely come back here next time I'm in charleston !
(4)
Kirk W.

Hanks was a all around great dining experience. The hostess was courteous, the bartender was very knowledgeable about the drink menu, the waiter made great recommendation, and the service was prompt. I had the shrimp and grits and it was superb. The combination of spices, sausage, shrimp, and sauce was perfect to my taste. We also ordered a fried plate of shrimp, grouper, sweet potatoes and it was not overly breaded and the flavors of the meats really came through. I would recommend Hanks as a great seafood destination for Charleston.
(5)
tom j.

Hmm. A very nice restaurant, great ambience and setting, great bar. Really enjoyed being there. The food. Well, yes, it was good. But just good. And frankly, for those prices, it should be excellent, not just "good." We had she crab soup, steamed mussels, shellfish pasta and seafood a al wando. Only the she crab soup was noteworthy. Due to the ambiance, I can see why this place is so popular. But I didn't get the feeling they were down at the piers buying fresh fish every morning. I think this place is living on reputation, not food.
(3)
Jim P.

Bar has better atmosphere, IMHO. Food is very good to excellent, fresh. Bartender was great, food recommendations were spot on.
(4)
lizzie b.

Tourists - stay away! And Charleston has a lot of tourists. I went to Hanks on a recommendation from Yelp, the hotel, and a non-foodie friend. We saved it for the last night of our trip as a way to eat some delicious fresh seafood. What we found was the opposite. The atmosphere is gloomy and non-descript. The hostess to the waitress are not friendly or personable. We both ordered the Seafood a la Wando as a seafood sampler, and what we got were the ends of the seafood - probably from yesterday - in a disgusting cream sauce. I couldn't bring myself to finish half of it. It smelled, tasted foul, and half of the fish in there were deep grey. Pig slop. Honestly I would not recommend Hank's to my worst enemy. As a do-over, I ended up eating some delicious dessert at Jestine's Kitchen nearby. How I rue the fact that I did not eat at FIG instead.
(1)
Trey M.

This restaurant has it all. An old school Charleston ambience with spectacular food and great drinks. After about a 20 minute wait, I had an amazing she crab soup to start and probably the best shrimp and grits I've ever had. My girlfriend had the seared scallops which were good too. Our server was a nice guy who gave us some strong recommendations when we were unable to pick between two dishes to order. I would definitely go back.
(4)
heather y.

We came here with a group of 20 on our family vacation we were seated in two tables of 10 right next to each other, naturally we divided into "kids" (20-35 year olds) and adults (50+). I have no idea what happened at the adult table but we had some of the best seafood ever at the kids table. My boyfriend literally wanted to order his meal again so he could eat it for a second time right after (he had the grouper with some awesome sauce and the fried mashed potatoes) can we talk about fried mashed potatoes for a second? That's a genius and delicious idea Our server was awesome and attentive we went through a couple of bottles of wine among other drinks and asked him to separate all the alcohol off the tab because we didn't want our grandmother paying for that, he had no problems Now the food! We started with the raw oyster sampler and the fried oysters, we changed some people at the tables mind about oysters that night, they were delicious. I think the gulf ones were my favorite but all three kinds were good Most of the table ordered fish from the a la carte menu and then picked the fried mashed potatoes to go with it. Between the table we had grouper, swordfish, and tuna. My brother got the seafood pasta I got the ceviche and the soup special (roasted cauliflower potatoes chipotle) and my other brother and his girlfriend split the jundo, and my cousin got the shrimp and grits. At the end of dinner there was not even a smear of sauce left on anyone's plate. We did manage to save enough romo to share some key lime pie for dessert, also demolished Overall wonderful experience and would not hesitate to come back for more
(5)
Sydney T.

Hank's is by far my favorite seafood restaurant in Charleston. You can taste how fresh everything is. Order the crab cakes and you will not be disappointed. Or order anything, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
J Z.

Excellent! Promptly seated, order taken immediately, food served quickly. A dozen Chesapeake oysters on the half shell, she-crab soup and the seafood ala Wando. Every dish delectable : ) The setting was bright, lovely and fairly quiet. We loved it.
(5)
Tennille B.

This place is a must whenever I visit home. They have the best lemon drop martinis and their shrimp and grits are absolutely divine. The staff was very attentive and charming. All the food was excellent. I now go here every visit. They do not disappoint!
(5)
Christi S.

I went here for my birthday the experience was great. The food and service that we received was great as well. I will definitely be returning.
(5)
Corey Tess T.

There are a ton of great places to eat in Charleston - and there is no shortage of great sea food - but this place really kicks it up a notch. I loved the bouillabaisse! I am a big fan of mussels and have them any chance i get, so when i say these were awesome, you can believe it! The she crab soup was amazing as well and I had an incredible dessert - Banana Cream Pie. The atmosphere is very masculine - a bit steakhouse-like - but the good thing is that you don't have to be dressed up to enjoy the fine dining experience. Some people were dressy, but others were in sandals and jeans - so after walking all over town, this is a great spot to relax and dine. A friend recommended it to us and my other friends too me here for my bday - it was just a really great dining experience.
(5)
Adam S.

Got the mussels as the appetizer which were really good and for dinner I ended up getting shrimp and grits. Now, I never had shrimp and grits before so I was in for a surprise. It was a really good surprise because I ate all of it and would order it again.
(4)
Thomas G.

The food here is very good and is served by a professional wait staff in the European tradition.
(3)
Molly G.

The carriage driver made some great suggestions for dining and he surely was right on about Hanks. I have had shrimp and grits throughout the south including New Orleans, but hanks rates number one. Try eating at the community table. Lots if fun.
(5)
Rhonda F.

Dined with friends here a couple of evenings ago. First time being here but definitely worthy of a return visit and then some. Loved the ambiance, menu selections available and a nice wine list. I enjoyed the seafood bouillabaisse. All components were perfect. So full of seafood that I was unable to finish the dish. Bourbon pecan pie with house whipped cream for dessert. Some of the best ever.
(5)
Max S.

Great seafood. Very accommodating. The service was superb. Didn't break the bank, while enjoying some quality cuisine. Definitely sample the key lime pie.
(5)
C. T.

Food was pretty good but nothing special. If you've eaten here in the last month or so, beware! Our credit card info and everybody in our group was stolen and used fraudulently. Check your credit card bills for bogus charges. After going through that hassle of getting cards cancelled and replaced, wouldn't go back.
(3)
Tom F.

She crab soup was great! Seafood tower small ($55) included mussels, oysters and shrimp that are perfect but to crown off an impressive tower was a small sad limp small lobster claw... I do not recommend eating at the bar it get quite busy. Bartenders and servers are great!
(4)
Amanda B.

This was the best seafood I have ever had ever! I will go back anytime I am in town. Words can't describe how amazing this place is! The group I was with had crab cakes and calimarii. I had the A La Wando. So great. Just how sea food should taste. Love this place. I will be back!
(5)
Duane D.

Hanks is hard to miss in Charleston -- especially if you stay at the DoubleTree nearby. We had a nice meal at Hanks. I didn't care for the "soup of the day," which was clam chowder. It has a flavor that I couldn't quite recognize, and wasn't appealing to me. I had lobster, which is hard to mess up (or really excel at). My wife had the curry shrimp, which she though was o.k. Our dessert was a banana creme pie, which was quite good. Service was good, but we did feel a little bit rushed--like they were in a hurry to turn the table over. All in all, Hanks did not blow me away. Perhaps my expectations were too high, or maybe we just ordered the wrong stuff. I would try Hanks again, but it wasn't a favorite on this particular trip.
(3)
Patrick F.

There are so many great restaurants in and around Charleston. With that being said you start picking specific menu items from each restaurant to identify why you love that restaurant. For Hanks it is simple, She-Crab Soup! Not to take away from the rest of the food or service but the she-crab makes a statement.
(5)
Sandy F.

The quality of the food and service is excellent. Ordered lobster at $40 which included TWO one pound lobsters! Luckily my daughter and I split it. The broiled sampler was a very big hit with each item perfectly done. Beautiful ambiance.
(5)
Amy J.

The restaurant had great portion sizes! By the end of my vacation I was so tired of leaving full (no, you cannot resist the food), but Hank's offered the perfect amount whether it was an appetizer or entree - not too little, not too much! Great place for groups with lots of big tables. Bustling with chatter. Great seafood. (Recommend the ceviche and crab cakes!)
(4)
Michael P.

This was one of three places recommended by a local, on our connecting flight to Charleston from Atlanta. We're glad we went. The food is really good, especially if you order the house specialties. Their green salad was decent. The bouillabaisse was terrific; I cleaned the bowl with the last slices of their fine bread. Collard greens were great. Pecan pie for dessert was among the best in town. The other guests at dinner enjoyed themselves, too. The service is impeccable; we wanted for nothing, yet the wait staff was not the slightest bit intrusive. The dÃ©cor is warm and inviting. The place is popular, so reservations are a must.
(4)
Amanda F.

Hanks is what every restaurant should strive to be. The service was superb, the food was outstanding, atmosphere comfortable/unpretentious/inviting. We were so happy here! I tried the Seafood a la Wando - shrimp, scallops, fish served in a creamy saffron sauce with a grit cake. It was absolutely delicious! And huge, I was stuffed all night! My table also had the Bouillabaisse (seafood mix served in a sherry sauce) and the Broiled Seafood platter. All the portions were large and we were all stuffed at the end! Our server took great care of us and handled our "special" requests with no problem. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked delicious, it was really hard to pick just 1 thing. Do make a reservation though - we saw a lot of people trying to walk in and getting turned away, or offered a 10:15 reservation. Seems to be a "reservations only" type of place. Or they have a long table in the bar area where you can eat. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town, best meal of the weekend hands down! Can't stop thinking about it nomnomnom....
(5)
Helene G.

We were really looking forward to this restaurant. It clearly had very good reviews. We found the food to be ok, nothing spectacular that you couldn't find elsewhere. The dish I ordered arrived just barely warm. The presentation was just average. The wait staff wore these white jackets, all of them ill fitting, many of them dirty. When asked about it they replied the jackets get dirty when they pick up the left over plates. We eat out a great deal and have never come across waiters at any establishment of this level wearing dirty clothing. If a restaurant doesn't care to appear clean in the front of the house where the public sits, what might that say about the kitchen?
(2)
Scott B.

I was there last weekend it couldn't have been better. The waiter was great; very informative and always there just when you needed something. Food and appetizers were 5 outta 5. Definitely would go back!!!
(5)
Brent H.

We had a nice dinner at Hanks. The food and service were very good and the banana pie was great.
(4)
J S.

The food at Hank's is great. We had the gulf oysters, the crab cake and the salmon...all of which were wonderful. The service, however, was not good. The waiter acted like he was doing us a favor every time he came to our table which was not much. Also, the food took forever to come out. The restaurant would have gotten 5 stars from me was it not for the service. It was really unimpressive.
(3)
Rob K.

A Charleston classic. Always consistent and excellent. My wife had the shrimp cocktail and the grouper with lobster risotto. It was delicious. I had the grilled swordfish with fried okra and sautÃ©ed spinach and it was excellent. I also had the she crab soup and it was also very good. I would definitely get both entrees on future visits. A very nice setting for date night for my wife and I.
(4)
Susan L.

I've eaten at the bar at Hanks a couple of dozen times while traveling on my own but opted for a sit-down meal while traveling with the kids over the 4th of July weekend. While the food was good, we had such an exceptionally unpleasant waitress (large mole on her lower cheek) that I don't think I would risk ever going back. There are so many great places to eat in Charleston where decent service is part of the whole package/ experience. Pearlz is a no-brainer!
(2)
Kent C.

I don't really know what to say about this place except this was one of the best dinning experiences I have ever had. First off be sure to make a reservation, because if you expect to be seated as a walk-in... Well good luck. Girlfriend had the scallops and I had the seafood wando and we also shared the collard greens. The portions were quite large. The collard greens looked so small, but it seemed like it was never ending. The best part is, large portions and the food was delicious! On top of the good food, the service was exceptional. The server was very attentive. Definitely no complaints about this place, maybe the bathroom, but I didn't use it so can't confirm, someone else will have to get on this.
(5)
Howard B.

here again. really like this place. food,l service and price point are consistent with charleston's best. They know their customer. table ready for us on time, menu with plenty o variety, coctails good and venue fun. If you haven't been, you should absoultely try it. Don't worry, they'll be around for a long time.
(5)

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Address : 10 Hayne St
Charleston, SC, 29401
Phone (843) 723-3474
Website https://www.hanksseafoodrestaurant.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Hank’s Seafood Restaurant

10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC, 29401

Hank’s Seafood Restaurant Menu

Cold Appetizers

Hot Appetizers

Soups And Salads

Chef's Specialties

Local Specialties

Seafood Platters

Ala Carte

The Raw Bar

Hank's Homemade Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Hank’s Seafood Restaurant

Cold Appetizers

Hot Appetizers

Soups And Salads

Chef's Specialties

Local Specialties

Seafood Platters

Ala Carte

The Raw Bar

Hank's Homemade Desserts

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