Pros: Fairly priced and not too busy for breakfast on a Friday. Food was all ok. Plenty of space in the back Con's: Cinnamon rolls weren't that good and I think the food was just a bit basic for such a foodie town.
(3)
Larry T.
Great food and affordable prices. Check this place out!
(4)
Ken J.
Loved this place. Looks like a nothing sort of spot from the street, I mean, it's clean and austere, but nothing that would call to casual passers by saying, "Hey, man! Come on in and check out my phenomenal fare!" No, seriously, it's good. Went last month with my wife and she had read the reviews and thought this was a spot we should try. It's a long narrow space with the prep line and counter running almost the entire length of the building. There is some table seating along the side and counter seating up front in the window, but this being Charleston, you can (and should) sit outside on their spacious patio, eat, drink your espresso, and watch the world go by. Wife ordered some egg dish, coffee (which she liked although said was too strong), and I ordered OJ (poured from a jug, not fresh) and their breakfast burrito. Burrito was AWESOME! Honestly, I don't know that I've had better: Fresh tomatoes, cilantro, homemade chorizo (yes, really), peppers, onions, and potatoes, topped with salsa and avocado. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Wife really enjoyed said egg dish and bacon. Service was not a priority, but it was fast and efficient, if not terribly friendly . . . but not rude either. This isn't a table service spot, so that's OK by me. I'll be back next time we're in town. It's a repeater.
(4)
Colin M.
Dog friendly. People are very friendly. Food is cooked perfectly. The chicken and waffles have a butter milk crust that is crazy good. Meatloaf burger was soft and soaked in gruyere cheese. Keep up the delicious work
(4)
Brandon S.
Had breakfast here and it was just okay. We got the King Street and Carriage House. The fruit that came with the yogurt consisted mainly of melons, not the good fruit you would expect with yogurt. The prices are decent but the portions are small. Overall, you get what you pay for. It is cheap food for a relatively low price, but I probably wouldn't recommend it.
(3)
Sera L.
3 stars for sandwiches Overall experience 2
(2)
J K.
Visiting charleston for getaway weekend and found this place on yelp and it sounded great. Got there at 12pm on a Saturday and looking forward to a nice brunch on the patio but when walked in a man behind the counter and someone in the cooking area were yelling and arguing which stopped the minute we walked in. Go to order and as we tried to order the answer came back that they were out of literally over half of the menu items. Left and had a great meal around the corner. Get it your act together or close down. Too many other great choices in the area to enjoy. Just got a response about this review from someone from the restaurant who states "sorry about the menu misunderstanding." No misunderstanding at all - was given the correct menu for Saturday but restaurant just did not have over 1/2 of the items listed on their menu. Was not able to reply to their message with that info so posting in an updated review.
(1)
Wendy S.
Keep walking. Ordered chicken salad. Finished most only to discover that bed of lettuce was not washed; I.e., dirty.
(1)
Jenna J.
Friends and I were in Charleston this past weekend for a bachelorette party. Saturday morning we wanted to get brunch, figuring we would have to split up in order to be accommodated. Two places turned us away quite rudely due to having a party of 13, despite us saying we were fine with splitting up into separate, smaller tables. We finally happened upon this little gem and were immediately greeted by Phil, who told us he would put tables together while we ordered food so we could all sit together. Everyone was extremely sweet, helpful, and easy-going. Phil even brought us over a complimentary carafe of mimosas for the table, and wished the bride congratulations. The food was fresh and delicious and we all enjoyed our meal very much. After dealing with rude hostesses at other restaurants, it was refreshing to experience that "true" southern hospitality from Kitchen 208.
(5)
Chris K.
Went there for breakfast. Food was great. I had the bluestone with pulled pork hash and sausage gravy. My wife had the cobblestone sandwich. Both were yummy. The staff is friendly. I definitely recommend for breakfast.
(5)
Chris N.
In town for a wedding. Nice clean quaint spot with a great outdoor seating area. Had the cobblestone sandwich which had great flavor.
(4)
Natalie T.
Great food! too bad they don't deliver but the food is alway GREAT and wonderful place to sit outside if the weather is nice.
(4)
Pete B.
Serious hangover morning. We'd been eating and drinking for DAYS on our trip to Charleston and this morning it finally caught up with me. I needed good coffee and good food -- something that my doc would approve of... and good coffee. Did I mention the coffee? I had steel cut oatmeal with honey and dried fruit, and a side of fruit and coffee. The coffee was good.... blue-collar-drink-3-cups kind-of good. I grabbed a fresh croissant before walking out, in spite of what my doc would say, because they just smelled too good. This place had good people, atmosphere and most of all food. I'll be back again for sure. Did I mention the coffee?
(4)
Shannon S.
I visited Kitchen 208 while on the Chow Down Charleston tour and our sample there was cheesy grits with a tomato/okra gravy and it was great!! They are trying to decide whether to put it on the menu and my answer would be YES!
(5)
Mark S.
Stopped by for breakfast. Was just okay. Probably would not come back, with their being so many other choices.
(2)
Ethan G.
The food was awesome! They had a great selection of breakfast/brunch foods, and had a really nice, open patio with plenty of shade and cross breeze.
(5)
Rick F.
Perhaps I set my expectation too high. I've walked by Kitchen lots of times... Finally gave it a try for brunch with friends. The menu is simple enough, it's breakfast. 2 eggs, bacon & Grits... No bread? Tiniest bowl of grits ever. Went back to order and pay for a side of grits and toast or a biscuit.. The lines not long, but the guy taking orders needs to focus. Take the order and move on to the next customer. Don't stop and get a drink, don't stop and make someone else's drink, don't stop to get napkins.... Focus on one job, you're not good a multi-tasking and the place isn't even very busy.....the wait staff dropped food, but didn't stay long enough to find out if this is everything nor did they return to find out if it's all ok... It's just ok. Nothing more, nothing less. If the service had been just ok, I'd not have had a remark. It would have been the same old mediocre service we've come to expect in most restaurants. I doubt I'll be back. If I have a choice, it will be someplace else
(1)
Daniel B.
Great breakfast sandwiches, friendly staff. Too bad no wifi. Even the staff was perplexed why there isn't any. It is my belief that a cafe without wifi in 2015 has arrogant ownership that disrespects its customers. I was needing to get online and can't stay for long here, but the food is very hearty.
(4)
Erik J.
Great food, the shrimp and grits were delicious. Drink menu was limited but for a casual brunch not a bad choice!
(4)
Jim B.
Not a fancy place inside, order at the counter and they will bring out your food. A counter and a few tables inside; several tables out on the courtyard - nice. Coffee is self-serve. I had a standard breakfast - eggs, bacon, grits - all good. Counter help is professional, friendly. Excellent coffee - good enough that I inquired - they get their beans from a local roaster - King Bean.
(4)
Jeremy H.
Breakfast (the charleston) was mediocre. Probably could have gotten the same at any crappy chain restaurant. Wish I hadn't wasted my only charleston breakfast here.
(3)
Ryne T.
5 stars all around. Great food (I ordered the belle-gem chicken and waffle sandwich and the smokey Joe). Wow! Some of the best food I've had. And the sandwich was under $10! Loved the outside seating as well. Definitely be back
(5)
Kate H.
Love their breakfast food, they have great brunch on Sundays with healthy options as well. It's a seat/serve yourself type of place, but its casual environment plus it's large outdoor seating area on King St. in Charleston is definitely worth checking out. Who doesn't love a good Sunday Brunch?!
(4)
JT A.
This is a pretty popular spot on Saturdays, at least. We came in, and my first thought was wow looks pretty clean. Our order was taken and we sat outside in the comfortable seating area. I ordered the plantation waffle with sausage (instead of bacon), My husband, the egg, tomatoes, mayo, bacon, lettuce sandwich. Our guests ordered the Smokey Joe and the Charleston. Well, me and my husband got our orders first. My husband enjoyed his, but my waffle was not done (partially burnt on the outside, gooey on the inside. She later told me they checked the waffle machine and realized the setting was incorrect). The sausage was OK, a tad sweet, interestingly. I told the staff person and then I decided to get the Charleston. Our guests got meal 10 minutes after we got ours. Awkward. So we notified the staff and they said they'd check in it and that it shouldn't have taken that long. We agreed. They finally got their meals, surprisingly hot still. They liked their meals. I then got my (2nd) order and it was really good. I substituted a biscuit for toast and made a bacon and egg sandwich. Really good - the best I've had. Never mind the fact the waiter brought me a croissant instead of toast the first time (in their defense, I asked her in the middle of her delivering another order...but really, toast sounds like croissant? She seemed a bit confused when I said it so I figured it was a 99% chance she'd get it wrong). Anyway, the home fries were delicious, too. So, in spite of the service, I would recommend and go back, just with a little more patience. Oh, and no more chicken and waffles from Charleston for me. Two blah orders from two different restaurants were enough for me...
(4)
Emmy G.
Quick service, and a solid execution of your basic breakfast. But the only thing to write home about was the cheddar grits.
(3)
Darla R.
This is a cute little place with very friendly staff who act like they actually enjoy their job! The prices are very reasonable for this area as well. We had breakfast and all thought it was just average. It wasn't anything to write home about so to speak. The place was steady busy and they were quick to get our food out. I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have their waffle iron heated up. How is anyone supposed to order waffles for breakfast? They did however substitute with some premade pecan ones that they use for their lunch menu chicken n waffle sandwiches.
(3)
Emily B.
Fast easy delicious breakfast. You order at the register and they will bring the food to you inside or on the patio. Nice clean facility and cute decor. Recommend for a quick bite.
(5)
Sarah P.
Got their grilled cheese sandwich and it was tasty, but "added" the fries and thought that meant we still got the chips but apparently not. Didn't really like the incorrect wording for that. But otherwise it was still good, nothing special though.
(3)
Mark B.
Great food for the price! I would eat there again.
(4)
Linda D.
Phenomenal food, cute location and great prices. Thanks especially to our awesome server Taylor, she took excellent care of us! Thanks!!!!
(4)
Frank K.
OK, this is only from one experience of two people having breakfast, but since we're always looking for decent places for breakfast/brunch, this is restaurant is worth noting because of the connection with Circa 1886's chef and possibility that they could improve in the future. While the location and appearance of the restaurant is appealing, the food leaves something to be desired. My dining partner and I agreed the food at Kitchen 208 was not up to the standards of some good breakfast and lunch places around town like Saffron or Three Little Birds. First up, the eggs: We had two different types (egg whites for her, regular eggs for me). In both cases, small portions were delivered, which the the lady guessed was a 1 1/2 egg serving size. Preparation was OK...however my eggs were barely lukewarm... Both breakfast dishes (The Charleston and King Street) included side items. In my case Applewood bacon and home fries with a biscuit. Bacon was satisfactory, nothing to write home about--two thin slices. Home fries were chopped potatoes mixed with peppers. Good presentation, but quite undercooked. Disappointing. The biscuit-..... hardly tasted like a biscuit---it was leaden, almost tasteless. How can that be? The other half of the table, a die-hard southerner who knows biscuits observed "it doesn't even look like a biscuit." Don't know about that, but I wouldn't eat another one. A couple of strawberries and blueberries accompanied the "King Street " breakfast. Bottom line, she walked away hungry, I didn't because I finished off the hard home fries and biscuit. Service was efficient and friendly. Coffee was very good. Prices are a dollar or two more than comparable dishes at Saffron bakery. Count on spending $11 each with coffee if you get a very basic breakfast entree. We will try Kitchen 208 again, but after a few months to see if they can improve.
(2)
Dale B.
Great breakfast and wonder presentation of their version of Eggs Benedict. Priced very affordable. You will enjoy it.
(4)
Michael P.
The menu doesn't "say it all" but says most of it: fast, casual breakfast, lunch + brunch. Ours was lunch, on the day of departure from Charleston to back home. You place your order inside, then take a seat and await the delivery of your food. They'd opened recently, and the owner was on hand, bussing tables. He made sure everyone was served promptly; we'll presume (and having chatted with him, believe) that's the level of service he's looking for. . My wife and I shared a Turkey Shoot, which was a tasty wrap. By observation, all the rest of the food was equally enjoyed by those around us. The prices are decent. What's not shown yet in any storefront photos is the charming outdoor dining, next door. There are bright orange/red sail canopies above you, to provide shade. You're tucked in, away from the bustle of King Street. A cool spot, in every way, to have a bite to eat.
(3)
DracheMitch H.
The food is always amazing, but they probably ought to change their name to "We're Out of That". By 1pm most days, half the menu becomes unavailable. If you don't go before noon, it isn't worth going.
(3)
Sandi G.
The egg whites were cold and the service was unbelievably slow - kids grilled cheese was amazing, and all else was ok - just can't serve cold eggs and get more than three stars.
(3)
Carol M.
Definitely a local spot. When you walk in, you see an open kitchen and menus on the wall with "take one" written on it. We grabbed a seat and started looking at the menu. We saw one server working but she didn't make an effort to take our order. She stood behind the cash register a couple feet away from us and we got the gist that we were supposed to go to the register to order. I had the turkey shoot. Sounded great. I love arugula and avocado! I thought the smoked turkey was way too overpowering. After picking it off, I could taste the other flavors. Hubby got the club 208. Ham, swiss, mustard, blt on Texas toast. Was awesome!! I wish I'd gotten that! All in all, a cute little place. Service like a carry out, but, the food was pretty good.
(2)
Andrew H.
I managed to go to Kitchen 208 during its grand opening. Lucky me. The only reason I walked in was because a patio appeared out of thin air on King Street, and when something that miraculous happens, you just have to stop and have a look. The interior of the restaurant looks like it was done on a budget of something like $10. They even use old car antennas to identify your table, which they probably stole off your car. You better go check. The menu is basically a bunch of crap you'd find in your refrigerator and tastes about the same, except they literally rob you at gunpoint at the cash register, and this is the kind of robbery where your cries aren't heard, because I cried and cried hard. Yes, the real kicker is the prices. Jesus Tapdancing Christ. I know this is King Street, but $14 for an old meatloaf sandwich with no sides? $9 for a turkey wrap that included only turkey and wrap? And god forbid you want a drink, that'll be another $3. All of this seemed to be a sick joke to me until I met the owner, who's ego was so large that it itself probably destroyed the building next door to make room for that random patio. Sadly, she probably thinks her food is worth that too. Kitchen 208 gets 1 star for having food that tastes like the old leftovers in my kitchen - the kind you find in tin foil while you're hungover and desperately digging through your fridge for old pizza. Oh, and for having prices that resemble a restaurant that actually serves fresh food. If this is all a joke, I apologize, but I hate being the punch line.
(1)
JPaul R.
Great place for a quick breakfast. Good coffee and the pulled pork hash was amazing, I will definitely be returning.
(4)
Theodore Y.
I've enjoyed Kitchen 208 on several occasions now. It's good to have a clean, comfortable place to grab some breakfast or brunch around this area. I remember going to a small breakfast spot near where this is, many years ago called Baker's Cafe (no longer around), and this area needed something similar to that. The outdoor area when it's not hot is about the only place on King Street where you can sit outside and enjoy your food. King St needs more places with outdoor areas. Lunch selections are tasty and different than your standard fried food or burgers, and are prepared quickly in a counter setting. I'd recommend it.
(5)
John M.
Nice, quaint little place. Great waffles. Outdoor dining as well. Had breakfast outside but the sun can be a issue as it rises.
(4)
David S.
Great food! Convenient location and seems to be a hidden gem bc no wait for brunch on New Year's Day.
(5)
Adam W.
Having eaten at kitchen 208 three times, I feel it's time to give it a review. Also, I feel one of the reviews is a bit harsher than deserved so I want to attempt counteracting that. One thing that makes the restaurant stand out to me, is that I haven't had a single meal that made me feel like a bloated sack of lard. Even the brisket sandwich, which should inspire a small coma, left me more than capable of going back to work versus needing to take a nap. The Quinoa Salad is a healthy and delicious option that I don't believe I could get anywhere else in the upper king area. With our amazing weather, the patio makes a fantastic place to relax on your lunch break. If i were the type to wake up early enough, I'm sure sitting and enjoying breakfast there would be just as fantastic. The berry compote on the Plantation Waffle was not just ridiculous it was ..some word that is better than ridiculous. I wish it was slightly lower in cost, just to make it a more regular part of my workweek, but I don't feel they are particularly unfair. A friend of mine had the Chicken Salad and found it lacking, but they returned and were blown away by the Quinoa Salad. Of course they have their opening learning lessons. My wife and I forced ourselves out of bed for breakfast on opening day, and there wasn't a single bit of background music. Luckily someone threw their iPad on a windowsill to fix that. As I look forward to their evolution after their very recent opening, I expect it to evolve into the best lunch option on upper king. I would say the peninsula, but we're just spoiled in Charleston... Too much damn good food. Downtown Workers: 4 1/2 stars Out of Towners: 4 Stars (I can't say you HAVE to visit this place...yet) Charleston Natives: 4 1/2 Stars
(4)
Good For The Palate R.
Kitchen 208 is a great spot for a delicious, fast, semi-healthy breakfast. It's towards the end of King Street and there is a little parking garage just behind them so its easy to get to. They have a few tables inside and a nice outdoor side patio that is sure to be slammed. Counter service makes ordering easy and timely. Our food came out in less than 5minutes! I choose the Cobblestone breakfast sandwich with candied bacon, lemon mayo, a perfectly cooked over-easy egg, arugula, gruyere, and tomato. The benne seed brioche bun from Brownscourt Bakery (on St. Phillip) was so right. It made the sandwich feel light as a pillow, and the lemon mayo was just the right touch of acidity. I think the gruyere was nothing special, I couldn't really taste it so I'd leave it off next time. I went all out and ordered cheese, but being that I'm lactose intolerant, I appreciate that they had a few non-dairy laden options, and menu looks flexible enough to accomodate some types of vegetarians. My co-diner choose the Bluestone... 2 eggs, pulled pork has that was moist and substantial, and a black pepper gravy over a biscuit. Certainly not a light meal, but he was very happy with the portion size. Overall, I had a great meal. Only complaints were waiting for OJ, which was not stocked. But $2 for 12oz of really good OJ is totally reasonable. Also, my dish came with "fruit" which consisted of half a strawberry and three blueberries. That is not fruit, that is garnish. I didn't need more to eat anyway, just an issue of semantics. After I try lunch I will update this review.
(4)
Jeff Q.
Great spot for breakfast and lunch. There's an egg option at lunch which filled my late breakfast need. Fresh food, great price - my go to breakfast on King St.
(5)
Samantha D.
As a fellow King St. worker I am definitely pleased to see a new lunch spot pop up on King! I also can't tell you how great it is to have outdoor seating that allows your four legged friend to join you! I have had the opportunity to try the Quinoa Salad, the Belle-Gem sandwich, and the Turkey shoot sandwich. All three were delicious! The Belle-Gem is literally the best fried chicken with... wait for it... WAFFLES instead of bread! It was delicious! The mustard was a little much for me but with a touch of honey this sandwich is by far my new favorite! Though I wish the prices were a little lower I fully appreciate what I am getting for my money. The ingredients are ALL fresh and they have even partnered with a local bakery for yummy bread. As for the staff, I have had nothing but smiles and quick service. Definitely a great spot to check out in the midst of a stuffy day in the office or an exhausting day of shopping!
(4)
Len S.
Delicious, especially recommend the Cobblestone. Reasonably priced, friendly staff, and abundant casual outdoor seating.
(5)
Jen K.
The food and service is incredible! The brisket sandwich is amazing! I would absolutely encourage a visit here.
(5)
Cade P.
Great Southern and contemporary cuisine. Order at the counter and they will bring it out. This standard of food deserves a full service restaurant. The special of the day - buttermilk fried chicken with gravy in biscuits was delicious, along with the Belle Gem sandwich. High recommend for causal dinning with good food.
(4)
Ed R.
This place was nice and clean. The staff were very attentive and helpful with food descriptions. The menu had a wide variety of choices for everyone. We ate the Saturday brunch offerings and they were great. The outside patio was awesome and I would go back here in a heartbeat.
(4)
Michael H.
Tasty, reasonably priced, sweet outside patio with fabric shade and fans! Just awesome!
(5)
Rebecca M.
Really disappointing. Food not that great & too pricey for ordering at the counter w/ little to no service. I ordered the yogurt w/fruit & granola & a biscuit. My husband got eggs w/ potatoes, bacon and a biscuit. Fruit wasn't fresh. In a plastic to go container, it would be easy for them to put fresh fruit and yogurt in a bowl served to you. The biscuits were cold and not fluffy or flavorful. His was just ok.
(2)
Amber L.
Fantastic! Located in the heart if downtown, this quick and easy brunch place serves low-country inspired options that won't break the bank. The staff is exceptionally friendly, and very quick. The Griddler is melt-in-your-mouth amazing, and the wedge salad is classic with a twist. My husband and I are only in town for one more day, and we will definitely be going back for brunch on our way out of town. Such a wonderful experience!
(5)
Joshua T.
Food was mediocre. Underwhelming Sunday brunch. Don't waste your time when there are several better options.
(2)
Mike F.
Went for lunch. The food was good, well seasoned. I had breakfast for lunch. When you walk in it looks tiny, but we ended up sitting towards the back. Very good. I will visit again and again.
(5)
Melissa W.
We stopped into Kitchen 208 a couple months back for a quick breakfast. The food was decent- nothing special. We came in again because I'd been wanting to try their meatloaf sandwich. Big mistake. When it arrived at the table, it was so visually unappealing that I really didn't want to try it. I kind of wish I hadn't. The meatloaf itself was absolutely flavorless and had strange texture, and the collard greens completely overpowered the sandwich. The combination of favors that were present just did not blend well. I managed a couple bites to be polite, but it was pretty terrible. My husband had the belle-gem, which he thought was just okay. I really wanted to like this place, but Kitchen 208 just isn't on par with the other great restaurants in Charleston. I gave two stars because the cook offered to make the sandwich during brunch when it wasn't technically on the menu.
(2)
Cassie H.
This place is so cute. My friend and I went shopping on king street and this was the perfect lunch stop. The food was delicious and the prices were pretty good. It has outdoor and indoor seating. The staff were very nice. Very cute! I would recommend it to anyone!
(4)
Tara M.
Great find for lunch. Nice patio with shade and was dog-friendly (I don't have a dog but I love them). Friendly service! Food was great- ingredients all seemed fresh. Amazing wedge salad and the Belle Gem sandwich was a gem indeed- fried chicken sandwich with the bread being a bacon waffle. Would go again!
(4)
Angie K.
I have eaten at 208 three times for breakfast and twice for lunch, and I can say that I crave the Cobblestone on a daily basis. It is a breakfast sandwich with eggs, applewood smoked bacon, an amazing bun, sweetness, delicious! I also had the quinoa salad for lunch and it is nice and light. I also am shocked to hear people do not like the coffee because I LOVE it!!! I get about 3 cups while I am there. The location and patio are awesome and we need more of these spots in Charleston- ones that are healthy and fresh, not making you want to shoot yourself afterwards.
(5)
Amy F.
We were looking for a fast brunch so we could get in as much sightseeing as possible. This place was perfect. Local cuisine, flexible menu and staff, good food. I recommend the shrimp & grits- just divine mimosas and bloody mary's (topped with a pickled okra) were a welcome surprise in our mini vacation. Outside dining was nice. Wait staff was attentive in this cafeteria style cafe.
(5)
Dale B.
Great breakfast and brunch place with no waiting while Toast had a line out the door. Great poached eggs and the Bluestone was a fantastic creation of eggs, pulled pork and hash browns sandwiched between a biscuit and smothered in gravy. The only thing wrong was that the biscuits were just a tad dry but still good with the gravy.
(4)
MaryE W.
Great, sunny place with very friendly service. Avery easy, casual alternative to some of the more packed restaurants. Loved the scrambled eggs and the bridge runner (yogurt, fruit, and granola). The owner introduced himself and spent time chatting with about the meal and Charleston overall. Nice experience.
(4)
Sarah L.
I work at an office just down the street from Kitchen 208 and can say I've almost overdosed on the delicious quinoa salad they offer. This type of restaurant is just what this part of King Street needed. It's casual and convenient with fresh, healthy breakfast and lunch options. It's the only place in the area to sit outside with front row seats for King Street people watching. Great food, friendly , fast service and inviting and clean atmosphere. I highly recommend it for a casual breakfast, brunch or lunch.
(4)
Patricia G.
I visit Charleston every year since leaving this wonderful city in 2006. I heard about Kitchen 208 through Facebook and knew that I had to check this place out. I decided to try the brunch selection on Sunday. I was glad that I did! The food was very tasty and to my liking. My son was born in the Charleston area so was quickly drawn to the "Charleston" on the menu. He enjoyed everything, but especially enjoyed the home style fries. I tried the "Smokey Joe". This brisket sandwich had a tangy/sweet taste. Everything was delicious and fresh. The price was very reasonable and the staff was friendly. We will definitely be returning to Kitchen 208 on our next trip to Charleston. I highly recommend that if you are on King street that you stop by and try them out.
(5)
Cat C.
By the time you buy your sandwich and side it is cheaper and better to just eat at Husk. It's grossly over-priced for a small sandwich on a piece of wax paper. For $13, get me a plate, please... for that reason, I would never take a client. It's just not polished enough for what it wants to be slinging, even if it is retro chic. Not worth it. Secondly, I would seriously skip that meatloaf sandwich. The tomato "marmalade" is ridiculous, the meat reeked of "middle refrigerator" and it had it's way with me all afternoon. Unpleasant!
(2)
David G.
I took a weekend vacation to charleston and kitchen 208 was a highlight to my trip. It is right on king street amongst all of the beautiful shops and foot traffic. It is a spacious spot with visual access to the grill. It is very clean and modern with exposed brick walls and a bright atmosphere. We decided to sit outside and it was even better out there. It is a large space with shade above. Really a great courtyard where you can watch king street but you don't feel too exposed. You order at the register and they bring the meal out to you. Very friendly staff including the wait staff and cooks who make you feel at home. We were there for Sunday brunch and I ordered the charleston. It had eggs, applewood bacon, home fries, and a biscuit. All came out excellent.
(5)
Mary A.
Ate breakfast here twice while we were in town. Adorable little place with an inventive menu. Cute and cheery space that's casual and fast. The staff is incredibly friendly and everything we had was delicious. Try the cobblestone...amazing! Will pop in when I'm back in the area.
(4)
Aida Z.
This place is pretty awesome. I've been for breakfast and lunch a few times now and I gotta say, was very impressed. I loved enjoying a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee and the "Lowcountry" (grits, stewed tomatoes & okra and eggs) breakfast on the outside patio. Those grits were the best I've had in Charleston...I think they put cheese in them..what a home run. Being able to sit outside in the early morning sunshine right on King Street is fairly unprecedented in Charleston. I came back a few weeks later for lunch- once again thoroughly impressed. Their menu offers so many choices; feeling healthy? Have the Quinoa salad (with Mediterranean dressing...yum). Feeling sinful? How about the Smokey Joe? After a lot of internal deliberation, I went with the Quinoa Salad; it was phenomenal, hit the spot for a hot Charleston afternoon. The service was great, I basically was greeted by everyone wearing a "Kitchen 208" shirt, super attentive and friendly staff. Also, I liked being able to see how my food was being prepared. I think it is very wise for K208 to have cashiers instead of servers; for the location it's perfect. K208 is situated in a part of downtown where lot of law firms and other businesses reside, and sometimes a quick lunch is what I am looking for- not having to wait for my server to greet me, serve me and bring me the check is key in getting in and out and back to the office. I cannot wait to try their brunch...sitting on that patio with a Sake Bloody Mary and another delicious meal (I think I'll be going with the Smokey Joe)...sounds perfect.
(5)
Louis Y.
This place rocks! Excellent food (Caesar with shrimp #bestpb&jchas) the decor is spot on and today the Executive Chef of Circa 1886 was in the kitchen cooking! King street NEEDED this place -oh, and one DAMN fine PB&J!
(4)
Taylor L.
My morning started off right with the Belle Gem waffle. It's a nice piece of fried chicken, tomato, lettuce, Swiss cheese and mustard aioli with a bacon waffle as the bread. Actual pieces of bacon were inside the waffle. Most chicken and waffles I've had pair with syrup but the mustard was a fresh pairing. The rest of our table had typical breakfast food and the cheddar grits were a fav. Great food, great price, great atmosphere and outdoor seating. Will be back again.
(4)
Eric M.
Everything tasted amazing. Cooks and staff were awesome. Get the cobblestone. Candied bacon was excellent.
(5)
Frank G.
We went there for Sunday breakfast. First let me say that the food was very good and plenty of it. Sat outside, loved the fresh air. However, when you get in you wait on line to order what you want, and wait, and wait. Why, because the person taking orders has to take time out to delivery meals, drinks, etc... While you wait on line. You have to get your own silverware, napkins, etc. This is not good for the customer. You get a number and sit down, and wait , and wait. It took over 15 minutes for the food to get to us. The coffee does not stay hot due to the self service jugs that they are in. Ok, is this any way to run a restaurant? I think not. I gave 4 stars because the food was in fact very good. Is it worth all this waiting, I think not. Frank G
(4)
Angela M.
I stopped in with family at Kitchen 208 last week while doing some sightseeing in Charleston. We were looking for a lunch spot with reasonable pricing and outdoor seating, and this fit the bill perfectly. The good: The food was all very good, and plated attractively. The sandwich menu is pretty unique, a new twist on southern comfort food. Ordering at the walk-up counter is simple, and there's plenty of seating both inside and out to choose from. The outdoor seating is shaded. Prices are very reasonable; all sandwiches are under $10 with a side included. All fountain drinks are free refills, with a self-serve station for your convenience. The bad: After ordering, you're looking at a 30 minute wait for your sandwiches, even on a pretty slow day. Additionally, the servings are not all created equal - some of the sandwiches and sides are much larger than others, which can be deceptive when ordering. For example, our sides of potato chips took up half the plate, but the coleslaw arrived in a tiny little cup. Pictures of menu items available when ordering would be very helpful! Overall, this is a pretty good place to stop downtown if you're looking for an affordable lunch spot in the midst of the more pricey competitors. Just make sure you have plenty of time for your meal!
(3)
Lisa S.
This is a great place for brunch (if you don't mind waiting forever). The line to order took about 10 minutes and they warned us the food wouldn't be ready for an additional 30 minutes... So worth the wait. We sat outside on their patio (one of the few places downtown you can eat outside). Everyone had their puppies outside with them and it was all under shade for the most part so it wasn't too hot. When we got our food we scarfed it down and every bite was very tasty. One of the best breakfast potatoes I've ever had! So flavorful and cooked to perfection. I'm a vegetarian and I was pleasantly surprised when they let me trade the bacon for a fruit cup (more expensive) without upselling it. That's rare and really appreciated. I will say that their kitchen is in the open and you can hear everything the chefs say when you're in line to order. I understand brunch rush hour can be stressful but they shouldn't yell and get mad at their coworkers as much when they're out in the open like that. It made me feel stressed hearing them bicker. Overall, great experience. Worth the wait. Can't wait to return.
(4)
Rachel C.
Delightful experience. A dear friend who happens to work in the hospitality industry suggested this place for lunch and I am glad he did. I will be back because there were multiple things on the menu that sounded like me, making it hard to decide which to choose! I settled on the Belle Gem, a crispy piece yet juicy piece of chicken sandwiches between bacon battered waffles. I expected some sweetness but the pleasant surprise was the tangy honey mustard aioli sauce. Garnished with a picked okra, and generously plated with potato chips, this sandwich was a mouth full of yum. Great for breakfast, brunch or lunch get here before 3! They also had a children's menu, and bonus... Serve beer, wine, and mimosas!
(5)
Tricia S.
The cashier was really friendly, the coffee was fresh and tasty (I had a medium brew pecan) and the cheddar grits were so flavorful. It tasted like Mac and cheese!
(5)
Charlie P.
Located across the street from my office, I have been to Kitchen 208 many times and have concluded that while the place has a great outdoor patio for enjoying a sunny lunch, the food isn't all that great. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, I think brunch is the best option as their $4 Sake Bloody Marys are a steal. As far as cuisine, the menu does offer a few unique options such as the Belle-Gem Sandwich (fired chicken on a bacon waffle) and the Bat Outta Hell (meatloaf + tomatoe marmalade) but both fail to deliver on taste in my opinion. And for $9-10 you should be getting one heck of a delicious sandwich in my opinion. Much better dining options on King Street than Kitchen 208 in my opinion. If you do go, must-order items: Cobblestone Sandwich Quinoa Salad Sake Bloody Mary
(3)
Eric L.
Ordered the belle gem and Smokey Joe. The belle gem is a bacon waffle... yeah I said it... bacon waffle with fried chicken, cheese, light mustard and lettuce. Personally I think its alot better nn with just the bacon waffle, fried chicken and syrup on the side. It kinda like an amazing McGridle. The rest of the ingredients deter it from its chicken and waffle spirit in my opinion. The smokey joe was good. But I dont know what ot was the bbq sauce just fell short, and the meat didnt taste flavorful. So... wasn't sure where the wow was suppose to happen on that one. Service is great! Highly recommend the belle gem and if you like McGridle do it the way I suggested.
(3)
Alex H.
My wife and I stopped in on our anniversary for breakfast. The place is inviting and well laid out. You order at the counter and then sit down to be served. We had The Charleston (typical breakfast) a couple of muffins and the soup of the day which was a great chilled Watermelon soup. Delicious. Will definitely stop in the next time I am here.
(5)
Rachel P.
I went here on a busy Saturday morning. The line was moderate (reached the front cooler), but took about 23 mins to get to the register where you order. When there, I was told it would be 30 mins before the food I ordered was ready. They told me this because they "want to be upfront" but after already waiting for so long that information really wasn't useful. The food came out in about 15 mins. I ordered the Cobblestone. The bacon jam was excellent and the fried egg was prepared perfectly. The bun was seriously lacking considering the rest of the ingredients. I'd order it on a biscuit if I went again. The frsh fruit was mellon with two strawberries. I ordered a regular coffee, which was good.
(3)
Mali C.
Not bad. If you see a line don't worry the line moves shockingly fast. The downside is that the chef needs to take a refresher course on basic eggs. Over easy was really over well/medium, almost no runny yolk. The potatoes in the hash were under cooked and that is extremely, extremely unpleasant. I ordered the special which was described as house made corned beef hash. But in reality it was roast beef with undercooked veggies and over cooked eggs. My very wise friend ordered the chicken waffle sandwich. I had one bite and spent spent my meal in regret land. The dish was decedent and perfect and the one bite mostly made up for the tragic special. Well earned four stars. Side note: The bus boy was super sweet. He's a keeper.
(4)
Stephanie C.
I just came back from eating brunch here and I had high hopes for this restaurant but unfortunately the food was bland and we didn't get the food as it was described. I had the Charleston (2 eggs, biscuit, home fries and bacon): it only came with one egg instead of two and didn't have any salt or seasoning to it. The home fries it came with only had 5 small potatoes and the biscuit was dry. My boyfriend got the belle-gem which is a bacon waffle with buttermilk fried chicken, whole grain mustard aioli and swiss cheese with a side of house pickled okra and chips. He didn't get any okra or swiss cheese and the chicken was super bland. No seasoning at all and we needed to add hot sauce just to make it taste edible. It does have a nice outdoor seating area but that is about it.
(1)
Deb W.
I've been dying to get back here since my wedding 1.5 years ago and it was as good as I remembered. I was going for a long walk with my dog when I found myself starving and in front of Kitchen 208. The staff was Great at setting me up with a table outside and watching my dog and bringing him water while I put in my order. I had the cobblestone sandwich with fresh fruit. Everything was very fresh and very tasty. Exactly what I wanted. I'd go back again in a heartbeat.
(4)
Rachel A.
Had the wrap and home fries. Did not like it at all, definitely not worth 10 min in like and a 30 min wait for food
(2)
Jonathan E.
i really wanted this to be a 5-star experience. sadly, i'm split between 3 and 4. +1 for decor and atmosphere. the branding is what initially caught our attention. +0 for no wait service. i understand the efficiencies gained by having patrons order up front, but it does take away from the experience. -1 for a bit of an attitude from the staff. i could tell they weren't thrilled we were ordering breakfast 15 minutes before breakfast ends. +0 for strongly average food. i had the "charleston" with toast. +0 for decent prices, but small portions. +1 for nice back room with additional seating, and outdoor courtyard. might be nice for carry-out or outdoor sseating, but we likely won't return.
(3)
James Y.
Should have read the reviews, terribly misleading based on their menu and overall brand and design. It's school cafeteria food described as trendy farm to fork fare. My kids didn't even finish their food. The bun my sandwich came on was described as a benne seed bun, it was a cheap white hamburger bun. With so much amazing food in Charleston you feel extra ripped off but we were hungry and just walked off the street Into it. Oh well...
(2)
Adam G.
Delicious Quick Brunch Spot. Enjoyed the shrimp and Grits before a big day in Charleston.
(4)
Lori B.
I stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. It's a great location if you're shopping on King. It wasn't crowded at all. The place was cute and clean with small tables inside and out and a long counter where individuals can sit. I ordered the Cobblestone mainly because of the arugula listed as one of the ingredients. It was served with iceberg, which is no huge deal, but I wish they had told me they were out of arugula so I could have changed my order to something else. Also, the menu clearly states the Cobblestone comes with fruit. Above the list of sandwiches the menu also clearly states that all sandwiches are served with either pasta salad, cucumber tomato salad or chips. So I was a bit unclear as to if it comes with both fruit and a side or no side and just fruit. I asked the sweet girl behind the register about it and sat back down while she investigated. I then heard one of the prep guys yelling about having to give away "free" fruit. I don't know if he was trying to be funny or if he was just having a bad day but he was sure rude and embarrassing which I'm guessing was his intent. A little later I heard him yelling that a customer, who had asked where his fries were, had said "no fries" instead of with fries. Again, rude and embarrassing since the prep guys are facing the dining room and not behind walls where their comments can be kept to themselves. So overall, cute place. Food - okay but ingredients may vary. Service - awful. Won't ever go back or recommend.
(1)
Karen P.
I have eaten there several times now, and I agree with other reviewers. Very average food in a city with many other outstanding options.
(3)
Drew V.
I had the belle-gem. The sandwich was good, with a combination of fried chicken, tomato and a horseradish sauce between bacon waffles. It came with chips and a nice, pickled okra. The sandwich was just the right size. They do not have espressos or cappuccinos, which was a disappointing for a brunch place. They do have regular coffee. The service was efficient and friendly.
(4)
Brian A.
A great breakfast atmosphere! The ambiance of Kitchen 208 is perfect for breakfast! The front is bustling with chopping, flipping and clanking behind the counter and chattering patrons lined up to order 208's creations. The food is good, the decor is nice and the overall expenience...worth a try. FYI: The coffee was pretty good too.
(4)
Molly H.
Have you ever had a meal and wished that it would never end because the food is so delicious? Well, this is one of those kinda places. Simple, yet handmade breakfast sandwiches are the perfect complement to the handmade and locally sourced strawberry mimosa. Every bite offered a new flavor, every sip a tangy and sweet surprise. Yum. Eat here. Right now.
(5)
Lorrie S.
I'm in town for a couple of days, and the Kitchen is perfect for breakfast: reasonably priced; excellent fresh food; unbeatable service. I'm grateful to have discovered it. The coffee is fresh, the environment is inviting (and it's the perfect place to get a little work done should you need to do that on holiday, like me!). The Cobblestone is yummy -- a fried egg with candied bacon, cheese, tomato and arugula. A side of fresh fruit to boot! (You can tell that Phil cares about the business and the employees -- he treats the team with respect and they demonstrate that. I like seeing things like that.) Centrally located on King St, it's been a great place to kick off my fun days of museum-going, sightseeing and relaxing.
(5)
Bill M.
Oh happy Hash! The Bluestone is a heaping pile of pulled pork,pepper gravy and fried eggs on a beautiful flaky oversized biscuit just oozing with yummy goodness. That plus a fantastic cup of locally roasted coffee makes a breakfast to remember. After napping of course!
(4)
James V.
Kitchen 208 is one of those restaurants that your crazy 20-something friend might think is awesome, and then of course they recommend it to you so naturally you go and take their recommendation and drop twenty bucks on lunch, and then an hour later you'd love nothing more to go back and punch them in the face for building up such a mediocre restaurant. This place was loud, slow, and full of itself in general. Yes, the meatloaf "Bat Outta Hell" sandwich was pretty good, but definitely not worth a 30-minute wait. Throw in a broken soda fountain and a few too many hipster employees and that pretty much sealed the deal for us. Decent food, but be sure to call ahead and take your order to go.
(2)
Christina E.
This. Place. Is. AMAZING!! Phil, the waiter, was phenomenal. I can't even describe how perfect the service was. The bachelorette's meal was on the house, the mimosas were discounted, and can we talk about the food?? BOMB.com !!! Atmosphere was on point, the grits were on fleek, and Phil is my everything.
(5)
Danielle M V.
It was a little confusing the website looked more appealing than the experience the 3 of us had. Menu looked great so we decided to check it out. Place was adorable, it had some countertop seating, table seating, a larger back room seating area & nice outdoor seating w shade sails & oscillating fans. So now comes the confusing part, & may be an assumption on my behalf because the website was so professionally done I've thought that there would be service. So apparently you seat yourself then you go stand up in line at the counter to place your order & pay. Then you are responsible for carrying your drinks they give you- god forbid you get a water, soda, tea (you serve yourself) a beer, a mimosa or a coffee and you have to carry a number that they give you on a silver coffee cup to put on your table for them to find you to bring you your food. Kind of a juggling act w wallet/purse/phone & 3 items to carry. You then have to search for napkins and silverware elsewhere- not knowing that it is not going to be coming with your food .Then you are brought your food but never checked back on. If you need more water or soda you have to get up and get it yourself. If you want another beer or mimosa or coffee you have to go stand back in line & pay as u go each time.. The food was good but not fantastic. My 1 friend had the shrimp and grits w 2 mimosas for $24, my other friend had a sandwich with a side of grits & 1 mimosa for $20, I had the shrimp and grits, a side of potatoes, a side of 1 scrambled egg & 1 mimosa it was $24 & change- not including any tip but I'm not really sure what we are supposed to tip on if we are not getting service?? So, sorry kitchen 208- would have liked service & would come back but do not like to stand back in line and pay each time when we wanted another mimosa or needed a refill of water, soda, coffee, tea :(
(3)
Michael B.
Have you ever ate something so good you had to do a little dance? WOW! First time here and I was in between the "Belle-gem" and the "smokey joe." Decided on the smokey joe which was bbq beef brisket, caramelized onions and cheese on Texas toast. Amazing. Came with a side of chips and I got a water for under $10. Must try lunch spot in downtown!
(4)
Caroline G.
False advertising - breakfast was not great. Grits were lumpy, and the "low country" breakfast says it comes with okra and tomatoes- it was more like a garnish!
(2)
Maria P.
This place is great for breakfast. We went while on a roadtrip to Charleston and wow it was amazing. I had the battery platter which is kinda like eggs Benedict and they were delicious. It looks really nice too, and the staff was friendly. The only thing I would say that the food took a little long, but it was worth the wait for sure. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Mandy B.
Has a great variety of quality classic sandwiches and a few unique, delicious twists. Love this place!
(5)
Curtis N.
We stopped here for breakfast and it did not disappoint! Trendy little spot in Charleston with a lot of taste. We got here justin in time as the line quickly went out the door and down the sidewalk! So many great items on the menu. The staff is great at what they do and we were served quality food with out a long wait despite the crowd. Very pleased and will return.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Kiri K.
Pros: Fairly priced and not too busy for breakfast on a Friday. Food was all ok. Plenty of space in the back Con's: Cinnamon rolls weren't that good and I think the food was just a bit basic for such a foodie town.
(3)Larry T.
Great food and affordable prices. Check this place out!
(4)Ken J.
Loved this place. Looks like a nothing sort of spot from the street, I mean, it's clean and austere, but nothing that would call to casual passers by saying, "Hey, man! Come on in and check out my phenomenal fare!" No, seriously, it's good. Went last month with my wife and she had read the reviews and thought this was a spot we should try. It's a long narrow space with the prep line and counter running almost the entire length of the building. There is some table seating along the side and counter seating up front in the window, but this being Charleston, you can (and should) sit outside on their spacious patio, eat, drink your espresso, and watch the world go by. Wife ordered some egg dish, coffee (which she liked although said was too strong), and I ordered OJ (poured from a jug, not fresh) and their breakfast burrito. Burrito was AWESOME! Honestly, I don't know that I've had better: Fresh tomatoes, cilantro, homemade chorizo (yes, really), peppers, onions, and potatoes, topped with salsa and avocado. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Wife really enjoyed said egg dish and bacon. Service was not a priority, but it was fast and efficient, if not terribly friendly . . . but not rude either. This isn't a table service spot, so that's OK by me. I'll be back next time we're in town. It's a repeater.
(4)Colin M.
Dog friendly. People are very friendly. Food is cooked perfectly. The chicken and waffles have a butter milk crust that is crazy good. Meatloaf burger was soft and soaked in gruyere cheese. Keep up the delicious work
(4)Brandon S.
Had breakfast here and it was just okay. We got the King Street and Carriage House. The fruit that came with the yogurt consisted mainly of melons, not the good fruit you would expect with yogurt. The prices are decent but the portions are small. Overall, you get what you pay for. It is cheap food for a relatively low price, but I probably wouldn't recommend it.
(3)Sera L.
3 stars for sandwiches Overall experience 2
(2)J K.
Visiting charleston for getaway weekend and found this place on yelp and it sounded great. Got there at 12pm on a Saturday and looking forward to a nice brunch on the patio but when walked in a man behind the counter and someone in the cooking area were yelling and arguing which stopped the minute we walked in. Go to order and as we tried to order the answer came back that they were out of literally over half of the menu items. Left and had a great meal around the corner. Get it your act together or close down. Too many other great choices in the area to enjoy. Just got a response about this review from someone from the restaurant who states "sorry about the menu misunderstanding." No misunderstanding at all - was given the correct menu for Saturday but restaurant just did not have over 1/2 of the items listed on their menu. Was not able to reply to their message with that info so posting in an updated review.
(1)Wendy S.
Keep walking. Ordered chicken salad. Finished most only to discover that bed of lettuce was not washed; I.e., dirty.
(1)Jenna J.
Friends and I were in Charleston this past weekend for a bachelorette party. Saturday morning we wanted to get brunch, figuring we would have to split up in order to be accommodated. Two places turned us away quite rudely due to having a party of 13, despite us saying we were fine with splitting up into separate, smaller tables. We finally happened upon this little gem and were immediately greeted by Phil, who told us he would put tables together while we ordered food so we could all sit together. Everyone was extremely sweet, helpful, and easy-going. Phil even brought us over a complimentary carafe of mimosas for the table, and wished the bride congratulations. The food was fresh and delicious and we all enjoyed our meal very much. After dealing with rude hostesses at other restaurants, it was refreshing to experience that "true" southern hospitality from Kitchen 208.
(5)Chris K.
Went there for breakfast. Food was great. I had the bluestone with pulled pork hash and sausage gravy. My wife had the cobblestone sandwich. Both were yummy. The staff is friendly. I definitely recommend for breakfast.
(5)Chris N.
In town for a wedding. Nice clean quaint spot with a great outdoor seating area. Had the cobblestone sandwich which had great flavor.
(4)Natalie T.
Great food! too bad they don't deliver but the food is alway GREAT and wonderful place to sit outside if the weather is nice.
(4)Pete B.
Serious hangover morning. We'd been eating and drinking for DAYS on our trip to Charleston and this morning it finally caught up with me. I needed good coffee and good food -- something that my doc would approve of... and good coffee. Did I mention the coffee? I had steel cut oatmeal with honey and dried fruit, and a side of fruit and coffee. The coffee was good.... blue-collar-drink-3-cups kind-of good. I grabbed a fresh croissant before walking out, in spite of what my doc would say, because they just smelled too good. This place had good people, atmosphere and most of all food. I'll be back again for sure. Did I mention the coffee?
(4)Shannon S.
I visited Kitchen 208 while on the Chow Down Charleston tour and our sample there was cheesy grits with a tomato/okra gravy and it was great!! They are trying to decide whether to put it on the menu and my answer would be YES!
(5)Mark S.
Stopped by for breakfast. Was just okay. Probably would not come back, with their being so many other choices.
(2)Ethan G.
The food was awesome! They had a great selection of breakfast/brunch foods, and had a really nice, open patio with plenty of shade and cross breeze.
(5)Rick F.
Perhaps I set my expectation too high. I've walked by Kitchen lots of times... Finally gave it a try for brunch with friends. The menu is simple enough, it's breakfast. 2 eggs, bacon & Grits... No bread? Tiniest bowl of grits ever. Went back to order and pay for a side of grits and toast or a biscuit.. The lines not long, but the guy taking orders needs to focus. Take the order and move on to the next customer. Don't stop and get a drink, don't stop and make someone else's drink, don't stop to get napkins.... Focus on one job, you're not good a multi-tasking and the place isn't even very busy.....the wait staff dropped food, but didn't stay long enough to find out if this is everything nor did they return to find out if it's all ok... It's just ok. Nothing more, nothing less. If the service had been just ok, I'd not have had a remark. It would have been the same old mediocre service we've come to expect in most restaurants. I doubt I'll be back. If I have a choice, it will be someplace else
(1)Daniel B.
Great breakfast sandwiches, friendly staff. Too bad no wifi. Even the staff was perplexed why there isn't any. It is my belief that a cafe without wifi in 2015 has arrogant ownership that disrespects its customers. I was needing to get online and can't stay for long here, but the food is very hearty.
(4)Erik J.
Great food, the shrimp and grits were delicious. Drink menu was limited but for a casual brunch not a bad choice!
(4)Jim B.
Not a fancy place inside, order at the counter and they will bring out your food. A counter and a few tables inside; several tables out on the courtyard - nice. Coffee is self-serve. I had a standard breakfast - eggs, bacon, grits - all good. Counter help is professional, friendly. Excellent coffee - good enough that I inquired - they get their beans from a local roaster - King Bean.
(4)Jeremy H.
Breakfast (the charleston) was mediocre. Probably could have gotten the same at any crappy chain restaurant. Wish I hadn't wasted my only charleston breakfast here.
(3)Ryne T.
5 stars all around. Great food (I ordered the belle-gem chicken and waffle sandwich and the smokey Joe). Wow! Some of the best food I've had. And the sandwich was under $10! Loved the outside seating as well. Definitely be back
(5)Kate H.
Love their breakfast food, they have great brunch on Sundays with healthy options as well. It's a seat/serve yourself type of place, but its casual environment plus it's large outdoor seating area on King St. in Charleston is definitely worth checking out. Who doesn't love a good Sunday Brunch?!
(4)JT A.
This is a pretty popular spot on Saturdays, at least. We came in, and my first thought was wow looks pretty clean. Our order was taken and we sat outside in the comfortable seating area. I ordered the plantation waffle with sausage (instead of bacon), My husband, the egg, tomatoes, mayo, bacon, lettuce sandwich. Our guests ordered the Smokey Joe and the Charleston. Well, me and my husband got our orders first. My husband enjoyed his, but my waffle was not done (partially burnt on the outside, gooey on the inside. She later told me they checked the waffle machine and realized the setting was incorrect). The sausage was OK, a tad sweet, interestingly. I told the staff person and then I decided to get the Charleston. Our guests got meal 10 minutes after we got ours. Awkward. So we notified the staff and they said they'd check in it and that it shouldn't have taken that long. We agreed. They finally got their meals, surprisingly hot still. They liked their meals. I then got my (2nd) order and it was really good. I substituted a biscuit for toast and made a bacon and egg sandwich. Really good - the best I've had. Never mind the fact the waiter brought me a croissant instead of toast the first time (in their defense, I asked her in the middle of her delivering another order...but really, toast sounds like croissant? She seemed a bit confused when I said it so I figured it was a 99% chance she'd get it wrong). Anyway, the home fries were delicious, too. So, in spite of the service, I would recommend and go back, just with a little more patience. Oh, and no more chicken and waffles from Charleston for me. Two blah orders from two different restaurants were enough for me...
(4)Emmy G.
Quick service, and a solid execution of your basic breakfast. But the only thing to write home about was the cheddar grits.
(3)Darla R.
This is a cute little place with very friendly staff who act like they actually enjoy their job! The prices are very reasonable for this area as well. We had breakfast and all thought it was just average. It wasn't anything to write home about so to speak. The place was steady busy and they were quick to get our food out. I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have their waffle iron heated up. How is anyone supposed to order waffles for breakfast? They did however substitute with some premade pecan ones that they use for their lunch menu chicken n waffle sandwiches.
(3)Emily B.
Fast easy delicious breakfast. You order at the register and they will bring the food to you inside or on the patio. Nice clean facility and cute decor. Recommend for a quick bite.
(5)Sarah P.
Got their grilled cheese sandwich and it was tasty, but "added" the fries and thought that meant we still got the chips but apparently not. Didn't really like the incorrect wording for that. But otherwise it was still good, nothing special though.
(3)Mark B.
Great food for the price! I would eat there again.
(4)Linda D.
Phenomenal food, cute location and great prices. Thanks especially to our awesome server Taylor, she took excellent care of us! Thanks!!!!
(4)Frank K.
OK, this is only from one experience of two people having breakfast, but since we're always looking for decent places for breakfast/brunch, this is restaurant is worth noting because of the connection with Circa 1886's chef and possibility that they could improve in the future. While the location and appearance of the restaurant is appealing, the food leaves something to be desired. My dining partner and I agreed the food at Kitchen 208 was not up to the standards of some good breakfast and lunch places around town like Saffron or Three Little Birds. First up, the eggs: We had two different types (egg whites for her, regular eggs for me). In both cases, small portions were delivered, which the the lady guessed was a 1 1/2 egg serving size. Preparation was OK...however my eggs were barely lukewarm... Both breakfast dishes (The Charleston and King Street) included side items. In my case Applewood bacon and home fries with a biscuit. Bacon was satisfactory, nothing to write home about--two thin slices. Home fries were chopped potatoes mixed with peppers. Good presentation, but quite undercooked. Disappointing. The biscuit-..... hardly tasted like a biscuit---it was leaden, almost tasteless. How can that be? The other half of the table, a die-hard southerner who knows biscuits observed "it doesn't even look like a biscuit." Don't know about that, but I wouldn't eat another one. A couple of strawberries and blueberries accompanied the "King Street " breakfast. Bottom line, she walked away hungry, I didn't because I finished off the hard home fries and biscuit. Service was efficient and friendly. Coffee was very good. Prices are a dollar or two more than comparable dishes at Saffron bakery. Count on spending $11 each with coffee if you get a very basic breakfast entree. We will try Kitchen 208 again, but after a few months to see if they can improve.
(2)Dale B.
Great breakfast and wonder presentation of their version of Eggs Benedict. Priced very affordable. You will enjoy it.
(4)Michael P.
The menu doesn't "say it all" but says most of it: fast, casual breakfast, lunch + brunch. Ours was lunch, on the day of departure from Charleston to back home. You place your order inside, then take a seat and await the delivery of your food. They'd opened recently, and the owner was on hand, bussing tables. He made sure everyone was served promptly; we'll presume (and having chatted with him, believe) that's the level of service he's looking for. . My wife and I shared a Turkey Shoot, which was a tasty wrap. By observation, all the rest of the food was equally enjoyed by those around us. The prices are decent. What's not shown yet in any storefront photos is the charming outdoor dining, next door. There are bright orange/red sail canopies above you, to provide shade. You're tucked in, away from the bustle of King Street. A cool spot, in every way, to have a bite to eat.
(3)DracheMitch H.
The food is always amazing, but they probably ought to change their name to "We're Out of That". By 1pm most days, half the menu becomes unavailable. If you don't go before noon, it isn't worth going.
(3)Sandi G.
The egg whites were cold and the service was unbelievably slow - kids grilled cheese was amazing, and all else was ok - just can't serve cold eggs and get more than three stars.
(3)Carol M.
Definitely a local spot. When you walk in, you see an open kitchen and menus on the wall with "take one" written on it. We grabbed a seat and started looking at the menu. We saw one server working but she didn't make an effort to take our order. She stood behind the cash register a couple feet away from us and we got the gist that we were supposed to go to the register to order. I had the turkey shoot. Sounded great. I love arugula and avocado! I thought the smoked turkey was way too overpowering. After picking it off, I could taste the other flavors. Hubby got the club 208. Ham, swiss, mustard, blt on Texas toast. Was awesome!! I wish I'd gotten that! All in all, a cute little place. Service like a carry out, but, the food was pretty good.
(2)Andrew H.
I managed to go to Kitchen 208 during its grand opening. Lucky me. The only reason I walked in was because a patio appeared out of thin air on King Street, and when something that miraculous happens, you just have to stop and have a look. The interior of the restaurant looks like it was done on a budget of something like $10. They even use old car antennas to identify your table, which they probably stole off your car. You better go check. The menu is basically a bunch of crap you'd find in your refrigerator and tastes about the same, except they literally rob you at gunpoint at the cash register, and this is the kind of robbery where your cries aren't heard, because I cried and cried hard. Yes, the real kicker is the prices. Jesus Tapdancing Christ. I know this is King Street, but $14 for an old meatloaf sandwich with no sides? $9 for a turkey wrap that included only turkey and wrap? And god forbid you want a drink, that'll be another $3. All of this seemed to be a sick joke to me until I met the owner, who's ego was so large that it itself probably destroyed the building next door to make room for that random patio. Sadly, she probably thinks her food is worth that too. Kitchen 208 gets 1 star for having food that tastes like the old leftovers in my kitchen - the kind you find in tin foil while you're hungover and desperately digging through your fridge for old pizza. Oh, and for having prices that resemble a restaurant that actually serves fresh food. If this is all a joke, I apologize, but I hate being the punch line.
(1)JPaul R.
Great place for a quick breakfast. Good coffee and the pulled pork hash was amazing, I will definitely be returning.
(4)Theodore Y.
I've enjoyed Kitchen 208 on several occasions now. It's good to have a clean, comfortable place to grab some breakfast or brunch around this area. I remember going to a small breakfast spot near where this is, many years ago called Baker's Cafe (no longer around), and this area needed something similar to that. The outdoor area when it's not hot is about the only place on King Street where you can sit outside and enjoy your food. King St needs more places with outdoor areas. Lunch selections are tasty and different than your standard fried food or burgers, and are prepared quickly in a counter setting. I'd recommend it.
(5)John M.
Nice, quaint little place. Great waffles. Outdoor dining as well. Had breakfast outside but the sun can be a issue as it rises.
(4)David S.
Great food! Convenient location and seems to be a hidden gem bc no wait for brunch on New Year's Day.
(5)Adam W.
Having eaten at kitchen 208 three times, I feel it's time to give it a review. Also, I feel one of the reviews is a bit harsher than deserved so I want to attempt counteracting that. One thing that makes the restaurant stand out to me, is that I haven't had a single meal that made me feel like a bloated sack of lard. Even the brisket sandwich, which should inspire a small coma, left me more than capable of going back to work versus needing to take a nap. The Quinoa Salad is a healthy and delicious option that I don't believe I could get anywhere else in the upper king area. With our amazing weather, the patio makes a fantastic place to relax on your lunch break. If i were the type to wake up early enough, I'm sure sitting and enjoying breakfast there would be just as fantastic. The berry compote on the Plantation Waffle was not just ridiculous it was ..some word that is better than ridiculous. I wish it was slightly lower in cost, just to make it a more regular part of my workweek, but I don't feel they are particularly unfair. A friend of mine had the Chicken Salad and found it lacking, but they returned and were blown away by the Quinoa Salad. Of course they have their opening learning lessons. My wife and I forced ourselves out of bed for breakfast on opening day, and there wasn't a single bit of background music. Luckily someone threw their iPad on a windowsill to fix that. As I look forward to their evolution after their very recent opening, I expect it to evolve into the best lunch option on upper king. I would say the peninsula, but we're just spoiled in Charleston... Too much damn good food. Downtown Workers: 4 1/2 stars Out of Towners: 4 Stars (I can't say you HAVE to visit this place...yet) Charleston Natives: 4 1/2 Stars
(4)Good For The Palate R.
Kitchen 208 is a great spot for a delicious, fast, semi-healthy breakfast. It's towards the end of King Street and there is a little parking garage just behind them so its easy to get to. They have a few tables inside and a nice outdoor side patio that is sure to be slammed. Counter service makes ordering easy and timely. Our food came out in less than 5minutes! I choose the Cobblestone breakfast sandwich with candied bacon, lemon mayo, a perfectly cooked over-easy egg, arugula, gruyere, and tomato. The benne seed brioche bun from Brownscourt Bakery (on St. Phillip) was so right. It made the sandwich feel light as a pillow, and the lemon mayo was just the right touch of acidity. I think the gruyere was nothing special, I couldn't really taste it so I'd leave it off next time. I went all out and ordered cheese, but being that I'm lactose intolerant, I appreciate that they had a few non-dairy laden options, and menu looks flexible enough to accomodate some types of vegetarians. My co-diner choose the Bluestone... 2 eggs, pulled pork has that was moist and substantial, and a black pepper gravy over a biscuit. Certainly not a light meal, but he was very happy with the portion size. Overall, I had a great meal. Only complaints were waiting for OJ, which was not stocked. But $2 for 12oz of really good OJ is totally reasonable. Also, my dish came with "fruit" which consisted of half a strawberry and three blueberries. That is not fruit, that is garnish. I didn't need more to eat anyway, just an issue of semantics. After I try lunch I will update this review.
(4)Jeff Q.
Great spot for breakfast and lunch. There's an egg option at lunch which filled my late breakfast need. Fresh food, great price - my go to breakfast on King St.
(5)Samantha D.
As a fellow King St. worker I am definitely pleased to see a new lunch spot pop up on King! I also can't tell you how great it is to have outdoor seating that allows your four legged friend to join you! I have had the opportunity to try the Quinoa Salad, the Belle-Gem sandwich, and the Turkey shoot sandwich. All three were delicious! The Belle-Gem is literally the best fried chicken with... wait for it... WAFFLES instead of bread! It was delicious! The mustard was a little much for me but with a touch of honey this sandwich is by far my new favorite! Though I wish the prices were a little lower I fully appreciate what I am getting for my money. The ingredients are ALL fresh and they have even partnered with a local bakery for yummy bread. As for the staff, I have had nothing but smiles and quick service. Definitely a great spot to check out in the midst of a stuffy day in the office or an exhausting day of shopping!
(4)Len S.
Delicious, especially recommend the Cobblestone. Reasonably priced, friendly staff, and abundant casual outdoor seating.
(5)Jen K.
The food and service is incredible! The brisket sandwich is amazing! I would absolutely encourage a visit here.
(5)Cade P.
Great Southern and contemporary cuisine. Order at the counter and they will bring it out. This standard of food deserves a full service restaurant. The special of the day - buttermilk fried chicken with gravy in biscuits was delicious, along with the Belle Gem sandwich. High recommend for causal dinning with good food.
(4)Ed R.
This place was nice and clean. The staff were very attentive and helpful with food descriptions. The menu had a wide variety of choices for everyone. We ate the Saturday brunch offerings and they were great. The outside patio was awesome and I would go back here in a heartbeat.
(4)Michael H.
Tasty, reasonably priced, sweet outside patio with fabric shade and fans! Just awesome!
(5)Rebecca M.
Really disappointing. Food not that great & too pricey for ordering at the counter w/ little to no service. I ordered the yogurt w/fruit & granola & a biscuit. My husband got eggs w/ potatoes, bacon and a biscuit. Fruit wasn't fresh. In a plastic to go container, it would be easy for them to put fresh fruit and yogurt in a bowl served to you. The biscuits were cold and not fluffy or flavorful. His was just ok.
(2)Amber L.
Fantastic! Located in the heart if downtown, this quick and easy brunch place serves low-country inspired options that won't break the bank. The staff is exceptionally friendly, and very quick. The Griddler is melt-in-your-mouth amazing, and the wedge salad is classic with a twist. My husband and I are only in town for one more day, and we will definitely be going back for brunch on our way out of town. Such a wonderful experience!
(5)Joshua T.
Food was mediocre. Underwhelming Sunday brunch. Don't waste your time when there are several better options.
(2)Mike F.
Went for lunch. The food was good, well seasoned. I had breakfast for lunch. When you walk in it looks tiny, but we ended up sitting towards the back. Very good. I will visit again and again.
(5)Melissa W.
We stopped into Kitchen 208 a couple months back for a quick breakfast. The food was decent- nothing special. We came in again because I'd been wanting to try their meatloaf sandwich. Big mistake. When it arrived at the table, it was so visually unappealing that I really didn't want to try it. I kind of wish I hadn't. The meatloaf itself was absolutely flavorless and had strange texture, and the collard greens completely overpowered the sandwich. The combination of favors that were present just did not blend well. I managed a couple bites to be polite, but it was pretty terrible. My husband had the belle-gem, which he thought was just okay. I really wanted to like this place, but Kitchen 208 just isn't on par with the other great restaurants in Charleston. I gave two stars because the cook offered to make the sandwich during brunch when it wasn't technically on the menu.
(2)Cassie H.
This place is so cute. My friend and I went shopping on king street and this was the perfect lunch stop. The food was delicious and the prices were pretty good. It has outdoor and indoor seating. The staff were very nice. Very cute! I would recommend it to anyone!
(4)Tara M.
Great find for lunch. Nice patio with shade and was dog-friendly (I don't have a dog but I love them). Friendly service! Food was great- ingredients all seemed fresh. Amazing wedge salad and the Belle Gem sandwich was a gem indeed- fried chicken sandwich with the bread being a bacon waffle. Would go again!
(4)Angie K.
I have eaten at 208 three times for breakfast and twice for lunch, and I can say that I crave the Cobblestone on a daily basis. It is a breakfast sandwich with eggs, applewood smoked bacon, an amazing bun, sweetness, delicious! I also had the quinoa salad for lunch and it is nice and light. I also am shocked to hear people do not like the coffee because I LOVE it!!! I get about 3 cups while I am there. The location and patio are awesome and we need more of these spots in Charleston- ones that are healthy and fresh, not making you want to shoot yourself afterwards.
(5)Amy F.
We were looking for a fast brunch so we could get in as much sightseeing as possible. This place was perfect. Local cuisine, flexible menu and staff, good food. I recommend the shrimp & grits- just divine mimosas and bloody mary's (topped with a pickled okra) were a welcome surprise in our mini vacation. Outside dining was nice. Wait staff was attentive in this cafeteria style cafe.
(5)Dale B.
Great breakfast and brunch place with no waiting while Toast had a line out the door. Great poached eggs and the Bluestone was a fantastic creation of eggs, pulled pork and hash browns sandwiched between a biscuit and smothered in gravy. The only thing wrong was that the biscuits were just a tad dry but still good with the gravy.
(4)MaryE W.
Great, sunny place with very friendly service. Avery easy, casual alternative to some of the more packed restaurants. Loved the scrambled eggs and the bridge runner (yogurt, fruit, and granola). The owner introduced himself and spent time chatting with about the meal and Charleston overall. Nice experience.
(4)Sarah L.
I work at an office just down the street from Kitchen 208 and can say I've almost overdosed on the delicious quinoa salad they offer. This type of restaurant is just what this part of King Street needed. It's casual and convenient with fresh, healthy breakfast and lunch options. It's the only place in the area to sit outside with front row seats for King Street people watching. Great food, friendly , fast service and inviting and clean atmosphere. I highly recommend it for a casual breakfast, brunch or lunch.
(4)Patricia G.
I visit Charleston every year since leaving this wonderful city in 2006. I heard about Kitchen 208 through Facebook and knew that I had to check this place out. I decided to try the brunch selection on Sunday. I was glad that I did! The food was very tasty and to my liking. My son was born in the Charleston area so was quickly drawn to the "Charleston" on the menu. He enjoyed everything, but especially enjoyed the home style fries. I tried the "Smokey Joe". This brisket sandwich had a tangy/sweet taste. Everything was delicious and fresh. The price was very reasonable and the staff was friendly. We will definitely be returning to Kitchen 208 on our next trip to Charleston. I highly recommend that if you are on King street that you stop by and try them out.
(5)Cat C.
By the time you buy your sandwich and side it is cheaper and better to just eat at Husk. It's grossly over-priced for a small sandwich on a piece of wax paper. For $13, get me a plate, please... for that reason, I would never take a client. It's just not polished enough for what it wants to be slinging, even if it is retro chic. Not worth it. Secondly, I would seriously skip that meatloaf sandwich. The tomato "marmalade" is ridiculous, the meat reeked of "middle refrigerator" and it had it's way with me all afternoon. Unpleasant!
(2)David G.
I took a weekend vacation to charleston and kitchen 208 was a highlight to my trip. It is right on king street amongst all of the beautiful shops and foot traffic. It is a spacious spot with visual access to the grill. It is very clean and modern with exposed brick walls and a bright atmosphere. We decided to sit outside and it was even better out there. It is a large space with shade above. Really a great courtyard where you can watch king street but you don't feel too exposed. You order at the register and they bring the meal out to you. Very friendly staff including the wait staff and cooks who make you feel at home. We were there for Sunday brunch and I ordered the charleston. It had eggs, applewood bacon, home fries, and a biscuit. All came out excellent.
(5)Mary A.
Ate breakfast here twice while we were in town. Adorable little place with an inventive menu. Cute and cheery space that's casual and fast. The staff is incredibly friendly and everything we had was delicious. Try the cobblestone...amazing! Will pop in when I'm back in the area.
(4)Aida Z.
This place is pretty awesome. I've been for breakfast and lunch a few times now and I gotta say, was very impressed. I loved enjoying a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee and the "Lowcountry" (grits, stewed tomatoes & okra and eggs) breakfast on the outside patio. Those grits were the best I've had in Charleston...I think they put cheese in them..what a home run. Being able to sit outside in the early morning sunshine right on King Street is fairly unprecedented in Charleston. I came back a few weeks later for lunch- once again thoroughly impressed. Their menu offers so many choices; feeling healthy? Have the Quinoa salad (with Mediterranean dressing...yum). Feeling sinful? How about the Smokey Joe? After a lot of internal deliberation, I went with the Quinoa Salad; it was phenomenal, hit the spot for a hot Charleston afternoon. The service was great, I basically was greeted by everyone wearing a "Kitchen 208" shirt, super attentive and friendly staff. Also, I liked being able to see how my food was being prepared. I think it is very wise for K208 to have cashiers instead of servers; for the location it's perfect. K208 is situated in a part of downtown where lot of law firms and other businesses reside, and sometimes a quick lunch is what I am looking for- not having to wait for my server to greet me, serve me and bring me the check is key in getting in and out and back to the office. I cannot wait to try their brunch...sitting on that patio with a Sake Bloody Mary and another delicious meal (I think I'll be going with the Smokey Joe)...sounds perfect.
(5)Louis Y.
This place rocks! Excellent food (Caesar with shrimp #bestpb&jchas) the decor is spot on and today the Executive Chef of Circa 1886 was in the kitchen cooking! King street NEEDED this place -oh, and one DAMN fine PB&J!
(4)Taylor L.
My morning started off right with the Belle Gem waffle. It's a nice piece of fried chicken, tomato, lettuce, Swiss cheese and mustard aioli with a bacon waffle as the bread. Actual pieces of bacon were inside the waffle. Most chicken and waffles I've had pair with syrup but the mustard was a fresh pairing. The rest of our table had typical breakfast food and the cheddar grits were a fav. Great food, great price, great atmosphere and outdoor seating. Will be back again.
(4)Eric M.
Everything tasted amazing. Cooks and staff were awesome. Get the cobblestone. Candied bacon was excellent.
(5)Frank G.
We went there for Sunday breakfast. First let me say that the food was very good and plenty of it. Sat outside, loved the fresh air. However, when you get in you wait on line to order what you want, and wait, and wait. Why, because the person taking orders has to take time out to delivery meals, drinks, etc... While you wait on line. You have to get your own silverware, napkins, etc. This is not good for the customer. You get a number and sit down, and wait , and wait. It took over 15 minutes for the food to get to us. The coffee does not stay hot due to the self service jugs that they are in. Ok, is this any way to run a restaurant? I think not. I gave 4 stars because the food was in fact very good. Is it worth all this waiting, I think not. Frank G
(4)Angela M.
I stopped in with family at Kitchen 208 last week while doing some sightseeing in Charleston. We were looking for a lunch spot with reasonable pricing and outdoor seating, and this fit the bill perfectly. The good: The food was all very good, and plated attractively. The sandwich menu is pretty unique, a new twist on southern comfort food. Ordering at the walk-up counter is simple, and there's plenty of seating both inside and out to choose from. The outdoor seating is shaded. Prices are very reasonable; all sandwiches are under $10 with a side included. All fountain drinks are free refills, with a self-serve station for your convenience. The bad: After ordering, you're looking at a 30 minute wait for your sandwiches, even on a pretty slow day. Additionally, the servings are not all created equal - some of the sandwiches and sides are much larger than others, which can be deceptive when ordering. For example, our sides of potato chips took up half the plate, but the coleslaw arrived in a tiny little cup. Pictures of menu items available when ordering would be very helpful! Overall, this is a pretty good place to stop downtown if you're looking for an affordable lunch spot in the midst of the more pricey competitors. Just make sure you have plenty of time for your meal!
(3)Lisa S.
This is a great place for brunch (if you don't mind waiting forever). The line to order took about 10 minutes and they warned us the food wouldn't be ready for an additional 30 minutes... So worth the wait. We sat outside on their patio (one of the few places downtown you can eat outside). Everyone had their puppies outside with them and it was all under shade for the most part so it wasn't too hot. When we got our food we scarfed it down and every bite was very tasty. One of the best breakfast potatoes I've ever had! So flavorful and cooked to perfection. I'm a vegetarian and I was pleasantly surprised when they let me trade the bacon for a fruit cup (more expensive) without upselling it. That's rare and really appreciated. I will say that their kitchen is in the open and you can hear everything the chefs say when you're in line to order. I understand brunch rush hour can be stressful but they shouldn't yell and get mad at their coworkers as much when they're out in the open like that. It made me feel stressed hearing them bicker. Overall, great experience. Worth the wait. Can't wait to return.
(4)Rachel C.
Delightful experience. A dear friend who happens to work in the hospitality industry suggested this place for lunch and I am glad he did. I will be back because there were multiple things on the menu that sounded like me, making it hard to decide which to choose! I settled on the Belle Gem, a crispy piece yet juicy piece of chicken sandwiches between bacon battered waffles. I expected some sweetness but the pleasant surprise was the tangy honey mustard aioli sauce. Garnished with a picked okra, and generously plated with potato chips, this sandwich was a mouth full of yum. Great for breakfast, brunch or lunch get here before 3! They also had a children's menu, and bonus... Serve beer, wine, and mimosas!
(5)Tricia S.
The cashier was really friendly, the coffee was fresh and tasty (I had a medium brew pecan) and the cheddar grits were so flavorful. It tasted like Mac and cheese!
(5)Charlie P.
Located across the street from my office, I have been to Kitchen 208 many times and have concluded that while the place has a great outdoor patio for enjoying a sunny lunch, the food isn't all that great. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, I think brunch is the best option as their $4 Sake Bloody Marys are a steal. As far as cuisine, the menu does offer a few unique options such as the Belle-Gem Sandwich (fired chicken on a bacon waffle) and the Bat Outta Hell (meatloaf + tomatoe marmalade) but both fail to deliver on taste in my opinion. And for $9-10 you should be getting one heck of a delicious sandwich in my opinion. Much better dining options on King Street than Kitchen 208 in my opinion. If you do go, must-order items: Cobblestone Sandwich Quinoa Salad Sake Bloody Mary
(3)Eric L.
Ordered the belle gem and Smokey Joe. The belle gem is a bacon waffle... yeah I said it... bacon waffle with fried chicken, cheese, light mustard and lettuce. Personally I think its alot better nn with just the bacon waffle, fried chicken and syrup on the side. It kinda like an amazing McGridle. The rest of the ingredients deter it from its chicken and waffle spirit in my opinion. The smokey joe was good. But I dont know what ot was the bbq sauce just fell short, and the meat didnt taste flavorful. So... wasn't sure where the wow was suppose to happen on that one. Service is great! Highly recommend the belle gem and if you like McGridle do it the way I suggested.
(3)Alex H.
My wife and I stopped in on our anniversary for breakfast. The place is inviting and well laid out. You order at the counter and then sit down to be served. We had The Charleston (typical breakfast) a couple of muffins and the soup of the day which was a great chilled Watermelon soup. Delicious. Will definitely stop in the next time I am here.
(5)Rachel P.
I went here on a busy Saturday morning. The line was moderate (reached the front cooler), but took about 23 mins to get to the register where you order. When there, I was told it would be 30 mins before the food I ordered was ready. They told me this because they "want to be upfront" but after already waiting for so long that information really wasn't useful. The food came out in about 15 mins. I ordered the Cobblestone. The bacon jam was excellent and the fried egg was prepared perfectly. The bun was seriously lacking considering the rest of the ingredients. I'd order it on a biscuit if I went again. The frsh fruit was mellon with two strawberries. I ordered a regular coffee, which was good.
(3)Mali C.
Not bad. If you see a line don't worry the line moves shockingly fast. The downside is that the chef needs to take a refresher course on basic eggs. Over easy was really over well/medium, almost no runny yolk. The potatoes in the hash were under cooked and that is extremely, extremely unpleasant. I ordered the special which was described as house made corned beef hash. But in reality it was roast beef with undercooked veggies and over cooked eggs. My very wise friend ordered the chicken waffle sandwich. I had one bite and spent spent my meal in regret land. The dish was decedent and perfect and the one bite mostly made up for the tragic special. Well earned four stars. Side note: The bus boy was super sweet. He's a keeper.
(4)Stephanie C.
I just came back from eating brunch here and I had high hopes for this restaurant but unfortunately the food was bland and we didn't get the food as it was described. I had the Charleston (2 eggs, biscuit, home fries and bacon): it only came with one egg instead of two and didn't have any salt or seasoning to it. The home fries it came with only had 5 small potatoes and the biscuit was dry. My boyfriend got the belle-gem which is a bacon waffle with buttermilk fried chicken, whole grain mustard aioli and swiss cheese with a side of house pickled okra and chips. He didn't get any okra or swiss cheese and the chicken was super bland. No seasoning at all and we needed to add hot sauce just to make it taste edible. It does have a nice outdoor seating area but that is about it.
(1)Deb W.
I've been dying to get back here since my wedding 1.5 years ago and it was as good as I remembered. I was going for a long walk with my dog when I found myself starving and in front of Kitchen 208. The staff was Great at setting me up with a table outside and watching my dog and bringing him water while I put in my order. I had the cobblestone sandwich with fresh fruit. Everything was very fresh and very tasty. Exactly what I wanted. I'd go back again in a heartbeat.
(4)Rachel A.
Had the wrap and home fries. Did not like it at all, definitely not worth 10 min in like and a 30 min wait for food
(2)Jonathan E.
i really wanted this to be a 5-star experience. sadly, i'm split between 3 and 4. +1 for decor and atmosphere. the branding is what initially caught our attention. +0 for no wait service. i understand the efficiencies gained by having patrons order up front, but it does take away from the experience. -1 for a bit of an attitude from the staff. i could tell they weren't thrilled we were ordering breakfast 15 minutes before breakfast ends. +0 for strongly average food. i had the "charleston" with toast. +0 for decent prices, but small portions. +1 for nice back room with additional seating, and outdoor courtyard. might be nice for carry-out or outdoor sseating, but we likely won't return.
(3)James Y.
Should have read the reviews, terribly misleading based on their menu and overall brand and design. It's school cafeteria food described as trendy farm to fork fare. My kids didn't even finish their food. The bun my sandwich came on was described as a benne seed bun, it was a cheap white hamburger bun. With so much amazing food in Charleston you feel extra ripped off but we were hungry and just walked off the street Into it. Oh well...
(2)Adam G.
Delicious Quick Brunch Spot. Enjoyed the shrimp and Grits before a big day in Charleston.
(4)Lori B.
I stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. It's a great location if you're shopping on King. It wasn't crowded at all. The place was cute and clean with small tables inside and out and a long counter where individuals can sit. I ordered the Cobblestone mainly because of the arugula listed as one of the ingredients. It was served with iceberg, which is no huge deal, but I wish they had told me they were out of arugula so I could have changed my order to something else. Also, the menu clearly states the Cobblestone comes with fruit. Above the list of sandwiches the menu also clearly states that all sandwiches are served with either pasta salad, cucumber tomato salad or chips. So I was a bit unclear as to if it comes with both fruit and a side or no side and just fruit. I asked the sweet girl behind the register about it and sat back down while she investigated. I then heard one of the prep guys yelling about having to give away "free" fruit. I don't know if he was trying to be funny or if he was just having a bad day but he was sure rude and embarrassing which I'm guessing was his intent. A little later I heard him yelling that a customer, who had asked where his fries were, had said "no fries" instead of with fries. Again, rude and embarrassing since the prep guys are facing the dining room and not behind walls where their comments can be kept to themselves. So overall, cute place. Food - okay but ingredients may vary. Service - awful. Won't ever go back or recommend.
(1)Karen P.
I have eaten there several times now, and I agree with other reviewers. Very average food in a city with many other outstanding options.
(3)Drew V.
I had the belle-gem. The sandwich was good, with a combination of fried chicken, tomato and a horseradish sauce between bacon waffles. It came with chips and a nice, pickled okra. The sandwich was just the right size. They do not have espressos or cappuccinos, which was a disappointing for a brunch place. They do have regular coffee. The service was efficient and friendly.
(4)Brian A.
A great breakfast atmosphere! The ambiance of Kitchen 208 is perfect for breakfast! The front is bustling with chopping, flipping and clanking behind the counter and chattering patrons lined up to order 208's creations. The food is good, the decor is nice and the overall expenience...worth a try. FYI: The coffee was pretty good too.
(4)Molly H.
Have you ever had a meal and wished that it would never end because the food is so delicious? Well, this is one of those kinda places. Simple, yet handmade breakfast sandwiches are the perfect complement to the handmade and locally sourced strawberry mimosa. Every bite offered a new flavor, every sip a tangy and sweet surprise. Yum. Eat here. Right now.
(5)Lorrie S.
I'm in town for a couple of days, and the Kitchen is perfect for breakfast: reasonably priced; excellent fresh food; unbeatable service. I'm grateful to have discovered it. The coffee is fresh, the environment is inviting (and it's the perfect place to get a little work done should you need to do that on holiday, like me!). The Cobblestone is yummy -- a fried egg with candied bacon, cheese, tomato and arugula. A side of fresh fruit to boot! (You can tell that Phil cares about the business and the employees -- he treats the team with respect and they demonstrate that. I like seeing things like that.) Centrally located on King St, it's been a great place to kick off my fun days of museum-going, sightseeing and relaxing.
(5)Bill M.
Oh happy Hash! The Bluestone is a heaping pile of pulled pork,pepper gravy and fried eggs on a beautiful flaky oversized biscuit just oozing with yummy goodness. That plus a fantastic cup of locally roasted coffee makes a breakfast to remember. After napping of course!
(4)James V.
Kitchen 208 is one of those restaurants that your crazy 20-something friend might think is awesome, and then of course they recommend it to you so naturally you go and take their recommendation and drop twenty bucks on lunch, and then an hour later you'd love nothing more to go back and punch them in the face for building up such a mediocre restaurant. This place was loud, slow, and full of itself in general. Yes, the meatloaf "Bat Outta Hell" sandwich was pretty good, but definitely not worth a 30-minute wait. Throw in a broken soda fountain and a few too many hipster employees and that pretty much sealed the deal for us. Decent food, but be sure to call ahead and take your order to go.
(2)Christina E.
This. Place. Is. AMAZING!! Phil, the waiter, was phenomenal. I can't even describe how perfect the service was. The bachelorette's meal was on the house, the mimosas were discounted, and can we talk about the food?? BOMB.com !!! Atmosphere was on point, the grits were on fleek, and Phil is my everything.
(5)Danielle M V.
It was a little confusing the website looked more appealing than the experience the 3 of us had. Menu looked great so we decided to check it out. Place was adorable, it had some countertop seating, table seating, a larger back room seating area & nice outdoor seating w shade sails & oscillating fans. So now comes the confusing part, & may be an assumption on my behalf because the website was so professionally done I've thought that there would be service. So apparently you seat yourself then you go stand up in line at the counter to place your order & pay. Then you are responsible for carrying your drinks they give you- god forbid you get a water, soda, tea (you serve yourself) a beer, a mimosa or a coffee and you have to carry a number that they give you on a silver coffee cup to put on your table for them to find you to bring you your food. Kind of a juggling act w wallet/purse/phone & 3 items to carry. You then have to search for napkins and silverware elsewhere- not knowing that it is not going to be coming with your food .Then you are brought your food but never checked back on. If you need more water or soda you have to get up and get it yourself. If you want another beer or mimosa or coffee you have to go stand back in line & pay as u go each time.. The food was good but not fantastic. My 1 friend had the shrimp and grits w 2 mimosas for $24, my other friend had a sandwich with a side of grits & 1 mimosa for $20, I had the shrimp and grits, a side of potatoes, a side of 1 scrambled egg & 1 mimosa it was $24 & change- not including any tip but I'm not really sure what we are supposed to tip on if we are not getting service?? So, sorry kitchen 208- would have liked service & would come back but do not like to stand back in line and pay each time when we wanted another mimosa or needed a refill of water, soda, coffee, tea :(
(3)Michael B.
Have you ever ate something so good you had to do a little dance? WOW! First time here and I was in between the "Belle-gem" and the "smokey joe." Decided on the smokey joe which was bbq beef brisket, caramelized onions and cheese on Texas toast. Amazing. Came with a side of chips and I got a water for under $10. Must try lunch spot in downtown!
(4)Caroline G.
False advertising - breakfast was not great. Grits were lumpy, and the "low country" breakfast says it comes with okra and tomatoes- it was more like a garnish!
(2)Maria P.
This place is great for breakfast. We went while on a roadtrip to Charleston and wow it was amazing. I had the battery platter which is kinda like eggs Benedict and they were delicious. It looks really nice too, and the staff was friendly. The only thing I would say that the food took a little long, but it was worth the wait for sure. Definitely recommend.
(5)Mandy B.
Has a great variety of quality classic sandwiches and a few unique, delicious twists. Love this place!
(5)Curtis N.
We stopped here for breakfast and it did not disappoint! Trendy little spot in Charleston with a lot of taste. We got here justin in time as the line quickly went out the door and down the sidewalk! So many great items on the menu. The staff is great at what they do and we were served quality food with out a long wait despite the crowd. Very pleased and will return.
(5)