Ordered fried green tomato bacon & lettuce sandwich & there was no bacon. Adjusted the bill by removing my the cost of my Diet Pepsi. Really???? No mgr intervention. Disappointed.
(1)
Becca W.
Was really just 'ok'.... Nothing too exciting about the chicken salad, really just 'ok' Cute place, very eclectic and interesting old house.... But overall meal was 'on' nothing special about it at all...
(3)
Adam M.
Quaint atmosphere. In a old house with that southern charm. Waited 30 min for a table which was great considering we didn't have reservations. Great selection of specialty drinks and wine by the glass. Fried green tomatoes paired with pecan crusted goat cheese was in point. The southern fried chicken stuffed with Gouda cheese and greens with a side of green beans and brussel sprouts was great. The veggies could have used more seasoning but still delicious. Friendly staff and would recommend if you are visiting Charleston.
(4)
Candice M.
Someone recommended we try this place while visiting Charleston and so glad they did! The biscuits were just like my mom's homemade biscuits and melt in your mouth. I normally don't eat fried chicken but it was the best I've had - boneless and it wasn't greasy at all. The mashed potatoes and green beans were also delicious. My husband got the shrimp pasta which was really good too, loved the sauce.
(5)
Geraldine Y.
Biscuits!!!! Oh my those biscuits alone are worth 5 stars! Best biscuits I've ever had!!!
(4)
P H.
Scott, our waiter killed it. Every recommendation was spot on. From the beer, to the appetizer, and the entrees. My wife and I shared the mac and cheese and only wish we ordered more. So many places add ham to mac & cheese and get it wrong but this plate was delicious. We had the short rib and fried chicken sandwiches and both were fantastic, so good you're kinda sad it's over. Poogan's Porch was the first restaurant we visited in Charleston and it set the tone for the trip; great food and service!
(5)
Kevin B.
We had our wedding reception here In March of this year! Everything was so amazing!!! Beth was awesome and very accommodating.. Also the staff was so nice and quick with drinks, that know one ever had a empty drink! Food was also 5 star! Not only did the take great care of my wife and I, and our 50 guests, but also were cooking for the rest of the restaurant as well! Great job to the guys in the back as well.. Outstanding food and drinks, also reasonably priced all together for a great time..
(5)
Ladi I.
Absolutely the best southern comfort meal we had in Charleston! Rosa our waitress was a breath of fresh air and so friendly. We loved the biscuits, fried green tomatoes, te gouda mac and cheese and the amazing fried chicken with string beans that were delcious. Great wine, lovely atmosphere, and an exceptional staff! We cannot wait to visit again!
(5)
D M.
Very good meal. Hasn't been here in years but did not disappoint! Try the artistically cocktails - very good. The southern staples on the menu are wonderful and the seafood is fresh. Highly recommended.
(4)
Kiley S.
So. Good. Being form New England, I had never had true southern food until Poogans and I was not disappointed. Cocktails were all really delicious and the biscuits were amazing. We split the pimento cheese bites to start. They were delicious. How can you go wrong with fried cheese? I had the Fried chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes and beans, it was amazing as well. The sage gravy was really flavorful and the chicken was so crispy! YUM! I love the atmosphere here, very charming. Every room inside and out is very unique. I'd love to sit on the porch, front or back. Plus, I heard a rumor that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds come here..if it's good enough for Blake, it's good enough for me.
Had brunch here and forget the food - come here to see the wall coverings!!!! First, I had a mimosa in the bar. A nice dimly lit bar with textured wall paper. Bartender was friendly and knowledgable. Mimosa was perfectly mixed - not too much OJ and not too champagney. The many dining rooms have walls that are very tastefully hand painted with foliage. Felt very southern. Brunch was wonderful. A pulled pork eggs benedict on a biscuit - made perfectly. To best part of this whole place was the men's restroom. Wallpaper that looked like a library! Loved it. I can't say what the women's room looked like, but if it's like the men's room - the women will enjoy having another reason to go en mass to the toilet. I'd go back - for the food, drinks, and wall covering any day!
(4)
Penny E.
What a quaint and interesting restaurant! We had fantastic food and service. The toast points and crab salad were delicious. The wedge salads were very fresh and crisp. The crab and shrimp pasta and the baked chicken were excellent. The service was the best we have had in Charleston! It was very interesting to see the names of the celebrities who have eaten here!
(5)
Bill B.
It's a great location. When taking out of town guests Poogan seems to fit the bill as what Charleston dining is all about. It's in an old house that gives it another old south dimension. Food is southern and you will not be disappointed. Try the Fried chicken salad and a day after eating the fried pork chop I still want another bite. Service is excellent and prices are reasonable. If you have to wait go outside and people watch at another great place Husk. There is a parking garage across the street.
(4)
Alex F.
We were told to come here for the shrimp and grits. I thought they were ok, but my wife ended up getting the fried green tomatoe BLT and it was awesome. So good, I was thinking about this sandwich for a few days afterwards...haha. Also, the biscuits were SOOO good. Had to get a few to eat with my Shrimp and Grits. I'd get the BLT next time around!
(4)
Caitlin J.
This is my favorite restaurant in the entire world. I've gone to Charleston for the only intent of eating here. The dining staff is amazing, the food is wonderful, and their biscuits are to die for. Their pimiento cheese fritters are absolutely amazing. I love the atmosphere of this house. It encompasses everything there is to love about Charleston. Can't wait to go back soon.
(5)
Shelby B.
Very southern food (rich food) and a really cool atmosphere. Overrated for the price. I went when all the food was half price and that was worth it, but it wouldn't have been if it had been full price. Cool ghost story associated with it though
(3)
Li Y.
Poogan's Porch loooonggg sighhh. The first time I visited this restaurant, 15 years ago, it became my favorite memorable meal from Charleston. Arriving back to Charleston for business...the only restaurant that I had on my mind was Poogan's Porch. Arriving to Charleston we tried to make a reservation of this recent Easter Saturday or Sunday. "No longer taking reservations, not even for large parties" was the answer we received. So, of course, being the persistent person I am, I snuck snuck snuck there with only one other person on Saturday for their brunch. Being a yelper I had to try the often raved about shrimp and grits...delicious. STILL, my friend's meal looked OUTTA THIS WORLD (see picture posted). She had the "Charleston scramble" which consisted of the freshest and tastiest eggs with a sprinkling of bacon and veges, topped off with a handful of the crispiest, most mouthwatering fried oysters I had ever had. This plate comes sided with a plate of either home fries or cheese grits (see picture). Starters for us was the delicious she crab soup with an abundance of sherry flavor. The next day, Easter Sunday, I posed to the group that if they wanted to have a memorable meal they might want to consider this restaurant but that I would go to any since I had already been "to heaven and back:" the day before. Knowing my affection and knowledge of food, they agreed to go to Poogan's. We got there 15 minutes BEFORE they opened and got our name on the list. So thankful we did...there was a line building and kept on building the whole time we were there. Everyone agreed...the food was the most memorable we had while in Charleston. By the way, the reason why I know the Charleston scramble was so heavenly good was...the next day, Sunday...that is exactly what I ordered! We also enjoyed the fried green tomatos to start. Rest of group enjoyed an assortment of omelets, thick french toast, shrimp n grits. Don't miss the biscuits...they are, certifiably, the most delicious, fluffy like a cloud, crispy on the outside biscuits...I had to take away a half dozen! Goes perfectly with their honey butter that is served on side. Siggggghhhhhh. When I think of Charleston, I think of Poogan's Porch.
(5)
Andrew G.
Cocktail menu and beer menu were both great. The fried green tomatoes were really good. I would recommend asking for the remoulade. It wasn't served to us at dinner but I saw picture with it on yelp. My fiancee's shrimp and grits were really good and I would recommend them slightly over the buttermilk fried chicken but they were both really good. Our waitress was good but not fantastic. I asked her what beer she would recommend and she just said she wasn't a beer drinker so I guess I appreciate the honesty. I would give it 4.5 stars if possible but I want to save the 5 star review for Husk which is next door. If you want a really good meal for two for under $100 this place is a fantastic choice.
(4)
Ashley S.
I should preface my review by saying that my husband and I are in town for the week celebrating our anniversary. We are always looking for great local fare & we understand that food prices generally coincide with what the market will tolerate. For this restaurant, in this location, with the service we received, I would say they are priced competitively. (Entrees about $25-$30 per person) If you are looking to find something cheaper, you aren't looking for the same caliber accommodations that we are on this particular trip. We would not have dined here if our 4 children had accompanied us because I don't consider that practical. With all of that said, we truly enjoyed this meal. It was the first time EVER that I actually finished an entree anywhere. My husband and I both ate every bite of our meal. This was a combination of my selection (at our sever, Aaron's recommendation), the food being well-prepared & the portion sizes are perfect. I had the grouper paired with pimento & cheese stuffed ravioli. This was after I'd eaten 2 of the pimento & cheese fritters as an appetizer which were also amazing... Well-prepared & perfect portion size. Our server, Aaron, was good at helping us to navigate the menu. His recommendations were spot-on where the food was concerned. My husband had questions about the wine list & when Aaron saw we were looking at white/sparkling wines, he wasted no time in telling us that was not his specialty and sent the sommelier (who is 1 of only 4 advanced sommeliers in the city) to assist us. I wish I could remember his name... Because he was phenomenal in suggesting just the right bottle for us! We thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not sure what the attire is here, I generally wear dresses because Southern summer heat is brutal otherwise. Hubs was in jeans and a casual button up though and we felt right at home. A couple of misses that I must mention. First, the service was not as prompt as I would expect for the caliber this restaurant is presenting itself to be. It appeared the waitstaff was rather spread out & we found ourselves waiting between crucial points in the meal. (Being greeted, after dinner to order desserts, etc.) A table next to us waited FAR longer at crucial points and I would've walked out if I had been with their server. We were seated out on the back porch too, don't know if that made a difference. The beignets for dessert were a total fail. The dough was a thicker consistency than the "light and fluffy" that a beignet should be, and when it arrived, they were cold, which only added to the density and hard texture that one should not find in this pastry. So, I would say: skip that. The sommelier made us feel right at home and the fabulous apps and entrees sealed the deal for the WOW we expect at this price point. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Rachel L.
So good. Service is outstanding across the board. Very cool setting in an old southern building. Set up our reservation through yelp. Very convenient. The food...really well prepared & presented. The biscuits were fluffy delights. The fried green tomatoes were so perfectly fried with a nice, light crunch on the outside & soft, warm tomato on the inside. Great with a dollop of the goat cheese or chutney or both. She crab soup...so rich & flavorful. So I'm stuffed already, but enjoying a flavorful icy cocktail on this hot day to keep me going. Dinners were buttermilk fried chicken, barbecue ahi tuna & cast iron pork chops. Impeccably prepared & presented with wonderful sides....all plates were cleaned & raved about. I'm done...room for no more, not even coffee...or bourbon. Amazingly, the rest of the family has room for dessert & polishes off bourbon pecan pie with chocolate-bacon ice cream & key lime pie with sorbet. I almost enjoyed watching them, but my stomach hurts! What a great experience! Go here.
(5)
Annie Y.
I love this place!! So cute and service was excellent. Everything on the menu looked so good I wish I could have ordered more. To start, scrumptious warm out of the oven biscuits were amazing. So soft and fluffy once you look a bite. So good. Appetizers: fried green tomatoes- this was my first time trying this southern dish and it was so good! Juicy thick tomatoes with a Big Crunch. My bf got the aged Gouda Mac and cheese- if you love Mac and cheese you have to try it. I'm not a big fan of macncheese and i loved this dish. Main: shrimp and grits- perfect fluffy grits and delicious savory Shrimp/sausage/peppers with just enough spicy kick. Bf had the fried chicken sliders- came with the same delicious biscuits and he got sweet potato fries. We both couldn't finish our meals... But we tried stuffing as much as we could. Therefore, also had zero room for dessert which I regret. Will definitely try to go back again.
(5)
Kathleen G.
Place was phenomenal. More food than you could ever pray to eat, but perfectly southern and delicious. The complimentary biscuits and butter to start will blow your mind! Fried green tomatoes ($7) were hot and cooked to order, and the pulled pork sandwich ($10) was so juicy. The atmosphere was authentic and felt like you were dining in the comfort of someone's home. Come ready to eat!
(5)
Arlene Z.
Very disappointed, though I'm not completely sure that it's the restaurant's fault. I think the reviews are misleading. I was looking for good to excellent, moderately priced cuisine that Charleston is supposedly famous for. Instead we had overpriced fair food in a more formal than we wanted location. Perhaps it would have been different for lunch, but I would have walked out if I hadn't already been committed. The best part of the meal were the biscuits. Ranks in my top 20 biscuits. The pimento balls appetizer was definitely unique but not to die for. I had the shrimp and grits. Again okay (I've had better at the Holiday Inn in Florence). I don't quite understand why the snapper my husband ordered came with pork bbq, other than they needed to augment the snapper which was on the small side. BBQ held its own, snapper was somewhat overdone. My son had the kid's grilled cheese, which he didn't eat because it was too crispy for his mouth (he's at the age where he's got his secondary teeth coming in). My mom wound up eating it because it was good grilled cheese. My son wound up eating half my mom's cast iron porch chop which was remarkably like chicken fried pork. Again, nothing so special to warrant the price. Dessert beignets were nice, but just...nice. This place should be $$$ instead of $$ or at least differentiated that $$$ for dinner. The wait staff was very good though and it had a very nice ambiance. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I been expecting the prices (dinner entrees are $18-27, add a drink, appetizer and dessert and you could be pushing $$$$) and had it been a special occasion with only my husband. I guess when I go to a place with those kind of prices, I expect it to be special enough that when I walk out, I can say it was worth it. It wasn't.
(2)
Jay J.
One of my Charleston favorites. Great, well prepared recipes and nice ambience. Love the buttermilk fried chicken
(4)
Fabiana F.
Holy Moly Delicious. I'm partially obsessed with this restaurant. Maybe it was the three hour car ride and I was starving (it wasn't) or this is definitely one of my favorite places to eat in Charleston (it is!)! We, apparently with some luck, were seated immediately on a Friday afternoon and we're very politely greeted by our waitress. We REALLY liked her - I think we told her that quite a few times. We ordered two cocktails from the bar, I wish I could remember the names and I don't see them on the menu but they were very tasty! We were very hungry and ordered a few dishes: Fried Chicken Sliders, Crab Cake Sandwich, and the Bourbon Braised Short Ribs (sides included house chips and sweet potato fries). Everything was perfection. We could not help but consume each fresh buttermilk biscuit and fried chicken slider in mere seconds. The fried chicken was juicy but crispy and those biscuits! I always love house made chips and these certainly did not disappoint (I put them in my sliders :)) We really liked the Crab Cake Sandwich as it was mighty large, had tons of crab, and was so soft and tasty! We liked it all but we LOVED the Bourbon Braised Short Ribs. They were fall off the bone tender, the serving size was great, and the veggies (anytime I get broccolini, I'm happy) were all seasoned and cooked perfectly. We ate it all right up and used any extra biscuit pieces to eat up the sauce. Everything was so fantastic and our waitress was so on the ball and accommodating (we were convinced she was reading our minds from a few rooms over - we were thinking about their honey jalapeño dressing and she was already putting it down on the table!) I cannot wait to go back!!
(5)
Gabby J.
I came to Poogans a day before Independence day and I was seated as soon as I walked in. The atmosphere is so beautiful and makes you feel at home. We all got water immediately and everyone is friendly. The biscuits were perfectly soft and tasted amazing.I ordered the Fried Chicken and oh, it was amazing. Perfectly cooked and served with DELICIOUS mashed potatoes and collared greens. You get two fried chicken pieces and a handful of mashed potatoes. I shared the meal with a friend and I was pretty full. The prices are not the cheapest but its definetly a great place to dine!
(5)
Dawn M.
Lousy everything. :( Way too many lovely food choices to waste time here!!
(1)
Heather L.
Brunch at Poogan's was pretty great. There was an hour wait when we arrived (Sunday morning at the height of brunch) and were told that there was an hour wait. The best part was that they took our phone number and texted us when the table was ready which meant we could walk down to Market St and explore. The brunch was good with delicious bloody marys. The best was the Sausage Gravy and Biscuits which was a HUGE portion for four bucks. The gravy was light and flavorful which I prefer to thick and greasy. The Chicken and Waffles were okay. Nothing too spectacular. I would have preferred some kind of kick to it as the blueberry syrup didn't really work well.
(4)
Colin M.
Old charleston feel. Great bit of history lining the walls. But the fried chicken will blow your effing mind. I'm coming back to SC, just to taste that sweet meat again! Oh. ... and the ribs were dessert. Damn good Poogan's damn good
(5)
Lauren B.
Poogan's Porch is fantastic!!! Jimmy is an amazing server. I always love coming here for dinner. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(5)
Todd R.
5 star food and 4.5 star service in the charm of a quaint southern home. Who knew pulled pork made for a great Benedict? Well now I do. Our server Jack was good and did what he could to make our meal memorable. The Saturday brunch menu had a unique selection of new ideas but stayed safely within bounds for the mainstream palate. I'd return, send a friend...but warn them to avoid the table below the irritating window A/C that no-one seemed to know how to control. Other than that little gripe...you're SURE to love this place and the food.
(4)
Raquel M.
Meh! Overly lengthy wait for slightly below average food. I ordered the pimento grilled cheese sandwich. It contained one of the weakest renditions of pimento cheese that I've ever had. It was also cold which definitely didn't help the flavor. The side of housemade potato chips was undercooked and soggy. Overall, Poogan's Porch was an experience I could have done without.
(2)
Ashton P.
The food is great and is representative of Charleston culture. The service is often slow and lackluster. Their yearly rollback pricing event is fantastic; don't miss it!
(3)
Nathan A.
This was the first place my wife and I tried in Charleston on our visit from Texas. The fried green tomatoes were the best we had the entire trip. If you love duck, you must try the roasted duck! That was by far the best entree we had the entire week. The atmosphere and amazing food made for a great welcome to Charleston. Just watch out for the ghosts!
(5)
Sean Q.
In Charleston for work, looking for some great southern chow, and definitely scored with Poogan's Porch. After agonizing on the menu for an extended period, I had an excellent cup of the she crap soup to start out with. It was then followed by the breaded and well prepared cast iron pork chop, mac & chz (w/ bits of ham...had to have that) and tender green beans. Exactly the satisfying meal I was looking for after a long day of transcontinental travel. The old Victorian house offers great atmosphere too. Do yourself a favor and pay Poogan's Porch a visit!
(5)
Tish D.
By far the best biscuit that I've had in my 41 years. Shrimp and grits were great and the pimento cheese fritters...delish! Great service and a 30 minute wait on a Sunday. My daughter had the French Toast and gave it high marks. Can't wait to get back and try something else.
(5)
James S.
I wish it hadn't taken me so long to come here! This place has catapulted its way up to one of the top 5 favorites in Charleston. Atmosphere- It is a house converted into a restaurant. Very intimate setting. Nicely decorated. We sat in front of the fireplace. Almost felt like we were eating in someone's home. Big fan. Service- We were not quite sure about our server at the beginning. Came across a little odd, but we quickly warmed up to his dry, but very friendly personality. He made a little small talk with each table, so he definitely made you feel comfortable. He also informed our host that we were there for our anniversary, so he brought two glasses of champagne over. Nice touch! We loved every interaction with the staff. A+ Food- Wow. To be honest, this place wasn't on our short list of restaurants to visit because we felt like "southern food" was boring. What we received was so much more than we expected. This is the perfection of southern cooking. Macaroni and cheese and the she crab soup appetizers were incredible. For our main course we had the seared scallops and the buttermilk fried chicken. I thought I would like the scallops better, but I don't think I've had such perfectly fried chicken. Don't get me started on the biscuits.... There is something to be said about a restaurant that can turn something ordinary into something spectacular. I get annoyed with restaurants that over-complicate a meal with crazy ingredients that don't enhance the dish- just trying to set themselves apart. Not here. Poogan's just does it better than everyone else, and that's why it succeeds. Regarding the portions, we practically had to roll ourselves out of the place. Overall- I really can't say enough about this place. Poogan's Porch provides the ideal dining experience. Will be back soon and often.
(5)
Dee S.
Poogans porch charleston downtown--went for weeknight Bizness dinner in Feb, great place, fireplaces going in living & dining rooms, great architecture, mural paintings on walls, attentive servers, no complaints at all, special winter Retro menu with great items & retro pricing also, actually unbelievable pricing; other local diners with us have come here for years; they all rant & rave about it. The final bill with wine, coffee's & desserts was sooo inexpensive for 6 for of us -- it shocked us! Will return & gladly pay normal pricing. No pooch on the porch that night though..
(5)
Meghan M.
Super yummy and consistent. It's a must if you're visiting Charleston! The shrimp and grits are amazing!
(5)
Dre E.
Started with the fried green tomatoes. Great. Pan roasted duck and scallops were ordered by my party. Duck was great and not too heavy. Scallops on point. Left totally satisfied. Sweet tea was perfectly sweet. Service was helpful and attentive. Wish I could give this a 4.5 because although delicious food, that extra something was missing to bump this to a 5. I rarely rate anything a 5 so tough decision.
(4)
Traci C.
awesome! Great fried pimento cheese! Best biscuits ever! Food was amazing. I had the buttermilk fried chicken and husband has shrimp and grits! My daughter was a little scared the place is known to be haunted. I told her if she got to see the ghost she would be special. I was a little worried my self lol. Great legend of Charleston. Definitely make reservations.
(5)
Michael U.
Items Selected: Buttermilk Biscuits Fig Cosmo - Feigling Vodka, Cranberry, Lime, Orange Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade - La Bubbly, Lemonade, Van Gogh Acai Blueberry Vodka Grilled Peach and Strawberry Salad - Balsamic Reduction, Spicy Salted Cashews Mac n Cheese - Country Ham and Aged Smoked Gouda Fried Green Tomatoes - Pecan Encrusted Goat Cheese, Fruit Chutney Pimento Cheese Fritters with Green Tomato Jam Chef Isaac's She Crab Soup with dry Sherry and Chive Oil Buttermilk Fried Chicken - Two Double Breaded Breasts, Pimento Slaw, Butter Whipped Potato Pan Roasted Duck - Cast Iron Roasted Breast, Potato Dumplings, Fresh Arugula, Duck Confit, Pecorino, Merlot Gastrique Chocolate Strawberry Bread Pudding Banana Pudding - Vanilla Pudding, Fresh Sliced Banana, Sugar Cookie Crumble, Chantilly Cream Bourbon Texas Sheet Cake - Chocolate Fudge Cake, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Ice Cream Chocolate Pecan Pie - Bourbon Caramel, Buttermilk Smoked Bacon Ice Cream, Brown Sugar Cream Located adjacent to HUSK and featuring the same updated Victorian stylings and southern sensibilities as its neighbor my family had perused the menu at Poogan's Porch the night prior and decided it would make a lovely spot for dinner while I dined at FIG, the late reservation fortunately allowing me to arrive mere moments after they had ordered drinks. A large restaurant from the outside and, like HUSK, divided into many rooms with well-mannered service the menu at Poogan's Porch appears to be a time honored one with many classics dating back as far as the 1970s opening plus a few daily specials and selecting widely from the appetizers while adding a pair of mains plus desserts a rather diverse menu of Lowcountry classics was put together with largely impressive results save for an underwhelming salad, overly salted macaroni, and well prepared though not particularly memorable duck. Beginning with the restaurant's signature biscuits - as good as any we experienced in Charleston and replenished freely - and progressing through tender fried green tomatoes, fritters of spicy pimento cheese, and she crab soup finished tableside with sherry before delving into crispy fried chicken smothered in buttermilk gravy it was without a doubt the restaurant's more "southern" dishes that shined the brightest and similarly when it was time for dessert there was no denying that as much as I enjoyed the bread pudding it was a distant fourth to the other selections, particularly the bubbling pot of bourbon caramel topped with chocolate and a quickly melting scoop of rich, smoky ice cream.
(3)
Heather H.
Simply Devine! The pimiento fritters are a must..... And the biscuits! Oh my the heavenly biscuits!!! Poogan must have been a mighty fine dog indeed.
(5)
Cristina M.
Outstanding! The food and atmosphere is just unbelievable! The fried alligator was awesome (it was my first time trying it) And I had the fried pork chop with Mac and cheese and string beans. It was the epitome of southern comfort food and the wait staff was great! My husband had the blackened cat fish over risotto and he said it was fantastic. I can not wait to return here on out next trip!
(5)
Megan A.
The biscuits! Ooohh, the biscuits!! They are so unassuming....but once you try one, you'll know...so crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Worth a return trip once a week (better also plan an extra workout)! My husband had the fried green BLT, I had the fried chicken salad with jalapeño honey dressing (like a spicy honey mustard). Great beading on those fried goods, light and crispy! I wish we had room for dessert! Service was friendly and prompt and the dining room was just adorable! Looked like they also had beautiful backyard seating. Very cute place, look forward to returning!! (I don't always give 5 stars, but when I do. I mean it!)
(5)
Elena M.
Best biscuits & gravy! Party of 6, We enjoyed our meal on the 2nd floor dining room and the fire places added a cozy relaxing ambiance. Food was delicious. Very busy & popular, reservations encouraged.
(4)
Tom G.
Poogan's Porch is a great downtown restaurant. The service is consistently good and the menu, while somewhat small, always has some delicious choices, Never a bad meal here. Plan ahead for reservations though - it seems full year round.
(4)
Jonathan G.
Charleston is virtually overrun with high quality restaurants, so why eat at Poogan's Porch? I was told by some locals that they serve a fantastic brunch and boy were they right. Best brunch I have ever eaten. I could go on and on about the crabcake benedict, the homemade buttermilk biscuits, or the chicken and waffles, but I digress. The old house has a cozy southern elegance that exemplifies Charleston well and the staff was prompt and courteous. This place is somewhat pricey so it attracts a more distinguished crowd and more critical palates, judging from some other ratings. However, the restaurant next door was voted the best new restaurant in the country in 2013 so perphaps it's just not quite perfect enough for some locals. Nonetheless, it was still the best brunch I've ever eaten.
(5)
Erika D.
Brunch is fantastic; but can get busy fast with long waits, so be sure to make reservations. Poogans Porch is one of our favorite places to take out of town guests. Love their seasonal turkey and Brie sandwich!
(4)
Cliff M.
I am writing this review as I sit at my table which we were seated at only after complaining that we had been waiting way past the time quoted to us on arrival. We are only a party of 2 and as we waited over 45 minutes we saw many people arrive and be seated quite quickly. Although the restaurant doesn't offer reservations for brunch, they seated people who claimed they had reservations almost immediately. I also overheard many others say they called in their table request and were seated within minutes. By the time we were seated we were the only people left waiting in the hallway which had been completely packed from the moment we arrived. I'll update this review after we eat, but the food will need to be beyond spectacular for me to consider returning. This is surely no way to treat customers, especially locals.
(2)
Ryan B.
When in Charleston you are expecting history and this place has it. Classic style house turned restaurant with delicious southern style food. Even though there is often a long wait, and not stroller friendly by any means, it is well worth the higher prices for the quality of the food. Fried green tomatoes are #1 and the biscuits they bring out are fluffy and almost dripping with butter.
(5)
Drew E.
Part of Poogan's Porch has always seemed to want to completely sell out and become a tourist trap but they've done a pretty good job of not doing so. The food is solid and the location is ideal.
(3)
Carol R.
I wondered if a restaurant we had loved over 30 years ago was still as good. This took my son and I into Poogan's Porch for lunch this week and I learned it is still great. My son turned over his cell phone number so they could text us when they had a table for us. This allowed us to do some window shopping while waiting - what a great idea! The atmosphere is definitely in keeping with old Charleston and lovely. And best of all the food was at least as good as I remembered it. My son had chicken and waffles and biscuits and gravy and I had the she-crab soup and the unique grilled cheese sandwich. We enjoyed every bite. We would go back any time in Charleston.
(5)
Paige B.
Flip out delish!! We started with fried green tomatoes and without knowing an amazing lunch was to follow. Fried chicken sliders are like 2 sandwiches~take it home y'all!! My husband from Rhody loved the sausage pasta dish and mom's fried chicken was perf. Service was so nice and quick. We were on our way to another place, but poogins porch was right under our nose by our hotel at the Mills House, so we stopped right there:)
(5)
Peter P.
Food was mediocre for the price. Enjoyed the ambience though. Server was good too.
(3)
Karen T.
We had the macaroni and cheese, shrimp and grits, and fried chicken salad. They start you off with warm biscuits - these were the best biscuits we had during our entire trip. They were slightly sweet, fluffy, and warm! The macaroni and cheese was very rich - too rich in my opinion - and tasted like bacon. The grits were cooked in cheddar cheese so they were yellow. The grits were topped with shrimp and sausage in a thick sauce. It kind of reminded me of jambalaya. The fried chicken salad came with a thick mayo dressing. It was not a terribly distinct dish in my mind. The restaurant is a converted house and has a cute porch. We sat on the porch and our server was really great. The hostess was not the friendliest person we encountered and was a bit unpleasant to deal with. Other than that, this was a great place for brunch. Come for the biscuits and shrimp and grits. I would pass on the mac and cheese and fried chicken.
(4)
Vitto V.
Came to Poogan's for first time during a visit in Charleston, thanks to Travel Channel recommendation. Such a cozy restaurant. I love the patio towards the street, do some people watching while enjoying meal. The Biscuits are sooo fresh and delish, She Crab Soup a must try at this place. Super friendly service and staff. Will definitely come back to Poogan's on my next trip to Charleston :-)
(5)
Aleks K.
Not sure what the fuss is about. The chicken and waffles were dry even with maple syrup. We ordered it on the side seeing previous pictures of plates drenched in syrup. My French toast was 6 slices of bread with a handful of sad strawberries. They were pale and day old to say the least. Service was okay, no complaints there. 28$ before tip and that's including one $3 cranberry juice. Our seat by the window was drafty, this old house is in disrepair, cant imagine what the kitchen is like. Our end reaction: should've gone to Husk next door.
(3)
Chris D.
Please do me a favor and try the Maccaroni & Cheese App.. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into by ordering it and now, we wish we owned a home in Charleston just so we could live out our days getting fat, gorging on Poogan's Mac N' Cheese...okay, that may be somewhat dramatic, but it really is the best mac n cheese my wife and I have ever tasted. For dinner, I ordered the lump crab & gulf shrimp pasta while my wife had the buttermilk fried chicken and both were delicious. The restaurant is charming, located along Queen Street in a converted older home/mansion. Worth a trip!
(5)
Matthew C.
Everything was very good. We had the fried alligator as an appetizer. I tried the fried chicken and the shrimp n' grits. They were both tasty! Nice atmosphere.
(4)
Rachel R.
I was so happy to have had brunch here on Saturday. There was only a 40 minute wait on a busy holiday weekend and there was so much to see around that the time flew by. Everything we ordered was made to culinary perfection. Our server was so polite and the atmosphere is the most charming. No matter where you sit you have a pleasing view of paintings, architecture, gardens, the beautiful streets of Charleston; I can't wait to visit Poogans Porch again. I will be making another trip back for dinner on another occasion.
(5)
Laura M.
I ate here last week for Restaurant Week: overall pretty good but not the absolute best of charleston. First, I ordered the Porch Dog cocktail at the bar.... Definitely skip this one.. Not worth the $10 bc it doesn't taste like anything! Thankfully the food was MUCH better: shrimp toast was the best app and ribs w/Mac and Brussels sprouts was a solid meal. Their pecan pie for dessert was my favorite though and would highly recommend that if it's available! But the best part was the service! Our server Jack was awesome- super friendly, very attentive, and he's the reason that made our experience there stand out.
(3)
Lindsey T.
Not satisfied with the service. Long wait. Seated then another long wait to put in our drinks. Good food but not worth the wait or service.
(3)
Meredith C.
We came here for brunch after it being highly recommended by several locals and friends...and boy, it did not disappoint. You want that traditional southern Charleston cuisine? This is your place. Hands down. What we loved: - Fried chicken and waffles (oh...my....gosh...my waistline....) - Biscuits and gravy (if only it had a touch more gravy...probably better it didn't...) - Fried green tomato BLT (delicious but HUGE - no way you can finish it) What was just okay: - Veggie omlet (but really...why order something like this at Poogan's anyway?) - The amount of OJ poured in our mimosas *make sure you say, "just a splash") The sides: - Biscuits...oh the buttery biscuits. Just put your diet aside and enjoy - Grits: cheesy, buttery, enough said Bottom line: bring your stretchy waistline pants and go to Poogan's. I'll absolutely come back with mine.
(5)
Robyn R.
We loved it from the moment we walked up to the front of the house. As a pet owner I loved that they had Poogan's headstone right as you entered the front yard. The house is charming. The food was to die for. We started with she crab soup that was so good. Dinner was shrimp and grits and the fried chicken. Both were vey good. We had the bread pudding for dessert and really liked it. Our server was very nice and the manager or owner came by to make sure everything was the way we liked it. Hope we go back to Charleston some day so we can go back.
(5)
Brannon J.
This place is a gem. Came in for lunch on Mon during holidays and was seated within 10 mins without a lunch resv. Was going to go to Husk, but rudeness sent us elsewhere. The biscuits were great. Cheeseburger with pimento cheese for my wife was great. I had the fried chicken with a spicy Texas Petes reduction sauce that was outstanding. Excellent service as well. If down in the neighborhood of King & Queen Streets definitely give this place a go.
(5)
Ronda F.
Nasty nasty not nice Hostess! Food was good but not great. Ambience was pleasing. Done
(2)
M S.
Delicious. I had salmon with a sweet tea glaze served with a lemon/mint risotto and asparagus. Perfect portions, great flavors. My mom had ribs with a mustard bbq sauce served with mac and cheese and bacon brussel sprouts. I love brussel sprouts, she hates them - she still ate them all, they were that good. Good wine selection, we both enjoyed our glasses. The restaurant was brutally hot when we got there (heat must have been cranking) but it was lovely outside and they opened the doors to get a nice breeze going - temperature regulated shortly.
(5)
Margarita B.
Going to this restaurant made me sad . I realized I never had the right fried chicken. I might never have it again unless I visit Poogan;s Porch again but it might not happen anytime soon as I live on West Cost. This is great place. They have great atmosphere, amazing food and attentive staff. I recommend making reservations as this place is very popular. They do have certain number of walk in tables but you might have to wait a bit. We came at 4.30 pm and were first on the walk in list and we were seated at 5.05. The dinner started with most delicious flaky biscuits. The heirloom tomato salad consisted of variety of thinly slice and salted tomatoes that tasted like summer should taste. Then we had Buttermilk Fried chicken accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy. The chicken was very crispy without even a hit of grease. The inside was flavorful adn delicious. Only the good manners instilled in my by my strict Russian mother prevented me from licking the plate clean. My Bourbon cocktail was strong and very good. I have no idea what magical ingredient were in it but it has this perfect combination of sweet and bitter flavors that make one suck on every ice cube left at the bottom of the glass.
(5)
J J.
Very good!!!! Service was great & got a mixed drink that was amazing! (Can't remember the name of it!, was made with clove & limes) Disappointed in the bud light serving though. Flank steak was amazing!!!
(4)
Jack F.
We've gone a few times to Poogans porch - sometimes for a meal, sometimes just to have one of their delish apple bourbon drinks. The staff are always friendly, the restaurant always busy, the drinks always served with a smile. Consistently good!
(4)
Michael O.
Not what we expected. The meal was just so-so. Had a lot better, salmon was fair at best, chicken could have been brought in from some fast food place. Greens were the worst we ever tasted. Do not let them seat you near the ac-unit. It was cold outside and there was a breeze coming thru the wall outlet. Froze our feet . There better places nearby.
(2)
Randy T.
Start to finish,superb food and service. We had a salad, pimento fritters, grouper and fried pork chop, dessert featured a goat cheese cheesecake. We did no make a bad choice the entire night. Great atmosphere, this is a gem, don't miss it.
(5)
James L.
This restaurant is a major tourist attraction and I always make a point to eat here everytime I visit Charleston. Poogan's Porch is considered a haunted restaurant but not in a way that's totally creepy. The restaurant is an old Victorian house. The owner of the house had a little dog named Poogan and was extremely friendly to the neighboring community. Long story short and sweet: she passed away shortly after her dog, who is buried somewhere around the house (rumor has it that it's in the outdoor seating area but I really doubt it). Since then, the house has been converted into a restaurant with pictures and plaques commeorating the previous owner. Across the street is a hotel where many residents, who were unaware of the restaurants history, looked outside in the late hours (after the place was closed for the night) and claimed to have seen an old woman in the window of the top floor, smiling, waving. Many onlookers called the police thinking that a random old woman was locked inside the restaurant somehow and trying to get out. Also, many customers claim to hear barking and feel what seems like a dog brush past their ankles under the table. And then there are the employees who, late at night, claim to see the former lady of the house appear and disappear. But the spirits (both the dog and the lady of the house) are friendly spirits, or so the bartender says, and enjoys the company of customers who come to dine in her home. Note: the servers and bartender REALLY play up the haunted mythos of the place. The food is southern savory. True southern fried chicken, shrimp and grits (heavy on the gravy and bacon bits though), fried green tomatoes and all the other major staples of southern food. Everyone raves about the fluffy buttery biscuits and everyone is totally right. Grab a bag of them to go when you're done with your meal. My favorite was the BLT with fried green tomatoes, which is perfect to order to-go and eat it on the Charleston beach. If you're not keen on southern fare, this might be heavier than you're used to but you can't pass up things like the biscuits, fries green tomatoes, shrimp grits and chicken and waffles. Living in Los Angeles, I can't get that kind of Southern food anywhere. So indulge the richness of classic southern food. They also have leaner selections like the mahi mahi, a choice favorite among the frequent diners here. The old fashion Victorian architecture and furniture and old-world lighting makes for a lovely ambience. This isn't a place for groups though. This is a small place with narrow stair cases and small tables. This is for you and your plus one. I'm from California and my Southern Californian-ness has never left me. That being said, I found the service to be extremely friendly whereas locals would consider that to be a given with the generalized southern charm and all. Service is on the slower side but I'm also aware that this is not a place to assert my Los Angeles sensibilities where people move fast, eat fast and expect what they pay for to come out fast. The service is slower than what I get at a restaurant in Los Angeles but I considered it leisurely. And it's nothing to really complain about. Folks in Charleston believe in enjoying their meal like a relaxing stroll in the summer. Enjoy where you are AND enjoy the meal when it arrives. I, for one, appreciate that perspective. Also, There's plenty in the decor that will keep you occupied as you marvel at the house. There is a long wait to get into this place. You can wait up to 30 minutes--and people willingly wait that long. Thank God I had a reservation and I recommend anyone who wants to eat here to do the same. Use Open Table. Also be aware that reservations fill up fast. I made my reservation for dinner the morning of. And for those who are wondering, no, I didn't feel the dog weaving between my feet or see a friendly old lady smile at me in the mirror when I went to the bathroom. On the latter, I'm grateful the former lady of the house was a no-show because that would have been BEYOND creepy, especially if she was behind me when I looked into the bathroom mirror. I did come back later, around midnight, after the restaurant was closed and stood outside looking up at that attic window. I must have stood there for a full 15 minutes. The old lady ghost was a no-show. I even pretended to leave, turned around, walked a few steps and turned around super super super fast: nothing. The old lady ghost was pretty darn quick. I did leave my leftovers on the sidewalk . . . . in case the ghost dog wanted some people food. Even ghost dogs want people food. Note: One of the cooks was taking out the trash when I tried to pretend-leave to fake out the lady ghost and catch her looking at me from the top window. She actually was the one who freaked me out when she asked what the hell I was doing. I'm such a shameless tourist.
(4)
Ainsley E.
The biscuits were insane and they made my first experience with chicken and waffles are great one! A very cool restaurant with lots of history and charm.
(5)
Steve N.
Great time, outstanding staff. The food was excellent, many layers of flavor. Get them to also tell you the history of the house and the ghost that live there! I would definitely go back.
(5)
James B.
Good decent down home cooking.
(4)
Brian A.
Really good stuff, classy but down home. I have been twice with my boo, I will likely be returning.
(4)
Kim K.
Wonderful lunch! Everything on the menu looked good! I ended up getting the fried chicken salad and it was great - a good balance between a fried indulgence and a salad. The service was attentive and friendly. Prices were good. Ambiance was very cozy and laid back. A great place that I would happily come back to!
(4)
Patrick M.
Great gourmet food. Excellent service. Try the sweet tea glazed salmon. My wife tried the crab and shrimp pasta that was just as good. Reservations are needed for dinner, even during the week.
(5)
Stacy J.
It wasn't as great as other Yelp reviewers made it seem. I came because of the great reviews but it didn't wow me. I ordered ribs with brussel sprouts and mac n cheese. The ribs lacked flavor so I had to ask for extra sauce. Otherwise, I must admit the mac n cheese and brussel sprouts were good. Also, when they seated us, they put us at a table right above air vents or air conditioning or something. It was so cold (besides the fact that it was raining and cold outside) that we requested to be moved to a different table but instead, she insisted on putting planks over the vents. She said that others complained about it before also. If that's the case, I wonder why they don't do something about it. They eventually moved us when we were not okay with sitting there. We soon saw another couple that got seated there, but then they must have complained too because they were moved to another table. Let me also mention the biscuits. They were white when they came out to us. You would think that if they were be baked, they'd be a bit golden in color. But they were white. Like as if they were baked just enough to be not raw. Also, they were not even hot. You know they were sitting somewhere else for a while. We saw a table near us have golden biscuits brought out so we requested more biscuits after telling our server and she brought us "new" ones that were just a little brown. I was not impressed. What's weird is, later on, another table asked for biscuits and they came out golden brown. WTH? Also, our server was trying to say that they were not under-baked and how their biscuits are all that way. That's a bunch of bull...anywho...movin on. Lastly, my cousin ordered a crab and shrimp pasta dish. It was nothing to write home about. In fact, tasted like nothing. I tasted it, it was bland and to me, it tasted a bit like alcohol. We won't be coming back here again. It was not $50+ well spent. Never again.
(2)
Sue N.
This restaurant is perfect.. The shrimp and grits were amazing and the North Carolina style ribs are so delicious and different than what I'm used to, Memphis style. These have a delicious mustard sauce that is delicious and the meat falls off the bones. My advice, skip the pimento cheese fritters. Also, my only criticism would be the staff should provide hot wet towels before and after the ribs, most fine dining restaurants understand how nice that added touch helps.
(5)
Chloe L.
Authentic southern cuisine! I'm still dreaming about my lowcountry fried chicken after couple of months of being here, that's how good it was! Intimate but homey atmosphere! Must visit when in Charleston!
(5)
Anneka T.
Saturday I went to Poogan's Porch for Breakfast. It was packed! I had heard great things about this place, but never had an opportunity to go. It was wonderful. There was a little bit of a wait so, we went to the bar for some mimosas. They were good. My fiance thinks they could have been better, but were pretty good. We got sat upstairs and the decor was beautiful. It would be perfect for a bridal brunch. He got the Chicken and waffles and I got the Charleston Fry with home fries. Both were great. We will be back.
(4)
M F.
Wow best restaurant we ate at in Charleston! Meyer filet =delicious , cooked to perfection. Shrimp & grits also a hit! 5 stars for food, service and atmosphere. Don't miss this place when in Charleston!
(5)
Mads B.
Went here for brunch early Sunday. The biscuits were heavenly, but that was the highlight. I got the chicken and waffles, and the chicken had definitely been fried in the fryer with some fish. The blueberry syrup on the waffles was odd - not bad but not good. The old house was neat, service was friendly and my bourbon cocktail was good, but I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Bunny B.
Our reservations were at 5:30, and we still had to wait. The host barely made eye contact and didn't even suggest that we could wait in the bar, which we found on our own. The drinks took so long that we ended up being seated before receiving them. Our server was uninterested and inattentive. The menu looked good and the food was good, but fairly basic Southern fare. For all the hype of this restaurant, we were expecting a top notch experience, which did not happen.
(2)
John M.
This restaurant is a must! You will not be disappointed with the quality of the food and the friendliness of the staff. We enjoyed it so much more than the "other" popular Charleston restaurants that everyone else always recommends. Everyone was so attentive, from the hostess to our server. I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Ashley C.
The biscuits are sooo good. I had the ribs and mac for dinner and they were perfect. Staff were very friendly and professional. It is pricey but hey you are paying for the fancy restaurant. Great date night spot.
(4)
Dennis N.
Once again we were overwhelmed by everything; food, service, ambience, holiday decorations. We had low country lunch; excellent. Good wine, good time.
(5)
Sahil M.
Delicious chicken and waffles. Cool place overall. Very southern! Wish there was a little more variety in the menu but the food we got was on point. Also try the pomento fritters!
(4)
Terrie A.
Went to Poogan's Porch for lunch with my daughter and sister a couple of weeks ago while we were visiting Charleston. I had the alligator bites and they were awesome! My sister had the oysters and my daughter had fried chicken and waffles. They too enjoyed their meals. The atmosphere was very inviting and the service was excellent. If you are in Charleston and you are looking for great food, go to Poogan's Porch.
(4)
Emmy G.
Three picky eaters, all deeply pleased. I highly recommend the She-crab and the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Only order the Chicken 'n Waffle if you enjoy a little bit of spice because there was something in the compote/syrup/waffle to give it a little kick on the back end. That said, even the Mac 'n Cheese was a hit! Gouda? Really? Who knew that would work?! Also the house cocktails are delicately made and superbly balanced! We waited outside on their lovely patio until we were seated in this LOVELY historic home. And the a/c kept us perfectly cool in the muggy heat. All in all, if we'd had more time this is the one joint we would have gone back to again and again.
(5)
Chris O.
Everyone's dinner was off the chain. The biscuits were a great start. She Crab soup was excellent. Solid beer selection with a bunch of local options.
(5)
Lisa G.
A nice dinner to start off our Charleston vacation. After driving most of the day and settling in to a house in IOP, we decided to venture out to Charleston in a Saturday night without a reservation or a clue. Fortunately, Yelp provided a great review. Although the restaurant was full, we sat in the bar area at a communal table, which we ended up having to ourselves. After ordering our meal, the waiter brought out warm biscuits with butter. Maybe I am just not the biggest fan of biscuits, but I though they were just fair although the butter was flavored and really good. I had the pan seared scallops with risotto cake and spinach. It was all excellent. The portion was plenty for me, but may be small for a man (4 scallops), particularly at the price point $25. My brother had the shrimp with grits and gravy. It was very tasty and hearty, with a little kick. $23 My mom had the tea glazed salmon and she enjoyed it very much. I thought it was good, but I liked the other two dishes better. I find it hard to make salmon special. $24 Service was excellent. Waiter was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is lively and nice decor. Overall, a solid pick, although not wowed. So many options at this price point, but very good experience!
(4)
D M.
I would call this an adequate meal, but not exceptional. We were seated in the relatively charmless upstairs and our food was fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)
Kat F.
The biscuits get a 5! The ambience, eh, a bit hyped up. Could have been my mom and I were seated in a back room that was eerily quiet (for a 45 minute wait) it was also literally quiet- no music. I am an event planner so notice more detail than most, so it's as if they heard my mom and I talking about the awkward vibe in the room and need for music- bc as our check came, boom music played. Improved the ambience tenfold. Biscuits were well deserving of the hype. Would go back and hope to sit upstairs or in another room next time!
(4)
Madeleine S.
Wonderful brunch at Poogan's Porch! Fabulous shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and some of the best biscuits I have ever had. However, the standout at our table was the pulled pork eggs benedict--phenomenal! The only thing keeping this from 5 stars is that the service wasn't great--our server was impatient and on the unfriendly side and forgot one of our drinks.
(4)
Justin S.
Charleston charmed my pants off (well, almost), so it couldn't have gotten much better, but then we found Poogan's Porch, and turns out, it made a great day even better. My friend and I were meandering around Charleston admiring the scenery (and withering in the summer heat) when we decided it was time for a lunch break. I had received a few recommendations for spots to eat, but none were nearby, so "Yelp to the rescue" once again. Poogan's Porch is located on a charming street in a charming Victorian-style house, replete with the eponymous porch. The wait for lunch on a recent Monday afternoon was around twenty minutes, but we needed that time to stop sweating anyway, so no complaints. We crowded into the pleasantly air-conditioned, quaintly decorated entrance hallway (check out all the celebs who have been here!) and perused the menu. The restaurant offers an interesting mix of Lowcountry cuisine, with an emphasis on seafood. My friend and I shared the mac and cheese and fried green tomatoes as appetizers, and both were great. The fried green tomatoes are always my favorite, and these were no exception, with a crunchy coating and flavorful remoulade sauce on the side. I ordered the Calabash shrimp and oysters as my main which was terrific. A huge plate of fried shrimp and oysters, plus a generous helping of thick-cut potato chips and pimento cheese slaw on the side. The food was fresh and flavorful, and the portion was enormous. Service at Poogan's Porch was fast and attentive, with virtual constant refills on my iced tea and water. We also loved the complimentary biscuits with honey butter on the table. I think this is a most interesting stop for lunch or dinner in Downtown Charleston, both for the atmosphere and the interesting, varied cuisine.
(5)
Kate E.
One of the best dinners I've had in downtown Charleston. Do make a reservation...we went on a Monday night and had a reservation, which was good because the people who came before us had a 30 minute wait. Atmosphere is phenomenal. Gorgeous interior, beautiful walls, nice fireplaces, tasteful decor. Food was amazing. We started off with the appetizer special, which was house-smoked fish with carrot puree. It was very tasty...great smoky flavor on the palate and just the right amount of seasoning in the puree. My husband had the Grouper as his entree. It was cooked to perfection. The risotto it comes with was creamy and succulent without taking away from the richness of the fish. I had the Mahi Mahi. It also was cooked to perfection. The ravioli were a great compliment and the green tomato puree brought the whole dish together. Portions were generous, we were not left hungry but had enough room for dessert. Speaking of, we got the flour-less chocolate cake (a sort of dense, super creamy, decadent chocolate with raspberry sauce) and Irish cream cheesecake (definite winner, could absolutely taste the Irish cream and the espresso beans were a nice surprise). Drinks: very nice wine list. Wish they had more by the glass because we generally enjoy trying several different wines with dinner instead of getting a bottle. However, our waitress was very knowledgeable and was able to make very on-point recommendations. They had very interesting mixed drinks as well but we did not partake. Service: impeccable. She knew exactly what recommendations to make and really knew the menu. My only complaint was that it took a REALLY long time to get our food. We were not in a rush so this was ok but we were very very hungry by the time our food arrived. What really took me by surprise was that the manager actually brought out the food herself (without us saying anything about how long it was taking) and apologized that it took so long (and comped our desserts!), so it seems that this wait was not typical. Definite must.
(5)
Mandy W.
Chicken and waffles were out of this world! Great bloody Marys and mimosas too! The place is cute and charming and the service was friendly. Highly recommended!
(5)
Mike W.
Had the most amazing brunch here today! Mike had the fries chicken and waffles, I had the shrimp and grits. Ordered the fried green tomatoes to start. All. Were. Amazing. The service, the atmosphere, and the food were excellent. Definitely recommending his to my Charleston bound friends. Thanks so much. Mike and TJ Weeden.
(4)
Annie R.
This is one of my favorite places to take people when visiting for brunch. I love the atmosphere - in an old Charleston home, and the quintessentially Southern menu. The biscuits brought to the table are a plus, and the fried alligator is delicious! Drinks a little on the pricey side (but the sweet tea is great!!)
(4)
Debbie S.
We had 9 for Christmas Dinner and our service was wonderful and attentive. Food was good, not great. Value was a little high for this menu. Very traditional. Will love to go back and try the regular menu as it looks awesome.
(4)
Carol S.
Food here was absolutely FANTASTIC. We went to a lot of the "must eat" places of Charleston, and this was our favorite by far. Some of the best fried food I've ever eaten, and the staff was amazing.
(5)
Andrew B.
The location was great and parking was easy to find with the parking garage almost literally right across from the restaurant. We had the alligator salad and it was delicious... The alligator was fried perfectly and tender and the dressing complimented very nice. My wife had the buttermilk fried chicken which was fried the same way and just as delicious. I had the seafood pasta and the shrimp/scallops were great. The lemon butter sauce was awesome. Service was second to none and we will definitely be making a return trip. I'd suggest making reservations as this place was full the whole time.
(5)
Devo S.
Poogan's Porch came up on Open Table, plus rated well on Yelp, so I figured we'd give it a try while we were in town. Kudos to me for picking this place! My shrimp and grits were fabulous, and such a large portion that I couldn't finish all the scrumptious shrimp and creamy grits. Hubby LOVED his sweet-tea-glazed salmon w/risotto. We both loved the biscuits and honey butter that started the show. Oh, and thoroughly enjoyed my tasty sweet tea. Loved Poogan's, and would recommend it to any heading to Charleston.
(5)
Arly J.
Amazing restaurant we waited about 30 minutes when we walked in and they told us they would text us so we walked down king street for a bit and when we were texted headed over. Great Quality Southern Cooking. To die for Biscuits, they are soft and fluffy with honey butter. YUM! We started with a bloody Mary (which turned into two) and a Bourbon Smash (had apple juice, cinnamon and anise) was light and good. The She crab soup was delicious as was the country fried pork chop with potato hash and an egg on top with Texas Pete jus. I just loved the Pulled pork Benedict which also came with potato hash. We split the cinnamon french toast with strawberries and we could of done without, very simple. It was my husbands birthday and they brought him a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream with a candle . Very nice touch restaurant is charming and great southern feel to it. great history. Restaurant is an old house converted to restaurant and has two floors plus seating on porch and back porch. If every near Queen street i would highly recommend. Staff is very accommodating.
(5)
Jon J.
I am tour guide in Charleston and Poogan's is my go to recommendation for Charleston visitors. I have eaten here many times and they deliver every time. The food is excellent and the staff is terrific. They have pride in the place and it shows. The Plantation fired chicken is incredible and the cheese fritters are unreal. Brunch is fantastic and I believe truly under appreciated. You can not go wrong eating here, and we (my wife and I) think enough of the restaurant that we had our wedding reception here! Please don't miss it!
(5)
Ken J.
We were a bit put off by the great discrepancy between the reviews, but as it was more than an hour wait to get into Jestine's at lunch on a Friday and we were both starving, we figured we'd give this place a whirl. We were so happy that we did. The wait to get in was only ten minutes and we sat at the bar and chatted with the extremely amiable bar tender while I had local beer and the wife had a glass of Spanish red. The bar tender was so nice and chatty and friendly that, when I asked a question about local brews and liquor distillers, he couldn't remember, so he asked one of the waiters, who also couldn't remember, so they got the manager and then another waiter, and we proceeded to have this great discussion about who brews and distills what and where in Charleston. So much fun! Anyhoo, table was ready so we wandered from the bar into one of the dining rooms (Poogan's is in an old house turned into a restaurant) and sat down. Our waiter was so nice and friendly and chatty, a dude from Bloomington, IN who moved south to escape the winters, who when he found out it was our anniversary, offered to buy us both a glass of champagne. Again, how nice and unexpected! He raved about the she-crab soup (I've never had it before and wasn't planning on ordering it), but he liked it so much we decided to give it a try. Wife ordered fried chicken and I ordered a bacon, lettuce, and fried green tomato sandwich. Before the entrees arrived they serve you home-made biscuits (still hot) and honey butter. The she-crab soup arrived with a thin layer of sherry around the edge and green onion on top. To say this stuff was good would be doing a disservice to the word: This is truly one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. It was creamy, piquant, luscious, mouth-filling, with big chunks o' crab and just enough bite from black pepper to keep it interesting. I could live off this stuff. My sandwich too, was absolutely phenomenal: Big thick bacon slices, nice and smokey, thick FGT that were so juicy and tart I could've eaten a sandwich with just them, and all on their home made sour dough bread. All accompanied by their house made potato chips which were light and crispy I could've eaten those all day. Wife's fried chicken was the best she's ever had and more like a whole fried cod, UK style, than southern fried chicken, i.e., the batter was very light and tender and the chicken, even the white meat, was juicy. Even I liked it and I don't particularly go out of my way for fried chicken. Atmosphere is nice but casual. Like I said, it's in an old house, tucked away on a side street. The walls are mostly bare, the ceilings are bare hard wood, and the tables are without clothes. But it works. And works VERY well. Service, as mentioned above, was amongst the best. If we ever return to Charleston, I'm coming back here.
(5)
Christina E.
Great food but a terrible place to wait. There is no where to stand and I constantly felt in the way. I'm not sure I would go back right now. The amount of time we waited/how uncomfortable we were, does not compare to the service and food. It was just ok.
(3)
Dennis B.
We were there for lunch. Started the table off with pimento fritters and the alligator bits. I had the buttermilk fried chicken which was not as good as I had hoped. My wife had the meat loaf which was not hot when it got to the table. The pecan pie was good and the bacon flavored ice cream was not something I would ever have again. The service was just okay.
(2)
Ed G.
A very good restaurant. Had the pimento cheese fritters and they were great (who would have thought pimento anything would be good). Shrimp and grits were awsome as were the biscuits. Ate at the bar; well stocked and some nice micro brews. Overall an excellent dinner!
(5)
Nina M.
Outstanding meal, service and ambiance, we had the chef's specials, pan seared snapper and pan roasted duck, recommended by the bartender, an excellent choice. Even the presentation was appetizing. Ate at several restaurants during our week stay but Poogan's Porch was by far the most memorable. We'll be back again for sure.
(5)
Tu-van L.
***3.5 stars*** One of the many solid brunch places in the heart of Charleston. My chicken and waffles with blueberry compote were pretty tasty. The fried chicken tenders worked well with the surprisingly thin waffle (thin towards the crepe side than the Belgian waffle). Still a pretty delicious plate. The Charlestowne Frye was also a hearty dish. I loved the fried oysters part of the dish so much my brunch date had to pull the plate away from me. My brunch table was nice enough to share some biscuits and gravy with me - omigosh that was some of the best sausage gravy I've had. The biscuits themselves were alright, but as long as they were the perfect vehicle to sop up that sausage gravy goodness that's fine with me.
(4)
Christopher H.
I came here for to enjoy my three favorite B's of Brunch (biscuits, bacon and booze). I must say it was yummy. The chicken was moist and waffle was soft and sweet. The back story is pretty cool too. Stepping into this place was wonderful from the front porch to the upstairs. The service was nice and we were early enough to avoid the crowd. It all in all made for a nice Sunday start.
(5)
Auriel J.
Had a great brunch here and the staff was wonderful! Made you feel like you were at home without being too intrusive.. Thank you! We started with the pimento fritters and WOW those were scrumptious. I had a simple breakfast but every bite was delicious!! Wanted biscuits & gravy but didn't want the whole meal and was told I could have a side..for $1.00!!! Well worth it!
(5)
Elizabeth S.
We ate at the bar, so I can't speak to the ambiance in the dining room. The crab crostini appetizer was fantastic. If you get it, don't skip the greens they garnish it with. The vinaigrette and the bitterness of the greens were the perfect balance to the sweetness of the crab. For dinner, the duck with butternut squash gnocchi was to die for! One of the best duck entrees I've ever had. Really good wine selection as well.
(4)
Sarah E.
My husband and I went to Poogan's Porch for our anniversary last year and it was wonderful. They let us bring in our favorite wine that we bought from a winery in Napa with only a small cork fee. The food is delicious with generous portions. It isn't too pricey and worth the money. The mac & cheese is a must!
(5)
Emily G.
Great atmosphere. Loved the shrimp and grits and the grilled cheese. She crab soup was also excellent as was the service.
(4)
Schanen S.
I came here for brunch one Sunday with some girlfriends, and I am SO glad I threw my "diet" out the window for this meal. We started with these fried pimiento cheese balls with pepper jelly - as Southern as it comes. They literally melted in your mouth, and the three of us were nice enough to split the 4th one with each other, even though we all wanted to pop it in our mouths whole. I ordered the Pulled Pork Benedict with BBQ hollandaise sauce and it was easily one of the most delicious, sinful meals of my life. I cleaned my plate. The creaminess of the hollandaise mixed with the tangy BBQ flavor, and carb-loaded biscuit underneath. YES. My friends thoroughly enjoyed their meals also, but I don't remember what they ordered. Bloody Mary is really good too, they use a local Charleston mix that is not too garlicky or full of onion flavor. Perfect balance of tomato and spices. The restaurant is really cute also, an old house with different vibes in each room. We sat in the front room which had a nice fire going, and we could look out onto the porch and Queen Street. I will definitely go back, and bring out-of-town friends, as this is a good representation of the charm and cuisine of Charleston.
(5)
Carianne C.
Fried Alligator Salad! And the menu only got better from there. Amazing restaurant with a wonderful menu. Can be a little loud on weekends with the plethora of bridal and bachelorette events, but the service is great. Book ahead to get the times you want.
(4)
Mana T.
I'm so glad I ate at this place before hearing the ghost stories. However, don't let the stories scare you away - this place has awesome food! I tried the appetizer alligator salad and the sweet tea salmon (I believe that's what they're called) ... Both were delicious! It was my first time trying alligator and it was quite the pleasant first experience. Also, the sauce on the salmon was just the right amount of sweet that it complimented the fish perfectly. This place is definitely worth a try, especially for a tourist such as myself trying to soak up some history. It is located in a house turned restaurant and is quite the delight!
(4)
Itanni B.
I had heard many great things about Poogan's Porch, that naturally I had to pay them a visit. I was specially excited about trying the famous shrimps and grits. When I arrived at the restaurant I was told that there would be a 20 minute wait, but that I was welcome to sit at the bar. I don't like to drink when I travel, so I sat at a table and tried to figure out whether they had WiFi. They seemed to according to my phone (it was detecting a signal). But I needed a password. So I tried to get a staff member's attention and it was like pulling teeth. I managed to get one girl and she quickly gave me the password. Yeh! So I typed it in and waited for permission....nothing. Maybe I heard it wrong? So I summoned another staff member and believe me, getting someone's attention was hard! When I finally did she told me that she had no idea what the password was or even if they had WiFi. She was so rude about it! Looking around me I was tempted to leave. The staff seemed to be running around like chickens without heads, and I felt so small. Yes, I know I am small. Geesh. Anyway, I then decided to walk over to the hostess and asked her for the code, "oh sorry, it says that we have WiFi but we really don't." What the hell?! Argh this place was getting under my skin! But they called my name just then and I gave in. Sigh. You know when you have invested so much of yourself in something that you just have to see it through? This is one example of that. I was led to the second floor and wow, it was quiet. And organized. What a difference from the mayhem downstairs. I was seated and immediately began reading the menu. Who am I kidding? I knew exactly what I wanted from the night before when I meticulously studied the menu. So when my waitress arrived I asked her if I could get the shrimps and grits minus the onions. "No problem," she said. Woohoo! To drink I ordered sweet tea. I have been drinking sweet tea like it's water here in Charleston. Love that they give you unlimited refills! Before I received my main, I was given 2 steaming hot biscuits with sweet butter (they added honey maybe?). I slathered butter on that baby and off to heaven I went. But wait! It gets better! As I devoured my biscuits, a man in a tie came over and placed my food in front of me. Oh my, he was handsome (look at me, being all polite--it's the Southern thing to do. Normally I would just say, "damn! He is hot!" After watching him walk away...sigh, I began to study my dish. Darn it! The gravy had onions in it! But they are big pieces. Let me try to remove them. So I spent a good 5 minutes dissecting my dish and removing the onions. I know I should have said something, but I hate having to point out that there was an error made in my food. And well, maybe I did not want to look like a whiny child in front of Mr. Handsome. So I was a good girl and nitpicked my meal. Sorry to say, but I did not like it (both the picking and the dish). And it get's worse; every shrimp except one had the intestine still intact (the black line that you see on shrimp). So there I sat cleaning my shrimp too. Needless to say, I lost my appetite and asked for my bill. The waitress whose name I forgot (sorry!) asked me if there was a problem. I explained to her my issue with the onions and intestine. She noted that I should have told her earlier, but I acknowledged that it was on me and should have noted it and I took full responsibility for not bringing my concerns to her attention. She took my plate away and I sat there waiting for my bill. Then Mr. Handsome strolled in. Sigh. He came over and told me that he took care of the bill and apologized for the mishap. Yep, I am in love. They were so professional about the whole situation and I did leave happy. For several reasons, some of which you may have guessed...;) 2 days later. I returned. Stalker! Some of you may be thinking, but no! I wanted to give them another shot. Plus it was holiday and so many places were closed and my hotel was down the street. I swear! Anywho, I walked in and asked how long it would be to get a table..blah blah blah...where is he??? Not here. :( I was seated within 5 minutes and this time I did not know what I wanted to order. So I went with something safe and something that I was pretty confident I was going to like. I ordered collard greens, mash potatoes, fried chicken and gravy. With sweet tea of course! And like before I inhaled my biscuit. This time they only gave me one. Good thing because I eat too many of those. Yes, I was still looking around the room looking for Mr. Handsome, but nothing. So what did I think about the food 2nd time around? Fantastic! The collard greens were a little bitter but I rather they be bitter than salty. The chicken was moist and all white meat without any fat. The mash potatoes were buttery and soft. All in all I was a very happy camper where the food was concerned. My 2nd visit was bittersweet, but Poogan's definitely redeemed themselves.
(4)
Nikki A.
Loved our experience here. We got to sit in the back porch in a quiet, intimate table. I got the she crab soup, which was excellent, and grilled shrimp. We also got wine for the table and a delicious peanut butter pie and bread pudding for dessert. Our waiter, Buck, was fantastic. I highly recommend coming here if you are in Charleston. Make a reservation!
(4)
Jeff S.
Good food, great service from our waiter. Ambiance is delightful, although they may have sat us in the "cheap" room due to our touristy clothing. Only downside was the borderline rude attitude from the hostesses. That and they sat a party of four before my party of three, even though they arrived after us, and we were also seated at a four-top table.
(4)
Melissa N.
Totally worth the wait! We had reservations, but they were running late...dinner was amazing. From the starter to dessert. If you have to wait, sit in the bar at the community table and enjoy the pleasing conversations with other customers, and the southern hospitality of the staff. Husband had the fried chicken breast and couldn't stop raving about it, I had the slow roasted prime rib which melted in my mouth truly heavenly.
(4)
Helena K.
My cousin and I are on vacation and we had a high expectation for this place. I will not get into the service issue we faced in the beginning. Anyway, I ordered crab and shrimp pasta ($25) and she ordered rib & Mac n cheese. ($25). The biscuit was suspiciously under baked. They were completely white. It tasted like the dough was not baked. The whipped butter was so ... bad. How can you mess up butter? Now to the pasta. There was no taste. It was plain cooked pasta with few shrimps and flakes of crab. Just cooked pasta. No flavor at all. I do not understand why the food was so bad all around. My cousin did not like the rib either. Not much flavor. We should have definitely went for McDonald instead.
(1)
Kacie D.
My husband and I had dinner there while in Charleston this week and it was amazing. I had the sweet tea salmon and my husband had the snapper which was awesome. We sat outside on the balcony and the service was outstanding. Best meal we had in Charleston.
(5)
Kevin L.
Excellent place for a nice dinner. Very classy but down to earth. Food was excellent. Wine selections are great. Service was very helpful and prices are reasonable for the quality of the food. Try to have dinner out on the porch as it is quite the experience!
(5)
Susan L.
Delicious food (she crab soup, pimento cheese fritters & scallops over pimento cheese ravioli and creamed corn) & great waitstaff! Unfortunately we had a noisy group in the back room that detracted from the atmosphere.
(5)
Thomas G.
We had lunch, not dinner, here and found the food average at best. My wife's fish was so over-cooked she could not cut it easily with a knife. The waiter did not charge us for it. My shrimp and grits were mediocre.
(2)
Bradley And Brenna D.
Poogan's Porch is one of the most charming places you could have a meal. Dining inside the beautiful Victorian house was romantic and intimate, perfect for anyone trying to find a dinner place with an old-fashioned southern ambiance. It felt like we were dining in a Southern aristocrats home. We ordered the pan-roasted duck and plantation fried chicken; both were wonderful and served like extravagant home-cooked meals. Poogan's Porch was also one of the haunted locations we stopped at on a ghost tour of the city, so we got to learn all about it's ghost stories and history. It was perfect for what we were looking for: charming southern atmosphere and delicious food. We really couldn't have picked a better place.
(5)
Jessy E.
Totally had a love affair with those biscuits. I usually don't like chicken and waffles but theirs is DELISH. The chicken is super moist yet crispy on the outside. Loved the pulled pork benedict as well. Definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Kim C.
Had a great experience here. Absolutely amazing service. Had reservations for 5:30 and we were seated immediately. I ordered the cast iron skillet pork chop and it was cooked to perfection. Nice and juicy but well done. Also had the crab cake for an appetizer, very very tasty. The superb service is what set this place apart though, very attentive (not overly so) and the manager even came out to speak with us and ask how our meal was. Can't wait to come back and try other things on the menu.
(5)
Jeffery V.
We loved it. We received the recommendation for Poogan's Porch from a local as a "must try" restaurant that allows dogs. We loved the story about the pup and were entertained by the ghost story as well. I had the best shrimp and grits of my life, and it was one of the more memorable stops on our trip.
(5)
Nessa A.
It was my last day in Charleston, and my friend decided to take us out to Brunch. First of this place is Gorgeous, I love the decor, and the ambiance. We made reservations the day before, and were seated promptly. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are half off during brunch. And they give you complimentary biscuits. We stayed in the yellow palm tree room, which was so beautiful. I felt like a southern belle, being served. All the food we ordered looked and taste fabulous. Don't be fooled by the frou frou look, this place has great prices and you can come however you want to come. We came sorta dressed up because it was our last day in Charleston and wanted to wear comfy Maxi dresses. Over all it was a great experience and this will be my go to place, next time Im in Charleston!
(5)
Jennifer H.
If you want the absolute best quality southern food and service with a great atmosphere, head to Poogan's Porch in Charleston! My husband and i were visiting for the first time and were overwhelmed by how good the food had already been; by the time we were done with dinner at Poogan's Porch, we were absolutely floored - it was phenomenal! The fried chicken was to die for - super crispy with no grease! The cornbread was the best we had the entire 10 days we were in the South - so moist! With the quaint Southern charm of a home cooked meal, we were treated to our best dinner of our entire vacation at Poogan's Porch
Poogan's set the tone to my visiting out of town family members on what to expect in the food department during their stay in Charleston. Starting off with the she crab soup, followed by all the southern favorites - mac n cheese, fried green tomato, fried chicken, pulled pork among others. Everything was delicious, served in generous portions. Service was attentive and pleasant.
(4)
Barbara W.
Eric is the best bartender in charleston!!
(5)
Tom F.
Awesome food great staff. Best to go for lunch crowd is smaller and there is usually a great lunch special!
(5)
Molly H.
Great food! Had the pimento fritters to start and the crab and shrimp pasta and both were fantastic. Husband really liked the buttermilk fried chicken. Bonus: we took our toddler and server was great with her.
One great dinner. One inedible. So you are taking your chances. Very good service. Very nice setting. But one entree was indifferently prepared and two side dishes were not cooked right. The seafood entree we had was great.
(1)
Steve R.
Great atmosphere for a date or romantic night out with your wife (as was the case here!) We were told it was over an hour wait but it was really only 30 min. The bar is small and was packed when we arrived so the bar tender was overwhelmed but he handled it well....even held my wife's remaining bottle, yep I said bottle, of wine in the cooler for us! The food was good but didn't blow me away. I had the fried boneless chicken breast with mashed taters and green beans. The potatoes didn't seem to be home made but the chicken and beans were outstanding. OH, get the pimento cheese fritters for and appetizer....you can thank me later.
(4)
em d.
My favorite place to eat in Charleston. It was amazing. I'm willing to make the trip back just to have their biscuits and gravy again!
(5)
Whitney P.
We ate at a lot of great restaurants while vacationing in Charleston and this place stands out as one of the BEST! Sweet tea glazed salmon was delicious! Comes with creamy risotto and perfect asparagus. My husband had the fried chicken and loved it plus it was presented very elegantly! This place has taken classic southern food and refined it with a classy twist. Setting is adorable in a historic home. Hope to return someday!
(5)
Joelle C.
Wonderful southern food. Shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, pork chops. So good. In a lovely house near downtown.
(5)
Steven P.
This is a true Charleston institution. A standard bearer of the classic Southern dinner. I've eaten at Poogan's about eight times over the past four years. In a very few cases I have been disappointed by less than attentive service, or underwhelmed by a dish that was shy of its mark. But those were mere aberrations. My last visit in January was excellence, from start to finish; a full meal of cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and dessert for my party of four, all delivered with punctuality and cheer. Their food has been covered extensively in previous posts. I won't go into detail here, except to say that the alligator nuggets were an absolute hit with everyone at our table. I had tried alligator at least twice before, at different places. While I never disliked it, I had pretty much written it off as a novelty, with little to recommend. However, those alligator nuggets at Poogan's were a revelation: tender, juicy, and flavorful. I will continue to bring both out-of-town guests, as well as Charleston natives who have somehow managed to overlook this hallowed ground, and we will all be the happier for it.
(4)
Samantha S.
I went to Poogan's for the first time last year and it was good. My rehearsal dinner was hosted at Poogan's last weekend and it was GREAT. The service was impeccable, everyone enjoyed their meals, and overall I would highly recommend. The Events Manager Beth made sure everything was set up properly and communicated everything as needed via email. I was very impressed with the waitstaff in particular. Thank you!!!
(5)
Meagan G.
Excellent food, location, and ambience. This is a quintessential Charleston spot. The pork chop dinner is highly recommended!
(5)
Amanda W.
My husband and I ate at this restaurant for dinner tonight. He ordered shrimp and grits, and I ordered buttermilk fried chicken. My husband said that the shrimp and grits weren't as spicy as he had hoped and that the onions in the dish were overpowering. The buttermilk fried chicken was the best fried chicken that I have ever eaten. The gravy was delicious, but I wish they had served more of it. I did not care for the pimento slaw. We ordered the key lime pie for dessert, which was superb. They served biscuits while we waited for our food to cook, which were soft but a bit too sweet for my taste. The atmosphere and service were superb. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal at Poogan's Porch.
(4)
Robert S.
I love this little restaurant and the story of Poogan..the cute little dog... We had two excellent entrees...the duck and the Plantation Chicken...both were moist, tasteful and well prepared. The prices are reasonable for a top restaurant in Charleston. We had a reservation and we got seated right away. The only down side was that we ordered a Quinoa salad and it was inedible...salty as salt can be...we sent it back and they took it off our check. Overall good service and great ambiance.
(4)
Hunter H.
The best restaurant in Charleston! It's the perfect blend of casual and upscale and the food (biscuits especially) is incredible and reasonable. I always bring friends visiting from out of town here for the perfect Charleston experience and it never fails. The wait staff is also exceptionally friendly and the atmosphere is perfect.
(5)
H. R.
Returned to PP this year. Did not realize sweet potato fries could be substituted for the chips. I did not remember seeing that as an option on the menu. It would have been nice to know that. Also, alligator was not as good this time. The pieces were irregular in size. BLT not as tasty this time either...stingy with the spread? Still a good meal just not the same caliber as two years ago.
(3)
Sarah C.
Got the Shrimp and grits here. The egg on top was overcooked, but the shrimp and grits alone were great. The service was excellent and of course the biscuits. My sister got the chicken and waffles, they were also delicious. The ambiance is nice, I felt like I was in a house sitting at my friends house for brunch. The only reason why this place is getting a 4 star and not 5 is because an overcooked egg is kind of unforgettable to me. The yolk did not run over my grits :(
(4)
Matt C.
Great brunch! Better than we expected, sat outside. Prices very reasonable for downtown charleston.
(5)
Fareez A.
So-so new american/contemporary southern. Could be much better and have had better in Memphis and Atlanta. Was underwhelming...this place has lots of potential to be good, but the flavors weren't 'finished' and were too light.
(2)
Sarah S.
Big fan. I've been here twice with visitors from out of town. Both times we were able to be seated without reservations. Everything that everyone had was delicious. One of the times one of my friends said that he felt chills and some kind of ghost action going on, but I think it might have just been his overactive imagination after the historical ghost tour we had taken earlier that night :)
(4)
Jessica J.
Loved my dining experience at Poogan's Porch! The server really made the experience top-notch. We were welcomed warmly and shown to our seat quickly. We ordered Shrimp and Grits and Grilled Pork Chops. Everything was delicious! The biscuits are definitely something to "write home about". The only low-point was the desserts. We ordered banana pudding and pecan pie. The banana pudding was super watery and had absolutely no bananas in it. As a matter of fact, it had no vanilla wafers of any sort in it eaither. It truly seemed like watery instant pudding with vanilla wafer crumbs sprinkled on it. I certainly wasn't expecting the pecan pie to be in standard frozen pie crust. Needless to say, we didn't eat the desserts or pay for them. Thankfully, the rest of our experience was stellar. We had to park several blocks away and the restaurant is located in a historic home.
(4)
Paul Q.
A tourist trap. Mediocre food at very high prices, So many other alternatives in Charleston.
(1)
Chas M.
So good, biscuits are too amazing, fried alligator was great and the pork chop was to fire fire
(4)
Karen K.
Great place to have a Sunday brunch after a carriage tour of the city. Michael was a great waiter and food was excellent. Fun city!
(5)
Lauren P.
After a hot day walking around in Charleston this was a great place to stop for a nice dinner. The service was excellent and loved the old house the restaurant was located in. Our party of 7 was seated upstairs-it was quite and cool-perfect after the long hot day! I started off with a can of Westbrook the server recommended this as it was like Blue Moon. I asked for it with an orange which he did not recommend as it takes away from the flavor but I know my beers and disagreed (drink this with an orange). The warm biscuits they serve are delicious-a true taste of the south. I ordered the grilled pork which came with bacon &sweet potato gnocchi over Brussels sprouts. I am not a fan of the sprouts and they were happy to switch this to broccoli. It was very tasty although the sauce was a little too creamy. Others in my party started with the She Crab soup and highly recommend it. They mostly ordered seafood including the fish and chips and scallops all highly recommended as well as the mac and cheese which is super cheese and has bits of ham in it. Great place for a nice southern dinner!
(4)
Joe T.
Every time I go to Poogan's, I am shown just why this city is known for its charm and elegance. General Manager Luis and his staff always do an exceptional job of making the guests feel welcome, and some times even VIP;). Keep up the great work guys!
(5)
Sandy K.
We came in for lunch before departing back to CA and I wanted to get my last good southern meal in. Parking non existent here so I parked in the public parking up the street at a buck a half an hour. Don't park in the lot next door or you can expect to have your car towed within minutes I was advised. We were seated in the upstairs of the former house which is now Poogan's Porch Restaurant. I started off with a bloody Mary which included a pickled okra which was tasty (Bloody Mary was yummy too). For appetizers we went with the fried alligator and the chicken biscuit with gravy. The alligator was deep fried, tender and delish. The chicken biscuit was white meat marinated and was tender and the gravy - devilish. For my main entree I chose the Crab cake Benedict which was made with a biscuit instead of a English muffin which I found unusual but good. The crab meat was locally caught and really flavorful. The waitress was super nice although the young blond gal server brought me biscuits and gravy instead of the chicken biscuit. When I questioned her she advised me it was correct - WTF - do you think this ABC doesn't know the difference? Once my waitress came over she knew it was incorrect. Second mishap was I asked for the Hollandaise sauce to the side and it was not. The waitress was on it and had another entree out within minutes. Even with the service issues I would still return here again for the grub.
(4)
Pat W.
I love Poogan's Porch! This is our favorite restaurant to dine at when we come to Charleston. They have the best shrimp and grits of anywhere in Charleston, and the rest of the menu is great, as well. In a city where parking is at a premium, the fact that there is a pay lot right next to the restaurant is wonderful. The patio is charming, service is impeccable. Make your reservation and enjoy!
(5)
Melissa K.
This place smells like a bathroom. It was the worst by the kitchen. I was so disgusted that I didn't eat. I just waited to leave.
(1)
Therese G.
Great service! Food is great too - brunch, lunch or dinner. If you have a pet outdoor seating is available for all pets with their owners. You will not be disappointed
(5)
Chelsea L.
The atmosphere was fantastic! It's beautiful. But the food is a bit pricey.
(4)
Janet L.
Unimpressed. They burnt my date's steak and we sent it back and the chef disagreed. It wasn't even edible. What is even worse is that he contracted some kind of food poisoning here and threw up the rest of the night.
(2)
Ben S.
I've been coming to Poogan's Porch with my family for almost 30 years (since I was born!). It holds a very special place in my heart, and I've never been disappointed. The most important part of any visit to PP is the BISCUITS. They are warm, fluffy, and served with delicious honey butter. I seriously have dreams about these biscuits throughout the year while I'm away. My other favorite dish here is the fried green tomatoes. They are delicately fried and served with pecan crusted goat cheese and peach chutney. Your tastebuds will sing! They are my favorite version of this classic southern dish I've had anywhere. On my most recent visit I got to try the new (to me) peanut butter cheesecake. I reminded me of the peanut butter pies we used to eat when I was a kid, and the chocolate cookie crust was sensational. Two thumbs up! I highly recommend paying Poogan's a visit next time you're in charleston to get a taste of the South at its finest.
(5)
Grace W.
The venue is really nice and different from some of the more modern-looking restaurants in Charleston. Service was really friendly, as typical of Charleston. For dinner, the most memorable food dishes were the duck and she-crab soup (someone in my party ordered one for apps and one for dessert). I did not like their take on pecan pie, which was really sweet, in a bowl, and not very bacon-y (one of the ingredients highlighted). Overall, food was good, not special, but I wouldn't rule it out of my places to dine at (either brunch or dinner) in the future.
(3)
Joshua A.
My girlfriend and I went there on our date night. The service and food were both fantastic. I also really enjoyed that they didn't bring out all the food at once, there was plenty of time to eat and converse between each course. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Angela C.
It's been a few years since we visited Charleston, but I remember thinking this place was so cute. I was also pumped to find brunch options that included oysters! **Update: We visited Poogan's Porch again January 2013 and it did not disappoint! I had the chicken and waffles this time and they were awesome!**
(4)
Caleigh R.
We were happy to wait upon arrival since we heard it was a great place to eat brunch. It was surprising when they took us back sooner than expected, but who's to complain?? Well, they sat us on the back patio in a spot where our server couldn't see us. We were patient, but finally waved down a water boy who ignored us every time he came out...he found her promptly. ANYWAY :) Grace was a sweet server. We ordered the Charlestowne Fry and French Toast. The biscuits were delicious! I enjoyed a bloody mary since they were a happy hour item. It was ok. Nothing too impressive. Both the entrees were delish--and it held us over for the afternoon. Poogan's Porch, thanks for a tasty brunch!
(4)
Bruce A.
I was wandering a deserted charleston on christmas day and this was one of the few places open for dinner. This place was offering a fixed price dinner for $52/person which I thought was absurdly expensive. But the food itself was impeccable and it was packed. I still feel I overpaid but I got local-style food at a very high quality level.
(4)
Captain B.
4.5 stars We stopped in for an early dinner and are glad we picked this place. It's a huge house converted into a restaurant with lots of indoor dining space and a back porch area as well. We had the fried green tomatoes, fried chicken with mash and slaw, and the short ribs, all of which were great. Our server was super friendly and answered all of our annoying tourist questions, and with a smile on his face.
(4)
Spencer L.
Great lunch in a quaint setting on a hot day in charleston. My wife had mac and cheese that was spectacular and I had the fried chicken salad with honey jalapeño dressing. Very unique and tasty
(5)
Dan O.
This place is such quintessential Charleston that you have to eat here at some point. And if you're getting the quintessential Charleston experience you may as well order the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and the shrimp and grits for an entree. They will not disappoint.
(4)
Patty W.
Of course, we had to stop here. The reviews and opinions of this fine place is wonderful. It was only a short walk away from our hotel and we avoided the parking lot that charges a ridiculous fee. We were greeted and seated promptly at the time of our reservation. I love restaurants that are in old houses. I think it makes it very unique. The dinner menu had several different options and it was hard to pick one. I settled for the pork 3 ways and Chris got the buttermilk fried chicken. Biscuits were given to us to start our meal off with. Those biscuits are truly from the south. I normally don't butter up my bread, but the temptation was killing me. When our meal arrived, they were huge. I can't believe that I got more BBQ pork since I had it for lunch earlier that day. I guess you can't have enough pork ;) All the meats were phenomenal along with the side of ham macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes. I am usually critical when it comes to mac and cheese, but the way the ham was mixed in with the one they have, it had me almost dancing in circles around the restaurant. I will not say that it is better than my beloved grandma's macaroni and cheese. Nope :P I had a bite of the buttermilk chicken and it was good. Thank goodness we had a fridge and microwave in our hotel room because the leftovers we had came in handy the next day. We enjoyed our food here and it is recommended to everyone to come here if they live or stopping by in the area.
(4)
Tyler R.
I really wanted to like this place after I walked in. It's in what appears to be a large old house which gives it a really nice southern charm but food was slightly disappointing. Everything was made right but the flavor combinations were a bit odd to me and nothing really stood out. On the other hand the biscuits that they bring out when you sit down were pretty amazing.
(3)
Jennifer M.
Best meal we had in Charleston. Biscuits were the best I've ever had. Our equally awesome server, Jamie, told us the biscuit chef had been there for over 30 years. Snapper was amazing. So glad we ate there our last night in town. It totally made up for the somewhat sub-par food we encountered on our trip. SO good!! :)
(5)
Jerry M.
Some of the best food of our trip. Great service, fried chicken that was over the top good...
(4)
Madeline S.
Pretty good biscuits. Sunrise shrimp and grits were tasty, but the dish wasn't warm enough and the eggs were overdone. The grits were flavorful though. Excellent she-crab soup.
(4)
Eric G.
Food and service were fantastic. The fried chicken was the best that I have had in some time. I would choose Poogans over Magnolias any day.
(4)
Deb B.
What a great dinner experience! First I want to say *hats off* to the owners for having the roll back to the 80's pricing. We were able to then order the left side of the menu and try everything. It's been years since I've been and the food was great. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken was some of the best fried chicken I've ever tasted. The Short Rib Stroganoff was absolutely what I was craving and the Shrimp and Grits were very good. We also tried the She Crab Soup which was good, although it wasn't as good as 82 Queen. They have the She Crab Soup down to a science. Sorry Poogan's. The BBQ Shrimp and Sausage was something I will never order again. It just didn't do it for me. Our server Morgan rocked and all in all the food was awesome, filling every facet of our taste palate. It's a great place to take visitors to *experience Charleston*. Oh I forgot to mention the absolute best part of the experience! If you are a coffee lover, Poogan's has the best coffee in Charleston from King Bean. To me this rivaled the best coffee I ever had in Atlanta at Ria's Bluebird cafe. If you've never been there, believe me, that's saying a lot!! There's so much good food here, I don't think you'll go wrong with any order. Don't forget the coffee at the end!
(4)
Dale B.
Everything that it's cracked up to be. Southern specialties at their finest and great service and atmosphere. The She Crab soup is excellent and the fried chicken is among the best I've had anywhere. I'm not a tomato person but my wife loved the fried green tomato appetizer.
(5)
Kevin C.
We stop by whenever we are in Charleston. Food is fantastic and the service is great.
(4)
L B.
We had our dogs with us so ate out front on the patio, which was lovely. Food was heavy, greasy food - nothing spectacular- some would say " Typical Southern" , I would not. Our server, while pleasant, was very inattentive, and we had to ask for things twice or more before receiving them, i.e straws, extra napkins, more tea... Worked well as a dog friendly restaurant, otherwise would not necessarily recommend.
(2)
Jason D.
AMAZING! Totally made our experience in Charleston. The Plantation chicken was excellent, and Macaroni and Cheese--MUST TRY. Best mac and cheese I've ever had. Biscuits were delicious. Service was very attentive, prices were reasonable. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone!
(5)
Tiffany M.
We had reservations but still waited and waited for our table to become available. Once we were seated, we ordered bloody Mary's which were very good and an appetizer of the fried alligator that was not my favorite - way too tough. For our entrees I ordered the fried chicken salad that was good, but the dressing tasted too much like mayo with slices of jalapeno and not what I had in mind as jalapeno dressing. Hubby had the fried pork chop and scrambled eggs which he enjoyed. I would have given the restaurant a 4-star review, but having to wait for our reservation and the fact that our waiter stood at the end of the table and expected us to yell out our order knocked it down a peg. I finally asked him if he could come down to where I was seated so I could give him my order without having to shout above the rest of the guests at the table.
(3)
Eric S.
Great food, service, and ambiance... Easily the most bang for your buck I have seen in Charleston.
(5)
Katherine C.
The meals are always great here. I would visit just for the warm biscuits & honey butter alone, they were mouth-watering! I got the pork chop one night (it was delicious) but the next morning we tried the Chicken & Waffles with the blueberry compote for brunch. The syrup was a tad spicy for me (I'm a wimp when it comes to spice, mind you) but it was absolutely phenomenal. Would totally recommend, as long as you don't mind the heat!
Outstanding dinner. The biscuits were the best. We also enjoyed the pimento cheese fritters and the Mac & Cheese. My Plantation chicken was amazing as we're my wife's shrimp and grits. My son had shirt ribs that he thoroughly enjoyed. We will be back--Thursday.
(5)
Steve K.
Excellent food and pet friendly. Beautiful house too.
(5)
Sharon F.
I got the sweet tea glazed salmon and it was AMAZING!!! I will definitely be going back soon!! =)
(5)
Elad F.
Came for dinner and got the fried green tomatoes and shrimp n grits. Were excellent. Also nice ambience in this converted southern house.
(5)
Richard R.
I am FINALLY in Charleston!!! I have been excited about this visit for weeks and could barely contain myself after locating Poogan's Porch!!! It's Christmas Day, so the menu is limited (and pricey) but there we not very many restaurants open for business. Considering this was on my MUST HAVE list of places to eat at, I thought it would be a great way to start our week long visit to Chucktown. First, people coming to dine were surprisingly more formal that I expected. Most everyone was in their Sunday Best, while we looked exactly like people who dressed comfortably for a 2 hours drive from Hilton Head Island. I thought maybe there was a dress code, so I checked with the hostess who said we "look fine". **whew, little sense of relief** Everyone was starving, which is why I set our reservation weeks earlier for 1:30pm after estimating the drive. Our timing was great and we were immediately seated in the room furthest to the rear of the restaurant. We were given a fantastic table directly in front of the fireplace. Here's where great planning sometimes goes wrong!!! Since the menu was fixed for today only, the choices were limited and 4 out of 6 in our party did not like what was on the menu. Now, I not only previewed the menu and printed copies, I also discussed it with my wife weeks prior... but memories can go bad at the most inopportune times!!! The kids wanting nothing to do with the menu, and neither did my wife or one of the teens we brought along for vacation. So we decided to wait out my back-up reservations @ 82 Queen for 6pm. I was determined to eat @ Poogan's, so I placed a to go order for the Holiday Turkey/Ham dinner ($42.95). This was a mistake!!! I wouldn't say the staff was rude, but it was definitely a nightmare. The server who seated us told me she couldn't take my order and sent me to the bar. I told the family to go wait in the car since the place was wall to wall packed. The bartender was overwhelmed and reluctantly took my order after first trying to convince me to go back to my original server (who was adamant about to-go orders being taken by bar personnel ONLY). 5 minutes later, he called a manager to input the order. 10 minutes later the manager shows up and about 20 minutes later I received what looked to be about half the portion I saw going to the tables. Not to mention the only seat available at the bar put me smack dab in front of where the servers bring back the empty wine/drink glasses from their tables. Awkward would not begin to describe how I was feeling. I wish that entire experience would have been better, but I wish the food would have been better even more-so. Not one item was worth any portion of the money or time it took to receive it. The turkey and ham were so-so. The mashed potatoes were dry, the green beans were fresh but bland, the gravy was average and there was no biscuit included (which looked fantastic as they were being served to the tables). I specifically asked the bartender about the biscuits during my ordering and he assured me it would be included... NOT!!! There was nothing award winning about the She-Crab soup which was about the biggest surprise of all. The Peach Cobbler was not to my liking either, but the stuffing was pretty good, so all was not a total loss (note: that's sarcasm). Every interaction I had with the staff was far less than the friendly atmosphere I was expecting. Not even my brief encounter with the manager escaped being in the surprisingly awkward category. Polite YES, friendly NO. I sure hope the rest of my time here will be better than today's experience.
(3)
Jay K.
Ugh what an absolutely amazing meal. It was my first time in Charleston and I had read great things about PP. We stopped in for lunch on our first day. Tried the Fried Chicken plate which came with mashed potatoes and collard greens. First, the fried chicken was probably the best I ever had. I have traveled all over and tried fried chicken from all different parts of the country. Often, each place will have something great about their chicken - the fried goodness, the seasoning, the moistness of the chicken, etc.. Poogan's Fried Chicken had it all. A beautiful fried crisp, delicious flavor and seasoning, absolutely moist and juicy - it was to die for. Of course, the mashed potatoes were great too and the collard greens were unbelievable! We ended up going back for dinner the next night and lunch again before we left. In addition to the food being out of this world, the setting itself, in an old Charleston mansion was delightful. And, the service was fantastic. On our last night, despite it not being on the menu for dinner, I asked the waiter if it would be possible to get a side order of collard greens. He went into the kitchen and got the chef to make a special exception for us. What great service One of the best restaurants I have every enjoyed. Cozy, great service, amazing food.
(5)
Marnie S.
A charming place to have brunch, we enjoyed our french toast and other breakfast options. It gets a little busy on Saturday and Sunday, but definitely good food!
(4)
Elliot E.
My wife and I decided to give Poogan's a try mainly because we'd heard the food was good and the place was haunted. Since we were there at lunchtime the only spirits to be seen were at the bar. I had the Lowcountry Pasta and she had the Shrimp & Grits. I'd recommend either of them to anyone due to their plentiful portions and outstanding flavors. As others have mentioned, the biscuits are sinfully good. It would be awfully easy to make a meal out of them. They offer a kids menu for the little ones; our daughter wasn't a fan of her grilled cheese sandwich, though I found it tasty. However Poogan's doesn't strike me as a place you'd bring kids if you are going to dinner. Unless of course they're into ghosts.
(4)
Layda C.
Wonderful experience. Somewhat formal setting, but comfortable enough for romantic dinner or large group. Service was very good, although our server was more professional than friendly. He didn't know how to respond when my husband complimented his good service. Food was excellent. Tea glazed salmon was fresh and delicious. Mint in the risotto was welcome twist. Filet was cooked to perfection. The biscuits were so amazing we asked for extras and had them for dessert!
(5)
John H.
Mac n cheese app, fried alligator and fried chicken and waffles!!! And everything is perfect. Best brunch we could have asked for on our busy walk around downtown!!
(5)
R M.
We stopped here when Tusk was not accepting walk-ins. We were quite happy we ended up in this spot. The staff was nice, food was flavorful and the portions were not too gargantuan. All in all, we were happy enough to consider it for future meals.
(4)
Jenna F.
We had our very first Lowcountry meal here. What a great way to be exposed to the cuisine! The Shrimp & Grits was the best I had in Charleston. It had a nice sausage in it instead of bacon which the other two places had. In addition, the grits were nicely flavored and not overpowering unlike the grits at the other places which had cheese in them. My son and daughter had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken which was flavorful but the breast meat was a bit dry. My other daughter had their seafood pasta which she enjoyed. My husband also enjoyed his Shrimp & Grits. We all agreed that the warm biscuits were fabulous and the Fried Green Tomatoes were quite tasty! As for the atmosphere, the restaurant is a converted house. We sat at the upper level which was very nice and what we would expect of a Southern home.
(4)
Deb S.
What an adorable little place with a great many areas for seating. Why did we have to be seated in a teeny tiny little forgotten corner? Because there were only two of us? I don't know. Service was below-average but the food was remarkable. I had the special short ribs with parsnips and brussel sprouts. My daughter had the rich and creamy ham chowder. The biscuits were very good, not the best I've ever had, but very good. Her Bourbon Apple Crush was delicious and the Leitz Out Reisling was pretty tasty too. Unfortunately we were never offered another opportunity to order a second round of drinks or after dinner coffees. The bread pudding dessert was dry and overcooked. Skip it for sure. I would probably eat here again because the food was so good, but it would be nice to have better service. I would definitely have spent a bunch more and my waiter would have gotten a better tip too.
(4)
Trevor J.
One of the best restaurants in Charleston. My wife and I eloped to Charleston and we had heard great things about Poogan's both word of mouth from friends as well as via yelp and other places. We ate here after getting married and it was great. We were very happy with the service, but the food was phenomenal. I had lamb chops and my wife had some sort of steak. Both were cooked perfectly and were well-matched with whatever sauces, sides, etc came with. Great atmosphere and location. Nice old house downtown. We were able to walk here easily from our hotel. Like all of the restaurants downtown, if you are not staying downtown you'll probably just want to find a municipal parking deck (or a private paid parking lot if there are any spaces) and plan on walking. All in all, no complaints. Great food and great service.
(5)
Yukihiro Y.
Biscuits biscuits biscuits are unbeatable, especially since it was my first taste of the day (early lunch). Crab soup was good for flavor but not for meat, 3.5-3.75*. BLT was surprising in the succinct flavor layering and muchos kudos for simplicity/delicious balance. Fried chicken was pretty good, 3.8*, but didn't get to try anything else except for the amazing, freshly fried potato chips/crisps that came w my scrumptious BLT
(4)
Mike I.
Really good food. Cool classic feel to the place and tons of signatures of famous guests they've hosted are on the walls. Polite staff and attentive service. Bread was great. Scallop appetizer was pretty good. Pulled pork was awesome.
(4)
Steve T.
I decided to visit Poogan's Porch to try some low country fare and I am so glad that I did. The restaurant sits on Queen St. and is an old house that was converted into a restaurant. My first visit, we did not have reservations but we got lucky and got a table in the bar area right away. My second visit we were sure to make reservations and it was a full house. The food has been something terrific. Whenever I need a some fantastic low country food, I now head to Poogan's Porch. The food has been terrific and I have enjoyed everything that has arrived to the table. For starters, they bring fresh biscuits to the table that are warm and fluffy, served with some honey butter and are a delicious way to start off your culinary adventure. For appetizers, I have had both the she crab soup and the fried green tomatoes. Both are excellent and I would recommend both. For the main course, I have had the pork trio and the fried chicken. The pork trio comes with mac and cheese with county ham, pulled pork, and fried pork belly with a side of collard greens. There was nothing on this plate that I could complain about. The mac and cheese was creamy and smoky, the pulled pork was tender, and the fired pork belly was out of this world. The collard greens were some of the best I have ever had. I have also had the fried chicken which was perfectly crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. It was served with collard greens and mashed potatoes which were also great. I would not say one was better than the other because they are very different dishes. Depending on your mood, I would recommend either. I have not had the dessert because there was no room for more food by the end of each meal. I would without a doubt recommend Poogan's Porch and I will most certainly be back for another visit.
(5)
Blaire B.
If half stars were available this would get 2.5. The atmosphere is cute. Old house with a big front porch. Could be a nice restaurant, but this is a tourist town, so people seem to think baseball caps are appropriate at dinner and I'm sure the restaurant isn't willing to turn away the revenue. The food was average. The biscuits, however, were flipping amazing. They deserve 5 stars on their own merit. She-crab soup: Probably the worst I've ever had. Tasted like Campbell's potato soup with crab meat inside. Goat Cheese Fried Ravioli: Sounded great on the menu, disappointed on the palate. Shrimp and Grits: Pretty darn good. The gravy was phenomenal. Scallops w/ Grit Cake: Very good, loved the consistency of the grit cake. Overall: There are probably better spots for your money in Charleston.
(3)
Mike V.
Poogans Porch is an exquisite place. An older house in the historic district, the restaurant provides a charming, romantic, classic southern atmosphere accompanied by a high level of service. The menu is guaranteed to leave you salivating for days! If it's a nice evening, try to make a reservation in advance for a seat outside on the porch! The pimiento cheese fritters and mac n cheese are absolute MUSTS for appetizers.
(4)
Lauren D.
My Uncle, a friend and I visited Poogan's Porch this past weekend for brunch. It was our first time at the restaurant; our second time visiting Charleston altogether. Overall, our experience was fantastic. We will definitely consider Poogan's Porch again during our next trip. We arrived around 11:00 and were seated promptly. Initially we were going to have 6 in our party and a 30-40 minute wait, but our plans changed and the three of us were then seated right away. Our server, Louis, immediately came over and introduced himself. He was quite welcoming and stayed attentive to our table through the entirety of the meal. Our drinks and food came out quickly. We all shared and order of biscuits and gravy, which were delicious. My dish was the 'Charlestowne fry." (An omelette topped with friend oysters and remoulade) The oysters were fried and tasty but not overly greasy. The omelette and remoulade complemented the oysters well. I took all of my leftovers home and ate them for a snack on the drive back to Maryland! My Uncle and friend ordered the Shrimp and Grits, and asparagus and ham omelette. Both were more than satisfied with their dishes as well. Overall, we were delighted with our trip to Poogan's Porch. (and Charleston in general) I would definitely recommend stopping at Poogan's Porch for a classic southern brunch!
(5)
Julie H.
The food here is delicious! I would recommend to make a reservation for this place. It opens at 5pm for dinner and people were waiting and crowding around to get in right before 5 o'clock. This is a converted old house and the place is really cute and cozy. The biscuits that come out are so yummy! Both of our entrees were very tasty, not a huge portion, but just right. Also the prices are moderate so you're not spending a ton of money. I loved this place and the story about the house and the dog Poogan. I would love to return if I ever go back to Charleston!
(5)
Dave Y.
I was very excited to try some Charleston/SC/Southern cooking here and was not disappointed. The place itself is very charming, one of those old Charleston houses on a rather picturesque stretch of Queen St. The menu is quite large and extensive with obligatory items such as she crab soup, shrimp and grits, and calabash-style seafood. Other southern dishes like fried green tomatoes and various kinds of fried chicken are also available. We had the shrimp and grits, calabash combo, and she crab soup. Everything was excellent, but the calabash combo was both the best deal and most amazing. Besides being in impressive enough portions for two, it was very delicious. Fried seafood can often taste rather anonymous, but this was not the case. The combination included shrimp, oyster, flounder, and crab cake. The crab cake was also by far among the best, if not THE best, crab cake I've ever had. It was well-seasoned and was mostly crab, with very little breading. It also came with pimento slaw, which was really good. Their biscuits were also amazing, served with honey butter. They also serve brunch, and the menu looks amazing. Unfortunately we didn't have time to come back for that. The brunch and lunch look like really good deals, but even for dinner it was still decent value. Plus the food is just so good. Make sure you make a reservation before you go.
(5)
Zach R.
Saturday morning breakfast - not too crowded. Was able to score a porch table. waiter lacked confidence and was a tad awkward, but very pleasant. BBQ Pulled Pork eggs benedict gets 6 out of 5 stars. Phenomenal. Served with hash brown potatoes and fruit. Delicious biscuits that seemed to melt in my mouth. Can't wait for my next trip back to Charleston to go for round two of bbq pork eggs benedict. (Half price bloody marys and mimosas, too)
(5)
Lora P.
This place was AMAZING! Best place to eat in Charleston, hands down. I ordered the pork chop and it was the best meal I had my entire stay. This is a MUST visit during your stay. You won't regret it!
(5)
Emily R.
One of the best meals I had in Charleston! I opted for the fried chicken salad, which sounds banal but was wonderful. The chicken was tender and warm with a super tasty batter. The biscuit with honey butter was heavenly. I enjoyed my bloody mary as well! Service was stellar. I definitely recommend, especially for lunch.
(5)
Teresa C.
I have been visiting this establishment since the 1980s, and I will continue. The ambiance is lovely, we especially enjoy sitting by the fireplace. The food is always delicious, some of the best seafood in Charleston. Their use of local fresh ingredients is very enjoyable.
(4)
S M.
This is a tourist trap, but if you sit outside and order the Mac & cheese and the buttermilk fried chicken, it is a very pleasant tourist trap. Any other order is a mistake based on the dishes ordered by our large party. Service is friendly and efficient.
(2)
Chris D.
One of my staples when I visit Charleston! This trip I decided to try the Pimento Cheese fritters - Oh so YUMMY! The fried green tomatoes are my trusty stand by and never steer me wrong. I had the "southern sliders" which were the size of small countries. They come on full size biscuits (fried chicken, pulled pork and brisket) After finishing up this lunch it was time for a nap!
(4)
K W.
This place was exceptional! The biscuits and grits are out of this world. I have also had the iceberg wedge and the burger, which I loved, as well.The duck confit grilled cheese I must admit I wasn't as thrilled about, but only because I somehow missed that the cheese was pimiento, which I am not fond of. My fault. If you like pimiento cheese I'm sure you'll enjoy the sandwich. Next time I'm in town I will try to get dinner reservations.
(4)
Priya M.
Went on Christmas Day evening while visiting Charleston so didn't get to try the regular dinner menu. The Christmas special menu included a starter, an entree, and a dessert for $49.95. I ordered the tomato bisque, scallops, and chocolate tart. The food was really good, although I felt that the meal was not worth the price payed. I would go back to try the regular menu next time I'm in the city though.
(3)
Taylor W.
Had dinner here my first night ever in Charleston- and it was a great start! Very friendly staff and they made sure to tell us the history of the place when they found out we'd never been before. Our waiter kept an eye on us but didn't check in unnecessarily, which I always enjoy. The shrimp and grits were heavenly, with fluffy grits and fresh vegetables. The outside dining area is very pleasant, and dog friendly. Definitely will return next time we're in town!
(5)
Billy L.
Leave it to me to have to go to South Carolina to finally try fried cheeseballs. Since the original MTV True Live: I Own a Shore House, I've always wondered what exactly fried cheese balls tasted like and why Tommy The Guido wanted them so badly. At Poogan's, I finally had a chance to sample them and probably had one of the tastiest appetizers of my life. The pimento cheese was outstanding and even better accompanied by the fresh biscuits. The fried green tomatoes, crab cake, and spinach salad were also well received by my party and although I had to sacrifice the alligator to try the cheese balls, it was so worth it. I ordered the duck breast medium with red pepper risotto and spiced broccolini. The duck was pretty good but the risotto really made this dish amazing. I also sampled the Plantation chicken which is served cordon style and I really liked it as well. Its stuffed with gouda and spinach and was really good. For dessert, I had the flourless chocalate cake with strawberry compote and it tasted suprisingly lite. I guess flourless thing is no joke. Our server, Blake, was awesome. Funny, quick, and apologetic when things took a little longer than expected. They even comped a dessert because of the wait which was really not necessary but a really cool thing to do. We ate in the back dining room which has a nice view of the back garden and thought the decor was appropriate and very homely. The price was also really good for a party of four and it was also casual. On the way out we also saw Poogan's head stone and a litle memorial statue which was unique. Overall, I think you might be able to find food comparable, but this place is really specific to Charleston and a must for anyone visiting.
(4)
Pamela S.
Holy Cow. That bread pudding! If we hadn't already stuffed ourselves for the prior two days in Charleston, my friend and I would have scarfed up more of that incredible dessert that was easily big enough for 4 people. Even after having indulged in the crabcake platter (crabmeat-rich patties served with with asparagus and rice and beans), the fried pork sandwich (with pimiento cheese and fries), and the ridiculously buttery and flaky biscuits served as bread. And we loved the charming porch setting.
(5)
Hana M.
After hearing a lot about Poogan's Porch I went here with my family and friends for a special occasion today. I like the light southern summery atmosphere and the house itself. This restaurant surely did not disappoint us. Never had anything pimiento cheese before but noticed it on a lot of restaurant menus thought maybe it's a southern food. SO I tried it their pimiento cheese fritters and it's a party in my mouth!! They are sooo good. This should be like mozzarella sticks of the millennium. It'll be one of those dishes I randomly get cravings for that will persist until I give in. The portobello and spinach ravioli was great, loved the thick creamy sauce. Someone at my table ordered fried alligator and I was more excited about his meal than I was mine because that's another thing I never tried or seen before. I had to try, as a pescatarian though can I eat aligator? They do live in the water... aren't they endangered though? Moral issues aside, I tried it and it's not my cup of tea but if you like little fried chicken fingers: a liking for fried alligator will come naturally!
(4)
Joe B.
Did was excellent - service was disappointing. Fried green tomatoes and fries chicken were both fantastic! Could not have asked for a better meal. Unfortunately, my request for a simple glass if water was forgotten twice and my dates iced team was never refilled. Took forever to get a check and I paid with cash so I would not have another long wait to sign my receipt. If you have time, eat here otherwise pass.
(3)
Byram S.
Great food and service. Best we had on our weekend trip to c town. This place is consistently good.
(4)
Travis C.
Everything was great. I had BBQ Braised Brisket. Fried Alligator. Fried Green Tomatoes. I'd recommend all of them.
(5)
K T.
Had dinner here 2 nights ago. Everything was excellent! We had the rib eye an the buttermilk fried chicken ( a house specialty - best chicken I've ever had). Friend had the salmon steak - said it was excellent as well. Great selection of good, reasonable wines.
(5)
Sylvia Y.
This place was great! We didn't have a reservation for 4th of July dinner (yikes), but we went in early (around 6) and we were seated right away. I did not enjoy the restaurant scent when we walked in. It was a cross between dirty mop and spoiled milk. YIKES. Our server was mediocre, in comparison to the other servers who were much more attentive and friendly. Our guy and we did not have any chemistry right. Onto the food. everyone was right about the fried green tomatos. YUM!!!! crab cakes were delish, and the bread pudding was amazing. My cousin (from California as well) had never had collard greens and was a fan by the time we left the restaurant. Next time I am in town, I'd definitely go back for their brunch, or their dinner. their location is ideal since public parking is across the street and king street shopping is just around the corner. I hope the scent was just that particular time, and not a regular deal. YiKES.
(4)
Daragh C.
I love this place. Best biscuits ever! Little doughy packets of heaven served with honey butter. I had the fried green tomato benedict, off the chart delicious. My husband had the crab cake benedict, which he enjoyed very much. I also had a cup of the she-crab soup and a bloody mary, both very good. Better then other places I have tried in the area. Service was really fantastic too; friendly and prompt. I really enjoy this place, and have made it a Charleston trip staple. Now I just need to figure out how to get those biscuits back to SF!!!
(5)
Girl B.
Hostess - 4.5 Quick, attentive, on point. There were two groups ahead of us and they were able to greet, address, and seat us all during the height of brunch Service - 2.5 Inconsistent. Server approached us quickly with water, introduced himself, offered guidance on the menu and took our order. Food Runner brought out our food quickly enough. But our bread didn't come out until way after we received our brunch and when we didn't see our Server, we asked FRunner for refill on Sweet Tea, he said yes but disappeared and never came back. We saw our server a bunch of times but couldn't flag him down because he never looked our way Food - 2.5 Food was well cooked but very under-seasoned.
(3)
Randy S.
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMM I will be dreaming about this place for months to come. Me and my best gals loved it so much we went right back the next day - 2 days in Charleston - 2 trips to Poogan's Porch. The biscuits and honey butter alone were reason enough to go back but I also needed to eat as many of the fried chicken sliders and the GLORIOUS mac and cheese as I could before I went home...adorable restaurant - wonderful service (and they didn't even roll their eyes when we asked for another basket of biscuits)! TIP: I heard it was difficult to get in - we went around 2:25pm both days (right before they close at 2:30) and were seated immediately!
(5)
David A.
Amazing food. Incredible space. Lewis was the most fantastic waiter we've ever had. Better than a tour guide!
(4)
Douglas W.
I loved every part of my meal at this fine restaurant. The service, ambiance, menu, value and food were all terrific. I had the fried green tomato benedict served breakfast potatoes and a couple perfect slices of melon. Nice light hollandaise on perfectly poached eggs, fried green tomatoes, bacon and a biscuit. I didn't think the bacon was necessary, they just needed to spice up the sauce or the tomatoes a bit. I added a little hot sauce and it picked the dish up quite a bit. I am nit picking as this was a really nice dish. The potatoes were perfect. Miriam, my wife, had shrimp and grits in a crab sauce with poached eggs and loved it so much I saw her sopping sauce with the biscuits that were brought out before our brunch was served. We will definitely be back to try lunch or dinner.
(4)
Lynn A.
When I first moved to Charleston i went to Poogans Porch for lunch. I heard so much about it. How great it was. It was probably one of the worst meals I have ever had. The service was God awful. I was by myself. No one greeted me. I waited a few minutes until someone finally came over to me. Then when I got seated I waited again forever, for a server. I ordered the she crab soup that was thick and gloppy. The biscuit was dry. Shrimp and grits just terrible. I would never go back. To me it is a tourist trap. The people who live in Charleston that a I have met do not eat there.
(1)
Nicole P.
This review is for brunch only- never eaten there any other time. The brunch is....WOW! It had been years since I had been back to this wonderful place. I had brunch years ago and loved it so decided to return with my husband and kids and see if it still ranked high for me. It did. To start they brought out biscuits. The biscuits are fluffy and golden brown and taste wonderful. The honey butter completes them. For the meal I ordered the bbq pulled pork over biscuit with poached egg and hollandaise sauce. It was unlike anything I've had before. The bbq was good enough to qualify as some of the best bbq I've ever had and I would gladly eat it on a sandwich for dinner as well. The eggs were cooked right and the taste of the whole thing combined was awesome. My husband had the steak and eggs and he said they were good but he wished after tasting mine that he had ordered what I did. We also got the french toast just to try it and while it was good, it paled in comparison to what I ordered. I am giving this 5 stars in large part because of the meal I ordered and the ambience is great! Even years later this place still holds my heart. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Ronni M.
The home-like setting is wonderful. My husband ordered jambalaya, which he saw on the menu on the website. The waitress said they haven't had that in a few years. My husband said the restaurant should update its website and the waitress said she's been telling them for a long time. My hand-cut pork chop was excellent, as were the biscuits. We ordered the chocolate pecan pie but found no chocolate in it. The waitress graciously took it off the bill.
(4)
Elizabeth B.
My friends asked me where I wanted to go for my birthday dinner & since we were going on a ghost tour afterwards, I picked a spot that already had a ghost - Poogan's Porch! Supposedly the ghostly Zoe was a spinster who used to live in the house that now houses the restaurant. After I dipped into some delicious she crab soup, I broke out my Ghost Radar app to check the spooky vibe. There were energy spots all around us. Freaky. And our wonderful server told us a creepy story about an orb she encountered in the corner we were dining in. That's didn't scare me enough to keep me from chowing down on their juicy buttermilk fried chicken covered with perfectly peppery gravy. The mashed potatoes were perfect, but the pimiento cheese slaw wasn't as exciting as I had hoped. Overall, great food and good ghost stories!
(4)
Annie M.
I love the random Carolina fall weekends that are warm and sunny! Visiting Charleston we decided to grab some Sunday Brunch. Nestled in a cute little old house like many Charleston restaurants, Poogan's doesn't really catch your eye. Cute decor, but we sat outside. The patio was my favorite part. The food was good, not as good as I expected. I stuck with traditional shrimp and grits, they were okay, they were in this spicy gumbo type sauce/ stew. I wasn't really expecting that, wasn't bad just wasn't a very good breakfast/brunch option. Sarah and Ed got omelets and eggs Benedict, they were quite delish and so were the biscuits! Our waitress was speedy and kind. Overall, a good meal, but personally I have had better! The outside seating and biscuits was my favorite part!
(3)
Chase W.
Excellent experience! We went to this restaurant for a rehearsal dinner in a private room upstairs, and the experience could not have been much better. The staff were extremely attentive, the food was great, and most importantly, we had a great time enjoying the atmosphere for the celebration. The room was set up exactly as requested upon arrival, and all requests during the evening were quickly met. Highly recommend!
(5)
Kait G.
My partner and I happened upon Poogan's Porch on a balmy summer sunday morning while wandering hte streets of Charleston. The facade was quaint, invititing and that southern charm drew me in. The interior was very tidy and I felt right at home sitting in the back porch garden..I could have stayed there all day! The brunch menu as others indicated was as inspiring as a paint by number picture. Standard items were there and it was a tad pricy. I can't complain about my meal, Lowcountry Breakfast for quality, it was very good but let's face it...not too tough to make eggs, grits and applewood smoked bacon. I asked to see the lunch and dinner menus which were full of Lowcountry fare...shrimp and grits, gumbo, she crab soup, a good selection of fried items (this IS the South). Everything on the menu looked fantastic! Sadly, I couldn't stay to enjoy a later day meal. When I return to the Holy City, Poogans will certainly be on my list and I'll be writing an update to my review.
Best shrimp and grits around! Cocktails and fun and delish, as well.
(5)
Lynne L.
Great atmosphere, fantastic food and the staff were all so kind and helpful. Will definitely return and recommend to others.
(5)
Nicholas N.
I had the Sunday brunch with a couple mimosas. Eggs Benni with a BBQ hollandaise sauce and pulled pork. I had to try it and was wary at first but boy was I happily surprised. The staff was courteous and the atmosphere was pleasant.
(4)
Stephen S.
their biscuits are amazing!
(4)
brendan m.
Excellent. Deserves 5 stars for the biscuits and butter alone. I had the snapper, which was excellent. The duck and fried chicken were even better. Plus fried green tomatoes! I didn't see the ghost.
(5)
Clifton G.
The food was delicious and the waitress was realy nice and knowledgeable. Thank you for a wonderful evening out on the town in Charleston
(5)
Jennifer R.
We went to Poogan's after finding out the wait for Husk was 30 minutes. I would rate it as ok - we had a table of five, and got seated immediately out on the porch. Service was friendly and efficient while we dined there. I thought the biscuits that came out with the meal were really nice - fluffy and light. The sweet butter served with them was good as well. DISCLAIMER: I am a Northener so I can't be a good judge of authenticity in regards to biscuits ;-) We split an order of the Mac and cheese and the pimento cheese fritters as appetizers. The Mac and Cheese portion was HUGE. Flavor was excellent, likely because of the Gouda cheese in it. The pimento cheese fritters I would rate good as well, though vey rich and "pimento-y" (making up a word here). Personally I am not a huge fan of pimento cheese so while they were prepared well, I couldn't appreciate them. Two of our party had the special which was a hangar steak salad. They both liked it, and the steak was cooked to order. They indicated the vinaigrette was nice as well. The other two of us had the Callabash sandwich, made with shrimp. Think of it as a po boy sandwich. I thought the shrimp tasty and fried well (shrimp stayed juicy) but the sandwich needed more of the tartar sauce. I probably could have asked for more sauce, it just didn't occur to me at the time. The bun used for the sandwich was good. We sat in the outdoor room with a fireplace, which was nice since there was a bit of a chill in the air that day. Overall, decent and I enjoyed it. I would go back. We were dressed casually, but it looked like at dinner the attire is a bit more dressy.
(3)
Joanna L.
After reading all the wonderful reviews on Yelp!, I booked my birthday dinner there tonight. I don't know if it was because it was Judgment Day, or because I have incredibly high standards because I live in NYC, but I was terribly disappointed. We walked in and they promptly walked us to our table... but that's when we noticed the smell... it reeked like septic tank/sweat. Now, given that it was a hot day today, and that the building is old, I was more appalled that they didn't turn up the air (which would probably solve the problem of the smell). Ok, so here's the good: excellent service. Our server was a nice young short-haired blond woman (sorry, didn't catch her name) but she did her job well and I commend her on the excellent service. Also, the food came out very fast. Now food: Biscuits - A+ Fluffy, warm, with whipped butter, it was everything an excellent biscuit should be! Appetizers Crab Fondue - Not good. I normally eat anything, even if it's not so great, but I couldn't stomach the flavor of this dish. It tasted, in the best one-word I could think of, "off." Fried Green Tomatoes - I really have no baseline for this, but it wasn't bad, but nothing mind-blowing. Main Course Plantation Fried Chicken (my order) - I should've stuck to regular buttermilk fried chicken. It was an ok dish, but a bit over peppered and salty. I wasn't impressed. I should've kept it simple. Pan-Fried Pork Chop - In my opinion, the best dish. The pork chop was outstanding. The pimento macaroni was AWFUL. Pimento cheese is waaaaaay too salty for people to ingest (I'm not a fan). Combination Seafood Plate - All friend, all frightening. Although it was tasty, if you'd prefer a dish with colors other than brown, I'd skip this one. Swordfish Special - The cranberry risotto wad delicious, as was the summer squash and fish. About 60% of the meal went well - hence 3 stars, but i expected more. Maybe because it was my birthday too... So, I felt dejected after the meal. I wished I had chosen another place. I didn't even want dessert, which is highly unusual. I will not be returning unless my goal is to eat just biscuits and the pork chop. Ha, and next year I'll have my birthday in New York again!
(2)
Jon S.
The food was great and the price was a little high. We got fried alligator, fresh biscuits, shrimp and grits that was so good, and combination slider. All the food was good. if u don't know what to get try the shrimp and grits. the place was clean and had a nice atmosphere. i would go back to eat there again.
(4)
Jeff W.
Poogan's Porch is great. I had the chicken sliders with home made chips and my wife had the shrimp and grits. Both were spectacular. We will be back.
(5)
David H.
Very good service from Aaron, but I wish the food was a bit better. Iceberg wedge was ok (I know, I should have expected as much, but the pickled hard boiled egg was a nice touch anyway) and the "pork three ways" was hit and miss. The miss part came from the pulled pork that was kind of dry with an unimpressive BBQ sauce, and the hit part was the fat back that I could have eaten until I had a heart coronary. I might try this place on my next visit, but it's not first on my list by a large margin.
(3)
Jeff F.
This is a place I always intend to visit when I go to Charleston. I especially enjoyed the Fried Creek Shrimp and the biscuits. The fact that this is a 1700's home converted into a great lowcountry restaurant makes it even better. This can also be a good place for celebrity sightings.
(5)
Bryan B.
We ate at Poogan's Porch while in Charleston on Friday, Sept. 21st. We heard about it from the walking ghost tour that we went on the evening before. Being told it's haunted adds a certain charm, so we decided to check it out. First, the food: We started with pimento cheese fritters. Disclaimer: I'm not a huge cheese fan, so they were a bit 'cheesy' for me, but my girlfriend raved they were spectacular. I did enjoy them, just was too much cheese for me. However, I didn't like the random hair that was fried into the first one I ate. For dinner we both had the buttermilk fried chicken. One word: delicious. I'm not a big mashed potato fan, but it worked well with the chicken, which was very moist and very, very tasty! The pimento cheese slaw could have been better...I liked the idea, but it just tasted bland. We did have dessert, but I can't remember exactly what...I remember liking it, though! Now, the service: Based on service alone, I would never return to Poogan's Porch. We ate at a lot of similarly priced places (Husk, Blossom, Fleet Landing) and some much lower priced places (the Kickin' Chicken) and this was by far the worst service of the trip. First, we expected it to be more crowded (we had to make a late reservation - 9 PM), but when we were taken upstairs, the room had about 8 tables in it and only had people at two of them. We were seated directly beside another table (less than 2 feet away), when there were many other empty tables. Would have been nice to have been seated a little farther away - just would have been a nice touch to help keep both their and our privacy a little better in tact). No one was seated at any of those other tables after us, so it got a little awkward when it was just us the table directly beside us - it was difficult to not hear their conversation. There was a ceiling fan just overhead that was constantly making a clicking sound and wobbling. I normally pick up on those things instantly and have tried to teach myself to ignore, but when my girlfriend mentioned it, I knew it wasn't just me. Fixing a ceiling fan is about a quick job. Our server was very disinterested in serving us. She spoke only the minimal amount needed to take our order. No pleasantries. After we finished the appetizer, she cleared only the main app plate, leaving us with dirty small app plates and forks covered in pimento cheese. Those plates stayed on the table the entire time and we didn't receive new silverware for the main course (and I only bring it up because it seems to be the standard in not only 'finer' establishments, but even 'less fine' establishments in Charleston). When the food came, we asked if we could have bread (after noticing the table beside us didn't have to ask). So, the food was wonderful, but they need to step up the service a bit. There's plenty of similar food in Charleston where the service is actually impressive. Would I go back? I liked the food and loved the look and feel of the place, so hard to say. I probably would, but wouldn't expect to be 'wowed' by the service.
(3)
Demetria M.
After reading all the great reviews of this place, my friends and I headed there for Sunday brunch and after a brief wait for a table we were seated.........and after that we we forgotten about......no order taken, no 'do you have questions about the menu', no 'I'll be right with you', no nothing! Very unprofessional. The waitress stopped at tables beside us and passed us numerous times checking on her other tables, but our table of 4 plus a kid was totally ignored so we left and have already spread the word that Poogan's Porch is a NEGATIVE if you're in the area.........
(1)
Joe S.
Very good food,for a reasonable price. Excellent service. Complimentary biscuits were a meal themselves. Make sure you try the mac and cheese, like none other.
(4)
Rena K.
Their homemade buttermilk biscuits with the honey butter are incredibly good! Best I've ever had! I came here for lunch and got the blackened flounder, topped with crawfish. It was great, as were the fried green tomatoes I got for appetizer. The dining room has a nice decor and the service was good. I would absolutely come here again next time I'm in Charleston.
(4)
Advaitin s.
Decided to check out this place based on the positive yelp reviews...and was not let down! Came here for brunch on a Sunday. Seated within 15 minutes (table for two). There's a nice little bar for folks to hang out and order drinks, so wasn't too anxious to be seated immediately. Ordered two appetizers, couple of brunch cocktails and one brunch entree. The cocktails-mimosas, and bloody mary-were excellent. The bloody mary even had a pickled okra thrown in as an extra garnish and was quite delectable. We ordered the pimento cheese fritters and fried chicken biscuit with sausage gravy for appetizers and the sunrise shrimp and grits as the main dish. We were also served a basket of biscuits on the house. The cheese fritters were perfect- just the right amount of cruch ad gooeyness. The fried chicken, again perfect-crunchy on the outside, flaky on the inside and not overly greasy. The biscuits were the only disappointment--a tad too chewy. The shrimp and grits were excellent. The portion size was humongous so could be easily split between two adults. Came with a blue crab gravy, two poached eggs, peppers,onions and sausage. The grits were perfectly cooked and the gravy helped mop everything up. The poached eggs were phenomenal and presentation of it all was exquisite. A wonderful brunch experience.
(5)
Mike E.
Excellent food and service, no wait for Sunday brunch
(5)
Stephanie L.
This place (like most other places in Charleston) has a southern charm. My friends and I came here for brunch while we were on a girls trip and loved it. I got the pulled pork benedict and it was delicious. I think the BBQ sauce was a bit heavy and overwhelmed the dish just a bit, but overall still really good. One thing that was surprising was that the potatoes were not good. They were a bit soft and oily and really disappointing (the reason for 3 stars). I will say the most amazing thing came at the beginning of the meal. Poogan's Porch biscuits are the best biscuits I've ever had. Seriously, so good. And the honey butter pushed it over the edge. I still dream about it....
(3)
John B.
Good atmosphere, good variety on menu and some unique items, good service from wait staff. Two of us had pork chops which were somewhat bland - OK - fish dish was good, and shrimp and grits were OK but not as good as Fleet Landing.
(4)
Stephanie T.
I came to Poogan's Porch with a group of lady friends for a post bachelorette night out. Hungover girls are hungry girls, so the idea of brunch was about the only thing to lure us out of the bed. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated. We did have reservations, but even at that, we were pleasantly surprised with our instant gratification. The restaurant itself is very charming, and supposedly haunted. We were quickly served with warm, flaky biscuits. Biscuits are a good thing. Perhaps I mis-ordered, but my Crab Oscar omelette was very bland. For $13, I tasted no crab, and not much else for that matter. I had to ask for a ramican of ketchup just to eat it. No one else complained about their food, so I'll take one for the team this time. If I ever find myself in Charleston looking for brunch, I will likely look elsewhere, or just be sure to order something other than the crab omelette.
(3)
Cathy B.
Oh, Poogan's Porch. How I love that you're named after a beloved dog. And that you're in an historic Charleston house that is (supposedly) haunted. But the last two times I've been to visit, you've sadly fallen short. To focus on my most recent visit, we hit up Poog's over 4th of July weekend. We had reservations, but not sure they were necessary as there was no wait (which seems weird on a holiday weekend, now that I think back on it). We were very excited about this meal as a friend loved this place when she was going to College of Charleston. After the meal even she admitted that it wasn't quite the same anymore. Has there been a management change? Not sure what is going on.... On to the pertinent stuff: 1. Service fell short. Poor guy seemed a bit overwhelmed and not too helpful with food selection. The item he said was a must (the mac n cheese) came out cold. We sent it back and it came out cold again. Not really sure how that could be when they must have a microwave in the kitchen, but we're an easy-going crew, so we let it slide. 2. Appetizers: mac n cheese (already discussed - not good when cold - can't comment on it when it's hot), fried green tomatoes (delicious with goat cheese and peach chutney) and pimento cheese fritters (my fave - what's not to love about deep fried pimento cheese?). The biscuits are also really very good. 3. Dinner: buttermilk fried chicken was okay, the mahi had no flavor at all, and the quail was deemed "alright." I really can't be too descriptive here as there isn't much to say.... At this point we were ready to go so didn't order dessert. There are so many great places to eat in Charleston; Poogan's Porch needs to step it back up if they want to stay on traveler's "must" list. Side note: I have not yet had the brunch but heard it was out of this world. Maybe that's where Poog's still shines? Will update this post if I get a chance to check it out on my next visit.
(3)
Barry S.
Some of the best dishes I have ever had .... A stellar example of low country dining ..
(5)
Valerie F.
Service was very good at this charming restaurant. Our server was very friendly and helpful in making suggestions, but not at all pushy or upselling. We had cocktails before dinner that we just ok, but the food was very good. The plantation fried chicken was a really nice combination of flavors The bread served with dinner was biscuits and they we're melt in your mouth good. Price for charleston is reasonable. Would go back.
(4)
Johnny V.
We wanted to check this place out for a variety of reasons; when we would walk out of our hotel across the street (Mills House) we would always see a line, had a very good reputation, and was supposedly haunted. Did not experience any ghostly encounters, but did find another great place in Charleston. We sat outside on a relatively mild night on the porch. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken and my wife ordered shrimp and grits. Both dishes were absolutely delicious! To top it all off, we had the Turtle Cake Sundae. This dinner is what I had in mind for GREAT Southern dishes. The dishes are the type of stuff you read about in guide books or see on the Travel Channel. The service was bit slow, but I am assuming it was because we were seated outside. Overall a wonderful experience. I wish we could have discovered this place earlier.
(5)
Shaun J.
Had a short vacation in Charleston and decided to eat at Poogan's Porch. I had heard good thing and definitely came away satisfied. Had the Sweet Tea Glaze Salmon and can't complain. It was great. I recommend this place highly. Great for dates.
(4)
Ann W.
This was a highlight of our trip to Charleston! Loved having Sunday Brunch. The atmosphere, service, and, of course, the food was wonderful! Really enjoyed the pimento fritters as an appetizer. The biscuits were incredibly delicious! We will definitely return next time we are in town.
(5)
Adria C.
This place is pricey, but I knew what I was walking into, and it was recommended by a local. Started off with a cocktail that was refreshing - the gin martini. Our server brought out fresh biscuits and honey butter. For appetizers we ordered a salad from the specials menu (arugula, cashews, grilled peaches/strawberries and a balsamic reduction; tasty but they were stingy with the fruit) and also tried the pimento cheese fritters; an absolute must! For entrees we went with the snapper and shrimp n grits. The snapper was served on a bed of pulled pork on top of a cheese grit cake. The fish was prepared well, though I wish the skin was crispier and that more of the tangy sauce had been put on the plate. The portion of bbq was sizable and it felt as though I was eating two entrees. The shrimp n grits was full of flavor and reminded me of gumbo served on top of grits instead of white rice. We were pretty full, so skipped dessert. For the price, I was expecting something mind-blowing, and think I was slightly disappointed that it wasn't. (I agree with the 3.5 star rankings by other reviewers.)
(4)
David P.
My wife and I had lunch several weeks ago. The complimentary biscuits were good, light and flaky. Fried alligator was okay. We could not really taste the alligator due to the fried batter. Buttermilk fried chicken breast with gravy over mashed potatoes was pretty good; breast was a little dry and the gravy overpowered the taste of the fried chicken. The skin was seasoned well, though. Calabash shrimp and oysters were okay. the shrimp was overcooked.
(3)
Alyssa B.
Poogan's Porch is wonderful; such a charming place with great food! My husband and I got Fried Green Tomatoes for an appetizer and they were delicious! Their biscuits are yummy. I had the Plantation Fried Chicken. It was very good, the chicken was so tender and moist. It had a delicious sauce! My husband had shrimp and grits. He said they were "life changing" so I'm pretty sure he enjoyed them! Waitress was very friendly. Definitely make a reservation!
(5)
David B T.
Very good, but whoever said it was "kid friendly" has a different concept of what that means than I do. Not kid hostile, by any means, but much more of a fine dining experience than felt comfortable with our four-year old.
(4)
Donna W.
This place was on the "Graveyard and Ghost Tours" the night before. Supposedly Zoe St. Armand, a previous resident, died here and still haunts the place. She has been seen on the front porch after dark, and in the upstairs bathroom. We did not see her on our visit. While we waited for our table, we sat in the bar area and had 1/2 price mimosas. They were good! I had the Fried Green Tomatoes, first time. They were very good. Served with a sauce that went great with them. I then ordered the calabash shrimp served with hoppin john. I was expecting the smaller popcorn shrimp (Calabash), but it came as medium shrimp. The portions were generous. The hoppin john I expected to be rice and black eyed peas. It was a brownish rice, with peas but also with spices. More like a rice pilaf with peas. Very good though. Just not what I expected. My boyfriend had Fried Green Tomato Benedict. He said it was delicious. The one thing that was superb was the biscuits!! They were excellent and reminded me of my mother's biscuits when I was growing up. It's worth the trip for just the biscuits. Really cool atmosphere. Not bad prices, but wouldn't take the kids there because they didn't have anything my children would eat. Worth a trip!
(4)
T M.
There are places that delight your senses with flavors and ambiance, Poogan's Porch will touch your heart. This has become the favorite brunch place of our family when we vacation here. We have two kids, so if you have little ones, they will enjoy it. Now to our matter here, the menu is simple, nothing eclectic, just Southern food of the highest quality. The fried chicken is so juicy and full of flavor, I thought nobody could get close to the chicken made at Central Michel Richard in DC, guess what, this took first place sorry DC. The muffins are to die for, Kids ordered a burger and a simple pasta, both dishes were extremely good - I had to have a piece of that burger. Please make it past the bar, you will be transported to a past era in a young classy America. Now, what really makes this place unique amongst the rich variety of fine restaurants in Charleston (tough group indeed) is the heritage and the story behind the place - you have to read about it. Call me sentimental, but good food needs to be able to connect with you and touch your heart and this place does it like no other has done for us in a long time. We will be back, we hope the fabulous impression from our first visit is confirmed. Poogan's porch, thank you.
(5)
Shannon T.
Hard to imagine a more pleasant experience. They have just updated the menu for fall, and entrees are now divided into traditional and contemporary. Nothing very avant-garde on the contemporary menu, but inventive and delicious dishes. We weren't able to resist appetizers and dessert, and all were wonderful, as well. Unhurried, knowledgeable, unpretentious service. You'll need a reservation.
(5)
Ayon J. R.
While the menu is what I consider 'traditional' food is very good. So is the service.
(4)
Christina W.
Very good food. Quant atmosphere. Try the alligator salad or the scallops for dinner. YUMMY!!! Service was a little slow, but it was such a nice night and the food was pleasant that I didn't really care. Plus anyone who names their restaurant after their favorite pet, is a OK with me.
(4)
Steven M.
There's plenty to like about Poogan's Porch. We dined on the porch on a beautiful night, and had high hopes after reading about the long history of this restaurant and the Yelp reviews. We can report that the food was just what you might expect: Southern fare with a bit of a flair. Huge portions, excellent service (thanks Andy!), and plenty of atmosphere. But something was missing that makes this place a top tier restaurant. First, about those portions...is it really necessary to fill half a plate with mashed potatoes? Or to make an entree float in heavy sauces? We had the much-reviewed scallops, and also their special chicken (a glorified corden bleu) and both, while good, missed the mark in being outstanding. A note on the wine: the owner has several wines on the list. Avoid them, particularly the pinot. All in all, the restaurant is a solid bet. But don't expect to be blown away.
(3)
Nancy R.
I give Poogan's Porch a 3.5. It's a small house that was changed into a restaurant. This quaint place had that Charleston feel to it. FOOD: I ordered the fried chicken salad with the honey jalapeno dressing. The crispy chicken on top of a bed of greens was a tad bland, but the honey jalapeno gave it a lot of flavor. I also asked for side of Ranch dressing. It was a large portion for a lunch item. I would've given this place a higher rating, but the others were not thrilled with their choice of lunch.
(3)
Judith W.
Lovely ambience - setting and service most pleasant! Really extraordinary appetizers included fried green tomatoes with some goat cheese and chutney and also the crab cake. The fried buttermilk chicken did not disappoint - and was the reason we chose the restaurant to begin with. Wine list slightly lacking.... but overall, defintitely worth the trip. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Camilla H.
We came to Poogan's Portch today hoping for lunch. On Sundays Poogan's Portch is only open for brunch and they serve a brunch menu. The Brunch Menu includes lunch items and although it is different than their daily menues, it suited us for a late lunch as we were there around 230pm. (they are only open until 3 on sundays) I ordered the fried chicken- I am not normally a fired chicken kind of girl but since I am in the south, I just had to try it. The plate was served with 2 boneless pieces of chicken on top of a pile of roughly mashed potatoes, spiced collard greens and sage gravy. The chicken was covered in a lightly crispy batter. I found the chicken very good ( didn't really care much for the potatoes- but that is not what I came for. My husband ordered the pulled pork sliders.... they were tender and flavorful but needed a bit more spice in our opinion and a little sliced jalepeno did the trick. The she crab soup was curdled... this was a visual distraction. The soup was tasty but needed a bit more crab. We sat on the front portch and enjoyed the 70 degree January day. I ordered a mint Juliep which was wonderful and my husband enjoyed his bloody mary. All in all, the meal was good and a wonderful southern experience
(4)
Ellen A.
Great place! My husband and I were not starving, so we really hadn't made a reservation that evening or planned what we were doing. We passed by and decided to check it out. Such a beautiful old Southern house (later, one of the Charleston Market vendors would tell is it is haunted..but then, what in Charleston is not haunted??). The Maitre' d told us that he had no space in the dining room without a reservation but we were welcome to go to the bar. We don't mind doing that at all if it's a place you normally couldn't get into -- that's the way to eat at places like that, sometimes! I had a local wheat beer (Westbrook White Thai -- delicious, crisp and refreshing!) and my husband had an ale. We shared the pimiento cheese fritters (he wanted them...I'm not a fan, but he pronounced them delicious) and the buttermilk fried chicken (with mashed potatoes and slaw) -- omg...delicious battered chicken, not greasy and juicy inside. Buttermilk biscuits were huge, fluffy and flaky at the same time...probably the best I've had. Try this place if you can while in Charleston!
(4)
Sophie C.
My first time here on Saturday night 8/28 with my boyfriend... Pros: 1. Yummy biscuits brought out...the only thing I have to say about them is they should have been served with honey butter instead of plain 2. Fried green tomatoes appetizer was delish! I loved the pecan cream cheese and peppered peaches....awesome combo! 3. My shrimp and grits were divine...I saved half of my plate for the next day and it was just as good! 4. My bf had the scallops entree and he loved it, and loved it just the same the next day. 5. Our waitress was just wonderful :-) 6. The story of the ghost adds a lot of charm...I wish I had seen him! Cons: 1. We sat at the bar prior to our meal and I ordered a Madras (which normally comes with a slice of orange) but this time there was no fruit...just a bare tumbler 2. Bar staff could have been a little more attentive Overall, I will be coming back for the fried chicken plates!
(4)
Patricia D.
Loved the atmosphere and food so much we went two days in a row. The fried chicken is amazing, their fresh biscuits and honey butter is decadent, and their butternut squash was delicious. I also had a salad and scallop appetizer on second day. Friendly and prompt service. If it's cold, ask to be seated next to the fireplace. Very cozy and romantic.
(5)
Monty B.
This place was awesome! The servers are great and kept the drinks full, and the biscuits are moist. I had the Plantation Fried Chicken. I was happy to sample a gourmet spin on Southern food. If you like 'greens, mashed potatoes, and Texas Pete, then get the Plantation Fried Chicken. My Fiancee had the Lowcountry Pasta and it was great too. the pasta was seasoned well and the seafood was properly cooked and seasoned as well. No bland pasta here! The portions are very filling. Parking was easy, there's a deck across the street a bit up. Can't wait to have another opportunity to eat here again.
(5)
Serena G.
Had dinner here with the bf and we had a great time. Atmosphere was great, beautifully decorated. Rosa was our waitress and she was wonderful with recommending dishes and a wine with our meal. We got the Hamilton Russell Chardonnay which was great! Also had the snapper which was amazing, Mac and cheese also great!! Biscuits were soooo yummy. Arugula salad was ok--really nothing special so skip that, you can make it at home. Overall great!! loved it and a def must go!
(4)
Kevin H.
Actual rating would be somewhere between a 2 and a 3. I was quite disappointed on this last trip to Poogans Porch. This should have been a better experience for my fathers birthday. It was a hot day in Charleston but the restaurant was extremely warm, when we inquired they said the A/C was running on high and nothing else could be done. When our waiter came up to ask for drink orders he was sweating profusely... big turnoff when getting ready to eat. After ordering, we sat and talked and cooled a little bit. our salads came and they were mediocre at best. We were only halfway through finishing them when our main courses came. In fact, my father had to hold his plate in one hand while he finished his salad while they put the main course in front of him. the food itself was very over-seasoned. My green beans had so much pepper that they were not edible. As we sat, waiting for our check, we all started to look around and take in the ambience. Unfortunately, what we noticed was a dead palmetto bug in the door frame, cracking paint, a random dirty fork on the floor and other things that I am glad we saw after eating. We left with a feeling that we do not have to go back to this restaurant for a long time.
(2)
Jennifer A.
The BEST biscuits I have EVER had in my life!!!! Thats right, I said it, and the meal was just as good. I ordered the pork done 2 ways which came with spicy collard greens, creamy, creamy mac/cheese, barbq pulled pork, and porkbelly that will melt in your mouth. Definitely order the crab fondue for an appetizer and wash it down with their specialty drink some sort of long island tea thing that is so good it won't even feel like it an alcoholic drink until you stand up..Service is great! Must eat here during your visit to Charlston!
(5)
Christina T.
Thinking about how far away I am from Poogan's Porch right now makes me seriously depressed. Decided to try this place for a fancy Friday night dinner & was not disappointed. My sole qualm about this place is the fact that we called three times for a reservation but they didn't have any. Went on opentable.com & alas, there was a few available. I'd recommend that route if you're trying to book for a busier night. To start, the restaurant is located in a house on a side street. The decor is quaint, and because it's set in a house, it felt more intimate and homey than usual restaurant dining. Our wait was short and server was very friendly. The fried green tomatoes were to die for & so were their starter biscuits (mouth is currently watering). For entrees I had the pulled pork 3 ways with mac + cheese & collard greens. Amazing, but come starving -- the portion sizes are tremendous! Overall, great food and service. Will be back!
(5)
Zuzzi E.
Be prepared to put on a few pounds from this meal. Everything is fried. Everything. But it's just how one would envision a good southern meal: great hospitality, cozy fireplace, grits, greens, and gravy. And wow(!) are the biscuits here incredible! Smear on some honey butter and melt into biscuit-heaven. Bob Evans aint got nothin' on Poogans.
(4)
Preston N.
Amazing experience kind of "off the beaten path" in historic Charleston. I loved the biscuits and the fried green tomatoes (the pecan-encrusted goat cheese ball really did the trick). A great choice for a quiet romantic dinner in this enchanting city.
(5)
Josh A.
This is my favorite nice place to eat downtown. My wife and I come here on special occasions alot. It's a pretty cool setup, with it being an old house. In the Spring it's nice when they have the windows open for the cool breeze blowing through. It's probably one of the more affordable, nice places to eat downtown too. The gator tail, oysters, and crabcakes are great appetizers. For the main course, I like the plantation chicken and the shrimp'n grits. Service is always prompt and friendly. I've seen some rough reviews of them as of late, but I've never experienced the bad service or bad food they talk about. Otherwise, being a local, I could go to plenty of other places in town.
(4)
Whit R.
I live in Charleston and, without fail, I take every house guest to Poogan's Porch. Usually it's for lunch, occassionally for dinner. This place perfects "lowcountry cuisine" and doesn't kill your wallet. Lunch is very affordable and delicious. Great shrimp and grits (some of the best in town, really), good red beans and rice, there's even alligator on the menu. Their sweet tea can NOT be beaten! One of the things I really love about Poogan's is the made-from-scratch biscuits you get with your meal in lieu of bread/rolls. Awesome!
(5)
nichole m.
Brunch Perfection.! We went here for brunch over the weekend and all I can say is WOW! I had the French toast, which was so big I could have eaten it for dinner.. The biscuits are divine along with the maple butter that comes with them.. I have a reservation for next Saturday. Enough said..
(4)
Lindsay S.
Located in a quaint house on the side of the street Poogan's Porch, named to my delight after a dog, is the perfect setting for a nice little restaurant. We were seated immediately despite the crowds of people dining in this two story house. We were lucky enough to be seated outside on the front porch away from the unpleasant smell a Yelper below mentioned. And although our waiter wasn't the best in fact he ignored us most of the evening the food was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed a wedge salad with bacon, fresh tomatoes, & bleu cheese crumbles topped with homemade buttermilk bleu cheese dressing which was divine! After my salad I had the mac & cheese minus the ham & made with delicious Gouda cheese yum :) My dad had the filet with a mushroom gravy & his appetizer a She Crab Soup arrived to the table late long after the entree's were served but he said it was pretty scrumptious & my sister ordered a chicken dish with the pimento mac & cheese which she said was rather spicy! I would definitely go back to Poogan's Porch but only if I can sit outside on the porch :)
(4)
Diana N.
We had the Fried Green Tomatoes and the She Crab soup for starters and they were very good. The crab soup didn't have any crab in it, but I'm not sure if it was supposed to be crab flavor instead of pieces of crab in it. It was very good though. The tomatoes were fried perfectly and the sauce goes really good with it! The small dollop of goat cheese could've been eliminated and I LOVE goat cheese! For the entree, my seven year old son had the chicken tenders from their kids menu. The batter was so good! It wasn't heavy and there were about 7-8 BIG pieces. My son actually ate almost five and that's alot for him, but he agreed that they were really good! We ordered the "Shrimp & Grits" and this was very flavorful! We also ordered the Pork Chops. This was so delicious! They cooked it perfectly and the pork was so thick! No room for dessert! The meal and service was VERY good!!
(5)
Android I.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. They were polite, efficient, and the food was marvelous. The biscuits are delicious, and the buttermilk chicken was cooked beautifully. THANK YOU
(5)
Ruwan R.
I thought this was great southern food and a great atmosphere. Service was prompt and friendly. Definitely try the plantation fried chicken!
(4)
Jadea G.
We had such a nice lunch here! One thing I have to stress is that the biscuits are the best I have ever had! Honestly! Our cocktails were great and the waiter was really personable. Can't wait to eat here again!
(5)
Lawrence T.
I went last weekend with my girlfriend for brunch. The biscuits with gravy and chicken fried waffles were absolutely amazing. I tried the pulled pork eggs benedict, which I didn't love as much.
(4)
Diane R.
Great place for lunch! We were following a ghost tour app, and were starved by the time we got here and heard about the ghost pooch, Poogan. How could we not stop in? And were we glad we did! The biscuits were to die for, the fried chicken and fried green tomato BLT were equally as good. Lunch was a great way to sample their southern cuisine without breaking the bank.
(5)
Mukur H.
I would give this place 3.5 stars, but I decided to round down because of the price to satisfaction ratio. We went here since this was one of the only places that was open on Christmas Eve. The meal was expensive and not worth the price. We had a turkey meal that left us with a blah! feeling. It wasn't that the food was bad but It wasn't amazing either. If we had a choice we would have gone else where. They do have a neat ghost story though. When we were eating we kept on feeling a cold breeze and the patio door open when ever a waiter closed it. I don't know if this was our imagination acting up or not but it made for an interesting meal. The decor is classic, and the folks are nice, although service can be slow. Being a dog lover, I like the name of the restaurant.
(3)
Kathryn R.
Great Atmosphere, great food, wine was tasty. Beautiful place in the heart of Charlestown. Would definitely return.
(4)
Dave E.
Poogan's Porch is a fantastic brunch place. I had the Charlestown Fry and it was fantastic. This place is breathtakingly good. I would eat here every day if I lived in Charleston.
(5)
A S.
I had the shrimp and grits and they were great. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, the texture of the grits was good (not sure exactly what they're supposed to be like, but they were tasty). It was a really nice evening, good wine, nice porch, great food.
(5)
Patrick M.
If you're visiting Charleston, this is a place you should go. Beautiful home full of history along with great food. The James Beard featured snapper is well worth it.
(4)
Lauren M.
OMG, we tasted our way through the South for a week and half and this was the best we had - and it seemed that I said that after every meal! The ambiance here is great, it's like you're eating in someone's house. They also have seating on the porch, but we were inside. While i don't think it's necessary to dress up, it does have a nice formal feeling when inside, it's quiet and intimate. We ordered the piemento cheese to start - I really liked this but my husband wasn't as impressed. I had the shrimp and grits for my main and it was unbelievable -- i literally wanted to lick the bowl. There was a really delicious gravy that set it apart from the others i had tasted throughout the south. I don't know enough about southern cooking to be able to tell what set it apart but it almost had a gumbo-like taste to the gravy, so good! I just looked at the menu to jog my memory as to what my husband had and can't figure it out - i know he liked it, but not as much as me. For dessert, we went with his favorite, peanut butter pie, heavenly! This is a can't-miss spot in Charleston. Service was good, but not excellent, but I really liked the ambiance of the place and of course the food!
(5)
Tom V.
Holy crap the shrimp & grits along with he she crab soup are good here! Flat out "to die for" actually. In you are in Charleston and only have time for one meal.... go to Poogan's Porch and HAVE THAT! (no matter the time of day) I'm pretty sure I just had a life altering experience!
(5)
Rachel A.
THE BISCUITS ARE TO DIE FOR!! Really, the biscuits alone make this place worth it. I went for brunch and had the lowcountry eggs benedict (sausage instead of ham and sausage gravy instead of hollandaise) which was delicious, and my friends also ate their plate clean. Poogan's Porch has a beautiful atmosphere combined with great food, and if I lived in Charleston I would probably come here every weekend.
(4)
Brooke T.
We went here for Christmas Eve dinner and the place was packed and the food was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)
Millie M.
Nice bright friendly atmosphere. They got slammed but we got seated right away. This is for the lunch. I had BBQ salmon over spinach and cheese grits. Cooked perfectly. Husband got a huge plate of cinnamon French toast w pecans and fresh strawberries. The fact that they told us about the fresh biscuits baking in the oven and we didn't get any is probably a blessing... And reasonable prices which is a nice find! We will be back.
(4)
Scott B.
Excellent! Everything we tried was fantastic.
(5)
Kacey H.
Good food. Staff wasn't too friendly but they did their job. For an app we had the pimiento fritters which were excellent (probably my favorite thing). I had the BLT, it was just okay. My husband had the fried chicken & it was very juicy & flavorful. The complementary biscuits & butter are reason enough to return.
(4)
Brian W.
All I can say is FANTASTIC! The duck was the best I have ever had...coming from someone who almost always orders duck when it is on the menu this to me is a big compliment. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly with wonderful flavor. The seafood pasta was also an amazing meal. The three of us thoroughly enjoyed our meal and overall dining experience.
(5)
Morgan S.
Based on this year's reviews, it appears Poogan's isn't stepping up their game over the past year. And I would have to agree. I went there for the first time a few weeks back for brunch. I was really excited and even brought two friends that were in town for the long weekend. At the end of the meal I was disappointed in myself for bringing my out of towners there and not somewhere I knew and trusted. Silly me. The charm of Poogan's Porch is still alive and kickin' but the food was a total let down. My boyfriend and I got the french toast which was dry and not remotely special. The biscuits and gravy did not get a rave review from one of my friends and my other said the crab cake Benedict was good but not great. The only thing that impressed us was the bloody mary. The experience was underwhelming at best...
(3)
Kerrie S.
First time here on a family vacation. Booked a reservation based on other reviews. It did NOT disappoint! Highlights included she crab soup, pimento cheese fritters, and shrimp and grits. The atmosphere is great (a redone old house), and the wait staff was top notch.
(4)
Chris R.
Okay...here's my attempt at a candid review of PP. We went there this afternoon for lunch on a Tuesday. Street parking was surprisingly decent as it's notoriously difficult in Chucktown. The exterior decor was aesthetically pleasing and we had a short 5 minute wait from our 1pm arrival time. To the food. Well...we ordered Fried Green Tomatoes ($4.95) immediately upon arrival....but they hadn't arrived by the time we received our main course, so I cancelled that. Obviously a big faux pax and a poor reflection on the service. I ordered Shrimp and Grits ($13.95) and my wife ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($10.95). Biscuits and honeyed-butter came out maybe 5 minutes before our main course. Again...Fried Green Tomatoes MIA....a little annoying. Biscuits were good...but being from the South....they tasted the way they should. The honeyed butter was a good addition. Okay...wrapping it up....the Shrimp and Grits were sub-par. They had lots of color (tri-colored peppers), but the flavor was lacking. I don't think they used very good quality cheese...which really detracts from the cheese grit flavor. The 5 shrimp were virtually flavorless and really could have used some better spices and / or flavor from the gravy. The andouille sausage was really the only saving grace in the meal. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken was very flavorful...and my wife enjoyed them very much. I also enjoyed the five or so bites I got to try. So...to recap....Shrimp and Grits - not worth the money and the service was lacking. We probably won't go back....and I think the place is too touristy and over-rated as a whole....
(3)
Anne W.
This restaurant is outstanding! Like another reviewer said, it gives you a big reason to return for another Charleston visit, It's that good. I also love the folklore about the ghost of the dog who apparently haunts this place...that would be Poogan. Unfortunately, we did not run into the ghost of Poogan when we were there!
(5)
Roger S.
2nd time I've eaten here, both times for lunch. Had the shrimp & grits which were fantastic. Quite spicy. They had some sausage in their recipe (which I like), so if you are not a sausage fan try something else. I tasted the fried shrimp as well which I thought were great. Nice quiet atmosphere (at least for lunch).
(5)
Charley S.
Low country pasta is THE best!
(5)
Dr Monique B.
Wonderful service! Great biscuits and fried oysters!
(4)
Jackie O.
I LOVE this place... Their food is delicious and the prices were actually not that bad. I had the pork chop and it was so good! The mac n cheese is good and my favorite was actually their biscuits! Can't wait to try brunch there.
(5)
CS B.
Great biscuits and great honey butter. Really great chicken biscuits--they could have used some extra sausage gravy, but the chicken was flavorful and hot and tender. The Ike's breakfast was forgettable except that the grits were good--the rest of my plate (eggs, bacon) were cold, which was kinda lame---even I know you don't put eggs on a cold plate. Coffee so strong, you'll need a knife. I'd like to go back and give them another chance. The layout was super cute.
(3)
Betsy F.
It was ok. I can't really say that it was anything special. I didn't think the service was very good. It almost felt like we were an after thought for our waiter. I had high expectations from hearing from the locals that it was a favorite. My dining companion really enjoyed the biscuits and gravy.
(3)
Joyce B.
The food & prices were excellant, but I could not order the shrimp & grits because it had many bell peppers in it...Why??? I never saw that before. The buttermilk fried chicken was sooooo good, with collards(good too). I could smell the coffee when I came in and ordered a cup, which took 25 minutes to get....should have come sooner. Yes I will go back
(4)
Matthew L.
Dang... I wanted to really like this place. The "renovated old house" bit is charming and gives the place a nice feel. When we got the balcony seat, I was even more juiced. But the food didn't deliver. It was okay, but I had much better Chicken Charleston in Summerville at a restaurant that wasn't good enough to stay open. This was marked as one of their "house dishes", too. The bites I tried from my family weren't that great either. Around the table, nobody was that impressed with their selections from the menu though the dining experience was so pleasant nobody could find real reason to voice displeasure. Even though the review comes off pretty negative, Poogan's was decent (hence the 3 stars). It's just that unless you live downtown or very close it's almost like I waste an opportunity for a dining experience when you just get an "okay" meal. Charleston just has so many great options for a bite to eat. Parting thought is we were there for brunch so maybe start at Poogan's with a lunch and work your way up as they earn trust. She crab with bourbon? That in itself deserves a 1-app visit for redemption on the way from a business meeting to my car :)
(3)
Penny P.
First and last time visiting South Carolina, I came upon this little place. the exterior charm and menu drew me in. Not only was is 98 degrees with humidity at 80%, i was looking for some sweet tea to cool me off. I started off with the gumbo which was rich and delicious. Second course was the fried green tomato BLT. Yowers it was great! Of course to finish we had a cobbler with ice cream and I was ready to roll out of there. Everything was fresh and tasty. I would certainly come back if I was ever in town.
(4)
Miguel C.
This place is truly something special. The main thing I'll say is the chef knows how to make the dishes refined and delicious while still staying true to their Southern roots rather than trying to "re-interpret" them into something different. The biscuits alone were fantastic. I had the biscuits and gravy as an appetizer (horribly unhealthy but the best gravy I have ever tasted) and then the crab eggs benedict. Both were amazing. And the atmosphere of an old converted house is great for Charleston. My only disappointment was the "award winning" bread pudding. There are two general styles of bread pudding: doughy, creamy, and very sweet; or flavorful, well-spiced, and heavy on the rum flavor in the sauce. I prefer the former but theirs was decidedly the latter. Oh well.
(5)
Royce M.
The food was really good. My shrimp and grits was great and the tomato and peach salad was good... The service was not perfect but it was the PGA weekend and lots of big groups... the waitress tried hard but I think she had a few too many folks to take care of... overall very nice....
(4)
Kate C.
Brunch on Sunday. Enjoyed a couple of half price Bloody Marys while waiting but ultimately got a great table right next to the fireplace. Standout: the biscuits. Easily, the best biscuit I've ever had. I ordered what I believe is their signature eggs benedict: poached eggs atop a biscuit, bacon and fried green tomatoes...and of course Bearnaise sauce. Unbelievable....I'm salivating right now just thinking about it.
(5)
meme a.
My husband and I walked in on a Friday night...no reservation. Silly us. We had a long wait ahead of us. The restaurant itself is in a charming older house and it was kind of fun. Autographs...giada de laurentis! Food...the fried green tomatoes are a must. I had the shrimp pasta and the hubby had the fried chicken. Everything was really good! And the biscuits are to die for. But then again...what does a California girl know about biscuits?
(4)
ashley l.
Brunch Experience: I really expected the same quality food as it's neighbors: Husk and 82 Queen. My expectations were definitely not met, but I was not completely disappointed. I may return another time, but with Charleston's restaurant scene being so strong, I'm not rushing any time soon. We shared the Pimento Fritters as an appetizer, and they had great flavor and were served with an awesome green tomato jam. Temperature wise, they had probably sat under the warmer and were almost room temperature by the time they arrived to the table. I had the Ike's Down Home Breakfast, as I've had a cold and thought some quality meat, eggs and potatoes would be easy on me. My over-easy eggs were hard fried, the sausage was bland and the potatoes were alright. However, I realllly enjoyed the biscuits and gravy I added for $1.00 to the meal. (Even thought they came after I was finished and after I had to ask for them.) My boyfriend had the shrimp and grits. He enjoyed it, but go to 82 Queen if you want shrimp and grits that will stimulate your taste buds and beckon you to return another day. This is the lowcountry and it's almost a sin to serve that dish in not proper form! The birthday boy ordered a basic ham, peppers and cheese omelet. I cannot recall the exact name, but for the $13.95 price tag, he literally had 3 small pieces of ham that were the size of nickels. It came with the home fries as well. The homemade biscuits and honey butter were the best out of everything we had. The bad part was, they didn't come out until after everyone was done with their meal, and one of the tables joining us never received their biscuits. Our server was pretty scattered and did the drop one thing off and scurry out of the room, when drinks were empty, we didn't have silverware, etc. I must say, I love the name because Poogan was the furry friend that hung out on the porch from 1970-1979, but other than the historic factor of the neighborhood and house, it was "Eh, I've had better."
(2)
Brian F.
Arrived to a confusing scene of wandering patrons waiting for a table and a restaurant with many vacant tables just sitting there. However, once we were seated, the service was excellent, and the food was comforting and delicious. The crab soup, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and fried shrimp were all done simply and well. Also, it was cool to eat in a beautiful historic Charleston home-turned restaurant.
(4)
J. B.
Great Food, Service sometimes lacking.
(4)
TODD F.
Tried this place when I was back east with the family and loved it! The food was excellent, with big portions and had great atmosphere! If you are ever in Charleston it's a must try place!
(4)
Tessa B.
My husband and I made last minute reservations at Poogan's during Memorial Day weekend when we traveled to Charleston for a wedding. Our friends had scattered travel plans on Friday, so we used Yelp and were able to secure 8:00 reservations at Poogan's. We didn't get to dine on the porch, but we had a great experience. Poogan's is so charming, and the food is perfect if you are looking for delicious southern comfort cuisine that is a little classier than your typical fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The prices were appropriate for the establishment. One of my pet peeves is when you spend $150+ on dinner for two and you leave the restaurant still hungry or not liking what you ordered because you weren't completely sure of what you were ordering. Poogan's isn't like this at all. It was classic, delicious southern food. Service was great, and I would absolutely return to Poogan's if and when we return to Charleston. If you are traveling to the area I highly recommend stopping for one of your meals here!
(4)
Rae B.
Eat here....you will not regret it. I have yet to have anything here that wasn't amazing. I regularly recommend this restaurant and am always told afterward that they had an amazing meal. You will love it.
(5)
Patrick H.
Great Atmosphere, Reasonable Price, Excellent Food, AND DOG FRIENDLY! We were visiting Charleston for the first time and our first priority was to find a decent restaurant where our little pup was welcome. The people at Poogan's Porch were very accomodating and gave us the perfect table to sit and enjoy a great Southern meal while having our puppy comfortable. I ordered the pimiento cheese fritters and the Lowcountry Pasta. The fritters were crunchy on the outside, warm and cheesy on the inside, and served over a spicy relish that was great. It was something I never would have thought of, and have been left craving ever since. The Lowcountry Pasta was just as great, and left me completely satisfied. Being a huge fan of baked goods, any restaurant can warm my heart with some good breads...The bread at Poogan's was just what I needed. The only reason I can't give Poogan's Porch a 5 star rating is that I would have liked a few more options on the menu for the main dish. If you are not a seafood fan, there isn't too much for you to choose from. Definitely recommend this restaurant!
(4)
Joel S.
Wonderful lunch in downtown Charleston. All farm to table with generous portions. Well worth it on a hot day in downtown (the AC was working when I was there...).
(5)
Patrick R.
Spent Christmas Day dinner at Poogan's and came away disappointed... Had had brunch there before and loved it!! After yesterday though, I'll just keep it to brunch. They had a prix fixe menu and there were lots of short comings... From a first course that was basically some greens on a plate with a lite vinaigrette drizzle and the occasional cranberry to the absolutely tasteless bread-pudding. Service was really the only good thing they had going. We also made reservations for 8 and wasn't seated till about 8:40. And to add to that, there were several parties also with reservations also waiting to be seated after their reservation times... Kind of disgusted from the whole experience.
(1)
C H.
Best fried green tomatoes I've ever had. Went for Sunday brunch, was underwhelmed by the few vegetarian selections but sort of expected it in Charleston. The only veggie thing, other than French toast and the like, was a basil, cherry tomato and Gouda omelette- the only problem was it took my server several minutes to get me silverware after bringing said food. It was delicious, and my partner who got the ike's breakfast said I got the winner. Reasonable prices as well and we passed several restaurants that seemed to have long waits at 10am. Go figure, a great veggie meal in a low country southern restaurant in Charleston. I would recommend getting there by 9:30am for a choice spot. We sat outside, which was charming as well, but would have preferred to sit inside if the wait hadn't been 30 min.
(4)
Ella B.
Great southern cooking, pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff. We enjoyed it all. And we heard the house is haunted which could be fun, but we didn't witness anything while we were there.
(4)
Rebecca M.
Good, fun. A little pricey for mac n cheese but yummy. Brought our dogs interesting experience
(4)
Kris H.
Atmosphere was great, food was good, but the biscuits and butter where most excellent! Scallops and crab cakes where very good as well. I would definitely stop in again!
(4)
Allison M.
I guess during the winter months Poogan's does a "roll back the prices to 1969" or something on certain nights of the week. For a big family dinner, it seemed easy and affordable. The service was terrible, but I had to have compassion for the poor waiter who probably gets tipped based on 1969 totals and still has to pay his 2008 rent. I'd be kinda bitter and not care either, I suppose. The menu was actually from many years back, and the quality of the food reflected that. Everything was overcooked and outdated. I remember thinking that the plates looked brown (lots of fried foods and not many colorful veggies). The cute old house was charming and all, but the bright overhead lighting was harsh and not at all as romantic as it looks from the outside. Thumbs up for the biscuits.
(2)
Sylvan F.
Good food, ice tea glazed salmon was outstanding, server was very helpful and attentive. Portions were on the small side but overall experience was very good
(4)
Joy B.
We had a fantastic Saturday brunch at Poogan's Porch. We had to wait at the bar for a few minutes and had a great cocktail. Diana was our server and helped us with any request. She made the experience that much more fun. The food -WOW! Pimento fritters, Eggs Benedit with biscuits, bread pudding, and more.
(5)
Tara G.
I know I'm going against the grain here but I would not recommend Poogan's Porch. I thought that it smelled very strange, the floor was sticky and the food was just OK. I was there for dinner and liked the Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer but everything else was mediocre. Except the service -- everyone was very nice and attentive. I stayed in Charleston for 3 nights and much preferred Blossom and S.N.O.B. on East Bay. All were about the same price but the food at Blosson and SNOB was much tastier, seemingly fresher and better atmosphere.
(2)
Angela B.
This place was great! Would highly recommend. The biscuits were DELICIOUS!! Then followed by a corn bisque...Oh MY. Was so goooood. Short ribs and chocolate mint cake followed. Both good. Service was awesome. We walked in and sat at a high top right away. Our server was fabulous. We went to Magnolias 2 days ago, was also great, Jestines yesterday..that place sucked. Would highly recommend Poogans.
(4)
Bev S.
Quaint little old-fashion restaurant with good "ole" southern cooking. Highly recommend Shrimp-n-grits or the delicious Crab Cakes :-)
(4)
Teri S.
I had our food pretty much mapped out before arriving in Charleston. But there was one night where we did not know where to go. We heard so much about Poogans Porch, so we decided to look for it. There is was directly across from our hotel (Mills House)!!! It was meant to be - the place felt like a hidden gem and was so good. I had a Sweet Tea Martini here and have not looked back. Alligator for an appetizer - who would have thought!
(5)
Tawni P.
Love this place! Charming atmosphere, most delicious biscuits ever, great story about the dog!
(4)
Jennifer M.
Decent place for brunch, but there are better places in town. We enjoyed the bloody mary's and pimento fritters. Avoid the she-crab soup - it's heavy and dense, with little crab flavor. Service was pretty good.
(3)
Kat F.
So I want to clarify that if I could, I would separate the food and service ratings: 3 for food, 2 for service. Also, know that I have posted this review elsewhere. The story begins.... Read the reviews on here about Poogan's and thought it would be a great place to go with my husband and two kids while in Charleston this past weekend. Called on Saturday evening to confirm that this was a family friendly place, even making a point to tell the hostess how old my kids are (7 and 3). She reassured me that this was a completely family friendly place, the menu looked great on paper, and they actually had availability! Score for me! We headed on down to Poogan's and were seated quickly.... right next to a bachelor party, a table of 12 loud, cursing, Southern frat boys. We tried to make light of it at first. The waiter was bustling around their table, making an extreme effort to ensure than not one water glass was ever more than halfway empty (or full, depending on your outlook). We waited.... and waited.... and waited for the waiter. We sat and waited to be addressed for almost 10 minutes while he took care of Phi Kappa Pottymouth. When he did meander over, we placed a drink order and waited.... waited... waited 25 MINUTES for two glasses of wine. During this time the appetizers came, bread came (all by other staff members). When dinner did arrive, the waiter left the empty appetizer plates cluttering the table, never offering to take the obviously empty plates. While he was busy tending to the party boys next table, my water glass emptied... and stayed empty. I would have loved to have tried dessert (they looked great on paper) but didn't want to wait another 45 minutes to be acknowledged, have the order taken and get the plate. Instead, we waited 15 minutes to tell him that we were ready for the check, and another 10 for him to swipe our card. The food was okay. We had appetizers: fried green tomatoes and she crab soup. The she crab soup was good, my three year old daughter loved it. The fried green tomatoes were just not quite spot on. While good, they were cut very thick which kept them from being cooked through evenly. It came with pecan encrusted goat cheese and some kind of peach chutney which sounded good but... wasn't. I've had better at any random off-ramp Cracker Barrel. I ordered the plantation fried chicken which was good in general. the string beans were undercooked and the "texas pete jus" that drenched the plate was... well, just texas pete hot sauce. That was a little anticlimactic. My husband ordered the mahi on the waiters recommendation, and he was less thrilled. While not an epic fail, the fish was overcooked and too delicate for the greens and sauce. The cream corn sauce was a novel idea but the pulled pork ravioli was gooey (the pasta itself) with gamey meat. In addition, my husband found a random macaroni noodle, which while not a big deal in and of itself, was something I would have expected at a TGI Fridays, not on a $25 plate in an independent restaurant that prides itself on presentation. I would like to believe that we came upon Poogan's on a bad night, but I have a feeling that is not the case. Here is what I think. I think that Poogan's probably started out strong and have petered into mediocrity with the comfort buffer of good reviews. Possibly a change in management? Who knows.. The waitstaff did not look happy, and while that may seem obvious (who the heck wants to be at work on a Saturday night?!), I waited tables for years and know my way around a restaurant. Happy servers mean good management. Good management means things don't fall through the cracks, and when things are properly addressed, service and food quality (along with presentation, atmosphere, and cleanliness) are second to none. Would I go back to Poogan's? Hmm... maybe. If I couldn't get a reservation anywhere else, and destiny deemed it so, I would give it another try.
(2)
Elizabeth L.
Melt-in-your-mouth food in an elegant, historical setting. Note: wear your elastic-waist pants. My husband and I have eaten here twice. Once a few years ago (before I really knew about Yelp) and yesterday. Although the wait can be long, the restaurant does take reservations (a plus in my book), and the food is simple but very tasty. Poogan's is a quintessential example of the type of restaurant to visit when you are looking to experience some of the classic, local cuisine of an area done well without much artistic flair. If you're looking for a "creative interpretation" of Southern Food this is the wrong place to go. But if you have an appreciation for simple comfort food done right you will be happy here. Do not expect to do a lot of chewing. Most of the food here, from appetizer to dessert, simply melts away in your mouth. The biscuits, in terms of flavor and interior texture, are quite simply the best biscuits I have had. (Do keep in mind that I come from the North so my biscuit repertoire is somewhat skeletal). My sister and husband were ecstatic over the she-crab soup. "I never want this to end," she said. We all enjoyed the fried green tomatoes. As for main meals, I confess, I have a soft spot for fried chicken, and consequently I am quite the connoisseur. The Poogan's porch breading is a perfect balance of flavors and nearly dissolves on the tongue. The chicken itself is moist and delicious. My husband ordered the fried catfish which was even more melty. Although we were so stuffed we could barely shift in our chairs, we couldn't pass up the bourbon bread pudding. This delightful dessert disappeared completely despite all our protests that we would "only eat a few spoonfulls" before it arrived. I only wish it were a little warmer. Service was fine. Our waiter did forget to bring us the additional biscuits we requested, but that was probably better for our waistlines anyway :). A couple of notes: I have noticed a few comments about the smell. We did not notice this, but I do want to comment that on a previous trip here, one member of our party couldn't handle the smell and thus we did not dine here that day. I didn't notice anything, but maybe my nose just isn't as sensitive. Also, they use the same breading for everything they fry. It's delicious, but may be something to keep in mind if you're concerned about too much of the same taste.
(4)
Matteo M.
Decent enough, but I prefer High Cotton / SNOB or some of the other restaurants that are steps away. From the moment we walked in for Sunday brunch there was an odd moldy smell that permeated the restaurant. I was thank full that mimosas and bloody mary's were half off at the bar, a nice touch. I started with the gumbo, which was good (the andouille sausage was excellent) but was mostly rice. The biscuits we received were near perfect, but could have used some honey, gravy, or jam. The crab cakes were OK (very meaty but not flavorful), the same could be said for my wife's grilled salmon. The waiters seemed a little overworked, and the decor seemed a bit tired. Also a bit touristy. Decent enough, but I would skip it for some of the better offerings close by.
(3)
Tom J.
Just had a great dinner on the porch in the rain. Everyone else ran inside,(wimps) of course had to start with fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and stewed peaches.Partner had buttermilk fried chicken(so tender).The green beans had pepper so we requested without(they brought a portion to feed a family of four). I had the the seared scallops with crawfish and cheese grits cake.OooLaLa.. Definately recommend this restaurant.Go outside your comfort zone with what you normally eat and Enjoy!
(5)
Larry H.
Food was great. Friendly service. The whole visit was pleasant. I would visit again on my next visit to Charleston.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
We had dinner and most everything was delicious including the fried green tomatoes, she crab soup, fried oysters, grouper, and of course the biscuits. The only thing is we asked to be moved to the porch where nobody was sitting from inside. Half was through our soup we discovered the rats running back and forth through the alley. Ask to be seated inside.
(4)
Patricia B.
Poogan's Porch had very terrible service. Went for brunch and after 30 minute wait was excited to get in so quickly and try the food. Small group of four plus one child. The waitress took our drink orders and never came back to get our brunch orders annnddd begin cleaning the tables all around ours. Needless to say we continued on to great service and food at 82 Queen!
(1)
Brian M.
Great menu and great service. This was our first time and we'll definitely be back. Every entree we ordered was excellent and they have a very diverse menu.
(5)
Steve H.
We were visiting Charleston a few weeks ago, and had heard Poogan's Porch was one of the best in town for a good Southern meal with everything from buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and some crawfish--it certainly didn't disappoint! Kimberly had the shrimp and grits, which were pretty solid, and I had the lowcountry pasta (this part of SC refers to themselves as the "lowcountry"), which consisted of cajun sausage, shrimp, crawfish, succotash, onions, peppers and cajun cream, and was delicious! The service was very good too, always keeping our water glasses filled and not keeping us waiting for the food to be served for too long. While we'll probably try some new places on our next visit to Charleston, if we go back I'll definitely be sure to try their signature buttermilk fried chicken--and hopefully get to meet their resident ghost (travel channel declared this old home converted to a restaurant to be one of the most haunted places in America, so Halloween may be the perfect time for a visit!).
(4)
Frank H.
Based uptown the Yelp reviews, we had lunch here. The staff was outstanding and our meal was very nice. I had the shrimp and grits, the dish was good, but I would have preferred to have a much stronger seasoning level to match my flavor reference. But all and all it was a very pleasant experience.
(4)
Timothy L.
This place was the biggest surprise of our Charleston visit. It's got charmingly low-key decor, a friendly but laid-back waitstaff, and reasonable prices. Yet the food is excellent. We went for lunch and had a great meal. Not to be missed.
(5)
Norman R.
Really good food. Casual, relatively inexpensive, incredible food. I'd drive out of my way to eat here again.
(4)
Benjy T.
Brunch/lunch on April 22nd. Our server, Lewis, was outstanding. The food was average, at best. Our problem was our table. We were seated in the bar - a dark, crowded space, in the traffic lanes of all servers, and on a floor that bounced as each person passed. Given our seating, I would have thought the hostess would have asked if we preferred another table.
(2)
Hannah T.
Awful service. Just plain awful. I shouldn't go out to dinner and feel cheated of my money. Won't be spending a penny there ever again. Awful.
(1)
Heather A.
I've only been to Poogan's for brunch, which was pretty good. On a nice Spring or Fall day before the heat sets in, I love this spot because of the pretty open air dining. What you MUST experience is their annual anniversary special "Bill of Fare." Visit their website for dates and details, but the restaurant takes their menu back to it's original prices, so you are eating a great meal for a very, very reasonable price. (Beer, Wine and Liquor not included-- what a great excuse to order off the reserve list?) ;)
(3)
Greg H.
Excellent! The buttermilk fried chicken, collards, and the biscuits are awesome.
(5)
liz A.
I've only been once, and it was for lunch. It was amazing. I went with my family before going back home for the weekend. We talked about how delicious it was for the next day. I tried the Buttermilk Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. Everyone wanted to taste mine, and the portions are huge so I didn't mind sharing at all. The complementary biscuits are delicious and the lunch menu is very well priced. (my dish was 12.95)
(5)
Ivanka B.
Yet another restaurant that had me going between 3 and 4 stars but I will round up in this case! I took all my food to-go so that I could work in my hotel room while munching so review is based solely on the food. They packed up some of those wonderful homemade biscuits and honey butter for me - 5 stars. Fried green tomatoes with a fried pecan encrusted goat cheese "ball" and lovely peach chutney - 4.5 stars (batter was too peppery on some bites). Also, must eat all ingredients together to experience this treat fully. Buttermilk fried chicken with whipped potatoes and string beans - 3.5 stars: chicken was a bit on the dry side and the potatoes could have used more butter and cream (they seemed "dry" too). Bread pudding - 2 stars. Loved the rum butter sauce but the bread was dry and not very tasty. Skip it. There is definitely better bread pudding out there (surprisingly the best I had was in Jacksonville!)
(4)
Chris B.
This is my third trip to Charleston, and I've been by this place both of my last two trips only to eat at 82 Queen instead. I must say, in terms of southern cuisine, Poogan's might be even better than 82 Queen (though I'd still pick the latter in all-around goodness). The atmosphere here is positively lowcountry, to put it simply. Lodged snugly into a Charleston house, the place reeks of that down-south hospitality that makes Charleston restaurants so special. I ate an old South Carolina stand by-- crab cakes. They were arguably the best I've ever had, only the Charleston Crab House can compare. The dish was not too large a portion (a definite advantage in this town of meals that could could feed a small family). That was definitely a good thing, because we started the meal with some fried alligator that was absolutely delicious, and complimented that with probably the best biscuits I've ever eaten. Other dishes in my party included a bbq salmon that was excellent and some sort of bacon and cheese penne that was, also, excellent. After the meal we took in deserts: Peanut Butter Pie for me, pecan pie for my brother and dad, and the cobbler of the day (citrus spiced apple on that day) for my aunt. I can't say enough about how delicious the Peanut Butter and Cobbler were. I literally can't say how the pecan pie was, because I didn't have any (a huge faux pas down south, I know). The only downside of the entire meal was probably that we didn't see any ghosts, but I guess that just means we'll have to go back soon!
(5)
Miranda T.
So many nice, wonderful things to say about this place. The wait staff were sweet and attentive. The food was delicious. I'm not from the south and am therefore not the authority on biscuits, but these were so so delicious. Who knows if they're the best out there, but they're the best I've had, and I would definitely go back, though chances I'll make it back to Charleston anytime in the future are slim. Unlucky me.
(5)
Terry G.
Visited Poogan's Porch for dinner this evening. I had the Buttermilk Chicken and my partner had the Filet Mignon. It was good downhome Southern Cookin. I would definitely recommend it.
(4)
Tracy G.
A great place for tourists and locals situated right smack dab in the middle of historical Charleston. Brunch is a must so you can have one of their enourmous biscuits. The eggs benedict ala Poogan style with fried green tomatoes was delicous! And if you don't know who Poogan is, you're missing out!
(5)
Charles S.
Loved the she-crab soup and fried green BLT.
(4)
Mark O.
The name might be strange but the food is not. I had the scallops which were very good. The mac and cheese was fantastic. The building itself is beautiful and helps create the great atmosphere at Poogan's - old world Charleston. I will certainly be eating here again once back in Charleston.
(5)
Kate H.
Best way to start dinner is with a fresh, homemade biscuit with honey butter. Excellent! We shared an appetizer of craw fish mac-n-cheese -- not my favorite (it was really heavy, but the waiter did warn us!), but good and very cheesy. For dinner, I had the shrimp and grits, which was a little nontraditional in that it was very jambalaya-ish -- same spices and flavors. It had quite a kick, which I wasn't expecting or warned about, although it didn't bother me. My husband, on the other hand, probably wouldn't have enjoyed it with that much spice. He had a special -- a seafood medley over grits and really liked it. For dessert, we shared the bread pudding. We'd had excellent bread pudding at Express Cafe in Savannah, so this paled in comparison, although it was good. I didn't like the caramel sauce drizzled on the plate. Overall = great biscuits and good food. The atmosphere is a little dusty -- needs freshening, although maybe that's old-Charleston charm.
(3)
Sola M.
We ate at Poogan's Pooch tonight after eating at Magnolia's the night before. Poogan's was okay but definitely not as great as Magnolias. The biscuits were good. We tried the fried green tomatoes and fried alligator. They were good, not great. I had gumbo soup and spinach salad. My father ordered shrimp and grits. Again, it was alright, but not great. We kept saying that compared to Magnolias, it was just okay and would spend our money at Magnolias instead.
(3)
Aileen B.
I am so friggin impressed with this restaurant. I just went to Charleston for a few days and really craved southern comfort food. We were recommended to try a local restaurant named Jestine's Kitchen. That place was really good. Today was our last day there. We took a ghost tour the night before we left and on the tour this restaurant was mentioned (it's supposed to be haunted). Well, it happened to be right across the street from our hotel, so we gave it a shot before we left downtown for the Citadel and the Airport. We were pissed off!! The food was so damned good that if we would have known about this place earlier, we probably would not have eaten elsewhere in Charleston! The prices were reasonable and I base a southern comfort restaurant on their greens. This place had the best collard greens I've had in way too long! I also had the pork chops with gravy, mac and cheese and corn. I ordered a cup of the okra gumbo which was also slammin'. The meal came with two humongous biscuits that were simmering with flavor and we also had a basket of honey butter on the table for the bread. We also ordered shrimp gumbo with yellow rice and the collard greens. All that food and the bill only came to $23 and some change. Awesome price for the food! Great food, great service and great prices for their food. What more can you ask for?
(5)
R M.
Good food, but don't understand the hype.. there is nothing outstanding that I experienced.. dining room smelled like damp clothing that sat in the washing machine for a day.. pimento fritters were very good.. drinks were nice and strong
(3)
Sadie S.
Loved it! In fact, I'm still talking about it a month and 3,000 miles later. This was our first meal in Charleston and definitely set the tone the rest of our visit. We weren't terribly hungry, so we shared appetizers and cocktails. Looking back, I wish we had arrived with more of an appetite because everything was soooo delicious! With our cocktails, we were served hot biscuits and honey butter and WOW, I could have had 10 more! I agree with Alexandra F. that it totally gets you in the mood for amazing cuisine! We split: Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Alligator, and Crab Cakes. The alligator was the standout for me - it was tender and juicy, and came with a slightly piquant dipping sauce. For my first taste of alligator, it was a great experience! Overall: great food, friendly waitstaff, charming building, fun ambiance... try it!
(5)
Ryan W.
Phenomenal food! I had the pasta dish and it was amazing. All 5 people I dined with were very impressed. Prices were also very good for the quality.
(5)
Jaclyn R.
I have been twice and we have really enjoyed both times. The food is excellent. My husband and father in law had the fried chicken which was excellent. I had the fried green tomato BLT which was amazing. The pimento cheese fritters and biscuits rounded out an amazing meal. If you are looking for a great southern meal in a very nice setting then this is the place. You can also sit in the bar if there is ever a wait for a table. If you are in Charleston you should give Poogans a try!
(4)
Jessica D.
Decor was a little stiff - the place seemed overly quiet. Service was fine, not great. Fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits were very good. Pasta was bland.
Best dining experience ever. Great food, great drinks, and best of all, phenomenal service. We went during Charleston restaurant week, and ordered off the 3 for $30 menu. The apps were delicious, but what really stole the show, was their duck. Oh.my .lord. It was sooooo good. Our server was charming, knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure we were happy with everything. Overall, I can't wait to go back here for our next dining experience.
(5)
R M.
GREAT fried chicken, everyone was right the biscuits are fantastic !!!
(5)
Allen R.
I'd give this place 5 stars just based on the biscuit but everything here really is amazing. From the house, to the setting, to the history of the place and definitely the food. Our server was absolutely amazing too. She did a extraordinary job and I was so impressed I tipped her 25%. To just start, I had heard the biscuit was good but it's better than good. It's mind-blowing good. It's amazing. It's so good, I would fly back just to have another biscuit here. I also had the shrimp and grits and they were great but I could not get over the biscuit. It's perfect in every way with just some butter. If that is not true southern cooking, I don't know what is. This restaurant really lives up to the hype too. Everything about it is spot on. The history, the food, the name and on and on. If there is one downfall is parking. There is absolutely no where to park around there but that is pretty much the case for all of Charleston. Trust me, just go for the biscuit.
(5)
Laura G.
We are local and decided to give PP a try. Hands down this was one of the worst dining experiences we have had in our town. First, my coffee cup arrived with unwashed lipstick. Our waiter went missing for 10 minutes so I finally got up, found a new cup on the sideboard and poured myself some fresh coffee. Then my husband's omelet arrived with jagged pieces of oyster shell in it. It sat uneaten on our table while we waited for our waiter to check on us. Finally, I poured my own coffee refill and my husband went to get the manager to complain about the omelet. She comped the omelet but when we asked for a box for our biscuits she implied we were going to try to take home the uneaten omelet. Hello - why would we want your inedible food? Take it from a local; you can do better pretty much any place else in Charleston.
(1)
Cindy S.
Don't miss the biscuits! They are the size of a cat's head! Everything was yummy
(4)
marc C.
My wife and I had lunch there yesterday afternoon. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was great! We started off with the pimento cheese fritters. I had the pulled pork sliders while my wife had one of their salads. All of the dishes were excellent - well seasoned, good layers of flavor with no one flavor profile dominating the others. The biscuits are AMAZING. Well Done, Poogan's Porch!
(4)
Amy K.
We found Poogan's Porch through Yelp on a recent vacation to Charleston and were not disappointed! The food and service were excellent. The biscuits were the best part of the meal. The sweet tea glazed salmon was amazing. I would highly recommend Poogan's Porch to anyone visiting Charleston!
(4)
Sandra G.
We had an interesting experience at Poogans. When we arrived at the hostess stand there was no one there so we looked at a menu. When the hostess arrived she literally snatched the menu out of our hands and told us to look at it on the wall where it was posted. No southern hospitality here. We arrived early for our reservation hoping to get seated. When we called we were told that a reservation wasn't required in the patio and bar but was first come first serve. There were empty tables available on the patio so we asked if we could sit there and the hostess said no. So then we went to the bar and sat down at a table and the hostess ran in and said we couldn't sit there either. Thankfully we found three seats at the bar and sat down and no one told us to leave. However then we witnessed the bartender having an argument with a server. The server was accusing the bartender of not making his drinks. The bartender was telling the server not to give her attitiude. It seems like nobody was enjoying their job here. I was a server for many years so I can appreciate staff dynamics, however it was strange that they didn't care that guests were witnessing their spat. The food was great. We had the Fried Chicken and Seafood Combination and snapper. 5 stars for the food 1 for the service. It was really the only poor service we experienced on a seven day trip to Charleston, Beaufort and Savannah.
(3)
Kevin O.
Wow, just exceptional. We came here on a rainy cold night, and immediately felt warm and welcome when we entered the door. We got a a table upstairs, which was nice and quiet. The fried chicken was absolutely amazing, so light and tasty, not oily at all. The Collard greens were to die for! Everything was just amazing, a wonderful dinner. I'll definitely be coming back next time I'm in town.
(5)
Melanie D.
OMG. Best breakfast. Ever. While in Charleston for a weekend wedding, we stopped here before heading out of town. And boy, are we glad we did. Far off East Bay Street (which is where the wedding in the dinner we had the night before were), we were pleased with the homey and comfortable decor and the quaint Victorian house before they brought out the biscuits. With our first bite, these bisuits made us happy we'd taken the time to find this place after all (some people, tired of walking, suggested giving up and going to Cracker Barrel). The biscuits were soft and buttery and flaky and the size of small fists. Our table of 7 quickly gobbled them down. When it came time to order, there was a large selection of down home country food to pick from. Going with my low country theme of the whole weekend, I picked the crab cake omelette. Not reading the fine print, I didn't realize what they meant was ... crab cake eggs benedict. I am not so much a fan of eggs benedict but it was still pretty good. I tried it with sausage as well, which I found to be much better - the spicier sausage was a better compliment to the eggs. I ordered it with grits, not being a fan of home fries, and was pleased. I like grits a lot and these were a cheesy, creamy happy mass of awesomeness unlike any I'd ever tasted. Overall, this place made: 1) my cholesterol cry 2) me want to come back to Charleston really soon. Delicious. And great service, too.
(5)
James T.
The food we had was very good, but the service was just okay. The atmosphere was very nice. Looks like an old style home which was turned into this restaurant. The neighborhood was charming. We would recommend it to others.
(4)
Amanda A.
Incredible brunch, though the service was a bit aloof. Biscuits are light and fluffy, but too sweet for my taste. Excellent omelets and spot on bloody marys.
(4)
Kala V.
We dined here our last night in Charleston. I wish it had not been our last restaurant visit while in the city. The food was fine, especially the Mac and Cheese with country ham and Gouda. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente which is hard to find. The good experience stops there. Our server Ruby was one of the worst I've experienced in quite sometime. When we arrived she gave us water and left for about 10 min. When she came back she took our order and still did not offer a wine list or anything to drink. We did get sweet tea, I had my heart set on a nice glass of wine with dinner but I gave up on that during the wait. We ordered our meal and specified we wanted it in courses and she brought our hot apps out with our cold salads. Not acceptable in my opinion. When the food runner brought our entrees we asked him for refills and he said he would have our server do that. Well, as you may have guessed it took a loooooong time. So in the end we didn't order wine or dessert due to our server's neglect. Guess she didn't need the extra money in her pocket that we could have left.
(3)
Jill k.
fried green tomato and bacon benedicts might just be the best thing ever! but, i also loved the feel of this house-turned-restaurant, the story behind its name (poogan was a dog), and its homemade biscuits. i will have to come again!
(5)
Linda M.
The best introduction to Southern breakfasts ever. I ate an unbelievable Shrimp and Grits - my first time for grits - and the biscuits were heavenly. To top it off, the service was friendly and courteous. I loved this place.
(5)
Lisa S.
This was right next door to my hotel, the Mills House -- I actually could see the restaurant right outside my window! I only got desert and drinks at Poogan's Porch, and that was yummy. I got the bread pudding and it was really good. Next time, I'll stop by for dinner...Giada was here!
(4)
Repub L.
Tasty food, relatively reasonable prices, great service.
(4)
Gen M.
My husband has been telling me forever about the best fried chicken he's ever had. So the first place we went to when we got to charleston was Poogan's Porch for this famous fried chicken. I got the Poogan's fried chicken which is a bonless chicken breast stuffed with ham and greens that has this slightly sweet and tangy sauce over it. The seasoning is perfect and the crust was crisp, it's hard to describe how good the food was. My husband got the regular fried chicken which was just as good. Both came with creamy potatoes and the most delicious green beans. You also get a basket of biscuits and honey butter, so good we ate two baskets *blush* They had refreshing sweet tea too! The service was excellent and the restaurant is beautiful. We sat on the upstairs deck outside at sunset, it was a gorgeous evening warm and balmy. We had a wonderful meal, I only hope we can get back there one day.
(5)
John M.
Poogan's Porch was one of the first places we visited while on vacation in Charleston a few years back. It looks like most of the historic home in Charleston but was recommended by one of the guides we had (yes, we were tourists). The staff was very friendly, and there is a cool story about a dog named Poogan that the last family that had lived there left when they moved. Poogan was adopted by the folks that bought the placed and lived what seemed to be a very laid back life until he passed on. Anyhow, the food was good, we had crab cakes and a salmon and goat cheese salad with what I believe was a curry peach vinaigrette. All of the food was very good and the salad was especially memorable. A cute place to have lunch, especially if you have a place in your heart for our furry little friends.
(5)
Michelle S.
Not sure why someone said the place was smelly....I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I had a wonderful breakfast on Sunday...had the shrimp and grits. The grits were so creamy and the blue crab sauce was really good. The only downside was service was a little slow. However the server was really nice. I would definitely want to go there again!
(4)
Al L.
Pretty good food, but the service was lacking. They served our main course before our soup, then the soup came out as we were eating our main meal. After we finished our main meal, it took a long time to be served our dessert. This was on Thanksgiving day and it was a fixed menu. We ordered all our choices for appetizer, main course and dessert when we sat down. Poogan's porch had the best biscuits in Charleston. It's served with honey butter. The lack of bathrooms was annoying. I would give it a second chance because the food was pretty good and we're not sure if the service was bad because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
(3)
Christine K.
We had breakfast there this morning and the best thing about it was the Bloody Mary and the buscuits. Our first bowls of grits arrived at the table cold as ice and we had to send them back. My poached eggs were cold and the hollandaise sauce was bland. Service was marginal -waited forever to get our drink orders in and then we were never offered refills on anything. Definitely NOT worth $40.
(2)
Hiromi N.
Southern charm at its best. The Victorian Style dining room is not only cozy and inviting, but is also romantic. With the front door open and the screened door allowing the chirps of the crickets filter in, I can't imagine another place that I wanted to be at that particular moment in time. My travel partner ordered the Ms. Bertha She-Crab and I ordered the Warm Spinach Salad to start off with. The She-Crab was DELECTABLE and my Warm Spinach Salad tossed with applewood smoked bacon just seemed to get better with every chew. We also shared the crab cake appetizer, which was something totally different than what we had expected. Of course, maybe it was because just the day before we had munched on Baltimore styled crab cakes. I wasn't completely sold on the Poogan's Porch version because of the consistency. For the main meal, I ordered the Plantation Fried Chicken and my travel companion chose the Pork Tenderloin. Now, I'm a SUCKER for Fried Chicken. I may be health conscious West Coaster now, but I'm also originally from the south. This version of one of my favorite down home comfort foods hit the spot. Succulent pieces of chicken with meat stuffed with cheese, pesto and country ham, which just melted in my mouth. Oh and I completely fell in love with the mashed potatoes that accompanied my dish. The pork tenderloin that my travel companion ordered was moist and flavorful, but I'm not a big fan of pork. The collard greens, though, were really done well. All in all, I was really pleased with our "splurge" dinner in Charleston. The service was attentive, but not intrusive. The waitress made great suggestions and the wine list was adequately priced and sufficient to pair with the food. Plus, the legend behind the restaurant was a great lead in for our evening ghost walk...
(4)
Dafna C.
It's been two years since I've visited Charleston and I still have Poogan's Porch on my mind. This restraunt is one of my favorite places on earth! You walk up to this beatiful little Victorian home with windowboxes overflowing with color and a rickety fence. Inside you find more of the same classic charm, a dining room filled with natural light or sit on the front or back porches when weather permits. The food is excellent too, southern but with a slightly french feel. You can view the menu online. I recommend the Chicken Charleston - only $8.00 for lunch. They even have a couple of delicious vegetarian entrees. Dinner is a bit more costly running about $20 per entree but well worth it!
(5)
Jen K.
I am sad to report that Poogan's Porch was rather disappointing. After reading many reviews, we decided to try this place for lunch, hoping to get a cozy Southern meal before leaving Charleston. The service was pretty terrible; we were given two warm biscuits (definitely yummy, served with a honey butter that was pre-packaged by Land-O-Lakes or some such mass butter manufacturer) but no bread plates, and our waitress was almost always nowhere to be found, so we ate without plates and just left lots of crumbs on the table; our sweet tea was also yummy, but glasses were left empty for a good 15-20 minutes while we tried to flag down our waitress to ask for more (or to ask for *anything*). We had the fried green tomatoes with a remoulade sauce to start (very good, cooked perfectly and the sauce was wonderful), and we ordered the same entree -- a salmon special (filet with a crawfish tomato cream sauce). The specials menu said the dish came with grits and collard greens, which I was jonesin' to try.... our waitress brought the dishes (after a LONG wait... with no tea...) and it came with green beans. Well, half the resaon I ordered the special was to try the collards. Of course, she had run off as soon as she dumped the meal, so we once AGAIN had to flag down someone. Eventually we got a small side dish of greens, and they were yummy; the grits were so-so and gelled together rather than creamy. We were frustrated enough that we decided to forgo dessert, and I hardly EVER forgo dessert! ;) The atmosphere was rather skeezy -- wallpaper was peeling from the walls and there were dirty stains along the trim and on the floor. It really gave off a dilapidated rather than a cozy/charming atmosphere. Go elsewhere in Charleston if you're looking for a decent meal!
(2)
Lija H.
now this is what i call down home southern cookin'. this place is legit. sat on the front porch and enjoyed an incredible array of low country cooking from fried green tomatoes, to shrimp & grits, home made biscuits and yes - a fried green tomato BLT (dreamy!). we made a pact to eat southern food throughout our entire trip to charleston and poogan's porch was spot on, hands down the best of the bunch.
(5)
Kathleen P.
This place is amazing. It's tricky to find because it's on more of a back street and parking is always tough, but it is worth it. I am pretty sure they serve breakfast all day, but no matter what you get here it's good. The servers are always really nice, and it's a cool restaurant because it's in an old house and it's just cool.
(5)
Rosie R.
LOVE. Sit on the balcony upstairs with your biscuits and sweet tea and maybe at some point you'll actually want to get up leave.
(5)
Brian S.
wow,! a restaurant that was started in what was an old house, named after the couple's dog; what tribute. Who would have thought that this place would still be thriving today, drawing in massive crowds for top of the line, authentic, exquisite southern food?! We sat in the enclosed portion of the patio, or one of them assuming that there is more than one. Our server was very friendly, answering any questions that we had and explaining all of the dishes to us. For drinks, Pugin's punch (cranberry, orange, and pineapple juices with rum if I remember correctly) was sweet and tangy, a fitting start to dinner. For appetizers, fried green tomatoes are crispy and greasless with romalade (sweet and spicy marmalade) sauce; fried crawfish fritters have a crispy corn meel batter with rich, succulent crawfish filling, served with the same sauce. . The house special buttermilk fried chicken was some of the moistest, tenderest chicken that I have ever had; a whole chicken breast with buttermilk and herbs and spices with a crispy, greasless batter. The mashed potatoes were rich and fluffy; The green beans were crisp and fresh.. The biscuits (I wish that we would have gotten more,) were fluffy with that homemade taste; I did not try or even know that we had honey to put on them; that would have definitely complimented the rich, buttery homemade goodness of the biscuits. We did not get desserts, which we will do next time, as well as explore the rest of the menu. So, for authentic, top notch southern fare in an old world, clean atmosphere with friendly Pugin's Porch cannot be beat. Keep up the good work guys.!
(5)
Sydney L.
Poogan's is a special occasion type place (read: pricey), but worth it. We hit major traffic coming into the city and arrived 40 minutes after our reservation, but were pleasantly surprised they had held our table. Our waitress was also quite accommodating as we had a tour scheduled and needed to be in and out in 60 minutes. Jumbo lump crab cakes were on special--lots of crab and little filling, but they weren't the best I've ever had (they were also on the small side for $15). Alligator salad was tasty and a good portion. Cast Iron Pork Chop was crisp and moist. Gouda Mac and Cheese was the real highlight of the plate. Plantation Fried Chicken had an interesting sweet sauce. Very different, but delicious. Overall we're happy we came to this Charleston institution and would consider stopping in again if we had a special occasion to celebrate.
(4)
Kelsey F.
GET THE MAC & CHEESE!!! Just don't miss out on the Mac and cheese. Seriously so good. Fried chicken was great- very moist and had a crisp and very flavorful fried batter. Get both of the sauces on the side (both are delicious). Biscuits were also very tasty. Our waitress, Lacey was amazing - sweet and extremely helpful. She made great suggestions when we couldn't decide and wanted to eat everything. Don't be turned off by the decor inside (still not sure what's really going on there... Let's call it southern eclectic?) Just close your eyes and enjoy the mac.
(5)
Brittney C.
Great ambiance - complete Southern feel. The brunch food was outstanding - started with hot, fresh biscuits, fried green tomatoes, and among the table we ordered shrimp and grits, fried chicken/waffles, pimiento grilled cheese, fried chicken with collared greens and mashed potatoes. The grits were some of the best I've had (though being from Texas, not sure that we have that great of grits to begin with!). I would highly recommend this place to get a good feel of the south.
(5)
Maidel R.
A lil creepy with the history and a lil tight quarters. The food was average and so was the service
(5)
Chelsea R.
Best southern food in Charleston, hands down!
(5)
Aaron V.
We dined here on Christmas Eve. I had made reservations a few days beforehand, so we wouldn't be stranded without a place to go for dinner while in Charleston. We arrived a few minutes early, but were seated right away. The food was quite good - except for one item. However, I don't think the food was as good as the prices being charged for it. The biscuits were a huge disappointment. I know this is just the bread that they serve with the meal. But if you're going to specialize in Southern food, you need to have your biscuits down! They were served hot...nice, tender and flakey. But...someone failed to add that pinch of salt to the dough! It seems like a small thing, but no salt in the dough makes for a biscuit that tastes like raw flour. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh, maybe it was just that one batch. But on to the service. The service was quick and friendly...maybe overly friendly. Again, for a restaurant of this calibre, you'd expect a waiter that is a little more professional, a little less "sports bar". Also, we were among the last to be seated, and as other diners left, tables were being cleaned and being set for the next opening. However, the staff would wipe the tables, throw the rag across the back of a dining chair, and walk off to do something else. For at least 15 minutes, there were at least 3 nasty rags hanging on chair backs. Ewwwww. Not a great visual at a finer dining establishment.
(3)
Julie H.
A nice restaurant with a well designed menu. The mustard bbq and smoked mac was very good as was the seafood pasta. The portions of scallops and ravioli was small. The she crab soup here has a spiciness that I don't care for. The biscuit bread was enjoyable. It was nice having the option of outdoor seating. Our waiter Nick did a great job; however, the kitchen was behind so meals came out slowly.
(3)
Aleaha R.
I have to be honest I have been here 3 times and each time I'm more disappointed. The fried green tomato and fried pimento cheese I highly recommend. The tomatoes though are a little dry, a sauce would make them better. Service is always great there, very friendly and attentive. First visit had fried chicken and was good. The last visit, We had 4 different dinners and had mixed reviews. The steak special was really good and cooked right. The ribs and Mac were really good. The short rib was ok, I was tender but I have had better at other places. The cauliflower mash was not good, had to order a side of mashed potatoes. The worst meal which was recommended by the server was the red snapper. The fished was cooked so much that the skin would not separate. Pork was super dry and overall needed a sauce or something. My husband had about 3 bites and threw the rest away. For the price just disappointed. Just at a point we won't return.
(2)
Tavia H.
I was referred to Poogan's Porch by Florida friends who used to live in Charleston and I was not disappointed!! I made reservations for my 3 girlfriends and I for the second night we were there..and the night before we did a Ghost Tour and found Poogan's was on the tour as the third most haunted restaurant in America!!! Our tour guide told us about an old schoolteacher who used to live there named Zoe who plays tricks on the servers and guests, particularly females! Some people have also felt the spirit of Poogan, who was a little stray dog that the owners took in and who often greeted guests on the porch! While we were eating dinner, our server came up and asked us how our food was and out of the corner of my eye I saw the lemon in my ice tea pop off the rim and land across the table near my friends drink....we definitely had a visit from Zoe!!! It was very exciting!! Even with all the excitement it didn't outshine our delicious dinner! we started out with heavenly biscuits and my friend ordered a side of mac n cheese which was equally yummy! I had the short ribs and my three friends had the fried chicken entrees...and we all loved our food!! The overall experience with food, server and Zoe made for a fun night!!!!
(5)
Jin G.
Loved it! Definitely recommend it to anyone who want to try good southern food, especially the shrimp and grits! Food: 5 stars Went here with my parents to try some legit southern food and was not dissapointed! Mom had the dinner special seared scallops. She love it. After taking a small bite, it was tender, juicy and buttery. It was like a small cloud of love! Dad had the roasted duck. It was also delicious, juicy and tender. I must say, this place knows how to execute their protein. I had the shrimp and grits. I never realized how flavorful grits can be. Best that I have ever had! I would come back here in a heart beat! For dessert we shared the flourless chocolate cake with strawberry ice cream. The perfect finish to a perfect meal! It was more dark than I expected but the ice cream off set the bitterness. One more scoop of ice cream would've provided more balance because it seemed to me that the cake was a bit heavy. Still it was a very delicious meal! Ambience: cozy and classic. We were sat promptly in the 2nd floor near a window that provided the perfect amount of sunlight to off set the dim lighting. Service: hands down one of the better waitress that I have encountered. She was professional and attentitive. Our glass were never empty, switched out our dinner ware at the appropriate times.
(5)
Rachel F.
Great food, great atmosphere, and watch out for the ghost of poogan. It is said he roams the restaurant and patrons feel him brush up against them. Great dinner spit.
(5)
Leona J.
All fried food with NO vegetarian options besides one egg omelet. Left a lot to be desired. Our table found a palmetto bug crawling around on the floor and when we brought it to a waiter's attention, he stepped on and killed it right there in the restaurant! Will never go back.
(1)
Lisa W.
My husband and I had dinner here last evening. All I can say is that the staff was amazing! The food was to die for ! I had some of the fried green tomatoes which were wonderful and the she crab soup is delectable! my husband enjoyed the bone in fried pork chop with green beans and a mac and cheese that I have a hard time finding the proper words to describe the greatness of it. I had the smoked mustard barbecued ribs. Hours after eating them I could still smell the wonderful aroma of the smoked meat and the delicious thoughts of enjoying this meal again. The peanut butter pie is wonderful and the pecan pie is out of this world. If you have the time, stop by and enjoy a meal at this restaurant while in Charleston South Carolina.
(5)
Amy R.
PHENOMENAL!!!! The food is just awesome. The biscuits are out of this world!! I had the natural fried chicken with whipped potatoes & green beans with onions. The chicken came with 2 gravy/sauce choices. Both were equally scrumptious. My husband had the shrimp & grits. The best he's ever had in his life. For dessert we had the bread pudding was which unbelievably amazing!! The service & atmosphere were top notch!!! We loved this restaurant & would come back to Charleston just to eat there.
(5)
Jason B.
We ended up going back for brunch when most places we checks were insanely busy but Poogan's had a 15 minute wait. Once again spectacular service (thank you for everything Sara!) and delicious food. The chicken and waffles was as sublime as the soft and perfect biscuits. I can't say enough about how great this place is and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Sarah F.
My favorite restaurant in Charleston! Set in a fabulous historic home in downtown Charleston, the food is amazing and the service is spot on. If you are looking for comfort food, with an upscale southern flare, this is the dinner spot for you! Always leave happy with a full belly!
(5)
Gloria C.
My husband & I went there Saturday evening, 9-5-2015 and we were disappointed. We were seated upstairs in the rear dinning room. The room was nice enough but the chairs are worn out and you sit down in a hole because the cushions have given up. Have the owners sat in those chairs in the last few years? They must have forgotten to dim the lights because the room was very bright the whole time we were there. We waited a long time for the salmon. It was probably good 20 minutes prior when it was first prepared... but by the time it reached us it was not hot at all. I am guessing that the celebs pictured on the wall in the entrance hall downstairs got their food when it was still hot. I don't like my entree served in a big bowl either especially since I was already sitting too low in a hole in the seat cushion. Such simple things would have made this a very nice dinning experience: dim the lights when it gets dark outside, reupholster the chairs bottoms, bring the food out when its HOT, stop serving entrees in big bowls.
(2)
Roseanne R.
First visit to Poogan's! Made reservations on-line and was seated immediately. Service was kinda slow, our server seemed to have responsibility for all of the tables in the back area where we were seated. I ordered the pork chop, collards and mac and cheese and enjoyed my meal. My husband had the short ribs and was not impressed. The ribs were tough, without much flavor, so he filled up on the biscuits. Lovely old house, ambiance was okay.
(4)
Kimberly H.
You are in for a real treat if you going to Poogan's Porch. Everything I tried from the menu was excellent . I ordered the shrimp and grits and I will have to say they have the best shrimp and grits anywhere. My husband ordered the ribs and macaroni and cheese. This macaroni and cheese is the best I ever had with gouda cheese and ham. The she crab is excellent as well, with a not too spicy jalapeño sauce. They will keep bringing you home made biscuits that are delicious. The entrees run around 24 dollars, but they have huge helpings. We made reservations,and we were glad we did.
(5)
Lauren T.
Love this cute restaurant! Poogan's Porch is one of the oldest restaurants in Charleston (along with Queen 82 which I believe is THE oldest), and it has a great reputation in the area. We came here for Sunday brunch and had a fabulous time! The restaurant is in an old house that really gives you a true "Charleston" vibe, and they serve lowcountry favorites and southern staples. We got the French toast, cheese grits, sausage and mimosas, among other things, and everything was delicious from start to finish.This is an awesome place for brunch, lunch or dinner and it is in a fabulous location!
(4)
Katy L.
Two weeks removed from my trip to Charleston and I still think about the chicken and waffles from Poogan's. Too bad that wasn't what I even ordered. We stopped here for Sunday brunch on the recommendation of a friend. There was a wait, 30 minutes, which wasn't bad. And they do it so they will call you when your table is ready so you can walk around the area around the restaurant. Once seated, we were delivered some amazing biscuits. I wanted to ask for more but thought that might be in poor taste. I ordered the shrimp and grits, which was pretty awesome, but my friend ordered the real winner -- the aforementioned chicken and waffles. The waffle was so crispy and delicious, the chicken moist and tasty. The star was the syrup which is infused with hot sauce. Sounds weird but it was amazing. I will definitely be back the next time I am in Charleston.
(5)
Rachel N.
Ate here for our last meal in charleston and it was delicious! Surprisingly we were seated in a Friday night of a holiday weekend within 10 mins. It was just my husband and I and they only had porch seating but it was perfect for us! The food came out quickly and was yummy! I had the fried chicken and husband had the scallops- we liked both!
(5)
Ashley W.
Wonderful wonderful food and service! Save room for the peach cobbler! A must try! Poogan's never disappoints. Some of the best she crab soup in Charleston, great portions, and casual yet classy dinning.
(4)
Christy M.
Excellent dinning experience! The sweet tea salmon is a must. The wait staff were very nice. I would recommend this place for a special occasion.
(5)
Amanda L.
Oh goodness, where do I begin?! This restaurant is adorable, delicious and you'll leave just feeling happy! I recently vacationed in Charleston with my boyfriend and his family and this was hands down the most memorable restaurant we visited. My boyfriend and I escaped his family for date night at Poogan's Porch and started off with the Mac & Cheese. While this isn't your typical appetizer, this is everything you'd ever want in mac and cheese. It was creamy, hot and perfectly spiced with the ham and scallions. Next came the deliciously warm and perfectly flaky biscuits paired with a whipped, sweetened butter - yum! My boyfriend and I ordered the same thing for dinner, which never happens, but thank goodness we did because this plate is not worth sharing. Be selfish - eat the Pan Roasted Grouper all by yourself! The fish was perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was a good sized portion and I just didn't want it to end. The spices of the fish paired with the sweetness from the creamed corn were the perfect bite. Below the fish are a few pimiento cheese ravioli - oh.my .yum. You're able to taste the freshness in the pasta and the pimiento cheese didn't overwhelm the dish. If we lived in or near Charleston we'd be back every week. We were seated on the back porch and it was the perfect evening to sit outside, enjoy a few glasses of wine and a deliciously elegant meal. I'll be sure to come back if I'm back in Charleston again!
(5)
Mary Jo S.
We first ate at Poogan's in 2011. Thoroughly enjoyed the food and atmosphere. This year comes along and we have plans for a FL vacation in November...and our 40th anniversary was on our trip back home. Charleston wasn't a long detour, so we spent our anniversary dinner enjoying a wonder meal and evening. When I called to make a reservation, I mentioned that it was our anniversary. The host, Louis, welcomed us like dear old friends. Our attentive and gracious server, Sarah, treated us as if were her only table - but we weren't. Our meals were delicious and served graciously. We could not have asked for anything more. Even better, it seemed like every group at the other tables in our room was receiving the same attention. Thank you again Sarah, Louis, and Poogan's Porch, for a most wonderful and memorable special day.
(5)
Alissa P.
Awesome service from our waitress and the food was so good! We had a 5 year old, 2 year old and a 2 month old with so we made a reservation and they were super nice about it. I highly recommend the pimento and cheddar fritters as well as the fried chicken sandwich!
(5)
John B.
The only reason I am giving one star is because I cannot give none. Let me start with the positives. The biscuits are to die for. The food is above average. The issue with this restaurant is the absolutely horrible service. We were seated for close to 20 minutes before we finally asked a waitress who our wait person was as she had walked past us several times without looking at us. It was pretty clear that she wasn't. There was a bus boy clearing a table next to us that totally ignored us. She seemed totally oblivious on how to answer the simple question and said she would be back. She disappeared for about 10 minutes and a seemingly nice lady showed up to take our drink orders. No apology and she mentioned that she would try to figure out what was happening with our server. She came back with drinks and a waiter. Who also was apathetic to our wait. He did take our order and we finally got our food. Everyone got their food but one dish's steak was way over done and was sent back. It took another 30 minutes for the refute to show up. They did not offer anything more than an apology for the steak. No free desert, nothing. if service is important to you, do not eat here!
(1)
Sloan S.
Poogan's Porch is always on my list anytime I have the opportunity to get down to Charleston. The food is always on point and the service is top-notch. I mean, in a city full of amazing restaurants, you have to really stand out! I've been to Poogan's Porch for lunch and dinner before and thought they were both great; on my recent visit I was able to grab a later Saturday brunch. As with every meal, they bring out the most incredible biscuits and butter. I could probably eat entire baskets of these! The brunch menu is more limited but they've included a few lunch favorites, like the Famous Fried Chicken Salad. Seriously, this salad is bomb. The fried chicken is done so lightly that it doesn't feel too heavy or greasy; just the right amount of crunch without feeling like you're eating something terrible for you. The salad is well-adorned with vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots), but the real star is the dressing! It's a honey-jalapeño dressing that I am craving as I'm writing this review... so delicious and pairs so well with the chicken. My mom ordered the Crab Cake Benedict and my boyfriend had the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Of course, I tried both and was seriously impressed. The hollandaise sauce over the poached eggs was perfection, and the BLT has a surprising addition of crab meat remoulade, which kind of sends the sandwich over the top (if that's possible). So, so good. This place gets super busy so make reservations or plan to park yourself at the bar while you wait! Great mimosas during brunch, too.
(5)
Eric K.
Ate here for brunch before departing Charleston. Really good eggs benedict. Others in my party partook of the sweeter side of the brunch menu, and one went between the two with chicken and waffles. Everyone was very satisfied with their meal. Poogan's is named for the stray dog the owners sort of inherited when they bought the house years ago. Poogan passed away decades ago and the statue out front and the name is all that remains. (The statue does not do the dog any justice though; looks creepy.) Poogan's is interesting for another reason: it's a stop on some of the city's ghost tours, though not for the dog. One of the house's previous owners is said to haunt the joint. Our breakfast? No ghost. Take note of the celebrity signatures on the way in. Some of them are quite dated, so it's an interesting gallery of careers past as you wait to be seated.
(4)
Zahyra G.
Everything was great from the appetizers to the food n service. Julie was our server and she was great at giving pointers and describing the plates. 1st time visit to Charleston will definitely come back here to eat.
(5)
Patrick L.
Hands down the best damn fried chicken I've ever had. We had a wait of 35 minutes for lunch so we ate at the bar. I told the people next to me if I could I would marry the fried chicken. I think it's legal in South Carolina or is that Kentucky? Go here. Eat. Be happy.
(5)
John H.
We have eaten at Poogans Porch for eight or so years (my wife longer than that), and it is always a fun place for a meal. The prices are fair, the ambiance is nice, and the food is always delicious. The cocktail I had today was the bourbon smash thingie. Uhmmm, yeah, that's not on my must do again list, but everything else was great! Today I tried the fried chicken sliders and my wife had the fried green tomato blt. Both were terrific. Sitting outside on a beautiful fall day like today is perfect!
(5)
J V.
What a great place with such history and charm. I love the story about this place. The food was EXCELLENTLY. We went on a Sunday for brunch and the waitress was extremely nice and she helped with suggestions of what we should get. They give you complimentary biscuits. Always a plus for us! I got the pork chop and it was so succulent.
(5)
Amanda H.
We came here for lunch on a weekday & throughly enjoyed our meal! Atmosphere: Relaxed with a classy twist. The restaurant is an old home that is supposedly one of the most haunted in the world! Service: Fast & friendly Food: Delicious!! There were so many things on the menu we wanted to try I only wished I had the capacity to eat more. We shared a few dishes & really enjoyed them all! We had the Gouda Mac & cheese as a side, along with the shrimp & grits & the fried green tomato BLT. I would certainly order all options again! I hope to return in the future & try out some more things on the menu. I would highly recommend dining here!
(5)
Nicole R.
I'm rating overall experience here. First and foremost make a reservation...in advance...days out! Totally worth it! We arrived early. The bar was a little crowded but I was told that I could take my drink outside at their little tables. This was our first night of mild temperatures so it was perfect. Decided to be adventurous and had the stampede (pricey drink) because I love buffalo trace! Was leery of egg whites in my drink but it was in a powder form and added a frothiness that was SO good! I am craving the drink as I write! We were seated upstairs...decor was beautiful. Started my meal off with she-crab soup. I'd never had it before and wanted to make sure to try this Charleston staple. Very tasty...sweet. The biscuits are served premeal with a tasty sweet butter. My meal choices was the short ribs with horseradish cauliflower puree. Not the best shirt ribs I've had but good still. My mom had scallops and shrimp with a grit cake...she enjoyed it. Dessert was their version of an apple crumble...served with ice cream. Since it was a prebirthday dinner...dessert was on them as well as a complimentary glass of rose. Highly recommend for total experience...good drink...good food...great staff!
(5)
E.C. S.
The food was terrific. Our table was in the bay window of the main floor -- a nice spot, but... At a neighboring table a patron was not happy with his meal and was VERY loudly complaining. This kinda took the fun out of it. The result of that felt like the server just wanted them to leave -- no visit form the manager or chef -- which left us feeling uncomfortable and a bit awkward. While this did not happen at our table, it DID influence our experience. The place also felt a bit "stuffy" -- almost TOO quiet and hush-hush. We like a place with a bit of life (fun-life, not angry-life) and Poogan's fell a bit short of the right ambiance for us. The food was terrific -- I had a simple dish of fried shrimp and it was top-notch -- and no complaints there. I just wish the place had a vibe that was more fun and full of life. We might return but, quite frankly, I would prefer to spend my time and money in Husk (right next door).
(4)
Heather H.
This was such a poor experience and wish I could do zero stars since we left before being seated. We checked into Poogans Porch during lunch hour and was given a wait time of 25-30 minutes. After approximately 40, I approached the hostess to ask how long the wait would continue since we were over in time and there were three tables available outside on the porch. She was rather rude and quoted another 10 minutes since one other couple was ahead of us. During the process of waiting, several other waiting guests of the restaurant made comments of the rudeness of the host. We joked that you didn't typically find that behavior in the South, especially in the tourist industry. (This confirmed that I wasn't being overly sensitive due to my hunger.) Then, after approximately 50 minutes, our table was available and we were taken to the back dining area. We were given no apology for our wait. However, as the hostess rounded the entrance to the back dining area, she stated that our table was full and that it was marked incorrectly. She left us (by the bathrooms) to go and figure things out. Then, as she came back, we were told once again that it would be another 5-10 minute wait. We decided to leave at this point and I made the comment that they needed to better 1) explain outdoor seating and 2) give more accurate wait times. We had plans and could no longer wait at this facility. As I turned around I caught her saying something snippy to a server. Therefore, I asked for a manager's card and will be writing a similar email to him. I will say the food looked good as it passed by....however, I can find plenty of other great places to eat in this city.
(1)
Martin G.
Pretty good still. Great atmosphere and wait staff. Wonderful old house restaurant. Food is so-so. Plantation chicken good. But snapper tasted frozen or overdone. Go though just because its a Chas must. And you might get the best seat in the house.
(3)
Jessica C.
This tourist place was pretty crowded in a Saturday for bunch. We were told the wait would be 30mins at 1:30pm so we headed to the bar. After ordering a drink and about actually 15 minutes later our table was ready which was nice. We ordered the Mac and cheese appetizer and it was quality cheese and the green onions were a nice touch. Biscuits and butter were brought out before the meal. I ordered the blackened fish with poached eggs son a bed of succotash and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the fried pork chop and he said it was a little above average. It was dry on the edges of meat and juicy in the middle. Would we go back during our next visit?.... Depends if there was a wait! There are some many different great restaurants I would like to explore other options!
(4)
Lily L.
A group of my friends and I came here for lunch on a Friday, and the service was great! The waiter was super friendly, the atmosphere was very charming, and the shrimp and grits that I ordered were delicious - not too runny or dry, and a good portion for lunch. I will note that there really isn't much street parking available, but there is a paid garage nearby.
(4)
Tracie F.
Excellent service! Best lunch ever! Sat out on the upstairs porch...gorgeous Day, birds singing...BEST ever pork chop, collard greens and the BISCUITS & MAC n CHEESE are to DIE FOR! Perfect atmosphere...loved eating outside! Can't wait to come again!
(5)
Hailey P.
Poogan's Porch is excellent! I love the atmosphere and the service is good. The food is so fulfilling and delicious. I am a huge fan of the gouda mac and cheese. The buttermilk chicken is superb.
(5)
Michele C.
Ate here on a girls trip weekend. Ordered the shrimp and grits (very good) and the fried chicken (very very good). Drinks were adequately liquored up and the service was exceptional! I would go back for the friend chicken for sure and I can't imagine me saying that at $22 a plate for basic (but not) friend chicken.
(5)
Rob H.
I had the Pan Seared Scallops - Smoked bacon risotto cake, citrus scented spinach, tomato-green onion buerre blanc. It was very good and I enjoyed it. My companion had the fried chicken because it was so highly recommended. She was thoroughly under impressed. It was cold and dry :-( We felt, while the service was excellent and it was an interesting and fun place, that the general service concept was "get 'em in and get 'em out". Not an elegant relaxed dining experience for dinner.
(3)
G J.
Classic feel in an old home. Not only was our server very attentive, so were several other members of the wait staff who checked in us. We went with shrimp and grits off the traditional menu and crispy skin snapper off the contemporary menu, so different yet both were outstanding. Highly recommended.
(5)
Korina S.
Loved the look of this place; it was like an actual house, really cute and quaint. The biscuits and butter they give you to start are so good! We also started with the fried pimento cheese which was tasty. Since I was visiting down south, I thought I should get the fried chicken. It came with mashed potatoes and gravy and was pretty amazing! The service was also good and they had some tasty cocktails.
(4)
Meg M.
My husband and I had lunch here on a Friday around 1pm, we only had to wait about 15 minutes and were seated on the porch. our waiter was very attentive, always making sure our glasses were full and food was brought promptly. We split a wedge salad [pretty basic wedge], then the pimento fritters... which were awesome! They were stuffed full of pimento cheese, we had 2 each and the sauce they were in was perfect. We split the fried green tomato BLT and were so glad we split, it was HUGE. more than one tomato, and great bacon and sauce. The homemade chips were good, but hard to eat since we were so full after all the rest. we enjoyed sitting outside with a slight breeze, but also to people watch and listen to the guides on the horse drawn tour groups. I would go back when in town and get the fritters and blt again or just the fried green tomato app.
(5)
Ashlynn B.
Outstanding. Amazing. Delicious. I come here every time there's the Charleston restaurant week. The prices are wonderful and the food is SUPERB. I've had almost everything on their menu and it's all delicious.
(5)
K H.
One of the best meals we had in Charleston! First of all it is in this gorgeous old Victorian home, which set the stage for a perfectly southern meal. We started with homemade low-country biscuits and butter, delicious start. We had the lump crab toast as an appetizer, so fresh with just the right amount of mayo. My husband ordered the duck, which was outstanding. Cooked perfectly with the most complex flavors. The service was fantastic, the staff was very accommodating and attentive. We heard the pimento chess fritters were incredible, but were just so stuffed from our meal we couldn't eat another bite. We must try it on our next trip! This is a must-visit if you are in town for more than a day!
(5)
Vinetta F.
Very over rated. Poogan's Porch is fine. It's not great, but not terrible either. This place was totally a disappointment. I expected a much better experience based on the reviews. I had the Pan Roasted Duck, which was under cooked for my taste. Dessert wasn't even a redeeming part of the meal. The crust on the pecan pie was raw; plus, the filling was more of a bourbon custard. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend this local. Also, I totally have concerns when you walk pass the entrance to the kitchen and it smells like sour milk.
(3)
Brendan O.
Southern food, especially seafood, at its finest. We shared the She Crab soup which held a perfect rue with subtle crab flavors. The award winning seafood and grits did not disappoint. The scallops were cooked perfectly with shrimp served over a fried grit cake. Scallops over ravioli was perfect. The home style decor, great service, and wide ranging wine selection made this a great night.
(5)
Dawn W.
Loved the fried green tomatoes. The pimento fritters were also great. Iced tea was perfect! The fried chicken salad is huge. The short rib sandwich was also great!! Beautiful old restaurant in charleston!
(4)
Sam R.
Experienced one of my top 5 meals of all time here! Had the She Crab Soup as an app and the Shrimp and Crab pasta dish - so deliciously amazing! I had been craving a pasta dish and it delivered 100%. Great atmosphere and drinks. Definitely have to book a reservation in advance. A must stop when passing through.
(5)
Jonathan S.
Wasn't impressed by this place at all. I had two of their special cocktails, both were disgusting. Trust me, I'm not a picky drinker either. For dinner had their BBQ chicken with blue cheese risotto. Risotto was fantastic, chicken was dry and bland. Was also supposed to have some Texas Pete on it but didn't taste it at all. What brings it up to 2 star were the amazing pimento cheese balls and mac and cheese. Service was also slightly below to average rating.
(2)
Gerry G.
Fried chicken was awesome, the ribs were excellent. Biscuits are the best we have had. Now we are going to try the pecan pie. Terrific dinner stop.
(5)
Bev A.
Spending a month in Charleston for the Holidays which gives us many days and nights to try out more great restaurants. We do rely on Yelp as well as recommendations from friends and family. This was a hit. Bibb Wedge salad and She Crab Soup to start. The salad was fresh, perfectly dressed and enough to share. My husband enjoyed the soup, but he's from the south and has had better (he likes when they serve the sherry on the side to pour into the soup) Ribs and Mac and Shrimp and Grits for our entrees. Both were incredible. The ribs had this delectable mustard BBQ sauce and the meat literally fell off the bone. Gouda Mac & Cheese, some of the best ever. The shrimp and grits equally as amazing with depth and richness of flavor and nice bites of sausage mixed throughout. Both generous portions and way too much for us to eat at one sitting. We were heading to A Christmas Carol opening night and they were kind enough to save our leftovers for us which we retrieved the next day and enjoyed for a couple more days.
(5)
Nichole B.
Although the atmosphere was really appealing and the plating of the food grabbed my attention, the food itself just seemed to lack any flavor. I was really expecting to have sort of a wow moment when eating here but I just didn't. I started with the Fried Green Tomatoes which had no seasoning at all, even in the batter they fry them in. So it tasted like a lot of crunchy nothing, even the peach chutney on the side just tasted like room temperature peaches. I didn't get any goat's cheese as some viewers mentioned? Maybe needed some spices to kick it up a notch? Had the salmon and spinach salad, tasty but not something I'd order again or come back for. The establishment is beautiful and the staff very friendly, every tabled seemed to be booked for lunch on a Friday afternoon. Maybe I just ordered the wrong items this time, but I was expecting a lot more flavor.
(3)
Toni P.
Fix yelp! Walked all the way to this restaurant to find out they were closed 230-5...
(1)
Dawn C.
This place is adorable and worth the wait for a great meal. I had the fried green tomato BLT, my mom had the southern fried chicken. We were both making yum sounds the entire meal. The only reason I gave 4 stars is due to the very short beer list... A place of this caliber should have a nice variety of local craft beers and some basic staples.
(4)
Zimin M.
Their food might be heavenly, unfortunately we didn't have the honor to be allowed in there with baby stroller. We requested to be on the porch by the side so we could be out of the way knowing the establishment is small. We were told we cannot due to safety. I am not sure why a sleeping baby in the stroller is not less safe as those people sitting on the railing of the Porch. We were then told we cannot bring the stroller in. We were left no choice but to leave.
(1)
April C.
One of my best friends had his rehearsal dinner here. It's a good thing he is a foodie because we benefited from his great taste! Even with the prixe fix menu, we were having trouble deciding what to get. The she crab soup was phenomenal. We had it three different times during our visit and Poogan's was my favorite. It was not overly salty, but rich in flavor. The scallops were delicious and cooked perfectly. The grits were very good too. The highlight of the evening was actually their complementary biscuits! Our entire group could not stop talking about them. They were flaky and buttery, yet not greasy.
(4)
Jennifer G.
Delicious comfort food. Very high quality food, large servings. Can never go wrong with poogan's porch.
(5)
Sarah M.
The only reason I have this 4 instead of 5 stars was because they didn't have 1 of the things on the menu I really wanted. And they were out of cobbler that night. But we went to eat late and it's farm to table so I guess that's a sign that everything is fresh and not frozen from a distributor. The food we did have was unbelievable. We still talk about it a month later as one of the best meals we've ever had! Definitely a spot to hit up in Charleston - but make reservations.
(4)
Stephanie M.
I really should have ordered the shrimp and grits, is what everybody tells me. Fried pimento cheese balls were yummy but like how could a ball of fried cheese NOT be good. We all shared the alligator salad too. I did not like it that much at all. The alligator tasted like chewy Chinese food chicken. Rest of the salad was average. I ordered the snapper from the menu (not the special) which was featured at the James Beard house. It had a cheddar grit cake and pulled pork too. It was pretty good but it didn't blow my mind. 2 of my friends had the fried chicken, it looked pretty standard. My other friend had the ribs and mac and cheese special and he wasn't blown away by it either. I really liked the drink I ordered, can't remember what it was called but it had cucumber in it and it was really refreshing. Hopefully I'll be back soon to try the shrimp and grits.
(3)
Amanda B.
Totally disappointed by Poogan's Porch. The staff is wonderful, but the food is below par. This is more of a tourist trap than a top ranked Charleston restaurant.
(2)
John M.
My Bride and I have been spending a week in the Charleston, S.C., area to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and chose Poogans Porch in Charleston for dinner on Thursday. We started with an appetizer of Pork and Beans, which consisted of pork belly, butter beans and black eyed peas. Great way to begin a dining experience in a picturesque environment such as Charleston and historic location like the old house in which Poogans is situated. We moved on to the seared scallops and the Meyer filet, and as my Bride and I are in the habit of sharing our meals, we dined on a Surf & Turf combination of her scallops and my filet. The filet was served a perfect medium rare, and the scallops had the ideal crust and flavoring. We've never had better meals in our travels. Our server, Rosa, was a treat and sent out a complimentary champagne round after we had mentioned that it was our anniversary. If you're looking for a great meal in a beautiful location, try Poogans Porch.
(5)
Jane S.
Sadly, incredibly disappointed. Compared to other choices in Charleston like Husk, Stars and Magnolias, Poogans left us wishing for more...a lot more. We had been reading the reviews of Poogans so we decided to go on our way out of town. I had the fried pork chop and eggs, my boyfriend had the pulled pork Benedict. His lacked flavor and was slathered in so much BBQ sauce, even if the plate did posses flavor it would be disguised in the sauce. My dish was a fried onslaught of greasy potatoes and pork with an overdone egg on top. The dishes weren't disgusting but they left ALOT to be desired. Neither of us ate our entire meal, the leftovers weren't worth the hassle of carrying and we both left with stomachaches and disappointment. Even worse, even though our waitress could tell there was something wrong she just dropped the check off and disappeared. Mediocre at best, especially with the epic possibilities just steps away.
(2)
Laura M.
Excellent meal. We started with She Crab soup. Oh, so good. The mac and cheese is a must!! We sipped our sweet tea and savored the Shrimp & Grits. A little slice of southern heaven. Highly recommend.
(5)
Vicki K.
We are from Texas so we are accustomed to southern comfort food. By any standard Poogan's met AND surpassed all our expectations. Fried green tomatoes appetizer...to die for. Split entree with hubby of fried chicken (2 huge breasts) along with collard greens and garlic mashed potatoes were sooooo good. It was also more food than either of us could eat. Oh and BTW the biscuits and honey butter they bring right up front is everything they said it would be...awesome. Couldn't have been happier with our meal.
Surprisingly disappointing. Service was terrible. We had reservations for 2 and were seated within 10 minutes, which is acceptable. But that's where it ended. We were not acknowledged from our server for over 15 minutes. We ordered 2 wines. We then had a biscuit basket, which was delicious, but the basket was never removed from the table or refilled. just sat that empty the entire meal. We were told by our server that we should not have gotten "The Specials Menu" since they were sold out. I was disappointed because I did want the special, but decided to order a soup and salad. I also told the server to let me keep the menu, so that I could order something later if I was still hungry. My husband ordered the fried chicken. We never saw the server after that. My salad and husband chicken came out exactly one hour after we were seated. No one aske us how our meal was. My husband wanted to request additional gravy for his potatoes and I was going to order the Mac and cheese. We sat there another 15 minutes after our plates were empty. I fly all over the world and eat out a lot, so I am aware of customer service. I got the impression that volume of guest are more important than the dining experience. I finally left the restaurant hungry, and my husband informed them how unhappy we were. Luis, the general manger was apologetic and unaware of how poor the server was.
(2)
Christopher M.
Poogan's Porch was AMAZING! If you want great Southern food, in a beautiful southern town don't miss out on this restaurant. I wish I could give them more than 5 star. The biscuits & gravy and the shrimp & grits are unbelievable. If you are in Charleston go to Poogan's Porch you won't regret it. They close between 2 and 5 to change over from breakfast/brunch to dinner.
(5)
Claire D.
Food was excellent, and we got it to go and ate it almost an hour later. Pork chops, scallops, and chocolate peanut butter pie. We have a toddler who doesn't want to be at a restaurant and had never eaten out in Charleston and so we really appreciated they made us a to-go order. Place looked cute, we'll be back!
The fried chicken sliders are amazing. The biscuits here are to DIE for. The atmosphere is very charleston, especially if you're seated on or near the porch. The sweet tea is great as well, and always outstanding service.
(5)
Deb W.
The food was fantastic and we'd go back in a second if friends wanted to go. The atmosphere was a bit too formal for us, but otherwise it was excellent.
(4)
Nicole K.
We came here for lunch on the recommendation of a friend. We love sitting at the bar so we had no wait at all. The food was well priced and prepared and there were ample drink options. Service at the bar was great as well. It definitely lived up to its reputation. The only reason I'm shorting it a star is because of a super small menu selection for lunch options.
(4)
Amy S.
So delish!!! Great atmosphere and eclectic southern cooking. If you're in Charleston -- put this spot on your list.
(4)
Susan W.
Not exactly what I was expecting. I had lunch here twice in the same week and while the service was good, the food seemed to be hit and miss. Some things were really good while others just okay. I will go back for lunch, but probably not for dinner.
(3)
Eric B.
Ate here while visiting Isle of Palms for the week. It's nestled in the old part of Charleston about 4 blocks from the water. We had a reservation for 9 and the table was set up and waiting for us when we arrived. Server promptly arrived at the table to take drink orders and arrived minutes later with biscuits which were fantastic. My wife and I started with the fried green tomato app which was served with baked goat cheese rolled in pecans and peaches on the side. For my entree I had the jumbo sea scallops and my wife had the buttermilk fried chicken. Both were excellent and the portions were large. For dessert we had the "award winning" bread pudding which was mediocre, but good. Overall a great place for a group as well as something a little more intimate.
(4)
James H.
So good that we dropped in twice on the same vacation. Great southern fare at an almost great price. The service was good, the food was right up there with grandma's, and the environment is relaxed. The back dining room has great ambiance. I'd recommend it without hesitation.
(4)
Andrew M.
I'm not exactly sure why this was listed as a touristy place, since it seemed many locals were here as well. I tried Poogan's Porch due to being fascinated by the legend of Poogan and due to the fact it was across from the Mills House, my hotel. We started with a bowl of she-crab soup, which was amazing. A different server returned with another bowl; we asked our server if there was a problem, and it turned out to be a mix-up in the kitchen. We had to endure another bowl LOL I had the plantation chicken which was crazy good. The sauce added a nice punch. My date had the pork three-ways. The BBQ was ok, but the pork belly and country ham macaroni and cheese was delicious. We finished with the pumpkin bread pudding. While solid, I would have preferred a little more pumpkin flavor. The cocktails were tasty and they were not light on the booze. Our server was delightful. She gave us hints on doggy diets and was just a joy to talk to. Finally, why this place doesn't sell their biscuit mix is beyond me! :)
(5)
P. C.
A John Daly, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese fritters and airline chicken... All's good!
(4)
Chad R.
During a Birthday trip for my wife while we were on a ghost tour we learned about Poogan's Porch, and the dog it's named after. This morning we had the pleasure of having brunch here. My wife claims its the "best omelet ever" and the French toast is the "Toast with the most" you can not ho wrong. Service was A+ as well as cuisine. Great Job!
(5)
Sandra F.
I had the fried green tomato benedict and I thought that was really yummy and fun. Biscuits for the table were great too - haven't found a biscuit yet in Charleston that I didnt like! The reason for only three stars is because some of us Yankees are used to lighter morning far, so when we asked for fruit instead of potatoes it seemed like a reasonable request. Not only did the waitress look at us like we were from Mars, she then proceeded to tell us the fruit would be $5! Thats more than on Miami Beach. When the fruit arrived it was one slice of cantaloupe, one slice of honeydew and a few sliced strawberries - nearly identical to what came as garnish on our plate. Certainly not a $5 fruit bowl. Head for Poogans when you're looking for a country breakfast but don't try to get cute with the substitutions it seems!
(3)
Laura F.
Shrimp and Grits. My all time favorite brunch item. I have to say, I've never seen it Poogans style (topped with a poached egg), but was still quite pleased! If I didn't have my heart set on that order, I would have had a hard time deciding on the best brunch choice at Poogans! Will definitely return to challenge my favorite menu choice with another Poogans culinary masterpiece!
(4)
Nicole M.
Maybe we were there on an off night, or maybe we ordered incorrectly, or maybe we were destined to be disappointed after having an incredible meal the night before at Husk. Whatever the reason, Poogan's Porch left me bloated from an overly salty meal. The service was friendly and fast, but I was underwhelmed by my meal (scallops -- perfectly done and then overpowered by salty sauce and greens). I also ordered the ramps appetizer which was disappointing, though I'll own up to the fact that fried ramps was probably a bad call on my part. The biscuits were decent. We wanted to like this charmingly situated place, but it wasn't meant to be, and my experience was more tourist trap than fine southern dining.
(2)
Shannon M.
You MUST get the fried chicken and biscuits. To die for!!
(5)
AL B.
Hands down BEST RESTAURANT in CHARLESTON! From the incredible location on Queen Street in the Historic District, the old home built in the 1800's and later converted to a restaurant, a ghost dog and incredible food.. a MUST ! Had the Mac n'Cheese it was incredible-baked with big chunks of ham and tasty cheese... after this you won't want to share! Homemade biscuits hot out of the oven..so good!! ANd to top it all off the PECAN PIE- full of pecans.. hands down best food in the city and the ambiance was great !!
(5)
Mary B.
Yum! Lunch on a Friday afternoon. Had the 3 for $20 w/arugula salad,meatloaf and dessert. Everything great! Get the fried green tomatoes and OMG the biscuits are to die for!
(5)
Brian B.
The Snapper with pulled pork, which sounded a little different, was very good. Highly recommend! As well as Mac n cheese app.. Unfortunately the banana bread pudding was sold out. The chocolate cake was ok..
(5)
Amanda S.
Amazing buttermilk fried chicken. My mom tried the Plantation fried chicken which was fantastic too. The food and service was excellent! You have to try the pimento and cheese fritter appetizer. They also have a fun drink list with creative cocktails. Excellent location right in the heart of downtown.
(5)
Jeffrey G.
Go Elsewhere This place was highly recommended by a couple of local people. We got to the restaurant at 5:30 for dinner. We reported that we had 5 for dinner. They asked if we had a reservation? (We weren't told it was recommended) The hostesses looked at us like we were crazy. The head hostess finally told us "too bad, no room in the inn". We were ready to walk out and she stopped and said she could seat us in the bar. (no problem, we are all adults) My problem with that was, why act like we were intruding on their space? That option should have immediately been open. I thought she was very condescending and even the looks from the waitress were at times condescending, however she was very good and friendly. The six ounce ny strip is not worth $28 beware!! The southern fried chicken was very good The local shrimp pasta made my son sick. Would like to give it a better rating, but my conscience will not allow it.
(1)
Hugh W.
Awesome! You should eat here! NOW! I won't bother with details because every single thing was delicious and perfect.
(5)
Jill S.
Strange smell in the entrance but absolutely amazing food! Service was also great. No complaints. I was going to give it 4 stars bc it wasn't my absolute favorite, but I can't think of any complaints. The buttermilk fried chicken was the best fried chicken I have had. Enjoy!!
(5)
Julie R.
Had lunch here last week on the back porch. Here goes: Service: 5 stars, our server was a complete professional, even though it was busy he spread himself evenly and food was brought promptly. Pulled pork ravioli: This was a big disappointment. The sauce was a tomato sauce and honestly it tasted like cheese ravioli you can make at home. We didn't see or taste any pulled pork in it. It was 2 tiny ravioli for $8..we were surprised. Fried Green Tomato BLT: A step up, the bread was toasted to the point where a second late would of been burnt. The inside was soggy but flavor wise the whole combination was OK. Duck Confit Grilled Cheese: My husband took this on. It had a good amount of duck meat. A triple decker packed with greasy goodness. The biscuits before the food came were decadent. A mini meal in themselves. Keep that in mind if you order an appetizer. The location was great and service excellent. Maybe we got the wrong things, I would give another shot though.
(3)
Carla J.
Everything was stellar amazing! Our waiter was great and knowledgable on food and wine. His recommendations were dead on. I would eat here over and over again.
(5)
Joanne S.
We were so looking forward to eating at this place. Especially my husband. We're been to Fleet landing, Hominy, Heiyman's & Husk & were excited for this place. Unfortunately the service was very bad. The two parties that came in way after us got their drinks, biscuits & food 20 minute before us. Like them, we had kids and they got kids menu & we didn't so our kids order from the adult menu. Both my husband & dad order their crab soup, one was a cup & one was the bowl. My dad got his cup first, 15 minute later my husband had to remind the waiter for his bowl of soup. 50 minutes later we got our food, my dad's alligator was cold & had to send it back. Nobody enjoyed their food because we waited so long for it and seeing everyone get better service around you and not your family very disappointing. My dad is a chef, I use to waitress in college so we're familiar with good customer service. No apologies from the owners or manager. We normally tip 20% but only tipped 18% because of the poor service.
(1)
Grace R.
While on our trip to Charleston this past weekend, we stopped by Poogan's, a personal favorite of mine, for a drink and a snack Saturday afternoon. It was about 2:00 and the place was still packed! We snagged some seats at the bar and treated ourselves to a tasty treat. I had a (delicious!!) bloody mary, while my boyfriend just had a beer. We got an order of the Pimento Fritters and they were absolutely killer good. The best part of the dish is the green tomato relish under them... I really wish they sold it! We didn't do a full meal at Poogan's this trip, but definitely will next time. I love this place and highly recommend it for just a drink or for a meal.
Had read a good bit about PP on Yelp and travel magazines. Was not disappointed. Service was superb. Made reservation and seated promptly. Warm atmosphere on a cold night. Wonderful back room with crackling fireplace was ver inviting and romantic. Food: Beautiful presentation. Great taste. Smallish portions. Pork ribs with honey mustard sauce were meaty and delicious. Pecan pie filling was good but crust seemed dissapointingly storebought. Would definitely return when in Charleston.
(4)
Carrie E.
An authentic Southern food experience. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken which was comfort food heaven. Prices were reasonable and service top notch.
(5)
Lauren H.
Not what it used to be. My husband and I came here about 10 years ago and absolutely loved the food. We were excited to come back this time around but felt the food was lacking in finesse. The soft shell crabs were salty. The soup was room temperature. Biscuits were good but also room temperature. Slight disappointment.
(3)
Annika W.
A million people have been here and loved it on Yelp, but this is one of my most solidly five-star places and among my top five favorite restaurants in the world, so I will chime in. The food here is delicious, the kitchen manages to perfectly balance traditionalism with a high-quality, healthy enough style (rather than the uncompromising skillet and deep-fried foods that Southern cooking is known for). Every dollar for this meal was worth it, so I encourage everyone to treat themselves here. Restaurants of this price category (~20 dollar entrees) are a special occasion for me, so I loved that this place makes one feel special without feeling at all pretentious. And who wouldn't want to eat a nice meal in a beautiful historic house like this one. And to reinforce my point about how much I liked it here: My husband went back to this place a few months later, with two girls and without me. My jealousy was all about missing out on the meal there, not in the least about his company.
(5)
Roy T.
Ate lunch on the porch. Outstanding service. I had the catfish and my wife had a grilled cheese with bacon. Our food was fantastic. Tea was good. Desert was very good. Overall one of the best places we went during our five days in Charleston.
(5)
Whitney S.
HANDS DOWN my favorite restaurant in Charleston. Conveniently located in downtown Charleston, this place has delicious Southern food - come starving! Also, come early as they have very specific hours that they open and close. We got the buttermilk fried chicken, which as the best fried chicken I've ever had in my life! We also got fried green tomatoes (also delish) and the lowcountry pasta - the sauce on this pasta is out of this world. The prices are a bit higher than typical pasta/fried chicken, but worth every single penny. The staff is friendly and the old house is adorable. It's also on a side street, so not as crowded as some other restaurants. Definitely make sure you go to Poogan's! We would have gone back if we had more than 4 days.
(5)
Susan B.
Poogan's is a must try if you're in Charleston. Delicious food, excellent service, cool setting, and convenient location. Check it out!
(5)
Ginny L.
I've only had great experiences here.... I wish I could offer a suggestion, but everything is amazing. Enjoy!
(5)
Lindsey H.
Food was great, service was not. Our meal (2 adults) took over 2 hours. And we eat fast. We waited forever for our food. It was great but not worth the wait.
(3)
Briana B.
Absolutely loved this place! Great food and what a cute place! Really has the Charleston charm!
(4)
Jennifer B.
If you are in Charleston, you have to go here! The restaurant is absolutely beautiful! We went for Sunday brunch. There was about an hour wait, but trust me, it is worth it. They will put you on the list and text you when your table is available. The service was stellar and the food was amazing. We sampled the biscuits and gravy. Literally the best I have ever had, and we had the fried chicken. YUM! I cannot wait to go back. Don't miss this spot!
(5)
Diana W.
Best place we ate in Charleston. We went to Magnolias and Blossom while here and this was THE place we kept comparing those meals to. Started off with the fried green tomatos which was the first time I've ever had this! Unforunately it was lightly fried and the tomatoes didn't really have flavor. What kept us eating this appetizer was the goat cheese. My shrimp and grits were fantastic. The grits were cheesy and soft and the gravy on top? I couldn't get enough. It's a pretty huge portion but I was able to eat about 90% of it. This dish doesn't skimp out on the huge shrimp either! My husband got the scallops which were tender and sauteed so well!! The fried grits he got? Best thing he ate on the trip. The seasonal bread pudding for the night was made with a mocha bread. We opted for the icecream with it and...after all that we ate, we still finished the plate. The service was great, the food was delicious, the house was quaint. Great place to dine at and get a feel of the south. The famous biscuits though? I've had better at popeyes...but everything else was so fabulous.
(4)
Lauren H.
One word: YUM! After a girls' weekend in Charleston we decided to end our time together with brunch here. Their biscuits are delightful and the Bloody Mary's were so great too (and I don't even like tomato juice). I ordered the catfish and finished every bite. They paired it with a lima bean/black bean succotash which I thought was so inventive and was delicious! I had a little bit of the Charlestowne Fry too. Again - SO good! We (9 ladies) shared several dishes and I can't think of anything that was not phenomenal. Love the food, the ambiance, the staff. This place is a MUST if you're in the area.
(5)
Brian C.
More like Poogan pooped on the porch! The review is slanted poorly because this upscale hipster restaurant was filthy! Uggh 8 o'clock dinner and my wife and I are covered in ants! I told tge sweet waitress and she said they were sugar ants! just a lotta southern bs for ants! They are not sweet or sprinkles they are filthy ants. It was impossible to enjoy the food which tasted meh after feeling like this place was too filthy to dine in! Once I alerted the waitress and she told a manager who did nothing but say they would call pest control! Hello southern hospitality? Here is where you comp guests a drink or dessert! Nope nothing! Shows really poor manners for not taking responsibility for a filthy ant infested hipster eatery! It was also so hot! I wasn't sure if they were too cheap to invest in AC so they could peddle more over priced drinks! Anyway avoid the ants as they was nothing special about the food or service!
(2)
RJ C.
Unfortunately not impressed. I was so excited to visit Poogan's Porch. The atmosphere was beautiful and it was an amazing day in Charleston. I am disappointed to share: service: we felt rushed throughout our meal, we kept having to ask for more time and even told the waiter "sorry, we are not in a hurry." appetizer: my wife and I love a good seared scallop, but the mustard sauce it was served with made the app taste more like a hotdog than a $10 scallop. entree: filet mignon - who doesn't love a good steak? and I was especially excited about the blue cheese potatoes gratin. the steak was covered in, what Poogan thought, was a reduction - it was more like gravy. The filet was fatty and oops, they forgot to give us steak knives. entree: shrimp and grits - a southern staple, my expectations were high. The shrimp was served tail on, which would be fine if the meal wasn't swimming in gravy. So the decision is cut the shrimp and loose the meat in the tail, or messy fingers. For $25 shrimp and grits, lets just say I'm glad I had a napkin. highlights: atmosphere, biscuits with butter. the rest I could have done without.
(1)
Jenny R.
Some friends and I went to this restaurant once and have never returned because of the service. We made a reservation for 6 but we had one more person than we expected. They refused to accommodate the one extra person. Our friend left. We saw our table and asked to why our friend wasn't allowed since we were sitting at a round table... we all squeezed in and there was enough room for one more person. The server said it was fine with him but when he told the lady that was "in charge" she still said it "wasn't possible".We called our friend anyways to come back and he did. I'm sure they weren't happy about it but we got him in. Our server told us that his manager was not happy with it but he didn't care at all. We tipped him well and left to never go back again. The food was great but it was not worth what we went through to have a nice time with friends.
(1)
Big Baby Jesus C.
Oh Poogan baby! Your food was 5 stars all the way around, except for your biscuits, which weren't fluffy enough (bake at a higher temperature for less time and they'll be fluffier) but the service was a huge disappointment. Apparently they didn't like my T-shirt. I was going to book a spot for 1 through Opentable, but I remembered I'm boycotting their service since they sent me a snotty email last time I used it saying I was a no show when I totally fucking kept my reservation. So the host lies through his teeth and tells me there's no table available in the restaurant for at least an hour but I could sit at the bar. He just didn't want me in the dining room with my "sensational" T-shirt on. Everyone was very distant to me because I had a T-shirt on they didn't like and I was lied to and got shitty service as a result. I won't be back, and it's a crying shame because you have great food, but I've got too much self respect to allow myself to be treated like a second class citizen because you've got some fucking hang ups about my choice of attire. Never though I'd have to say this down here, but learn some manners.
(2)
Kathryn B.
Poogan's Porch is by far my favorite restaurant in Charleston. It's a quaint house that was converted to a restaurant. There's a cute ghost story associated with the place, check out their website to get the scoop. Many ghost tours even feature Poogan. Too bad I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him...yet. The entrees I've tried are Plantation fried chicken, Buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp & grits, scallops, short ribs, and duck breast. EVERYTHING is good here. The biscuit are heavenly. Don't forget to try the Pimento Cheese Fritters. My mouth is watering just thinking about their food!
(5)
Holly J.
Great Place. Cool menu. Great Drinks. WEnt when the in laws were in town and had a blast.
(4)
Christine R.
Had the most delicious lunch in Charleston! My first time trying shrimp and grits and it was fantastic. The service was very prompt and friendly, and it's an appropriately decorated old southern home with a lovely ambiance. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Dick L.
Good food and service; I had the cast iron pork chop. One caveat - the "key lime pie" is really more like cheese cake with lime sorbet.
(4)
Jeff W.
Wow, I had high expectations when a friend reccomended that we try Poogan's....but I was still pleasantly suprised. The atmosphere is fabulous, and we sat on the front porch. Even though it was a hot day, it was cooled by the overhead fans and slight breeze. The staff was friendly and the food was GREAT. I had the fried chicken salad, my wife had the ahi special. Both plates were excellent, especially given i am not the biggest salad fan (trying to be healthier than just fried chicken). The service was great, a slight bit slow....but fit the day and pace we were enjoying. Will definitely be back next time.
(5)
Dave M.
The Mac&cheese is mouth watering. The duck was an 8 but pork chops were a 10. Highly recommend in the competitive Charleston market.
(5)
Selphyne B.
I wish I had taken a photo of the food but we were starving! This restaurant is inside a charming and historical looking southern house. I would give 5 stars for food flavor but took a couple away because of some big problems no one should over look. One problem was that the staff was made aware of vegetarian and food allergen dietary needs and we were assured we would be accommodated. Biscuits were brought to the table and consumed and someone at our table asked about the biscuits production because they loved them so much and it came out that they are made with lard, which is not viable for a vegetarian. (The vegetarian dietary restrictions are medical!) unfortunately this caused severe pain and illness later. This restaurant fries everything in peanut oil unfortunately, so menu choice was very restrictive, but the chef was kind and accommodating as possible. The tabled ordered a starter of the Gouda macaroni (vegetarian substitute needed and fulfilled) and the basil infused goat cheese and tomato salad. Both of these starters were absolutely incredible. So full of flavor and aroma. One of the best macaroni and cheese I have ever had. The basil goat cheese on the tomato salad was mind blowing in regards to flavor! The entrees mostly satisfied the respective patrons at our table. My husbands grandmother ordered some fried oysters that came with house made chips and a pimento slaw. She loved her chips and oysters but did not like the slaw. My mother in law had the crispy snapper on top of a fried cheese grits party and her fish was beyond over cooked but she enjoyed her grits cake. My father in law probably had the best dish in my opinion. He ordered the grilled wahoo served over a red rice risotto. He felt like his fish was over cooked but I tried it and it was just the way I prefer it! Definitely still craving it! I did not try the risotto as it had pork in it. My husband had a pan fried pork chop that came with a side of the Gouda Mac n cheese (original non vegetarian) and he was highly satisfied with the preparation and flavor. I had the grouper on top of a pimento cheese ravioli...I do not like pimento cheese anything but was willing to give it a try hoping for the best. It was also supposed to come with a red pepper and corn accompaniment which did sound wonderful. The grouper was cooked well but not flavored as great as my father in law's wahoo. The ravioli was absolutely disgusting and should not exist. The poor corn was almost non existent in the dish and what little there was drown in the pimento ravioli sauce. I would return and suggest others without dietary restrictions try this place. We all shared dessert and chose the key lime pie and the daily special strawberry coconut torte which was absolutely FANTASTIC. I would love to get that grilled wahoo served with vegetarian version of the Gouda macaroni! And as lovely as the biscuits tasted, I could never eat them again because the severity of illness it caused me. I wish that more people understood the full scope of dietary restrictions and whether or not they were medical necessity or choice, but be respected either way. The staff and chef were extremely wonderful except for the waiter not realizing the lard ingredient mistake.
(3)
Jyotish B.
We went to this place considering all the good reviews it has. The staffs were friendly but not really helpful, but food was terrible, like horrible. The biscuits were stale and dry, nothing close to good. We ordered fried green tomatoes as appetizers and they were very thick and almost raw. The salad was terrible for the price. My friend just started drinking her beer when a fly fell in to her glass, and the waitress didn't offer another beer as an replacement. I wish I had better things to write about this place. Its just unfortunate and very disappointment.
(1)
Jennifer L.
Love this place! Quaint, romantic atmosphere and the food was delicious! I ordered the Wedge Salad and the Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops. The Wedge Salad was just a bit soggy but not too bad. However the Scallops dish was absolutely heavenly, I was savoring every bite! It came with smoked bacon risotto cake, citrus scented spinach, tomato & green onion buerre blanc. Really enjoyed my meal! The staff were great too! Very prompt service. This place is a must try for visitors!
(5)
Rhonda F.
Dinner here Friday evening. So impressed across the board with service, food, ambiance and GREAT wine list that we tried to book reservations for Saturday. Unfortunately not happening. Smoked Gouda stuffed chicken breast, pasta, flat iron steak, grouper and swordfish. Each dish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. It is rare that I will finish my entire entree but not true in this case. Server was friendly and extremely knowledgable. Side note: bourbon pecan pie was not the best but really who cares after all the amazing entrees. A definite return visit will occur.
(5)
Andi H.
Carly our waitress was amazing. We loved the location and atmosphere but the reason we would come back is Carly. We were visiting from Boston and she made us feel at home! The chicken and waffles were to die for!!
(4)
Genevieve B.
Came for brunch. Before you even get a chance to look over the menu, they drop off a basket of the fluffiest, most delicious biscuits and sweet whipped butter you've ever had - but don't fill up - their menu portions are huge! We had the chicken and waffles and a pork benedict. Everything from the setting to the service to the food was fantastic!
(5)
Missi T.
Pimiento. Cheese. Fritters. This home turned restaurant was nearly perfect; ambiance, southern charm, and unforgettable food. Everything I ate was thought out and put together deliciously. Cheese fritters and applesauce | Why didn't I think of that? Scallops with sesame-crusted watermelon | Why didn't everyone else think of that? Fried Green Tomatoes with goat cheese and peaches | Why is this not the standard? This place would have received 5 stars had service put in a bit more effort. They weren't slow or not familiar with menu; was just hoping they connected a bit more with diners in such a classically southern atmosphere. If you don't eat here- you didn't eat well in chuck-town.
(4)
Olesya Z.
Fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and biscuits - all were some of the best I've ever had. Please note that for weekend brunch, they don't take reservations for small parties so it's first come, first serve. We went on a rainy late morning and the place was surprisingly half empty but the fireplaces were lit. We didn't wait at all, and service was great. I also enjoyed learning about the house and Poogan's story, along with all the old photos around the house.
(5)
Trevor D.
Yummy! I love this place. Great historical home turned into a fantastic restaurant. YUMMY BRUNCH TOO!
(4)
Joe S.
Service was excellent and the shrimp and grits were vey good.
(4)
Sarah W.
My fiance and I ate here on Valentine's Day and it was pretty good! I didn't have any expectations (we're new here from Seattle), so that helps. The restaurant is situated in an old house downtown. Downstairs in the "living room" is the bar and casual dining, and upstairs is the main dining room. It is TINY...maybe 10 tables, if that! Make sure to have a reservation because like I said, seating is very limited. As for the food, it is very good. I got the grilled Mahi Mahi and garlic mashed potatoes while my fiance got the fried chicken. We had the macaroni and cheese for an appetizer but weren't too impressed (I've had better mac n' cheese from Stouffer's!). Our entrees were very good, not delicious, but very good. We may be back.
(4)
Valerie N.
Despite the sad "no reservations" policy, I really enjoyed Poogan's. We came in a group of 6 + 1 dog on a Sunday for brunch. Our wait wasn't that long for an outside table, but boohiss, there was no umbrella. Unfortunately that meant that our table had to split up, but I was seated on the upper porch and it was no problem at all. Yay to host staff that are flexible! Bloody Mary = HECK YES. Spicy perfection with yummy pickled okra. Had I not been the driver, I could have easily downed several, as they were also half price. Booyah. Pimento Cheese Fritters = hands down, one of the best apps I've ever had. I could barely eat two (they come as a plate of 4). They are rich, perfectly fried, and mysteriously un-greasy. Yummity. These plus a simple salad would have been the perfect lunch! Burger + pimento cheese = It was hot and I didn't want eggs - what can I say? The burger was huge, I loved the tomato and housemade pickles, but the bread was meh and the side of grits was really sad and flavorless (boooo). Our waitress was so pleasant and full of great suggestions. She definitely added to our dining experience. All in all, really good eats! I'd definitely return thanks to the excellent service and yummy food. Kudos for the water bowls for puppies! P.S. Yes, this is the site of Josh's reunion with his mom from Holly's World!
(4)
E T.
Had a fabulous birthday dinner here while visiting Charleston where I went to college on the 70s. Hadn't been back since and had forgotten how beautiful the architecture and history was. Poogan's porch combined everything in one neat package. Good southern food beautiful historical home and of course that southern hospitality. Favorite item of the night...pimento cheese balls. Yum!
(5)
Tricia L.
We had a wonderful dinner that totally exceeded my expectations. The service was as excellent as the food. I would highly recommend the scallops. They were the best I've had. It's a good idea to make reservations and arrive on time. We saw many disappointed when they were turned away. We loved our experience here.
(5)
Anne O.
I went last week. My young nephew was visiting and he really wanted to taste alligator, especially after seeing one near my yard. Poogan's was the first to come to mind. We started our meal with alligator salad and the pimiento balls - Definitely go back for both of those. Then this is where it got sad. Joe ordered the shrimp and crab pasta and I ordered the scallops with risotto cake. His pasta came and I didn't say anything - but about a 1/3 of the way through the meal he said he thought he'd rather just eat the shrimp and crab, as he knew I was paying and didn't want to offend me. I had seen that large clump of stuck together, not fully cooked mass of pasta (you know when you don't stir it quick enough and it clumps and you can't or don't fix it? I assured him I understood. I couldn't eat my risotto cake, it tasted of old oil, and frankly, burnt. As we were finishing what we could eat and saw on the far end of the table 2 white lumps in a basket and asked Joe if that was our biscuits??? I am not exaggerating when I say they were as white as this page, no browning at
(2)
Gabe F.
AMAZING! My new favorite restaurant in Charleston. The pork chop is amazing. Half priced mimosas on saturday are excellent. BISCUITS, BISCUITS, BISCUITS!
(5)
Joanne L.
Poogan's Porch is such a quaint place to have dinner... I love the history of the house! Starter: We had fried green tomatoes as an appetizer, which were perfectly crisp and went well with the accompanying relish and cheese. Entrees: - Pan fried duck breast: very tender and succulent, sauce was delicious, yum! - Shrimp and grits: generous pieces of shrimp, grits were just creamy enough, but some pieces were dry clumps :( - Seafood pasta: a great light and fresh dish - Cast iron pork chop: good piece of meat but a little too overcooked for me, not juicy enough Dessert: Banana panna cotta was not soft and creamy but rather had a harder consistency like... stale cheesecake? It was good but not what we were expecting. Overall, had a wonderful time. Great ambiance and food. We sat at a table at the bar next to the kitchen so I enjoyed watching all the dishes come out. Would definitely come back again!
(4)
Thomas W.
My wife and I went here on our vacation. Picked it from Yelp review not knowing what to expect. Fantastic meal, great drinks and very attentive service. We were seated in the upstairs master bedroom. Very nice atmosphere. I had the lump crab and shrimp pasta. My wife had the salmon. Both were very good and cooked perfectly. The biscuits are to die for. They really play up the haunting thing, very cool.
(5)
Bruce B.
As New Englanders looking to try authentic Southern cuisine, we had many fine restaurants to choose from. Based on a recommendation from a friend and other reviews on Yelp, we settled on Poogan's Porch, and we were not disappointed. We made a reservation through Open Table. We arrived a few minutes early and were seated right away. The atmosphere was upscale, while still being quaint and comfortable. The service and food were both very good. The meal began with biscuits, which were fabulous. I had the fried alligator salad as an appetizer. I'd never had alligator before, so I didn't know what to expect, but I found It to be a little tough and bland. I don't know if that's normal. For my main course I had the shrimp and grits. Very good and full of flavor, although the shrimp may have been just a tad overdone. My wife skipped the appetizer and had the crispy skinned snapper, which was excellent. The portions were quite generous and we left no room for dessert. My only complaint is that I would have like to order wine after my per-meal drink, but the waitress didn't check back with us until after our meal was delivered (by someone other than our waitress) and we were half way done with our meal, at which point it was a little late for wine. Overall, it was a very good meal. I would recommend it to others and would gladly eat there again (but not before trying some of the many other local restaurants on our list first).
(4)
Meghan G.
The best meal I have had in a long time and for such reasonable prices!! It was definitely better than Husk. I can't enough about how good it was. We got the crab soup, fried alligator salad, the fish with a grit cake and pulled pork, and the beef with blue cheese gnocchi. It was all amazing!! If I could give 6 stars, I would. Service was amazing as well.
(5)
Mini E.
Went to this place based on a friend's recommendation and had no regrets. We got a table outside on the second floor porch which seemed very private as there were only three tables out there. I personally thought it was a nicer place to dine than inside and yes, the weather had a lot to do with my opinion. We started with the country ham mac & cheese and it was awesome. Probably the best mac & cheese I had ever had. I had the shrimp and grits and the wife got the buttermilk fried chicken. The shrimp and grits were very good with plenty of shrimp. The buttermilk fried chicken was not greasy and very tasty. The mashed potatoes were cooked to perfection, not too loose or lumpy, seasoned just right. This was the best meal of our five day trip in Charleston and highly recommend this place. The service was good and the food was outstanding.
(5)
Scott B.
She crab soup was excellent and I only got it because our server recommended it. Wife's filet was delicious and the blue cheese "dumplings" with it were original and very tasty. I had the shrimp and scallops with grit fritters. Scallops were good, shrimp not so much, and the grits made up most of the meal. No reservation on a Friday night but were seated right away, although it was upstairs. Great service.
(4)
Kara R.
What could be better than to start 2013 at Poogan's Porch?! Used Open Table to secure a table for two. Started with the Pimento Cheese Fritters....who knew you could fry pimento cheese. Served with applesauce and were perfection. Then had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Shrimp and Grits. I don't need no stinky black-eyed peas, greens and cornbread for new year. Found a new tradition. Ended the meal with the Banana Panna Cotta which was light and just the right amount between two people. Our server, Sara, was very easy going and made the whole experience for us. Southern hospitality at its finest. Thank you! We'll see you in 2014!
(5)
Lindsay S.
Really liked this place overall...really quaint and homey atmosphere and our waiter Buck was so accomodating to our party. I loved the biscuits they served at the beginning of the meal and wine we ordered for the table. I had the she-crab soup which was pretty good and the fried chicken and shrimp and grits (split) which I wasnt as crazy about. ce la vie. The 2 desserts we got were also extremely good. Perhaps I just chose the wrong entrees..
(4)
Michael M.
A historical treasure! Food is top notch, ambience has relaxing country historical atmosphere, people are friendly and will help you find something you like. I definitely recommend the Sweet Tea Salmon cooked medium well. Make sure to reserve a spot. This place gets crowded real fast!
(5)
Joanna C.
Not being from the South, I came to Charleston on a quest to find authentic Southern food (and to see all of the pretty historic houses). After looking at Yelp ratings, I decided to go to Poogan's Porch with my family for some quality chow. It did not disappoint. It's in this cute little house and was really crowded (weekday dinner)! Luckily for us, there was a table for four in the bar area. The staff was really friendly and our servers were really nice about recommending foods and telling us about what was popular since we had no idea what to order. The food did not disappoint. The biscuits were good! Soft, warm, and doughy with honey butter, we really enjoyed them. We ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer since it's supposed to be a southern classic. I liked the flavoring of the chutney and the goat cheese, but the tomato itself was just okay, don't know how I feel about frying a tomato. Then came the rest of our food, which there was a lot of. The Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops were really big, and decently good. Nothing spectacular, but they were solid. The Pork 3 Ways was pretty good, I liked the mac & cheese that came with it and the pulled bbq pork. Not a huge fan of pork belly (too much fat on it for my taste), but the collard greens were a good finish. The Center Cut NY Steak was pretty standard. Like the scallops, they were good, but not stand out. The Bourbon Braised Beef Brisket was well-flavored and rather delicious, as were the cheddar chive croquettes that came with it. Considering the big portions, we had a bunch of leftovers. All in all, it was a really satisfying meal and if I ever find myself in Charleston again (which hopefully I will because it's so cute and relaxing), I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Tara B.
I am a local, and our family loves to eat at Poogan's Porch. It is a good representation of southern cuisine. We recently took friends from out of town there hoping for our usual excellent customer experience. Unfortunately, this night our service wasn't what we were typically used to. Sebastian was our server and seemed "bothered" to serve us. He was not very friendly and actually seemed visibly upset when he could not hear what one of the little kids was saying to him. We wondered who peed in his cornflakes that night, but my optimist husband said "maybe his girlfriend just broke up with him before he came to work." Aside from our server, the rest of the Poogan's experience was nice. The building is a charming historic house that is now made into a restaurant. That allows tables to be spread out throughout various rooms upstairs and downstairs. The placemats and the flowers on the table appear to be the sweetgrass items that the famous Charleston basket weavers make, adding the Charleston touch to the table. There is a good wine selection, and the menu has several choices that are all wonderful southern foods. We loved the home made biscuits with honey butter while we waited. On our table we had the fried pork chop, salmon, ribs, and lump crab & shrimp pasta. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. I think the thing we raved most about was the gouda bacon macaroni and cheese. AMAZING! I love how there is also a famous Charleston ghost story behind this house as well. I would definitely return as I know we have had better servers there in the past. However, if this had been my first visit, I am not sure how that would have influenced me. I also recommend making reservations as often this place books up quickly.
(4)
Chris P.
Best Grouper I have ever had. Great atmosphere. Great bar. All around great place.
(5)
Sase D.
Not very impressed. The alligator bites were over cooked and chewy. The she crab soup tasted like they used a canned "cream of" soup as it's base. The best thing I had was the biscuits (and those were free). What nobody seemed to mention on here is that the menu mostly consists of brunch. The only thing this place had going for it was its cozy atmosphere and kind waitstaff.
(3)
Peggy G.
We went for dinner with 2 kids (1 who is very picky) and the grandparents. Friends questioned our decision because they think of Poogan's Porch as more of a breakfast/lunch place. So ,we were a little concerned, but so glad we went for dinner. It was very good. The staff was able to satisfy the picky 10 year old with something off the menu and they were eager to accommodate. The food was good and good portions and a fair value. We enjoyed it and wouldn't think twice about going back.
(4)
Tony M.
Great place! Had a quick lunch and tried the chicken n biscuits. Perfect to share. Service was great and you have to try the John Daily drink! Golfers will get the pun!!
(4)
Junior R.
We ate at Poogan's Porch for dinner and it was ok. I ordered short ribs and it came almost like a roast with potatoes and tomatoes. The short ribs were tender and good, but the sauce lacked any real "pop" for me. the potatoes were good but again the thin gravy sauce wasn't anything special. the tomatoes seemed out of place in the dish and I would have faired alot better with maybe some carrots or a green in there. The wife ordered a crab soup and appetizer crab cakes. The soup was awesome flavorful and very meaty! The crabcakes were the size of 50 cent pieces and were some of the worst crabcakes we've ever had honestly. The biscuits and butter they supply the table with were awesome also! But all in all, this place had the hype and defintely fell short with me. Maybe it was my pick of the short ribs? But I wasn't all that impressed. The setup itself was awesome dining areas all throughout an old house. It was definitely a cool experience in that aspect. The waiter we had seemed disconnected from us as well and almost fake. She seemed to want to feed us and move us out and not too interested in the fact of if we really were enjoying the dining experince there. Another big name Charleston establishment that to me, fell way short of the hype
(2)
Allie C.
Best biscuits EVER!!! Not kidding!
(5)
Raul C.
Very good ambiance. I ended up here by pure happenstance. After trying to get into a nearby restaurant (that was booked solid) and walking by this one, I called (could not take another face to face rejection) and it turns out they had a table available. My server was great. She was very patient and made several good recommendations. I started with the arugula salad and had the Crispy Skinned Snapper as my entree. The snapper, served on top of pulled pork, which sits on a cheddar grit cake, was excellent. Looking forward to visiting again on my next trip.
(4)
Suzanne C.
Amazing dining experience. Everything we ate was totally delicious and flavorful starting with the bread, oyster arugula salad and our entrees even including our kids dinners which were Mac n Cheese and chicken fingers. I had eaten here 15 years ago and 15 years later still outstanding!
(5)
Lowell P.
Poogan's Porch = classic Southern food. That little equation could really sum up the restaurant. It's nothing extremely fancy or exciting, but it's Southern food at its finest (almost). The She Crab Soup isn't the best I've had in Charleston (or anywhere), but it's not bad, grab it someplace else, possibly Chez Fish if you're near Kiawah/Seabrook Island. The Pimento Cheese Fritters are delicious, what's not to like about fried cheese? The Cast Iron Pork Chop was delicious, nicely breaded on the outside and tender on the inside. The Gouda Mac and Cheese that accompanied it was divine, definitely a winner. A short and simple review, but as I started this review, I said it was "classic" Southern food and you really don't need to elaborate too much on that. If you're looking for a safe bet on some delicious, artery clogging food, Poogan's Porch might be right up your alley.
(4)
Natalie H.
Biscuits and gravy sooo creamy and great price! Also got the BBQ Benedict, very good!
(4)
Hilary D.
This restaurant was great. Charming house.... Request to be near fireplace in colder weather. Staff very friendly. Best dishes were macc and cheese appet, shrimp and grits and short ribs. Great biscuits to start. We were celebrating our anniversary and they gave us complimentary champagne. Very sweet. Wasn't impressed with crab appet. Enjoy!
(5)
Amber D.
Delicious. Had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Biscuits were also delicious. We had a large group but service was great. Everyone in the group was very happy happy with their meal. We went to a handful of restaurants while we were in Charleston, but this was definitely the best.
(5)
Julia V.
Poogans Porch- The food was pretty good, my meal was fine but my parents and my brother really liked theirs. Be warned though, the moment I walked in this restraint it had an eerie vibe. It felt very creepy to me and I wanted to get out of there ASAP. The next day we searched it and found out it was one of the most haunted places. If you are into ghost, this is the place to be (especially the women's bathroom) check out the story online! Overall nice restaurant
(3)
Leslie G.
I went here for brunch on a recent trip to Charleston and had a great southern meal. The restaurant is very homey (makes sense since it's in an old house) and has a lot of charm. We got there a little after 9 AM on a Sunday, so there was no wait yet. To start, we had the delicious biscuits and honey butter. I probably could have just eaten those all day! For my actual meal, I had the fish and grits, which turned out to be enough food for about 3 people. We are talking a massive amount of food. The fish (flounder, I believe) consisted of about 3 fillets on top of cheesy grits and topped with two fried eggs as well as stewed okra and tomatoes. It all tasted great, but I was full about a third of the way through and since I was staying in a hotel, I couldn't take the leftovers with me. My boyfriend had an open-faced omelet with fried oysters, and his meal was also enormous. But we both thought the food was very good. If I come here again, I would probably get a starter and then split one entree with another person!
(4)
Tres S.
Great lunch - beautiful house converted to multi-seating options, including porch and back-yard patio. Friendly servers. Three different dishes, all great. Also parking garage across the street.
(5)
Happy C.
It's the best seafood pasta I have ever had so far. Definitely worth a visit.
(5)
Charles Y.
We had an early reservations at 5:30 and the restaurant wasn't busy. My wife ordered the scallops and they were very good. However, I ordered the ribeye and although the inside was cooked medium as I had ordered it, the bottom of the steak was charred (burnt) and gave the entire steak a really bad taste. Decided not to send it back and ended up trying to cut the bottom off so I could eat it.
(2)
Aisha I.
Staying across the street at the Mills House we spent a lot of time hanging out on our balcony overlooking this restaurant and saw a steady stream of people walking by on ghost tours that featured this restaurant or trying to get in for a meal. We were intrigued. Sadly, since they were so popular we couldn't get dinner reservations but did manage to stop by for breakfast. It was amazing. The biscuits are, like others before have stated, exceptional but the fried chickens and waffles? The best. Ever. I could write an ode to that meal. It was that good. If you come for brunch you must order this dish. I also really liked the staff who I saw going out of their way to accommodate people, and had such a good attitude in general and needless to say we will definitely be back.
(5)
LOUIS R.
Good basic food Less pretentious than HUSK next door for sure !
(4)
Richard R.
We stopped by, not realizing that reservations were needed. The hostess was able to offer a bar table within a few minutes. Happy that the plan worked out! The mac and cheese lived up to the billing as the best in town, and I don't even live here! The wife had the she crab soup- but it had a little bit too much of a bite of sherry for her taste. Dinner was Buttermilk Fred Chicken for e (very god) and Shrimp for her. Really good as well. If I am again 3,000 miles away from home I would definitely come back here. Seriously, Great Place, Great service and Great Food.
(5)
Brian C.
Dinner Apr 21 Highlights of the dining experience - Great entrees with perfectly paired sides! Pan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops were awesome! Fresh, juicy and cooked perfectly. The accompanying Grit Cake and Spinach were perfect sides. Bourbon Braised Beef Brisket was top notch. Very flavorful and lots of meat with little fat. The side of Cheddar Croquettes and Broccolini we're delightful. Double Cut Pork Chop was thick, juicy and cooked just right. It was almost to big too eat ..did I just say that? The Warm Smoked Gouda Potato Salad was heavenly and it also came with the best tasting Brussels Sprouts ever! Biscuits were amazing as well...ask for them as soon as they come to take u drink order. Their sauces....everything sauce we got on every dish, appetizer or side was incredible. Low-lights of the dining experience: The back dining hall was extremely loud. Couldn't have a conversation at table, let alone hear the waitress. They need some "sound absorbing" decorations or something in there. Not overwhelmed by appetizers either. The special Fried Quail was just ok. The Fried Ravioli was bland and tasteless and if their was BBQ Pork in there, it wasn't enough to notice via sight or taste. The She Crab Soup was overly peppered - which way over powered the crab taste, Desert was a special Strawberry Trifle and it wasn't very special. It came out in a glass tumbler and they gave us forks. Poor presentation and very pedestrian. Overall I am very glad we went. The main courses were outstanding and I would like to try the Fried Chicken dishes.
(4)
April K.
a wee bit on the pricy side, but the fried pork chops that came with green beans and Gouda Mac and cheese were delish!! the pork was just a tad bit dry. the shellfish and grits was a surprise. didn't expect the grits to be in the form that it came in. they actually fried the grits. there should be a picture of what it looks like. sweet tea and lemonade. half and half is a must get!! you would think, how good of an Arnold Palmer get? you'll be surprised. it was the perfect amount of lemonade and sweet tea. the biscuits that they bring out with homemade butter. yummm. the homemade butter is a little bit on the sweet side. so if you like sweet butter, you'll enjoy~ didn't give it a five because the form of the grits was not what I expected and the pork was just a tad bit dry. totally forgot to write about the fried green tomatoes. loved them!! my friend didn't like it as much but if you like tangy and sweet and smoky that comes from the Gouda it's a must try.
(4)
Gary E.
Ate at bar. The bartender was great and made perfect lunch and drink recommendations. Hostess was a snob and Major turnoff. But glad we ignored her and had lunch anyway
(4)
Lee H.
Southern charm. That about sums up Poogan's Porch. Housed in a historic Charleston house and complete with two porches, we decided to dine on the second floor porch. It was oppressively hot, but when do you have the chance to eat on a Southern porch? I'm obsessed with all things pimiento cheese, so when I spotted pimiento cheese fritters on the appetizer menu, it was a no brainer. They were piping hot, gooey and the green tomato jam was a nice complement to the cheesy pimiento. My husband claims his shrimp and grits with blue crab gravy was the best he's ever had and I'm still dreaming about the honey jalapeno dressing that came with my fried chicken salad. I must figure out how to recreate. Our meal was topped off with a basket of biscuits and sweet tea, both of which were the perfect Southern treats. As if it couldn't get any better, our waitress sent us on our way with to go waters, which was a godsend on a sweltering Charleston day.
(5)
Katie H.
Other reviewers don't lie; the biscuits are in the top 3 I have ever had. We went to a fairly late dinner at Poogan's Porch while in Charleston. I was regrettably stuffed from lunch even at 9 pm, so I don't think I got as much out of the experience as I might otherwise have, but even so, it was evident that if you're looking for attentive service and an upscale-feeling Southern meal, this is your place. I am possibly physically incapable of passing up anything that involves smoked Gouda, so I ordered the plantation fried chicken, which is stuffed with spicy collards and smoked Gouda. A great combination. It came with freshly peppered/salted green beans and some whipped potatoes. The dish overall had a bit more kick than I was expecting, but the surprise was pleasant even for a spice wimp like me. For me, this was more of an experience than a place I'd return to again and again, but I definitely found it to be a worthwhile stop in Charleston.
(4)
Bisley B.
Ok, to start I was in Charleston for the bridge run and we were debating between a few restaurants, and decided to walk by each one. Poogans had a sign welcoming bridge day runners in front of the restaurant, so we decided to go in. Upon entering we were told that they were completely booked with reservations but could sit us outside. Not a big deal, except there were many, many empty tables that remained empty for over two hours inside. Funny that so many people seemed to not show up for their reservations. I did notice that there was an informal dress code and those dressed down a little were seated outside. Not a big deal, except I don't like being lied to. If there is a dress code or standard, just be honest and either I'll go to the car and change or happily sit outside since it's their house their rules. Just don't give me a BS excuse or lie to me, be honest. On to the food. We had the macaroni as an appetizer. It had a good taste (gouda was a good taste with the ham) and would of been a very good dish except for the elbow macaroni like you would get out of a box. Who uses elbow macaroni in a decent restaurant? Dinner came with complimentary biscuits and butter, which were good but too sweet for my taste. My fiancee had the Grouper, which was very overcooked and bland. I didn't taste the rest of her dish so can't comment on it. I had the scallops. The scallops were very good and cooked like they are supposed to be. I would recommend the scallops, but not the bland spinach or risotta cake (tasted like it had been sitting around a while) that came with the meal. In the end dinner was ok, but wished we had chosen more wisely. We are normally good tippers and felt bad not tipping as much, but felt we couldn't tip out normal amount in good faith after our experience here. I felt bad because the waitress was friendly, even though my glass did stay empty several times.
(2)
Lindsey S.
Ate here during restaurant week and went with the $30 fixed price menu. I had the peach and pecan salad, chicken and chocolate banana bread pudding. I really wanted to try the crab cakes, grits, and fried green tomatoes, but they weren't on the restaurant week menu. However, what I had was awesome! The vegetables served with the chicken looked fine, but were actually amazing, I was pleasantly surprised. Everything I had was great and now I want to go back for the menu items not on the fixed price menu. I'm sure they will be wonderful as well based in everything else we had. I'd also like to comment on how good the staff was. We told our server that we needed to leave within an hour to make it in time for a scheduled tour we were taking. She continued to check on how much time we had and helped get our dessert out quickly to make it. She was so helpful and nice. Definitely a great place to eat in Charleston!
(5)
Cecil C.
Awesome food! Very Very good. If you have a palet, this will make it sing! Been going there for over 20yrs~!
(5)
Geoff D.
Decor was very casual but the food was closer to fine dining. Great presentation. The scallops and pork belly starter was excellent. For my main course I got the plantation fried chicken, it was okay, a little dry. The sides were excellent. Mash potatoes very light and fluffy and the green beans had great flavor and crisp. My wife got the pan seared duck and it was very tasty. The potato dumplings were also great. Forgot to mention the biscuits are out of this world. Service was nice and very quick.
(4)
Stephanie R.
Really enjoyed it!! Went here for lunch and found it to be very affordable (but I wouldn't call it cheap). The house is very charming and old south (rich south that is). My only complaint with the service was trying to get our name on the wait list. The people at the hostess desk were acting like they did not want to acknowledge me....to the point where someone came up and to the side cutting in front of me. This was not noticed by the staff although I don't really see how when I was literally standing right in front of the stand. But oh well. Minor inconvenience. We were seated in about 20 mins and served some heavenly biscuits with home made honey butter. I ordered an appetizer of fried pimento cheese with green tomato chutney. The pimento was ok but the chutney was awesome! For my meal I ordered the fried chicken sliders with homemade pickle slices. FANTASTIC. The chicken was juicy and so tender it melted in my mouth! The homemade pickles, potato chips, and rolls (not sure if those are made on site) were also excellent. Easily my favorite meal while in Charleston; would have liked the hostess stand to be a little more attentive, though.
(4)
Esther J.
I don't understand why this place has such high ratings. Overrated food. Total tourist trap. Disappointed by all of the dishes. Service was so slow.
(2)
Christine K.
Excellent, excellent, excellent!!! Our family with two young boys ate a delicious meal here. It's very rare that both our boys are eating AND there is a moment for us parents to enjoy our food as well. And this actually happened!! It started with the fresh biscuits brought to the table after ordering. The BEST biscuits we have ever had. A must try! Our boys were actually quiet scarfing up their biscuit before their food arrived. The kids chicken fingers were very good. The pureed cauliflower that came with hubby's pork chop was devoured so fast by our 17 month old. His pork chop and my duck breast were both memorable meals on our top food lists. The only part lacking was a 5 star dessert. We ordered the orange cranberry cobbler which was ok but nothing to repeat. Service was great, nice quieter atmosphere (as long as your kids can behave, you fit in), and prices were very reasonable for the top notch quality food.
The biscuits & Shrimp and grits were delicious!! Very cool atmosphere and our server was very nice!! Both me and my co worker loved our meals!
(4)
Miriam W.
Doug and I went for brunch the other day, and it was great. They start you with their biscuits, served with honey butter. These biscuits are beyond great...so tender and fluffy they fall apart in your hands. According to our waitress, Isaac has been making them there for 30 years. I'd say that was time well spent, as I've never had better biscuits than these. Shrimp and grits are different wherever you get them, and here they're floating in a rich crab meat studded gravy, with roasted red and yellow peppers and sausage. During brunch they add a couple of poached eggs. Yum. Doug went for the fried green tomato benedict, which is served on their incomparable biscuits. Great food and great service in a lovely setting. We didn't see any ghosts, but we had a terrific brunch.
(4)
Alissa K.
This place was really very good - booked based on yelp reviews. Would go back for sure next time we r in charleston. For this price point the food is probably more like 4 1/2 stars. To start its in a great location in historic charleston and right by a parking garage. The restaurant itself is an old house that is divided up into multiple dining rooms. There's a nice coziness to it. The fried green tomatoes were quite good and I loved the pecan crusted goat cheese it was served with. Probably the best fried green tomatoes my husband and I have had. The batter was nice and light. Other apps ordered were the she crab soup and the strawberry salad. The salad was very unique - made an Italian styled dish southern- and it was tasty. The soup was good - but probably not something to go back there for - especially given how good some of the other dishes are. The scallops and snapper dishes were outstanding and the two best mains at the table. Also ordered was the fried chicken. This was solid but not mind blowing. One member of our party ordered the crab cake appetizer for a main which portion was was def sufficient once u considers apps, biscuits on the table and dessert . The complaint about the crab cakes is that u didn't have the real lumps of crab (not sure if this is a local thing). Half of our group came down from baltimore which has spoiled us for crab cakes. We finished up by trying out the pecan pie with bacon chocolate ice cream. Pie was good - ice cream was the star! Had a nice maltiness to it and the savory/sweet ratio seemed spot on. Service was well done - not rushed. Great place - looking forward to returning!
(4)
Tom S.
Always good, one of our favorite places in Charleston. Staff provided great service. Portions are good size (you won't go away hungry). Biscuits (have some) they are great. Fish was excellent and cooked just right. Pimento Chesse Balls were amazing, you have to try them.
(4)
John K.
We did the apparently oh-so-popular brunch here and despite the wait, I was really happy with the food. Get here early and get on the list - they take your phone number and will text when a table is ready. Fried green tomatoes are only $5, and a great snack while waiting for your mains. The "sunrise shrimp and grits" were awesome. I was surprised how well the poached eggs incorporated into the dish, but it was quite a serving for one person to tackle. The crab cakes benedict was about as great as it sounds. Despite my inclination to avoid all things hollandaise during brunch - thanks Bourdain - I took a shot with these and was glad I did so. Crab cakes filled with crab and not breading? a noble and excellent offering in my book. I heard some quasi-locals outside scoff at the line saying, "It's good low country cooking, but it's not that good." Well, most places may not be worth an hour wait, but we put our names down on the list and walked King Street. I'll take a walk with perfect weather before a great meal any day. A good brunch choice if in a rush? no. But nobody really seems to be in a rush in Charleston anyways.
(4)
Ben T.
One of the best in Charleston! Romantic/intimate atmosphere. I had the best scallops I have ever had. I really want to find the sauce for them. The apps were even better. We had the fried green tomatoes (which surprisingly was my first ever) and the pimento cheese balls. Two bottles of wine later and it kept getting better. If visiting you must try this place.
(5)
Kimmy R.
This may be my new favorite place in Charleston. It was like you were eating in someone's house and they were back cooking in the kitchen. The food was very southern, I had some fried oysters that were amazing. I also had a tenderloin that was served with mushrooms and potatos.It felt like I was eating my southern Grandmothers cooking. The place was very busy and the waitress was not the best or most attentive. The food more than made up for service. I would love to go again and try the mac and cheese and get a better waitress that can actually recommend things on the menu.
(4)
Jenny M.
The biscuits with honey butter were my favorite thing about this place! I'm glad we chose this place- it was a yummy restaurant as well as a place with historical signifiance - and its own ghost story! The food was good and very rich - we didn't finish it or have room for dessert afterward! My only complaint was that there was a funky smell in the house - like old glue or something.
(4)
Kay C.
LOVED Everything about this place. The atmosphere, the food and the service was fantastic! If you are looking for the southern experience it seems that eating delicious friend green tomatoes on the front porch of an old home in Charleston hits the nail on the head! We also had the ribeye and fried fish combination both were perfect. Would defiantly recommend.
(5)
Casey M.
Wow, need I say more? No, but I'm going to anyway. Poogan's Porch is doing everything right. From the beautiful home turned restaurant decor and dining rooms, to the wonderfully southern style cooking, Poogan's is a MUST try for those visiting Charleston. We started with the fried Alligator, and jalapeño dipping sauce, and could not have been more pleased to eat something out of a swamp. The fresh made biscuits reminded me more of cake when topped with the sweetened butter. My wife had the special pan-seared Wreckfish that blew our minds with flavor as we ate the tender, perfectly cooked, fresh fish. I had the Crab Cakes and Cheese Grits which were so rich that you need to eat the tomato and okra it is served with to cut through the decadent home made crab cake. Service was wonderful, and very accommodating with our 5 month old son needing to eat a bottle. To wrap this up, next time in Charleston, I will come back to Poogan's. And I look forward to it!
(5)
michael b.
A converted home, the food and the staff here combine to deliver a meal you will feel good about dragging out your Visa card for. We had a great table in front of one of several fireplaces and a knowledgeable server that made our first experience together in Charleston (fresh off the flight from Chicago) memorable and inviting. We had the Fried Chicken, the She Crab Soup, Pork Chops and a bottle of wine our server recommended and we got our foodie world rocked! Go there and feel good about booking the reservation :)
(5)
Allan L.
First timers to Charleston we had to try Poogans. Actually sitting on the porch upstairs was a great start because it was a pleasant evening. Having a Porch Dog drink was the next best thing to happen. The food was incredible to say the least. The ribs that our friend had were so flavorful that I smelled them way across the table. Seafood amazing, absolutely one of the best dining experiences I've had and we are in NYC all the time. Absolutely do not miss this experience.
(5)
Jason V.
Great dinner spot. Loved sitting on the porch. The food was excellent as was the service and the menu. Make sure to put this place on your list.
(5)
R C.
Extremely pricey for what you get. I got the Blackened Scallops and they were great, as was the lemon butter sauce that covered them. But as far as dinning experience and the taste of the sides they recommend, you could do better at any other restaurant. Its a beautiful restaurant but the food served there does not meet expectations
(3)
Morgan H.
I would say this is 2.5 stars. My cousin and I left The Bar at Husk which is right next door in a small house (next to Husk restaurant) after we had wonderful drinks (really one of the best bar experiences I've ever had) and walked a few feet to Poogan's. Looking back, we should have stayed at Husk. Not to expound on Husk too much but, it is really wonderful! If you plan on having drinks and maybe an app one place and dinner another, don't make Poogan's and Husk the combo. When you leave Husk, more than likely you'll be disappointed. Anywho, we walked over to Poogan's and were seated promptly outside on the patio area...close to the street so we could people watch. A co-worker of mine sent me a wonderful, amazingly beautiful picture she took on her phone of pan seared Rock fish over risotto. Based on what the picture looked like and happening upon the restaurant, we tried it out. Of course...the Rock fish was a special that wasn't beiing offered the night we were there! We started with drinks, again after leaving The Bar at Husk, and we were highly disappointed. We both got some rosemary thing they were serving that tasted like thin syrupy sugar water. We switched them out. I got some apple thing. Nothing tasted like fresh apple. My cousin got a blueberry something that had this artificial purple layer floating on top. It tasted like sizzurp (cough medicine). As you can tell, nothing was exciting, fresh, or memorable about our cocktails. Major let down after what we had at Husk. We decided to share a dish because we were both being indecisive. We shared the seafood pasta. LITERALLY three shrimp, a scallop, NO salt and a plate full of pasta. Aren't you supossed to add salt to the water when boiling pasta? I'm an amateur chef so I'll answer that...HELL YEA! It was so bland and had so much potential to be great. Really sad. Oh, I forgot to mention the biscuits...they're horrible. Bland, no flavor and pasty. We kind of hated that we wasted money there. Sad story.
(2)
Arable M.
Fun atmosphere, great food and wonder staff. Thanks Jen! ( Psst, also wonderful pomegranate martinis! )
(5)
Kepa P.
It was the first restaurant we visited in Charleston and it did not disappoint us! We had the special of the day that was catfish and it was great! We sat out in the porch and had nice wine with our meal. Really liked the place!
(5)
Kats T.
We had an excellent dinner here - completely enjoying everything about our experience. We ate on the late side, and the service was outstanding throughout - even when we had a prolonged dessert and drink course and I'm sure the staff really just wanted to get out of there and go home, but they didn't make us think that. I loved the cozy setting - it was winter when we went and we were seated in front of a small fire place that made the dinner feel like we were eating in a private room (even though there were plenty of other - filled - tables around us).
(5)
James T.
Heard great things about this place and it did not disappoint! Simple, delicious low country comfort food. Well done, beautiful location and reasonable price. The buttermilk chicken and Gouda Mac n Chz was the truth!!!
(4)
Nicole L.
First off let me say that the biscuits are very delicious. The service was excellent. The wine selection was good and the wine my party chose was very good. We got the Heirloom tomato salad and the pimento cheese fritters to start and both were so good. I got the lump crab and gulf shrimp pasta which was really good. It was very sweet and the crab and shrimp were very fresh. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Debby E.
Delightful place with great food and service. We loved the stuffed fried chicken. The pecan pie was a winner as well.
(4)
Natalie B.
This was not the first time we've dined at Poogan's, but it was the most memorable. Knowing that it was SEWE, and Valentines weekend, I made a reservation for myself, my boyfriend, and my parents (who were in town for a visit). We checked in, and while we were waiting a minute for our table to be set, I overheard a party of six who had accidentally made reservations for the following week (thinking it was for that night) and were told that the restaurant was booked solid. The manager on duty went above and beyond to find the family a place to eat (southern, downtown, family friendly, for a party of six for SEWE weekend?!) I mentioned that we were celebrating a few special occasions, including my parents 35th anniversary, so when we sat down and were greeted with a glass of celebratory champagne, I was very happy. The service was wonderful, and the food was fabulous. The classics are there and done well, but the more adventurous dishes were above and beyond. Although it took some convincing to get my boyfriend there, he left very full, and very impressed. Needless to say, we will be back.
(5)
Tom S.
Good, honest food, perhaps a little pricey for what it is, although the decor is lovely. Our waitress was annoying, and kept asking my partner if he was ok with just water, despite him having said so three or four times - she developed a bit of an attitude when he said he didn't want coke or sweet tea?! Anyway, the chicken sliders were delicious and the sweet potato fries were good, too. Probably wouldn't go back unless someone else was paying, though.
(3)
Dave A.
Best biscuit I ate while in Charleston. All around nice place. My wife had the fried flounder which was excellent. Fun place to go for a nice brunch.
(4)
Tim P.
As a native Charlestonian, I guess I am spoiled when it comes to good restaurants. My wife and I only visit Poogan's Porch once every two years or so. For the life of me, I don't understand why. EVERY time we have visited, we have enjoyed it. As other reviewers have stated, the biscuits are TO DIE FOR! This is coming from a fat, southern boy who has eaten his share of biscuits! Our server, Rosa, was fantastic. For appetizers, we had the She Crab Soup, wedge salad and alligator. The alligator was fried perfectly and the jalapeño dressing complemented it nicely. The wedge salad was good. However, the She Crab was disappointing. Again, being a native, I have grown up on She Crab Soup and this version was entirely too thick and starchy. Good crab flavor but no roe visible and no taste of sherry. For the main course, we had the flank steak and the fried pork chop. The steak was good (however the mashed potatoes were cold) and the pork cup was excellent, especially the gravy that topped it and the fact that it was served with Gouda-ham Mac & Cheese. Desserts were mediocre. Overall, I could not be more satisfied with the service. For the most part, the food was very good. If you are visiting Charleston, you should really try Poogan's for a taste of the Lowcountry.
(4)
Sandy S.
Poogan's Porch has been one of Charleston's best restaurants for a very long time. They always have incredible food and the "being at home" feel of this restaurant is so very inviting !! Loved it !!
(5)
Kathy S.
This is a great place--for tourists. If you're a local though, there's no good reason to dine here when there are so many good places on the area. Had the fried oyster salad today and the oysters were so dry that I even thought at one point that I'd been given chicken livers by mistake.
(2)
Andy R.
We stayed next door for the week and tried them out for lunch and we were very happy. I had the fried chicken and my wife had the low country pasta. Everything was very good, the only thing was She was dying for some "chicken and dumplings", but they were out this day. The following day around mid afternoon we wanted a snack, so she calls next door and the lady on the phone was very rude! Long story short, they only serve chicken and dumplings for lunch and it's 3:30 at this point so she still didn't get her "chicken and dumplings"! So in conclusion, if your looking at their menu and see something you like ask if they actually have it that day before you get a seat.
(3)
Thomas H.
Best fried green tomatoes that I have ever had. I think they use the same batter as their fried chicken. The pork chops were outstanding as well. Decor is beautiful. The restaurant is in an old building that has been restored. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)
John H.
Friendly staff, quaint atmosphere, old Charleston motif. Although there was ample seating at 5:00 PM, I chose to sit at the bar. The dinner I ordered was described on the menu as Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($16.95). It came with mashed potatoes and pimento coleslaw of which I could only bare a couple bites of each. The chicken seemed over fried but had an ok flavor. The gravy was an odd grayish color. My meal wasn't bad, it was just bland and uninspiring. In summary, my dinner was below average and I know of no compelling reason to return.
(2)
David D.
My wife and I had a late bite sitting at the bar consisting of three appetizers. We had shrimp and grits, Mac and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. All were great. Poogan's had the best biscuit of all the laces we visited in Charleston. Friendly bartender and a comfortable atmosphere. Nearly went back for another visit during our short four day trip.
(4)
Rebecca M.
Wow! This place is fantastic! Nice restaurant atmosphere - can go dressy or more casual. Very unpretentious and relaxing unlike some other charleston places. The biscuits they give you are so yummy served with honey butter. I got the duck (with duck confit, arugula and potato dumplings). Seriously the best food I have had in a long time. Just an experience in itself. My husband got the grits (w/sausage, shrimp, peppers & gravy) which he raved about. Only thing he didn't like was the shrimp still had the shell on which was odd. Will definitely return next time we are in Charleston.
(5)
Wendy J.
I am a local and have been going here for decades. Consistently good
(4)
Jana S.
We had a little weekend trip to Charleston (from Atlanta) and based on all the positive things people had to say about Poogan's Porch, I made dinner reservations here for Saturday night. I came with very high expectations and left feeling let down. On the positive side: Our waitress was great! She was fast and accommodating and our drinks were always filled. The biscuits were the best part of our meals. They are DELICIOUS!! I'm not a fan of honey butter, so I didn't care for that. The not-so-great: I ordered the day's special: beer braised short ribs. My mouth was watering when I heard that. However...... the ribs were completely dry (where's the braising liquid??) and the meat was tough. The blue cheese potato gratin was delicious, but somehow the blue cheese just did NOT mesh well with the flavor of the beef. I had to eat the two items separately, i.e. eat all the potatoes, cleanse pallet, then eat the meat. I was pretty disappointed. My fiance shared my disappointment with our dishes. It was good, but just ok. And I was expecting a lot more. His parents had the buttermilk fried chicken. Again.... ok, but not great! Also had the shrimp and grits of which we returned almost all of the grits. We ended up skipping desert. My favorite part of the restaurant is the history behind the name (Poogan was the owner's dog). And apparently, the restaurant is haunted, too, because as we were leaving a ghost tour was standing in front of the restaurant and waiting for a ghost of some poor woman who died there to start spinning the outdoor ceiling fans.
(3)
Alayna T.
Wonderful! But unless you have a huge stomach, stay away from a starter- there is no way you can eat an app and your entire meal and trust me, you want to eat every bite!!! My husband and I had the biscuits and gravy to start with - 3 biscuits and just enough gravy. A tad sweeter than my moms but excellent! I had the French toast, three large pieces cut into wedges - just perfect. So come on in and give it a go!
(5)
Jon B.
This was a great way to end our visit to Charleston. Sunday morning brunch was super yummy, starting with fresh biscuits that almost had a sweet taste to them. We had an Ike breakfast, with flavorful homemade sausage. We also got both the crab cake and pulled pork benedicts. The crab cake was simply crab, delicious and fresh. And the pulled pork was great too, moist and with a sweeter barbeque sauce. Combined with hollandaise sauce it was a great change from the usual eggs benedict.
(5)
Caleb S.
This was a great place to eat a nice lunch in Charleston. My wife and I went for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon and were surprised to get a nice seat out on the front porch. Other than the hot and humid Charleston summer weather this was a great place to sit and watch the foot traffic and eat a pleasant southern lunch. My wife had the fried chicken with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. I had the fried green tomato BLT with homemade sliced chips. They were both excellent! The staff was very attentive and polite. This will definitely be a stop the next time we are in Charleston.
(5)
Megan L.
Great experience! Great food, great service, great drink, great atmosphere!
We were looking for a place with outdoor seating that would allow us to bring our pup (he was not down to miss out on the sights of Charleston). Poogan's was really nice about it and gave us a table at the front patio and even brought out a bowl of water for the doggie! After placing our order a fresh batch of biscuits arrived. They were fluffy and delicious. Then a bottle of Cabernet sav came out - boy was it good! And only $25 (Alexander Valley)...at a restaurant...I know. Unheard of. The couple next to us (also with a dog) were drinking the same bottle and also raved about it. For food we ordered: - heirloom tomato salad (the sweetness of tomatoes was perfectly contrasted by the sharpness of the cheese) - pork chop (delicious flavors all over the plate - pork chop was slightly overcooked - slightly. The portion size was very generous - that's a good thing) - large scallops (cooked perfectly but over salted - too salty for me) The service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. If I'm back in town I'll definitely return here. Good food at good prices.
(4)
Bob M.
Really enjoyed this place. My wife and I sat on the upstairs porch on a warm summer night, and it was a great experience. I had the best pork cops I've ever eaten. My wife had the very tender duckling. Lots of stuff on the menu that looked really good, too. Next time we're in Charleston, Poogan's will definitely be on the agenda.
(4)
Charles F.
4.5 Some Charleston natives may consider Poogan's on the touristy end of lowlands dining, I frankly do not care about such trivialities when I'm washing fried alligator down with top shelf bourbon in a 19th century house. I could complain that there was a pair of dead fruit flies garnishing my manhattan, but to do so would be disingenuous given how apologetic and accomodating the bartender was - it's summer in South Carolina after all, I'd be drowning myself in vermouth too if I was a fly. On the topic of service, it's worth pointing out that everyone on the floor is genuinely warm and highly professional. The food at Poogan's is excellent, they're doing everything right as far as I'm concerned while possibly missing the X-factor required to hit a 5th star. That the check worked out at approx $25 per head with alcohol including 20% tip is staggering for food and service this good in a setting like this.
(4)
Chris M.
A fun cozy place, with decent but not great food, good atmosphere and very slow service. I had fried chicken and fried green tomatoes, my one time eating traditional food, and my last. It was good, fried food is fried food. It felt like the kind of place a ghost might live and when we asked about it we were told, yes, an old woman ghost lived there, died by falling down the stairs. "Grab the railings," the host shouted us as we went upstairs to the dining room. Our table was next to a fire place, most appreciated on a cold, cold, winter night.
(3)
Juichia C.
I'll admit that I really bought into the whole little house with porch kind of cozy dining environment! It was super cute! We sat on the second floor porch and it was really lovely. It was romantic and intimate without having that fine dining restrictive kind of feeling. The shrimp and grits was AMAZING. It was loaded with butter or lard and it was little plate of heaven. The yellow grits were very smooth and tasted extremely awesome with the vegetable juices. The vegetables and shrimp were plentiful. For starters I tried the she crab soup which was disappointing, and the pork belly scallops which were awesome! Their biscuits are very delicious, but it's nothing superior to those that you can make from Pillsbury cans. Service was very friendly and nice, definitely somewhere that I would recommend to others on a visit to Charleston.
(4)
Reggie M.
My wife and I had dinner here last night with another couple. The restaurant was easy enough to find using our GPS. Although the small attached parking lot was full, there is a large parking garage very close to the restaurant that charges $1 per 30min. We did not make reservations and were lucky to get the last available table at 6pm. We were seated upstairs in a large dining room. My wife loved the decor. Our table ordered the filet mignon, scallops, both types if pork chops. We had a few appetizers and some wine and cocktails. Everyone enjoyed their meals with just a couple complaints of the filet and pork chips being a bit salty. The service was prompt and attentive. The room chatter was a little loud but I kind of like that. It makes me feel like people aren't eavesdropping into your conversation. I probably would really give this place 4.5 stars. I hesitate to give 5 stars, just because I want to really mean it when I do drop 5 stars on a place.
(4)
Steven A.
This felt like a quintessential Charleston dining experience. The beautiful converted old house makes it feel like you are eating in someone's living room. The polite and courteous staff just make everything better. We did brunch this morning and the first thing our waitress mentioned to us was that they were offering half priced mimosas and bloody mary's. Both were excellent. The BM was delectably spicy and offered just the right amount of hair of the dog from last night's revelry if you know what I mean. My wife tried out the pulled pork benedicts with home fries. They were just decadent enough to make you feel like you were eating something you shouldn't (but enjoying the hell out of it anyway). I tried the sunrise shrimp and grits. While I am not a big fan of grits on most days, I feel obligated when in the south. You just have to go local. I did and loved every forkful. The grits had plenty of cheese and butter but when you layer on the shrimp with perfectly poached eggs, it became heavenly. The blue crab and tasso gravy with sausage was just gilding the lily but who cares. I'm glad they do that. Good good good.
(5)
Alyssa H.
I was only in Charleston for two days, and on the first night I learned about Poogan's while on a ghost tour. After the tour guide also mentioned how good the food was, I felt like I HAD to go there. But, they were fully committed the next day, so I called around 6:30 to ask if there was any way I could eat there. They told me I could eat at the bar, or wait for one of the cocktail tables. So I make my way there, and I am greeted very warmly by the host, and explain that I am looking to sit at the bar. She stops what she was doing and pointed at the last open seat, telling me to rush over and grab it. I thank her, and do so. I sit down, and am greeted by the bartender, who quickly makes me a deliciously strong disaronno sour, and asks if I am waiting for a table. I tell him no, and that I would like to eat at the bar. I ordered the Mac and Cheese for an appetizer. It comes out quickly, and is delicious. While I was sitting at the bar, many of the servers would interact with me as they were waiting for their drinks. I really appreciated this. I work at a Brewery/Pub, so I am a sucker for great service, and Poogan's had it. For an entree I got the steak filet, and it was amazing. I had gone to the bathroom, didn't see any ghosts, and headed back and saw that my food had arrived. I think I sat there staring at it for at least a minute because it smelled so amazing. And it was. I couldn't finish it, but I really really wanted to. I do regret not trying any of their desserts, but I was stuffed by the end of my meal. I was so happy I came to this place, the next day I called and spoke to the manager letting her know how great the food and staff was, and that I hoped I would get a chance to go there again.
(5)
Susan D.
This is a wonderful place for great food in a charming old house. Both the back patio and the 2nd story porch are terrific spots to enjoy your meal. We were in Charleston just for the weekend and managed to go to Poogans twice. Eggs Benedict on crab cakes, omelet topped with fried oysters, perfect bloody marys, in fact all our mixed drinks were great, amazing she crab soup and fried chicken, and outstanding desserts. The hot biscuits served with butter mixed with a little honey were brought to the table soon after we were seated and were a fine start. I recommend Poogans highly.
(4)
R L.
Poogan's has a lot of hype, so naturally, I booked a last minute table. We were seated upstairs, and the dining room although with two fireplaces roaring, was very dark and didn't give off a great atmosphere. Our server was friendly, so I cannot say service was bad at all, and it was probably the only thing besides their great shrimp and grits that keeps this from being a one star. Dinner was underwhelming for the price. Too bad since I guess it may be a hit or miss kind of place, but with all the offerings in Charleston, I'm surprised that it seems to have a 4 star rating. Biscuits were cold and seemed to be missing something (salt?) in the dough. The dinners came out and looked like they had been sitting under a heat lamp. Maybe brunch is better, but if you go to Poogan's, don't expect a stellar meal like you would at another Charleston restaurant. I hate to leave these kind of reviews, but Poogan's needs to take a long hard look at itself if they seem to think they are a 3 or 4 star restaurant.
(2)
Alison H.
My husband and I went here for dinner and it was delicious! We loved that the restaurant was in an old Charleston house. We ordered crab cakes as an appetizer, we would probably skip this next time. I had the fried chicken for dinner and would definitely recommend it! My husband ordered a special which was a surf and turf with grits and asparagus. His steak wasn't cooked correctly the first time so we sent it back. The staff was great and very understanding. They brought him out some she crab soup while he waited for his food to be fixed. The second dish of his was much better! We would highly recommend this place!
(5)
Lisa R.
This was another great rec from Yelp. While visiting Charleston over a long weekend, we didn't think we would get into places like this without a reservation. We did walk by during the brunch rush and it was packed to the brim with folks waiting for a table. Fortunately, upon arriving on a busy Sunday night, we were asked to wait at the bar for about 15-20 minutes for a table. After placing our order for drinks with the bartender, we were quickly seated in the main dining room. The room is nice and had a great feel to it. Oddly, we were surrounded by couples...and I mean every table was a pair of diners. The waitress was somewhat forgetful of the menu items we ordered, but overall service was fine. (We had to ask her repeatedly to bring out some biscuits and when she brought out our entrees, she forgot who ordered what.) The food was delicious though - I had the gumbo and he had the pork chop. This place is pretty cool and I can't get over the Charleston style of restaurants in these old homes. Good times!
(4)
Ahna K.
To be fair, I have to start of with my review on Poogan's Porch saying that I psyched myself out & set extremely highly expectations before coming here. We were visiting Charleston, and decided that Poogan's Porch was a must visit due to the history of the place & the charming story of Poogan. The pros: - service was great. we were seated promptly. - our server was polite & attentive - ambiance was charming. we were seated on the 1st level, in the room with the fireplace. the interior felt very homey. - scallop and pok belly appetizer: delicious! this was the best thing we had during our dinner The not-so-good: - she-crab soup: this was the first time trying this. couldn't tell if it was supposed to be this peppery? after having my main course of the pan roasted snapper, which also tasted extremely peppery, i assume that the the chef had a heavy hand on the pepper. - buttermilk fried chicken: just ok... the batter seemed to heavy. again, just not sure if this is the way the do it in this part of the country? With the amount of dining options around Charleston, I'm afraid we won't be visiting Poogan's Porch again the next time we're in town.
(2)
Alex G.
Excellent food, atmosphere and service. We went during restaurant week. I ate of their regular menu (braised short ribs) which were amazing!! I loved the setting, our waiter was excellent. Best place I've eaten in Charleston so far.
(5)
Randy L.
Some sweet tea anyone?!? Flew into Charleston to visit my brotha from anotha motha in South Cak-a-lak-ay. First thing I wanted was some grub fit for a good ole boy, and lucky enough my friend had reservations already lined up! The place is in a totally unassuming building next to an empty lot. Its an old style colonial building that fits in with the rest of the area that surrounds Battery Park. The place is filled with local lore, history, and superstitions to boot. Long story short the place is named after a previous owner's dog who stayed with the place long after his owner and the set of sisters that are supposed to haunt the place. They have pictures of the pooch right after you enter the porch. Cozy and warm feeling, almost felt like you should have dress code, but no one even thought twice about my tank top and shorts..(its hot and humid out here..sue me) The service was quick, friendly, and welcoming....southern hospitality..nothing like it. Started with the local Palmetto Amber Ale, the jalapeno calamari over okra appetizer, and some bomb biscuits..like slap yo mama good..seriously. The calamari was only meh...I shoulda got the gator salad but hey...cant win them all right? The beer was great, but the biscuits were moist, fluffy, buttery, and had just a bit of crunch on the outside. They are served with fresh sweet cream butter, and I had to remind myself to stop eating it. (After the visit I checked other reviews and confirmed I wasn't smoking crack; cause everyone was raving about them) My friend and I ordered the Seafood Calabash Combo while our other buddy got the Buttermilk Fried Chicken over mash w/ Collard Greens. The portions were ginormous! I had loads of succulents and crispy Fried Catfish, Oysters, Shrimp, and Scallops that came with a side of spinach salad and fresh cooked kettle chips. The only gripe was the spinach was a bit overly salted even for me and the cocktail sauce was pretty sparse considering my plate was all fried seafood garnished with spinach. :) I got a taste of the Buttermilk Fried chicken that was juicy, crisp and wasn't overly greasy as I thought it would be. It had a light tempura/panko style breading and didn't leave a trail of grease on the plate!
(4)
Philip A.
Stopped by for lunch the other day. Had the specials of the day which included the Blackened Catfish and Shrimp and Lobster Pasta. Both were excellent. Highly recommend!
(5)
F B.
I don't know if they were having a bad night or what, but I was not impressed with the food. The waitress was really nice and it's a cool building, but that was about the only good part of the meal. They didn't have a single vegetarian entree, so I ordered the mac and cheese without the ham. I tried to order a salad too, but they were out. The pasta came out looking like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a really long time, lukewarm and gelatinized. A number of other people around the table complained that their meat was really overdone.
(2)
Mike W.
Poogan's Porch is a small, charming Southern restaurant in the heart of Charleston's Historic District and has been around for over thirty years now, so it's something of an institution. It is also somewhat touristy in the sense that due to its location, repute, and menu, it draws in a lot of tourists, but it gets its share of local business-folk, too. The fried green tomatoes, Lowcountry Shrimp Salad, fried catfish, and shrimp and grits are all stand-out items on the lunch menu (I've never been there for dinner). That Lowcountry Shrimp Salad especially is a fine choice for lunch. Their biscuits also are a stand-out. The interior is . . . well, old, and I suppose charming, but it is the attentive service and quality, well-crafted, Southern dishes found here that keep people coming back for more. Better yet, it's haunted: the ghost of one Zoe St. Armand is said to frequent the restaurant which was her home when she died here in the 1950s. By all accounts, Ms. St. Armand sounded like a cross between Nathalie Dupree, Scarlett O'Hara, and a 1920s flapper and has been said to drink the chef's coffee in the restaurant's kitchen and leave traces of her red lipstick on the cup. So in essence, this place has everything you need for a winner in the restaurant scene of a city like Charleston or Savannah: good Southern staples, an old building, attentive, sweet, service, a full bar, and a ghost. What more could you want? Be advised it can get busy in the high tourist season at lunch, and you may wait for a table and wait for your waitress once seated, despite the overall quality of their service under less stressed conditions. Plan accordingly.
(4)
illy o.
Fried food heaven! The hubby & I decided to share 1 entree & 5 starters. Complimentary warm biscuits were delicious! The fried green tomatoes and pimiento cheese fritters were great! The fried pork raviolis were ok and a bit dry. The scallop & pork belly was amazing! The mac n cheese was disappointing as the smoky Gouda overpowered the taste of the dish. And last, our Calabash style flounder was awesome! The batter was so light, crunchy, and full of flavor! The service was good and my only complaint is that we got so full we couldn't eat all of the fish!
(4)
Jonathan L.
Not a bad place! The Mac and Cheese appetizer was delicious! I had the Shrimp and Grits and they were a little underwhelming for all the rave reviews about it. I may have gotten a bad plate for $21. Anyway, the buttermilk fried chicken was awesome and so were their biscuits! The service was great too.
(3)
Sarah C.
Great food, great drinks, great service!! Loved it and want to go back this trip to enjoy more of their wonderful food.
(5)
Kevin B.
I went here during restaurant week and I left pretty darn happy. The food was delicious and I cleaned everyone of my plates. The signature drinks we ordered were good and pretty unique. Everything was properly cooked and seasoned and the short rib was great. My wife was a little let down and would probably give a 3 as her tuna was not seasoned and the grits didn't really go with it. Service matched expectations and I like d the interior of the old house. If I were local I would go back to order from the standard menu which I think looked even better. Which ended up being a big trend here for restaurant week. I don't know why they don't try and use it as a chance to impress in Charleston. Oh and the biscuits they serve are amazing I wish I could of gotten more I watched the guy dropping them off like a Hawk!
(4)
Dustin T.
Fantastic 'low-country' cuisine. If you want to taste some gourmet southern cooking, Poogan's is a great option. The building, both outside and inside, was very charming. Very friendly wait staff, and the food was fantastic. i had the saccadash combo seafood platter, fried in pure peanut oil with spices, it had catfish, oysters, scallops, and shrimp - and I had it with their grits, which was so tasty. For dessert I had some pecan pie - which was fantastic.
(5)
Cody D.
Poogan's Porch is a great food destination in Charleston and is great for any occasion. Sitting directly next door to the famed Husk Restaurant, Poogan's provides a relaxed environment coupled with some exciting history/lore to go along with the house. The meal I got was the duck confit that was divine. The fat was rendered perfectly and gave the skin a nice crisp. The duck was served with potato dumplings that were nothing short of incredible. The dessert was the Cafe Mocha Bread Pudding that was another stellar dish. This is a must eat when in Charleston
(4)
John C.
Got there just in time for the last seating before brunch ended. Service was friendly and very good. The food tasted good but luke warm-crab cakes and fritters. The fried chicken and pork chops were hot out of the fryer but the mashed potatoes were barely warm it seemed like the kitchen checked out. Too bad we were excited to try it. First time in Charleston, we'll keep looking I wouldn't make a special trip back.
(3)
Peter F.
Buttermilk fried chicken was to die for, service was good, drinks were well made, everything was reasonably priced. I've been here twice, and will probably be back again.
(4)
Brandie G.
Poogan's Porch was our first dining stop on our recent trip to Charleston... Saturday brunch at the recommendation of several friends, and boy oh boy did it not disappoint! We didn't have reservations, but we walked in right when they opened (around 10:30) so we were seated almost immediately. We didnt get to sit outside, but indoor seating is just as lovely. Our waiter was awesome and recommended a delish brunch beverage: apple bourbon smash. Wow, did it hit the spot. I had to do the shrimp and grits; I mean come on, it was my first meal in the shrimp and grits capital for goodness sakes! The coolest part, other than it tasted amazing was that there was a poached egg on top! So amazing. I later found out on a ghost tour that Poogin's is the 3rd most haunted restaurant in the US, awarded that honor by God knows... Apparently a ghost dog is always out on the porch mooching for food... Guess it was a good thing we sat inside... I hate begging dogs!! Oh and by the way, the biscuits, served first, were amazing.... And I know my biscuits... I'm from the Deep South ;-)
(5)
Whitney M.
The pimiento cheese fritters were fabulous and our entrees were perfectly prepared. Portions were huge- plenty for 2 people. The only negative was the lack luster service. Where's the Southern hospitality? Our server didn't even greet us and seemed completely uninterested in our dining experience.
(4)
Stacey S.
We managed to slip into the bar to eat when the line was out the door with a 40 minute wait for a table. We shared the fritters, mac & cheese, and fried green tomato BLT. Loved the pimento cheese fritters - ooey, gooey, fried goodness with a nice sweet & spicy green tomato chtuney. I could eat these all day! The mac & cheese was well balanced - not too decadent or rich. The BLT was simple and good. Topped off with some local Palmetto Lager this meal made a rainy, busy day in Charleston so much better!
(4)
Kim M.
Was so excited to go to Poogans Porch after I read all the reviews. It was myself, hubby, and two small boys (3 and 4). The service was excellent! Our server Sara couldn't have been more attentive! We came at 5pm, since the kids eat early. We were done by 6:15. I was disappointed in the fried green tomatoes ( although this could just be in general as I have never had it before). She crab soup was interesting...there's a spice to it that we just couldn't identify. The shrimp and grits was delicious, and hubby cleaned his plate of fried chicken and mashed potatoes (picky eater). I must say the best item was the Mac and cheese...to die for!!! All in all a good meal!
(4)
Jennifer J.
Thank goodness I got to have shrimp & grits here, because the other place that was recommended(Swamp Fix), sucked! Everything at Poogan's was incredible, including the service. They don't scrimp on the drinks either!
(5)
Kelly D.
Ok, our hotel room looked out at poogans porch. We had lunch here and it was crazy good. I had the fried chicken with southern greens (never had that)....wow! We shared the gouda mac and cheese with ham.....my hubby had the swordfish grilled to perfection with a sweet citrus sauce. He was just in heaven with his food. The house is charming and romantic.....so cute. loved the atmosphere. I can't wait to visit charleston again!!! The food here is amazing!
(5)
Heath C.
I thought the food and service were excellent when I stopped by for lunch last Sunday. They have the best biscuits I ever tasted and they come with some awesome sweet butter. The She Crab Stew, Fried Alligator and Fried Green Tomatoes are super tasty. If the wait's too long for the dinning room, the bar is full service and a good option.
(5)
Joanna F.
I had highly anticipated going to Poogan's Porch on my recent trip to Charleston, and I got what I think I expected. However, the food wasn't quite as good as I had hoped. We arrived around 12:30 on a Sunday. We had a wait ahead of us. I loved the atmosphere at Poogan's Porch. We looked like we were sitting in someone's living room. The biscuits were fine. We ordered fried green tomatoes for an appetizer. I had never had them before, but the tomatoes seemed rather flavorless although the dipping sauce was delish. I ordered the crabmeat omelet with grits. It turned out they were cheese grits which were pretty good. The omelet had a generous portion of crabmeat but there was cheese in it and gravy on it, which I didn't expect. This didn't turn out to be a bad thing, but it just wasn't what I was expecting. I generally felt unimpressed the my food here. I would go back to try a dinner option though, if I find myself in Charleston again.
(3)
christy h.
Our best meal in Charleston - hands down! (High Cotton was wonderful as well but Poogan's Porch was amazing - especially for the price). Our server, Christina, was excellent and made all the difference. We truly stumbled upon this place walking around hungry and were not disappointed. The ambience is inviting and warm, the staff very friendly, and the food was to die for. There were 4 in our party and we were all beyond impressed with our orders. I personally had the chicken & biscuits and it was worth every single calorie!
(5)
David R.
Nice atmosphere and a good menu, but service was quite slow. Took more than an hour to receive the main course. Not worth the wait.
(2)
E B.
We followed the suggestions thanks to Yelp and had one of my favorite meals of all time. The Mac n cheese is ridiculous. I would have paid $20 for this little bowl of heaven. The buttermilk fried chicken was perfect and the shrimp and grits tied it all together. Everything had the perfect salt and pepper twist that handled the richness of the food spectacularly. Service was good and the prices were shockingly reasonable. Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!
(5)
Lewis H.
My wife and I enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving Dinner at this restaurant. The food and service was excellent, especially considering it was a very busy holiday. Our waitress was attentive without being smothering and she made an excellent wine suggestion. We truly enjoyed our experience here.
(5)
Brad M.
Having eaten Southern food my whole life, I had reservations of whether this place would live up to its hype. It did. It was Labor day so the weekend brunch was still on. Started with the she crab (soup/chowder) which was a good starter even on a hot summer day. The FGT were crispy and hot. Never had better. The biscuits were only second to granny's. Entrees were chicken and waffles, Shrimp and grits, and buttermilk fried chicken (boneless). The boneless concerned me bc I'm thinking Tyson??? But no worries- def not. All were excellent in their own regards. However, I'd rate the shrimp & grits top. Had some the night before at Southend and no comparison. Price for 4 adults 1 child- 90$ plus tip. Service good. 45 min wait.
(5)
Ryan S.
Took my parents here a few weeks ago - my second trip. No disappointments! The buttermilk fried chicken was the best fried chicken I've ever had. We got a spot on the upper level balcony, great atmosphere and service. Highly recommended!
(5)
Hula B.
we had an amazing lunch. they have a such a great wine list we had to have a bottle. great selection of wines not seen everywhere and at fair prices. good and service were both excellent. i highly recommend eating on the porch at 'the porch'. everyone raves about the biscuits, i couldn't imagine what could be so special about a biscuit. they are however, probably the best biscuits i've ever had. not sure what they do, but wow! more importantly everything else is really good too!
(4)
Rob P.
This was a first. I was in Charleston for business and the valet recommended this restaurant for dinner. As I was walking to my table, I couldn't help but notice a horrible smell and assumed it was another person as I walked by. It continued at our table and the other person picked up on it as well. We realized the restaurant smelled dirty and got up an walked out. Glad we did because we had an excellent meal at Fulton 5.
(1)
Tim W.
Nothing short of delicious!
(5)
Pam G.
I would probably give this 3.5 stars if I could. We came for Sunday brunch on our last day in Charleston. For some reason I was expecting the place to be less upscale than it is. It is located in a lovely old house. We showed up with no reservations but were seated immediately. We started with mimosas which turns out are only $3 each on Sundays. You certainly can't beat that and I probably would've ordered a second one if I had realized it! They have several eggs benedict options which all sounded good: Crab cake benedict, pulled pork benedict and fried green tomato benedict. I'm not even sure if they had the traditional ones but it didn't matter because these 3 all caught my eye. They are served on their buttermilk biscuits which is a nice touch. I ended up getting the fried green tomato version since I have a hard time resisting fried green tomatoes. They were delicious, but you really couldn' t taste the different flavors, the tomatoes kind've got lost in the other ingredients. I ended up deconstructing it and enjoyed it more that way. I can't remember the name of what DH got, but it looks delicious. They described it as an open faced omelet with fried oysters, remoulaude sauce and I think there was also some kind of sausage on it. I didn't hear any complaining from his side of the table! The only thing that wasn't up to par was our service. Once our waiter took our order we couldn't find him again when we wanted to order coffee. We ended up asking a busboy for it. The other tables were also delivered a basket of biscuits with their drinks, ours came with our meal and I would've loved one sooner than that. I didn't really care for the honey butter for the biscuits either, I would've preferred regular butter or jam. I think it would be worth another try for dinner or lunch, but with all of the great restaurants in Charleston it may not be anytime soon!
(3)
Trish D.
I found Poogan's Porch on the Food Network website, as it had been featured on Giada's Weekend Getaways. After checking it out on Yelp and seeing that it had pretty good ratings, my husband and I decided to try it out. Like others have mentioned, it is located in an old mansion, which made for a quaint and somewhat charming atmosphere (upon entering though, we did notice a really unpleasant old and musty smell). The staff was pretty friendly and attentive, although service was on the slow side. For lunch, we ordered the fried alligator, wedge salad and my husband had the jambalaya. I was VERY disappointed with my fried green tomato BLT (which was actually recommended by the waitress) and would have sent it back had the other food we ordered not been good. Overall, our dining experience was satisfactory. It was a little overpriced for what we got, but I guess you also pay for the atmosphere. Not sure if we'll be coming back again.
(3)
Bryan W.
Just excellent for traditional southern food prepared with good ingredients and cooked correctly. Not much more you need in my opinion. Nice, casual atmosphere and recommended highly.
(5)
Eddy J.
Lunch menu and server is not so special than other restaurant.
(2)
Scott J.
Pimento Cheese Fritters - Wow! Simply fantastic. The fresh homemade biscuits and butter were also terrific. My fiance had the shrimp and grits - she said they were just okay. I went with the buttermilk fried chicken breast, pimento mac n' cheese and green beans. I was very happy with my meal. Chicken dish is two boneless, skinless breasts with brown gravy. The service was excellent - we never waited for anything. The restaurant did have a funky odor (as seen in other reviews) which made our table on the front porch an ideal spot for dinner. Prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Meg S.
Omg the biscuits!!!!! The biscuits!!!! The shrimp and grits is mind blowing the salads are small but tasty!
(5)
Din L.
Great food! We really love the cozy atmosphere . The service was alright . We had to ask for the biscuits ,she totally forgot about it. Butter honey was so tasty. The shrimp and grit was yummy and seasoned well. The brisket was soft and cooked just right. My flounder was very tasty as well. Do try the award winning bread pudding if there is room for it.
(4)
Jeff S.
Thought the food was great. Ate there for brunch. Started with the pimento fritter... cant go wrong with pimento cheese and deep fried together. Wife had chic and waffles; says it was the best she ever had. I had the pulled pork Benedict; was a great balance of savory and sweet using pork and BBQ sauce. A must go for visitors.
(5)
Thom S.
Poogan's Porch is in a quaint house on Queen Street and is worth the stop. Their Buttermilk Fried Chicken will melt in your mouth. The seafood is as fresh as it gets. I enjoyed the Calabash shrimp done perfectly. And don't forget the biscuits, in fact, plan on taking a few with you.
(4)
Joanie O.
Ate here for lunch and had a great time. My group had the fried green tomatoes for a starter and they were great. The breading was tasty and the sauce (which tasted like homemade thousand island) was a great pair. I got the pimento peddler. which is a southern version of a grilled cheese, it also has bacon and great tomatoes. I loved it. I paired it with mashed potatoes instead of the chips and those were good too, very peppery. I would definitely come back my next trip to Charleston.
(4)
Susan H.
So it was our first outing since arriving in Charleston, so I may be over rating it since we were very hungry and full of anticipation. But in my opinion it Poogans Porch lived up to its hype. We had the fried oysters which was my favorite. They were perfectly cooked. The other dish was the pan fried red snapper with pork and fried grit cake. Again a hit with us. We both loved the pulled pork and wish there was an entree for just the pork. So, we have several other places to visit through our stay and hope that they are just as delightful. BTW, I was also very happy to see reasonable prices on the menu. Made paying the bill at the end of dinner not so painful.
(5)
Patti W.
What started out as an amazing meal was quickly ruined by a rude and argumentative manager. I ordered a ribeye cooked medium rare, closer to rare. When it arrived, it was overcooked. It would have been perfect if I wanted it medium well or well done, but I didn't! The waiter was very apologetic and saw immediately that it was overdone and whisked my plate away to fix the problem. I sat without food while my family (a party of 6) ate. They felt bad eating without me, but I didn't want their food to become cold while waiting on mine. As they were finishing their meals, my food arrived. I asked to speak to a manager due to the timeframe and that I was now eating my meal alone. When the manager arrived, he immediately informed me he came out to speak to me of his own accord. No, I requested you to. Next, he told me the steak was still pink. No, it was not rare-medium rare as requested and for a $27 ribeye it should be right. He stated he would adjust my bill, but wasn't happy about it. When the bill came the waiter apologized and stated the standard gratuity was waved due to my issue with the steak! Really? Our waiter was great, so you, as a manager decide to take money from him to fix the problem? No, that isn't good customer service at all! I had to wait for the bill to be adjusted correctly (removal of the steak) so I could pay and tip my waiter! All this left me feeling that the manager didn't care whether I was happy or ever came back. Guess what, I won't! If you had apologized for the error and offered a small discount I would have been happy! Instead, you argued with me and tried to tell me my steak was fine! Guess you don't care about repeat business.
(2)
Saul M.
On an extended road trip we had been spending too much money & time dining out. Since we were staying @ a great guest house @ the Joseph Aiken Mansion, we decided to order take out & dine in. We decided on Poogan's. It is located in an interesting, well maintained, but antique feeling mansion. While waiting for our food I went upstairs to find the walls full of fascinating black & white pictures. The staff was friendly & attentive. We only had to wait 15 minutes or so for the take out even though the restaurant was very busy. Everything we ordered was really delicious! The freshness & flavor of the Gumbo, She-Crab Soup, & Shrimp & Grits were outstanding! My mouth waters just writing about it.
(4)
Mindy Y.
We ate lunch here in between boat tours. The food was wonderful! The biscuits are unbelievable, the buttermilk fried chicken was to die for! The restaurant was converted from an old house so it was homey but the food was more like fine dining. Very good service and atmosphere. I would definitely return!
(5)
Mia M.
My favorite restaurant in Charleston so far! Charming ambiance, attentive service and delicious food. Made me wish I could temporarily expand my stomach so I could eat more. Also, it's nice to see a restaurant with a well designed logo and website.
(5)
Karen L.
My new husband and I had dinner there last night. The food was to die for, and the service was amazing. I started out with a glass of wine, he ordered a cocktail and we got some of the pimiento cheese fritters to share. While talking with our server, we mentioned that we had just gotten married. While we were sharing the pimiento cheese fritters (INCREDIBLE), she brought us each out a glass of champagne. She made some suggestions on the menu. I had originally planned on ordering the fried chicken, but she sold me on the pan seared scallops. My husband ordered the shrimp and grits. We enjoyed the complimentary biscuits with honey butter (super fluffy and delicious) while waiting on our food. The food was amazing. I am so glad I listened to her suggestion on the scallops. The came with sauteed spinach and a bacon risotto cake. Everything was incredible. My husband finished his plate of shrimp and grits and said they were great...I tasted them, and they were. We passed on dessert because we were too full, but the blueberry cobbler sounded delicious. If you are in Charleston, you should go. The food was wonderful, the service was wonderful, and the prices are a little more reasonable than some of the other restaurants in Charleston. Ask for Rosa to be your server. We love her!
(5)
Josh C.
Still one of my favorites, Poogans was great long before so many other notable restaurants started popping up around town. The biscuits are awesome. The fried green tomatoes are still the best in the city, in my opinion. Try the fried chicken for lunch. The low country pasta for dinner. The she crab soup is very good. One thing that makes this place unique is the old house it is in. Have a drink at the bar (which was once a parlor), and have the bar tender tell you the story of Poogan (the dog that haunts the big front porch). Great place for couples.
(4)
Lauren B.
Very nice restaurant. My only complaint lies with yelp saying its good for kids. I brought my 2 year old after reading that and I was uncomfortable. The staff was great and my daughter was fairly well behaved but I would never have brought her had I known how nice it was. Maybe for a kid that is 10+. Pimento cheese fritters were amazing!
(5)
Ann Marie D.
I am a fan of any place with this much charm. The old historic house that holds the restaurant is so charming and adds so much to the experience. The food was well prepared and the service was good too. This place has been featured in movies and on the Travel channel and with good reason.
(4)
Joe T.
Dined at Poogan's Porch this evening with the wife, her favorite brother and my dear sister-in-law. I had the sweet tea glaze salmon with the lemon and mint risotto and asparagus all of which was delicious. My wife and her bro had the bourbon braised brisket with croquettes and broccoli which they both thought was just ok - the brisket was not as tender as they expected. My wonderful sister-in-law had the calabash style shrimp with chips and string beans which she enjoyed. Beautiful place to eat, excellent service and overall very good food. Definitely recommend.
(4)
Terri S.
While visiting Charleston we went to Poogan's for dinner based on Yelp reviews. Although reservations are recommended, we didn't make one but happily took two empty seats at the bar. The atmosphere was nice, the service was good and there are some interesting cocktails if you're into that. But the main reason to go here is the snapper entree! My husband had the duck which was also very good but when he tasted my snapper he realized I had ordered THE dish! There were other tasty sounding dishes on the menu and it was hard to choose but I'm so glad I experienced this dish. I doubt I'll be in Charleston again but if I were to go back I would definitely go to Poogan's.
(5)
Pres P.
I used to be a huge fan of Poogan's Porch but now I am downgrading the former 5-star rating I gave them to 1-star because there customer service WAS THAT BAD! My girlfriend and I took her aunt from out of town there and we all got FOOD POISONING from Poogan's Porch. I know these things happen from time to time so I was not that mad at that point. I called two days after that experience to speak with someone about the food poisoning and the first person I spoke with did not even apologize. The second person I spoke with, Terrell the general manager, did apologize and said that he would call me back promptly. He never called so eventually I called back. This time the lady I spoke with was very kind and courteous to my situation. Unfortunately she also said that Terrell was going to call me back to resolve the situation. Guess what? Terrell never called me back. Because of this poor customer service and the fact that we all got food poisoning, I will not be going back or recommending Poogan's Porch any longer.
(1)
Sherri W.
Fantastic food and good service. The Crabcake Benedict was flavorful although the eggs were just a bit runny. The mimosa was excellent. Warm biscuts were served soon after we arrived. The wait staff were friendly and efficient. The building itself was charming. Although it was crowded, our reservation allowed us to get right in with no wait. Really enjoyed it.
(4)
Jennifer A.
I loved old houses that are renovated into restaurants. It gives off such a cozy feel. Plus there is a cute story about the name of the place on the menu. I also love a place with good, yummy biscuits. Crab cake omlette was good and bad. The crab cake was great, but there was too much egg. I'm a big fan of having all my food items proportional. At the end of the meal there was a big pile of egg just sitting on my plate. I still recommend a visit! There are other items on the menu I would want to try.
(3)
alexandra f.
Maybe I'm giving this place a 5 out of 5 because I was several glasses of sherry in when I arrived. Maybe it's because I'm not a southerner and I'm a total philistine to the correct execution of its cuisine. Maybe this place was just damn good and that's that. The piping hot biscuits and honey butter got me totally in the mood. Because I was 5 sherries deep I wasn't too hungry for some of the belly bombs on the menu. So Dad and I decided to split the hot crab dip and the fried alligator. Okay, any restaurant that serves fried alligator automatically gets a token "you're f-ing awesome" rating from me. The crab dip was hot, gooey, and frankly made me awash with food emotion. You must order this. The alligator was great. To be honest, it tasted like chicken but nowadays, what doesn't? Our waitresses was super friendly and attentive. She recommended the southern comfort sunrise drink. Delish.
(5)
Sharon L.
Not the best experience I have ever had. We left before ordering dinner. The Staff seem polite and welcoming, but the old fish smells drove me out the door. Bad day for the kitchen or what? Didn't seem clean - actually felt this old house needed a good housekeeper or ghostbuster.
(3)
Melissa B.
Great service. Good food. Quaint and comfortable setting. Quiet street.
(3)
Suzanne M.
I've eaten at all the big names---Magnolia's, SNOB, Hominy Grill, HUSK---and while each is good in their own way, the atmosphere and dishes at Poogan's were the most consistently delicious. Intimate dining rooms--we ate out the patio, under the starts---romantic. It was very quiet, and you could have a real conversation--rather than yelling over the din of other restaurants. We wanted everything on the menu, but you must, must, yet the fried pimento cheese. It is a week later and i'm still thinking about it.
(5)
Alvin E.
Was just bored and decided to try out Poogan's Porch for dinner. Having the ability to reserve a room directly from the yelp iPhone mobile app was very handy since the place was packed when I arrived. It was easy to find parking since there is a parking garage directly opposite the restaurant. They give a complimentary biscuit with cream which was just delicious. I had the fried green tomato for starters and along with the cream and juicy red tomato sides, was a very appetizing dish. I had the shrimp and grits as the main entree. The mixture of different types of peppers along with sausages made the dish just awesome. If I visit Charleston again, I will definitely be visiting this place! I highly recommend it and the staff are very courteous and give good suggestions if you are confused about what to order.
(4)
Angie N.
Loved it. Cute place. Shrimp and Grits were yummy!
(4)
Laura T.
The menu at Poogan's Porch met the needs of both me and my daughter, so we ended up there for dinner. I ordered the Iceberg Wedge and it arrived with pepper presprinkled on the plate. Good thing -- the server did not come back to check on her delivery. Next I ordered the She Crab Soup. It was adequate, but not excellent. I felt like there was a flour taste to it and no sherry lacing. There was not a strong crab taste. We also ordered the hot crab dip with garlic crostini. It was good, but not with adequate crab pieces to meet my desire. My daughter ordered the jambalaya. It was a little heavy on the tomato, but good. The service was not good. The server was inattentive and didn't make eye contact. She layed a styrofoam clamshell on the table for my daughter to dish her jambalaya into y.
(2)
Howard K.
I had shrimp & gitts & my wife had the salmon both dishes were excellent. The service was terrific. Would highly recommend.
(4)
Lori W.
Beautiful restaurant, inside and out. We sat upstairs, in a private little corner and I was terried when I saw a several tables with lots of children nearby. I didn't expect to see children since this restaurant sort of is billed as not kid-friendly. On this night, the children were pretty well behaved, so I was grateful. I had the shrimp and grits which were not my favorite - it's not Poogan's problem though. I personally do not find Charleston-style shimp and grits to be to my liking because of the gravy that is used. I wanted to try this dish, however, and that's OK. The fried green tomatoes were amazing as were the dinner rolls. My gf had the carolina shrimp dinner and loved it. The service seemed a bit rushed...the staff looked harried. They were efficient, but I wouldn't say they were friendly. I'd most definitely go again though.
(4)
Stefanie G.
I am a local who visited Poogan's Porch during their roll back menu week. My friends and I had a delicous dinner and would highly recommend the food. However, our service was not great. We had an error with our check and the manager took the waiter's side versus ours which was extremely frustrating. Plus, they did not really apologize for the error and failed to explain to us why they didn't adjust the bill. It was a disappointing evening to an otherwise great dinner. Charleston is know for such great service and this was by far below average at best.
(3)
Steve N.
Lived up to it's reputation - I gave it 5 stars. Everything very delicious plus it was "rollback" night, week, or month and all entrees were under $10!.
(5)
Olivia F.
The food was amazing!!! The biscuits were so good, definitely the best I have ever had. For appetizers, the alligator was really good. I had the shrimp and grits, it was definitely well done and filled me up. This is the perfect place if you're looking for some typical southern food, and a must place to eat if you are visiting. The service here is great, they're friendly and very helpful when deciding what to order. Make sure you make a reservation before you go, I ate in the bar and even that was completely full by the time I left.
(5)
Kyle R.
Great southern restaurant! My wife and I had fried green tomatoes, pork three ways and buttermilk fried chicken and each dish was delicious. We sat in the dining room in the back which had plenty of space for every table. I would definitely go back to Poogan's Porch and recommend it to anyone looking for southern food in Charleston.
(5)
Meg C.
I have been visiting Charleston all my life and lived there for a year but had somehow managed to miss the famous Poogan's Porch! It is nestled in a Victorian home on Queen Street. We attempted to dine out on the front porch, but that darn Charleston humidity got the best of us, so we moved inside. They were offering half priced Bloody Mary's and Mimosas and my group is not the kind to turn down that kind of deal. My girls had the Bloody Mary's, which they said were one of the best they'd had. The Mimosa was my choice and I sipped on that while perusing the delicious sounding menu options. We tried the Pimento Cheese Fritters (fried + cheese? Win win) and most of us ordered the shrimp and grits. Very creamy and rich and a slightly different version than I'd previously had, with peppers and topped with poached eggs. The waitress was extremely friendly and helpful. Service was good. I'd love to dine there again when it's a little cooler so I can enjoy that front porch.
(5)
Ron H.
The food was fantastic. From the fried alligator with jalapeno honey mustard sauce to the pimento cheese burger, the flavors were top notch. The waiter was less than stellar, but appeared to be rather new in listening to his approach. The rest of the wait staff sounded and looked very attentive and well versed.
(5)
Marc A.
Best biscuits I ever had! All the food was flavorful. Highly recommend.
(4)
Allison F.
Poogan's Porch is outstanding! In addition to the impeccable service, this lovely restaurant is set in a charming old house which lends itself well to the upscale Southern menu. The warm, fluffy biscuits are absolutely divine. My barbecued salmon was beautifully plated on a bed of cheese grits with a side of perfectly seasoned green beans. Perhaps you'll get lucky enough to try the special of the day: a succulent, tender pork chop served alongside creamy macaroni and cheese. If a delicious meal in a classy-yet-unpretentious setting is on your agenda, don't miss this Charleston gem!
(5)
Stacy K.
Love this place! Some of the best fried chicken around, which is really saying something in South Carolina. My boyfriend loved the seafood, especially the she crab soup. The cocktails are also amazing--not cheap, but strong and delicious. And the atmosphere is great, you feel like you're back in time dining in an old southern mansion. Between the building, the lighting, and the unobtrusive service, the whole place has a very quaint and romantic feel. Although it's certainly not cheap, we left feeling extremely satisfied that it was money well spent.
(5)
Matt B.
Great food and a charming venue. Star deduction due to a/c malfunction and management offering nothing to ease our suffering in the miserably hot and humid temps upstairs. Stuff happens that is no one's fault, but give me a little something so I can say "they did the best they could to please us in this unfortunate situation".
(3)
Julie S.
If no stars were an option that would be my vote. First they were out of alcohol at the bar for three of their specialty drinks. Second, the service was terrible and the waiter kept 'forgetting' to put parts of our order in therefore no food was flowing! And finally, when we did finally get our entrees the food orders were not right - particularly a veggie plate. What part of pig belongs on a veggie plate? None! I asked to speak to the manager and she was very defensive and tried to tell me that the ham in the Mac' n cheese was crispy smoked Gouda cheese - NOT... It was a dreadful experience - Out of our party of 6 none of us will go back.
(1)
J. E.
Great Southern Brunch! Decided to try out the place passing by Charleston from NC to FL. What a great find. Neat location in downtown Charleston, and very close to a parking garage. My wife had a fried green tomatoe sandwich with goat cheese. She loved it. I tried a Po Boy with Oysters. Yum! We also tried a She Crab soup and some Gumbo. Also some wonderful choices. Service was good and the staff was very friendly. For brunch the pricing was not too much given the downtown location. We'll certainly be back next time we visit Charleston.
(4)
Kris G.
I've only been here once, but my food was amazing! It is truly southern style food and it was sooo good. My husband and I were both pleased, while it is slightly more expensive (which is expected downtown anyways) it was well worth the money and not astronomically priced.
(4)
Kristina C.
When I asked the concierge where I could go for lunch that included a good cup of She-Crap soup, this was the first place they recommended. After a nice walk through the city, we steered over to Queen Street. Here we were greeted and sat promptly. Amazingly enough, at about 1 PM on a Saturday, we did not have to wait. You will not be able to resist the biscuits, espeically with the butter with honey they have at the table. The she-crap soup was good (not the best I've ever had - go to Peninsula Grill, but be prepared to pay). I enjoyed the Fried Green Tomato BLT - a fun little twist on a southern treat. While I didnt have an adult beverage, the bloody mary's looked delish! Service was great. Highly recommend you put this on your list when in Charleston.
(4)
Harrison H.
Those biscuits were awesome. But everything else was terrible. And the name Poogan is like nails on a chalkboard.
(1)
John C.
Solid, but nothing super special. I would give it a 3.5 were that an option. Crab soup was reeeeealy rich. Kinda left a feeling in your mouth like you had a coating in there, similar to how a dog acts if you give them peanut butter (not that I've ever done that :) ). Fried Green Tomato BLT was a nice twist, and a welcome one. Goat cheese makes it very interesting. The shrimp & grits was the highlight of the meal but is not a traditional low country shrimp and grits. Go to Hyman's or Magnolia's for that. However this dish was fantastic, and it would be the first thing I would order when and if I return. Service was good, though we must have caught a bad break, and got seated in the room with 5 tables of old Southern women giving looks and attitude. The restaurant is in an old house and has a good vibe otherwise.
(3)
Mike W.
We ate at Poogan's Porch on the second night of a recent visit to Charleston. Dinning rooms are open and table spacing is close but not so tight as to feeling crowded. Service was even paced and friendly. Food items were all very good. Great shrimp dish. I would recommend.
(4)
Jason H.
Wife and I both got fried chicken, it and the mashed potatoes were both perfect... She had collards and I traded out for green beans. We were both unimpressed with the vegetable portion of our meals. That and the fact she ordered sweet tea and had an unsweetened refill, and that I had to request a water refill since waiter walked by twice and never checked my glass.
(4)
Ind R.
If you would like to purchase a commemorative t-shirt and coozie with your meal, go to Poogan's. If you would like to eat Southern food in a building old enough to be "haunted", go to Poogan's, or ANYWHERE ELSE IN CHARLESTON, including most people's houses. I'll say that my mint julep, fried green tomatoes, and biscuits were all praise-worthy. But my entree was forgetable, and the grits and green beans that accompanied it were bland. The wall paper and washed out watercolors didn't improve the situation. Poogan's is the safe place to take your visiting great aunt who thinks she wants an authentic experience. *disclaimer* I've never gone for breakfast. Someday I'll give it a try, hoping that eating pancakes will make me eat my words.
(2)
Gina C.
Out of all the restaurants that we ate in Charleston, I liked this one the least. First of all, when I arrived the restaurant smelled like a dirty rag. It made me loose my appetite. I did love the quaint look of the old house converted into a restaurant. For starters they give you warm biscuits with honey butter. It was so good! For apps, I ordered the fried green tomatoes which were one of the best I've had. It had just enough breading where you can actually taste the tomatoes. As for my entree, I ordered the shrimp po boy sandwich. It was about 4-5 pieces of fried shrimp in a hoagie. I thought it was okay. I just ate the shrimp out of the sandwich. It also came with a side order of sweet potato fries. I don't think I would order the sandwich again. I tried my sister's fried chicken salad which was delicious! Nothing special about this place in my opinion.
(3)
Stephen C.
Very nice ambience. We had pork chop and plantation fried chicken. Former was very good, latter was ok.
(4)
Katie K.
Has been, and always will one of my "must eat" places in Charleston. Homemade biscuits and honey butter. Fantastic house cocktails (try the blueberry lemonade). And desserts that are out of this world (peanut butter cheesecake). Love it!
(5)
Christina F.
A beautiful little house turned eatery, with a delightful little story of the Dog named Poogan. Service is warm and friendly. A pleasant surprise to see that we arrived smack dab in the middle of restaurant week, and they offer a 3 course prix fixe for only $20!! Everything was fresh and great, mac n cheese appetizer was very good, with a smoky cheese and the portion was huge; as large as an entree. For dinner I had the fried chicken and mashed potato, which was some of the best fried chicken I have ever had, and gets extra points for being BONELESS! The biscuits provieded were also great, nice and fluffy. FOr the included dessert, we both opted for pecan pie, which was great, with an incredibly rich custard filling. This is the part where we get to the negative, the one small piece of crap on top of what was otherwise a 5 star dining experience. On top of this wonderful luscious pie, were beautiful, cute piped stars of....COOL WHIP! Are you SERIOUS?! WTF? Cool Whip!?!!? In a restaurant where we raved, because of the incredible high quality and homemade taste of every component of the meal, they choose to end it with artifical whipped hydrogenated fats. Seriously?! Anthony spoke to the manager, who assured him that they usually use fresh whipped cream (I know for a fact that this was cool whip, or its generic equivelent), and would do what he needed to to get to the bottom of it, and at least provide an explanation, Anthony gave his email, and was assured a quick response. It has been 2 days, and no response. Hmmmm. Duly noted. Will update if we hear something.
(4)
Michelle N.
What an awesome lunch. Complimentary biscuts, awesome. Pimento cheese fritters, awesome. Smoked gouda mac and cheese with ham, awesome. Fried green tomatos, awesome. My oyster and shrimp po boy was slightly less than awesome, but but when I poured some of the tasso ham and blue crab gravy from my friend's portion of shrimp and grits, it became awesome. By the way, the shrimp and grits, awesome. Loved the food. Loved the service. Loved the space. Love the neighborhood. Would go back to Charleston just to eat here again, possibly dinner next time.
(5)
Lady M.
I visited Poogan's Porch for dinner on a recent vacation in Charleston after it was recommended by several friends, and I was not disappointed. I think this was easily the most enjoyable meal on our trip. Our meal started with some tender, buttery biscuits, which we devoured. I had the "cast iron pork chop" which was just delicious - fried crispy, smothered in country ham gravy, and with sides of green beans and smoked gouda mac and cheese. This was not a low-cal meal but it did satisfy, and hit all of the right savory notes. It was also a nice portion for the price. While it actually wasn't clear to me that the pork chop was breaded and fried from the description on the menu, I won't hold that against it. My dining companion had the pan roasted grouper over risotto and enjoyed that very much as well. We finished off our relaxed meal by sharing the peanut butter pie. While I was very happy with the service and ambiance of the restaurant, I will note that we were seated in the upstairs room, and they took the "mood lighting" a bit too far - it was quite dark, and only just before we were leaving did someone turn up the lights to a more acceptable wattage. Overall though, it was a great meal and I would definitely recommend Poogan's Porch to others dining in Charleston.
(5)
Craig G.
We came here for lunch after doing parts of the Allan Hartley's Charleston Walking Tour. We were pretty hungry when we arrived. It looked very busy and we were worried that there would be a long wait. But we went in anyway and were immediately seated in the backroom on the ground floor. The waitress that served us was very friendly. We got our drinks very quickly, but there was somewhat of a wait before the food came out. We got biscuits the same time as we got our food. It would have been nice if we had gotten the biscuits earlier. Still I'm glad they came at all since the biscuits and the home made butter were very good. I had Calabash Shrimp and Oysters. I loved it. It's a very tasty dish. It's definitely worth trying. It came with Hoppin' Johns and a vegetable. These were probably even better than the main dish. My wife got the cheeseburger special. The burger was huge. Much too big for my liking. It was too big to take a bite from top to bottom. My wife ate it with a fork and knife. She asked for the burger to be cooked medium rare and it came out well done. She was not a fan. We ran out of milk for our 16 month old son while there. The waitress promptly filled up his sippy cup with milk. She didn't even charge us for it. I would recommend this place for the service and some of the dishes. But you definitely need to choose carefully.
(3)
Karen T.
Loved everything about this place. We went on a Tuesday night and it was busy, but not hectic. Our server was very attentive. The decor is lovely and creates a great atmosphere. I was on a business trip, but I'd definitely call this a romantic place for a date too. The biscuits are as great as everyone says. The buttermilk fried chicken was excellent, and for a small upcharge, we got the mac and cheese instead of mashed potatoes. They'd just won the Charleston Mac-off, and I can see why. The smoked gouda flavor was fantastic. Had strawberry citrus cobbler for dessert; I'd rather go when peach cobbler is in season because I'm sure that's delicious.
(5)
S E.
I'm so sorry that any other visitor during the holiday season had less than a great experience! I mean, I had expectations too, but mine were met! We live in Seattle and had the good fortune to spend Christmas in Charleston. We've visited the city several times, and Poogan's Porch has been on my list for a couple of years. First of all, it was our wedding anniversary, and my husband arranged to have flowers delivered to our table prior to seating, and it went off without a hitch. Score one point each for husband and Poogan's Porch! Secondly, it was also fun that our waiter was originally from Seattle, so there was a nice yet professional conversation flow. I had the She Crab Soup. I know crab.....I live in the world of Dungeness, and this soup was utterly savory and fantastic! My husband ordered a different starter (can't remember which now, but he loved it) and was a little put out that I wouldn't share more than one taste of mine. Heh. So at about this time, the maitre'd approaches us and tells us that another couple in the restaurant are celebrating an anniversary and would love to share a bottle of Dom Perignon. Hello? I love bubbly, but more than that, they were a lovely couple from Orlando, and I can't wait to pay it forward! But I digress. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. Fantastic! The breading was light and crisp. I ended up taking some of it home, which went fast the next day (I ate it. I would not share). I can't eat like that every day, but I wish! My husband ordered the pork chop, and immediately any attention I would have been given, due to our anniversary and the fact that I actually put on makeup, went right out the window. I like to think I'm a pretty good home cook, but I can never get him to make that face when I cook a pork chop. He was literally in hog heaven. We ordered a bottle of wine and enjoyed it. They had a nice wine list with a decent price range. Bread pudding finished our feast, along with a fine cup of coffee. My only reason for the 4-star rating is that seating is a little cramped. I wish there were less tables. That, combined with a louder-than-I-like acoustic thing is my only gripe.....but I'm not griping. Poogan's Porch is a wonderful destination in Charleston. They haven't seen the end of us.
Good food, good service. I had the fried chicken which was very good. The fried green tomatoes were alos very good. I'm docking 1 star for not having a wait staff in the bar.... John
(4)
Rob B.
This place is excellent - authentic Southern cuisine at reasonable prices in a beautiful Charleston-style home. There was a lengthy wait to get a table, but our party of three was able to be seated right away in their bar area (which is also beautiful). The biscuits they serve before the meal are to die for. The service was good, considering how busy it was, though the waiter knew very little about beer (recommended a porter as being "similar" to Sam Adams lager).
(5)
Jim D.
Enchanting Poogan's Porch offers one helluva good brunch. If the charming interior doesn't allure you, the smell of the hot, fresh biscuits will! Outstanding biscuits accompanied by rich, sweet honey butter. There ain't nuthin' wrong here, folks. I dare you to eat just one. I did ask our server, James, for another order of it, but it never came. Boo. I ordered the shrimp 'n grits and my companion the Charleston Frye (open faced omelet with fried oysters, bacon, and cheddar cheese). Both tasted very good and served quite generously. Our side order of fried green tomatoes were all right, but not nearly as good as some of the rave reviews of it. What's the dilly, people?! They do have a bar and a few tables located just after the hostess booth, but they don't serve any food there. Sort of a wasted space, if you ask me but whatever. Reservations are highly recommended as this place really fills up quickly with both locals and tourists alike. Overall, Poogan's a solid place to grab Lowcountry fare. The cuisine isn't the most inventive, but it will please most discerning palates with simple, good food.
(3)
Matt S.
You know, I wasn't really feelin this place. Reading the reviews all over the web, we were all so excited to visit but it was generally a big letdown. The service was pretty terrible - our server was totally disinterested and maybe even uncourteous. Like he didn't want us to be there. All of which can be overcome by great food, which Poogan's didn't serve. The fried green tomatoes were just OK. Their twist on the BLT, with goat cheese, was fine. Certainly not up to the "must eat" accolades it's garnered across the web. The fried alligator was very good, though, better than expected. I give this place a big eh. I would have probably been more excited had it not been so hyped, but aside from the bad waiter there was nothing memorable about this meal.
(3)
Norman F.
This place is off the chart excellent. I ate lunch here several times while in town. Get the brazed spare ribs.
(5)
Sharon C.
Absolutely fabulous! Wonderful food. Great service. (Thank you Travis). Do not miss the peanut butter cheesecake! It is divine!!
(5)
Samantha E.
One of the best brunches I have ever had and the BEST biscuit in the world. That is a lot to say since I am such a huge breakfast fan. The restaurant was adorable, the service was great, and I had great time.
(5)
David C.
If you are looking for Southern comfort food in Charleston look no further! The Buttermilk Fried Chicken, fine sweet tea, and biscuits that reminded me of mom was worth every calorie! Make a reservation on Open Table to be sure and get a table.
(5)
Jason L.
Very good food, great service! We had the alligator (very good), the shrimp and grits (average), and the fried chicken sliders (my wife said they were awesome). Decent beer selection. Definitely worth trying in Charleston.
(4)
Samantha S.
Shrimp and grits were great, service was solid, and the atmosphere was pretty cool too. I love these old houses that have been renovated into restaurants. Poogan's Porch is an excellent stop on the dining tour of Charleston!
(4)
Maria A.
What a lovely house-turned-restaurant! My stars, Charleston is charming and this restaurant definitely adds to the local seduction. Ok, i NEVER say this, but the service here was almost TOO attentive. Lots of checking in, jokes that tried really hard to be funny, hand-shaking etc. HOWEVER, the food was prompt and hot, drinks were always refilled, as was the bread basket, and our waiter gave us to-go cups of ice-water for the sweltering day, which came in very handy for those members of my family that only visit the steamy South once a year. DO order: the pimiento cheese fritters. White-trash deliciousness made to look classy enough for a nice Southern home. The shrimp & grits with crab gravy - not your traditional shrimp & grits, lots of seafood flavor and oooh chile, that gravy is RICH. Not as much sausage flavor, almost closer to a seafood gumbo, but with delicious creamy yellow stone-ground grits. Im not complaining. Do NOT order: the Planters Punch, unless you're one of those cheap whiskey, sweetSWEET tea drinking southerners. Jim Beam with raspberry liquor and something else I forget - but you can bet it was unbearably saccharine and brought my jet-lag crashing back down on my head. Otherwise, I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Wes G.
Had She Crab Soup (5 stars!), pork ravioli (4 stars) and Plantation Fried Chicken (4 stars). She Crab soup was excellent. The Pork Ravioli was good but a little dry. Plantation Fried Chicken was very good. Full breast stuffed "cordon bleu" style. If you're wanting the "typical" fried chicken I'd steer clear. The mashed potatoes were a bit too dry for my liking and the green beans were slightly over cooked. Great atmosphere and would definitely recommend and return. Service did leave a little to be desired (water glass stayed empty majority of meal and attentiveness was lacking). We did go at end of night and this may been a contributing factor. Overall great place and will return next time around.
(4)
RB H.
Came to this restaurant expecting an hour wait and was delighted when we only had to wait about 30 mins. The server was very friendly and attentive. The home-made biscuit you get before your meal was great! I had the Shrimp and Grits which was very tasty. The gravy that was served on top of the dish was great. Haven't had shrimp and grits like that before. Make reservations in advance as this place gets pretty busy.
(5)
Virginia W.
My family and I went here for Mother's Day Brunch. I liked how they took our name down and my phone # and just texted us when our table was ready so we could walk around the market. The decor is great and we loved how they had made everything look. We had an attentive waiter, but our food took forever to come and people who came in after us got their food awhile before we did. The food was good, maybe even really good, but definitely not amazing. The mimosa and bloody mary had very little alcohol in it despite their prices. I was disappointed they didn't have waffles or pancakes on their brunch menu except for fried chicken and waffles. I can't give a brunch or breakfast place 5 stars if they dont have that staple. it also got rather loud because of I'm guessing an old room with poor acoustics since there were not that many people in the room. The prices were a bit much for what we got, but that's typical in Charleston if you don't go to college paces. Overall it was a pretty decent experience.
(3)
Priscilla W.
Our family managed to get a table on a busy Saturday night after a cancellation. Note to anyone dining out in Charleston- reservations are a must! We were seated in an upstairs dining area- my only complaint was that it was not cool enough and we were not acclimated to the southern heat. Our wait staff was excellent and attentive. The menu was varied and difficult to choose from. I opted for the pan seared scallops which were cooked to perfection. It came with a risotto cake which was interesting but I prefer traditional risotto. My husband had the mahi which was a bit dry and slightly overcooked and lacking the gastrique it was supposed to come with. One daughter had the shrimp and grits which were tasty and my son in law had the buttermilk chicken, which he said was very good. The portions are plentiful and the biscuits served are warm and delicious. I would recommend this as a lovely dining experience and would return.
(4)
Kyri K.
I came here with my boyfriend when we were visiting Charleston one night en route to Hilton Head. Really wonderful place with a lot of character and history. We sat on the front porch on a breezy night and had dinner. We also got a little ghost tour just from listening to the tour guides passing by. Everything we ordered was delicious, except the gazpacho, which was a little off. Didn't try any dessert, but wish I had. Service was also great.
(4)
Jeffrey C.
Poogan's has great she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, and their biscuits were a dream. I had the buttermilk fried chicken, too, and was blown away by the richness of the flavor. The sweet potato fries were marvelous and I feel they should just take the regular fries off the menu because they don't compare. The restaurant is supposed to be haunted by Poogan the Dog and apparently a girl in the upstairs bathroom. I didn't however feel a dog at my feet and no one saw a girl in the mirror while I was there, but maybe next time... A definite must if you're in the Charleston! Go for lunch because then the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Terry B.
Best meal in Charleston so far!!! We loved everything we tasted - Shrimp & Grits, the Plantation fried Chicken, Fried Tomatos, Pimento Cheese fritters & the Waffles & Chicken!!! We are still in town and plan to stalk the restaurant! Service was excellent as well!! We made it back for Sunday Brunch which was equally as good!'
(5)
annonymous l.
I like Poogan's. I personally like 82 Queen better, but Poogans is good too. It's always busy. You will need a reservation for sure. It's in an old house so that adds to the Southern hospitality if you are a tourist. It's something different. If you are reading this is Charleston, I wish you a wonderful evening. Charleston is one of my favorite places in the world. I saw somewhere that it was voted 'the friendliest city in America'. I agree with that. Enjoy! Soak up some history while you are there. The ghost tours are great.
(4)
Chad W.
The food was good but overpriced. The $$ needs to be at least 3. Not a great place to bring little kids.
(3)
Ron O.
Being from the West (don't hold that against us), we loved this place. The bisquits were superb. Crusty, slightly sweet, and with a soft, moist, & chewy center. Next up, alligator. Nice delicate batter and juicy inside. I've had alligator both out West & in the South and this one did not disappoint. Then came the crabcakes and fried chicken. Crabcakes - slightly spicy, lotsa crab meat, very little filler, and nice flavor. Buttermilk fried chicken, mmm-mmm. Two boneless breaded (nice crunch!), not greasy, moist, and delicious pieces of chicken. Mashed potatoes were more like mashed baked potatoes, but were good nonetheless. Green beans a little chewy. Strolled in on a Monday during lunch and we're seated immediately. Waitress was friendly, efficient, and attentive. Parking a breeze, since we used the public lot across the street. Wish we saved room for dessert. Love banana pudding!
(5)
Ruth H.
We thoroughly enjoyed this place. All the ingredients were extremely fresh and flavorful. The Heirloom Tomato salad was exquisite, the biscuits warm and flaky, and the shrimp and grits were the best ever. The service was great and we would definitely come back on our next trip to Charleston.
(4)
Kevin A.
This place is great! It is located on a relatively quiet street in downtown Charleston, It is kind of isolated from all the other restaurants in downtown. The restaurant is in a beautiful, traditional Charleston house. We were seated right next to a fireplace, and there were only a few other diners there. It had a very quiet and peaceful ambiance. Had lunch here with two of my friends. We had the fried alligator which was okay and the mac and cheese. Probably the best mac and cheese I ever had! For the main course I had to get the shrimp and grits (due to my life long search for the best shrimp and grits). It was good and spicy, and the shrimp was sweet, just as I expect of the local shrimp.
(4)
Joe T.
best food in charleston !!!!!! julie is the most helpful, wonderful waitress around!!!!
(5)
Andrew M.
Friendly, efficient service, and the perfect place to get that Charleston "feel." I had the red snapper with grits. A bit watery, but luckily, that's how I like it. Low Country dining at its near best.
(4)
Julie W.
excellent spot!!! the interior is beautiful and the 6 of us were seated as soon as the place opened for sinner at 5pm. had the wedge salad and mahi mahi ravioli. service, food and environment were all lovely!
(5)
Paul G.
We had a great meal at Poogan's. I made our reservation through Open Table, for 6:30 in time to make it to the Dock Street Theater for the opera. Table was ready early, prompt service and the food was great. The duck medallions were perfect and the cheesy potatoe bake was fabulous. My wife's two big crab cakes were excellent as was the pimento cheese fritters. We had to try a cup of the She Crab Soup which was as good as advertised. Our little two top was in front of a fireplace, but very close to a wait station which didn't bother me, we had lots of room and the tables near us were not too close. I noticed the bar area was small but had a nice old South feel, wouldn't be too bad to just pop in for a drink. We did not find anything wrong with this meal. 2 beers, 2 apps, 2 entrees = $73 before tip. Its easy to see whey they have been open for so long.
(4)
Susan R.
Biscuits like Granny's, fried chicken like Granny's....is my Granny back there? Excellent service, perfect food, delightful desserts.
(5)
Adam W.
5 stars because the shrimp and grits and biscuits are to die for.
(5)
Jo Ann G.
Delicious and well worth the trip into the city. Shrimp and grits were delicious. The grits were excellent. Fried shrimp were gently breaded and very good.
(4)
Madeline S.
Great place for dinner - not a total 5 stars but only because of the service. The food was in a great portion sizes and very good. I highly recommend for the ambience and the food quality. I ordered scallops which were served with collard greens and fried grits. The biscuits that came out first were the size of my face! So yummy and filling. Great price for the quality.
(4)
April R.
Great biscuits and setting! One of my favorites in Charleston.
(5)
B O.
Lunch was decent here. Was really looking forward to their breakfast but it's only served on weekends. The shrimp and grits are swimming in gravy which was not very appealing since that's a slightly unusual preparation. The staff is very nice and it's in a great location with off street parking.
(3)
Aisha M.
Came here while on our honeymoon. And reallllllllllllllly liked it! The wait was pretty long (parking was worse), and by the looks of it, seemed as if the place would be overrated (especially after being disappointed with Hominy Grill). I was dead wrong. We ordered some sort of buttermilk fried chicken and waffles... and it was pretty good!! The best part was the dessert. Some sort of banana budding I think... gosh, if we're ever back in Charleston, we will definitely be stopping by for at least the dessert... Overall, the place ROCKS. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because Jestine's is better, and had no wait nor parking issues. I would have given it a 4.5 stars if I could.
(4)
Imperial P.
Visiting Charleston with my mom we made it a point to tryout a good number of restaurants. Poogans was a hit. The service was pleasant, all smiles upon entry and helpful wait staff. I had the seafood pasta and my mom had the buttermilk chicken which she enjoyed and even had leftovers. Being in the "historic"/downtown area of Charleston I was happy that they had parking (paid parking $6 but better than nothing). The restaurant is in an older home so it's not your typical seating arrangements. We dined upstairs and while small it wasn't cramped. Cozy describes it perfectly. I would return should I ever go back to Charleston.
(3)
E K.
We came here based on the great reviews and weren't so impressed. We came for lunch on a Friday and were told it would be a 30 minute wait. After waiting almost an hour we were seated at a table with dirty plates. When our waiter arrived after about 15 minutes we told him about the plates and he took them back, looking skeptical. After another 5-10 minutes he came back to take our appetizer order. Another 10 minutes or so he took our lunch order. We asked the manager (who was visiting a table who sent food back) for some biscuits after being seated for 20-25 minutes. We asked a bus boy for some silverware and he came up with steakknives. We had to ask our server when he brought the appetizers for utensils. The food did come out pretty quickly once it was ordered. The biscuits, as mentioned in other reviews, were great. For appetizers we had the she crab soup and macaroni & cheese. I'm not sure what all the hype on the soup was because it was pretty bland. The Mac & cheese was really good. For lunch I had the fried green BLT which was very good. The hand cut chips it was served with were overcooked and had no taste. My husband had the shrimp and grits which he said was very good. My in-laws both got salads which I think they found satisfactory, except for one of them being the wrong order. When we told the server about it he wasn't even familiar with the salad that was ordered. He had to consult the menu before coming back to tell us that we were right and that he would take it off the bill. Overall I would say the food is pretty good, but not worth the trouble we went through to get it.
(3)
Alessandra H.
A friend from home recommended we stop by Poogan's Porch for brunch and we're happy that we did. I think we got there around 10 AM on a Sunday morning and didn't have to wait to be seated. To start, the mimosas and biscuits were perfect. I ordered the Fried Green Tomato Benedict which was seriously delicious. My husband enjoyed the Steak and Eggs, my father gobbled the Pulled Pork Benedict, and my mother enjoyed the Cinnamon French Toast but complained that the portion was too big. Seriously delicious brunch food with a really attentive and polite waiter (Jamie maybe?).
I think perhaps going to Poogan's for brunch was missing the point... So I got snowed in in Charleston during a recent business trip. Yes, snowed in. Never fear, I'm told this happens about once a decade. This gave me an extra Saturday in Charleston, and I decided to take advantage by going to Poogan's Porch, which I'd heard about from several Charlestonian coworkers. I showed up around 10 am on a Saturday and was shown right in. First impression: this place is adorable. Poogan's is in an old mansion and they seated me right next to one of the fireplaces. Very cozy, very cute. I ordered coffee and juice, which were brought out quickly, along with some biscuits with honey butter. The biscuits were very, very good and when the waiter thought I'd eaten them both he offered to bring me more. I did have to ask for water, which I thought was strange. Honestly, very little on the brunch menu appealed to me. It all seemed fairly un-inventive - very standard brunch fare. I also thought it lacked much of a Southern/regional flavor. Disappointed, I ordered the french toast, really the only thing on the menu that appealed to me. I should have read Morgan's review - the french toast was totally underwhelming. Really, the food was nothing special at all and I was quite disappointed. I think, though, that brunch probably isn't really Poogan's specialty. I would definitely be willing to give it another shot, but I'd go for lunch or dinner.
(3)
Aaron D.
Hm, so there's no really nice way to say this but ... Poogan's Porch is kind of smelly. Well, to be specific, the *porch* itself isn't smelly, but the interior dining rooms smell like wet sneakers. Not appetizing. At all. When we complained to the waitress, she told us that it was just because the building was old. Um...OK. I've been in plenty of old buildings that didn't smell like moldy footwear, but whatever. Fortunately we were able to move to the porch, which was odor-free. The food itself was pretty good. The fried alligator appetizer was much more tender than I had expected. Our waitress said it's because they marinate the alligator in buttermilk before they cook it. We shared a fried chicken entree that was ridiculously huge. The kitchen kindly separated the entree onto two plates and it was so much food that I thought they had given us two chicken entrees, but our waitress assured us that it was just one divided portion. The famous biscuits? Tremendous in size, but otherwise unremarkable. This restaurant is good value by Charleston standards and provides a solid 3-star dining experience if you're able to breathe the sweet fresh air of porch seating.
(3)
Jodi S.
Poogan's Porch is the epitome of Southern Hospitality with a spin on delicious Southern classics. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledgable and the atmosphere was pleasant. The best part... The food! Pimento cheese fritters are a must! The scallops, stuffed chicken, and pork chops were all hits as well!
(5)
C T.
Loved this place! First it was very quaint and quiet for a Saturday night meal. Had the fried lobster tail for the appetizer which was absolutely delicious. I enjoy the taste alone so I didn't bother with the sweet sauce that came with it. I got the shrimp and grits-good choice by me! I love trying this dish at all the local spots and this has gotta be one of the best. I loved the creaminess and slight spicy nature of the gravy. The grits also obviously had cream in them as they were perfect also. Wifey got the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes. She said it was better than MY mama's!! So, naturally my Mama better get her game up! All in all great dinner. Service was efficient, enjoyed the ambiance, and the food doesn't get much better.
(5)
Beth M.
I really enjoyed the environment, the service and my wine. My husband was enamored with the sea scallops and the Poogan's Punch. However, I was very disappointed in the red snapper. The dish was not hot when it arrived at the table and it was rubbery. Worse still was that the flavor of the fish was basically non-existent. I had high expectations because the restaurant had been hyped so much by locals and in publications, but I was not at all impressed with my meal. The sea scallops saved the experience because my husband was thoroughly impressed. If I were the chef, I would remove the red snapper altogether from the menu.
(3)
Todd W.
This was my second visit to Poogan's. And while I enjoyed my first experience, I was less than impressed on my recent visit. This is an old home that has several room with 4-5 tables in each room. Maybe it was the area we sat in last time that made it better (lower level behind the bar area), but this time was quiet and boring. We sat upstairs and the mood was completely different. Request to sit downstairs if you go. Service was good once it got going, but it took a while once we sat down to get service started. Ordered the buttermilk fried chicken, and while good, was nothing overwhelming. A lot of great things on the menu though, all with southern charm.
(3)
Jeannie H.
Amazing food, atmosphere and service. Mac and cheese is a must! Would def go her again!
(5)
Nina P.
Lowcountry Excellence! A True Taste of Charleston! Went on a date with hubby while in Charleston. Came on a Friday night and it was busy but we had a reservation. We shared the fried ravioli appetizer. Stuffed with pork and goat cheese served fried over a bed of greens and tangy BBQ sauce it was wonderful! I had the salmon special - blackened over goat cheese and jalapeño pepper grits - it was to die for! Lick the plate good! Also, the warm biscuits were perfect and handy for soaking up all the delicious sauces! We'll be back with out a doubt! Ps. Drinks were strong. Poogans punch was awesome.
(4)
Joseph H.
Not necessarily a bad restaurant but I've had better low-country cuisine elsewhere. They did let us sit on the patio with our dog though so that's a plus.
(2)
Scott S.
Incredible
(5)
Ryan B.
The best grits I've ever had. Very coarse ground with just the right amount of cheese. We started with the scallops appetizer which was perfectly cooked. The biscuits are housemade and delicious, as many as you want! I moved on to the shrimp and grits for dinner. The sausage in the dish made it amazing, but the grits......o the grits, they are amazing! My fiance had the scallops, which we perfectly cooked and the grit cake was ridiculous. I can't say enough about this place. I will definitely go back if I'm ever in the area.
(5)
Eleni A.
I need to move to Charleston for the food! We had brunch here this morning. It's in an adorable old house on Queen Street. Indoor or outdoor seating - We sat inside in the back room next to the window. Our server was friendly and really efficient. The food - WOW. Started with Mac & cheese with Gouda, ham and bacon. See photo. Then I had their crab cake Benedict on a fresh hot biscuit with a side of home fries. See photo. My friend had the pulled pork Benedict. We both left feeling fat and happy! Highly recommend!
(5)
Angela F.
What a great place! Located in a great old, cute house. Be sure to check out the Poogan the dog's statue on your right before going up the stairs. The house is allegedly haunted by Poogan (some sitting on the patio feel hair brush by their legs and a mean old lady (seen in the bathroom mirror and in upstairs windows). Point being: lots of old Charleston character! The food and service is superb! We started with the fried green tomatoes, good as especially made by the delicious cranberry jam. The biscuits with honey butter were yum. The braised spare rib sandwich with sweet potato fries also very tasty. My absolute fav by a landslide: the shrimp and grits! Holy tastiness!! Will def return when in Charleston to mow down the shrimp and grits...mmm....
(4)
Tasha L.
Take it for what it's worth. The ambiance is lovely! Located in a vintage charmer of a home in downtown Charleston. The history of the place was interesting, but only explained on a piece of paper located at the front desk that we had to pass around to read. Our group of nine had reservations a few days ago. We were told they would need to split the group into two tables, which was not objectionable. However, once we arrived, they were able to push a few together to make one long one. A nice touch. That's about where the benefits of this restaurant end. The service was dismal. Our waiter was impatient and distracted. I'm not sure if this is because of the size of our group, our ethnicities, or our originations. I saw plenty of upper-class white people sitting nearby that got warm and friendly service. As an Alaskan, I always try to learn about local cuisines and cultures. Our waiter seemed bored with my questions and naivety. He markedly noted that most people in Charleston are not actually from Charleston and that he was from Minnesota. He gave a very anti-climactic first impression of the city. Surely the food would speak for itself? No, not really. Prices were VERY high for what we received. From the biscuits to the shrimp 'n grits, nothing impressed. The menu said the biscuits were home-made. I would venture that they use the term "home-made" loosely, given the dough tasted like doctored-up Bisquick. The shrimp on my plate were not properly deveined. The fried chicken for my friend was forgettable. The plating was neither contemporary nor creative. Perhaps my experience is indicative of the city in general. A place rich in history, but poor in culture. It seemed a destination for materialistic upper class white people determined to flaunt their superiority, regardless of actual value. I have no intention of visiting Charleston again, and this restaurant is the perfect metaphor why.
(2)
Amber H.
This was probably my favorite restaurant in charleston. The building is super cute,and the food melts in your mouth. The biscuits and homemade honey butter are the best I've had. The service was impeccable. This place was named after a dog,and his fancy graveside is out front. I thought it was so cute. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Sara M.
EAT HERE. Especially if you're a tourist trying to get a very "Charleston" experience. Lovely, unique atmosphere! The restaurant is in an old house. So much charm both on the porch and inside. On a beautiful side street in the historic district. They serve so many amazing dishes. We loved the alligator salad, she crab soup, fried chicken and crispy snapper. Definitely recommend sharing a bunch of plates amongst your party because you'll want to try it all!
(5)
Stephanie S.
The second we drove into downtown Charleston we parked a few streets away from Poogan's and it started to DOWNPOUR! We ended up sitting on the porch while it was raining and it was such a lovely experience. We even got rained on a bit, but it was hot and so nice to be outside during the storm that we didn't mind. The waiter offered to move us indoors, but we declined. Good service! My boyfriend and I started with the fried alligator. SO good! It came with a Jalapeno cream sauce, which was yummy. I ordered the fried chicken over salad. My only meh thing was that it came with the same Jalapeno dressing as the alligator. The actual fried chicken was done perfectly though. My guy had the chicken potato dumpling dish. He loved it.
(4)
Patrick D.
Awesome, y'all. Everything you'd want from a charming Charleston restaurant: delicious Southern comfort food, all the hospitality you'd expect, and a casually upscale atmosphere...like having lunch or dinner at your wealthy aunt's house. The rolls they bring out before your food arrives are amazing, as was the pulled pork sandwich I had. Wish we had left room for dessert!
(5)
Katie N.
First of all, our server was so wonderful. She was knowledgeable about everything on the menu and provided food and drink suggestions that she seemed to genuinely enjoy herself. The Gouda Mac and cheese was so creamy with the right balance of flavors with some bacon in it. In fact all of the food had great texture, flavor, and presentation including the low country stew, fried chicken, and our dessert. I ate at quite a few restaurants during my weeklong visit in the Charleston area and this restaurant was the best.
(5)
Racquel P.
I came here on a weekday around 2pm and there was a pretty long wait. Luckily they had bar seating so I opted for that. My bartender/server, Eric (I think?), was very friendly and accommodating. Southern hospitality at its finest! Started with an "ice pick": iced tea, vodka, & lemonade. So refreshing on such a humid day! The biscuit that came while waiting for your entree was sooooo good. Good thing they only gave one or I would be in trouble!! I also wanted to eat somewhat healthy so I got the famous fried chicken salad (all good things in moderation, right?!) and so amazing! The fried chicken strips were so crispy and juicy. I do not like a lot of dressing on my salad and they give you a whole bowlful on the side. Perfect for dipping. This dish left me extremely satisfied, even for a salad, and that is saying a lot! Poogans Porch is worth the hype. I would definitely come back here if I am in the area again.
(4)
Charlie P.
When at Poogan's Porch, I feel like I'm in my grandmother's home placed in the South, cozy and comfortable the way a bed and breakfast may feel. While there are many other spots in Charleston that I think serve better cuisine, Poogan's Porch is a solid option for a Sunday Brunch. The menu is heavenly Lowcountry and Southern-focused, with menu items like Fried Green Tomatoes, Crab Cake Benedict, Alligator Bites, Country-Fried Pork Chops and my personal favorite Chicken & Waffles. As far as Chicken & Waffles go (as Charleston has their fair share of options) Poogan's has one of the best, served with a heavenly not too-sweet blueberry maple syrup. Those traveling to Charleston and looking for a "taste of the south," I recommend Poogan's Porch for brunch. It fills up fast so go early or be sure and book a reservation. Must-order items: Chicken & Waffles Sunrise Shrimp & Grits Blackened Catfish
(4)
Helen A.
Walking into this spot, it looks absolutely lovely! It's a very charming place with a great ambiance. The food was fine but nothing to write home about. It was all going fine until we realized there was a COCKROACH on the wall right next to our table. When we told one of the servers that was walking by, he simply stomped it dead and kicked it off the balcony like it was nothing. Maybe the southerners are more accustomed to these critters, but I do not like this kind of view during brunch. As far the food specifics, my group tried several different things. We had the fried green tomatoes, fried alligators, biscuits with gravy, chicken & waffles and crap cake benedict. The appetizers were much better than the main courses, my favorite being the biscuits and gravy.
(2)
Taryn C.
OH.MY.GOSH. Their Fried Chicken is the most amazing fried chicken I have EVER had. SOOO Good. I would go back to Charleston just for their chicken. Also, the service and restaurant itself were really good. But their food was just amazing.
(5)
Meg T.
Brunch was amazing! Between the six of us, we has pulled pork benedict, crab cake benedict, shrimp and grits, and French toast. Everything was delicious! We tried making a reservation and none were available on Open Table, but we decided to call and they had plenty of space, so definitely call!
(5)
Josh G.
Well, what can I say that hasn't been said? The fried green tomatoes are amazing when you combine the goat cheese and chutney that accompany them on the plate. And I mean that. Amazing. The rest of the food was very good as well, but not life changing. I had the snapper and she had the shrimp and grits. Our server, Kevin, was fantastic. The food came out quickly and at temperature upon arrival. The two specialty cocktails we had were exceptional. It was a nice experience. Highly recommended.
(5)
Nicole W.
Tucked away on beautiful Queen Street, Poogan's Porch is one of Charleston's oldest dining establishments. Poogan's, named after a pooch who loved sitting on that very porch, specializes in "low country cuisine." Without fully understanding what that meant this place was the perfect epitome of a southern meal placed in the atmosphere of a beautiful Victorian home. Upon recommendations, we ordered the fried alligator (delicious but a mere sidekick to the other dishes), Chef Isaac's She Crab soup (delicious soup, sweeter than expected) and the big kahuna: the Mac and Cheese (country ham, aged smoked gouda)! The Mac was extremely flavorful, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. This was by far the best Mac and Cheese I've ever had. If you are reading this do not leave without ordering the Mac and Cheese! I repeat, do not leave without ordering the Mac and Cheese!
(5)
Shy A.
We got lucky and were seated within 15 minutes on a Sunday, score! I would recommend setting a reservation otherwise but we felt like living on the edge. Queen street is full of lively places to eat so you won't go wrong either way but if you have your heart set on Poogans, make that reservation! So a quick breakdown.... Biscuits-As good as everyone says! It's not buttery, almost floury and doughy but incredible. They remind me of the sourdough biscuits my grandmother used to make. The honey butter they brought with it was amazing! But, don't fill up on biscuits just yet...you'll miss out other other delicious bites and you don't want to do that! She crab soup-thicker than what I've had in the past and a bit fisher but still tasty. I wanted some crackers to offset the texture of the soup. Shrimp and grits with poached egg-the bff loved this dish! I liked it as well even though I'm not a fan of poached eggs. But, in this dish, the egg yolks make it. It creates this wonderful texture and brings the entire plate together. Fried Chicken-fantastic! Really tasty for being bone out, the breading was sublime. The collards that accompanied it was perfect. I've eaten a lot of collards in my day and have always found the need for a pinch of salt or more vinegar but these were above approach. Oh, the Bloody Mary's are some of the best we've ever had....that says a lot. It was simple, served without the salt rim. Perfect. They use a Charleston mix....that's what we saw, I have no idea what's in this mix but can only assume it's what makes it so wonderful. The service was on point...no complaints there! I'll definitely visit each time I'm in the area!
(4)
Kevin M.
Poogan's Porch is a good representation of the overall Charleston food scene and the city in general. It's an older house that was converted into a restaurant, but the service is that of a bed and breakfast. Everyone was incredibly polite and welcoming, which was a pattern throughout my entire Charleston trip. I started out with the fried alligator for appetizer, which was ok. It was my first time trying alligator so I think it just isn't for me. I then had the shrimp and grits which were really good, but not as good as I would have hoped for. It lacked spice and just an overall wow factor. That being said, it was still a good meal. Location wise, this place can't be beat. It's right in the heart of downtown Charleston and walking distance to most hotels and tourist establishments. The experience at Poogan's from a service standpoint was excellent and the food was good. I wish the food were a little better, but it's definitely worth the trip as you may find it to be better than I did.
It pains me to give this place 2-stars... it just wasn't good :-\. I was so excited to try this place, I called my husband "Poogan" for at least two weeks prior to arriving in Charleston. Poogan is actually a small white dog, so maybe that wasn't the best, but I meant it in a loving way and didn't know about that until I happened to pass a tour guide say it-- oops! I got the mac and cheese without ham, but it was so salty I honestly didn't taste much else. My husband got the catfish, which he liked but thought the portion was way too small. Waitress was extremely charming and nice, good service, nice atmosphere, but the food just really didn't do it for me and it would not be one of my recommendations.
(2)
Alicia W.
The house is super cute and we were met with smiles. My mother who is disabled was dinning with us and the hostess moved some of the existing reservations around so that we could sit downstairs. For any other handicapped individuals there is no elevator and the staircase upstairs is fairly step. The front of the house has manageable steps with a handrail. Onto the food, we loved the biscuits and honey butter - a nice touch. And also ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. The tomatoes were super thick and went along well with the orange marmalade. The table had: sweet tea salmon, the pork chop, steak and the fried chicken. All reports were good, even my picky mother said is was great. Would suggest a reservation. And even though it is a nicer place, our son who is 14 months was welcomed and accommodated. Great dinner!
(5)
George W.
Love this place! Great food. Great service. Great bar. Atmosphere is ante-bellum home. Air conditioned. They have gluten free selections. We were party of nine. Everyone satisfied. Make a reservation.
(5)
Chris B.
Our high expectations and optimism about Poogans were unfortunately met with disappointment and frustration. Our experience: Reservations were made a day in advance for outside seating but once we arrived our name wasn't on the list. We requested outdoor seating again and proceeded to the bar to kill the next 45 mins. This would've been fine if we were any closer to being seated. However, upon following up on the wait, I was told that a table became available but it was reserved for another couple who called in...this should've been the point where we walked out, but we were invested. We are finally seated after a little over an hour (wasn't a crowded night). We then sat there with no waitress aware of our presence for another 15 mins at a dirty table. I ordered duck and the gf had the snapper. I will say the cook and seasoning on the snapper were good but everything else was disappointing. I expect better when spending $65+ but realistically, I would've had a better tasting meal at a pizza joint.. To end the night my foot found its way into a dog bowl strategically placed under our table for some reason haha. At this point it was amusing and our only concern was leaving. Overview: Quality of food doesn't justify the price. Service was very unorganized and seemingly inexperienced. Certainly cannot recommend with so many other great alternatives.
(2)
Eric Joleen G.
This was my first time to Charleston, I was here for a few days for work. I took a shot in the dark and walked in to see if there was room to eat. The site said by reservation is highly recommended for they are always busy. They made room for me at the bar, and did not make me feel like I was an inconvenience at all. Hospitality is something they have here. The bar tender gave me the recommendation to have the Lefthanded Milk Stout, amazing beer. For dinner I had their cup of She Crab soup, amazing, Shrimp & Grits amazing and their biscuits will put you in a euphoria. I highly recommend going to eat here if you can. For parking, which is hard to come by in old town, there is a parking garage down the street which makes it easy. Thank you again for the hospitality.
(5)
Jennifer H.
I'll be honest, I wasn't overly excited about this place at first. Once we were comfortable seated at the bar, that changed-and not because I was drinking bc I was sipping on water. We looked at the menu and got to talking with one of the bartenders-a former New Yorker like myself and a Buffalo Bills fan!! We made small talk and he gave dinner recommendations while we waited. I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful outdoor seating in the back of the restaurant. Our server was good. The biscuits were delish-I ate two! I ordered the pan seared scallops and they were heavenly!! I enjoyed every last bite of the scallops, pimento cheese ravioli over cream corn. The meal and the atmosphere was very nice. I sampled my friends mint risotto and my other friends vegetarian risotto option and I learned that I'm not a big fan of risotto but glad I was able to give it a try! I would have like a little more food as I was still hungry after cleaning my plate. I was very tempted to give your bread pudding a try-next time it's a must!
(4)
Wing C.
Charleston is a true foodie paradise and Poogan's held up to its reputation! We were warmly welcomed with sparkling champagne and warm, fluffy house made biscuits with whipped honey butter. I had to give the full run down of these biscuits - because they were THE best bread I've ever had (including all types of bread!). They were lighter and fluffier than all biscuits I've encountered. The whipped honey butter only brought them to a whole different level. I devoured three before my appetizer and ate another two along with dessert. Unbelievable! Fried pimento cheese fritters - oozing, gooey cheesy goodness topped with refreshing, green tomato jam. Perfect appetizer! Calabash styled shrimp and oyster with red rice risotto and collard green - lightly battered and flash fried, the seafood was fresh and flavorful, the red rice risotto was cooked in sweet tomato base, the collard green had a spicy kick. A true southern comfort food. Shellfish and grits - after having magnolias for lunch and learning poogan's won the james beard nomination for this dish, I was ecstatic to see how it would compare. Unfortunately this was by far my least favorite shellfish/shrimp and grits dish on my entire trip. Not saying it wasn't good, just wasn't great. My grit cake was overdone and way too dry. The shrimp and scallop were oversalted. In addition, this dish could use a bit more sauce. It was missing the comfort southern cuisine feel. Beignet - made with the same amazing biscuit dough base, dusted with powder sugar, served with raspberry jam and a cup of coffee. The cup of coffee was a bit odd, but nevertheless it was the perfect sweet ending! A little disappointed by their award winning shellfish and grits, nevertheless an amazing, fine meal. Would definitely recommend everyone visiting Charleston to check out poogan's on his/her visit!
(5)
M P.
Loved the story of Poogan and his people. Our server was kind and helpful - the chef, after hearing I was GF and really wanted what was a blue crab pasta dish, created an amazing iteration with veggies instead of pasta. It was so delicious it should be a regular on the menu. Thank you for being so accommodating!
We have 2 kids and when we originally looked at this place we thought it would be inappropriate to bring them along despite Yelp saying it was okay. In the end we risked it and it was perfect for kids. It was the ease of fine dining along with accommodations for the little ones. The pimento cheese fritters is quite possibly the best thing I have ever put in my mouth!For the main course I had the ribs and Mac. The ribs had a mustard sauce and the meat slid off the bone making it easy to eat with a fork and knife. You must try this quaint little place!
(5)
Andrea R.
Dined here for brunch on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend. Upon arriving we checked in and were told the wait was 20 minutes. The entire time we waited we watched 4, yes FOUR tables sit empty. We ended up waiting around 35 minutes total (those tables were never filled). My husband went to check where we were on the list and inquired about the outdoor seating, he was told even though we were next on the list there was a completely different waiting list for outside and we would be last on that list, meaning another 40 minute wait. What? So we were next on the list but not really? When we were finally seated they took us to a large room in the back, there were around 12 tables and only 1 was occupied when we sat down...wait..so why was there a 35 minute wait again?! Service was poor, to sum it up our waitress sucked. She was bored and uninterested, we sat around forever waiting for water refills, she didn't go over any of the specials, never brought out the free biscuits (which we didn't know you got until a table next to us got them), forgot my husband's side order of grits etc. What made it more obvious was that two tables were sat down after us with a different waitress and we heard her go over the specials, which we knew nothing of, she gave detailed descriptions of the dishes and even offered suggestions for drink pairings, she seemed awesome, we watched the other guests with service envy! The upside to the awful service was that the food was delicious. My husband ordered the crab cake eggs benedict which he loved, with a side of grits that basically came with our check. I ordered the country fried pork chops with scrambled eggs and home fries. The pork chops were delicious! They came with a Texas Pete au jus that was outstanding. They were so perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. When the free biscuits finally came they were really good. The service left a really bad taste in our mouths so with all of the other brunch options in Charleston I'm not sure we would be back again.
(3)
D M.
Extremely friendly staff. I had a mule served in a copper cup. Very refreshing (so much so I had a second.) Biscuits we're great (ask for the recipe and they'll give you a card with it pre-printed.). Great match with their honey butter. Great fried oyster and roasted beet salads (two different salads) Shellfish with Tasso-pimiento grit cake (fried) in a fish demi-glaze. James Beard worthy dish. Grouper special was as good. The manager thought we waited too long for our entrees (we didn't as far as I'm concerned) so he bought our desserts - chocolate peanut butter pie and lemon point cake with blue berry ice cream / chocolate crumbles. Perfect end to a great first day in Charleston. Second visit - last day in Charleston. Started with a fried oyster salad as well as a fresh peach/blueberry daily special salad. Back to Grouper and Shellfish over Grits for dinners. If it ain't broke ....
(5)
Nick B.
Came here with my gf to get a bite to eat before our movie. Decided to try it out because of Yelp. My gf got the fried pork chop and I got the duck, both were excellent. I highly reccomend the smoked gouda mac n cheese to accompany any entree. The service was excellent and the ambience was also fitting of downtown Charleston. You will be happy going here.
(5)
Tom G.
Doesn't look like much but had come recommended. Went for Sunday brunch. Est cup of coffee in Charleston so far. Had pulled pork eggs Benedict and will recommend that to anyone for brunch. I'll even try to duplicate this at home I liked it so much. Also had my first "fried green tomatoes". Don't understand why this is a big deal in Charleston.
(4)
Nicole O.
Ok. So living down the block from Poogan's we have loved the friendly staff and yummy food! However, last time we were there, we sat outside. Well, towards the end of our meal a HUGE rat came right up to our table from the drainage vent on the porch. Gross. It came right up to our puppy and I am so so thankful that he doesn't appear hurt. The waitress said she would let someone know.... But for a fancy, expensive establishment the lack of attention to this matter was a bit offensive. The Mac and cheese is great! The rolls were good as well... Don't think we'll go back anytime soon... But only because we enjoy our quality meals without the company of rats, or at least an apology from Management.
(3)
Rachel A.
I ordered: fried crocodile and the green tomato BLT. Both were good, loved the crab remoulade. Service was sub-par. I'm not sure if they were understaffed or what but very weird. They didn't refill our drinks or give us biscuits until we asked and then we got our appetizers while we were eating out sandwhichs. It was definitely weird but worth the trip.
(3)
Mackenzie S.
My friends and I go here for what we call "staycation"- treating ourselves to slightly pricey but awesome food in our own city! The brunch is amazing, service is always a pleasure, and the atmosphere is quiet, relaxing; perfect for staycations. The she crab soup is one of the best, crab cake Benedict is amazing, and the Mac and cheese is to die for. A must-visit in Charleston!
(5)
Judi H.
Pooganns Porch was a old Southern home transformed into a restaurant. The Food was good. My expectations were much higher because of how crowded it was and how long we had to wait. Would try dinner if We go again.
(4)
Sonya M.
Service was superb. Drinks are very unique. Get the fried green tomatoes as an app. I had the dinner special - BBQ local quail. My boyfriend had the fried chicken, which he loved. To end off the night, we had the berry bread pudding. Loved everything and service was great! Must go in Charleston!
(5)
Chris C.
We had the Alligator, which was a first, and it was delicious. The fried green tomatoes BLT was great with homemade bread. I had the chicken and waffles, which went well with blueberry syrup. Service was a little slow or it would have been 5 stars Would recommend this place if you are visiting Charleston.
(4)
Katie W.
This is a hard review to post. The food is amazing. The scallops with pimento cheese ravioli was one of the best dishes I had in Charleston, and that is saying a lot. The biscuits were pure heaven, especially with the honey butter. The service was abysmal. We were rushed and treated terribly. Our server made it seem like a substitution (potatoes for pasta) on the kids menu was impossible, but she never returned to let us know whether it could be done or not. I had a question about the menu and she acted extremely put out that I was wasting her time. It's too bad, because the food was spectacular.
(3)
Eva H.
This was the first place we ate at during our weekend stay in Charleston. We had an Opentable reservation for 9 and waited at the bar until exactly 9. While waiting, I got a sweet tea vodka drink, which was deliciously made and refreshing. For our meal, we ordered the she crab soup, the fried chicken with and mashed potatoes side, and the fried shrimp and fried oysters with green beans and risotto (and also a sub of Mac n cheese). She crab soup was creamy and crabby. I've never had it before, so I can really attest to it's flavor, but it was tasty. The fried chicken - wow, maybe the best I've ever had. The skin was fried to perfection, airy and crisp and without any extra grease. The two pieces of dark meat were juicy all the way through. Really top notch! The mashed potatoes were just as good - finely mashed and subtly flavored with butter and salt. The fried shrimp and oysters were also great because of their batter. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and not over cooked like fried shrimp typically is. It was also larger than fried shrimp usually is. The fried oysters were also good, but honestly, I can't really tell a difference between different fried oysters. I'm writing this all our meals, which included 3 other meals with fried chicken. While a couple other fried chicken had more flavor in the batter, Poogan's was the overall best and the one I would go back to have. Where else did I have fried chicken? Kitchen 208, Leon's Chicken and Oysters, and Jestine's Kitchen.
(5)
Jonathan M.
Amazing pimento cheese balls, crab cake Benedict, chicken and waffles and everything else. Also such s great atmosphere
(5)
Shamik T.
Overall, I found my experience at Poogan's Porch disappointing -- and mostly due to the incredible contrast between the food (delicious) and the service (abysmal). The front-of-the-house was pleasant enough, but the general service was lacking. I suspect this was due to the bottleneck at the bar (it appears there is only one, and it is quite small) in getting cocktails made. The cocktails themselves, were, pretty good. But at one point we realized that we waited nearly 30 minutes for them. Dinner itself was great. The biscuits were fresh and tasty. The empty baskets stayed at the table for the duration of the meal though. Our dishes were generally good, and our (admittedly large) party partook in a wide range of the menu. But for a restaurant that doesn't appear to get much bad press, our experience was surprising. Our server would disappear for long periods. It took close to an hour for our entrees to appear after our starters were removed. We ordered drinks that sat untouched on a waitstand in the hallway, only to get to our table covered with condensation. Wrong meals arrived, twice. We had to ask for empty glasses to be removed. My water glass was filled and never returned to me, instead left to sit alone at the end of the table. That biscuit basket? Eventually we just placed it under the table, when it was clear it was not going to be removed. Perhaps this was an off-night for service. But then again, the restaurant should recognize that and act accordingly. For all the trouble, they were kind enough to remove a $7 Cobb salad. Thanks. I do not come to Charleston often, and when I come next, I'll probably try to go next door.
(2)
Wes R.
I've been to Poogan's twice now and really enjoy eating there. I should asterisk this review with the fact that both times I ate here, they were doing the rollback pricing. (Prices are equivalent to their pricing in 1976 when they opened - which is freaking awesome!) Anyhow, during my first visit I learned that I really love their Mac & Cheese! It's done with gouda and it's to die for! I had the fried chicken as my entree and I thought it was done perfectly. The second time around, I had the Ribs & Mac. This dish was okay. The highlight was the side of Mac & Cheese :) The service is solid. I really appreciate when the servers are knowledgeable and leave the pretentious attitude aside. I think the folks at Poogan's nail this and for that, I am grateful. To wrap things up, I'll say, this. At regular pricing, this place is more like 3.5 stars. It is very pricey on the regular. However, it's a must during the rollback pricing. I'll continue to visit every year for the rollbacks. If you're making it out for dinner, be sure to stop by the Husk bar next door for a drink beforehand.
(4)
Nannette P.
Enjoyed our dinner here. We make a point to come here every time we're in Charleston. Parking is a challenge and costly. I'd come back again. Desserts are good too.
(4)
Glenn J.
Fantastic. Great atmosphere. Wonderful food. The she crab soup was delicious. The fried chicken and ribs were beyond great. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Bryce C.
This was another big disappointment in Charleston. I went over Labor Day weekend and was super excited to try Poogan's, but I found it to be a pretty subpar brunch spot in a city filled with amazing options. We came at a very busy time on a very hot day and we were quoted 60 minutes as a wait, when we said we wanted to sit upstairs on the balcony, we were immediately taken to a table. I highly suggest that if you can deal with the heat. Unfortunately the busser trying to open the door to the outside decided to push on a pane of glass as he forced it open and sliced his hand when he shoved it through. We really felt bad for him. As soon as we sat down the waiter asked us which cocktail we would like. It was so hot out that both my friend and I declined. The server immediately soured and started telling us how it's not brunch without one and asked us again to confirm we didn't want one. I work in sales, so I really don't appreciate a hard sale on alcohol. You never know if that person may be against drinking or if they just are not in the mood that day for a drink. It is my biggest pet peeve. Hell, I still ordered a soda and my friend ordered an iced tea, so we weren't some free loading water drinkers. For my entree I had the Charlestowne Fry, which was beyond bland. It was sprinkled with a few flavorless fried oysters and the Gouda was non-existent. It was served with a few sad pieces of fruit which was supposed to be a fruit salad. When you serve something that's that sad looking, don't even bother putting it on the plate. I ended up having only about a third of my entree before I pushed it aside, where it was immediately snatched up by the server with no questions asked about why it was barely touched. Our bill was shoved at us before we could even take a breath. All in all, it's a restaurant that I really feel relies on a good name and reputation, but serves bland food with even worse service.
(2)
Allison W.
My friends and I stopped in for dinner last Saturday night. We had reservations and were seated quickly. I love the decor and Southern feel of this place. I also love that it is named after a dog :) We started with the pimento cheese balls. DELICIOUS!! If you are into greasy deep fried delicious pimento cheese, this is the appetizer for you! I ordered the roasted duck as my entree. I loved the duck. So moist and flavorful! The potato dumplings that came with it were tasty as well. My sister in law ordered the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes & gravy. I have to say hers was my favorite! Delicious & crispy chicken. I loved the gravy, so much flavor and huge portions! My husband had the shrimp and grits. To be honest I was not a huge fan. There was too much going on. The gravy was weird and took away from the grits. I don't think I'd order that again if/when we go back. All in all we had a great experience and I would recommend! Also we had an amazing waiter who brought me a sample of the pimento cheese ravioli and it was divine!
(4)
Jenny S.
Poogan's Porch was right around the corner from the hotel we stayed at (Mills House) so we walked over for Sunday brunch. We didn't have reservations so we did have a brief wait. They text you when your table is ready so we could've walked to some of the shops during our wait but we opted to sit at the bar and order mimosas. We were seated after a short wait at a table right by the window and our server was great. She brought out homemade light and fluffy biscuits that were just like my grandmothers and we also ordered fried pimento cheese balls which we quickly devoured because they were delicious. My husband ordered an omelette plate and he was pleased. I had the French toast with bacon and I was equally pleased. We would definitely done here again.
(4)
Cait H.
Poogan's was our last dinner during our Charleston honeymoon vacation, and it was definitely worth the change in plan. We were originally going to go to a sushi place on our last night until Jay and I found out about Poogan's on our ghost tour. We were very intrigued by the ghosts (both human and canine) that inhabit the restaurant, but one look at the menu had us making reservations. We started with the Macaroni and Cheese appetizer, made with country ham and aged smoked gouda. This was good enough, and filling enough, to eat for our meal, but we certainly didn't stop there. I ordered the Pan Seared Sea Scallops, served with pimento cheese ravioli (holy crap, I could have eaten so many of these) and creamed corn. Jay got the Roasted Catfish with red rice risotto, sausage, okra and tomato butter. We finished with caramel bourbon bread pudding. The caramel sauce was ridiculous and one of the best desserts we had on our entire trip. Poogan's is definitely worth it for a special occasion. Hopefully when we return to Charleston, we will go for brunch, which is apparently very good (translation: get all the biscuits).
(5)
J J.
The Good- Biscuits, best I ever had in my life, duck, best I ever had in my life, alligator best I ever had in my life. I 've lived either in New York or New Orleans and am quite the foodie so this says a lot. The Bad- The ribs with the mustard BBQ were awful. Who wants yellow mustard slathered all over dry ribs??? The pecan pie dessert was served cold not warm and ended up tasting like a cold, dry, stale brick. Bottom line the great was fabulous, the bad was awful, but I'd go again for the great.
(4)
Anrenee R.
Ordered fried chicken dinner. But I am not sure of my ability to judge fried chicken. The dinner came with fresh biscuits, which may have been the highlight of the dinner. The chicken was great. I just don't like picking meat off bones. We sat at the bar because we did not make reservations. The staff was very friendly and accommodating though.
(4)
Morgan M.
My mom and I went here on our big dinner out for our spring break vacation. It totally lived up to our expectations! The ambiance was very nice in the back dining room and the server was very knowledgeable. We liked the biscuits but they weren't the best. I ordered the ribs with the Mac and cheese and brussels sprouts and was very impressed. The rib bbq mustard sauce was great and the meat fell right off the bone. My mom had the fried chicken and loved it. I would definitely recommend this place if you're visiting and want a good southern food experience.
(5)
Maia D.
What a wonderful place for a girls lunch! PP is a beautiful colonial home that has been converted to a restaurant serving new American and southern fare. Dining here is like dining at someone's home. There are lots of rooms and a corridor along with some dining out on the "porch" Some highlights for me were the sweet tea refills that seemed endless. No sooner did I suck down the last drop than it was being refilled. Many choices on the menu for many different cravings - from fried oyster salad to burgers, a crab cake sandwich and grilled cheese (that incidentally had everyone at the table wishing that was what they got) and fried chicken over mashed potatoes. Something for everyone. Salad or sweet potato fries on offer as a side. She crab soup had a nice little bite to it while the fried green tomatoes were crisp and served with a lovely remoulade sauce. More out of curiosity than anything else, we ordered the alligator app that came served like sweet breads - fried little morels on a bed of greens with a jalapeño sauce. Alligator tastes like a combo of chicken and fish. Do with that what you will. Poogan, BTW, was the resident pup.
(4)
Katie Z.
AMAZING biscuits! Seriously! Stopped here for brunch and had a great experience. I would highly suggest making a reservation if possible. I had the chicken and waffles and they were just okay, everything on the menu sounded great so I would go back!
(4)
Lauren S.
Poogan's Porch was amazing! The staff was attentive and accommodating throughout the entire meal. Everyone was very polite and made sure we were happy, especially our waiter Kevin! The food was one of the best meals I have ever had! We started with a wedge salad and the Mac and Cheese, both of which were full of flavor. I enjoyed the beef filet with blue cheese dumplings for my entree. The meat was cooked perfectly! For desert I had the goat cheese cheese cake with mint and blackberries. I wish I would have eaten the whole cheesecake! I definitely recommend visiting this restaurant!
(5)
Korey P.
We had a wonderful dinner. The food was excellent. Ambiance was nice. Had our 2 little kids with us and ate when they first opened for dinner at 5, so they weren't super busy yet.
(5)
Lewis F.
We wanted to try some southern cooking before leaving South Carolina, so we decided on this place. The restaurant is a remodeled home, complete with a front porch (hence the name) and what I believe to be the original staircase and hallways. We didn't have reservations, and the dining room was booked for nearly two hours, but the hostess asked if we wanted to eat at the upstairs covered balcony. Since it was evening and not oppressively hot, we thought it would be OK. We were asked to take the front staircase and met up with the hostess at the upstairs hallway (she had taken another set of stairs). She escorted us through one of the dining rooms and to the front balcony. It was cute, with white pillars and a great view of the street and the hotel across the street. The weather was great: warm and balmy, but not uncomfortable. Our waiter, Nick, was nice and friendly. Tim and I started with drinks called an "Icepick", i.e. iced tea, lemonade, vodka. The boys had sweet tea, of course. A basked of fresh-baked biscuits were brought out. They were very good. For appetizers, we ordered fried green tomatoes and alligator salad. Both were delicious! I hate to sound like a cliche, but the reptile was breaded and fried, so it really did taste like chicken. For entrees, I had the shellfish and grits, while Tim had the shrimp and grits. Our older son had the pork chops, and the younger one ordered the ribs and mac. Unfortunately, he didn't read the part that said "mustard barbecue sauce," so he didn't like it. Tim had to trade dishes with him so that he would have something to eat for dinner. Anyway, all the food was excellent! The grits with the pork ribs were cheesy, while the one served with the shellfish was a savory grit cake. Definitely check out the menu on their website for more details (though they have different specials daily). My dish wasn't that large, so I had room for dessert: beignets! Yum! They weren't too big, and they were served with some fresh fruit compote and a small espresso. The service was wonderful. Our waiter refilled our water and sweet teas without us having to ask, and he even apologized at one point for his absence when he didn't check in with us for a while. Honestly, we didn't even notice. Definitely glad that we had chosen this place for our last dinner in Charleston. If you plan to be in the area, please make reservations at this place and treat yourself. If the weather is nice, consider eating at the second floor porch. We would definitely come back here if we ever return to Charleston.
(5)
Sam P.
We ate here with our 2 teenagers on a arrival in Charleston. There is nothing negative I could find to comment. The food was perfect portions and so delicious. Each of us choose different from the menu and there were no complaints. Great choice of wines and cocktails. We were seated upstairs, environment was just what I expected from a historic place like Charleston. We finished our drinks on the porch upstairs after eating which was nice to watch outside. Service was on point, even after living in NYC with high expectations for speed. I would say 100% go no complaints
(5)
Scott C.
I am being very generous with 3 stars, but I will explain why in a minute. I have always wanted to eat at Poogan's Porch because it is an iconic southern restaurant. I was finally passing through Charleston and got to stop there for lunch. I asked my waiter (who was actually the bartender) if the chicken with their chicken and waffles was real fried chicken or if it was the all white meat boneless stuff. He said "No, it's real fried chicken." Imagine my dismay when it came with CHICKEN STRIPS!! Seriously??? At THIS restaurant?? I could imagine maybe Waffle House doing that, but Poogan's Porch?? Truthfully though, I know they're not the only southern restaurant out there passing off boneless, skinless, all-white-meat chicken (and might I add "flavorless") as "real fried chicken." The waffles were equally bad. They were spongey and I had to tear them because they wouldn't cut with the edge of my fork. At least the syrup was good! Dear Poogan's Porch, if you must stick with chicken strips as your "fried chicken" then please make your menu reflect it as such. REAL fried chicken has bone and skin. The other stuff requires dipping sauce due to the lack of flavor! You may want to consider getting on a flight to Atlanta to see how Gladys Knight makes chicken and waffles at her restaurant. She knows what she's doing. Based on my food, I would rate it with one star. I am upping it to two because the service was good. I am further giving it three because I looked around at some of the other dishes and they seemed to be prepared properly.
(3)
Guilherme G.
Poogan's Porch is a traditional southern restaurant. Delicious biscuits, good sized portions and comfort food. The pork chop, with green beans and mac&cheese was spot on. the panko crust was crunchy and was a good pairing for the pork meat. Service was kind, but could be more attentive - maybe because the place was busy on the 4th of July weekend. The ambience is ok. No frills.
(4)
Meaghan G.
Noah Calhoun is that you?! (My apologies for The Notebook reference) but now that I have that out of my system. I can honestly say that Poogan's has it right on ambiance and food. This quaint restaurant tucked away on Queen Street makes you feel as though you have stepped back in time the moment you walk up to the front door. Outside seating is available in the front and back of this beautifully crafted home, but the inside ambiance cannot be beat. Intimate lighting and sturdy wooden tables make for a romantic atmosphere. You can go dressy or casual, as the clientele comfortably displayed both forms of attire. The menu is divided by traditional and contemporary southern dishes. Warm biscuits with sweet whipped butter to start?! Yes please! The shrimp and grits were out of this world, and the Mac and Cheese lives up to its reputation. While the apps are a bit on the smaller side, my entree was really filling. I only wish I had saved room for dessert. For this world traveler, Poogan's offers some of the best food ever.
(5)
Lyndi R.
Had my birthday dinner here and I'm in love! The food is divine, the staff training and upbeat, and this well cared for Victorian is so homely and history bursting through the windows! The Filet is cooked perfectly, and the Mac and Cheese was the best I've had.
(5)
Grace T.
People really seem to like Poogan's Porch, but I honestly don't think that they execute their food well. The service is what you'd expect at a high-end restaurant, but their food, for the price, is just not up to par. I think people like to jump on the band-wagon and rave about something everybody seems to like, but I'm going to say that I've experienced better and just give two stars.
(2)
Dariel S.
I really enjoyed my visit to Poogan's porch. I went with my great dane on a beautiful day so we were able yo sit outside and the staff was great accommodating us. We went there for brunch which I highly suggest as it is one of the top brunch spots on Sundays. I had the chicken and waffles which were delicious and my wife had a fried green tomato BLT. Love this little spot.
(4)
Christine J.
Praise the Lord we were able to eat here with last minute reservation bc it was easily the best southern food I've had thus far. We started with the wedge salad (our very feeble attempts at being healthy) and we're initially disappointed at how small the portions were. It was an excellent salad though, but we were worried that all our food portions were going to be kid sized :(( But when our main courses came, our fears were put to rest. Everything looked, smelled, and tasted like a dream. My bf got the salmon and loved it, especially the flavors of the fish itself. His first reaction to the rice was hilarious when he said that it tasted like bubblegum. I thought I'd heard him wrong...but we figured out that it's because the rice is infused with mint! He wasn't too big of a fan but still enjoyed his dish. My bf gives me a hard time for getting Shrimp and Grits at every single southern restaurant but sadly, I haven't found one that really sticks out until I had it here at Poogans Porch. So much flavor, amazing portions, and just so darn delicious! I wish I lived in Charleston just so I can have this dish whenever I want. The service was pretty average, although you could tell we weren't a high priority since we're just a young couple passing through but luckily, their food was so good that I didn't care too much. Definitely a must stop if you're ever passing through Charleston!!
(5)
Jessica B.
I was a little disappointed in my visit to Poogan's Porch. This was our first visit and I am not sure if we caught them on a bad day, but it did not go how I imagined it would. They were offering their rollback menu/prices when we went, so they were quite busy. We had a reservation at 5:15pm. We arrived at 5pm, were seated at 5:20pm. We ordered our drinks, appetizers and entrees. Our waitress was very polite and didn't seem flustered, although she looked as she was servicing all the tables in the area. The biscuits they served while you waited for your appetizer or entree were great. Some of the best I've had in Charleston. Our appetizers, salads, were not great. My mother-in-law and I ordered the wedge salad and my father-in-law and husband ordered another on the menu. The lettuce wedges in our salads were a little brown, there was barely any dressing and the vegetables were chopped tiny and there were not a lot. The salads that the men ordered, were the same- but one came with a ton of toppings and the other only had one thing. Unacceptable. By the time our entrees came out, they seemed as if they were sitting a while. My mother-in-law's Chicken Charleston was extremely dry, had very little (bland) sauce on it and was served over a tiny biscuit. The ribs were not that good, either. They were dry, cold and did not have a lot of flavor. The fried mixed basket was okay, per my father-in-law. I had the pork chop. I thought it was good, but it was not very hot. The gravy it came with was also not hot, it was barely even warm! The green beans were over cooked, brown and had way too much seasoning. We ordered dessert as well. We tried the bourbon caramel cheesecake. It was gluten free, which is okay- but not always my favorite. The bourbon caramel "sauce" on top was a jelly like topping. We peeled it off, as a whole. It was a consistency of fat from a pan that has been sitting for a bit. It was not that good. Overall, it was just okay. Part of me is happy we went during roll back prices, as I would not have paid full price for any of the meals we received. I would not put it at the of my list for places to go when I am downtown. I know a lot of people consider it "a staple" of Charleston, but I can think of a long list of others that would come before.
(3)
Hunyah B.
Mac and cheese was fantastic. Cute decor! A very fun atmosphere. The portions are very large, so keep in mind when ordering. Easy to share. The service could be a little slow but was a busy sunday so it's understandable.
(4)
Kaitlyn S.
I was in Charleston just for the weekend and the food just hi lighted the trip. This was one of our brunch stops and everything was top notch delicious. The biscuits are the best biscuits I've had in a long time. We started off with the fried green tomatoes which I would order again and again. Three out of the four people at my table ordered the chicken and waffles and it was so good! The portion size is plenty. No one finished a plate. The mimosas were also very tasty.
(5)
Brittany M.
AMAZING!!!!' I had the Pan Seared Scallops with creamed corn and pimiento cheese ravioli that had every bite making me moan. My friend had the Short ribs with Gouda macaroni, it was fantastic. I would definitely come back in a heartbeat.
(5)
M H.
Was I disappointed. As were all my guests I finally convinced to go there. Went for Saturday lunch. Menu was slight, more like brunch. Food was average - nothing special. I could have prepared just as good at home. Probably won't be back (unless it's for the pimento cheese balls - ok - they were pretty good).
Holy amazing brunch! I've had so many people recommend Poogans to us and we got to try it last fall. It was amazing! I had my first ever experience with chicken and waffles. I'll tell you what, PP set the bar very high for all future establishments! The chicken and waffles was so tasteful and very lightly fried! My husband got the pork chop and eggs and he loved it! Our new fave spot in the city!
(5)
Angela W.
This place was adorable and I am so glad this is where we had our last meal in Charleston! We came for brunch on a Sunday and were really worried there would be a wait but luckily were seated right away. They don't take reservations for brunch so I would recommend getting there on the earlier side if you want to avoid waiting around, especially if its in the summer months. It is next door to Husk, so the environment is similar - a cozy home with various rooms for dining. They start off with biscuits so you know immediately that this is going to be a good meal. Before even getting to my main dish I was already 600 calories deep in bread and butter but definitely no regrets there. I had the pulled pork benedict and thought it was a nice twist on a classic brunch dish. My boyfriend had the Charleston Fry, which was an omelette with fried oysters, cheese, bacon, and all other sorts of good stuff on it. If you don't mind starting off with something heavy, this was really good as well. We ordered mac and cheese for the table and that had the perfect amount of pasta to cheese ratio. Now if only we could have a brunch spot serve complimentary biscuits in NYC...
(4)
Liz L.
Allow me to begin by saying our food was fine. Not awesome, not bad. The mac and cheese was good and I did enjoy my seared catfish. But everything else...what a snoozefest. I think the problem is that it is an uninspired menu. Gave this another shot for their rollback dinner menu and I felt like I was rolling back to my 5 year old tastebuds. The brussel sprouts were terrible, and I LOVE brussel sprouts now (not so much at 5). All the vegetables come with bacon - vegetarians beware. I really don't think there is any reason to go here with so many other options in town. Even with the pricing on their Rollback menu...Five Loaves has better food and is at the same exact price point.
(2)
Kris L.
Now THAT is a biscuit. Stopped by Poogans Porch for brunch. Loved the starter biscuits-slightly sweet crumbly fluffy pillows Tried the fried chicken sliders-the fried chicken was nice and juicy but I would have appreciated a bit more of a kick/spice in the bredding. Overall one of the best biscuits of my life. Enough said.
(4)
Byron L.
Brunch is busy, so don't expect a quick table. The bartender will ignore you as much as possible, I just waited for the table to get a drink. The mac and cheese is just amazing, it has crunchy bacon and the cheese is tasty. Get it OR GET OUT! I picked the chicken and waffles and it was good :) add some hot sauce for an extra kick. Overall, great food.
(4)
Jesse W.
This place is amazing. I have nothing but praise to state about Poogan's Porch. One of my friends and a guest author of Wojdylo Social Media recommended this restaurant to me before I made the trip to Charleston. I waited until the last day of my trip to try out Poogen's Porch just because I wanted it to be a lasting memory. Boy was it. I had a fried buttermilk chicken meal with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. It was unreal. We also thoroughly enjoyed the biscuits. Please understand that this is not the most healthy food you can eat but it is definitely the most tasty. If you are ever in Charleston, SC you should definitely make a trip to Poogan's Porch. The only thing that was not 5 out of 5 was the sweet tea. While it was good it was not the best sweet tea I had while in Charleston.
(5)
brad h.
To be honest we stopped in by accident, thinking this was another place that we had been years ago. It was a pleasant error. This is a classic that in years past would have turned you away without formal dining attire. Thankfully it's casual... The fireplaces covered with dozens of coats of paint tell the story - this place has been here forever. The ambiance is classic Southern. The food was great. They brought out four HUGE biscuits and butter. We consumed two and promised to take two hostage for later. They served as a great snack as the road trip ran into the night... I tried the BBQ sandwich. I have to confess, this plate of meat took me back in time to my dad's smoked pork. It was heavy smoke. Delicious... It came with home made potato chips that were thick and crunchy. Those biscuits! That pork! I'm sold on this place...
(4)
Jackie M.
So good! From the fried green tomatoes to the shrimp n grits... Absolutely delicious! Oh, and the pork chop with Gouda Mac n cheese... To die for!!!! I wanna be there right now!
(5)
Marcus B.
My girlfriend and I ate here by the reviews. They were spot on. The food was great and service was great as well. Very knowledgeable about food and made great recommendations.
(5)
Cathleen N.
We have never been disappointed with a meal in charleston and poogan's porch can hold onto its high ratings. We were traveling with our little Doxie and had the hardest time finding a restaurant that would accommodate him. Luckily, we were able to find covered seating on the porch as it was a blazing inferno outside. The service was fantastic. We were quickly seated and our server was always magically there when we needed him without helicoptering. We started off with Arnold Palmers. These were my favorite in all of charleston. It had a slightly minth taste to it that kept it refreshing. Appetizers included the fried green tomatoes and Mac n cheese. The friend green tomatoes were just okay. Won't be getting them next time. The mac n cheese though? To die for. Creamy, savory goodness that had just the slight hint of saltiness from the country ham. My husband and I happily ate all of it. He had the short rib sandwich and it must have been fantastic as there was nothing left on his plate. I had the fried chicken sandwich and goodness, it was delicious. There was just the slightest bit of heat to it, which paired wonderfully with the slaw that sat on top of the chicken. It was a healthy serving and I was so full off the appetizers and Arnold palmers that I could only finish half of the sandwich. I saw some other menu items that I would love to try next time!
(5)
Andy M.
This is such a cool spot! A converted house tucked away in the heart of downtown Charleston, Poogan's Porch is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We went for lunch on our first day in town and it was fantastic. I had the lunch special BBQ local roe shrimp and she had the fried green tomato BLT, both we absolutely delightful. Not to mention those delicious biscuits!
(5)
David T.
Here I sit upstairs drinking superb drip coffee and snacking on melt in your mouth bread with butter that makes you crave for more. Tyler, our waiter, was informative in his recommendations and was on time with coffee refills. He was all together pleasant! The crab benedict was tongue slapping good! I'll be back
(5)
Renee S.
We came from California to Charleston. My husband is a Southerner and was wanting a good old fashion southern meal. He loved Poogan's. We ate at several other restaurants in Charleston claiming southern food but my husband said Poogan's was the best. We actually ate there twice. I had shrimp and grits for the first time it was delicious; everything was. Also had sweet Tea for the first time, it was very good. Great bourbon drinks too!
(5)
Tom Fjord ..
On my visit to Charleston last summer (August 2014), I stopped by this place with a friend and ordered some Southern style fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes with gravy. It was quite tasty. Truly a party in my mouth and everyone was invited. Situated in an old beautiful Southern style house, legend has it, this location is haunted by the ghost of one of the sisters who owned this house, Zoe St. Amand, who ended up in psychiatric care for the remainder of her life due to depression after her sister passed away in 1945. But overall, great fried chicken :)
(4)
Andrew W.
Sunday Brunch at Poogan's Porch FTW! It's a miracle that we got in on a holiday weekend without having to wait more than two minutes. We sat at a table in the downstairs dining room in the back. The service was friendly and attentive. We were served two complimentary biscuits (which were the best biscuits ever!). Then we ordered the mac & cheese which was made with country ham and aged smoked gouda. It was pretty good, the ham was salty. I ordered the Pulled Pork Benedict - described as "pulled pork, poached eggs, and BBQ hollandaise on a fresh baked biscuit" with home fries. My wife opted for the cinnamon french toast with strawberries, pecans, and powdered sugar with bacon. Oh my, was that Benedict GOOD! The BBQ pulled pork was juicy and flavorful. I definitely felt like a southerner during that meal. Alas, I gorged myself on it until I was too weak to hold my fork. Though I polished off the Benedict, a few home fries remained on my plate... taunting me. With the food coma taking hold of me, I was defeated. It was a good brunch, I definitely recommend it.
(4)
Rachel L.
Poogans unfortunately did not live up to its 4 star hype for my family and I. I was drawn to it for both for its cool southern home location and its food, which everyone seems to rave about. While the outside of the house is adorable, the interior was just like any other restaurant and was underwhelming to say the least. If you're looking for that cool southern vibe, definitely request to sit outside. The food was also unfortunately on the meh level. While the appetizers started off on a high note - the pimiento cheese fritters and fried green tomatoes were delicious and flavorful, everything else went downhill from there. We ordered the fried chicken which for all its stellar reviews by yelpers and waiters alike, was especially disappointing. Covered in a super THICK fried breading, it was so thick that as soon as you cut into the chicken, the breading-goodness (usually the reason why you order fried chicken in the first place) all came right off. A few bites in and you were just eating mediocre skinless chicken. What kinda southern fried chicken is that?!? I've had a TON of fried chicken in my time and this was probably the worst. Dinner also came with a complementary basket of biscuits which while good, were not anywhere near as epic as others make them out to be (especially having just tried Bojangle's..). Step up your game people! Drinks were appallingly bad. Our waiter recommended the bourbon apple drinks because we like sweet drinks and they could not have been less sweet. We even had them add more juice and they still tasted horrible. Dessert was the only other redeeming part of this meal, although still nothing AMAZING. We got the peanut butter pie which was super rich and delicious although was frozen solid so near to impossible to cut into. All in all, Poogans did not live up to its online hype nor my very high Southern food standards.
(3)
Tiffany G.
I've had my eye on this place since we moved here in January, but it's not really a place to take your three year old. So when a girlfriend from home came to town, I knew this was where we had to go. A group of six was no problem- we sat in a lovely room upstairs with original brick work (yes, I asked). The service was great- very attentive without being pesky. We ordered some starters for the table- fried green tomatoes (OMG), pimento cheese fritter (where have you been all my life) which were both to DIE FOR. Everyone ordered something different for dinner- shrimp and grits, scallops and ravioli, blackened grouper (my meal), rib tips with mac n cheese and one other, which is escaping me now. My meal was phenomenal- blackened grouper on a bed of risotto. There was an amazing crisped glaze on the fish that was delicious. I chalked it up to another amazing Charleston meal. We never saw the ghosts that roam the halls, but we were not disappointed!
(4)
Glenn V.
It's great to see the celebrity autographed photos upon the long hallway wall with a grand staircase on the opposite side. Poogan the pooch being buried in the front lawn is a bit peculiar and kept us from eating outside, not my decision. The building itself is quite Charlestonian, architecturally appropriate for Queen Street downtown. The fried oysters are always a winner, considering my meals were mainly during lunch service I typically opt for the shrimp and grits which it another great dish. However I find my lower grade a result of the feeling of being corralled like cattle in the above mentioned hallway followed by prices that I think speak more to the historic value as opposed to the quality of their food.
(3)
Joe S.
Amazing food and the best service we have experienced in a long time! I had the duck and my wife had the shellfish and grits. Both dishes were great. They even brought out two glasses of champagne for us because it's the day before our anniversary. Desert? You be the judge. Five stars!!!! We'll be back! Ask for Rosa. She was a fabulous waitress and special thanks to the manager for bringing us the champagne. You made our first day in Charleston memorable. Thank you!
(5)
Stephanie B.
Can't say enough good things about this place! Every time we come to Charleston, it's a must! The food is absolutely delicious! I have had the sweet tea salmon, the ribs and shrimp and grits and have been very pleased with every meal. You can't go wrong!
(5)
Alexandria T.
This place is amazing. There was a 30 minute wait so my mother and I went to the bar, and the bartender made me the most amazing mint, bitters drink I've ever had. The chicken and waffles were amazing. The Syrup on the waffles consisted of blueberries and Texas Pete, which doesn't sound like a great combination, but was heaven. I had the crabcake Benedict which was prepared perfectly as the crabcakes actually had a lot of crab meat in them. I think my favorite part of the meal was the biscuits they serve to you complementary. They taste like buttery clouds of heaven. Make sure to ask for Brittney as your server. She was so pleasant and friendly and we actually had some really great conversation. I will be back
(5)
Corey H.
Food and service were awesome, would definitely go back only thing I would change is I would ask for a table on the upstairs porch
(4)
Katie O.
GREAT restaurant and service. Started off with the pimento cheese fritters with green tomato jam. Only 4 small fritters come with this appetizer so make sure you savor it. They are awesome. My husband got the shrimp and grits. Safe to say this might be the best we've had. It has big shrimp, andouille sausage, yellow & green bell peppers, and chunks of onion. You won't be disappointed with this meal. I had the lump crab and shrimp pasta. It has a subtle sweetness to it that makes it very tasty. We love the outside atmosphere and the fact that this establishment has so much history.
(4)
Ben L.
If God ever made biscuits, this is how I would expect them to taste. This is my stamp of approval for the best biscuit I ever had and it's free??? What the heck? Yeah, it's the free bread they give you at the beginning of the meal. The honey butter is almost unnecessary, never thought I would ever pass up butter lol The restaurant is inside of a house and the feel of the place cannot be beat. It definitely has that old world Southern feel. The place seems like a place you should dress up, but you don't have to. The table for six we sat in was so comfortable, it was the most comfortable table that was in the shape of a hexagon. The food: Biscuits with honey butter- oh dear lord, the biscuits. So amazing, so fantastic, so outstanding, so life changing, so etc. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Shrimp and Grits- Tri-colored peppers, sweet onions, sausage, tasso ham & blue crab gravy. Nothing represents Charleston more than shrimp and grits. The beautiful gulf coast shrimp is such a prized commodity. The combination of the two pair well. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, the grits were a little too mild in flavor, though. I also thought the peppers were a wrong choice, since they have too strong a flavor. I was a good dish, but the Hominy Grill still takes the cake for best shrimp and grits in my book. Blackened Catfish- butterbean, black-eyed pea and bacon succotash, arugula, bourbon gastrique. Blackened catfish is such a Southern dish that was started in Louisiana. The flavor of the catfish was excellent, it also had respectable heat from the spices. The items under the fish were a little off for me. I kinda felt like they were two separate dishes on the same plate. I wasn't all that crazy about the beans and the gastrique. yelp.com/user_local_phot…
(4)
Richard C.
Charming restaurant in an old charleston home. Be sure to read the story of Poogan the namesake. They bring biscuits to the table while you're looking over the menu and holy cow... these might have been the best biscuits I've ever had. So fluffy and light! For appetizers we had the she crab soup and the lump crab toast. Both were good but the toast was the better of the two. I had the shrimp and grits with andouille and it was very good, but not the best I've ever had. My wife had the sea scallops with pimento ravioli and it was absolutely delicious. The portion of sea scallop was very generous. Would definitely recommend this dish. We were so stuffed by this point that we took dessert to go. We could not pass up beignets. Even a couple hours later they were still wonderful. Highly recommended. Service could have been better. It was a while before we were greeted by our server after being seated and at the end of the meal we stared at dirty dishes for way too long.
(4)
David A.
I went for a Saturday brunch here with my parents after my father & ran the half marathon. We had a 45 minute wait before receiving a table, but once we were seated, I knew we were in for a treat. As an aside, they took my cell number and sent a text message once the table was ready. That was we could go on a walk and enjoy Charleston during our wait. Our table was on the second floor next to the fireplace (which was lit since it was in the 50s in South Carolina). Our server was named Sarah and she did a fine job. She was polite, seemed sincerely cheerful, and attentive to our table. We started with biscuits, which was buttery and light--almost croissant like. We also ordered a plate of the fried green tomatoes to share. My father and I both ordered the "Sunrise shrimp and grits" entree. This plate is served with blue crab gravy, peppers, sausage, poached eggs, which I mashed all together. It was perfect for a cool day and for two tired runners. My mother ordered the fried green tomato BLT, which she was pleased with. Brunch is my favorite meal and Poogan's Porch is outstanding. You'll probably have to wait, but I would say it is well worth the wait.
(5)
Steve K.
One of the better jobs at poaching eggs in the lunch that I had here, which also had some tasty pulled pork. A shrimp and grits dish was also good--a little more basic than some others I've had but well-made. The dessert bread pudding, with some fresh berries in it, was delicious. Service was a little slow.
(4)
Preeyam P.
GREAT drinks. If you are a gin lover get the Aviation cocktail. The sight of all the bitters lined up at the bar was enough to make me happy for the rest of the night. Our server took great care of us.
(5)
Michele Q.
"Accidentally" ended up here for dinner and since we did not have reservations, it was about an hour wait for a table. But, we were told that if we found space at the bar, we can also order food there. One of the women at the bar was nice enough to slide over so that we could fit another chair - turned out she was the general manager's gf. She was extremely pleasant to talk to and was very helpful in providing recommendations. As a result, we wanted to try everything on the menu. Ended up ordering the fried alligator salad, mac & cheese, scallops and brussel sprouts. With the exception of the brussel sprouts, we were thoroughly delighted with all of the dishes, including the biscuits! Learning our disappointment with the brussel sprouts, Luis (the GM), did not charge us for the order. Thumbs up to the great food and great service. He even remembered us when we ran into him in the area the next day! :)
(5)
Diane C.
Pimento cheese fritters were to die for!!!!! Service fantastic. Many best Evers: Blackened catfish, fried chicken breast, collard greens- perfect Southern cooking! The only negative was that the room we were in was noisy.
(5)
Marc P.
Really good food. We enjoyed the Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer, and mains of Catfish, and Shrimp N Grits. I was a little disappointed at all the kids dining there, and the fact that they didn't have any beer on tap. Nonetheless, a great server and some really tasty food would have me recommend this place for those in the mood for some good Southern.
(4)
C A.
First of all I don't care much for biscuits or Mac and cheese but by far the best I've ever had. Alligator salad, yes, alligator was tasty. Service was a lovely painted picture of the menu. Very Charleston experience that I highly recommend.
Apparently one of the most haunted places not only in Charleston but in the world. Be sure to ask your server about the ghost who haunts the old house that holds this restaurant. As for the food, it is great! I went with the shrimp and grits which were extremely flavorful and included andouille sausage which added some interesting flavor. My friend got the ribs which were tender and fell off the bone. We had to wait a bit for our reservation, but it was a Friday night. Great location downtown walking distance to harbor views and in the middle of downtown shopping.
Poogan's Porch is a classic southern eatery in Charleston. The setting is a very quaint old Charleston house and the atmosphere is low-key. The food was all great - I went with the All Natural fried chicken, which came with butter whipped mashed potatoes and green beans. It's not always so easy to eat healthy down there, but they sure know how to fry things. This is one of many great Charleston restaurants.
(4)
W Richard T.
Wonderful experience. Food was excellent, chef Daniel was extremely personable, ambiance was good. Service was better than most.
(5)
Alex P.
One of my favorite restaurants in Charleston. Everything that I have tried has been delicious, the atmosphere is very quaint and southern and the waiting staff is always so friendly. Top favorites: Mac N Cheese Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes Pimento Cheese Fritters Go there! Its wonderful.
(5)
Amit K.
I am torn between a 3 and a 4 for this restaurant but will go with the A-OK status (rating = 3) as-per yelp. On the good side, this is among the the few kid-friendly restaurants in downtown Charleston that invite you for a Southern food experience. The restaurant ambiance is great - housed in a 150-ish year old, yet charming, home with pretty staircases, windows, and doors. The servers are nice, attentive, and knowledgeable about the food being served. The food itself, however, leaves much to be desired. The storied fried green tomato was just ok, failing to convey flavors through the deep fried batter, the pimento fritters a tad too loaded with cheese, and the biscuits, while better than the other two items, lacked the moistness expected from a freshly baked batch. The mashed potatoes were absolutely divine with subtle velvety texture and hints of butter and herbs. The vegetable risotto was surprisingly well done for an establishment that does not highlight it on the menu. The fried shrimp and oysters did not make the grade as perhaps the batter, yet again, over-powered any other flavors. In summary, nice looking place, does have a good kid-friendly vibe, food was ok and I would like to think we ran out of luck with our selections but other yelpers could give it a try :)
(3)
Emily F.
THE BISCUITS. My husband, brother in law, and best friend were in Chas for a few nights and went out to eat here. We got ribs and Mac, and fried chicken. The fried chicken was excellent but I thought the ribs were the real winner! Talk about some fall-off-the-bone meat. Service was excellent, we didn't have a wait on a Tuesday night, overall excellent meal, but OH MY GOD I'm going to have dreams of those biscuits for months.
(5)
Santo C.
Modern versions of low country favorites. While my blackened catfish was excellent: spicy, not overdone with savory risotto (wish it had more okra in it however) spouses green fried tomato BLT better. Tangy green tomatoes with arugula and crisp maple bacon. The crabmeat remoulade dressing was a 1000x magnitude of thousand island dressing. Unique. Sweet tea that's not-to-sweet brings it all together. Service is friendly and attentive. But since we had plenty of food (spouse gave me half the BLT) I won't complain about not getting the fried alligator appetizer. Spouse says waitress just knew it would be too much food. Now on to exploring Charleston.
(4)
David K.
Accustomed to visiting Charleston during the tourist down season of late November, we unwisely found ourselves walking down Queen St. and up King St. without a meal plan. We stopped at several restaurants we knew, some by past experience and some by reputation, one of these being Poogan's Porch where we had a nice lunch several years ago. A couple were booked for the entire evening, one or two could seat us in a half hour but Poogan's could seat us right away! In we went. I would describe the food as Lowcountry Classic-Plus. On the menu, by name you'll see all the dishes you'd expect from the genre and few if any surprises. You'll find Shrimp and Grits, Fried Catfish, Fried Chicken, Short Ribs, Roast Duck, and more. But they all have an individual touch (that's the "Plus"), while generally adhering to their southern roots. Like the catfish: fried with Cajun sorghum butter, or the Shrimp and Grits, with Tasso ham gravy. I was intrigued by the "Crispy-Skin Snapper": pimiento cheese grit cake, pulled pork, local radish, wilted arugula, North Carolina barbecue reduction. A piece of fish sitting on a pile of pulled barbecue pork, all sitting on top of a grits cake? Could they really pull it off and serve this thing "crispy-skinned"? I had to find out. I must say, it was technically pretty successful, and taste-wise just about perfect. The snapper arrived with cross-hatched skin which was glazed, presumably with the nc bbq sauce, and in fact was somewhat crispy when it was served. That's gotta be pretty hard to to, especially in a busy restaurant. I must say the combination of snapper with pulled pork may have seemed odd at first but any such thoughts were dispelled when I tasted it. It worked very well. Very good grits cake too. Firm, and not too buttery or cheesy - just enough. I ate all the fish but did manage to save enough pulled pork and grits cake to eat as part of lunch the next day. We shared a Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer: with pecan-encrusted goat cheese and seasonal fruit chutney. Good I guess. A little too soft, thin, not "green" enough maybe? So are they overcompensating a bit with the fancy dressings? The goat cheese was def. a nice touch though. Then again I had far better ones a couple days later, albeit prepared more simply, at Jestine's up the road and they also cost less money. The wife had Ribs and Mac: Hickory smoked pork ribs, mustard bbq, bacon-roasted brussels sprouts, smoked gouda mac and cheese. Pretty excellent, in all its parts. Fork-tender ribs, good smoky flavor, the bbq sauce perfectly complimenting the meat. She liked the mac and cheese and said it was among the best she's had, if not the best. Personally I thought it was pretty good, but I like my own recipe better than anything I've tried in restaurants. Still I've got to wonder and admire: how do they get the smoked Gouda to melt? Whenever I've tried it the results have been disastrous. Ambience and comfort level couldn't be better. (Well, my chair could have been more comfortable.) We had a small table for 2 in a corner up by the front window; couldn't have had a better seat in the crowded dining room. It was loudish but not uncomfortably so. Being in the corner helped with the noise and relaxation. Our waitress - Rosa - was a pleasure to deal with.
(5)
Chuck D.
I've eaten here three times previously while traveling and have yet to be disappointed. Both the food and service are top-notch; I've eaten in both the bar and dining area. They serve the full menu in the bar My latest visit I had the Crab and Shrimp Pasta. It was very good. A light sauce of vermouth made a nice accompaniment to the sweet crab. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Sylvia G.
Unbelievably the best meal ever! Get the short ribs ! The most tender melt in your mouth fall apart delicious meal I've ever eaten. Served with horseradish cauliflower mash, I normally hate horseradish but this was understated and just gave it the kick that it needed. End of story. Get the short ribs. I promise you'll be happy.
(5)
Katie H.
Had one of my top ten meals ever eaten here and that's saying a lot...... Despite the strange name this place lives up to Charleston's culinary chops. The menu is a nice variety of quality Southern food that will please almost anyone. Started with one of the best biscuits I've ever eaten. Had a difficult time choosing my dinner from the menu but ended up with duck over gnocchi and duck confit. Every single bite was fantastic. The flavors paired perfectly and the duck had no gaminess and was cooked to perfection. The restaurant is in a gorgeous old home (no ghosts today), service is impeccable, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality of food. Overall it was a fantastic experience. (We even got in without a wait!) Would recommend a reservation if you want to ensure being sat quickly.
(5)
Kelsey M.
I go here with my Mom all the time and we used to love it but it has Really gone down hill. We ate here today and there was a nicely sized one inch bug crawling up the wall right next to our table and our lunch. I had to flag down a waitress to try and get the bug and she smashed it, almost getting it into our food as she scraped it off the wall. I get it sometimes these things happen especially in Charleston, but it is still gross and off putting from your lunch. The waitress didn't apologize about the bug or anything no I'm sorry. And I would have liked an acknowledgement that it isn't unreasonable for me to enjoy my lunch without unwelcome guests, as opposed to her scooping it off the wall like this was "the norm" for Poogans now. Then we begin eating our chicken and dumplings, we usually get the fried chicken and collards, but opted to try something new. Wow, was it disappointing! Carrots and celery weren't properly cooked. The chicken and dumplings were served in broth instead of the usual cream-based sauce and there was more chicken than sweet potato dumplings. I have no interest in raw carrots and celery diced up in broth for $16. I had a couple of bites and then just left it. After the bug, the raw vegetables and just complete lack of effort put forth towards the food and service, I Will NOT be returning to this horrible establishment. Ever.
(1)
Kat V.
Fabulous lunch of she crab soup, fried green tomatoes & southern fried chicken salad. The restaurant's namesake is Poogan, a beloved pooch who must enjoyed porch sitting. So sweet! Great atmosphere & service - highly recommend
(5)
Lindsey H.
My husband and I went here for dinner tonight and it was fantastic! We ordered the mac n cheese to share as a starter and it was hands down the best mac n cheese we have ever had!! If you go here, you absolutely have to order it!! I ordered the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans and it was amazing as well. Again, best fried chicken I've had- perfect seasoned breading and very moist chicken. The mashed potatoes were very rich and creamy and the green beans were well seasoned and complemented the meal nicely. My husband ordered the scallops and had rave reviews as well! We will definitely come back the next time we are in Charleston!
(5)
Meghan M.
This is a must when in Charleston! I had the Ribs and Mac and it was delicious. My husband had the pork chop which he also loved. The service was also great. This was easily one of the best meals I've ever had and coming from Chicago, I know what good food is!
(5)
Chantelle F.
Delicious fried green tomato appetizer. Homemade bisects with honey butter were great. The pork chop with mac was outstanding. Interior is a charming Charleston home but not as well kept as Husk next door.
(4)
Trevor T.
The oldest privately owned restaurant in Charleston does no disappoint. Service can be slow and not perfect, but the food is perfectly executed for Southern food. Consistently great food.
(4)
Brady K.
My first 5 star rating, everything was top notch. Was seated right away and service was great. They start you off with delicious buttermilk biscuits while you look at the menu. I chose the fried green tomato BLT. Man was this delicious tomato was great and had some of the best bacon I have ever had. This wasn't you average BLT it had a crab mayo that added a ton of flavor. My side was sweet fries that were good but seemed average. Price was good for lunch and I am extremely happy with my experience here.
(5)
Marina C.
Y'alllll. Although there was a lack of ghosts present, the food and atmosphere are more than worth it. We started with the fried pimento cheese, which was phenomenal. The butter they gave with the biscuits tasted like your grandma made it with love and honey. The brunch was great, shrimp and grits were some of the best I've ever had, and the biscuits and gravy were heavenly. 10/10, hands down.
(5)
Margaret J.
My roommate and I planned a day where we would shop all day and enjoy Charleston since it was her last night staying in this great city. So all morning we shopped and needed a place not only to rest but enjoy a good lunch. We found ourselves at Poogans Porch and boy am I glad we went. About a 5 minute wait fro 2 on Friday afternoon which we thought was great. Our waiter was great! Had good suggestions and didn't stalk us throughout the meal(gave us some space). We started with the pimento cheese fritters which were breathtaking. Perfect for sharing. It came with 4 and sat on top of a type of fruit glaze. Simply delicious. For our entrees my roommate, got the shrimp salad special. She said it was great and came with about 6 jumbo shrimp. PERFECT! I enjoyed the famous fried chicken salad with honey jalapeno dressing. Absolutely devine! 4 luscious chicken strips cooked to perfection and that dressing I pray they make it at a grocery store. The meal and the whole experience was a perfect ending to our day!!
(5)
Mike S.
Fantastic service, fantastic food, excellent atmosphere. We went for breakfast and were amazed at how perfect this place was. Tons of southern charm, and very friendly staff.
(5)
Nemil S.
Came here for Charleston Restaurant Week. Cocktail - 1/5 - Forgot which one I got. It was similar to something you would get at a sports bar...big tall pint glass with ice and xyz liquor and mixer. Don't be fooled by their fancy menu of cocktails, it was terrible. Biscuits - 5/5 - delicious soft fluffy biscuits served with butter, probably the best part of the night! Shrimp and Corn Chowder Soup - 3/5 - corn chowder with one piece of shrimp inside. Nice and creamy, but wish it came with more shrimp. Steak - 3/5 - cooked how I asked, medium-rare, pretty big quantity, great flavors, just wish the meat was prepared better. The medallions weren't cut well and didn't taste super fresh. Beignets - 3/5 - I always compare my beignets to Cafe du Monte in New Orleans, and these were nowhere near as good. It was nice that the dessert came with a mini-cup of coffee for dipping and some jam. Fried dough with powdered sugar, what's not to like though?
(3)
Lora R.
This place has the best mac and cheese ever! My boyfriend and I cannot stop raving about it, and craving more. We ate it twice while on vacation and will be coming back next year. Not only is the mac and cheese wonderful, but the biscuits are too! The fried chicken and shrimp and crab pasta got an A+ in our books. Unfortunately we were too full to try desserts, but I'm sure they are wonderful. I recommend this place!
(5)
Magali T.
I've been there twice now and they have great service, great drinks, and solid meals. Appys: we had the fried green tomatoes (amazing) and my husband had a wonderful light watermelon salad (a special). I had the braised pork which, while excellent, had a bad ratio of meat to everything else. I ran out of the lovely sauce and fresh vegetables when I still had half the meal left. The pork was a little heavy by itself and I found myself wishing I had more of the other stuff. I ended up leaving some of the meat as a result. My husband is a vegetarian and took the only option available, which was whatever chef made. It turned out to be simply fettuccini alfredo with a few veggies. While it was good tasting to him, it also felt like not much effort was put into it (also they were pretty cheap on the veggies). The service was stellar and you can't beat the ambiance of that old house. Despite the little shortfalls, I still would recommend it.
(4)
Curtis L.
What a fun southern atmosphere. Right when you walk in, you are engulfed in a homey aroma of southern cooked food. Tonight is my first night in Charleston, and first time on the east coast. A little apprehensive, I walked through Charleston's subdued DT and stumbled across Poogans Porch. As it turns out, the restaurant is set in an old house in the middle of DT. Once inside, you find a house divided among 2 floors of dining and bar common space. I sat at a common table in the bar, which I shared with another couple -- make sure to make reservations ahead of time (something I didn't do). Let me start with...What a find - I started my meal with a light cocktail that took the heat off of a hot, humid night. I found myself scarfing down two of their home cooked biscuits with honey butter. Such a good start to my dinner. Next on the menu was Poogans dinner special - St. Louis BBQ ribs & mac 'n cheese. The ribs were fall off the bone good and the mac 'n cheese was a creamy, classic goodness. ***Addition to review*** I ended up going back to this restaurant again on my trip. *seating outside is great* This time trying their "Arnold Palmer", which is concocted with sweet tea vodka and lemonade. Oh boy. As an appetizer, I had to try the deep fried gator salad. I can't say that I've had anything like this before, but what I can say is that it won't be my last time ordering it. For dinner, I had the cold smoked tuna which is smoked at 60 degrees F, giving the fish a smokey and smooth texture. The entree is served with a bed of savory rissotto and fried oysters. A must try! My belly didn't have room for dessert, but I would wager to guess that their desserts would rival their great entrees. This place is a must try!!!
(5)
Tricia W.
Ate here because we couldn't get into Husk until 10:00. Sat at an outside table upstairs. Nice atmosphere but the tablecloths were dirty. Had the shellfish and grits You get 2 small grit cakes, 4 shrimp and 2 scallops for $23. Not a lot of food for the money. The grit cakes were good. One of my shrimps still had the shell on it, so someone in the kitchen missed that. Biscuits were good, maybe the best part of the meal. Service was good and the folks came around to check on whether or not everything was satisfactory. I would probably skip this place next time since there are so many other options in Charleston.
(2)
Joe D.
Personally, I think it's the best damn biscuit in Charleston. And the alligator is PERFECT. This place is just the epitome of Charleston, great quality for the the money.
(4)
Julie T.
What a charming place! If you are looking for what true Charlestonian Cuisine is all about look no further than Poogan's. I came to Poogan's Porch with my mum for lunch today. Everything was lovely: The food, the service, and the reasonable price tag. Our server was friendly, professional, and on top of our dining experience the entire time we were there. I wish I'd gotten her name so I could ask for her next time.... ah well. We shared an order of fried green tomatoes to start. I thought they needed a touch of salt, but otherwise were amazing. I ordered the daily lunch special of local shrimp over pasta, and my mother got the fried green tomato BLT. The BLT was yummy and the homemade chips that came with it were spot on! My shrimp and pasta special made me sad... That dish should be on their regular menu! I got 6 PERFECTLY cooked, and delicately seasoned, jumbo shrimp over a bed of linguine; that was tossed with wilted baby spinach, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a white wine reduction. I can find NO FAULT at all with my lunch. It was exactly what a fine dining lunch plate in an old-school veteran Chatleston Restaurant should be. I will be returning to Poogan's Porch very soon for dinner. So, along with 82 Queen next door, this is what High Charlestonian Cuisine is all about!!!!
(5)
Dine O.
I went to this restaurants due to the great reviews. I should've gone else where. The place had a stuffy smell. Like it needs to be aired out really bad and it's hot. We were seated up stairs as there was a wait downstairs. The tables are wood and aren't covered so you can see the years of dirt, dust, and crud...while you eat...eeeww. The food-the shrimp and grits...a soupy cold mess. At least mine was. I couldn't even pick up the mixture worth a fork. It went right through. I was very unimpressed by this smelly hot restaurant. Never again!!!!
(1)
Molly C.
My husband and I recently went to Charleston for a long weekend, and I did extensive research on where we should go for each meal. I had read great things about Poogan's Porch and was excited to try out this charming restaurant for lunch on 10/31/14. First things first. The restaurant was clean, the staff was very nice, and everything on the menu looked absolutely wonderful. It was honestly hard to choose what to order! I ordered a local beer and my husband ordered a bloody mary - both were good. They brought out some warm biscuits which were honestly the best part of our meal...I wish they had included 4 more in the basket! We ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer, and they were terrible. They were very soggy and lacked that crispy fried crunch that you expect with a fried green tomato. Instead, we we were left trying to spoon up soupy tomatoes onto our forks (not easy....we gave up). For our lunch entrees my husband ordered the pulled pork sandwich with homemade chips. His plate looked delicious and I tried a few chips (needed a little salt). He said the sandwich was fine but nothing to write home about. Then you get to my entree...shrimp and grits. It looked great coming out of the kitchen and the first few bites tasted great until I noticed the BAR CODE STICKER IN MY FOOD. Yuck. Someone in the kitchen clearly did not clean the peppers enough and the bar code sticker was just floating around in my grits. The staff was extremely embarrassed and rushed out a cup of she cab soup to tide me over. My replacement shrimp and grits came out about 1 minute after the soup (so I didn't eat it), but this new bowl looked like a hot mess. It was slopped into the bowl and was almost overflowing. Shrimp and grits is best in reasonable quantities, as the dish is delicate and should be slowly enjoyed, getting a taste of each component in every bite. This new bowl looked like stew thrown into a bowl and rushed out the kitchen door. I was over it from the moment I saw the sticker in my food, so I didn't eat much more of the replacement bowl. They even included the shrimp and grits on our bill! However, they were respectful and took it off once we mentioned our disappointment. I probably won't give this place another try if we return to Charleston, and I have learned that even though a restaurant has a great reputation and means well, if they are not producing good food then it is best to respectfully speak up about the quality.
(2)
Lisa K.
We celebrated my 50th birthday here and had a great time, although the five of us may have been a little too loud for some of the guests...but our server, Rosa Maria, was THE BEST and she really took care of us. I love this restaurant's story ( about a little dog named Poogan) which is why I chose to come here instead of some of the other big name restaurants Charleston has to offer....who can resist a place that kept an abandoned pet on the renovated restaurant property??
(5)
Mark J.
It's ok but not spectacular. She Crab soup was too thick for my taste as if it was made with flour instead of cream. The shrimp grits was made with Vidalia onions which made it very sweet - while it may work for for most people I prefer it to be more savory or spicy than it was. I also tried the buttermilk chicken fried chicken which was excellent In particular the sage sauce which was excellent. If I were to go back in the future I would definitely go for the fried chicken
(3)
Aaron P.
**Overall Rank 4.1/5** Nothing special about the food...but cool old "haunted" house makes for a unique dining experience. **Food - Portion size 5/5** Entrees are about average compared to similar places, plus, you get homemade biscuits and honey butter before your meal. **Food - Taste 3/5** Shrimp & Grits were very tasty. The poached egg on top added a unique taste, but made it a bit "saucy". Compared to other S&G's, Poogans' were very runny....There was no solidity to the grits...I couldn't eat with a fork. My wife had Chicken and waffles. The chicken was a little tough and dry. But the batter and syrup were better than competitors. Recommend ordering extra syrup. AND, there is a faint spiciness to the syrup. Couldn't figure out what it was, but be warned. The chips that come with the kids chicken tenders are delicious. **Location 5/5** Tucked away down Queen St. Not hard to find at all. **Parking 4/5** We always park at the garage on Cumberland right next to Toast, but there is a garage right across the street from Poogan's. Either one puts you within walking distance of the restaurant as well as the rest of downtown. **Cleanliness 5/5** Nothing to complain about! **Originality 3/5** Pretty much the same menu a lot of other Charleston "southern food" restaurants have. Expect the southern staples. **Service 5/5** Best service we've had in Charleston, HANDS DOWN. We got our food faster than Jimmy John's, NOT A JOKE. We ordered, our waiter walked away, and came back about 3 minutes later with our food. It was insane. **Price 2/5** We went for lunch and it was dinner prices at smaller portions. You are paying for their rep and location. To be honest, there are better places to get the staples. **Wait 5/5** We went in about 10 minutes before they stop seating at 2:30 (on a Saturday). Didn't have to wait for a seat, and again our food came out ridiculously fast. Only take reservations for dinner, even though they have the Yelp reservation app. **Atmosphere 4/5** Meh. It's an old house with the mood set to be very dark and trying to be intimate, but it doesn't really match the food. They need to open some windows and let in some light.
(4)
Susan H.
Came on the suggestion of a friend- ate outside on the patio as it was a 90 minute wait without reservations for an inside table. I've never had fried green tomatoes so I have nothing to compare them to, but they were tasty. Not too impressed by the crispy fried snapper- a little bland. Hubby's catfish was very tasty. Honestly, at $80 for 2 people I expected more.
(3)
Amiee S.
Went here for dinner after a long hot day touring Fort Sumter. I read that you need a reservation but we got there just when they opened, so we had no problem getting a table. The restaurant is in an old southern house and has a lot of character and is very cozy. I had their special that evening, ribeye with a tomato ragout with fingerling potatoes. They use local beef and produce and the steak was cooked perfectly and was very flavorful. The tomato ragout was a surprise because, while I like mushrooms, they are not something I usually order. But the combination of tomatoes, wild mushrooms and onions were delicious. My mom just had the Fried Green Tomato appetizer with a little fried goat cheese ball. I tasted one and it was also very good and crispy. My dad had the shrimp and grits. I think he liked it because there was nothing left on his plate either. While a bit pricey, I think it was worth the quality of food they serve. I will definitely go there again the new time I am in Charleston.
(5)
Emily R.
Poogan's Porch was great! I came in a bad mood, and the service, atmosphere, and quality of food managed to cheer me right up. We wandered in on a busy Sunday, and happily were seated after a minor wait. They were packed. The waiter was excellent, really enthusiastic about the food and the way it was prepared--it really made us excited to eat. Everyone loved their dishes. I had the shrimp and grits. It was good--I just wish they had removed their tails. It sucks reaching into a steaming hot plate of semi-liquid food to remove shrimp tails. Cute place to eat--I'd definitely recommend checking it out if you're suck in the historical area of Charleston.
(4)
Tracie J.
Let me first say that we were here 20 years ago and our server was rude to me. When I asked her what a specialty "low country" item would be to try authentic southern cuisine, she rolled her eyes at me and seemed very annoyed. It didn't stop there, she was nasty, cold and having been a server for years myself (now a writer), her attitude was reflected in her tip. But it did not deter us to come back when we chose to get away for a few days (no kids, all grown up now), and chose this establishment again. Our server was outstanding and the food, 20 years later, is still wonderful. I chose the shrimp and grits for which they have won awards. It was the best grits I have ever had, what a delicious dish. My hubby had the she crab soup and friend snapper ... Oh my!! So good!! We will come back. Great restaurant and EXCELLENT service Kevin!!! Thank you.
(5)
Justin B.
We went here for dinner, although a friend recommended it for breakfast. The food was good....but just good. The prices were moderately high. If I go back, it'll be for breakfast.
(3)
Sheri K.
I have eaten at Poogan's Porch many times with great experiences and great food. But my last visit on 2/20/15 left me scratching my head. We were seated at approx. 5:40 for our 5:30 reservation. Our waitress took her time, getting drink orders first, and about 10-15 minutes later, we placed appetizer orders. She actually forgot an appetizer, so the process was delayed until the additional appetizer arrived. Then we placed dinner orders. Nothing was quick, but we had all evening, so we didn't mind. Our dinner didn't arrive until well over an hour after being seated. We finished eating and finished our wine. We declined desert and coffee and began paying for our checks. At no time were we loitering or lingering too long in this restaurant. The problem was, the manager came over to our table and asked us to leave! Yes, asked us to leave. He said there were others waiting on the table and they had been waiting for a long time. We were flabbergasted to say the least. Perhaps he should have seated them at one of the other empty tables in the room because there were two that would accommodate a party the size of ours. Or perhaps if the waitress had taken our appetizer order along with our drink order without any errors, we might have saved 40 minutes or so. Or had she taken our entire food and drink order all at one time, the entire dining process would have been much quicker. But Poogan's has always been as much about the experience as much as the food, so that is not the way things are done. Three of my associates and I were entertaining a colleague who had never been to Charleston before. We brought her to Poogan's Porch because we thought it represented what Charleston was all about. Well not any longer. I was very embarrassed. I am 50 years old and have dined all over the country. I have never, ever been asked to leave a table! One of the ladies in my party had expressed to the manager before leaving the restaurant how embarrassed we were by his behavior. He actually had the nerve to say to her "Well, you had been there almost 2 hours." Poogan's, this manager is doing your restaurant a disservice. The ladies that I dined with all just looked at each other in shock and said "I wonder what would have happened had we taken them up on desert and coffee?"
(1)
Michael B.
This place is awesome! Best food ever. The fried pork chop is amazing. Everything on the menu was amazing!! My favorite meal in Charleston.
(5)
Nikkita M.
Great biscuits. Mimosa was tasty and fair priced Biscuit and Gravy starter was great but it was very large. Share with lots of people or don't eat a lot of it so you can enjoy the rest of your meal. Fried green tomatoes were yum. BBQ pork Benedict was awesome! Didn't like the grits that much but the rest was delicious
(4)
Connie L.
the she-crab soup = AMAZING layers of flavor the biscuits = AMAZING; super light and not super heavy; slightly sweet, fluffy, amazingness the pork benedict. = pork is a little too sweet for my taste fried alligator = interesting, but i would not get again SUPER cute and interesting inside
(4)
Christin N.
If you want large portions of delicious food for reasonable prices AND all of that topped off with kind and knowledgable waitstaff-- You've come to the right place! Tip: I've been for both lunch and dinner and both times there was a wait. I suggest getting a reservation. Top food choices: The pork chop is amazing The duck with poutine gnocchi was out of this world The pot pie is hearty and rich Ok food: Fried Green Tomatoes: juicy and lightly breaded, but a bit too tart for my taste. However, it is a southern staple; so for tourists, it's definitely worth it.
(5)
Denise N.
My sister and I dropped by with no reservation before we were meeting up with our ghost walk tour. We only had a 10 minute wait before we were seated. We had one of the best meals we've had in charleston! The fried chicken was juicy, crispy and amazing! The beef filet with blue cheese dumplings was to die for! I was afraid the blue cheese dumplings would be over powering but they were perfectly balanced! We ended off our dinner with berry bread pudding which was the best I've ever had! We later found out on our ghost tour that the restaurant was known to be haunted! :O
(5)
Jana M.
Service was decent, they were quick to seat us (which on a holiday weekend is pretty impressive). I had the chicken and waffles which were slightly less than average; however, the syrup that they used was really amazing. It was a combination of blueberries and some other things including hot sauce, which sounds terrible, but it actually works.
(3)
ashley g.
Poogan's porch is one of those places that was recommended to me many times and I finally made it there this weekend and I was not disappointed. I was dining solo and had a cute little table on the back porch. I started with the mac and cheese app, delicious with ham and smoked Gouda! I also got the mystic cocktail which was refreshing and fabulous! The waitress informed me they were out of fried green tomatoes, which i thought was disappointing but she was able to give me a regular BLT and it was so tasty that I didn't even miss the fried green tomatoes! Service was delightful and I had a wonderful time!
(5)
Mike P.
My wife and I were in Charleston for 4 days total. We ate here twice. That should tell you something. I did have to knock one star off because the second visit was just a tad less spectacular,more from a service standpoint, but the food was still very good. I got the fried chicken and it was very good. Desserts are good but I wouldn't say they're absolutely necessary here. Biscuits are wonderful so make sure you get some of those!
(4)
Wes B.
Truly great spot for weekend brunch. Biscuits are amazing. Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, Charlestown fry, crab cake Benedict, French Toast are all great low country choices. The pimento cheese fritters are decadent. Service is great. Many celebrities have dined here with lots of signed photos along the entry hall. On a nice sunny day, ask to sit on the back porch if the front porch is occupied.
(4)
Tony K.
Cute place for brunch. The biscuits and fried green tomatoes were delicious. The service was outstanding and the bloody Mary's were made perfectly. I would recommend the shrimp and grits!
(4)
Basti B.
Poogan's food is delicious every time we go. We've eaten here 5-6 times over the past couple years and it is always outstanding. Also a big fan of the atmosphere upstairs. If you've had sea food the day before make sure to try the pork chops, they are something else! Good for both big groups and date night. Will be back here very soon.
This review is ONLY based on my experience trying to get a reservation. I called the restaurant on Thursday evening to make a reservation for a party of 12 for the following weekend. I was told that I would have to email them with the request, so I did. Unfortunately, I did not get a reply back until Monday afternoon, only to be told they did not have any availability. Naturally, by that time I had booked another place. From all the reviews, it seems like a great restaurant, but there is no reason why they can't promptly reply to reservation requests, even if it is just to say, they are booked.
(2)
Guido T.
Few options but very traditional and large portions. Easy to reserve a table and get a txt when it's all ready for you. We have been twice for brunch. Fried green tomatoes and the Charlestowne Fry were the best options. Good Bloody Mary too.
(4)
Alex P.
Oh my gosh!! The food is so good, its not even fair. The Mac and cheese was really cheesy and literally perfect. And so was the She crab soup. The lump crab and shrimp pasta was so addictive that I was able to finish the whole plate. I don't know if we were super hungry, got lucky on our picks or its just that good, but we were so happy. This experience was almost two weeks ago and I can still taste the food and I miss it.
(5)
Jill W.
Unfortunately after waiting an hour to be seated, because they were short staffed, our lunch was disappointing. We wanted to try them out over restaurant week as we had not eaten there before. I ordered off of the restaurant week lunch menu and got the grilled Caesar salad. It came out not grilled at all and was just okay. Server said it should not have been advertised as "grilled". I ordered the braised short rib and the ribs themselves were excellent but the broccoli and potatoes were very undercooked. I had asked our server about the bread pudding for dessert and she told us it was a mixed berry bread pudding. Once again it did not come out as advertised. It was raisin bread pudding with chocolate and cream sauce. The manager walked around asking other tables how their meal was and never once came to our table to apologize or explain the confusion. Not a great way to start out restaurant week at this restaurant for sure!
(2)
Amy T.
This review is not based on food but the two minute customer service experience. I walk in at 2:27 and was denied a table. I was told The cutoff for lunch is 2:25, service ends at 2:30. I get it, you are trying to break for dinner service but two minutes! Come on! I'm hungry, from out of town, carrying a 14 month old in hand, it's hot, drove out of our way just to come here and when I ask politely a second time for a table to accommodate us, you tell me there is no table available when there are obviously open tables all around us. Is this what you call southern hospitality? I really wanted to try the food, but am in town for only a short period. Next time please don't turn away a customer and update your yelp hours inclusive of breaks.
(1)
Chad C.
Excellent meal! Excellent service from Sebastian! Scallops were tasty with cream corn & ravioli! My wife had the salmon. My children had the fried chicken. All wonderful! Also try the worlds best Mac & cheese; delicious! Call ahead for reservations.
(5)
Stan D.
We came here with family on the recommendation of friends who once lived in the area. It was very nice, serving traditional, Southern treats in an old, historic setting. One of the really nice aspects of this restaurant is that all of the produce is local from South Carolina. I like that commitment to the local economy as well as to the environment. There is no better way to get a real taste of an area than with locally grown products. If you are vegetarian or vegan, however, you will have some difficulty finding variety on the menu. There are choices, and there is a Chef's Vegetable Plate on the dinner menu, but, for the most part, it's just an "accommodating" menu, and not really meant either for vegetarians, and especially not for vegans. And, that makes sense since the design of their cuisine is around foods of this region where veganism is not extremely popular. We were there for brunch. The only vegan options on the brunch menu are the Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Pimento Fitter - neither of which is a low-cal treat. The only vegetarian options are the Cinnamon French Toast, and the Vegetable Omelet. Everything else is Traditional Southern. We opted to try both the Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Cinnamon French Toast. The presentation on the Fried Green Tomatoes was excellent, but, without the Remoulade Sauce, they would be fairly devoid of taste. Still, it is nice to try a classic staple of the area. The French Toast was divine, and very filling. Diners need to understand that much of the dining experience is in the ambience and atmosphere. This former residence turned restaurant is the perfect venue. I loved the old, carved wood bar, the steep stairs, and the sense that I was dining at Aunt Lucy's more than at any restaurant. That alone is worth the price. This place is upscale, and excellent on every level. I fully enjoyed my experience, and will recommend it to anyone visiting the area.
(5)
Emmet S.
Had the fried chicken sandwich (with Texas Pete sauce - yum) with homemade chips. Also had a cup of she crab soup. Food was great & the service very friendly.
(5)
Katie B.
Visited during restaurant week, but I don't think I got anything from the Restaurant Week menu, because the regular menu was too tempting! The biscuits - OMG. I need to go back ASAP! Beautiful atmosphere and great for lunch!
(5)
Keith H.
Drum Roll Please....... and.... ehhhhhh. There were good and bad things here, but the overall experience was underwhelming; a let down. Best part of the night, BY FAR, was our server, JACK. Jack knocked it out of the park! Best server I've had in years, actually. He was super friendly and very quick and attentive. He was also very knowledgeable of the menu, Charleston history, other local hot spots, favorite hang-outs, etc. Any question we had, he had a great answer or suggestions. Here's the story: The GF and I have been wanting to try this place for a couple of months now, especially since it comes up on almost every YELP search we do when we are hungry and downtown. The outside seating is pretty cool and homey - definitely seemed like a great place to eat. Unfortunately, a little too chilly on this particular night. The inside, more specifically the bar area, had an odd smell and reminded me of yer great aunt Lucy's house (not a good thing). The inside/decor was exactly like you would except - an old southern home that is a restaurant. The bar service was awful. Beer selection was well below average (yes, Charleston can now be considered a beer town... so every restaurant should step it up - having a great selection of local, regional and unique craft beer is EXPECTED). The mixed drinks were totally lacking in imagination and flavor. The one drink that looked the most exciting... was the worst! Tasted like water. Additionally, one of the bartenders seemed to be in a good mood, quite happy and fun - however, we got the OTHER bartender. This is how the exchange went. We picked up the beer menu and saw that the had some local breweries listed, but NOT their beers. Being quite familiar with local beers (one person in our party WORKS at one of the breweries) we kindly asked the bartender "Which beers they had today?"... he responded by GIVING US ANOTHER MENU... The EXACT same menu that we were clearly holding in our hands and saying "Here are the beers. They are right here." What we wanted to say was "no buddy, listen here, this is a list of breweries, some of which make over 25 year-round and seasonal beers - you literally gave us a list of businesses." That would be like me saying "okay, you want some food, well.... here is a list of farms"... I'm sure you can GUESS what each farm produces and is selling to our restaurant at this exact time of the year. Good luck! This was odd considering they had a bunch of awards for best Wine list/service. Unfortunately, it seems that they have made every other aspect of the bar service a "back burner" issue. Hey P's Porch... time to recognize that Craft Beer is the frontier; it is the new "wine." There are now thousands of producers around the country using unique ingredients, techniques and their knowledge (sometimes from the wine world) to expertly craft new beers. The food was very southern, very traditional and very much expected for the price, location and hype. Nothing blew us away, but nothing was terrible or inedible. Catfish - yum! Ribs - yum! Biscuits - double yum! Pecan Pie - yum! Would I recommend this place: Yes, ESPECIALLY for people who don't drink alcohol or who don't order it when they go out. Awful bar service. If you're going here for a cocktail and a beer. DON'T... DON'T GO.
My husband would rate this place a 1 star.. He had the simple sunrise breakfast and it was horrible (he says Waffle House is much better) . I had the shrimp and grits and they were ok. A little different for my taste buds. The biscuits and fried green tomatoes were amazing but that's it. Not worth the wait.
(2)
Tracy M.
First off, the restaurant hours noted on Yelp are wrong. There is a closure from 2:30 to 5:00. That was an ugh! factor. Walked several miles in the heat only to have it closed. Very hungry and hot, we walked to a bar/restaurant to eat but instead pulled up the Poogan's dinner menu from their website and decided to wait it out till 5:00 based on the menu on line. Even called to make reservations. We arrived promptly at 5:30 and seated immediately. Our servers, yes two very nice ladies, attended to us. Our drinks were brought promptly. When we looked at the menu, it wasn't what was on their website and the dish we were most excited about wasn't on the menu. So, I decided on the filet with the blue cheese dumplings and my friend had the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. I liked her meal much better than mine. The chicken was crispy and potatoes were yummy. My filet had a weird taste to it. I hardly ate any of it. I just didn't find the meal as good as it sounded. And I was starved. Oh, I did have the wedge salad and I did like that. It was good. I did have to ask for more dressing since it's a little drizzle. I'm on the fence with a 3 or 4 star, but went with the 3 star because that's an average mark. The service was good, but the wow factor just wasn't there for the food.
(3)
Sara M.
Great gourmet cuisine!! A little pricey- but hey it's fancy!! Enjoy! Try the alligator salad!
(4)
Jennifer S.
My husband and I eat here every year when we come to Charleston. My husband always gets the fried alligator bites, this time with biscuits and gravy and eggs. A-ma-zing! The biscuits are so so good! Our server Nick was so great! He brought us champagne for our anniversary and was really knowledgeable. See you next year!
(5)
Scotty C.
I've always had good experiences at Poogan's over the years. Rumors say it's haunted but, I haven't seen any ghosts yet. Haven't been for brunch yet but I've had lunch a couple times and dinner plenty of times here. I would say stick to classic favorites like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, or pork chops. I once decided to get more adventurous and try a special short ribs dish they had. While it was good, I was drooling over my friends giant portion of Fried Chicken while I was still hungry after cleaning my plate. Even though they've definitely become a Charleston "must try" for tourists over the years, they still maintain a strong local following. The food is really that good. I also love the fact that they take care of locals in January with their roll back pricing from back in the day... much appreciated!
(4)
Joe C.
Popped in for lunch. Greeted, seated out back and attended to promptly and professionally. Pinot Grigio was nice and chilled. Had the BLT - (with the fried green tomatoes) excellent! Chips excellent. My wife had the blackened grouper sandwich special which was cooked perfectly and spicy! I will attempt to replicate the red skin potato with blue cheese and bacon side dish when I return home. Would highly recommend !
(5)
Ellen O.
Poogan's Porch should be on everyone's list when visiting Charleston. We ended up arriving at Poogan's on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch and we were seated in about 15 minutes. I had the grilled pimento cheese sandwich - oh my - so comforting! My husband had the Famous Fried Chicken Salad, which I found myself eating off his plate too. That's one yummy salad. The service was very attentive and very nice. I can't wait to go back to Charleston and to Poogan's Porch!
(4)
Sydney G.
Had a great dinner at Poogan's Porch recently. We made reservations for a table of 4, and called the day before to change it to 5 and they accommodated us easily. We started with the pimento cheese fritters which were SO GOOD. Like, life changingly good. I definitely recommend ordering these. The macaroni and cheese was also really delicious, and I don't usually like macaroni with ham in it. If I were to order dinner again, I'd definitely opt for one of the fried chicken courses, because those were definitely the best of the table.
(4)
Cathy S.
The service and decor here cannot be more perfect for Charleston. Had alligator for the first time and it does taste exactly like chicken (always thought it's just a phrase), but with a very different texture, kind of bouncy and chewy yet absolutely light and lovely. Also had grouper and snapper for dinner, both comes with complex flavors however i find them a little bit overdone. Banana pudding tastes like heaven in a little cup. A must stop when you are in town.
(4)
Haley I.
Poogan's Porch is our "go-to" restaurant when headed downtown or when friends and family visit. The pan-roasted duck and the lump crab and shrimp pasta are my absolute favorite dinner options. You can't go wrong with either.
(5)
Bridget D.
Classic, tasty goodness. We went for brunch and had the fried green tomatoes + biscuits with mimosas, and shrimp & grits. It was all delicious & I would definitely recommend the shrimp & grits. The place is super cute & overwhelmingly charming! It feels like you're having dinner over at your classy southern friend's home. We'll be back.
(5)
Don D.
When you bring three kids to a restaurant, on a Monday....and you feed them fried ALLIGATOR...and they LOVE it....you are either in the Twilight Zone or Poogan's Porch! What a delight this place is! Recommended by a lovely lady at the visitor center in Mount Pleasant, this place oozed Southern charm and exceeded all of our expectations. We were a party of six - three adults and three kids. We ate: fried chicken with mashed potatoes and collared greens - best fried chicken I think I've ever eaten! The gravy highlighted the perfectly fried chicken which was crunchy yet tender inside. The potatoes were married with oodles of butter which was heaven when combined with chicken-n-gravy. The kids and adults all devoured the Alligator. Kids said it was better then Calamari. We also had fried green tomatoes - since we are NY'ers - had to go all in! They too were crunchy outside and bursting with flavor and tender inside. Ooh the biscuits, how dare I not mention their flakey, soft and full of flavor selves. I begged my Nephew to pack the two remaining in his cargo shorts but he didn't.....I wish he did as they were amazing. Brother in law has salmon salad which he said was great. My wife had the famous shrimp-n-grits and oh my was that delicious! Being a Yankee through and through I wasn't thrilled about trying it but asked for more once I did. My Daughter ordered a burger and sweet potato fries - both cooked to perfection and delectable. I didn't try the other dishes but they were nothing but empty plates - so I am thinking they rocked too. The service was very prompt, attentive and friendly too. We drove about two hours from Myrtle Beach and feel like we really hit the jackpot with Poogan's Porch as it was the only place we ate at in Charleston before heading back. A new favorite!
(5)
Jen S.
We had a party of 9 people with reservations. We were seated 10 minutes from our time of reservations. We tried the fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese fritters and the mac and cheese for apps, they were all great! Everybody had a diffrent entree and they were all fabulous! This place was awesome!
(5)
Matt M.
Quite good. I had fried chicken. Val had scallops. Recommended, but Charleston is a city of delicious food, so don't skip S.N.O.B., F.I.G., or Husk to make time for Poogan's Porch. It's good, but the competition is very good.
(4)
Brian M.
I have lived in Charleston for 8 years now and Poogan's Porch is in my top 3 favorite places to eat. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu (i've tried everything) but I suggest starting off with the Mac & Cheese app, followed by the fried chicken and mashed potatos, and since I am not a sweets guy, wash it all down with a nice bourbon on the rocks. Another dish that is great is their jambalaya. The converted house that Poogan's operates in makes you feel like wealthy southerner from the 1800's on a first date hoping to make it to 1st base. If you are looking for just a drink or ten, they also have a good bar area. The only con I can think of about PP is their location, and even that is not a big problem. If you aren't familiar with downtown Charleston, it can be tough to find. Parking is also an issue but they do have a large parking garage across the street. Heck, I would take a pogo stick to Poogan's if I had to. The best thing about PP is their rollback menu. During January (excluding restaurant week), they feature a menu with pricing from the late 1970's. Every dish is under $10 and I normally make multiple trips. For Poogan's Porch, I give two spoons up!
(4)
Honest A.
Dined here on my last trip to Charleston. Decor was excellent. My wife said the scallops were the best tasting in her life. I enjoyed the shrimp and grits, but I don't think they are the best in town as others as stated. Very solid restaurant experience in the heart of America's greatest city.
(4)
Kathleen M.
One of my favorite meals ever! Who knew that poached eggs on top of shrimp and grits would be so good? I mean, yes, it sounds good, but I'm amazed I had never seen it before my trip here. We came by happenstance: there was a wait for lunch next door at Husk. We had no problem getting a cozy table by the fire at Poogan's. And when I say cozy, I mean boiling hot. I'm almost always cold but our table in the side room was pretty steamy. Wish there had been availability on the (very small) porch and patio out front. The menu for lunch is small but it all looks tasty. I couldn't look past the shrimp and grits, obviously, and I'm glad for it as it was delicious. A heaping portion with tons of shrimp, perfectly poached eggs, and just the right amount of seasoning. Oh, and don't miss out on the biscuits they bring you in the beginning: so effing good. I wouldn't miss another meal here when back in Charleston, that's for sure. You shouldn't miss it either.
(5)
Tonya C.
Our Service was great, just the right balance of attentive when we needed something but not overly so, letting us enjoy our time at Poogans. Had hand cut pork chop, which was great. But the greatest thing? the best biscuits I've EVER had, absolutely fantastic. Husband had fried seafood combo which wasn't anything overly special but ok. All in all a wonderful experience!
(4)
Dave D.
There have been few times where the only thing that has been better than the food was the service!
(5)
Amy D.
My husband and I stopped here for lunch on a whim. The place looked interesting from the street and the reviews were good. Without a reservation, the wait for brunch on Saturday was 45 minutes but well worth the time. The fried green tomatoes were well cook but a little bland, but the remoulade helped a lot. My husband had the chicken and waffles, which were a lot spicier than he thought they would be. The blueberry sauce made them super tasty. I had Crab Cakes Benedict, and it was terrific too.
(5)
Adolfo B.
This is a staple place to visit and have a meal and guaranteed to always satisfy your palate. On this last visit we stopped in just for a quick drink before heading to the airport and upon entering we immediately noticed a very unpleasant odor. It was like old dirty water - not in par for this place.
(4)
Russ K.
How can a place get even better every time you go back??? Here's what to not miss out on, first the biscuits (served with your meal). So good in fact this last time, we got a dozen to go. This is reason enough to return to Charleston! Second, order whatever is on the special. This last time the pork short ribs on a bed of pimento mac and cheese.... makes you want to cheat on your wife with a restaurant. I can now die in peace.
(5)
Charlie B.
My lovely lady friend and I were in town for a wedding and took some time away from the festivities and spend some time together in Charleston by our selves. We tried to go to the restaurant next door and were turned away without reservations. Luckily enough we landed on the doorstep of Poogan's Porch where I had one of the most amazing brunches of my life. I ordered Ike's Down Home Breakfast with the biscuits and gravy, did I mention that their biscuits will make you hate all other biscuits, and it was fantastic with perfectly cooked eggs over medium. My date ordered with best shrimp and grits that Ive ever eaten. I mean this is the kind of dish that you'll talk about months later, toss your head back, close your eyes, and just look at each other knowing that while you're stuck in Atlanta you aren't getting anything that good. Service was quick and attentive, prices were good, portions were large, they didnt make me feel bad for not calling ahead, and if I lived in Charleston this would be my regular weekend place, no question about it.
(5)
Roger Y.
The most under-rated restaurant in Charleston. Slipped for a few years then got a new chef in a couple of years ago who turned this into a nice place turning out good food at very reasonable prices. I regularly get the spinach salad with grilled salmon for lunch.
(4)
Mike M.
Well prepared, high quality food but we waited 40 min for a table and left a little disappointed. The portions are small, and the menu is limited. The kids menu for some reason had no selections for breakfast like pancakes or French toast during breakfast time. The biscuits they bring out are some of the best I've had. The fried chicken was $14 and contained two extremely small pieces of chicken. Good food but not the most enjoyable experience.
(4)
Carolyn L.
We had the fried green tomato, calabash combo, and buttermilk fried chicken. Everything was fried, but event was great, even the coleslaw, the biscuit and the chips that came with the meal. For a drink, try Mystique if you want a nice refreshing drink on a hot summer day.
(5)
Alison K.
Our best meal in Charleston by far! The buttermilk biscuits are scrumptious! (They will give you the recipe if you ask.) I had the seafood pasta, which I was spicy and creamy and had huge sweet scallops. For dessert I highly recommend the Bourbon pecan pie with bacon ice cream!
(5)
Allison M.
If you have never eaten the shrimp and grits here, you are missing out! A favorite spot in Charleston
(5)
Hilary S.
Fried green tomatoes were delicious, as was the fried oyster salad. I had the smoked ahi tuna which was out of this world, perfectly complimented by the blue cheese risotto. My friends had the duck & buttermilk chicken and were also very happy. The service was great and this was honestly one of the best meals I've ever had.
(5)
Eric F.
Loved Poogan's Porch. Our entrees were delicious. Good service. Beautiful outside porch area consistent with what you find in the Charleston area. They accept reservations for inside dining but outside areas are first come, first serve. You can be notified via text when yo
(5)
Sandy F.
Excellent food and service. Wow. Biscuits, chicken, grits, shrimp, and sweet tea. Yummy. Nice and full of light new upstairs porch eating area is a good addition. Reasonably priced and very large portions. Might want to share.
(5)
Jill L.
Christmas menu good, but was hoping to see some real southern choices on it, being that's what makes Poogans so great. I had the scallops, and they were the best I'd ever had.
(4)
Samantha M.
Used to love this place but have become more and more disappointed. Our server yesterday could best be described as having a bad day. The choices on the brunch menu were very limited, and the omelette I ordered was so bland I didn't even eat it all. They could do so much better. We made this our last visit.
(2)
Jennifer E.
Ate brunch and dinner at Poogan's Porch during my visit to Charleston. The food is delicious. Would definitely recommend this restaurant. Ordered a seafood pasta dish that was amazing! The pasta noodles were sooooo good. I can't even explain how wonderful they tasted. I also ordered the chicken and waffles which was very yummy.
(5)
Steven G.
We went to Poogan's Porch for the first time. Great service. The food was outstanding! Great dining environment.
(5)
Lyne C.
Yum, yum and yum!!!! Super cool place. Looks like fine dining but isn't. We took 3 small kids and everyone was very friendly. We ordered the crab soup, chicken and waffles and alligator. It was delicious. Highly recommend. The Mac and cheese was too salty for the kiddos tho. Had to return it and they were very nice about it.
(4)
Jeffrey K.
We stopped in Charleston for two days on the way to Florida for a week and walked about the city on the day after New Year's. Some 30 years ago we stayed in a small hotel nearby here as part of a trip through the South and had Thanksgiving dinner at Poogan's. (This was a splurge big time for us back then; this trip is remembered as much for some of the worst motels we've ever endured which we had to do to make up for the luxury stops). Anyway, we saw Poogan's was still in business and so dropped in for dinner... needed to go to the bar as there were no reservations available until too late... but no sweat, we like to eat at the bar. I had an amazing cast-iron pan pork chop and Deb had shrimp and grits. And we explained to the bartender that we hadn't been back in 30 years.... which was probably before he was born. Good, solid, local food and well worth the wait.
(5)
Claudia C.
Amazing! 2nd time eating here and again it was amazing. Biscuits are awesome and everything we had was prefect. Service was amazing as well. Love this place.
(5)
Betsy G.
Best meal I had in Charleston! If you don't eat here you will regret it, so just do it!!! Pimento cheese fritters, Bibb lettuce salad and cast iron pork chop are to die for!
(5)
Evan M.
We came here without a reservation - not a good idea. However, they were able to seat us quickly. We started with the alligator - it was really good. Even the kids liked it. I had the BBQ - very good. My daughter's burger was really good, too. The best was my wife's fried chicken. I did not know that fried chicken could taste that good. To top it off, our waiter (and his help) was excellent.
They don't get as much press as Husk (next door), but the food here is as good. I tried alligator here for the first time and loved it--like calamari! I came here for brunch with some other friends (none of us were local). This is good quality southern food and they are located smack dab in the center of town, so it's a great place to see tourists and locals alike. It's also conveniently located to the big parking garage and carriage tours, so the 4th star is for the location. The quietest (and most romantic) place to eat here is the balcony. The indoor seating tends to be loud because of all the hard surfaces.
(4)
Chris P.
Great dinner. She crab soup was amazing but this was my first time trying it so can't exactly compare it to others. Shrimp and grits was good but the sausage overpowered the dish, making it more like a jambalaya with grits. No complaints and overall a very good dinner. Not sure I would go back only because there are so many other places to try.
(4)
Suzanne J.
Lovely ambiance....especially in the upstairs dining rooms. This place is in a re-done older home on Queen Street across and next door to parking. Delicious she-crab soup and fried green tomatoes. Loved the beet salad and glazed salmon. Wonderful meal for a fantastic price. I've been going to Poogan's Porch for many years and have never been disappointed.
(4)
Chelsea P.
Absolutely best restaurant in Charleston. The vibe and waiters were fantastic. The food was phenomenal. We shared everything. Had the she crab soup and was blown away. Then split a bibb salad that was too die for. Then split the mac and cheese and shrimp & grits...ohmygawd. There are no words for the amazing food. We don't like the touristy type places and like "finer" dining without outrageous prices. This place was far cheaper than expected for the quality of the meal and wait staff. Do not skip this place.
(5)
Malorie D.
Our waiter was THE BEST and had all the right recommendations for us. I cant remember his name was but he had glasses and fair hair. My friend and I were in town for 1 night only and b/c we were on the early side of dinner we were able to be sat on outside immediately. THE PIMENTO CHEESE FRITTERS were probably the best thing I have ever had in my life. Coming from NYC you tend to be a food snob but the food, the innovation and ambiance here left little to be desired. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Serena U.
Great food and flawless service. Very nice atmosphere.
(5)
Marty B.
I had the country fried pork chops and it was some of the best pork chops I've ever had. I
(5)
Christina J.
I have been to Poogan's Porch 3 times now and every time the experience was great. There is street parking on Broad St. and it is only a couple blocks to walk from there. There is also a garage right across the street from Poogan's, but I find it a bit pricey. My first visit (Oct-2014) I went with a group of 4. We were seated promptly at our reserved time. We arrived a bit early and enjoyed some drinks and the atmosphere in their small bar area downstairs, reading about the haunted history of the place. The Moscow mule I had was perfect. The biscuits before dinner have never been my favorite. Something about the flavor is just a little off to me and they lacked 'fluff.' We all ordered different entrees. I had the pork chop, which was delicious. My fiance had the pasta and really enjoyed it. My second visit (Feb-2015) was during the "Rollback Month", which featured a menu with prices from the 1970s. The most expensive thing on the menu was only $12! So I indulged in the fried alligator appetizer, which was mouthwateringly good! Crispy to perfection and the breading had some good spice to it. Then I had the ribs & mac. The mac and cheese was very good, but also very rich. I couldn't finish it because of the richness. The ribs were very fatty so I didn't eat most of them. The mustard sauce paired really well with the ribs. Overall not my favorite meal, but the ambiance made up for it. We were seated upstairs right next to a roaring fire in a very cozy room! My third visit (Feb-2015) was not long after the second. I went back with my fiance on the last day of the "Rollback Month". We split two apps--the fried alligator (which did not disappoint the second time!) and the BBQ grits with shrimp and sausage. These were really really good, but I liked the alligator a little bit more. For our entrees, I ordered the sweet tea glazed salmon with candied lemon/mint risotto and asparagus. All I have to say is O.M.G. this is the best meal I've ever eaten in Charleston. The sweet tea glaze was amazing and the risotto was to die for. Fiance got the flank steak with potatoes and broccolini. I tried his as well (and stole his leftovers) and this meal was amazing as well. Only problem this visit was we were seated along the outer wall, and an outlet cover was damaged and a very cold breeze was rushing in. It felt like a refrigerator under the table. We asked to be seated somewhere else and the server was very proactive in making us comfortable. We were seated right next to the fire in the same room, so we were warm after that! All in all, I have to rate Poogan's 5 stars because of the amazing meals, the charming and cozy atmosphere, and the friendliness of the staff. Can't wait till my next dinner here!
(5)
Wendy P.
I brought my best friend who lives mostly in Greece and her friend who lives in London. They were totally charmed by the staff and the delicious food as was I. My first time there but not my last as I go to Charleston once a month. We had the wedge salad, fried green tomatoes and the fried seafood platter. Really good and I'm pretty fussy. Looking forward to introducing more people to Poogan's Porch
(5)
Sarah F.
AMAZING pimento cheese fritters. A little slow, but worth the wait!
(4)
Laurie P.
Our party of 12 went here for New Years Eve and everything was excellent. Service was great and so was the food. Started with She Crab soup and Cheese Fritters - Yum! Everyone loved their Entree's. We had Grouper, Lobster, Scallops, Filet, and Stuffed Chicken. No complaints. Highly recommend Poogan's Porch!
(4)
Nicole F.
Fantastic meal. Great atmosphere. Great service. So impressed. I came for dinner with my sister at around 9pm Sunday night and had no trouble getting a table without reservations. I appreciated the casual feeling of the place and liked that there were families with young kids and grandparents around. It didn't feel too "scene"ey. Dinner was great and we needed help to narrow the menu. Our waiter suggested the Mac and Cheese. Fantastic. None of the bread crumb crust you find everywhere. Just straight delicious. We also got a watermelon salad, I think a special? Also great flavors. My sister got the scallops and was super satisfied and I got the best buttermilk fried chicken and biscuits I've ever had. I had Magnolias the next day and I think it was their gravy that was lacking compared to Poogan's. We somehow saved room for dessert and got the blueberry bread pudding with coffees. The coffee too was great so I asked the brand: King Bean. I bought a pound the next day to bring home! The whole meal was worth the indulgence and really reasonably priced for appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Coupled with great service and ambience, this was definitely my favorite meal on our trip.
(5)
Sajid A.
Classic southern cooking at its finest. Fries chicken is cooked to perfection. Best sweet potato fries I've ever had. This place is in gourmet, located in a beautiful old house with quite the history! Fantastic spot for lunch or dinner!
(5)
Misty M.
BRUNCH. Chicken and Waffles to die for, with a blueberry texas pete maple syrup that will make you slap your grandma...The chicken is perfectly cooked, with just the right breading-to chicken ratio and not in the least bit greasy or chewy. The biscuits are heavenly, and the service is fantastic! Definitely a favorite.
(5)
Justin R.
Best Chicken sliders I have seen in the south. Very tender chicken, biscuits cooked to perfection. I would recommend this for anyone who has a big appetite!
(5)
Staci A.
On food & service I'd give Poogan's a perfect rating. However, they could step it up on the cleanliness. The women's bathroom looked like a murder scene. The buttermilk fried chicken was THEE BEST fried chicken I've ever had! Oh & the pimento cheese balls were infact amazeballs.
(4)
April S.
I have now eaten a couple times at Poogan's Porch and enjoyed it each time! The food portions are plentiful and the service was excellent. I ordered the Shrimp and Grits last time and was nowhere near close to being able to finish it in one sitting. My brother ordered the Plantation Fried Chicken and I almost wished i had ordered that instead because it was just THAT good. I finally gave into all of the Yelp reviews that insisted on ordering their Fried Green Tomatoes even considering I was a FGT virgin! They were actually very tasty... but I'm pretty sure that anything fried is usually delicious. During my last visit, we were sat pretty early, around 6ish or so and the dining room was very quiet. It started to fill up as we were leaving but if you're looking for a more active dining atmosphere then you should most certainly make a reservation for a later dinner. I've never sat on the patios at Poogan's but they both look like a very nice spot for enjoying traditional southern low country fare. I think the thing that I like most about Poogan's is the story behind the name. As you can see on their website, the restaurant is named after a dog that was left behind by previous house owners (Poogan's is set in an old Charleston house) and sat on the porch every night greeting restaurant guests. I just love the history that comes along with the Charleston area and this beautiful, older home. I think Poogan's is a must for tourists visiting Charleston, although I've heard that locals don't actually eat there along with many of the other touristy restaurants in downtown. But in my opinion, Poogan's is a great place for a nice, laid-back and relaxing dinner and I'll be sure to go back soon!
(4)
Daniel D.
While on vacation in Charleston, SC Poogan's Porch was my first stop for brunch. Upon entering, I felt as if I was walking into the typical southern home which was a comforting vibe. The long bar in the first room was in beautiful dark wood and really made the room. When seated in the room with the fire place, there was a nicely decorated Christmas tree which convinced me that i was having breakfast at a relative's home. We started with the fried alligator which was perfectly fried and the jalapeño honey dressing was not overpowering at all. After glancing at the entrees I was stuck between the pork chop and chicken and waffles. Not to my surprise I went with the famous Chicken and Waffles. Unlike I've ever had before the chicken was boneless (I prefer fried chicken with bones, but it was a nice change up). The waffles were soft and light and the blueberry sauce on top made maple syrup not so important at the time. The waitress was so kind and soft spoken, she really portrayed southern hospitality. I would recommend this place to anyone who lives or visits downtown Charleston.
(5)
Katherine W.
This is a wonderful place to eat. The food is amazing. The service was friendly and prompt the last time I was there. I love sitting out on the porch. The desert was the best. It was a lovely dinner. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Scott R.
Wow - the she crab soup started our evening meal and it was superb. Then came the scallops, the best scallops we've had anywhere. While the food was absolutely fantastic, the best was our server, Sebastian! He made the night a true delight, thank you Sebatian!
(5)
Barb R.
Best scallops ever!! Biscuits were AMAZING!!! Sebastian was a super server!! Friendly and knowledgeable.
(5)
Francesca J.
Excellent meal! They had a range of southern entrees, all with a gourmet flair. We received recommendations from our server, and we each picked different entrees to try. They were all delicious! The atmosphere made you feel like you were in someones home. Great cocktails as well! Make sure you make a reservation!
(5)
Erika Josephine W.
We ate here mostly because it was haunted and they had "good food." Good Food?! more like top notch, amazing, delicious food! Went here for brunch at exactly 9AM on Sunday Nov 16 in hopes of missing the crowd and we did! We were sat down immediately. Hot biscuits were brought out to us. They were amazing. Sweet, light, fluffy and with a sweet fluffy butter spread. My mom and I were joking that we were going to ask for a bag of them to go. My mom ordered the regular 2 eggs, bacon, potatoes breakfast (she's rather boring and doesn't like to try new things). She enjoyed it very much and said it was the best. I'll take her word for it. Now me? I like trying new things. I saw there was a Country Fried Pork Chop with a Texas Pete jus. I got my eggs over easy. WOW! I blown away. Everything was perfect. The pork chop was breaded and fried but the crust was exceptionally crunchy and the crust was thin. Even though it sat on a bed of "jus" it didn't get soggy! I enjoyed covering my porkchop bit in that jus and putting a little bit of egg on top. It was so darn good!!! On top of that our waiter was super attentive and chatted with us a bit. The decor was very nice too. I felt like I was in a southern home- which I was! So, if you are on the fence of going here because it's a "touristy" place or it's too expensive I can tell you that it is worth a visit!
(5)
Bob-Law L.
Great food and fantastic service. Lunch and brunch are pretty reasonably priced too.
(5)
Stephen W.
We tried this place for dinner on a Sunday night. We did not have reservations but the hostess got us within 10 minutes (we arrived about 8:30pm). Even more impressive was her seating of another couple at 9:29 when the restaurant closes at 9:30. The service was good but not excellent. I think our waiter was tired and he probably had worked a long day. He was courteous and helpful but seemed to disappear for long stretches. The food was very good. My wife started with fried green tomatoes and loved them. I got the she crab soup and it was good but not spectacular. There was some crab but it was all at the bottom. The soup overall was rather bland. For the entree the wife got the buttermilk fried chicken. She did so at my urging and with some trepidation. In the end she was glad that she did and she loved it--moist, flavorful, really excellent. Came with collard greens and excellent mashed potatoes. I got the crab crakes and they were very good, not much filler. The main problem was that I had eaten the best crab cakes in my life the night before (see my review of Coast), and second the cakes had the sauce on them and not on the side, so the crab flavor was somewhat lost. Overall, the restaurant was a good experience and we were happy we tried it. We would return and try other southern dishes.
(4)
Austin C.
First off, the biscuits are the best I have ever had and this is coming from a backwoods TN boy who knows good biscuits! The fried chicken was also very well done with a nice gravy. Nice location in a nice part of town and very easy to find. I would certainly recommend!
(5)
Jody A.
This was our first time to Charleston so we followed Yelp reviews and dined at Poogan's. I would have to agree with all of the positive reviews on the food. Biscuits were certainly noteable as was the Shrimp & Grits and Buttermilk Fried Chicken. The Pimento Cheese fritters were a treat and NOT heavy at all. Service was good and the restaurant has a nice low-country charm about it.
(4)
L G.
Went last night with the family. Not impressed. My order was a big disappointment. Red snapper special. Way over-cooked. And, didn't taste like red snapper -- guessing it was a cheaper substitute (a lot of restaurants apparently have been caught doing this in the last few years). To their credit, they took the dish off our bill. But it didn't make for a positive culinary experience. Our other dishes -- shrimp and grits and fried chicken -- were OK. Have had better elsewhere -- for less money. Service was good at least. Wouldn't recommend.
(2)
Angela L.
Just OK for me. It seems like the hype about this place is based more on its haunted connection. Food was just OK- nothing particularly bad nor good about it; it just wasn't exciting. Atmosphere, on the other hand: please space your tables and chairs farther apart! We were sitting in the back room on the first floor by the back windows- it felt sooooo claustrophobic! Also tables and chairs were pretty sticky (it took 3 different people to try to move the candle in the middle of the table when the food came).
I just wasn't impressed with this place like I hoped to be. The restaurant, an old converted house, was beautiful and it was lovely to wander through the rooms, but the atmosphere wasn't quite what I thought it would be. The biscuits and honey butter we got as we ordered were delicious. I had the shrimp and grits and it was delicious. I guess I would go back for that. We went at lunch and I understand that they want lunch to be more casual, but I don't want to hear Funky Cold Medina on the radio during my posh, Southern lunch. What's wrong with a little classical music? Or some nice jazz or blues? I used the restroom and no ghosts tried to trap me in there either, bummer.
(3)
charity s.
Loved the food, loved the atmosphere, loved the service, loved poogans porch! We had the pimento cheese fritters, wedge salad, fried chicken and shrimp & grits. The real highlight was the chocolate pecan pie though. Warm gooey goodness. The biscuits served along with the meal were divine as well. When making the reservations about a week in advance i gad requested a table in the upper balcony. was happy they honored the request as it was a perfect way to end our trip to Charleston.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Beth Ann D.
Ordered fried green tomato bacon & lettuce sandwich & there was no bacon. Adjusted the bill by removing my the cost of my Diet Pepsi. Really???? No mgr intervention. Disappointed.
(1)Becca W.
Was really just 'ok'.... Nothing too exciting about the chicken salad, really just 'ok' Cute place, very eclectic and interesting old house.... But overall meal was 'on' nothing special about it at all...
(3)Adam M.
Quaint atmosphere. In a old house with that southern charm. Waited 30 min for a table which was great considering we didn't have reservations. Great selection of specialty drinks and wine by the glass. Fried green tomatoes paired with pecan crusted goat cheese was in point. The southern fried chicken stuffed with Gouda cheese and greens with a side of green beans and brussel sprouts was great. The veggies could have used more seasoning but still delicious. Friendly staff and would recommend if you are visiting Charleston.
(4)Candice M.
Someone recommended we try this place while visiting Charleston and so glad they did! The biscuits were just like my mom's homemade biscuits and melt in your mouth. I normally don't eat fried chicken but it was the best I've had - boneless and it wasn't greasy at all. The mashed potatoes and green beans were also delicious. My husband got the shrimp pasta which was really good too, loved the sauce.
(5)Geraldine Y.
Biscuits!!!! Oh my those biscuits alone are worth 5 stars! Best biscuits I've ever had!!!
(4)P H.
Scott, our waiter killed it. Every recommendation was spot on. From the beer, to the appetizer, and the entrees. My wife and I shared the mac and cheese and only wish we ordered more. So many places add ham to mac & cheese and get it wrong but this plate was delicious. We had the short rib and fried chicken sandwiches and both were fantastic, so good you're kinda sad it's over. Poogan's Porch was the first restaurant we visited in Charleston and it set the tone for the trip; great food and service!
(5)Kevin B.
We had our wedding reception here In March of this year! Everything was so amazing!!! Beth was awesome and very accommodating.. Also the staff was so nice and quick with drinks, that know one ever had a empty drink! Food was also 5 star! Not only did the take great care of my wife and I, and our 50 guests, but also were cooking for the rest of the restaurant as well! Great job to the guys in the back as well.. Outstanding food and drinks, also reasonably priced all together for a great time..
(5)Ladi I.
Absolutely the best southern comfort meal we had in Charleston! Rosa our waitress was a breath of fresh air and so friendly. We loved the biscuits, fried green tomatoes, te gouda mac and cheese and the amazing fried chicken with string beans that were delcious. Great wine, lovely atmosphere, and an exceptional staff! We cannot wait to visit again!
(5)D M.
Very good meal. Hasn't been here in years but did not disappoint! Try the artistically cocktails - very good. The southern staples on the menu are wonderful and the seafood is fresh. Highly recommended.
(4)Kiley S.
So. Good. Being form New England, I had never had true southern food until Poogans and I was not disappointed. Cocktails were all really delicious and the biscuits were amazing. We split the pimento cheese bites to start. They were delicious. How can you go wrong with fried cheese? I had the Fried chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes and beans, it was amazing as well. The sage gravy was really flavorful and the chicken was so crispy! YUM! I love the atmosphere here, very charming. Every room inside and out is very unique. I'd love to sit on the porch, front or back. Plus, I heard a rumor that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds come here..if it's good enough for Blake, it's good enough for me.
(5)Elaine N.
Cute place on the outside with a nice looking patio. Had dinner for four here last week and unfortunately was disappointed in our experience. The duck entrée and the fried pimento cheese appetizer were both good . Unfortunately the she crab soup was very thick and gummy with a strange flavor. Our server was pleasant and professional. The back room needs updated chairs. Strangest thing that happened was that another waiter, not ours, sneezed directly into his hand and then proceeded to pull some silver and plates to reset a table. Ewh.
(3)Brian E.
Had brunch here and forget the food - come here to see the wall coverings!!!! First, I had a mimosa in the bar. A nice dimly lit bar with textured wall paper. Bartender was friendly and knowledgable. Mimosa was perfectly mixed - not too much OJ and not too champagney. The many dining rooms have walls that are very tastefully hand painted with foliage. Felt very southern. Brunch was wonderful. A pulled pork eggs benedict on a biscuit - made perfectly. To best part of this whole place was the men's restroom. Wallpaper that looked like a library! Loved it. I can't say what the women's room looked like, but if it's like the men's room - the women will enjoy having another reason to go en mass to the toilet. I'd go back - for the food, drinks, and wall covering any day!
(4)Penny E.
What a quaint and interesting restaurant! We had fantastic food and service. The toast points and crab salad were delicious. The wedge salads were very fresh and crisp. The crab and shrimp pasta and the baked chicken were excellent. The service was the best we have had in Charleston! It was very interesting to see the names of the celebrities who have eaten here!
(5)Bill B.
It's a great location. When taking out of town guests Poogan seems to fit the bill as what Charleston dining is all about. It's in an old house that gives it another old south dimension. Food is southern and you will not be disappointed. Try the Fried chicken salad and a day after eating the fried pork chop I still want another bite. Service is excellent and prices are reasonable. If you have to wait go outside and people watch at another great place Husk. There is a parking garage across the street.
(4)Alex F.
We were told to come here for the shrimp and grits. I thought they were ok, but my wife ended up getting the fried green tomatoe BLT and it was awesome. So good, I was thinking about this sandwich for a few days afterwards...haha. Also, the biscuits were SOOO good. Had to get a few to eat with my Shrimp and Grits. I'd get the BLT next time around!
(4)Caitlin J.
This is my favorite restaurant in the entire world. I've gone to Charleston for the only intent of eating here. The dining staff is amazing, the food is wonderful, and their biscuits are to die for. Their pimiento cheese fritters are absolutely amazing. I love the atmosphere of this house. It encompasses everything there is to love about Charleston. Can't wait to go back soon.
(5)Shelby B.
Very southern food (rich food) and a really cool atmosphere. Overrated for the price. I went when all the food was half price and that was worth it, but it wouldn't have been if it had been full price. Cool ghost story associated with it though
(3)Li Y.
Poogan's Porch loooonggg sighhh. The first time I visited this restaurant, 15 years ago, it became my favorite memorable meal from Charleston. Arriving back to Charleston for business...the only restaurant that I had on my mind was Poogan's Porch. Arriving to Charleston we tried to make a reservation of this recent Easter Saturday or Sunday. "No longer taking reservations, not even for large parties" was the answer we received. So, of course, being the persistent person I am, I snuck snuck snuck there with only one other person on Saturday for their brunch. Being a yelper I had to try the often raved about shrimp and grits...delicious. STILL, my friend's meal looked OUTTA THIS WORLD (see picture posted). She had the "Charleston scramble" which consisted of the freshest and tastiest eggs with a sprinkling of bacon and veges, topped off with a handful of the crispiest, most mouthwatering fried oysters I had ever had. This plate comes sided with a plate of either home fries or cheese grits (see picture). Starters for us was the delicious she crab soup with an abundance of sherry flavor. The next day, Easter Sunday, I posed to the group that if they wanted to have a memorable meal they might want to consider this restaurant but that I would go to any since I had already been "to heaven and back:" the day before. Knowing my affection and knowledge of food, they agreed to go to Poogan's. We got there 15 minutes BEFORE they opened and got our name on the list. So thankful we did...there was a line building and kept on building the whole time we were there. Everyone agreed...the food was the most memorable we had while in Charleston. By the way, the reason why I know the Charleston scramble was so heavenly good was...the next day, Sunday...that is exactly what I ordered! We also enjoyed the fried green tomatos to start. Rest of group enjoyed an assortment of omelets, thick french toast, shrimp n grits. Don't miss the biscuits...they are, certifiably, the most delicious, fluffy like a cloud, crispy on the outside biscuits...I had to take away a half dozen! Goes perfectly with their honey butter that is served on side. Siggggghhhhhh. When I think of Charleston, I think of Poogan's Porch.
(5)Andrew G.
Cocktail menu and beer menu were both great. The fried green tomatoes were really good. I would recommend asking for the remoulade. It wasn't served to us at dinner but I saw picture with it on yelp. My fiancee's shrimp and grits were really good and I would recommend them slightly over the buttermilk fried chicken but they were both really good. Our waitress was good but not fantastic. I asked her what beer she would recommend and she just said she wasn't a beer drinker so I guess I appreciate the honesty. I would give it 4.5 stars if possible but I want to save the 5 star review for Husk which is next door. If you want a really good meal for two for under $100 this place is a fantastic choice.
(4)Ashley S.
I should preface my review by saying that my husband and I are in town for the week celebrating our anniversary. We are always looking for great local fare & we understand that food prices generally coincide with what the market will tolerate. For this restaurant, in this location, with the service we received, I would say they are priced competitively. (Entrees about $25-$30 per person) If you are looking to find something cheaper, you aren't looking for the same caliber accommodations that we are on this particular trip. We would not have dined here if our 4 children had accompanied us because I don't consider that practical. With all of that said, we truly enjoyed this meal. It was the first time EVER that I actually finished an entree anywhere. My husband and I both ate every bite of our meal. This was a combination of my selection (at our sever, Aaron's recommendation), the food being well-prepared & the portion sizes are perfect. I had the grouper paired with pimento & cheese stuffed ravioli. This was after I'd eaten 2 of the pimento & cheese fritters as an appetizer which were also amazing... Well-prepared & perfect portion size. Our server, Aaron, was good at helping us to navigate the menu. His recommendations were spot-on where the food was concerned. My husband had questions about the wine list & when Aaron saw we were looking at white/sparkling wines, he wasted no time in telling us that was not his specialty and sent the sommelier (who is 1 of only 4 advanced sommeliers in the city) to assist us. I wish I could remember his name... Because he was phenomenal in suggesting just the right bottle for us! We thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not sure what the attire is here, I generally wear dresses because Southern summer heat is brutal otherwise. Hubs was in jeans and a casual button up though and we felt right at home. A couple of misses that I must mention. First, the service was not as prompt as I would expect for the caliber this restaurant is presenting itself to be. It appeared the waitstaff was rather spread out & we found ourselves waiting between crucial points in the meal. (Being greeted, after dinner to order desserts, etc.) A table next to us waited FAR longer at crucial points and I would've walked out if I had been with their server. We were seated out on the back porch too, don't know if that made a difference. The beignets for dessert were a total fail. The dough was a thicker consistency than the "light and fluffy" that a beignet should be, and when it arrived, they were cold, which only added to the density and hard texture that one should not find in this pastry. So, I would say: skip that. The sommelier made us feel right at home and the fabulous apps and entrees sealed the deal for the WOW we expect at this price point. We will definitely be back.
(5)Rachel L.
So good. Service is outstanding across the board. Very cool setting in an old southern building. Set up our reservation through yelp. Very convenient. The food...really well prepared & presented. The biscuits were fluffy delights. The fried green tomatoes were so perfectly fried with a nice, light crunch on the outside & soft, warm tomato on the inside. Great with a dollop of the goat cheese or chutney or both. She crab soup...so rich & flavorful. So I'm stuffed already, but enjoying a flavorful icy cocktail on this hot day to keep me going. Dinners were buttermilk fried chicken, barbecue ahi tuna & cast iron pork chops. Impeccably prepared & presented with wonderful sides....all plates were cleaned & raved about. I'm done...room for no more, not even coffee...or bourbon. Amazingly, the rest of the family has room for dessert & polishes off bourbon pecan pie with chocolate-bacon ice cream & key lime pie with sorbet. I almost enjoyed watching them, but my stomach hurts! What a great experience! Go here.
(5)Annie Y.
I love this place!! So cute and service was excellent. Everything on the menu looked so good I wish I could have ordered more. To start, scrumptious warm out of the oven biscuits were amazing. So soft and fluffy once you look a bite. So good. Appetizers: fried green tomatoes- this was my first time trying this southern dish and it was so good! Juicy thick tomatoes with a Big Crunch. My bf got the aged Gouda Mac and cheese- if you love Mac and cheese you have to try it. I'm not a big fan of macncheese and i loved this dish. Main: shrimp and grits- perfect fluffy grits and delicious savory Shrimp/sausage/peppers with just enough spicy kick. Bf had the fried chicken sliders- came with the same delicious biscuits and he got sweet potato fries. We both couldn't finish our meals... But we tried stuffing as much as we could. Therefore, also had zero room for dessert which I regret. Will definitely try to go back again.
(5)Kathleen G.
Place was phenomenal. More food than you could ever pray to eat, but perfectly southern and delicious. The complimentary biscuits and butter to start will blow your mind! Fried green tomatoes ($7) were hot and cooked to order, and the pulled pork sandwich ($10) was so juicy. The atmosphere was authentic and felt like you were dining in the comfort of someone's home. Come ready to eat!
(5)Arlene Z.
Very disappointed, though I'm not completely sure that it's the restaurant's fault. I think the reviews are misleading. I was looking for good to excellent, moderately priced cuisine that Charleston is supposedly famous for. Instead we had overpriced fair food in a more formal than we wanted location. Perhaps it would have been different for lunch, but I would have walked out if I hadn't already been committed. The best part of the meal were the biscuits. Ranks in my top 20 biscuits. The pimento balls appetizer was definitely unique but not to die for. I had the shrimp and grits. Again okay (I've had better at the Holiday Inn in Florence). I don't quite understand why the snapper my husband ordered came with pork bbq, other than they needed to augment the snapper which was on the small side. BBQ held its own, snapper was somewhat overdone. My son had the kid's grilled cheese, which he didn't eat because it was too crispy for his mouth (he's at the age where he's got his secondary teeth coming in). My mom wound up eating it because it was good grilled cheese. My son wound up eating half my mom's cast iron porch chop which was remarkably like chicken fried pork. Again, nothing so special to warrant the price. Dessert beignets were nice, but just...nice. This place should be $$$ instead of $$ or at least differentiated that $$$ for dinner. The wait staff was very good though and it had a very nice ambiance. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I been expecting the prices (dinner entrees are $18-27, add a drink, appetizer and dessert and you could be pushing $$$$) and had it been a special occasion with only my husband. I guess when I go to a place with those kind of prices, I expect it to be special enough that when I walk out, I can say it was worth it. It wasn't.
(2)Jay J.
One of my Charleston favorites. Great, well prepared recipes and nice ambience. Love the buttermilk fried chicken
(4)Fabiana F.
Holy Moly Delicious. I'm partially obsessed with this restaurant. Maybe it was the three hour car ride and I was starving (it wasn't) or this is definitely one of my favorite places to eat in Charleston (it is!)! We, apparently with some luck, were seated immediately on a Friday afternoon and we're very politely greeted by our waitress. We REALLY liked her - I think we told her that quite a few times. We ordered two cocktails from the bar, I wish I could remember the names and I don't see them on the menu but they were very tasty! We were very hungry and ordered a few dishes: Fried Chicken Sliders, Crab Cake Sandwich, and the Bourbon Braised Short Ribs (sides included house chips and sweet potato fries). Everything was perfection. We could not help but consume each fresh buttermilk biscuit and fried chicken slider in mere seconds. The fried chicken was juicy but crispy and those biscuits! I always love house made chips and these certainly did not disappoint (I put them in my sliders :)) We really liked the Crab Cake Sandwich as it was mighty large, had tons of crab, and was so soft and tasty! We liked it all but we LOVED the Bourbon Braised Short Ribs. They were fall off the bone tender, the serving size was great, and the veggies (anytime I get broccolini, I'm happy) were all seasoned and cooked perfectly. We ate it all right up and used any extra biscuit pieces to eat up the sauce. Everything was so fantastic and our waitress was so on the ball and accommodating (we were convinced she was reading our minds from a few rooms over - we were thinking about their honey jalapeño dressing and she was already putting it down on the table!) I cannot wait to go back!!
(5)Gabby J.
I came to Poogans a day before Independence day and I was seated as soon as I walked in. The atmosphere is so beautiful and makes you feel at home. We all got water immediately and everyone is friendly. The biscuits were perfectly soft and tasted amazing.I ordered the Fried Chicken and oh, it was amazing. Perfectly cooked and served with DELICIOUS mashed potatoes and collared greens. You get two fried chicken pieces and a handful of mashed potatoes. I shared the meal with a friend and I was pretty full. The prices are not the cheapest but its definetly a great place to dine!
(5)Dawn M.
Lousy everything. :( Way too many lovely food choices to waste time here!!
(1)Heather L.
Brunch at Poogan's was pretty great. There was an hour wait when we arrived (Sunday morning at the height of brunch) and were told that there was an hour wait. The best part was that they took our phone number and texted us when the table was ready which meant we could walk down to Market St and explore. The brunch was good with delicious bloody marys. The best was the Sausage Gravy and Biscuits which was a HUGE portion for four bucks. The gravy was light and flavorful which I prefer to thick and greasy. The Chicken and Waffles were okay. Nothing too spectacular. I would have preferred some kind of kick to it as the blueberry syrup didn't really work well.
(4)Colin M.
Old charleston feel. Great bit of history lining the walls. But the fried chicken will blow your effing mind. I'm coming back to SC, just to taste that sweet meat again! Oh. ... and the ribs were dessert. Damn good Poogan's damn good
(5)Lauren B.
Poogan's Porch is fantastic!!! Jimmy is an amazing server. I always love coming here for dinner. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(5)Todd R.
5 star food and 4.5 star service in the charm of a quaint southern home. Who knew pulled pork made for a great Benedict? Well now I do. Our server Jack was good and did what he could to make our meal memorable. The Saturday brunch menu had a unique selection of new ideas but stayed safely within bounds for the mainstream palate. I'd return, send a friend...but warn them to avoid the table below the irritating window A/C that no-one seemed to know how to control. Other than that little gripe...you're SURE to love this place and the food.
(4)Raquel M.
Meh! Overly lengthy wait for slightly below average food. I ordered the pimento grilled cheese sandwich. It contained one of the weakest renditions of pimento cheese that I've ever had. It was also cold which definitely didn't help the flavor. The side of housemade potato chips was undercooked and soggy. Overall, Poogan's Porch was an experience I could have done without.
(2)Ashton P.
The food is great and is representative of Charleston culture. The service is often slow and lackluster. Their yearly rollback pricing event is fantastic; don't miss it!
(3)Nathan A.
This was the first place my wife and I tried in Charleston on our visit from Texas. The fried green tomatoes were the best we had the entire trip. If you love duck, you must try the roasted duck! That was by far the best entree we had the entire week. The atmosphere and amazing food made for a great welcome to Charleston. Just watch out for the ghosts!
(5)Sean Q.
In Charleston for work, looking for some great southern chow, and definitely scored with Poogan's Porch. After agonizing on the menu for an extended period, I had an excellent cup of the she crap soup to start out with. It was then followed by the breaded and well prepared cast iron pork chop, mac & chz (w/ bits of ham...had to have that) and tender green beans. Exactly the satisfying meal I was looking for after a long day of transcontinental travel. The old Victorian house offers great atmosphere too. Do yourself a favor and pay Poogan's Porch a visit!
(5)Tish D.
By far the best biscuit that I've had in my 41 years. Shrimp and grits were great and the pimento cheese fritters...delish! Great service and a 30 minute wait on a Sunday. My daughter had the French Toast and gave it high marks. Can't wait to get back and try something else.
(5)James S.
I wish it hadn't taken me so long to come here! This place has catapulted its way up to one of the top 5 favorites in Charleston. Atmosphere- It is a house converted into a restaurant. Very intimate setting. Nicely decorated. We sat in front of the fireplace. Almost felt like we were eating in someone's home. Big fan. Service- We were not quite sure about our server at the beginning. Came across a little odd, but we quickly warmed up to his dry, but very friendly personality. He made a little small talk with each table, so he definitely made you feel comfortable. He also informed our host that we were there for our anniversary, so he brought two glasses of champagne over. Nice touch! We loved every interaction with the staff. A+ Food- Wow. To be honest, this place wasn't on our short list of restaurants to visit because we felt like "southern food" was boring. What we received was so much more than we expected. This is the perfection of southern cooking. Macaroni and cheese and the she crab soup appetizers were incredible. For our main course we had the seared scallops and the buttermilk fried chicken. I thought I would like the scallops better, but I don't think I've had such perfectly fried chicken. Don't get me started on the biscuits.... There is something to be said about a restaurant that can turn something ordinary into something spectacular. I get annoyed with restaurants that over-complicate a meal with crazy ingredients that don't enhance the dish- just trying to set themselves apart. Not here. Poogan's just does it better than everyone else, and that's why it succeeds. Regarding the portions, we practically had to roll ourselves out of the place. Overall- I really can't say enough about this place. Poogan's Porch provides the ideal dining experience. Will be back soon and often.
(5)Dee S.
Poogans porch charleston downtown--went for weeknight Bizness dinner in Feb, great place, fireplaces going in living & dining rooms, great architecture, mural paintings on walls, attentive servers, no complaints at all, special winter Retro menu with great items & retro pricing also, actually unbelievable pricing; other local diners with us have come here for years; they all rant & rave about it. The final bill with wine, coffee's & desserts was sooo inexpensive for 6 for of us -- it shocked us! Will return & gladly pay normal pricing. No pooch on the porch that night though..
(5)Meghan M.
Super yummy and consistent. It's a must if you're visiting Charleston! The shrimp and grits are amazing!
(5)Dre E.
Started with the fried green tomatoes. Great. Pan roasted duck and scallops were ordered by my party. Duck was great and not too heavy. Scallops on point. Left totally satisfied. Sweet tea was perfectly sweet. Service was helpful and attentive. Wish I could give this a 4.5 because although delicious food, that extra something was missing to bump this to a 5. I rarely rate anything a 5 so tough decision.
(4)Traci C.
awesome! Great fried pimento cheese! Best biscuits ever! Food was amazing. I had the buttermilk fried chicken and husband has shrimp and grits! My daughter was a little scared the place is known to be haunted. I told her if she got to see the ghost she would be special. I was a little worried my self lol. Great legend of Charleston. Definitely make reservations.
(5)Michael U.
Items Selected: Buttermilk Biscuits Fig Cosmo - Feigling Vodka, Cranberry, Lime, Orange Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade - La Bubbly, Lemonade, Van Gogh Acai Blueberry Vodka Grilled Peach and Strawberry Salad - Balsamic Reduction, Spicy Salted Cashews Mac n Cheese - Country Ham and Aged Smoked Gouda Fried Green Tomatoes - Pecan Encrusted Goat Cheese, Fruit Chutney Pimento Cheese Fritters with Green Tomato Jam Chef Isaac's She Crab Soup with dry Sherry and Chive Oil Buttermilk Fried Chicken - Two Double Breaded Breasts, Pimento Slaw, Butter Whipped Potato Pan Roasted Duck - Cast Iron Roasted Breast, Potato Dumplings, Fresh Arugula, Duck Confit, Pecorino, Merlot Gastrique Chocolate Strawberry Bread Pudding Banana Pudding - Vanilla Pudding, Fresh Sliced Banana, Sugar Cookie Crumble, Chantilly Cream Bourbon Texas Sheet Cake - Chocolate Fudge Cake, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Ice Cream Chocolate Pecan Pie - Bourbon Caramel, Buttermilk Smoked Bacon Ice Cream, Brown Sugar Cream Located adjacent to HUSK and featuring the same updated Victorian stylings and southern sensibilities as its neighbor my family had perused the menu at Poogan's Porch the night prior and decided it would make a lovely spot for dinner while I dined at FIG, the late reservation fortunately allowing me to arrive mere moments after they had ordered drinks. A large restaurant from the outside and, like HUSK, divided into many rooms with well-mannered service the menu at Poogan's Porch appears to be a time honored one with many classics dating back as far as the 1970s opening plus a few daily specials and selecting widely from the appetizers while adding a pair of mains plus desserts a rather diverse menu of Lowcountry classics was put together with largely impressive results save for an underwhelming salad, overly salted macaroni, and well prepared though not particularly memorable duck. Beginning with the restaurant's signature biscuits - as good as any we experienced in Charleston and replenished freely - and progressing through tender fried green tomatoes, fritters of spicy pimento cheese, and she crab soup finished tableside with sherry before delving into crispy fried chicken smothered in buttermilk gravy it was without a doubt the restaurant's more "southern" dishes that shined the brightest and similarly when it was time for dessert there was no denying that as much as I enjoyed the bread pudding it was a distant fourth to the other selections, particularly the bubbling pot of bourbon caramel topped with chocolate and a quickly melting scoop of rich, smoky ice cream.
(3)Heather H.
Simply Devine! The pimiento fritters are a must..... And the biscuits! Oh my the heavenly biscuits!!! Poogan must have been a mighty fine dog indeed.
(5)Cristina M.
Outstanding! The food and atmosphere is just unbelievable! The fried alligator was awesome (it was my first time trying it) And I had the fried pork chop with Mac and cheese and string beans. It was the epitome of southern comfort food and the wait staff was great! My husband had the blackened cat fish over risotto and he said it was fantastic. I can not wait to return here on out next trip!
(5)Megan A.
The biscuits! Ooohh, the biscuits!! They are so unassuming....but once you try one, you'll know...so crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Worth a return trip once a week (better also plan an extra workout)! My husband had the fried green BLT, I had the fried chicken salad with jalapeño honey dressing (like a spicy honey mustard). Great beading on those fried goods, light and crispy! I wish we had room for dessert! Service was friendly and prompt and the dining room was just adorable! Looked like they also had beautiful backyard seating. Very cute place, look forward to returning!! (I don't always give 5 stars, but when I do. I mean it!)
(5)Elena M.
Best biscuits & gravy! Party of 6, We enjoyed our meal on the 2nd floor dining room and the fire places added a cozy relaxing ambiance. Food was delicious. Very busy & popular, reservations encouraged.
(4)Tom G.
Poogan's Porch is a great downtown restaurant. The service is consistently good and the menu, while somewhat small, always has some delicious choices, Never a bad meal here. Plan ahead for reservations though - it seems full year round.
(4)Jonathan G.
Charleston is virtually overrun with high quality restaurants, so why eat at Poogan's Porch? I was told by some locals that they serve a fantastic brunch and boy were they right. Best brunch I have ever eaten. I could go on and on about the crabcake benedict, the homemade buttermilk biscuits, or the chicken and waffles, but I digress. The old house has a cozy southern elegance that exemplifies Charleston well and the staff was prompt and courteous. This place is somewhat pricey so it attracts a more distinguished crowd and more critical palates, judging from some other ratings. However, the restaurant next door was voted the best new restaurant in the country in 2013 so perphaps it's just not quite perfect enough for some locals. Nonetheless, it was still the best brunch I've ever eaten.
(5)Erika D.
Brunch is fantastic; but can get busy fast with long waits, so be sure to make reservations. Poogans Porch is one of our favorite places to take out of town guests. Love their seasonal turkey and Brie sandwich!
(4)Cliff M.
I am writing this review as I sit at my table which we were seated at only after complaining that we had been waiting way past the time quoted to us on arrival. We are only a party of 2 and as we waited over 45 minutes we saw many people arrive and be seated quite quickly. Although the restaurant doesn't offer reservations for brunch, they seated people who claimed they had reservations almost immediately. I also overheard many others say they called in their table request and were seated within minutes. By the time we were seated we were the only people left waiting in the hallway which had been completely packed from the moment we arrived. I'll update this review after we eat, but the food will need to be beyond spectacular for me to consider returning. This is surely no way to treat customers, especially locals.
(2)Ryan B.
When in Charleston you are expecting history and this place has it. Classic style house turned restaurant with delicious southern style food. Even though there is often a long wait, and not stroller friendly by any means, it is well worth the higher prices for the quality of the food. Fried green tomatoes are #1 and the biscuits they bring out are fluffy and almost dripping with butter.
(5)Drew E.
Part of Poogan's Porch has always seemed to want to completely sell out and become a tourist trap but they've done a pretty good job of not doing so. The food is solid and the location is ideal.
(3)Carol R.
I wondered if a restaurant we had loved over 30 years ago was still as good. This took my son and I into Poogan's Porch for lunch this week and I learned it is still great. My son turned over his cell phone number so they could text us when they had a table for us. This allowed us to do some window shopping while waiting - what a great idea! The atmosphere is definitely in keeping with old Charleston and lovely. And best of all the food was at least as good as I remembered it. My son had chicken and waffles and biscuits and gravy and I had the she-crab soup and the unique grilled cheese sandwich. We enjoyed every bite. We would go back any time in Charleston.
(5)Paige B.
Flip out delish!! We started with fried green tomatoes and without knowing an amazing lunch was to follow. Fried chicken sliders are like 2 sandwiches~take it home y'all!! My husband from Rhody loved the sausage pasta dish and mom's fried chicken was perf. Service was so nice and quick. We were on our way to another place, but poogins porch was right under our nose by our hotel at the Mills House, so we stopped right there:)
(5)Peter P.
Food was mediocre for the price. Enjoyed the ambience though. Server was good too.
(3)Karen T.
We had the macaroni and cheese, shrimp and grits, and fried chicken salad. They start you off with warm biscuits - these were the best biscuits we had during our entire trip. They were slightly sweet, fluffy, and warm! The macaroni and cheese was very rich - too rich in my opinion - and tasted like bacon. The grits were cooked in cheddar cheese so they were yellow. The grits were topped with shrimp and sausage in a thick sauce. It kind of reminded me of jambalaya. The fried chicken salad came with a thick mayo dressing. It was not a terribly distinct dish in my mind. The restaurant is a converted house and has a cute porch. We sat on the porch and our server was really great. The hostess was not the friendliest person we encountered and was a bit unpleasant to deal with. Other than that, this was a great place for brunch. Come for the biscuits and shrimp and grits. I would pass on the mac and cheese and fried chicken.
(4)Vitto V.
Came to Poogan's for first time during a visit in Charleston, thanks to Travel Channel recommendation. Such a cozy restaurant. I love the patio towards the street, do some people watching while enjoying meal. The Biscuits are sooo fresh and delish, She Crab Soup a must try at this place. Super friendly service and staff. Will definitely come back to Poogan's on my next trip to Charleston :-)
(5)Aleks K.
Not sure what the fuss is about. The chicken and waffles were dry even with maple syrup. We ordered it on the side seeing previous pictures of plates drenched in syrup. My French toast was 6 slices of bread with a handful of sad strawberries. They were pale and day old to say the least. Service was okay, no complaints there. 28$ before tip and that's including one $3 cranberry juice. Our seat by the window was drafty, this old house is in disrepair, cant imagine what the kitchen is like. Our end reaction: should've gone to Husk next door.
(3)Chris D.
Please do me a favor and try the Maccaroni & Cheese App.. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into by ordering it and now, we wish we owned a home in Charleston just so we could live out our days getting fat, gorging on Poogan's Mac N' Cheese...okay, that may be somewhat dramatic, but it really is the best mac n cheese my wife and I have ever tasted. For dinner, I ordered the lump crab & gulf shrimp pasta while my wife had the buttermilk fried chicken and both were delicious. The restaurant is charming, located along Queen Street in a converted older home/mansion. Worth a trip!
(5)Matthew C.
Everything was very good. We had the fried alligator as an appetizer. I tried the fried chicken and the shrimp n' grits. They were both tasty! Nice atmosphere.
(4)Rachel R.
I was so happy to have had brunch here on Saturday. There was only a 40 minute wait on a busy holiday weekend and there was so much to see around that the time flew by. Everything we ordered was made to culinary perfection. Our server was so polite and the atmosphere is the most charming. No matter where you sit you have a pleasing view of paintings, architecture, gardens, the beautiful streets of Charleston; I can't wait to visit Poogans Porch again. I will be making another trip back for dinner on another occasion.
(5)Laura M.
I ate here last week for Restaurant Week: overall pretty good but not the absolute best of charleston. First, I ordered the Porch Dog cocktail at the bar.... Definitely skip this one.. Not worth the $10 bc it doesn't taste like anything! Thankfully the food was MUCH better: shrimp toast was the best app and ribs w/Mac and Brussels sprouts was a solid meal. Their pecan pie for dessert was my favorite though and would highly recommend that if it's available! But the best part was the service! Our server Jack was awesome- super friendly, very attentive, and he's the reason that made our experience there stand out.
(3)Lindsey T.
Not satisfied with the service. Long wait. Seated then another long wait to put in our drinks. Good food but not worth the wait or service.
(3)Meredith C.
We came here for brunch after it being highly recommended by several locals and friends...and boy, it did not disappoint. You want that traditional southern Charleston cuisine? This is your place. Hands down. What we loved: - Fried chicken and waffles (oh...my....gosh...my waistline....) - Biscuits and gravy (if only it had a touch more gravy...probably better it didn't...) - Fried green tomato BLT (delicious but HUGE - no way you can finish it) What was just okay: - Veggie omlet (but really...why order something like this at Poogan's anyway?) - The amount of OJ poured in our mimosas *make sure you say, "just a splash") The sides: - Biscuits...oh the buttery biscuits. Just put your diet aside and enjoy - Grits: cheesy, buttery, enough said Bottom line: bring your stretchy waistline pants and go to Poogan's. I'll absolutely come back with mine.
(5)Robyn R.
We loved it from the moment we walked up to the front of the house. As a pet owner I loved that they had Poogan's headstone right as you entered the front yard. The house is charming. The food was to die for. We started with she crab soup that was so good. Dinner was shrimp and grits and the fried chicken. Both were vey good. We had the bread pudding for dessert and really liked it. Our server was very nice and the manager or owner came by to make sure everything was the way we liked it. Hope we go back to Charleston some day so we can go back.
(5)Brannon J.
This place is a gem. Came in for lunch on Mon during holidays and was seated within 10 mins without a lunch resv. Was going to go to Husk, but rudeness sent us elsewhere. The biscuits were great. Cheeseburger with pimento cheese for my wife was great. I had the fried chicken with a spicy Texas Petes reduction sauce that was outstanding. Excellent service as well. If down in the neighborhood of King & Queen Streets definitely give this place a go.
(5)Ronda F.
Nasty nasty not nice Hostess! Food was good but not great. Ambience was pleasing. Done
(2)M S.
Delicious. I had salmon with a sweet tea glaze served with a lemon/mint risotto and asparagus. Perfect portions, great flavors. My mom had ribs with a mustard bbq sauce served with mac and cheese and bacon brussel sprouts. I love brussel sprouts, she hates them - she still ate them all, they were that good. Good wine selection, we both enjoyed our glasses. The restaurant was brutally hot when we got there (heat must have been cranking) but it was lovely outside and they opened the doors to get a nice breeze going - temperature regulated shortly.
(5)Margarita B.
Going to this restaurant made me sad . I realized I never had the right fried chicken. I might never have it again unless I visit Poogan;s Porch again but it might not happen anytime soon as I live on West Cost. This is great place. They have great atmosphere, amazing food and attentive staff. I recommend making reservations as this place is very popular. They do have certain number of walk in tables but you might have to wait a bit. We came at 4.30 pm and were first on the walk in list and we were seated at 5.05. The dinner started with most delicious flaky biscuits. The heirloom tomato salad consisted of variety of thinly slice and salted tomatoes that tasted like summer should taste. Then we had Buttermilk Fried chicken accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy. The chicken was very crispy without even a hit of grease. The inside was flavorful adn delicious. Only the good manners instilled in my by my strict Russian mother prevented me from licking the plate clean. My Bourbon cocktail was strong and very good. I have no idea what magical ingredient were in it but it has this perfect combination of sweet and bitter flavors that make one suck on every ice cube left at the bottom of the glass.
(5)J J.
Very good!!!! Service was great & got a mixed drink that was amazing! (Can't remember the name of it!, was made with clove & limes) Disappointed in the bud light serving though. Flank steak was amazing!!!
(4)Jack F.
We've gone a few times to Poogans porch - sometimes for a meal, sometimes just to have one of their delish apple bourbon drinks. The staff are always friendly, the restaurant always busy, the drinks always served with a smile. Consistently good!
(4)Michael O.
Not what we expected. The meal was just so-so. Had a lot better, salmon was fair at best, chicken could have been brought in from some fast food place. Greens were the worst we ever tasted. Do not let them seat you near the ac-unit. It was cold outside and there was a breeze coming thru the wall outlet. Froze our feet . There better places nearby.
(2)Randy T.
Start to finish,superb food and service. We had a salad, pimento fritters, grouper and fried pork chop, dessert featured a goat cheese cheesecake. We did no make a bad choice the entire night. Great atmosphere, this is a gem, don't miss it.
(5)James L.
This restaurant is a major tourist attraction and I always make a point to eat here everytime I visit Charleston. Poogan's Porch is considered a haunted restaurant but not in a way that's totally creepy. The restaurant is an old Victorian house. The owner of the house had a little dog named Poogan and was extremely friendly to the neighboring community. Long story short and sweet: she passed away shortly after her dog, who is buried somewhere around the house (rumor has it that it's in the outdoor seating area but I really doubt it). Since then, the house has been converted into a restaurant with pictures and plaques commeorating the previous owner. Across the street is a hotel where many residents, who were unaware of the restaurants history, looked outside in the late hours (after the place was closed for the night) and claimed to have seen an old woman in the window of the top floor, smiling, waving. Many onlookers called the police thinking that a random old woman was locked inside the restaurant somehow and trying to get out. Also, many customers claim to hear barking and feel what seems like a dog brush past their ankles under the table. And then there are the employees who, late at night, claim to see the former lady of the house appear and disappear. But the spirits (both the dog and the lady of the house) are friendly spirits, or so the bartender says, and enjoys the company of customers who come to dine in her home. Note: the servers and bartender REALLY play up the haunted mythos of the place. The food is southern savory. True southern fried chicken, shrimp and grits (heavy on the gravy and bacon bits though), fried green tomatoes and all the other major staples of southern food. Everyone raves about the fluffy buttery biscuits and everyone is totally right. Grab a bag of them to go when you're done with your meal. My favorite was the BLT with fried green tomatoes, which is perfect to order to-go and eat it on the Charleston beach. If you're not keen on southern fare, this might be heavier than you're used to but you can't pass up things like the biscuits, fries green tomatoes, shrimp grits and chicken and waffles. Living in Los Angeles, I can't get that kind of Southern food anywhere. So indulge the richness of classic southern food. They also have leaner selections like the mahi mahi, a choice favorite among the frequent diners here. The old fashion Victorian architecture and furniture and old-world lighting makes for a lovely ambience. This isn't a place for groups though. This is a small place with narrow stair cases and small tables. This is for you and your plus one. I'm from California and my Southern Californian-ness has never left me. That being said, I found the service to be extremely friendly whereas locals would consider that to be a given with the generalized southern charm and all. Service is on the slower side but I'm also aware that this is not a place to assert my Los Angeles sensibilities where people move fast, eat fast and expect what they pay for to come out fast. The service is slower than what I get at a restaurant in Los Angeles but I considered it leisurely. And it's nothing to really complain about. Folks in Charleston believe in enjoying their meal like a relaxing stroll in the summer. Enjoy where you are AND enjoy the meal when it arrives. I, for one, appreciate that perspective. Also, There's plenty in the decor that will keep you occupied as you marvel at the house. There is a long wait to get into this place. You can wait up to 30 minutes--and people willingly wait that long. Thank God I had a reservation and I recommend anyone who wants to eat here to do the same. Use Open Table. Also be aware that reservations fill up fast. I made my reservation for dinner the morning of. And for those who are wondering, no, I didn't feel the dog weaving between my feet or see a friendly old lady smile at me in the mirror when I went to the bathroom. On the latter, I'm grateful the former lady of the house was a no-show because that would have been BEYOND creepy, especially if she was behind me when I looked into the bathroom mirror. I did come back later, around midnight, after the restaurant was closed and stood outside looking up at that attic window. I must have stood there for a full 15 minutes. The old lady ghost was a no-show. I even pretended to leave, turned around, walked a few steps and turned around super super super fast: nothing. The old lady ghost was pretty darn quick. I did leave my leftovers on the sidewalk . . . . in case the ghost dog wanted some people food. Even ghost dogs want people food. Note: One of the cooks was taking out the trash when I tried to pretend-leave to fake out the lady ghost and catch her looking at me from the top window. She actually was the one who freaked me out when she asked what the hell I was doing. I'm such a shameless tourist.
(4)Ainsley E.
The biscuits were insane and they made my first experience with chicken and waffles are great one! A very cool restaurant with lots of history and charm.
(5)Steve N.
Great time, outstanding staff. The food was excellent, many layers of flavor. Get them to also tell you the history of the house and the ghost that live there! I would definitely go back.
(5)James B.
Good decent down home cooking.
(4)Brian A.
Really good stuff, classy but down home. I have been twice with my boo, I will likely be returning.
(4)Kim K.
Wonderful lunch! Everything on the menu looked good! I ended up getting the fried chicken salad and it was great - a good balance between a fried indulgence and a salad. The service was attentive and friendly. Prices were good. Ambiance was very cozy and laid back. A great place that I would happily come back to!
(4)Patrick M.
Great gourmet food. Excellent service. Try the sweet tea glazed salmon. My wife tried the crab and shrimp pasta that was just as good. Reservations are needed for dinner, even during the week.
(5)Stacy J.
It wasn't as great as other Yelp reviewers made it seem. I came because of the great reviews but it didn't wow me. I ordered ribs with brussel sprouts and mac n cheese. The ribs lacked flavor so I had to ask for extra sauce. Otherwise, I must admit the mac n cheese and brussel sprouts were good. Also, when they seated us, they put us at a table right above air vents or air conditioning or something. It was so cold (besides the fact that it was raining and cold outside) that we requested to be moved to a different table but instead, she insisted on putting planks over the vents. She said that others complained about it before also. If that's the case, I wonder why they don't do something about it. They eventually moved us when we were not okay with sitting there. We soon saw another couple that got seated there, but then they must have complained too because they were moved to another table. Let me also mention the biscuits. They were white when they came out to us. You would think that if they were be baked, they'd be a bit golden in color. But they were white. Like as if they were baked just enough to be not raw. Also, they were not even hot. You know they were sitting somewhere else for a while. We saw a table near us have golden biscuits brought out so we requested more biscuits after telling our server and she brought us "new" ones that were just a little brown. I was not impressed. What's weird is, later on, another table asked for biscuits and they came out golden brown. WTH? Also, our server was trying to say that they were not under-baked and how their biscuits are all that way. That's a bunch of bull...anywho...movin on. Lastly, my cousin ordered a crab and shrimp pasta dish. It was nothing to write home about. In fact, tasted like nothing. I tasted it, it was bland and to me, it tasted a bit like alcohol. We won't be coming back here again. It was not $50+ well spent. Never again.
(2)Sue N.
This restaurant is perfect.. The shrimp and grits were amazing and the North Carolina style ribs are so delicious and different than what I'm used to, Memphis style. These have a delicious mustard sauce that is delicious and the meat falls off the bones. My advice, skip the pimento cheese fritters. Also, my only criticism would be the staff should provide hot wet towels before and after the ribs, most fine dining restaurants understand how nice that added touch helps.
(5)Chloe L.
Authentic southern cuisine! I'm still dreaming about my lowcountry fried chicken after couple of months of being here, that's how good it was! Intimate but homey atmosphere! Must visit when in Charleston!
(5)Anneka T.
Saturday I went to Poogan's Porch for Breakfast. It was packed! I had heard great things about this place, but never had an opportunity to go. It was wonderful. There was a little bit of a wait so, we went to the bar for some mimosas. They were good. My fiance thinks they could have been better, but were pretty good. We got sat upstairs and the decor was beautiful. It would be perfect for a bridal brunch. He got the Chicken and waffles and I got the Charleston Fry with home fries. Both were great. We will be back.
(4)M F.
Wow best restaurant we ate at in Charleston! Meyer filet =delicious , cooked to perfection. Shrimp & grits also a hit! 5 stars for food, service and atmosphere. Don't miss this place when in Charleston!
(5)Mads B.
Went here for brunch early Sunday. The biscuits were heavenly, but that was the highlight. I got the chicken and waffles, and the chicken had definitely been fried in the fryer with some fish. The blueberry syrup on the waffles was odd - not bad but not good. The old house was neat, service was friendly and my bourbon cocktail was good, but I wouldn't go back.
(3)Bunny B.
Our reservations were at 5:30, and we still had to wait. The host barely made eye contact and didn't even suggest that we could wait in the bar, which we found on our own. The drinks took so long that we ended up being seated before receiving them. Our server was uninterested and inattentive. The menu looked good and the food was good, but fairly basic Southern fare. For all the hype of this restaurant, we were expecting a top notch experience, which did not happen.
(2)John M.
This restaurant is a must! You will not be disappointed with the quality of the food and the friendliness of the staff. We enjoyed it so much more than the "other" popular Charleston restaurants that everyone else always recommends. Everyone was so attentive, from the hostess to our server. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Ashley C.
The biscuits are sooo good. I had the ribs and mac for dinner and they were perfect. Staff were very friendly and professional. It is pricey but hey you are paying for the fancy restaurant. Great date night spot.
(4)Dennis N.
Once again we were overwhelmed by everything; food, service, ambience, holiday decorations. We had low country lunch; excellent. Good wine, good time.
(5)Sahil M.
Delicious chicken and waffles. Cool place overall. Very southern! Wish there was a little more variety in the menu but the food we got was on point. Also try the pomento fritters!
(4)Terrie A.
Went to Poogan's Porch for lunch with my daughter and sister a couple of weeks ago while we were visiting Charleston. I had the alligator bites and they were awesome! My sister had the oysters and my daughter had fried chicken and waffles. They too enjoyed their meals. The atmosphere was very inviting and the service was excellent. If you are in Charleston and you are looking for great food, go to Poogan's Porch.
(4)Emmy G.
Three picky eaters, all deeply pleased. I highly recommend the She-crab and the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Only order the Chicken 'n Waffle if you enjoy a little bit of spice because there was something in the compote/syrup/waffle to give it a little kick on the back end. That said, even the Mac 'n Cheese was a hit! Gouda? Really? Who knew that would work?! Also the house cocktails are delicately made and superbly balanced! We waited outside on their lovely patio until we were seated in this LOVELY historic home. And the a/c kept us perfectly cool in the muggy heat. All in all, if we'd had more time this is the one joint we would have gone back to again and again.
(5)Chris O.
Everyone's dinner was off the chain. The biscuits were a great start. She Crab soup was excellent. Solid beer selection with a bunch of local options.
(5)Lisa G.
A nice dinner to start off our Charleston vacation. After driving most of the day and settling in to a house in IOP, we decided to venture out to Charleston in a Saturday night without a reservation or a clue. Fortunately, Yelp provided a great review. Although the restaurant was full, we sat in the bar area at a communal table, which we ended up having to ourselves. After ordering our meal, the waiter brought out warm biscuits with butter. Maybe I am just not the biggest fan of biscuits, but I though they were just fair although the butter was flavored and really good. I had the pan seared scallops with risotto cake and spinach. It was all excellent. The portion was plenty for me, but may be small for a man (4 scallops), particularly at the price point $25. My brother had the shrimp with grits and gravy. It was very tasty and hearty, with a little kick. $23 My mom had the tea glazed salmon and she enjoyed it very much. I thought it was good, but I liked the other two dishes better. I find it hard to make salmon special. $24 Service was excellent. Waiter was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is lively and nice decor. Overall, a solid pick, although not wowed. So many options at this price point, but very good experience!
(4)D M.
I would call this an adequate meal, but not exceptional. We were seated in the relatively charmless upstairs and our food was fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)Kat F.
The biscuits get a 5! The ambience, eh, a bit hyped up. Could have been my mom and I were seated in a back room that was eerily quiet (for a 45 minute wait) it was also literally quiet- no music. I am an event planner so notice more detail than most, so it's as if they heard my mom and I talking about the awkward vibe in the room and need for music- bc as our check came, boom music played. Improved the ambience tenfold. Biscuits were well deserving of the hype. Would go back and hope to sit upstairs or in another room next time!
(4)Madeleine S.
Wonderful brunch at Poogan's Porch! Fabulous shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and some of the best biscuits I have ever had. However, the standout at our table was the pulled pork eggs benedict--phenomenal! The only thing keeping this from 5 stars is that the service wasn't great--our server was impatient and on the unfriendly side and forgot one of our drinks.
(4)Justin S.
Charleston charmed my pants off (well, almost), so it couldn't have gotten much better, but then we found Poogan's Porch, and turns out, it made a great day even better. My friend and I were meandering around Charleston admiring the scenery (and withering in the summer heat) when we decided it was time for a lunch break. I had received a few recommendations for spots to eat, but none were nearby, so "Yelp to the rescue" once again. Poogan's Porch is located on a charming street in a charming Victorian-style house, replete with the eponymous porch. The wait for lunch on a recent Monday afternoon was around twenty minutes, but we needed that time to stop sweating anyway, so no complaints. We crowded into the pleasantly air-conditioned, quaintly decorated entrance hallway (check out all the celebs who have been here!) and perused the menu. The restaurant offers an interesting mix of Lowcountry cuisine, with an emphasis on seafood. My friend and I shared the mac and cheese and fried green tomatoes as appetizers, and both were great. The fried green tomatoes are always my favorite, and these were no exception, with a crunchy coating and flavorful remoulade sauce on the side. I ordered the Calabash shrimp and oysters as my main which was terrific. A huge plate of fried shrimp and oysters, plus a generous helping of thick-cut potato chips and pimento cheese slaw on the side. The food was fresh and flavorful, and the portion was enormous. Service at Poogan's Porch was fast and attentive, with virtual constant refills on my iced tea and water. We also loved the complimentary biscuits with honey butter on the table. I think this is a most interesting stop for lunch or dinner in Downtown Charleston, both for the atmosphere and the interesting, varied cuisine.
(5)Kate E.
One of the best dinners I've had in downtown Charleston. Do make a reservation...we went on a Monday night and had a reservation, which was good because the people who came before us had a 30 minute wait. Atmosphere is phenomenal. Gorgeous interior, beautiful walls, nice fireplaces, tasteful decor. Food was amazing. We started off with the appetizer special, which was house-smoked fish with carrot puree. It was very tasty...great smoky flavor on the palate and just the right amount of seasoning in the puree. My husband had the Grouper as his entree. It was cooked to perfection. The risotto it comes with was creamy and succulent without taking away from the richness of the fish. I had the Mahi Mahi. It also was cooked to perfection. The ravioli were a great compliment and the green tomato puree brought the whole dish together. Portions were generous, we were not left hungry but had enough room for dessert. Speaking of, we got the flour-less chocolate cake (a sort of dense, super creamy, decadent chocolate with raspberry sauce) and Irish cream cheesecake (definite winner, could absolutely taste the Irish cream and the espresso beans were a nice surprise). Drinks: very nice wine list. Wish they had more by the glass because we generally enjoy trying several different wines with dinner instead of getting a bottle. However, our waitress was very knowledgeable and was able to make very on-point recommendations. They had very interesting mixed drinks as well but we did not partake. Service: impeccable. She knew exactly what recommendations to make and really knew the menu. My only complaint was that it took a REALLY long time to get our food. We were not in a rush so this was ok but we were very very hungry by the time our food arrived. What really took me by surprise was that the manager actually brought out the food herself (without us saying anything about how long it was taking) and apologized that it took so long (and comped our desserts!), so it seems that this wait was not typical. Definite must.
(5)Mandy W.
Chicken and waffles were out of this world! Great bloody Marys and mimosas too! The place is cute and charming and the service was friendly. Highly recommended!
(5)Mike W.
Had the most amazing brunch here today! Mike had the fries chicken and waffles, I had the shrimp and grits. Ordered the fried green tomatoes to start. All. Were. Amazing. The service, the atmosphere, and the food were excellent. Definitely recommending his to my Charleston bound friends. Thanks so much. Mike and TJ Weeden.
(4)Annie R.
This is one of my favorite places to take people when visiting for brunch. I love the atmosphere - in an old Charleston home, and the quintessentially Southern menu. The biscuits brought to the table are a plus, and the fried alligator is delicious! Drinks a little on the pricey side (but the sweet tea is great!!)
(4)Debbie S.
We had 9 for Christmas Dinner and our service was wonderful and attentive. Food was good, not great. Value was a little high for this menu. Very traditional. Will love to go back and try the regular menu as it looks awesome.
(4)Carol S.
Food here was absolutely FANTASTIC. We went to a lot of the "must eat" places of Charleston, and this was our favorite by far. Some of the best fried food I've ever eaten, and the staff was amazing.
(5)Andrew B.
The location was great and parking was easy to find with the parking garage almost literally right across from the restaurant. We had the alligator salad and it was delicious... The alligator was fried perfectly and tender and the dressing complimented very nice. My wife had the buttermilk fried chicken which was fried the same way and just as delicious. I had the seafood pasta and the shrimp/scallops were great. The lemon butter sauce was awesome. Service was second to none and we will definitely be making a return trip. I'd suggest making reservations as this place was full the whole time.
(5)Devo S.
Poogan's Porch came up on Open Table, plus rated well on Yelp, so I figured we'd give it a try while we were in town. Kudos to me for picking this place! My shrimp and grits were fabulous, and such a large portion that I couldn't finish all the scrumptious shrimp and creamy grits. Hubby LOVED his sweet-tea-glazed salmon w/risotto. We both loved the biscuits and honey butter that started the show. Oh, and thoroughly enjoyed my tasty sweet tea. Loved Poogan's, and would recommend it to any heading to Charleston.
(5)Arly J.
Amazing restaurant we waited about 30 minutes when we walked in and they told us they would text us so we walked down king street for a bit and when we were texted headed over. Great Quality Southern Cooking. To die for Biscuits, they are soft and fluffy with honey butter. YUM! We started with a bloody Mary (which turned into two) and a Bourbon Smash (had apple juice, cinnamon and anise) was light and good. The She crab soup was delicious as was the country fried pork chop with potato hash and an egg on top with Texas Pete jus. I just loved the Pulled pork Benedict which also came with potato hash. We split the cinnamon french toast with strawberries and we could of done without, very simple. It was my husbands birthday and they brought him a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream with a candle . Very nice touch restaurant is charming and great southern feel to it. great history. Restaurant is an old house converted to restaurant and has two floors plus seating on porch and back porch. If every near Queen street i would highly recommend. Staff is very accommodating.
(5)Jon J.
I am tour guide in Charleston and Poogan's is my go to recommendation for Charleston visitors. I have eaten here many times and they deliver every time. The food is excellent and the staff is terrific. They have pride in the place and it shows. The Plantation fired chicken is incredible and the cheese fritters are unreal. Brunch is fantastic and I believe truly under appreciated. You can not go wrong eating here, and we (my wife and I) think enough of the restaurant that we had our wedding reception here! Please don't miss it!
(5)Ken J.
We were a bit put off by the great discrepancy between the reviews, but as it was more than an hour wait to get into Jestine's at lunch on a Friday and we were both starving, we figured we'd give this place a whirl. We were so happy that we did. The wait to get in was only ten minutes and we sat at the bar and chatted with the extremely amiable bar tender while I had local beer and the wife had a glass of Spanish red. The bar tender was so nice and chatty and friendly that, when I asked a question about local brews and liquor distillers, he couldn't remember, so he asked one of the waiters, who also couldn't remember, so they got the manager and then another waiter, and we proceeded to have this great discussion about who brews and distills what and where in Charleston. So much fun! Anyhoo, table was ready so we wandered from the bar into one of the dining rooms (Poogan's is in an old house turned into a restaurant) and sat down. Our waiter was so nice and friendly and chatty, a dude from Bloomington, IN who moved south to escape the winters, who when he found out it was our anniversary, offered to buy us both a glass of champagne. Again, how nice and unexpected! He raved about the she-crab soup (I've never had it before and wasn't planning on ordering it), but he liked it so much we decided to give it a try. Wife ordered fried chicken and I ordered a bacon, lettuce, and fried green tomato sandwich. Before the entrees arrived they serve you home-made biscuits (still hot) and honey butter. The she-crab soup arrived with a thin layer of sherry around the edge and green onion on top. To say this stuff was good would be doing a disservice to the word: This is truly one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. It was creamy, piquant, luscious, mouth-filling, with big chunks o' crab and just enough bite from black pepper to keep it interesting. I could live off this stuff. My sandwich too, was absolutely phenomenal: Big thick bacon slices, nice and smokey, thick FGT that were so juicy and tart I could've eaten a sandwich with just them, and all on their home made sour dough bread. All accompanied by their house made potato chips which were light and crispy I could've eaten those all day. Wife's fried chicken was the best she's ever had and more like a whole fried cod, UK style, than southern fried chicken, i.e., the batter was very light and tender and the chicken, even the white meat, was juicy. Even I liked it and I don't particularly go out of my way for fried chicken. Atmosphere is nice but casual. Like I said, it's in an old house, tucked away on a side street. The walls are mostly bare, the ceilings are bare hard wood, and the tables are without clothes. But it works. And works VERY well. Service, as mentioned above, was amongst the best. If we ever return to Charleston, I'm coming back here.
(5)Christina E.
Great food but a terrible place to wait. There is no where to stand and I constantly felt in the way. I'm not sure I would go back right now. The amount of time we waited/how uncomfortable we were, does not compare to the service and food. It was just ok.
(3)Dennis B.
We were there for lunch. Started the table off with pimento fritters and the alligator bits. I had the buttermilk fried chicken which was not as good as I had hoped. My wife had the meat loaf which was not hot when it got to the table. The pecan pie was good and the bacon flavored ice cream was not something I would ever have again. The service was just okay.
(2)Ed G.
A very good restaurant. Had the pimento cheese fritters and they were great (who would have thought pimento anything would be good). Shrimp and grits were awsome as were the biscuits. Ate at the bar; well stocked and some nice micro brews. Overall an excellent dinner!
(5)Nina M.
Outstanding meal, service and ambiance, we had the chef's specials, pan seared snapper and pan roasted duck, recommended by the bartender, an excellent choice. Even the presentation was appetizing. Ate at several restaurants during our week stay but Poogan's Porch was by far the most memorable. We'll be back again for sure.
(5)Tu-van L.
***3.5 stars*** One of the many solid brunch places in the heart of Charleston. My chicken and waffles with blueberry compote were pretty tasty. The fried chicken tenders worked well with the surprisingly thin waffle (thin towards the crepe side than the Belgian waffle). Still a pretty delicious plate. The Charlestowne Frye was also a hearty dish. I loved the fried oysters part of the dish so much my brunch date had to pull the plate away from me. My brunch table was nice enough to share some biscuits and gravy with me - omigosh that was some of the best sausage gravy I've had. The biscuits themselves were alright, but as long as they were the perfect vehicle to sop up that sausage gravy goodness that's fine with me.
(4)Christopher H.
I came here for to enjoy my three favorite B's of Brunch (biscuits, bacon and booze). I must say it was yummy. The chicken was moist and waffle was soft and sweet. The back story is pretty cool too. Stepping into this place was wonderful from the front porch to the upstairs. The service was nice and we were early enough to avoid the crowd. It all in all made for a nice Sunday start.
(5)Auriel J.
Had a great brunch here and the staff was wonderful! Made you feel like you were at home without being too intrusive.. Thank you! We started with the pimento fritters and WOW those were scrumptious. I had a simple breakfast but every bite was delicious!! Wanted biscuits & gravy but didn't want the whole meal and was told I could have a side..for $1.00!!! Well worth it!
(5)Elizabeth S.
We ate at the bar, so I can't speak to the ambiance in the dining room. The crab crostini appetizer was fantastic. If you get it, don't skip the greens they garnish it with. The vinaigrette and the bitterness of the greens were the perfect balance to the sweetness of the crab. For dinner, the duck with butternut squash gnocchi was to die for! One of the best duck entrees I've ever had. Really good wine selection as well.
(4)Sarah E.
My husband and I went to Poogan's Porch for our anniversary last year and it was wonderful. They let us bring in our favorite wine that we bought from a winery in Napa with only a small cork fee. The food is delicious with generous portions. It isn't too pricey and worth the money. The mac & cheese is a must!
(5)Emily G.
Great atmosphere. Loved the shrimp and grits and the grilled cheese. She crab soup was also excellent as was the service.
(4)Schanen S.
I came here for brunch one Sunday with some girlfriends, and I am SO glad I threw my "diet" out the window for this meal. We started with these fried pimiento cheese balls with pepper jelly - as Southern as it comes. They literally melted in your mouth, and the three of us were nice enough to split the 4th one with each other, even though we all wanted to pop it in our mouths whole. I ordered the Pulled Pork Benedict with BBQ hollandaise sauce and it was easily one of the most delicious, sinful meals of my life. I cleaned my plate. The creaminess of the hollandaise mixed with the tangy BBQ flavor, and carb-loaded biscuit underneath. YES. My friends thoroughly enjoyed their meals also, but I don't remember what they ordered. Bloody Mary is really good too, they use a local Charleston mix that is not too garlicky or full of onion flavor. Perfect balance of tomato and spices. The restaurant is really cute also, an old house with different vibes in each room. We sat in the front room which had a nice fire going, and we could look out onto the porch and Queen Street. I will definitely go back, and bring out-of-town friends, as this is a good representation of the charm and cuisine of Charleston.
(5)Carianne C.
Fried Alligator Salad! And the menu only got better from there. Amazing restaurant with a wonderful menu. Can be a little loud on weekends with the plethora of bridal and bachelorette events, but the service is great. Book ahead to get the times you want.
(4)Mana T.
I'm so glad I ate at this place before hearing the ghost stories. However, don't let the stories scare you away - this place has awesome food! I tried the appetizer alligator salad and the sweet tea salmon (I believe that's what they're called) ... Both were delicious! It was my first time trying alligator and it was quite the pleasant first experience. Also, the sauce on the salmon was just the right amount of sweet that it complimented the fish perfectly. This place is definitely worth a try, especially for a tourist such as myself trying to soak up some history. It is located in a house turned restaurant and is quite the delight!
(4)Itanni B.
I had heard many great things about Poogan's Porch, that naturally I had to pay them a visit. I was specially excited about trying the famous shrimps and grits. When I arrived at the restaurant I was told that there would be a 20 minute wait, but that I was welcome to sit at the bar. I don't like to drink when I travel, so I sat at a table and tried to figure out whether they had WiFi. They seemed to according to my phone (it was detecting a signal). But I needed a password. So I tried to get a staff member's attention and it was like pulling teeth. I managed to get one girl and she quickly gave me the password. Yeh! So I typed it in and waited for permission....nothing. Maybe I heard it wrong? So I summoned another staff member and believe me, getting someone's attention was hard! When I finally did she told me that she had no idea what the password was or even if they had WiFi. She was so rude about it! Looking around me I was tempted to leave. The staff seemed to be running around like chickens without heads, and I felt so small. Yes, I know I am small. Geesh. Anyway, I then decided to walk over to the hostess and asked her for the code, "oh sorry, it says that we have WiFi but we really don't." What the hell?! Argh this place was getting under my skin! But they called my name just then and I gave in. Sigh. You know when you have invested so much of yourself in something that you just have to see it through? This is one example of that. I was led to the second floor and wow, it was quiet. And organized. What a difference from the mayhem downstairs. I was seated and immediately began reading the menu. Who am I kidding? I knew exactly what I wanted from the night before when I meticulously studied the menu. So when my waitress arrived I asked her if I could get the shrimps and grits minus the onions. "No problem," she said. Woohoo! To drink I ordered sweet tea. I have been drinking sweet tea like it's water here in Charleston. Love that they give you unlimited refills! Before I received my main, I was given 2 steaming hot biscuits with sweet butter (they added honey maybe?). I slathered butter on that baby and off to heaven I went. But wait! It gets better! As I devoured my biscuits, a man in a tie came over and placed my food in front of me. Oh my, he was handsome (look at me, being all polite--it's the Southern thing to do. Normally I would just say, "damn! He is hot!" After watching him walk away...sigh, I began to study my dish. Darn it! The gravy had onions in it! But they are big pieces. Let me try to remove them. So I spent a good 5 minutes dissecting my dish and removing the onions. I know I should have said something, but I hate having to point out that there was an error made in my food. And well, maybe I did not want to look like a whiny child in front of Mr. Handsome. So I was a good girl and nitpicked my meal. Sorry to say, but I did not like it (both the picking and the dish). And it get's worse; every shrimp except one had the intestine still intact (the black line that you see on shrimp). So there I sat cleaning my shrimp too. Needless to say, I lost my appetite and asked for my bill. The waitress whose name I forgot (sorry!) asked me if there was a problem. I explained to her my issue with the onions and intestine. She noted that I should have told her earlier, but I acknowledged that it was on me and should have noted it and I took full responsibility for not bringing my concerns to her attention. She took my plate away and I sat there waiting for my bill. Then Mr. Handsome strolled in. Sigh. He came over and told me that he took care of the bill and apologized for the mishap. Yep, I am in love. They were so professional about the whole situation and I did leave happy. For several reasons, some of which you may have guessed...;) 2 days later. I returned. Stalker! Some of you may be thinking, but no! I wanted to give them another shot. Plus it was holiday and so many places were closed and my hotel was down the street. I swear! Anywho, I walked in and asked how long it would be to get a table..blah blah blah...where is he??? Not here. :( I was seated within 5 minutes and this time I did not know what I wanted to order. So I went with something safe and something that I was pretty confident I was going to like. I ordered collard greens, mash potatoes, fried chicken and gravy. With sweet tea of course! And like before I inhaled my biscuit. This time they only gave me one. Good thing because I eat too many of those. Yes, I was still looking around the room looking for Mr. Handsome, but nothing. So what did I think about the food 2nd time around? Fantastic! The collard greens were a little bitter but I rather they be bitter than salty. The chicken was moist and all white meat without any fat. The mash potatoes were buttery and soft. All in all I was a very happy camper where the food was concerned. My 2nd visit was bittersweet, but Poogan's definitely redeemed themselves.
(4)Nikki A.
Loved our experience here. We got to sit in the back porch in a quiet, intimate table. I got the she crab soup, which was excellent, and grilled shrimp. We also got wine for the table and a delicious peanut butter pie and bread pudding for dessert. Our waiter, Buck, was fantastic. I highly recommend coming here if you are in Charleston. Make a reservation!
(4)Jeff S.
Good food, great service from our waiter. Ambiance is delightful, although they may have sat us in the "cheap" room due to our touristy clothing. Only downside was the borderline rude attitude from the hostesses. That and they sat a party of four before my party of three, even though they arrived after us, and we were also seated at a four-top table.
(4)Melissa N.
Totally worth the wait! We had reservations, but they were running late...dinner was amazing. From the starter to dessert. If you have to wait, sit in the bar at the community table and enjoy the pleasing conversations with other customers, and the southern hospitality of the staff. Husband had the fried chicken breast and couldn't stop raving about it, I had the slow roasted prime rib which melted in my mouth truly heavenly.
(4)Helena K.
My cousin and I are on vacation and we had a high expectation for this place. I will not get into the service issue we faced in the beginning. Anyway, I ordered crab and shrimp pasta ($25) and she ordered rib & Mac n cheese. ($25). The biscuit was suspiciously under baked. They were completely white. It tasted like the dough was not baked. The whipped butter was so ... bad. How can you mess up butter? Now to the pasta. There was no taste. It was plain cooked pasta with few shrimps and flakes of crab. Just cooked pasta. No flavor at all. I do not understand why the food was so bad all around. My cousin did not like the rib either. Not much flavor. We should have definitely went for McDonald instead.
(1)Kacie D.
My husband and I had dinner there while in Charleston this week and it was amazing. I had the sweet tea salmon and my husband had the snapper which was awesome. We sat outside on the balcony and the service was outstanding. Best meal we had in Charleston.
(5)Kevin L.
Excellent place for a nice dinner. Very classy but down to earth. Food was excellent. Wine selections are great. Service was very helpful and prices are reasonable for the quality of the food. Try to have dinner out on the porch as it is quite the experience!
(5)Susan L.
Delicious food (she crab soup, pimento cheese fritters & scallops over pimento cheese ravioli and creamed corn) & great waitstaff! Unfortunately we had a noisy group in the back room that detracted from the atmosphere.
(5)Thomas G.
We had lunch, not dinner, here and found the food average at best. My wife's fish was so over-cooked she could not cut it easily with a knife. The waiter did not charge us for it. My shrimp and grits were mediocre.
(2)Bradley And Brenna D.
Poogan's Porch is one of the most charming places you could have a meal. Dining inside the beautiful Victorian house was romantic and intimate, perfect for anyone trying to find a dinner place with an old-fashioned southern ambiance. It felt like we were dining in a Southern aristocrats home. We ordered the pan-roasted duck and plantation fried chicken; both were wonderful and served like extravagant home-cooked meals. Poogan's Porch was also one of the haunted locations we stopped at on a ghost tour of the city, so we got to learn all about it's ghost stories and history. It was perfect for what we were looking for: charming southern atmosphere and delicious food. We really couldn't have picked a better place.
(5)Jessy E.
Totally had a love affair with those biscuits. I usually don't like chicken and waffles but theirs is DELISH. The chicken is super moist yet crispy on the outside. Loved the pulled pork benedict as well. Definitely recommend this place!
(4)Kim C.
Had a great experience here. Absolutely amazing service. Had reservations for 5:30 and we were seated immediately. I ordered the cast iron skillet pork chop and it was cooked to perfection. Nice and juicy but well done. Also had the crab cake for an appetizer, very very tasty. The superb service is what set this place apart though, very attentive (not overly so) and the manager even came out to speak with us and ask how our meal was. Can't wait to come back and try other things on the menu.
(5)Jeffery V.
We loved it. We received the recommendation for Poogan's Porch from a local as a "must try" restaurant that allows dogs. We loved the story about the pup and were entertained by the ghost story as well. I had the best shrimp and grits of my life, and it was one of the more memorable stops on our trip.
(5)Nessa A.
It was my last day in Charleston, and my friend decided to take us out to Brunch. First of this place is Gorgeous, I love the decor, and the ambiance. We made reservations the day before, and were seated promptly. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are half off during brunch. And they give you complimentary biscuits. We stayed in the yellow palm tree room, which was so beautiful. I felt like a southern belle, being served. All the food we ordered looked and taste fabulous. Don't be fooled by the frou frou look, this place has great prices and you can come however you want to come. We came sorta dressed up because it was our last day in Charleston and wanted to wear comfy Maxi dresses. Over all it was a great experience and this will be my go to place, next time Im in Charleston!
(5)Jennifer H.
If you want the absolute best quality southern food and service with a great atmosphere, head to Poogan's Porch in Charleston! My husband and i were visiting for the first time and were overwhelmed by how good the food had already been; by the time we were done with dinner at Poogan's Porch, we were absolutely floored - it was phenomenal! The fried chicken was to die for - super crispy with no grease! The cornbread was the best we had the entire 10 days we were in the South - so moist! With the quaint Southern charm of a home cooked meal, we were treated to our best dinner of our entire vacation at Poogan's Porch
(5)Cyndi S.
Okay - the deal here is, is where you sit. The front room and outside area are very nice. The back dining area is awful. We felt like we were at Knotts Berry Farm restaurant. No imagination, lighting is terrible, décor is blah. It really affected how we felt about the place. I mean, compared to the front part of the restaurant, this was terrible. All that being said, the food was good - I had the fried chicken and enjoyed it a lot. We had reservations that we made days before - again I was disappointed where we had to sit. UGH.
(4)Lorna K.
Poogan's set the tone to my visiting out of town family members on what to expect in the food department during their stay in Charleston. Starting off with the she crab soup, followed by all the southern favorites - mac n cheese, fried green tomato, fried chicken, pulled pork among others. Everything was delicious, served in generous portions. Service was attentive and pleasant.
(4)Barbara W.
Eric is the best bartender in charleston!!
(5)Tom F.
Awesome food great staff. Best to go for lunch crowd is smaller and there is usually a great lunch special!
(5)Molly H.
Great food! Had the pimento fritters to start and the crab and shrimp pasta and both were fantastic. Husband really liked the buttermilk fried chicken. Bonus: we took our toddler and server was great with her.
(5)Theresa D.
Poogan's Porch is always a favorite. The staff is crazy friendly and the décor has a lot of sweet southern charm. The fried chicken and short ribs are some of the best I've ever had, but for my money, you cannot beat the mac and cheese appetizer. The portions are incredibly generous, so you will definitely leave stuffed with southern deliciousness. Oh, and I cannot forget to mention the BISCUITS! They are worth the price of admission right there.
(5)Jon M.
One great dinner. One inedible. So you are taking your chances. Very good service. Very nice setting. But one entree was indifferently prepared and two side dishes were not cooked right. The seafood entree we had was great.
(1)Steve R.
Great atmosphere for a date or romantic night out with your wife (as was the case here!) We were told it was over an hour wait but it was really only 30 min. The bar is small and was packed when we arrived so the bar tender was overwhelmed but he handled it well....even held my wife's remaining bottle, yep I said bottle, of wine in the cooler for us! The food was good but didn't blow me away. I had the fried boneless chicken breast with mashed taters and green beans. The potatoes didn't seem to be home made but the chicken and beans were outstanding. OH, get the pimento cheese fritters for and appetizer....you can thank me later.
(4)em d.
My favorite place to eat in Charleston. It was amazing. I'm willing to make the trip back just to have their biscuits and gravy again!
(5)Whitney P.
We ate at a lot of great restaurants while vacationing in Charleston and this place stands out as one of the BEST! Sweet tea glazed salmon was delicious! Comes with creamy risotto and perfect asparagus. My husband had the fried chicken and loved it plus it was presented very elegantly! This place has taken classic southern food and refined it with a classy twist. Setting is adorable in a historic home. Hope to return someday!
(5)Joelle C.
Wonderful southern food. Shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, pork chops. So good. In a lovely house near downtown.
(5)Steven P.
This is a true Charleston institution. A standard bearer of the classic Southern dinner. I've eaten at Poogan's about eight times over the past four years. In a very few cases I have been disappointed by less than attentive service, or underwhelmed by a dish that was shy of its mark. But those were mere aberrations. My last visit in January was excellence, from start to finish; a full meal of cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and dessert for my party of four, all delivered with punctuality and cheer. Their food has been covered extensively in previous posts. I won't go into detail here, except to say that the alligator nuggets were an absolute hit with everyone at our table. I had tried alligator at least twice before, at different places. While I never disliked it, I had pretty much written it off as a novelty, with little to recommend. However, those alligator nuggets at Poogan's were a revelation: tender, juicy, and flavorful. I will continue to bring both out-of-town guests, as well as Charleston natives who have somehow managed to overlook this hallowed ground, and we will all be the happier for it.
(4)Samantha S.
I went to Poogan's for the first time last year and it was good. My rehearsal dinner was hosted at Poogan's last weekend and it was GREAT. The service was impeccable, everyone enjoyed their meals, and overall I would highly recommend. The Events Manager Beth made sure everything was set up properly and communicated everything as needed via email. I was very impressed with the waitstaff in particular. Thank you!!!
(5)Meagan G.
Excellent food, location, and ambience. This is a quintessential Charleston spot. The pork chop dinner is highly recommended!
(5)Amanda W.
My husband and I ate at this restaurant for dinner tonight. He ordered shrimp and grits, and I ordered buttermilk fried chicken. My husband said that the shrimp and grits weren't as spicy as he had hoped and that the onions in the dish were overpowering. The buttermilk fried chicken was the best fried chicken that I have ever eaten. The gravy was delicious, but I wish they had served more of it. I did not care for the pimento slaw. We ordered the key lime pie for dessert, which was superb. They served biscuits while we waited for our food to cook, which were soft but a bit too sweet for my taste. The atmosphere and service were superb. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal at Poogan's Porch.
(4)Robert S.
I love this little restaurant and the story of Poogan..the cute little dog... We had two excellent entrees...the duck and the Plantation Chicken...both were moist, tasteful and well prepared. The prices are reasonable for a top restaurant in Charleston. We had a reservation and we got seated right away. The only down side was that we ordered a Quinoa salad and it was inedible...salty as salt can be...we sent it back and they took it off our check. Overall good service and great ambiance.
(4)Hunter H.
The best restaurant in Charleston! It's the perfect blend of casual and upscale and the food (biscuits especially) is incredible and reasonable. I always bring friends visiting from out of town here for the perfect Charleston experience and it never fails. The wait staff is also exceptionally friendly and the atmosphere is perfect.
(5)H. R.
Returned to PP this year. Did not realize sweet potato fries could be substituted for the chips. I did not remember seeing that as an option on the menu. It would have been nice to know that. Also, alligator was not as good this time. The pieces were irregular in size. BLT not as tasty this time either...stingy with the spread? Still a good meal just not the same caliber as two years ago.
(3)Sarah C.
Got the Shrimp and grits here. The egg on top was overcooked, but the shrimp and grits alone were great. The service was excellent and of course the biscuits. My sister got the chicken and waffles, they were also delicious. The ambiance is nice, I felt like I was in a house sitting at my friends house for brunch. The only reason why this place is getting a 4 star and not 5 is because an overcooked egg is kind of unforgettable to me. The yolk did not run over my grits :(
(4)Matt C.
Great brunch! Better than we expected, sat outside. Prices very reasonable for downtown charleston.
(5)Fareez A.
So-so new american/contemporary southern. Could be much better and have had better in Memphis and Atlanta. Was underwhelming...this place has lots of potential to be good, but the flavors weren't 'finished' and were too light.
(2)Sarah S.
Big fan. I've been here twice with visitors from out of town. Both times we were able to be seated without reservations. Everything that everyone had was delicious. One of the times one of my friends said that he felt chills and some kind of ghost action going on, but I think it might have just been his overactive imagination after the historical ghost tour we had taken earlier that night :)
(4)Jessica J.
Loved my dining experience at Poogan's Porch! The server really made the experience top-notch. We were welcomed warmly and shown to our seat quickly. We ordered Shrimp and Grits and Grilled Pork Chops. Everything was delicious! The biscuits are definitely something to "write home about". The only low-point was the desserts. We ordered banana pudding and pecan pie. The banana pudding was super watery and had absolutely no bananas in it. As a matter of fact, it had no vanilla wafers of any sort in it eaither. It truly seemed like watery instant pudding with vanilla wafer crumbs sprinkled on it. I certainly wasn't expecting the pecan pie to be in standard frozen pie crust. Needless to say, we didn't eat the desserts or pay for them. Thankfully, the rest of our experience was stellar. We had to park several blocks away and the restaurant is located in a historic home.
(4)Paul Q.
A tourist trap. Mediocre food at very high prices, So many other alternatives in Charleston.
(1)Chas M.
So good, biscuits are too amazing, fried alligator was great and the pork chop was to fire fire
(4)Karen K.
Great place to have a Sunday brunch after a carriage tour of the city. Michael was a great waiter and food was excellent. Fun city!
(5)Lauren P.
After a hot day walking around in Charleston this was a great place to stop for a nice dinner. The service was excellent and loved the old house the restaurant was located in. Our party of 7 was seated upstairs-it was quite and cool-perfect after the long hot day! I started off with a can of Westbrook the server recommended this as it was like Blue Moon. I asked for it with an orange which he did not recommend as it takes away from the flavor but I know my beers and disagreed (drink this with an orange). The warm biscuits they serve are delicious-a true taste of the south. I ordered the grilled pork which came with bacon &sweet potato gnocchi over Brussels sprouts. I am not a fan of the sprouts and they were happy to switch this to broccoli. It was very tasty although the sauce was a little too creamy. Others in my party started with the She Crab soup and highly recommend it. They mostly ordered seafood including the fish and chips and scallops all highly recommended as well as the mac and cheese which is super cheese and has bits of ham in it. Great place for a nice southern dinner!
(4)Joe T.
Every time I go to Poogan's, I am shown just why this city is known for its charm and elegance. General Manager Luis and his staff always do an exceptional job of making the guests feel welcome, and some times even VIP;). Keep up the great work guys!
(5)Sandy K.
We came in for lunch before departing back to CA and I wanted to get my last good southern meal in. Parking non existent here so I parked in the public parking up the street at a buck a half an hour. Don't park in the lot next door or you can expect to have your car towed within minutes I was advised. We were seated in the upstairs of the former house which is now Poogan's Porch Restaurant. I started off with a bloody Mary which included a pickled okra which was tasty (Bloody Mary was yummy too). For appetizers we went with the fried alligator and the chicken biscuit with gravy. The alligator was deep fried, tender and delish. The chicken biscuit was white meat marinated and was tender and the gravy - devilish. For my main entree I chose the Crab cake Benedict which was made with a biscuit instead of a English muffin which I found unusual but good. The crab meat was locally caught and really flavorful. The waitress was super nice although the young blond gal server brought me biscuits and gravy instead of the chicken biscuit. When I questioned her she advised me it was correct - WTF - do you think this ABC doesn't know the difference? Once my waitress came over she knew it was incorrect. Second mishap was I asked for the Hollandaise sauce to the side and it was not. The waitress was on it and had another entree out within minutes. Even with the service issues I would still return here again for the grub.
(4)Pat W.
I love Poogan's Porch! This is our favorite restaurant to dine at when we come to Charleston. They have the best shrimp and grits of anywhere in Charleston, and the rest of the menu is great, as well. In a city where parking is at a premium, the fact that there is a pay lot right next to the restaurant is wonderful. The patio is charming, service is impeccable. Make your reservation and enjoy!
(5)Melissa K.
This place smells like a bathroom. It was the worst by the kitchen. I was so disgusted that I didn't eat. I just waited to leave.
(1)Therese G.
Great service! Food is great too - brunch, lunch or dinner. If you have a pet outdoor seating is available for all pets with their owners. You will not be disappointed
(5)Chelsea L.
The atmosphere was fantastic! It's beautiful. But the food is a bit pricey.
(4)Janet L.
Unimpressed. They burnt my date's steak and we sent it back and the chef disagreed. It wasn't even edible. What is even worse is that he contracted some kind of food poisoning here and threw up the rest of the night.
(2)Ben S.
I've been coming to Poogan's Porch with my family for almost 30 years (since I was born!). It holds a very special place in my heart, and I've never been disappointed. The most important part of any visit to PP is the BISCUITS. They are warm, fluffy, and served with delicious honey butter. I seriously have dreams about these biscuits throughout the year while I'm away. My other favorite dish here is the fried green tomatoes. They are delicately fried and served with pecan crusted goat cheese and peach chutney. Your tastebuds will sing! They are my favorite version of this classic southern dish I've had anywhere. On my most recent visit I got to try the new (to me) peanut butter cheesecake. I reminded me of the peanut butter pies we used to eat when I was a kid, and the chocolate cookie crust was sensational. Two thumbs up! I highly recommend paying Poogan's a visit next time you're in charleston to get a taste of the South at its finest.
(5)Grace W.
The venue is really nice and different from some of the more modern-looking restaurants in Charleston. Service was really friendly, as typical of Charleston. For dinner, the most memorable food dishes were the duck and she-crab soup (someone in my party ordered one for apps and one for dessert). I did not like their take on pecan pie, which was really sweet, in a bowl, and not very bacon-y (one of the ingredients highlighted). Overall, food was good, not special, but I wouldn't rule it out of my places to dine at (either brunch or dinner) in the future.
(3)Joshua A.
My girlfriend and I went there on our date night. The service and food were both fantastic. I also really enjoyed that they didn't bring out all the food at once, there was plenty of time to eat and converse between each course. I highly recommend it!
(5)Angela C.
It's been a few years since we visited Charleston, but I remember thinking this place was so cute. I was also pumped to find brunch options that included oysters! **Update: We visited Poogan's Porch again January 2013 and it did not disappoint! I had the chicken and waffles this time and they were awesome!**
(4)Caleigh R.
We were happy to wait upon arrival since we heard it was a great place to eat brunch. It was surprising when they took us back sooner than expected, but who's to complain?? Well, they sat us on the back patio in a spot where our server couldn't see us. We were patient, but finally waved down a water boy who ignored us every time he came out...he found her promptly. ANYWAY :) Grace was a sweet server. We ordered the Charlestowne Fry and French Toast. The biscuits were delicious! I enjoyed a bloody mary since they were a happy hour item. It was ok. Nothing too impressive. Both the entrees were delish--and it held us over for the afternoon. Poogan's Porch, thanks for a tasty brunch!
(4)Bruce A.
I was wandering a deserted charleston on christmas day and this was one of the few places open for dinner. This place was offering a fixed price dinner for $52/person which I thought was absurdly expensive. But the food itself was impeccable and it was packed. I still feel I overpaid but I got local-style food at a very high quality level.
(4)Captain B.
4.5 stars We stopped in for an early dinner and are glad we picked this place. It's a huge house converted into a restaurant with lots of indoor dining space and a back porch area as well. We had the fried green tomatoes, fried chicken with mash and slaw, and the short ribs, all of which were great. Our server was super friendly and answered all of our annoying tourist questions, and with a smile on his face.
(4)Spencer L.
Great lunch in a quaint setting on a hot day in charleston. My wife had mac and cheese that was spectacular and I had the fried chicken salad with honey jalapeño dressing. Very unique and tasty
(5)Dan O.
This place is such quintessential Charleston that you have to eat here at some point. And if you're getting the quintessential Charleston experience you may as well order the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and the shrimp and grits for an entree. They will not disappoint.
(4)Patty W.
Of course, we had to stop here. The reviews and opinions of this fine place is wonderful. It was only a short walk away from our hotel and we avoided the parking lot that charges a ridiculous fee. We were greeted and seated promptly at the time of our reservation. I love restaurants that are in old houses. I think it makes it very unique. The dinner menu had several different options and it was hard to pick one. I settled for the pork 3 ways and Chris got the buttermilk fried chicken. Biscuits were given to us to start our meal off with. Those biscuits are truly from the south. I normally don't butter up my bread, but the temptation was killing me. When our meal arrived, they were huge. I can't believe that I got more BBQ pork since I had it for lunch earlier that day. I guess you can't have enough pork ;) All the meats were phenomenal along with the side of ham macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes. I am usually critical when it comes to mac and cheese, but the way the ham was mixed in with the one they have, it had me almost dancing in circles around the restaurant. I will not say that it is better than my beloved grandma's macaroni and cheese. Nope :P I had a bite of the buttermilk chicken and it was good. Thank goodness we had a fridge and microwave in our hotel room because the leftovers we had came in handy the next day. We enjoyed our food here and it is recommended to everyone to come here if they live or stopping by in the area.
(4)Tyler R.
I really wanted to like this place after I walked in. It's in what appears to be a large old house which gives it a really nice southern charm but food was slightly disappointing. Everything was made right but the flavor combinations were a bit odd to me and nothing really stood out. On the other hand the biscuits that they bring out when you sit down were pretty amazing.
(3)Jennifer M.
Best meal we had in Charleston. Biscuits were the best I've ever had. Our equally awesome server, Jamie, told us the biscuit chef had been there for over 30 years. Snapper was amazing. So glad we ate there our last night in town. It totally made up for the somewhat sub-par food we encountered on our trip. SO good!! :)
(5)Jerry M.
Some of the best food of our trip. Great service, fried chicken that was over the top good...
(4)Madeline S.
Pretty good biscuits. Sunrise shrimp and grits were tasty, but the dish wasn't warm enough and the eggs were overdone. The grits were flavorful though. Excellent she-crab soup.
(4)Eric G.
Food and service were fantastic. The fried chicken was the best that I have had in some time. I would choose Poogans over Magnolias any day.
(4)Deb B.
What a great dinner experience! First I want to say *hats off* to the owners for having the roll back to the 80's pricing. We were able to then order the left side of the menu and try everything. It's been years since I've been and the food was great. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken was some of the best fried chicken I've ever tasted. The Short Rib Stroganoff was absolutely what I was craving and the Shrimp and Grits were very good. We also tried the She Crab Soup which was good, although it wasn't as good as 82 Queen. They have the She Crab Soup down to a science. Sorry Poogan's. The BBQ Shrimp and Sausage was something I will never order again. It just didn't do it for me. Our server Morgan rocked and all in all the food was awesome, filling every facet of our taste palate. It's a great place to take visitors to *experience Charleston*. Oh I forgot to mention the absolute best part of the experience! If you are a coffee lover, Poogan's has the best coffee in Charleston from King Bean. To me this rivaled the best coffee I ever had in Atlanta at Ria's Bluebird cafe. If you've never been there, believe me, that's saying a lot!! There's so much good food here, I don't think you'll go wrong with any order. Don't forget the coffee at the end!
(4)Dale B.
Everything that it's cracked up to be. Southern specialties at their finest and great service and atmosphere. The She Crab soup is excellent and the fried chicken is among the best I've had anywhere. I'm not a tomato person but my wife loved the fried green tomato appetizer.
(5)Kevin C.
We stop by whenever we are in Charleston. Food is fantastic and the service is great.
(4)L B.
We had our dogs with us so ate out front on the patio, which was lovely. Food was heavy, greasy food - nothing spectacular- some would say " Typical Southern" , I would not. Our server, while pleasant, was very inattentive, and we had to ask for things twice or more before receiving them, i.e straws, extra napkins, more tea... Worked well as a dog friendly restaurant, otherwise would not necessarily recommend.
(2)Jason D.
AMAZING! Totally made our experience in Charleston. The Plantation chicken was excellent, and Macaroni and Cheese--MUST TRY. Best mac and cheese I've ever had. Biscuits were delicious. Service was very attentive, prices were reasonable. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone!
(5)Tiffany M.
We had reservations but still waited and waited for our table to become available. Once we were seated, we ordered bloody Mary's which were very good and an appetizer of the fried alligator that was not my favorite - way too tough. For our entrees I ordered the fried chicken salad that was good, but the dressing tasted too much like mayo with slices of jalapeno and not what I had in mind as jalapeno dressing. Hubby had the fried pork chop and scrambled eggs which he enjoyed. I would have given the restaurant a 4-star review, but having to wait for our reservation and the fact that our waiter stood at the end of the table and expected us to yell out our order knocked it down a peg. I finally asked him if he could come down to where I was seated so I could give him my order without having to shout above the rest of the guests at the table.
(3)Eric S.
Great food, service, and ambiance... Easily the most bang for your buck I have seen in Charleston.
(5)Katherine C.
The meals are always great here. I would visit just for the warm biscuits & honey butter alone, they were mouth-watering! I got the pork chop one night (it was delicious) but the next morning we tried the Chicken & Waffles with the blueberry compote for brunch. The syrup was a tad spicy for me (I'm a wimp when it comes to spice, mind you) but it was absolutely phenomenal. Would totally recommend, as long as you don't mind the heat!
(4)Maisha R.
I expected great things from Poogan's Porch after all of the stellar reviews and raving about this place. We strolled in on a Sunday morning just before 11 and there was no wait. When the biscuits arrived at our table, we bit into light, fluffy, divine pieces of heaven. They were better than good! Unfortunately, a few technical issues arose next - unwrapped straws brought to the table, dirty glasses, sweet tea minus the sugar... It wasn't a great start. Among the group, we ordered the chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, barbecue salmon with cheese grits and sautéed spinach, pulled pork eggs Benedict on top of those fantastic biscuits. In general, all of the food that I tasted was good. However, I must admit that the cheese grits could've benefitted from some additional salt and pepper for seasoning and a brief stint in the microwave. But, on the upside, the chicken and waffles were great. They were dressed with a blueberry compote that had a hint of cayenne which coated the chicken fingers perfectly. The meal at Poogan's was good but it wasn't as great as the place next door, Husk.
(3)Ken C.
Outstanding dinner. The biscuits were the best. We also enjoyed the pimento cheese fritters and the Mac & Cheese. My Plantation chicken was amazing as we're my wife's shrimp and grits. My son had shirt ribs that he thoroughly enjoyed. We will be back--Thursday.
(5)Steve K.
Excellent food and pet friendly. Beautiful house too.
(5)Sharon F.
I got the sweet tea glazed salmon and it was AMAZING!!! I will definitely be going back soon!! =)
(5)Elad F.
Came for dinner and got the fried green tomatoes and shrimp n grits. Were excellent. Also nice ambience in this converted southern house.
(5)Richard R.
I am FINALLY in Charleston!!! I have been excited about this visit for weeks and could barely contain myself after locating Poogan's Porch!!! It's Christmas Day, so the menu is limited (and pricey) but there we not very many restaurants open for business. Considering this was on my MUST HAVE list of places to eat at, I thought it would be a great way to start our week long visit to Chucktown. First, people coming to dine were surprisingly more formal that I expected. Most everyone was in their Sunday Best, while we looked exactly like people who dressed comfortably for a 2 hours drive from Hilton Head Island. I thought maybe there was a dress code, so I checked with the hostess who said we "look fine". **whew, little sense of relief** Everyone was starving, which is why I set our reservation weeks earlier for 1:30pm after estimating the drive. Our timing was great and we were immediately seated in the room furthest to the rear of the restaurant. We were given a fantastic table directly in front of the fireplace. Here's where great planning sometimes goes wrong!!! Since the menu was fixed for today only, the choices were limited and 4 out of 6 in our party did not like what was on the menu. Now, I not only previewed the menu and printed copies, I also discussed it with my wife weeks prior... but memories can go bad at the most inopportune times!!! The kids wanting nothing to do with the menu, and neither did my wife or one of the teens we brought along for vacation. So we decided to wait out my back-up reservations @ 82 Queen for 6pm. I was determined to eat @ Poogan's, so I placed a to go order for the Holiday Turkey/Ham dinner ($42.95). This was a mistake!!! I wouldn't say the staff was rude, but it was definitely a nightmare. The server who seated us told me she couldn't take my order and sent me to the bar. I told the family to go wait in the car since the place was wall to wall packed. The bartender was overwhelmed and reluctantly took my order after first trying to convince me to go back to my original server (who was adamant about to-go orders being taken by bar personnel ONLY). 5 minutes later, he called a manager to input the order. 10 minutes later the manager shows up and about 20 minutes later I received what looked to be about half the portion I saw going to the tables. Not to mention the only seat available at the bar put me smack dab in front of where the servers bring back the empty wine/drink glasses from their tables. Awkward would not begin to describe how I was feeling. I wish that entire experience would have been better, but I wish the food would have been better even more-so. Not one item was worth any portion of the money or time it took to receive it. The turkey and ham were so-so. The mashed potatoes were dry, the green beans were fresh but bland, the gravy was average and there was no biscuit included (which looked fantastic as they were being served to the tables). I specifically asked the bartender about the biscuits during my ordering and he assured me it would be included... NOT!!! There was nothing award winning about the She-Crab soup which was about the biggest surprise of all. The Peach Cobbler was not to my liking either, but the stuffing was pretty good, so all was not a total loss (note: that's sarcasm). Every interaction I had with the staff was far less than the friendly atmosphere I was expecting. Not even my brief encounter with the manager escaped being in the surprisingly awkward category. Polite YES, friendly NO. I sure hope the rest of my time here will be better than today's experience.
(3)Jay K.
Ugh what an absolutely amazing meal. It was my first time in Charleston and I had read great things about PP. We stopped in for lunch on our first day. Tried the Fried Chicken plate which came with mashed potatoes and collard greens. First, the fried chicken was probably the best I ever had. I have traveled all over and tried fried chicken from all different parts of the country. Often, each place will have something great about their chicken - the fried goodness, the seasoning, the moistness of the chicken, etc.. Poogan's Fried Chicken had it all. A beautiful fried crisp, delicious flavor and seasoning, absolutely moist and juicy - it was to die for. Of course, the mashed potatoes were great too and the collard greens were unbelievable! We ended up going back for dinner the next night and lunch again before we left. In addition to the food being out of this world, the setting itself, in an old Charleston mansion was delightful. And, the service was fantastic. On our last night, despite it not being on the menu for dinner, I asked the waiter if it would be possible to get a side order of collard greens. He went into the kitchen and got the chef to make a special exception for us. What great service One of the best restaurants I have every enjoyed. Cozy, great service, amazing food.
(5)Marnie S.
A charming place to have brunch, we enjoyed our french toast and other breakfast options. It gets a little busy on Saturday and Sunday, but definitely good food!
(4)Elliot E.
My wife and I decided to give Poogan's a try mainly because we'd heard the food was good and the place was haunted. Since we were there at lunchtime the only spirits to be seen were at the bar. I had the Lowcountry Pasta and she had the Shrimp & Grits. I'd recommend either of them to anyone due to their plentiful portions and outstanding flavors. As others have mentioned, the biscuits are sinfully good. It would be awfully easy to make a meal out of them. They offer a kids menu for the little ones; our daughter wasn't a fan of her grilled cheese sandwich, though I found it tasty. However Poogan's doesn't strike me as a place you'd bring kids if you are going to dinner. Unless of course they're into ghosts.
(4)Layda C.
Wonderful experience. Somewhat formal setting, but comfortable enough for romantic dinner or large group. Service was very good, although our server was more professional than friendly. He didn't know how to respond when my husband complimented his good service. Food was excellent. Tea glazed salmon was fresh and delicious. Mint in the risotto was welcome twist. Filet was cooked to perfection. The biscuits were so amazing we asked for extras and had them for dessert!
(5)John H.
Mac n cheese app, fried alligator and fried chicken and waffles!!! And everything is perfect. Best brunch we could have asked for on our busy walk around downtown!!
(5)R M.
We stopped here when Tusk was not accepting walk-ins. We were quite happy we ended up in this spot. The staff was nice, food was flavorful and the portions were not too gargantuan. All in all, we were happy enough to consider it for future meals.
(4)Jenna F.
We had our very first Lowcountry meal here. What a great way to be exposed to the cuisine! The Shrimp & Grits was the best I had in Charleston. It had a nice sausage in it instead of bacon which the other two places had. In addition, the grits were nicely flavored and not overpowering unlike the grits at the other places which had cheese in them. My son and daughter had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken which was flavorful but the breast meat was a bit dry. My other daughter had their seafood pasta which she enjoyed. My husband also enjoyed his Shrimp & Grits. We all agreed that the warm biscuits were fabulous and the Fried Green Tomatoes were quite tasty! As for the atmosphere, the restaurant is a converted house. We sat at the upper level which was very nice and what we would expect of a Southern home.
(4)Deb S.
What an adorable little place with a great many areas for seating. Why did we have to be seated in a teeny tiny little forgotten corner? Because there were only two of us? I don't know. Service was below-average but the food was remarkable. I had the special short ribs with parsnips and brussel sprouts. My daughter had the rich and creamy ham chowder. The biscuits were very good, not the best I've ever had, but very good. Her Bourbon Apple Crush was delicious and the Leitz Out Reisling was pretty tasty too. Unfortunately we were never offered another opportunity to order a second round of drinks or after dinner coffees. The bread pudding dessert was dry and overcooked. Skip it for sure. I would probably eat here again because the food was so good, but it would be nice to have better service. I would definitely have spent a bunch more and my waiter would have gotten a better tip too.
(4)Trevor J.
One of the best restaurants in Charleston. My wife and I eloped to Charleston and we had heard great things about Poogan's both word of mouth from friends as well as via yelp and other places. We ate here after getting married and it was great. We were very happy with the service, but the food was phenomenal. I had lamb chops and my wife had some sort of steak. Both were cooked perfectly and were well-matched with whatever sauces, sides, etc came with. Great atmosphere and location. Nice old house downtown. We were able to walk here easily from our hotel. Like all of the restaurants downtown, if you are not staying downtown you'll probably just want to find a municipal parking deck (or a private paid parking lot if there are any spaces) and plan on walking. All in all, no complaints. Great food and great service.
(5)Yukihiro Y.
Biscuits biscuits biscuits are unbeatable, especially since it was my first taste of the day (early lunch). Crab soup was good for flavor but not for meat, 3.5-3.75*. BLT was surprising in the succinct flavor layering and muchos kudos for simplicity/delicious balance. Fried chicken was pretty good, 3.8*, but didn't get to try anything else except for the amazing, freshly fried potato chips/crisps that came w my scrumptious BLT
(4)Mike I.
Really good food. Cool classic feel to the place and tons of signatures of famous guests they've hosted are on the walls. Polite staff and attentive service. Bread was great. Scallop appetizer was pretty good. Pulled pork was awesome.
(4)Steve T.
I decided to visit Poogan's Porch to try some low country fare and I am so glad that I did. The restaurant sits on Queen St. and is an old house that was converted into a restaurant. My first visit, we did not have reservations but we got lucky and got a table in the bar area right away. My second visit we were sure to make reservations and it was a full house. The food has been something terrific. Whenever I need a some fantastic low country food, I now head to Poogan's Porch. The food has been terrific and I have enjoyed everything that has arrived to the table. For starters, they bring fresh biscuits to the table that are warm and fluffy, served with some honey butter and are a delicious way to start off your culinary adventure. For appetizers, I have had both the she crab soup and the fried green tomatoes. Both are excellent and I would recommend both. For the main course, I have had the pork trio and the fried chicken. The pork trio comes with mac and cheese with county ham, pulled pork, and fried pork belly with a side of collard greens. There was nothing on this plate that I could complain about. The mac and cheese was creamy and smoky, the pulled pork was tender, and the fired pork belly was out of this world. The collard greens were some of the best I have ever had. I have also had the fried chicken which was perfectly crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. It was served with collard greens and mashed potatoes which were also great. I would not say one was better than the other because they are very different dishes. Depending on your mood, I would recommend either. I have not had the dessert because there was no room for more food by the end of each meal. I would without a doubt recommend Poogan's Porch and I will most certainly be back for another visit.
(5)Blaire B.
If half stars were available this would get 2.5. The atmosphere is cute. Old house with a big front porch. Could be a nice restaurant, but this is a tourist town, so people seem to think baseball caps are appropriate at dinner and I'm sure the restaurant isn't willing to turn away the revenue. The food was average. The biscuits, however, were flipping amazing. They deserve 5 stars on their own merit. She-crab soup: Probably the worst I've ever had. Tasted like Campbell's potato soup with crab meat inside. Goat Cheese Fried Ravioli: Sounded great on the menu, disappointed on the palate. Shrimp and Grits: Pretty darn good. The gravy was phenomenal. Scallops w/ Grit Cake: Very good, loved the consistency of the grit cake. Overall: There are probably better spots for your money in Charleston.
(3)Mike V.
Poogans Porch is an exquisite place. An older house in the historic district, the restaurant provides a charming, romantic, classic southern atmosphere accompanied by a high level of service. The menu is guaranteed to leave you salivating for days! If it's a nice evening, try to make a reservation in advance for a seat outside on the porch! The pimiento cheese fritters and mac n cheese are absolute MUSTS for appetizers.
(4)Lauren D.
My Uncle, a friend and I visited Poogan's Porch this past weekend for brunch. It was our first time at the restaurant; our second time visiting Charleston altogether. Overall, our experience was fantastic. We will definitely consider Poogan's Porch again during our next trip. We arrived around 11:00 and were seated promptly. Initially we were going to have 6 in our party and a 30-40 minute wait, but our plans changed and the three of us were then seated right away. Our server, Louis, immediately came over and introduced himself. He was quite welcoming and stayed attentive to our table through the entirety of the meal. Our drinks and food came out quickly. We all shared and order of biscuits and gravy, which were delicious. My dish was the 'Charlestowne fry." (An omelette topped with friend oysters and remoulade) The oysters were fried and tasty but not overly greasy. The omelette and remoulade complemented the oysters well. I took all of my leftovers home and ate them for a snack on the drive back to Maryland! My Uncle and friend ordered the Shrimp and Grits, and asparagus and ham omelette. Both were more than satisfied with their dishes as well. Overall, we were delighted with our trip to Poogan's Porch. (and Charleston in general) I would definitely recommend stopping at Poogan's Porch for a classic southern brunch!
(5)Julie H.
The food here is delicious! I would recommend to make a reservation for this place. It opens at 5pm for dinner and people were waiting and crowding around to get in right before 5 o'clock. This is a converted old house and the place is really cute and cozy. The biscuits that come out are so yummy! Both of our entrees were very tasty, not a huge portion, but just right. Also the prices are moderate so you're not spending a ton of money. I loved this place and the story about the house and the dog Poogan. I would love to return if I ever go back to Charleston!
(5)Dave Y.
I was very excited to try some Charleston/SC/Southern cooking here and was not disappointed. The place itself is very charming, one of those old Charleston houses on a rather picturesque stretch of Queen St. The menu is quite large and extensive with obligatory items such as she crab soup, shrimp and grits, and calabash-style seafood. Other southern dishes like fried green tomatoes and various kinds of fried chicken are also available. We had the shrimp and grits, calabash combo, and she crab soup. Everything was excellent, but the calabash combo was both the best deal and most amazing. Besides being in impressive enough portions for two, it was very delicious. Fried seafood can often taste rather anonymous, but this was not the case. The combination included shrimp, oyster, flounder, and crab cake. The crab cake was also by far among the best, if not THE best, crab cake I've ever had. It was well-seasoned and was mostly crab, with very little breading. It also came with pimento slaw, which was really good. Their biscuits were also amazing, served with honey butter. They also serve brunch, and the menu looks amazing. Unfortunately we didn't have time to come back for that. The brunch and lunch look like really good deals, but even for dinner it was still decent value. Plus the food is just so good. Make sure you make a reservation before you go.
(5)Zach R.
Saturday morning breakfast - not too crowded. Was able to score a porch table. waiter lacked confidence and was a tad awkward, but very pleasant. BBQ Pulled Pork eggs benedict gets 6 out of 5 stars. Phenomenal. Served with hash brown potatoes and fruit. Delicious biscuits that seemed to melt in my mouth. Can't wait for my next trip back to Charleston to go for round two of bbq pork eggs benedict. (Half price bloody marys and mimosas, too)
(5)Lora P.
This place was AMAZING! Best place to eat in Charleston, hands down. I ordered the pork chop and it was the best meal I had my entire stay. This is a MUST visit during your stay. You won't regret it!
(5)Emily R.
One of the best meals I had in Charleston! I opted for the fried chicken salad, which sounds banal but was wonderful. The chicken was tender and warm with a super tasty batter. The biscuit with honey butter was heavenly. I enjoyed my bloody mary as well! Service was stellar. I definitely recommend, especially for lunch.
(5)Teresa C.
I have been visiting this establishment since the 1980s, and I will continue. The ambiance is lovely, we especially enjoy sitting by the fireplace. The food is always delicious, some of the best seafood in Charleston. Their use of local fresh ingredients is very enjoyable.
(4)S M.
This is a tourist trap, but if you sit outside and order the Mac & cheese and the buttermilk fried chicken, it is a very pleasant tourist trap. Any other order is a mistake based on the dishes ordered by our large party. Service is friendly and efficient.
(2)Chris D.
One of my staples when I visit Charleston! This trip I decided to try the Pimento Cheese fritters - Oh so YUMMY! The fried green tomatoes are my trusty stand by and never steer me wrong. I had the "southern sliders" which were the size of small countries. They come on full size biscuits (fried chicken, pulled pork and brisket) After finishing up this lunch it was time for a nap!
(4)K W.
This place was exceptional! The biscuits and grits are out of this world. I have also had the iceberg wedge and the burger, which I loved, as well.The duck confit grilled cheese I must admit I wasn't as thrilled about, but only because I somehow missed that the cheese was pimiento, which I am not fond of. My fault. If you like pimiento cheese I'm sure you'll enjoy the sandwich. Next time I'm in town I will try to get dinner reservations.
(4)Priya M.
Went on Christmas Day evening while visiting Charleston so didn't get to try the regular dinner menu. The Christmas special menu included a starter, an entree, and a dessert for $49.95. I ordered the tomato bisque, scallops, and chocolate tart. The food was really good, although I felt that the meal was not worth the price payed. I would go back to try the regular menu next time I'm in the city though.
(3)Taylor W.
Had dinner here my first night ever in Charleston- and it was a great start! Very friendly staff and they made sure to tell us the history of the place when they found out we'd never been before. Our waiter kept an eye on us but didn't check in unnecessarily, which I always enjoy. The shrimp and grits were heavenly, with fluffy grits and fresh vegetables. The outside dining area is very pleasant, and dog friendly. Definitely will return next time we're in town!
(5)Billy L.
Leave it to me to have to go to South Carolina to finally try fried cheeseballs. Since the original MTV True Live: I Own a Shore House, I've always wondered what exactly fried cheese balls tasted like and why Tommy The Guido wanted them so badly. At Poogan's, I finally had a chance to sample them and probably had one of the tastiest appetizers of my life. The pimento cheese was outstanding and even better accompanied by the fresh biscuits. The fried green tomatoes, crab cake, and spinach salad were also well received by my party and although I had to sacrifice the alligator to try the cheese balls, it was so worth it. I ordered the duck breast medium with red pepper risotto and spiced broccolini. The duck was pretty good but the risotto really made this dish amazing. I also sampled the Plantation chicken which is served cordon style and I really liked it as well. Its stuffed with gouda and spinach and was really good. For dessert, I had the flourless chocalate cake with strawberry compote and it tasted suprisingly lite. I guess flourless thing is no joke. Our server, Blake, was awesome. Funny, quick, and apologetic when things took a little longer than expected. They even comped a dessert because of the wait which was really not necessary but a really cool thing to do. We ate in the back dining room which has a nice view of the back garden and thought the decor was appropriate and very homely. The price was also really good for a party of four and it was also casual. On the way out we also saw Poogan's head stone and a litle memorial statue which was unique. Overall, I think you might be able to find food comparable, but this place is really specific to Charleston and a must for anyone visiting.
(4)Pamela S.
Holy Cow. That bread pudding! If we hadn't already stuffed ourselves for the prior two days in Charleston, my friend and I would have scarfed up more of that incredible dessert that was easily big enough for 4 people. Even after having indulged in the crabcake platter (crabmeat-rich patties served with with asparagus and rice and beans), the fried pork sandwich (with pimiento cheese and fries), and the ridiculously buttery and flaky biscuits served as bread. And we loved the charming porch setting.
(5)Hana M.
After hearing a lot about Poogan's Porch I went here with my family and friends for a special occasion today. I like the light southern summery atmosphere and the house itself. This restaurant surely did not disappoint us. Never had anything pimiento cheese before but noticed it on a lot of restaurant menus thought maybe it's a southern food. SO I tried it their pimiento cheese fritters and it's a party in my mouth!! They are sooo good. This should be like mozzarella sticks of the millennium. It'll be one of those dishes I randomly get cravings for that will persist until I give in. The portobello and spinach ravioli was great, loved the thick creamy sauce. Someone at my table ordered fried alligator and I was more excited about his meal than I was mine because that's another thing I never tried or seen before. I had to try, as a pescatarian though can I eat aligator? They do live in the water... aren't they endangered though? Moral issues aside, I tried it and it's not my cup of tea but if you like little fried chicken fingers: a liking for fried alligator will come naturally!
(4)Joe B.
Did was excellent - service was disappointing. Fried green tomatoes and fries chicken were both fantastic! Could not have asked for a better meal. Unfortunately, my request for a simple glass if water was forgotten twice and my dates iced team was never refilled. Took forever to get a check and I paid with cash so I would not have another long wait to sign my receipt. If you have time, eat here otherwise pass.
(3)Byram S.
Great food and service. Best we had on our weekend trip to c town. This place is consistently good.
(4)Travis C.
Everything was great. I had BBQ Braised Brisket. Fried Alligator. Fried Green Tomatoes. I'd recommend all of them.
(5)K T.
Had dinner here 2 nights ago. Everything was excellent! We had the rib eye an the buttermilk fried chicken ( a house specialty - best chicken I've ever had). Friend had the salmon steak - said it was excellent as well. Great selection of good, reasonable wines.
(5)Sylvia Y.
This place was great! We didn't have a reservation for 4th of July dinner (yikes), but we went in early (around 6) and we were seated right away. I did not enjoy the restaurant scent when we walked in. It was a cross between dirty mop and spoiled milk. YIKES. Our server was mediocre, in comparison to the other servers who were much more attentive and friendly. Our guy and we did not have any chemistry right. Onto the food. everyone was right about the fried green tomatos. YUM!!!! crab cakes were delish, and the bread pudding was amazing. My cousin (from California as well) had never had collard greens and was a fan by the time we left the restaurant. Next time I am in town, I'd definitely go back for their brunch, or their dinner. their location is ideal since public parking is across the street and king street shopping is just around the corner. I hope the scent was just that particular time, and not a regular deal. YiKES.
(4)Daragh C.
I love this place. Best biscuits ever! Little doughy packets of heaven served with honey butter. I had the fried green tomato benedict, off the chart delicious. My husband had the crab cake benedict, which he enjoyed very much. I also had a cup of the she-crab soup and a bloody mary, both very good. Better then other places I have tried in the area. Service was really fantastic too; friendly and prompt. I really enjoy this place, and have made it a Charleston trip staple. Now I just need to figure out how to get those biscuits back to SF!!!
(5)Girl B.
Hostess - 4.5 Quick, attentive, on point. There were two groups ahead of us and they were able to greet, address, and seat us all during the height of brunch Service - 2.5 Inconsistent. Server approached us quickly with water, introduced himself, offered guidance on the menu and took our order. Food Runner brought out our food quickly enough. But our bread didn't come out until way after we received our brunch and when we didn't see our Server, we asked FRunner for refill on Sweet Tea, he said yes but disappeared and never came back. We saw our server a bunch of times but couldn't flag him down because he never looked our way Food - 2.5 Food was well cooked but very under-seasoned.
(3)Randy S.
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMM I will be dreaming about this place for months to come. Me and my best gals loved it so much we went right back the next day - 2 days in Charleston - 2 trips to Poogan's Porch. The biscuits and honey butter alone were reason enough to go back but I also needed to eat as many of the fried chicken sliders and the GLORIOUS mac and cheese as I could before I went home...adorable restaurant - wonderful service (and they didn't even roll their eyes when we asked for another basket of biscuits)! TIP: I heard it was difficult to get in - we went around 2:25pm both days (right before they close at 2:30) and were seated immediately!
(5)David A.
Amazing food. Incredible space. Lewis was the most fantastic waiter we've ever had. Better than a tour guide!
(4)Douglas W.
I loved every part of my meal at this fine restaurant. The service, ambiance, menu, value and food were all terrific. I had the fried green tomato benedict served breakfast potatoes and a couple perfect slices of melon. Nice light hollandaise on perfectly poached eggs, fried green tomatoes, bacon and a biscuit. I didn't think the bacon was necessary, they just needed to spice up the sauce or the tomatoes a bit. I added a little hot sauce and it picked the dish up quite a bit. I am nit picking as this was a really nice dish. The potatoes were perfect. Miriam, my wife, had shrimp and grits in a crab sauce with poached eggs and loved it so much I saw her sopping sauce with the biscuits that were brought out before our brunch was served. We will definitely be back to try lunch or dinner.
(4)Lynn A.
When I first moved to Charleston i went to Poogans Porch for lunch. I heard so much about it. How great it was. It was probably one of the worst meals I have ever had. The service was God awful. I was by myself. No one greeted me. I waited a few minutes until someone finally came over to me. Then when I got seated I waited again forever, for a server. I ordered the she crab soup that was thick and gloppy. The biscuit was dry. Shrimp and grits just terrible. I would never go back. To me it is a tourist trap. The people who live in Charleston that a I have met do not eat there.
(1)Nicole P.
This review is for brunch only- never eaten there any other time. The brunch is....WOW! It had been years since I had been back to this wonderful place. I had brunch years ago and loved it so decided to return with my husband and kids and see if it still ranked high for me. It did. To start they brought out biscuits. The biscuits are fluffy and golden brown and taste wonderful. The honey butter completes them. For the meal I ordered the bbq pulled pork over biscuit with poached egg and hollandaise sauce. It was unlike anything I've had before. The bbq was good enough to qualify as some of the best bbq I've ever had and I would gladly eat it on a sandwich for dinner as well. The eggs were cooked right and the taste of the whole thing combined was awesome. My husband had the steak and eggs and he said they were good but he wished after tasting mine that he had ordered what I did. We also got the french toast just to try it and while it was good, it paled in comparison to what I ordered. I am giving this 5 stars in large part because of the meal I ordered and the ambience is great! Even years later this place still holds my heart. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)Ronni M.
The home-like setting is wonderful. My husband ordered jambalaya, which he saw on the menu on the website. The waitress said they haven't had that in a few years. My husband said the restaurant should update its website and the waitress said she's been telling them for a long time. My hand-cut pork chop was excellent, as were the biscuits. We ordered the chocolate pecan pie but found no chocolate in it. The waitress graciously took it off the bill.
(4)Elizabeth B.
My friends asked me where I wanted to go for my birthday dinner & since we were going on a ghost tour afterwards, I picked a spot that already had a ghost - Poogan's Porch! Supposedly the ghostly Zoe was a spinster who used to live in the house that now houses the restaurant. After I dipped into some delicious she crab soup, I broke out my Ghost Radar app to check the spooky vibe. There were energy spots all around us. Freaky. And our wonderful server told us a creepy story about an orb she encountered in the corner we were dining in. That's didn't scare me enough to keep me from chowing down on their juicy buttermilk fried chicken covered with perfectly peppery gravy. The mashed potatoes were perfect, but the pimiento cheese slaw wasn't as exciting as I had hoped. Overall, great food and good ghost stories!
(4)Annie M.
I love the random Carolina fall weekends that are warm and sunny! Visiting Charleston we decided to grab some Sunday Brunch. Nestled in a cute little old house like many Charleston restaurants, Poogan's doesn't really catch your eye. Cute decor, but we sat outside. The patio was my favorite part. The food was good, not as good as I expected. I stuck with traditional shrimp and grits, they were okay, they were in this spicy gumbo type sauce/ stew. I wasn't really expecting that, wasn't bad just wasn't a very good breakfast/brunch option. Sarah and Ed got omelets and eggs Benedict, they were quite delish and so were the biscuits! Our waitress was speedy and kind. Overall, a good meal, but personally I have had better! The outside seating and biscuits was my favorite part!
(3)Chase W.
Excellent experience! We went to this restaurant for a rehearsal dinner in a private room upstairs, and the experience could not have been much better. The staff were extremely attentive, the food was great, and most importantly, we had a great time enjoying the atmosphere for the celebration. The room was set up exactly as requested upon arrival, and all requests during the evening were quickly met. Highly recommend!
(5)Kait G.
My partner and I happened upon Poogan's Porch on a balmy summer sunday morning while wandering hte streets of Charleston. The facade was quaint, invititing and that southern charm drew me in. The interior was very tidy and I felt right at home sitting in the back porch garden..I could have stayed there all day! The brunch menu as others indicated was as inspiring as a paint by number picture. Standard items were there and it was a tad pricy. I can't complain about my meal, Lowcountry Breakfast for quality, it was very good but let's face it...not too tough to make eggs, grits and applewood smoked bacon. I asked to see the lunch and dinner menus which were full of Lowcountry fare...shrimp and grits, gumbo, she crab soup, a good selection of fried items (this IS the South). Everything on the menu looked fantastic! Sadly, I couldn't stay to enjoy a later day meal. When I return to the Holy City, Poogans will certainly be on my list and I'll be writing an update to my review.
(3)Liana L.
I had high expectations for Poogan's Porch after all the phenomenal reviews, and the menu looked mouthwatering. Upon arriving, we were pleased by the decor (lit tastefully with garlands on the outside and dim lighting on the inside); it felt sumptuous and nice, though we still comfortable despite perhaps being underdressed. I was surprised by the pricing for Poogan's Porch for dinner, but I was willing to splurge for quality food. The biscuits, as noted, were excellent, and I felt quite full after two. :x I was sharing an entrée and an appetizer with a friend, and we were trying to decide between the duck breast and the sweet tea salmon. We ended up choosing the sweet tea salmon, which could've been good, but we rock-paper-scissored it out. I was torn between feeling adventurous and knowing my palate ... so I think I should blame it on myself. Nevertheless, no one really liked the mint risotto; the texture was rather curious and the flavor a bit strong. The salmon was good and tasted fresh (tender and moist), but all the glaze was in the liquid being sopped up by the risotto. The asparagus was alright - I LOVE asparagus - but I did not feel that it was particularly special. Overall, this entrée was acceptable, but the duck probably would've been much better. I tried some of my friend's macaroni & cheese (appetizer, which she got as an entrée), and a friend's braised beef, and another friend's chicken & mashed potatoes. They were all quite good, and I think they enjoyed their food. I also had the fried green tomato appetizer, which I've never had before, and I liked it a lot! I don't know what to compare it to, but the flavor was very unique and I loved the complementary textures of the tomato and the fried breadcrumbs on the outside. The chutney was a good accompaniment, as was the goat cheese. I would definitely recommend getting it if you've never had it before :) Overall, I think I would've liked Poogan's Porch a lot better if I had ordered something else, so think carefully about what you get.
(3)Kasi B.
Best shrimp and grits around! Cocktails and fun and delish, as well.
(5)Lynne L.
Great atmosphere, fantastic food and the staff were all so kind and helpful. Will definitely return and recommend to others.
(5)Nicholas N.
I had the Sunday brunch with a couple mimosas. Eggs Benni with a BBQ hollandaise sauce and pulled pork. I had to try it and was wary at first but boy was I happily surprised. The staff was courteous and the atmosphere was pleasant.
(4)Stephen S.
their biscuits are amazing!
(4)brendan m.
Excellent. Deserves 5 stars for the biscuits and butter alone. I had the snapper, which was excellent. The duck and fried chicken were even better. Plus fried green tomatoes! I didn't see the ghost.
(5)Clifton G.
The food was delicious and the waitress was realy nice and knowledgeable. Thank you for a wonderful evening out on the town in Charleston
(5)Jennifer R.
We went to Poogan's after finding out the wait for Husk was 30 minutes. I would rate it as ok - we had a table of five, and got seated immediately out on the porch. Service was friendly and efficient while we dined there. I thought the biscuits that came out with the meal were really nice - fluffy and light. The sweet butter served with them was good as well. DISCLAIMER: I am a Northener so I can't be a good judge of authenticity in regards to biscuits ;-) We split an order of the Mac and cheese and the pimento cheese fritters as appetizers. The Mac and Cheese portion was HUGE. Flavor was excellent, likely because of the Gouda cheese in it. The pimento cheese fritters I would rate good as well, though vey rich and "pimento-y" (making up a word here). Personally I am not a huge fan of pimento cheese so while they were prepared well, I couldn't appreciate them. Two of our party had the special which was a hangar steak salad. They both liked it, and the steak was cooked to order. They indicated the vinaigrette was nice as well. The other two of us had the Callabash sandwich, made with shrimp. Think of it as a po boy sandwich. I thought the shrimp tasty and fried well (shrimp stayed juicy) but the sandwich needed more of the tartar sauce. I probably could have asked for more sauce, it just didn't occur to me at the time. The bun used for the sandwich was good. We sat in the outdoor room with a fireplace, which was nice since there was a bit of a chill in the air that day. Overall, decent and I enjoyed it. I would go back. We were dressed casually, but it looked like at dinner the attire is a bit more dressy.
(3)Joanna L.
After reading all the wonderful reviews on Yelp!, I booked my birthday dinner there tonight. I don't know if it was because it was Judgment Day, or because I have incredibly high standards because I live in NYC, but I was terribly disappointed. We walked in and they promptly walked us to our table... but that's when we noticed the smell... it reeked like septic tank/sweat. Now, given that it was a hot day today, and that the building is old, I was more appalled that they didn't turn up the air (which would probably solve the problem of the smell). Ok, so here's the good: excellent service. Our server was a nice young short-haired blond woman (sorry, didn't catch her name) but she did her job well and I commend her on the excellent service. Also, the food came out very fast. Now food: Biscuits - A+ Fluffy, warm, with whipped butter, it was everything an excellent biscuit should be! Appetizers Crab Fondue - Not good. I normally eat anything, even if it's not so great, but I couldn't stomach the flavor of this dish. It tasted, in the best one-word I could think of, "off." Fried Green Tomatoes - I really have no baseline for this, but it wasn't bad, but nothing mind-blowing. Main Course Plantation Fried Chicken (my order) - I should've stuck to regular buttermilk fried chicken. It was an ok dish, but a bit over peppered and salty. I wasn't impressed. I should've kept it simple. Pan-Fried Pork Chop - In my opinion, the best dish. The pork chop was outstanding. The pimento macaroni was AWFUL. Pimento cheese is waaaaaay too salty for people to ingest (I'm not a fan). Combination Seafood Plate - All friend, all frightening. Although it was tasty, if you'd prefer a dish with colors other than brown, I'd skip this one. Swordfish Special - The cranberry risotto wad delicious, as was the summer squash and fish. About 60% of the meal went well - hence 3 stars, but i expected more. Maybe because it was my birthday too... So, I felt dejected after the meal. I wished I had chosen another place. I didn't even want dessert, which is highly unusual. I will not be returning unless my goal is to eat just biscuits and the pork chop. Ha, and next year I'll have my birthday in New York again!
(2)Jon S.
The food was great and the price was a little high. We got fried alligator, fresh biscuits, shrimp and grits that was so good, and combination slider. All the food was good. if u don't know what to get try the shrimp and grits. the place was clean and had a nice atmosphere. i would go back to eat there again.
(4)Jeff W.
Poogan's Porch is great. I had the chicken sliders with home made chips and my wife had the shrimp and grits. Both were spectacular. We will be back.
(5)David H.
Very good service from Aaron, but I wish the food was a bit better. Iceberg wedge was ok (I know, I should have expected as much, but the pickled hard boiled egg was a nice touch anyway) and the "pork three ways" was hit and miss. The miss part came from the pulled pork that was kind of dry with an unimpressive BBQ sauce, and the hit part was the fat back that I could have eaten until I had a heart coronary. I might try this place on my next visit, but it's not first on my list by a large margin.
(3)Jeff F.
This is a place I always intend to visit when I go to Charleston. I especially enjoyed the Fried Creek Shrimp and the biscuits. The fact that this is a 1700's home converted into a great lowcountry restaurant makes it even better. This can also be a good place for celebrity sightings.
(5)Bryan B.
We ate at Poogan's Porch while in Charleston on Friday, Sept. 21st. We heard about it from the walking ghost tour that we went on the evening before. Being told it's haunted adds a certain charm, so we decided to check it out. First, the food: We started with pimento cheese fritters. Disclaimer: I'm not a huge cheese fan, so they were a bit 'cheesy' for me, but my girlfriend raved they were spectacular. I did enjoy them, just was too much cheese for me. However, I didn't like the random hair that was fried into the first one I ate. For dinner we both had the buttermilk fried chicken. One word: delicious. I'm not a big mashed potato fan, but it worked well with the chicken, which was very moist and very, very tasty! The pimento cheese slaw could have been better...I liked the idea, but it just tasted bland. We did have dessert, but I can't remember exactly what...I remember liking it, though! Now, the service: Based on service alone, I would never return to Poogan's Porch. We ate at a lot of similarly priced places (Husk, Blossom, Fleet Landing) and some much lower priced places (the Kickin' Chicken) and this was by far the worst service of the trip. First, we expected it to be more crowded (we had to make a late reservation - 9 PM), but when we were taken upstairs, the room had about 8 tables in it and only had people at two of them. We were seated directly beside another table (less than 2 feet away), when there were many other empty tables. Would have been nice to have been seated a little farther away - just would have been a nice touch to help keep both their and our privacy a little better in tact). No one was seated at any of those other tables after us, so it got a little awkward when it was just us the table directly beside us - it was difficult to not hear their conversation. There was a ceiling fan just overhead that was constantly making a clicking sound and wobbling. I normally pick up on those things instantly and have tried to teach myself to ignore, but when my girlfriend mentioned it, I knew it wasn't just me. Fixing a ceiling fan is about a quick job. Our server was very disinterested in serving us. She spoke only the minimal amount needed to take our order. No pleasantries. After we finished the appetizer, she cleared only the main app plate, leaving us with dirty small app plates and forks covered in pimento cheese. Those plates stayed on the table the entire time and we didn't receive new silverware for the main course (and I only bring it up because it seems to be the standard in not only 'finer' establishments, but even 'less fine' establishments in Charleston). When the food came, we asked if we could have bread (after noticing the table beside us didn't have to ask). So, the food was wonderful, but they need to step up the service a bit. There's plenty of similar food in Charleston where the service is actually impressive. Would I go back? I liked the food and loved the look and feel of the place, so hard to say. I probably would, but wouldn't expect to be 'wowed' by the service.
(3)Demetria M.
After reading all the great reviews of this place, my friends and I headed there for Sunday brunch and after a brief wait for a table we were seated.........and after that we we forgotten about......no order taken, no 'do you have questions about the menu', no 'I'll be right with you', no nothing! Very unprofessional. The waitress stopped at tables beside us and passed us numerous times checking on her other tables, but our table of 4 plus a kid was totally ignored so we left and have already spread the word that Poogan's Porch is a NEGATIVE if you're in the area.........
(1)Joe S.
Very good food,for a reasonable price. Excellent service. Complimentary biscuits were a meal themselves. Make sure you try the mac and cheese, like none other.
(4)Rena K.
Their homemade buttermilk biscuits with the honey butter are incredibly good! Best I've ever had! I came here for lunch and got the blackened flounder, topped with crawfish. It was great, as were the fried green tomatoes I got for appetizer. The dining room has a nice decor and the service was good. I would absolutely come here again next time I'm in Charleston.
(4)Advaitin s.
Decided to check out this place based on the positive yelp reviews...and was not let down! Came here for brunch on a Sunday. Seated within 15 minutes (table for two). There's a nice little bar for folks to hang out and order drinks, so wasn't too anxious to be seated immediately. Ordered two appetizers, couple of brunch cocktails and one brunch entree. The cocktails-mimosas, and bloody mary-were excellent. The bloody mary even had a pickled okra thrown in as an extra garnish and was quite delectable. We ordered the pimento cheese fritters and fried chicken biscuit with sausage gravy for appetizers and the sunrise shrimp and grits as the main dish. We were also served a basket of biscuits on the house. The cheese fritters were perfect- just the right amount of cruch ad gooeyness. The fried chicken, again perfect-crunchy on the outside, flaky on the inside and not overly greasy. The biscuits were the only disappointment--a tad too chewy. The shrimp and grits were excellent. The portion size was humongous so could be easily split between two adults. Came with a blue crab gravy, two poached eggs, peppers,onions and sausage. The grits were perfectly cooked and the gravy helped mop everything up. The poached eggs were phenomenal and presentation of it all was exquisite. A wonderful brunch experience.
(5)Mike E.
Excellent food and service, no wait for Sunday brunch
(5)Stephanie L.
This place (like most other places in Charleston) has a southern charm. My friends and I came here for brunch while we were on a girls trip and loved it. I got the pulled pork benedict and it was delicious. I think the BBQ sauce was a bit heavy and overwhelmed the dish just a bit, but overall still really good. One thing that was surprising was that the potatoes were not good. They were a bit soft and oily and really disappointing (the reason for 3 stars). I will say the most amazing thing came at the beginning of the meal. Poogan's Porch biscuits are the best biscuits I've ever had. Seriously, so good. And the honey butter pushed it over the edge. I still dream about it....
(3)John B.
Good atmosphere, good variety on menu and some unique items, good service from wait staff. Two of us had pork chops which were somewhat bland - OK - fish dish was good, and shrimp and grits were OK but not as good as Fleet Landing.
(4)Stephanie T.
I came to Poogan's Porch with a group of lady friends for a post bachelorette night out. Hungover girls are hungry girls, so the idea of brunch was about the only thing to lure us out of the bed. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated. We did have reservations, but even at that, we were pleasantly surprised with our instant gratification. The restaurant itself is very charming, and supposedly haunted. We were quickly served with warm, flaky biscuits. Biscuits are a good thing. Perhaps I mis-ordered, but my Crab Oscar omelette was very bland. For $13, I tasted no crab, and not much else for that matter. I had to ask for a ramican of ketchup just to eat it. No one else complained about their food, so I'll take one for the team this time. If I ever find myself in Charleston looking for brunch, I will likely look elsewhere, or just be sure to order something other than the crab omelette.
(3)Cathy B.
Oh, Poogan's Porch. How I love that you're named after a beloved dog. And that you're in an historic Charleston house that is (supposedly) haunted. But the last two times I've been to visit, you've sadly fallen short. To focus on my most recent visit, we hit up Poog's over 4th of July weekend. We had reservations, but not sure they were necessary as there was no wait (which seems weird on a holiday weekend, now that I think back on it). We were very excited about this meal as a friend loved this place when she was going to College of Charleston. After the meal even she admitted that it wasn't quite the same anymore. Has there been a management change? Not sure what is going on.... On to the pertinent stuff: 1. Service fell short. Poor guy seemed a bit overwhelmed and not too helpful with food selection. The item he said was a must (the mac n cheese) came out cold. We sent it back and it came out cold again. Not really sure how that could be when they must have a microwave in the kitchen, but we're an easy-going crew, so we let it slide. 2. Appetizers: mac n cheese (already discussed - not good when cold - can't comment on it when it's hot), fried green tomatoes (delicious with goat cheese and peach chutney) and pimento cheese fritters (my fave - what's not to love about deep fried pimento cheese?). The biscuits are also really very good. 3. Dinner: buttermilk fried chicken was okay, the mahi had no flavor at all, and the quail was deemed "alright." I really can't be too descriptive here as there isn't much to say.... At this point we were ready to go so didn't order dessert. There are so many great places to eat in Charleston; Poogan's Porch needs to step it back up if they want to stay on traveler's "must" list. Side note: I have not yet had the brunch but heard it was out of this world. Maybe that's where Poog's still shines? Will update this post if I get a chance to check it out on my next visit.
(3)Barry S.
Some of the best dishes I have ever had .... A stellar example of low country dining ..
(5)Valerie F.
Service was very good at this charming restaurant. Our server was very friendly and helpful in making suggestions, but not at all pushy or upselling. We had cocktails before dinner that we just ok, but the food was very good. The plantation fried chicken was a really nice combination of flavors The bread served with dinner was biscuits and they we're melt in your mouth good. Price for charleston is reasonable. Would go back.
(4)Johnny V.
We wanted to check this place out for a variety of reasons; when we would walk out of our hotel across the street (Mills House) we would always see a line, had a very good reputation, and was supposedly haunted. Did not experience any ghostly encounters, but did find another great place in Charleston. We sat outside on a relatively mild night on the porch. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken and my wife ordered shrimp and grits. Both dishes were absolutely delicious! To top it all off, we had the Turtle Cake Sundae. This dinner is what I had in mind for GREAT Southern dishes. The dishes are the type of stuff you read about in guide books or see on the Travel Channel. The service was bit slow, but I am assuming it was because we were seated outside. Overall a wonderful experience. I wish we could have discovered this place earlier.
(5)Shaun J.
Had a short vacation in Charleston and decided to eat at Poogan's Porch. I had heard good thing and definitely came away satisfied. Had the Sweet Tea Glaze Salmon and can't complain. It was great. I recommend this place highly. Great for dates.
(4)Ann W.
This was a highlight of our trip to Charleston! Loved having Sunday Brunch. The atmosphere, service, and, of course, the food was wonderful! Really enjoyed the pimento fritters as an appetizer. The biscuits were incredibly delicious! We will definitely return next time we are in town.
(5)Adria C.
This place is pricey, but I knew what I was walking into, and it was recommended by a local. Started off with a cocktail that was refreshing - the gin martini. Our server brought out fresh biscuits and honey butter. For appetizers we ordered a salad from the specials menu (arugula, cashews, grilled peaches/strawberries and a balsamic reduction; tasty but they were stingy with the fruit) and also tried the pimento cheese fritters; an absolute must! For entrees we went with the snapper and shrimp n grits. The snapper was served on a bed of pulled pork on top of a cheese grit cake. The fish was prepared well, though I wish the skin was crispier and that more of the tangy sauce had been put on the plate. The portion of bbq was sizable and it felt as though I was eating two entrees. The shrimp n grits was full of flavor and reminded me of gumbo served on top of grits instead of white rice. We were pretty full, so skipped dessert. For the price, I was expecting something mind-blowing, and think I was slightly disappointed that it wasn't. (I agree with the 3.5 star rankings by other reviewers.)
(4)David P.
My wife and I had lunch several weeks ago. The complimentary biscuits were good, light and flaky. Fried alligator was okay. We could not really taste the alligator due to the fried batter. Buttermilk fried chicken breast with gravy over mashed potatoes was pretty good; breast was a little dry and the gravy overpowered the taste of the fried chicken. The skin was seasoned well, though. Calabash shrimp and oysters were okay. the shrimp was overcooked.
(3)Alyssa B.
Poogan's Porch is wonderful; such a charming place with great food! My husband and I got Fried Green Tomatoes for an appetizer and they were delicious! Their biscuits are yummy. I had the Plantation Fried Chicken. It was very good, the chicken was so tender and moist. It had a delicious sauce! My husband had shrimp and grits. He said they were "life changing" so I'm pretty sure he enjoyed them! Waitress was very friendly. Definitely make a reservation!
(5)David B T.
Very good, but whoever said it was "kid friendly" has a different concept of what that means than I do. Not kid hostile, by any means, but much more of a fine dining experience than felt comfortable with our four-year old.
(4)Donna W.
This place was on the "Graveyard and Ghost Tours" the night before. Supposedly Zoe St. Armand, a previous resident, died here and still haunts the place. She has been seen on the front porch after dark, and in the upstairs bathroom. We did not see her on our visit. While we waited for our table, we sat in the bar area and had 1/2 price mimosas. They were good! I had the Fried Green Tomatoes, first time. They were very good. Served with a sauce that went great with them. I then ordered the calabash shrimp served with hoppin john. I was expecting the smaller popcorn shrimp (Calabash), but it came as medium shrimp. The portions were generous. The hoppin john I expected to be rice and black eyed peas. It was a brownish rice, with peas but also with spices. More like a rice pilaf with peas. Very good though. Just not what I expected. My boyfriend had Fried Green Tomato Benedict. He said it was delicious. The one thing that was superb was the biscuits!! They were excellent and reminded me of my mother's biscuits when I was growing up. It's worth the trip for just the biscuits. Really cool atmosphere. Not bad prices, but wouldn't take the kids there because they didn't have anything my children would eat. Worth a trip!
(4)T M.
There are places that delight your senses with flavors and ambiance, Poogan's Porch will touch your heart. This has become the favorite brunch place of our family when we vacation here. We have two kids, so if you have little ones, they will enjoy it. Now to our matter here, the menu is simple, nothing eclectic, just Southern food of the highest quality. The fried chicken is so juicy and full of flavor, I thought nobody could get close to the chicken made at Central Michel Richard in DC, guess what, this took first place sorry DC. The muffins are to die for, Kids ordered a burger and a simple pasta, both dishes were extremely good - I had to have a piece of that burger. Please make it past the bar, you will be transported to a past era in a young classy America. Now, what really makes this place unique amongst the rich variety of fine restaurants in Charleston (tough group indeed) is the heritage and the story behind the place - you have to read about it. Call me sentimental, but good food needs to be able to connect with you and touch your heart and this place does it like no other has done for us in a long time. We will be back, we hope the fabulous impression from our first visit is confirmed. Poogan's porch, thank you.
(5)Shannon T.
Hard to imagine a more pleasant experience. They have just updated the menu for fall, and entrees are now divided into traditional and contemporary. Nothing very avant-garde on the contemporary menu, but inventive and delicious dishes. We weren't able to resist appetizers and dessert, and all were wonderful, as well. Unhurried, knowledgeable, unpretentious service. You'll need a reservation.
(5)Ayon J. R.
While the menu is what I consider 'traditional' food is very good. So is the service.
(4)Christina W.
Very good food. Quant atmosphere. Try the alligator salad or the scallops for dinner. YUMMY!!! Service was a little slow, but it was such a nice night and the food was pleasant that I didn't really care. Plus anyone who names their restaurant after their favorite pet, is a OK with me.
(4)Steven M.
There's plenty to like about Poogan's Porch. We dined on the porch on a beautiful night, and had high hopes after reading about the long history of this restaurant and the Yelp reviews. We can report that the food was just what you might expect: Southern fare with a bit of a flair. Huge portions, excellent service (thanks Andy!), and plenty of atmosphere. But something was missing that makes this place a top tier restaurant. First, about those portions...is it really necessary to fill half a plate with mashed potatoes? Or to make an entree float in heavy sauces? We had the much-reviewed scallops, and also their special chicken (a glorified corden bleu) and both, while good, missed the mark in being outstanding. A note on the wine: the owner has several wines on the list. Avoid them, particularly the pinot. All in all, the restaurant is a solid bet. But don't expect to be blown away.
(3)Nancy R.
I give Poogan's Porch a 3.5. It's a small house that was changed into a restaurant. This quaint place had that Charleston feel to it. FOOD: I ordered the fried chicken salad with the honey jalapeno dressing. The crispy chicken on top of a bed of greens was a tad bland, but the honey jalapeno gave it a lot of flavor. I also asked for side of Ranch dressing. It was a large portion for a lunch item. I would've given this place a higher rating, but the others were not thrilled with their choice of lunch.
(3)Judith W.
Lovely ambience - setting and service most pleasant! Really extraordinary appetizers included fried green tomatoes with some goat cheese and chutney and also the crab cake. The fried buttermilk chicken did not disappoint - and was the reason we chose the restaurant to begin with. Wine list slightly lacking.... but overall, defintitely worth the trip. Would definitely recommend.
(4)Camilla H.
We came to Poogan's Portch today hoping for lunch. On Sundays Poogan's Portch is only open for brunch and they serve a brunch menu. The Brunch Menu includes lunch items and although it is different than their daily menues, it suited us for a late lunch as we were there around 230pm. (they are only open until 3 on sundays) I ordered the fried chicken- I am not normally a fired chicken kind of girl but since I am in the south, I just had to try it. The plate was served with 2 boneless pieces of chicken on top of a pile of roughly mashed potatoes, spiced collard greens and sage gravy. The chicken was covered in a lightly crispy batter. I found the chicken very good ( didn't really care much for the potatoes- but that is not what I came for. My husband ordered the pulled pork sliders.... they were tender and flavorful but needed a bit more spice in our opinion and a little sliced jalepeno did the trick. The she crab soup was curdled... this was a visual distraction. The soup was tasty but needed a bit more crab. We sat on the front portch and enjoyed the 70 degree January day. I ordered a mint Juliep which was wonderful and my husband enjoyed his bloody mary. All in all, the meal was good and a wonderful southern experience
(4)Ellen A.
Great place! My husband and I were not starving, so we really hadn't made a reservation that evening or planned what we were doing. We passed by and decided to check it out. Such a beautiful old Southern house (later, one of the Charleston Market vendors would tell is it is haunted..but then, what in Charleston is not haunted??). The Maitre' d told us that he had no space in the dining room without a reservation but we were welcome to go to the bar. We don't mind doing that at all if it's a place you normally couldn't get into -- that's the way to eat at places like that, sometimes! I had a local wheat beer (Westbrook White Thai -- delicious, crisp and refreshing!) and my husband had an ale. We shared the pimiento cheese fritters (he wanted them...I'm not a fan, but he pronounced them delicious) and the buttermilk fried chicken (with mashed potatoes and slaw) -- omg...delicious battered chicken, not greasy and juicy inside. Buttermilk biscuits were huge, fluffy and flaky at the same time...probably the best I've had. Try this place if you can while in Charleston!
(4)Sophie C.
My first time here on Saturday night 8/28 with my boyfriend... Pros: 1. Yummy biscuits brought out...the only thing I have to say about them is they should have been served with honey butter instead of plain 2. Fried green tomatoes appetizer was delish! I loved the pecan cream cheese and peppered peaches....awesome combo! 3. My shrimp and grits were divine...I saved half of my plate for the next day and it was just as good! 4. My bf had the scallops entree and he loved it, and loved it just the same the next day. 5. Our waitress was just wonderful :-) 6. The story of the ghost adds a lot of charm...I wish I had seen him! Cons: 1. We sat at the bar prior to our meal and I ordered a Madras (which normally comes with a slice of orange) but this time there was no fruit...just a bare tumbler 2. Bar staff could have been a little more attentive Overall, I will be coming back for the fried chicken plates!
(4)Patricia D.
Loved the atmosphere and food so much we went two days in a row. The fried chicken is amazing, their fresh biscuits and honey butter is decadent, and their butternut squash was delicious. I also had a salad and scallop appetizer on second day. Friendly and prompt service. If it's cold, ask to be seated next to the fireplace. Very cozy and romantic.
(5)Monty B.
This place was awesome! The servers are great and kept the drinks full, and the biscuits are moist. I had the Plantation Fried Chicken. I was happy to sample a gourmet spin on Southern food. If you like 'greens, mashed potatoes, and Texas Pete, then get the Plantation Fried Chicken. My Fiancee had the Lowcountry Pasta and it was great too. the pasta was seasoned well and the seafood was properly cooked and seasoned as well. No bland pasta here! The portions are very filling. Parking was easy, there's a deck across the street a bit up. Can't wait to have another opportunity to eat here again.
(5)Serena G.
Had dinner here with the bf and we had a great time. Atmosphere was great, beautifully decorated. Rosa was our waitress and she was wonderful with recommending dishes and a wine with our meal. We got the Hamilton Russell Chardonnay which was great! Also had the snapper which was amazing, Mac and cheese also great!! Biscuits were soooo yummy. Arugula salad was ok--really nothing special so skip that, you can make it at home. Overall great!! loved it and a def must go!
(4)Kevin H.
Actual rating would be somewhere between a 2 and a 3. I was quite disappointed on this last trip to Poogans Porch. This should have been a better experience for my fathers birthday. It was a hot day in Charleston but the restaurant was extremely warm, when we inquired they said the A/C was running on high and nothing else could be done. When our waiter came up to ask for drink orders he was sweating profusely... big turnoff when getting ready to eat. After ordering, we sat and talked and cooled a little bit. our salads came and they were mediocre at best. We were only halfway through finishing them when our main courses came. In fact, my father had to hold his plate in one hand while he finished his salad while they put the main course in front of him. the food itself was very over-seasoned. My green beans had so much pepper that they were not edible. As we sat, waiting for our check, we all started to look around and take in the ambience. Unfortunately, what we noticed was a dead palmetto bug in the door frame, cracking paint, a random dirty fork on the floor and other things that I am glad we saw after eating. We left with a feeling that we do not have to go back to this restaurant for a long time.
(2)Jennifer A.
The BEST biscuits I have EVER had in my life!!!! Thats right, I said it, and the meal was just as good. I ordered the pork done 2 ways which came with spicy collard greens, creamy, creamy mac/cheese, barbq pulled pork, and porkbelly that will melt in your mouth. Definitely order the crab fondue for an appetizer and wash it down with their specialty drink some sort of long island tea thing that is so good it won't even feel like it an alcoholic drink until you stand up..Service is great! Must eat here during your visit to Charlston!
(5)Christina T.
Thinking about how far away I am from Poogan's Porch right now makes me seriously depressed. Decided to try this place for a fancy Friday night dinner & was not disappointed. My sole qualm about this place is the fact that we called three times for a reservation but they didn't have any. Went on opentable.com & alas, there was a few available. I'd recommend that route if you're trying to book for a busier night. To start, the restaurant is located in a house on a side street. The decor is quaint, and because it's set in a house, it felt more intimate and homey than usual restaurant dining. Our wait was short and server was very friendly. The fried green tomatoes were to die for & so were their starter biscuits (mouth is currently watering). For entrees I had the pulled pork 3 ways with mac + cheese & collard greens. Amazing, but come starving -- the portion sizes are tremendous! Overall, great food and service. Will be back!
(5)Zuzzi E.
Be prepared to put on a few pounds from this meal. Everything is fried. Everything. But it's just how one would envision a good southern meal: great hospitality, cozy fireplace, grits, greens, and gravy. And wow(!) are the biscuits here incredible! Smear on some honey butter and melt into biscuit-heaven. Bob Evans aint got nothin' on Poogans.
(4)Preston N.
Amazing experience kind of "off the beaten path" in historic Charleston. I loved the biscuits and the fried green tomatoes (the pecan-encrusted goat cheese ball really did the trick). A great choice for a quiet romantic dinner in this enchanting city.
(5)Josh A.
This is my favorite nice place to eat downtown. My wife and I come here on special occasions alot. It's a pretty cool setup, with it being an old house. In the Spring it's nice when they have the windows open for the cool breeze blowing through. It's probably one of the more affordable, nice places to eat downtown too. The gator tail, oysters, and crabcakes are great appetizers. For the main course, I like the plantation chicken and the shrimp'n grits. Service is always prompt and friendly. I've seen some rough reviews of them as of late, but I've never experienced the bad service or bad food they talk about. Otherwise, being a local, I could go to plenty of other places in town.
(4)Whit R.
I live in Charleston and, without fail, I take every house guest to Poogan's Porch. Usually it's for lunch, occassionally for dinner. This place perfects "lowcountry cuisine" and doesn't kill your wallet. Lunch is very affordable and delicious. Great shrimp and grits (some of the best in town, really), good red beans and rice, there's even alligator on the menu. Their sweet tea can NOT be beaten! One of the things I really love about Poogan's is the made-from-scratch biscuits you get with your meal in lieu of bread/rolls. Awesome!
(5)nichole m.
Brunch Perfection.! We went here for brunch over the weekend and all I can say is WOW! I had the French toast, which was so big I could have eaten it for dinner.. The biscuits are divine along with the maple butter that comes with them.. I have a reservation for next Saturday. Enough said..
(4)Lindsay S.
Located in a quaint house on the side of the street Poogan's Porch, named to my delight after a dog, is the perfect setting for a nice little restaurant. We were seated immediately despite the crowds of people dining in this two story house. We were lucky enough to be seated outside on the front porch away from the unpleasant smell a Yelper below mentioned. And although our waiter wasn't the best in fact he ignored us most of the evening the food was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed a wedge salad with bacon, fresh tomatoes, & bleu cheese crumbles topped with homemade buttermilk bleu cheese dressing which was divine! After my salad I had the mac & cheese minus the ham & made with delicious Gouda cheese yum :) My dad had the filet with a mushroom gravy & his appetizer a She Crab Soup arrived to the table late long after the entree's were served but he said it was pretty scrumptious & my sister ordered a chicken dish with the pimento mac & cheese which she said was rather spicy! I would definitely go back to Poogan's Porch but only if I can sit outside on the porch :)
(4)Diana N.
We had the Fried Green Tomatoes and the She Crab soup for starters and they were very good. The crab soup didn't have any crab in it, but I'm not sure if it was supposed to be crab flavor instead of pieces of crab in it. It was very good though. The tomatoes were fried perfectly and the sauce goes really good with it! The small dollop of goat cheese could've been eliminated and I LOVE goat cheese! For the entree, my seven year old son had the chicken tenders from their kids menu. The batter was so good! It wasn't heavy and there were about 7-8 BIG pieces. My son actually ate almost five and that's alot for him, but he agreed that they were really good! We ordered the "Shrimp & Grits" and this was very flavorful! We also ordered the Pork Chops. This was so delicious! They cooked it perfectly and the pork was so thick! No room for dessert! The meal and service was VERY good!!
(5)Android I.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. They were polite, efficient, and the food was marvelous. The biscuits are delicious, and the buttermilk chicken was cooked beautifully. THANK YOU
(5)Ruwan R.
I thought this was great southern food and a great atmosphere. Service was prompt and friendly. Definitely try the plantation fried chicken!
(4)Jadea G.
We had such a nice lunch here! One thing I have to stress is that the biscuits are the best I have ever had! Honestly! Our cocktails were great and the waiter was really personable. Can't wait to eat here again!
(5)Lawrence T.
I went last weekend with my girlfriend for brunch. The biscuits with gravy and chicken fried waffles were absolutely amazing. I tried the pulled pork eggs benedict, which I didn't love as much.
(4)Diane R.
Great place for lunch! We were following a ghost tour app, and were starved by the time we got here and heard about the ghost pooch, Poogan. How could we not stop in? And were we glad we did! The biscuits were to die for, the fried chicken and fried green tomato BLT were equally as good. Lunch was a great way to sample their southern cuisine without breaking the bank.
(5)Mukur H.
I would give this place 3.5 stars, but I decided to round down because of the price to satisfaction ratio. We went here since this was one of the only places that was open on Christmas Eve. The meal was expensive and not worth the price. We had a turkey meal that left us with a blah! feeling. It wasn't that the food was bad but It wasn't amazing either. If we had a choice we would have gone else where. They do have a neat ghost story though. When we were eating we kept on feeling a cold breeze and the patio door open when ever a waiter closed it. I don't know if this was our imagination acting up or not but it made for an interesting meal. The decor is classic, and the folks are nice, although service can be slow. Being a dog lover, I like the name of the restaurant.
(3)Kathryn R.
Great Atmosphere, great food, wine was tasty. Beautiful place in the heart of Charlestown. Would definitely return.
(4)Dave E.
Poogan's Porch is a fantastic brunch place. I had the Charlestown Fry and it was fantastic. This place is breathtakingly good. I would eat here every day if I lived in Charleston.
(5)A S.
I had the shrimp and grits and they were great. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, the texture of the grits was good (not sure exactly what they're supposed to be like, but they were tasty). It was a really nice evening, good wine, nice porch, great food.
(5)Patrick M.
If you're visiting Charleston, this is a place you should go. Beautiful home full of history along with great food. The James Beard featured snapper is well worth it.
(4)Lauren M.
OMG, we tasted our way through the South for a week and half and this was the best we had - and it seemed that I said that after every meal! The ambiance here is great, it's like you're eating in someone's house. They also have seating on the porch, but we were inside. While i don't think it's necessary to dress up, it does have a nice formal feeling when inside, it's quiet and intimate. We ordered the piemento cheese to start - I really liked this but my husband wasn't as impressed. I had the shrimp and grits for my main and it was unbelievable -- i literally wanted to lick the bowl. There was a really delicious gravy that set it apart from the others i had tasted throughout the south. I don't know enough about southern cooking to be able to tell what set it apart but it almost had a gumbo-like taste to the gravy, so good! I just looked at the menu to jog my memory as to what my husband had and can't figure it out - i know he liked it, but not as much as me. For dessert, we went with his favorite, peanut butter pie, heavenly! This is a can't-miss spot in Charleston. Service was good, but not excellent, but I really liked the ambiance of the place and of course the food!
(5)Tom V.
Holy crap the shrimp & grits along with he she crab soup are good here! Flat out "to die for" actually. In you are in Charleston and only have time for one meal.... go to Poogan's Porch and HAVE THAT! (no matter the time of day) I'm pretty sure I just had a life altering experience!
(5)Rachel A.
THE BISCUITS ARE TO DIE FOR!! Really, the biscuits alone make this place worth it. I went for brunch and had the lowcountry eggs benedict (sausage instead of ham and sausage gravy instead of hollandaise) which was delicious, and my friends also ate their plate clean. Poogan's Porch has a beautiful atmosphere combined with great food, and if I lived in Charleston I would probably come here every weekend.
(4)Brooke T.
We went here for Christmas Eve dinner and the place was packed and the food was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)Millie M.
Nice bright friendly atmosphere. They got slammed but we got seated right away. This is for the lunch. I had BBQ salmon over spinach and cheese grits. Cooked perfectly. Husband got a huge plate of cinnamon French toast w pecans and fresh strawberries. The fact that they told us about the fresh biscuits baking in the oven and we didn't get any is probably a blessing... And reasonable prices which is a nice find! We will be back.
(4)Scott B.
Excellent! Everything we tried was fantastic.
(5)Kacey H.
Good food. Staff wasn't too friendly but they did their job. For an app we had the pimiento fritters which were excellent (probably my favorite thing). I had the BLT, it was just okay. My husband had the fried chicken & it was very juicy & flavorful. The complementary biscuits & butter are reason enough to return.
(4)Brian W.
All I can say is FANTASTIC! The duck was the best I have ever had...coming from someone who almost always orders duck when it is on the menu this to me is a big compliment. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly with wonderful flavor. The seafood pasta was also an amazing meal. The three of us thoroughly enjoyed our meal and overall dining experience.
(5)Morgan S.
Based on this year's reviews, it appears Poogan's isn't stepping up their game over the past year. And I would have to agree. I went there for the first time a few weeks back for brunch. I was really excited and even brought two friends that were in town for the long weekend. At the end of the meal I was disappointed in myself for bringing my out of towners there and not somewhere I knew and trusted. Silly me. The charm of Poogan's Porch is still alive and kickin' but the food was a total let down. My boyfriend and I got the french toast which was dry and not remotely special. The biscuits and gravy did not get a rave review from one of my friends and my other said the crab cake Benedict was good but not great. The only thing that impressed us was the bloody mary. The experience was underwhelming at best...
(3)Kerrie S.
First time here on a family vacation. Booked a reservation based on other reviews. It did NOT disappoint! Highlights included she crab soup, pimento cheese fritters, and shrimp and grits. The atmosphere is great (a redone old house), and the wait staff was top notch.
(4)Chris R.
Okay...here's my attempt at a candid review of PP. We went there this afternoon for lunch on a Tuesday. Street parking was surprisingly decent as it's notoriously difficult in Chucktown. The exterior decor was aesthetically pleasing and we had a short 5 minute wait from our 1pm arrival time. To the food. Well...we ordered Fried Green Tomatoes ($4.95) immediately upon arrival....but they hadn't arrived by the time we received our main course, so I cancelled that. Obviously a big faux pax and a poor reflection on the service. I ordered Shrimp and Grits ($13.95) and my wife ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($10.95). Biscuits and honeyed-butter came out maybe 5 minutes before our main course. Again...Fried Green Tomatoes MIA....a little annoying. Biscuits were good...but being from the South....they tasted the way they should. The honeyed butter was a good addition. Okay...wrapping it up....the Shrimp and Grits were sub-par. They had lots of color (tri-colored peppers), but the flavor was lacking. I don't think they used very good quality cheese...which really detracts from the cheese grit flavor. The 5 shrimp were virtually flavorless and really could have used some better spices and / or flavor from the gravy. The andouille sausage was really the only saving grace in the meal. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken was very flavorful...and my wife enjoyed them very much. I also enjoyed the five or so bites I got to try. So...to recap....Shrimp and Grits - not worth the money and the service was lacking. We probably won't go back....and I think the place is too touristy and over-rated as a whole....
(3)Anne W.
This restaurant is outstanding! Like another reviewer said, it gives you a big reason to return for another Charleston visit, It's that good. I also love the folklore about the ghost of the dog who apparently haunts this place...that would be Poogan. Unfortunately, we did not run into the ghost of Poogan when we were there!
(5)Roger S.
2nd time I've eaten here, both times for lunch. Had the shrimp & grits which were fantastic. Quite spicy. They had some sausage in their recipe (which I like), so if you are not a sausage fan try something else. I tasted the fried shrimp as well which I thought were great. Nice quiet atmosphere (at least for lunch).
(5)Charley S.
Low country pasta is THE best!
(5)Dr Monique B.
Wonderful service! Great biscuits and fried oysters!
(4)Jackie O.
I LOVE this place... Their food is delicious and the prices were actually not that bad. I had the pork chop and it was so good! The mac n cheese is good and my favorite was actually their biscuits! Can't wait to try brunch there.
(5)CS B.
Great biscuits and great honey butter. Really great chicken biscuits--they could have used some extra sausage gravy, but the chicken was flavorful and hot and tender. The Ike's breakfast was forgettable except that the grits were good--the rest of my plate (eggs, bacon) were cold, which was kinda lame---even I know you don't put eggs on a cold plate. Coffee so strong, you'll need a knife. I'd like to go back and give them another chance. The layout was super cute.
(3)Betsy F.
It was ok. I can't really say that it was anything special. I didn't think the service was very good. It almost felt like we were an after thought for our waiter. I had high expectations from hearing from the locals that it was a favorite. My dining companion really enjoyed the biscuits and gravy.
(3)Joyce B.
The food & prices were excellant, but I could not order the shrimp & grits because it had many bell peppers in it...Why??? I never saw that before. The buttermilk fried chicken was sooooo good, with collards(good too). I could smell the coffee when I came in and ordered a cup, which took 25 minutes to get....should have come sooner. Yes I will go back
(4)Matthew L.
Dang... I wanted to really like this place. The "renovated old house" bit is charming and gives the place a nice feel. When we got the balcony seat, I was even more juiced. But the food didn't deliver. It was okay, but I had much better Chicken Charleston in Summerville at a restaurant that wasn't good enough to stay open. This was marked as one of their "house dishes", too. The bites I tried from my family weren't that great either. Around the table, nobody was that impressed with their selections from the menu though the dining experience was so pleasant nobody could find real reason to voice displeasure. Even though the review comes off pretty negative, Poogan's was decent (hence the 3 stars). It's just that unless you live downtown or very close it's almost like I waste an opportunity for a dining experience when you just get an "okay" meal. Charleston just has so many great options for a bite to eat. Parting thought is we were there for brunch so maybe start at Poogan's with a lunch and work your way up as they earn trust. She crab with bourbon? That in itself deserves a 1-app visit for redemption on the way from a business meeting to my car :)
(3)Penny P.
First and last time visiting South Carolina, I came upon this little place. the exterior charm and menu drew me in. Not only was is 98 degrees with humidity at 80%, i was looking for some sweet tea to cool me off. I started off with the gumbo which was rich and delicious. Second course was the fried green tomato BLT. Yowers it was great! Of course to finish we had a cobbler with ice cream and I was ready to roll out of there. Everything was fresh and tasty. I would certainly come back if I was ever in town.
(4)Miguel C.
This place is truly something special. The main thing I'll say is the chef knows how to make the dishes refined and delicious while still staying true to their Southern roots rather than trying to "re-interpret" them into something different. The biscuits alone were fantastic. I had the biscuits and gravy as an appetizer (horribly unhealthy but the best gravy I have ever tasted) and then the crab eggs benedict. Both were amazing. And the atmosphere of an old converted house is great for Charleston. My only disappointment was the "award winning" bread pudding. There are two general styles of bread pudding: doughy, creamy, and very sweet; or flavorful, well-spiced, and heavy on the rum flavor in the sauce. I prefer the former but theirs was decidedly the latter. Oh well.
(5)Royce M.
The food was really good. My shrimp and grits was great and the tomato and peach salad was good... The service was not perfect but it was the PGA weekend and lots of big groups... the waitress tried hard but I think she had a few too many folks to take care of... overall very nice....
(4)Kate C.
Brunch on Sunday. Enjoyed a couple of half price Bloody Marys while waiting but ultimately got a great table right next to the fireplace. Standout: the biscuits. Easily, the best biscuit I've ever had. I ordered what I believe is their signature eggs benedict: poached eggs atop a biscuit, bacon and fried green tomatoes...and of course Bearnaise sauce. Unbelievable....I'm salivating right now just thinking about it.
(5)meme a.
My husband and I walked in on a Friday night...no reservation. Silly us. We had a long wait ahead of us. The restaurant itself is in a charming older house and it was kind of fun. Autographs...giada de laurentis! Food...the fried green tomatoes are a must. I had the shrimp pasta and the hubby had the fried chicken. Everything was really good! And the biscuits are to die for. But then again...what does a California girl know about biscuits?
(4)ashley l.
Brunch Experience: I really expected the same quality food as it's neighbors: Husk and 82 Queen. My expectations were definitely not met, but I was not completely disappointed. I may return another time, but with Charleston's restaurant scene being so strong, I'm not rushing any time soon. We shared the Pimento Fritters as an appetizer, and they had great flavor and were served with an awesome green tomato jam. Temperature wise, they had probably sat under the warmer and were almost room temperature by the time they arrived to the table. I had the Ike's Down Home Breakfast, as I've had a cold and thought some quality meat, eggs and potatoes would be easy on me. My over-easy eggs were hard fried, the sausage was bland and the potatoes were alright. However, I realllly enjoyed the biscuits and gravy I added for $1.00 to the meal. (Even thought they came after I was finished and after I had to ask for them.) My boyfriend had the shrimp and grits. He enjoyed it, but go to 82 Queen if you want shrimp and grits that will stimulate your taste buds and beckon you to return another day. This is the lowcountry and it's almost a sin to serve that dish in not proper form! The birthday boy ordered a basic ham, peppers and cheese omelet. I cannot recall the exact name, but for the $13.95 price tag, he literally had 3 small pieces of ham that were the size of nickels. It came with the home fries as well. The homemade biscuits and honey butter were the best out of everything we had. The bad part was, they didn't come out until after everyone was done with their meal, and one of the tables joining us never received their biscuits. Our server was pretty scattered and did the drop one thing off and scurry out of the room, when drinks were empty, we didn't have silverware, etc. I must say, I love the name because Poogan was the furry friend that hung out on the porch from 1970-1979, but other than the historic factor of the neighborhood and house, it was "Eh, I've had better."
(2)Brian F.
Arrived to a confusing scene of wandering patrons waiting for a table and a restaurant with many vacant tables just sitting there. However, once we were seated, the service was excellent, and the food was comforting and delicious. The crab soup, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and fried shrimp were all done simply and well. Also, it was cool to eat in a beautiful historic Charleston home-turned restaurant.
(4)J. B.
Great Food, Service sometimes lacking.
(4)TODD F.
Tried this place when I was back east with the family and loved it! The food was excellent, with big portions and had great atmosphere! If you are ever in Charleston it's a must try place!
(4)Tessa B.
My husband and I made last minute reservations at Poogan's during Memorial Day weekend when we traveled to Charleston for a wedding. Our friends had scattered travel plans on Friday, so we used Yelp and were able to secure 8:00 reservations at Poogan's. We didn't get to dine on the porch, but we had a great experience. Poogan's is so charming, and the food is perfect if you are looking for delicious southern comfort cuisine that is a little classier than your typical fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The prices were appropriate for the establishment. One of my pet peeves is when you spend $150+ on dinner for two and you leave the restaurant still hungry or not liking what you ordered because you weren't completely sure of what you were ordering. Poogan's isn't like this at all. It was classic, delicious southern food. Service was great, and I would absolutely return to Poogan's if and when we return to Charleston. If you are traveling to the area I highly recommend stopping for one of your meals here!
(4)Rae B.
Eat here....you will not regret it. I have yet to have anything here that wasn't amazing. I regularly recommend this restaurant and am always told afterward that they had an amazing meal. You will love it.
(5)Patrick H.
Great Atmosphere, Reasonable Price, Excellent Food, AND DOG FRIENDLY! We were visiting Charleston for the first time and our first priority was to find a decent restaurant where our little pup was welcome. The people at Poogan's Porch were very accomodating and gave us the perfect table to sit and enjoy a great Southern meal while having our puppy comfortable. I ordered the pimiento cheese fritters and the Lowcountry Pasta. The fritters were crunchy on the outside, warm and cheesy on the inside, and served over a spicy relish that was great. It was something I never would have thought of, and have been left craving ever since. The Lowcountry Pasta was just as great, and left me completely satisfied. Being a huge fan of baked goods, any restaurant can warm my heart with some good breads...The bread at Poogan's was just what I needed. The only reason I can't give Poogan's Porch a 5 star rating is that I would have liked a few more options on the menu for the main dish. If you are not a seafood fan, there isn't too much for you to choose from. Definitely recommend this restaurant!
(4)Joel S.
Wonderful lunch in downtown Charleston. All farm to table with generous portions. Well worth it on a hot day in downtown (the AC was working when I was there...).
(5)Patrick R.
Spent Christmas Day dinner at Poogan's and came away disappointed... Had had brunch there before and loved it!! After yesterday though, I'll just keep it to brunch. They had a prix fixe menu and there were lots of short comings... From a first course that was basically some greens on a plate with a lite vinaigrette drizzle and the occasional cranberry to the absolutely tasteless bread-pudding. Service was really the only good thing they had going. We also made reservations for 8 and wasn't seated till about 8:40. And to add to that, there were several parties also with reservations also waiting to be seated after their reservation times... Kind of disgusted from the whole experience.
(1)C H.
Best fried green tomatoes I've ever had. Went for Sunday brunch, was underwhelmed by the few vegetarian selections but sort of expected it in Charleston. The only veggie thing, other than French toast and the like, was a basil, cherry tomato and Gouda omelette- the only problem was it took my server several minutes to get me silverware after bringing said food. It was delicious, and my partner who got the ike's breakfast said I got the winner. Reasonable prices as well and we passed several restaurants that seemed to have long waits at 10am. Go figure, a great veggie meal in a low country southern restaurant in Charleston. I would recommend getting there by 9:30am for a choice spot. We sat outside, which was charming as well, but would have preferred to sit inside if the wait hadn't been 30 min.
(4)Ella B.
Great southern cooking, pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff. We enjoyed it all. And we heard the house is haunted which could be fun, but we didn't witness anything while we were there.
(4)Rebecca M.
Good, fun. A little pricey for mac n cheese but yummy. Brought our dogs interesting experience
(4)Kris H.
Atmosphere was great, food was good, but the biscuits and butter where most excellent! Scallops and crab cakes where very good as well. I would definitely stop in again!
(4)Allison M.
I guess during the winter months Poogan's does a "roll back the prices to 1969" or something on certain nights of the week. For a big family dinner, it seemed easy and affordable. The service was terrible, but I had to have compassion for the poor waiter who probably gets tipped based on 1969 totals and still has to pay his 2008 rent. I'd be kinda bitter and not care either, I suppose. The menu was actually from many years back, and the quality of the food reflected that. Everything was overcooked and outdated. I remember thinking that the plates looked brown (lots of fried foods and not many colorful veggies). The cute old house was charming and all, but the bright overhead lighting was harsh and not at all as romantic as it looks from the outside. Thumbs up for the biscuits.
(2)Sylvan F.
Good food, ice tea glazed salmon was outstanding, server was very helpful and attentive. Portions were on the small side but overall experience was very good
(4)Joy B.
We had a fantastic Saturday brunch at Poogan's Porch. We had to wait at the bar for a few minutes and had a great cocktail. Diana was our server and helped us with any request. She made the experience that much more fun. The food -WOW! Pimento fritters, Eggs Benedit with biscuits, bread pudding, and more.
(5)Tara G.
I know I'm going against the grain here but I would not recommend Poogan's Porch. I thought that it smelled very strange, the floor was sticky and the food was just OK. I was there for dinner and liked the Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer but everything else was mediocre. Except the service -- everyone was very nice and attentive. I stayed in Charleston for 3 nights and much preferred Blossom and S.N.O.B. on East Bay. All were about the same price but the food at Blosson and SNOB was much tastier, seemingly fresher and better atmosphere.
(2)Angela B.
This place was great! Would highly recommend. The biscuits were DELICIOUS!! Then followed by a corn bisque...Oh MY. Was so goooood. Short ribs and chocolate mint cake followed. Both good. Service was awesome. We walked in and sat at a high top right away. Our server was fabulous. We went to Magnolias 2 days ago, was also great, Jestines yesterday..that place sucked. Would highly recommend Poogans.
(4)Bev S.
Quaint little old-fashion restaurant with good "ole" southern cooking. Highly recommend Shrimp-n-grits or the delicious Crab Cakes :-)
(4)Teri S.
I had our food pretty much mapped out before arriving in Charleston. But there was one night where we did not know where to go. We heard so much about Poogans Porch, so we decided to look for it. There is was directly across from our hotel (Mills House)!!! It was meant to be - the place felt like a hidden gem and was so good. I had a Sweet Tea Martini here and have not looked back. Alligator for an appetizer - who would have thought!
(5)Tawni P.
Love this place! Charming atmosphere, most delicious biscuits ever, great story about the dog!
(4)Jennifer M.
Decent place for brunch, but there are better places in town. We enjoyed the bloody mary's and pimento fritters. Avoid the she-crab soup - it's heavy and dense, with little crab flavor. Service was pretty good.
(3)Kat F.
So I want to clarify that if I could, I would separate the food and service ratings: 3 for food, 2 for service. Also, know that I have posted this review elsewhere. The story begins.... Read the reviews on here about Poogan's and thought it would be a great place to go with my husband and two kids while in Charleston this past weekend. Called on Saturday evening to confirm that this was a family friendly place, even making a point to tell the hostess how old my kids are (7 and 3). She reassured me that this was a completely family friendly place, the menu looked great on paper, and they actually had availability! Score for me! We headed on down to Poogan's and were seated quickly.... right next to a bachelor party, a table of 12 loud, cursing, Southern frat boys. We tried to make light of it at first. The waiter was bustling around their table, making an extreme effort to ensure than not one water glass was ever more than halfway empty (or full, depending on your outlook). We waited.... and waited.... and waited for the waiter. We sat and waited to be addressed for almost 10 minutes while he took care of Phi Kappa Pottymouth. When he did meander over, we placed a drink order and waited.... waited... waited 25 MINUTES for two glasses of wine. During this time the appetizers came, bread came (all by other staff members). When dinner did arrive, the waiter left the empty appetizer plates cluttering the table, never offering to take the obviously empty plates. While he was busy tending to the party boys next table, my water glass emptied... and stayed empty. I would have loved to have tried dessert (they looked great on paper) but didn't want to wait another 45 minutes to be acknowledged, have the order taken and get the plate. Instead, we waited 15 minutes to tell him that we were ready for the check, and another 10 for him to swipe our card. The food was okay. We had appetizers: fried green tomatoes and she crab soup. The she crab soup was good, my three year old daughter loved it. The fried green tomatoes were just not quite spot on. While good, they were cut very thick which kept them from being cooked through evenly. It came with pecan encrusted goat cheese and some kind of peach chutney which sounded good but... wasn't. I've had better at any random off-ramp Cracker Barrel. I ordered the plantation fried chicken which was good in general. the string beans were undercooked and the "texas pete jus" that drenched the plate was... well, just texas pete hot sauce. That was a little anticlimactic. My husband ordered the mahi on the waiters recommendation, and he was less thrilled. While not an epic fail, the fish was overcooked and too delicate for the greens and sauce. The cream corn sauce was a novel idea but the pulled pork ravioli was gooey (the pasta itself) with gamey meat. In addition, my husband found a random macaroni noodle, which while not a big deal in and of itself, was something I would have expected at a TGI Fridays, not on a $25 plate in an independent restaurant that prides itself on presentation. I would like to believe that we came upon Poogan's on a bad night, but I have a feeling that is not the case. Here is what I think. I think that Poogan's probably started out strong and have petered into mediocrity with the comfort buffer of good reviews. Possibly a change in management? Who knows.. The waitstaff did not look happy, and while that may seem obvious (who the heck wants to be at work on a Saturday night?!), I waited tables for years and know my way around a restaurant. Happy servers mean good management. Good management means things don't fall through the cracks, and when things are properly addressed, service and food quality (along with presentation, atmosphere, and cleanliness) are second to none. Would I go back to Poogan's? Hmm... maybe. If I couldn't get a reservation anywhere else, and destiny deemed it so, I would give it another try.
(2)Elizabeth L.
Melt-in-your-mouth food in an elegant, historical setting. Note: wear your elastic-waist pants. My husband and I have eaten here twice. Once a few years ago (before I really knew about Yelp) and yesterday. Although the wait can be long, the restaurant does take reservations (a plus in my book), and the food is simple but very tasty. Poogan's is a quintessential example of the type of restaurant to visit when you are looking to experience some of the classic, local cuisine of an area done well without much artistic flair. If you're looking for a "creative interpretation" of Southern Food this is the wrong place to go. But if you have an appreciation for simple comfort food done right you will be happy here. Do not expect to do a lot of chewing. Most of the food here, from appetizer to dessert, simply melts away in your mouth. The biscuits, in terms of flavor and interior texture, are quite simply the best biscuits I have had. (Do keep in mind that I come from the North so my biscuit repertoire is somewhat skeletal). My sister and husband were ecstatic over the she-crab soup. "I never want this to end," she said. We all enjoyed the fried green tomatoes. As for main meals, I confess, I have a soft spot for fried chicken, and consequently I am quite the connoisseur. The Poogan's porch breading is a perfect balance of flavors and nearly dissolves on the tongue. The chicken itself is moist and delicious. My husband ordered the fried catfish which was even more melty. Although we were so stuffed we could barely shift in our chairs, we couldn't pass up the bourbon bread pudding. This delightful dessert disappeared completely despite all our protests that we would "only eat a few spoonfulls" before it arrived. I only wish it were a little warmer. Service was fine. Our waiter did forget to bring us the additional biscuits we requested, but that was probably better for our waistlines anyway :). A couple of notes: I have noticed a few comments about the smell. We did not notice this, but I do want to comment that on a previous trip here, one member of our party couldn't handle the smell and thus we did not dine here that day. I didn't notice anything, but maybe my nose just isn't as sensitive. Also, they use the same breading for everything they fry. It's delicious, but may be something to keep in mind if you're concerned about too much of the same taste.
(4)Matteo M.
Decent enough, but I prefer High Cotton / SNOB or some of the other restaurants that are steps away. From the moment we walked in for Sunday brunch there was an odd moldy smell that permeated the restaurant. I was thank full that mimosas and bloody mary's were half off at the bar, a nice touch. I started with the gumbo, which was good (the andouille sausage was excellent) but was mostly rice. The biscuits we received were near perfect, but could have used some honey, gravy, or jam. The crab cakes were OK (very meaty but not flavorful), the same could be said for my wife's grilled salmon. The waiters seemed a little overworked, and the decor seemed a bit tired. Also a bit touristy. Decent enough, but I would skip it for some of the better offerings close by.
(3)Tom J.
Just had a great dinner on the porch in the rain. Everyone else ran inside,(wimps) of course had to start with fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and stewed peaches.Partner had buttermilk fried chicken(so tender).The green beans had pepper so we requested without(they brought a portion to feed a family of four). I had the the seared scallops with crawfish and cheese grits cake.OooLaLa.. Definately recommend this restaurant.Go outside your comfort zone with what you normally eat and Enjoy!
(5)Larry H.
Food was great. Friendly service. The whole visit was pleasant. I would visit again on my next visit to Charleston.
(4)Elizabeth R.
We had dinner and most everything was delicious including the fried green tomatoes, she crab soup, fried oysters, grouper, and of course the biscuits. The only thing is we asked to be moved to the porch where nobody was sitting from inside. Half was through our soup we discovered the rats running back and forth through the alley. Ask to be seated inside.
(4)Patricia B.
Poogan's Porch had very terrible service. Went for brunch and after 30 minute wait was excited to get in so quickly and try the food. Small group of four plus one child. The waitress took our drink orders and never came back to get our brunch orders annnddd begin cleaning the tables all around ours. Needless to say we continued on to great service and food at 82 Queen!
(1)Brian M.
Great menu and great service. This was our first time and we'll definitely be back. Every entree we ordered was excellent and they have a very diverse menu.
(5)Steve H.
We were visiting Charleston a few weeks ago, and had heard Poogan's Porch was one of the best in town for a good Southern meal with everything from buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and some crawfish--it certainly didn't disappoint! Kimberly had the shrimp and grits, which were pretty solid, and I had the lowcountry pasta (this part of SC refers to themselves as the "lowcountry"), which consisted of cajun sausage, shrimp, crawfish, succotash, onions, peppers and cajun cream, and was delicious! The service was very good too, always keeping our water glasses filled and not keeping us waiting for the food to be served for too long. While we'll probably try some new places on our next visit to Charleston, if we go back I'll definitely be sure to try their signature buttermilk fried chicken--and hopefully get to meet their resident ghost (travel channel declared this old home converted to a restaurant to be one of the most haunted places in America, so Halloween may be the perfect time for a visit!).
(4)Frank H.
Based uptown the Yelp reviews, we had lunch here. The staff was outstanding and our meal was very nice. I had the shrimp and grits, the dish was good, but I would have preferred to have a much stronger seasoning level to match my flavor reference. But all and all it was a very pleasant experience.
(4)Timothy L.
This place was the biggest surprise of our Charleston visit. It's got charmingly low-key decor, a friendly but laid-back waitstaff, and reasonable prices. Yet the food is excellent. We went for lunch and had a great meal. Not to be missed.
(5)Norman R.
Really good food. Casual, relatively inexpensive, incredible food. I'd drive out of my way to eat here again.
(4)Benjy T.
Brunch/lunch on April 22nd. Our server, Lewis, was outstanding. The food was average, at best. Our problem was our table. We were seated in the bar - a dark, crowded space, in the traffic lanes of all servers, and on a floor that bounced as each person passed. Given our seating, I would have thought the hostess would have asked if we preferred another table.
(2)Hannah T.
Awful service. Just plain awful. I shouldn't go out to dinner and feel cheated of my money. Won't be spending a penny there ever again. Awful.
(1)Heather A.
I've only been to Poogan's for brunch, which was pretty good. On a nice Spring or Fall day before the heat sets in, I love this spot because of the pretty open air dining. What you MUST experience is their annual anniversary special "Bill of Fare." Visit their website for dates and details, but the restaurant takes their menu back to it's original prices, so you are eating a great meal for a very, very reasonable price. (Beer, Wine and Liquor not included-- what a great excuse to order off the reserve list?) ;)
(3)Greg H.
Excellent! The buttermilk fried chicken, collards, and the biscuits are awesome.
(5)liz A.
I've only been once, and it was for lunch. It was amazing. I went with my family before going back home for the weekend. We talked about how delicious it was for the next day. I tried the Buttermilk Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. Everyone wanted to taste mine, and the portions are huge so I didn't mind sharing at all. The complementary biscuits are delicious and the lunch menu is very well priced. (my dish was 12.95)
(5)Ivanka B.
Yet another restaurant that had me going between 3 and 4 stars but I will round up in this case! I took all my food to-go so that I could work in my hotel room while munching so review is based solely on the food. They packed up some of those wonderful homemade biscuits and honey butter for me - 5 stars. Fried green tomatoes with a fried pecan encrusted goat cheese "ball" and lovely peach chutney - 4.5 stars (batter was too peppery on some bites). Also, must eat all ingredients together to experience this treat fully. Buttermilk fried chicken with whipped potatoes and string beans - 3.5 stars: chicken was a bit on the dry side and the potatoes could have used more butter and cream (they seemed "dry" too). Bread pudding - 2 stars. Loved the rum butter sauce but the bread was dry and not very tasty. Skip it. There is definitely better bread pudding out there (surprisingly the best I had was in Jacksonville!)
(4)Chris B.
This is my third trip to Charleston, and I've been by this place both of my last two trips only to eat at 82 Queen instead. I must say, in terms of southern cuisine, Poogan's might be even better than 82 Queen (though I'd still pick the latter in all-around goodness). The atmosphere here is positively lowcountry, to put it simply. Lodged snugly into a Charleston house, the place reeks of that down-south hospitality that makes Charleston restaurants so special. I ate an old South Carolina stand by-- crab cakes. They were arguably the best I've ever had, only the Charleston Crab House can compare. The dish was not too large a portion (a definite advantage in this town of meals that could could feed a small family). That was definitely a good thing, because we started the meal with some fried alligator that was absolutely delicious, and complimented that with probably the best biscuits I've ever eaten. Other dishes in my party included a bbq salmon that was excellent and some sort of bacon and cheese penne that was, also, excellent. After the meal we took in deserts: Peanut Butter Pie for me, pecan pie for my brother and dad, and the cobbler of the day (citrus spiced apple on that day) for my aunt. I can't say enough about how delicious the Peanut Butter and Cobbler were. I literally can't say how the pecan pie was, because I didn't have any (a huge faux pas down south, I know). The only downside of the entire meal was probably that we didn't see any ghosts, but I guess that just means we'll have to go back soon!
(5)Miranda T.
So many nice, wonderful things to say about this place. The wait staff were sweet and attentive. The food was delicious. I'm not from the south and am therefore not the authority on biscuits, but these were so so delicious. Who knows if they're the best out there, but they're the best I've had, and I would definitely go back, though chances I'll make it back to Charleston anytime in the future are slim. Unlucky me.
(5)Terry G.
Visited Poogan's Porch for dinner this evening. I had the Buttermilk Chicken and my partner had the Filet Mignon. It was good downhome Southern Cookin. I would definitely recommend it.
(4)Tracy G.
A great place for tourists and locals situated right smack dab in the middle of historical Charleston. Brunch is a must so you can have one of their enourmous biscuits. The eggs benedict ala Poogan style with fried green tomatoes was delicous! And if you don't know who Poogan is, you're missing out!
(5)Charles S.
Loved the she-crab soup and fried green BLT.
(4)Mark O.
The name might be strange but the food is not. I had the scallops which were very good. The mac and cheese was fantastic. The building itself is beautiful and helps create the great atmosphere at Poogan's - old world Charleston. I will certainly be eating here again once back in Charleston.
(5)Kate H.
Best way to start dinner is with a fresh, homemade biscuit with honey butter. Excellent! We shared an appetizer of craw fish mac-n-cheese -- not my favorite (it was really heavy, but the waiter did warn us!), but good and very cheesy. For dinner, I had the shrimp and grits, which was a little nontraditional in that it was very jambalaya-ish -- same spices and flavors. It had quite a kick, which I wasn't expecting or warned about, although it didn't bother me. My husband, on the other hand, probably wouldn't have enjoyed it with that much spice. He had a special -- a seafood medley over grits and really liked it. For dessert, we shared the bread pudding. We'd had excellent bread pudding at Express Cafe in Savannah, so this paled in comparison, although it was good. I didn't like the caramel sauce drizzled on the plate. Overall = great biscuits and good food. The atmosphere is a little dusty -- needs freshening, although maybe that's old-Charleston charm.
(3)Sola M.
We ate at Poogan's Pooch tonight after eating at Magnolia's the night before. Poogan's was okay but definitely not as great as Magnolias. The biscuits were good. We tried the fried green tomatoes and fried alligator. They were good, not great. I had gumbo soup and spinach salad. My father ordered shrimp and grits. Again, it was alright, but not great. We kept saying that compared to Magnolias, it was just okay and would spend our money at Magnolias instead.
(3)Aileen B.
I am so friggin impressed with this restaurant. I just went to Charleston for a few days and really craved southern comfort food. We were recommended to try a local restaurant named Jestine's Kitchen. That place was really good. Today was our last day there. We took a ghost tour the night before we left and on the tour this restaurant was mentioned (it's supposed to be haunted). Well, it happened to be right across the street from our hotel, so we gave it a shot before we left downtown for the Citadel and the Airport. We were pissed off!! The food was so damned good that if we would have known about this place earlier, we probably would not have eaten elsewhere in Charleston! The prices were reasonable and I base a southern comfort restaurant on their greens. This place had the best collard greens I've had in way too long! I also had the pork chops with gravy, mac and cheese and corn. I ordered a cup of the okra gumbo which was also slammin'. The meal came with two humongous biscuits that were simmering with flavor and we also had a basket of honey butter on the table for the bread. We also ordered shrimp gumbo with yellow rice and the collard greens. All that food and the bill only came to $23 and some change. Awesome price for the food! Great food, great service and great prices for their food. What more can you ask for?
(5)R M.
Good food, but don't understand the hype.. there is nothing outstanding that I experienced.. dining room smelled like damp clothing that sat in the washing machine for a day.. pimento fritters were very good.. drinks were nice and strong
(3)Sadie S.
Loved it! In fact, I'm still talking about it a month and 3,000 miles later. This was our first meal in Charleston and definitely set the tone the rest of our visit. We weren't terribly hungry, so we shared appetizers and cocktails. Looking back, I wish we had arrived with more of an appetite because everything was soooo delicious! With our cocktails, we were served hot biscuits and honey butter and WOW, I could have had 10 more! I agree with Alexandra F. that it totally gets you in the mood for amazing cuisine! We split: Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Alligator, and Crab Cakes. The alligator was the standout for me - it was tender and juicy, and came with a slightly piquant dipping sauce. For my first taste of alligator, it was a great experience! Overall: great food, friendly waitstaff, charming building, fun ambiance... try it!
(5)Ryan W.
Phenomenal food! I had the pasta dish and it was amazing. All 5 people I dined with were very impressed. Prices were also very good for the quality.
(5)Jaclyn R.
I have been twice and we have really enjoyed both times. The food is excellent. My husband and father in law had the fried chicken which was excellent. I had the fried green tomato BLT which was amazing. The pimento cheese fritters and biscuits rounded out an amazing meal. If you are looking for a great southern meal in a very nice setting then this is the place. You can also sit in the bar if there is ever a wait for a table. If you are in Charleston you should give Poogans a try!
(4)Jessica D.
Decor was a little stiff - the place seemed overly quiet. Service was fine, not great. Fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits were very good. Pasta was bland.
(3)Kyle E.
Poogans is an okay place to eat. If you are well off enough to not be mad at an okay meal for a higher than okay price. The service was slower than expected. The environment is very nice and classic Charleston. The shrimp and grits didn't stand out to me compared to other local places. The waitress described the taste of one entrée as "it tastes like pluff mud smells in the morning" GROSS!
(3)Vorani R.
Best dining experience ever. Great food, great drinks, and best of all, phenomenal service. We went during Charleston restaurant week, and ordered off the 3 for $30 menu. The apps were delicious, but what really stole the show, was their duck. Oh.my .lord. It was sooooo good. Our server was charming, knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure we were happy with everything. Overall, I can't wait to go back here for our next dining experience.
(5)R M.
GREAT fried chicken, everyone was right the biscuits are fantastic !!!
(5)Allen R.
I'd give this place 5 stars just based on the biscuit but everything here really is amazing. From the house, to the setting, to the history of the place and definitely the food. Our server was absolutely amazing too. She did a extraordinary job and I was so impressed I tipped her 25%. To just start, I had heard the biscuit was good but it's better than good. It's mind-blowing good. It's amazing. It's so good, I would fly back just to have another biscuit here. I also had the shrimp and grits and they were great but I could not get over the biscuit. It's perfect in every way with just some butter. If that is not true southern cooking, I don't know what is. This restaurant really lives up to the hype too. Everything about it is spot on. The history, the food, the name and on and on. If there is one downfall is parking. There is absolutely no where to park around there but that is pretty much the case for all of Charleston. Trust me, just go for the biscuit.
(5)Laura G.
We are local and decided to give PP a try. Hands down this was one of the worst dining experiences we have had in our town. First, my coffee cup arrived with unwashed lipstick. Our waiter went missing for 10 minutes so I finally got up, found a new cup on the sideboard and poured myself some fresh coffee. Then my husband's omelet arrived with jagged pieces of oyster shell in it. It sat uneaten on our table while we waited for our waiter to check on us. Finally, I poured my own coffee refill and my husband went to get the manager to complain about the omelet. She comped the omelet but when we asked for a box for our biscuits she implied we were going to try to take home the uneaten omelet. Hello - why would we want your inedible food? Take it from a local; you can do better pretty much any place else in Charleston.
(1)Cindy S.
Don't miss the biscuits! They are the size of a cat's head! Everything was yummy
(4)marc C.
My wife and I had lunch there yesterday afternoon. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was great! We started off with the pimento cheese fritters. I had the pulled pork sliders while my wife had one of their salads. All of the dishes were excellent - well seasoned, good layers of flavor with no one flavor profile dominating the others. The biscuits are AMAZING. Well Done, Poogan's Porch!
(4)Amy K.
We found Poogan's Porch through Yelp on a recent vacation to Charleston and were not disappointed! The food and service were excellent. The biscuits were the best part of the meal. The sweet tea glazed salmon was amazing. I would highly recommend Poogan's Porch to anyone visiting Charleston!
(4)Sandra G.
We had an interesting experience at Poogans. When we arrived at the hostess stand there was no one there so we looked at a menu. When the hostess arrived she literally snatched the menu out of our hands and told us to look at it on the wall where it was posted. No southern hospitality here. We arrived early for our reservation hoping to get seated. When we called we were told that a reservation wasn't required in the patio and bar but was first come first serve. There were empty tables available on the patio so we asked if we could sit there and the hostess said no. So then we went to the bar and sat down at a table and the hostess ran in and said we couldn't sit there either. Thankfully we found three seats at the bar and sat down and no one told us to leave. However then we witnessed the bartender having an argument with a server. The server was accusing the bartender of not making his drinks. The bartender was telling the server not to give her attitiude. It seems like nobody was enjoying their job here. I was a server for many years so I can appreciate staff dynamics, however it was strange that they didn't care that guests were witnessing their spat. The food was great. We had the Fried Chicken and Seafood Combination and snapper. 5 stars for the food 1 for the service. It was really the only poor service we experienced on a seven day trip to Charleston, Beaufort and Savannah.
(3)Kevin O.
Wow, just exceptional. We came here on a rainy cold night, and immediately felt warm and welcome when we entered the door. We got a a table upstairs, which was nice and quiet. The fried chicken was absolutely amazing, so light and tasty, not oily at all. The Collard greens were to die for! Everything was just amazing, a wonderful dinner. I'll definitely be coming back next time I'm in town.
(5)Melanie D.
OMG. Best breakfast. Ever. While in Charleston for a weekend wedding, we stopped here before heading out of town. And boy, are we glad we did. Far off East Bay Street (which is where the wedding in the dinner we had the night before were), we were pleased with the homey and comfortable decor and the quaint Victorian house before they brought out the biscuits. With our first bite, these bisuits made us happy we'd taken the time to find this place after all (some people, tired of walking, suggested giving up and going to Cracker Barrel). The biscuits were soft and buttery and flaky and the size of small fists. Our table of 7 quickly gobbled them down. When it came time to order, there was a large selection of down home country food to pick from. Going with my low country theme of the whole weekend, I picked the crab cake omelette. Not reading the fine print, I didn't realize what they meant was ... crab cake eggs benedict. I am not so much a fan of eggs benedict but it was still pretty good. I tried it with sausage as well, which I found to be much better - the spicier sausage was a better compliment to the eggs. I ordered it with grits, not being a fan of home fries, and was pleased. I like grits a lot and these were a cheesy, creamy happy mass of awesomeness unlike any I'd ever tasted. Overall, this place made: 1) my cholesterol cry 2) me want to come back to Charleston really soon. Delicious. And great service, too.
(5)James T.
The food we had was very good, but the service was just okay. The atmosphere was very nice. Looks like an old style home which was turned into this restaurant. The neighborhood was charming. We would recommend it to others.
(4)Amanda A.
Incredible brunch, though the service was a bit aloof. Biscuits are light and fluffy, but too sweet for my taste. Excellent omelets and spot on bloody marys.
(4)Kala V.
We dined here our last night in Charleston. I wish it had not been our last restaurant visit while in the city. The food was fine, especially the Mac and Cheese with country ham and Gouda. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente which is hard to find. The good experience stops there. Our server Ruby was one of the worst I've experienced in quite sometime. When we arrived she gave us water and left for about 10 min. When she came back she took our order and still did not offer a wine list or anything to drink. We did get sweet tea, I had my heart set on a nice glass of wine with dinner but I gave up on that during the wait. We ordered our meal and specified we wanted it in courses and she brought our hot apps out with our cold salads. Not acceptable in my opinion. When the food runner brought our entrees we asked him for refills and he said he would have our server do that. Well, as you may have guessed it took a loooooong time. So in the end we didn't order wine or dessert due to our server's neglect. Guess she didn't need the extra money in her pocket that we could have left.
(3)Jill k.
fried green tomato and bacon benedicts might just be the best thing ever! but, i also loved the feel of this house-turned-restaurant, the story behind its name (poogan was a dog), and its homemade biscuits. i will have to come again!
(5)Linda M.
The best introduction to Southern breakfasts ever. I ate an unbelievable Shrimp and Grits - my first time for grits - and the biscuits were heavenly. To top it off, the service was friendly and courteous. I loved this place.
(5)Lisa S.
This was right next door to my hotel, the Mills House -- I actually could see the restaurant right outside my window! I only got desert and drinks at Poogan's Porch, and that was yummy. I got the bread pudding and it was really good. Next time, I'll stop by for dinner...Giada was here!
(4)Repub L.
Tasty food, relatively reasonable prices, great service.
(4)Gen M.
My husband has been telling me forever about the best fried chicken he's ever had. So the first place we went to when we got to charleston was Poogan's Porch for this famous fried chicken. I got the Poogan's fried chicken which is a bonless chicken breast stuffed with ham and greens that has this slightly sweet and tangy sauce over it. The seasoning is perfect and the crust was crisp, it's hard to describe how good the food was. My husband got the regular fried chicken which was just as good. Both came with creamy potatoes and the most delicious green beans. You also get a basket of biscuits and honey butter, so good we ate two baskets *blush* They had refreshing sweet tea too! The service was excellent and the restaurant is beautiful. We sat on the upstairs deck outside at sunset, it was a gorgeous evening warm and balmy. We had a wonderful meal, I only hope we can get back there one day.
(5)John M.
Poogan's Porch was one of the first places we visited while on vacation in Charleston a few years back. It looks like most of the historic home in Charleston but was recommended by one of the guides we had (yes, we were tourists). The staff was very friendly, and there is a cool story about a dog named Poogan that the last family that had lived there left when they moved. Poogan was adopted by the folks that bought the placed and lived what seemed to be a very laid back life until he passed on. Anyhow, the food was good, we had crab cakes and a salmon and goat cheese salad with what I believe was a curry peach vinaigrette. All of the food was very good and the salad was especially memorable. A cute place to have lunch, especially if you have a place in your heart for our furry little friends.
(5)Michelle S.
Not sure why someone said the place was smelly....I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I had a wonderful breakfast on Sunday...had the shrimp and grits. The grits were so creamy and the blue crab sauce was really good. The only downside was service was a little slow. However the server was really nice. I would definitely want to go there again!
(4)Al L.
Pretty good food, but the service was lacking. They served our main course before our soup, then the soup came out as we were eating our main meal. After we finished our main meal, it took a long time to be served our dessert. This was on Thanksgiving day and it was a fixed menu. We ordered all our choices for appetizer, main course and dessert when we sat down. Poogan's porch had the best biscuits in Charleston. It's served with honey butter. The lack of bathrooms was annoying. I would give it a second chance because the food was pretty good and we're not sure if the service was bad because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
(3)Christine K.
We had breakfast there this morning and the best thing about it was the Bloody Mary and the buscuits. Our first bowls of grits arrived at the table cold as ice and we had to send them back. My poached eggs were cold and the hollandaise sauce was bland. Service was marginal -waited forever to get our drink orders in and then we were never offered refills on anything. Definitely NOT worth $40.
(2)Hiromi N.
Southern charm at its best. The Victorian Style dining room is not only cozy and inviting, but is also romantic. With the front door open and the screened door allowing the chirps of the crickets filter in, I can't imagine another place that I wanted to be at that particular moment in time. My travel partner ordered the Ms. Bertha She-Crab and I ordered the Warm Spinach Salad to start off with. The She-Crab was DELECTABLE and my Warm Spinach Salad tossed with applewood smoked bacon just seemed to get better with every chew. We also shared the crab cake appetizer, which was something totally different than what we had expected. Of course, maybe it was because just the day before we had munched on Baltimore styled crab cakes. I wasn't completely sold on the Poogan's Porch version because of the consistency. For the main meal, I ordered the Plantation Fried Chicken and my travel companion chose the Pork Tenderloin. Now, I'm a SUCKER for Fried Chicken. I may be health conscious West Coaster now, but I'm also originally from the south. This version of one of my favorite down home comfort foods hit the spot. Succulent pieces of chicken with meat stuffed with cheese, pesto and country ham, which just melted in my mouth. Oh and I completely fell in love with the mashed potatoes that accompanied my dish. The pork tenderloin that my travel companion ordered was moist and flavorful, but I'm not a big fan of pork. The collard greens, though, were really done well. All in all, I was really pleased with our "splurge" dinner in Charleston. The service was attentive, but not intrusive. The waitress made great suggestions and the wine list was adequately priced and sufficient to pair with the food. Plus, the legend behind the restaurant was a great lead in for our evening ghost walk...
(4)Dafna C.
It's been two years since I've visited Charleston and I still have Poogan's Porch on my mind. This restraunt is one of my favorite places on earth! You walk up to this beatiful little Victorian home with windowboxes overflowing with color and a rickety fence. Inside you find more of the same classic charm, a dining room filled with natural light or sit on the front or back porches when weather permits. The food is excellent too, southern but with a slightly french feel. You can view the menu online. I recommend the Chicken Charleston - only $8.00 for lunch. They even have a couple of delicious vegetarian entrees. Dinner is a bit more costly running about $20 per entree but well worth it!
(5)Jen K.
I am sad to report that Poogan's Porch was rather disappointing. After reading many reviews, we decided to try this place for lunch, hoping to get a cozy Southern meal before leaving Charleston. The service was pretty terrible; we were given two warm biscuits (definitely yummy, served with a honey butter that was pre-packaged by Land-O-Lakes or some such mass butter manufacturer) but no bread plates, and our waitress was almost always nowhere to be found, so we ate without plates and just left lots of crumbs on the table; our sweet tea was also yummy, but glasses were left empty for a good 15-20 minutes while we tried to flag down our waitress to ask for more (or to ask for *anything*). We had the fried green tomatoes with a remoulade sauce to start (very good, cooked perfectly and the sauce was wonderful), and we ordered the same entree -- a salmon special (filet with a crawfish tomato cream sauce). The specials menu said the dish came with grits and collard greens, which I was jonesin' to try.... our waitress brought the dishes (after a LONG wait... with no tea...) and it came with green beans. Well, half the resaon I ordered the special was to try the collards. Of course, she had run off as soon as she dumped the meal, so we once AGAIN had to flag down someone. Eventually we got a small side dish of greens, and they were yummy; the grits were so-so and gelled together rather than creamy. We were frustrated enough that we decided to forgo dessert, and I hardly EVER forgo dessert! ;) The atmosphere was rather skeezy -- wallpaper was peeling from the walls and there were dirty stains along the trim and on the floor. It really gave off a dilapidated rather than a cozy/charming atmosphere. Go elsewhere in Charleston if you're looking for a decent meal!
(2)Lija H.
now this is what i call down home southern cookin'. this place is legit. sat on the front porch and enjoyed an incredible array of low country cooking from fried green tomatoes, to shrimp & grits, home made biscuits and yes - a fried green tomato BLT (dreamy!). we made a pact to eat southern food throughout our entire trip to charleston and poogan's porch was spot on, hands down the best of the bunch.
(5)Kathleen P.
This place is amazing. It's tricky to find because it's on more of a back street and parking is always tough, but it is worth it. I am pretty sure they serve breakfast all day, but no matter what you get here it's good. The servers are always really nice, and it's a cool restaurant because it's in an old house and it's just cool.
(5)Rosie R.
LOVE. Sit on the balcony upstairs with your biscuits and sweet tea and maybe at some point you'll actually want to get up leave.
(5)Brian S.
wow,! a restaurant that was started in what was an old house, named after the couple's dog; what tribute. Who would have thought that this place would still be thriving today, drawing in massive crowds for top of the line, authentic, exquisite southern food?! We sat in the enclosed portion of the patio, or one of them assuming that there is more than one. Our server was very friendly, answering any questions that we had and explaining all of the dishes to us. For drinks, Pugin's punch (cranberry, orange, and pineapple juices with rum if I remember correctly) was sweet and tangy, a fitting start to dinner. For appetizers, fried green tomatoes are crispy and greasless with romalade (sweet and spicy marmalade) sauce; fried crawfish fritters have a crispy corn meel batter with rich, succulent crawfish filling, served with the same sauce. . The house special buttermilk fried chicken was some of the moistest, tenderest chicken that I have ever had; a whole chicken breast with buttermilk and herbs and spices with a crispy, greasless batter. The mashed potatoes were rich and fluffy; The green beans were crisp and fresh.. The biscuits (I wish that we would have gotten more,) were fluffy with that homemade taste; I did not try or even know that we had honey to put on them; that would have definitely complimented the rich, buttery homemade goodness of the biscuits. We did not get desserts, which we will do next time, as well as explore the rest of the menu. So, for authentic, top notch southern fare in an old world, clean atmosphere with friendly Pugin's Porch cannot be beat. Keep up the good work guys.!
(5)Sydney L.
Poogan's is a special occasion type place (read: pricey), but worth it. We hit major traffic coming into the city and arrived 40 minutes after our reservation, but were pleasantly surprised they had held our table. Our waitress was also quite accommodating as we had a tour scheduled and needed to be in and out in 60 minutes. Jumbo lump crab cakes were on special--lots of crab and little filling, but they weren't the best I've ever had (they were also on the small side for $15). Alligator salad was tasty and a good portion. Cast Iron Pork Chop was crisp and moist. Gouda Mac and Cheese was the real highlight of the plate. Plantation Fried Chicken had an interesting sweet sauce. Very different, but delicious. Overall we're happy we came to this Charleston institution and would consider stopping in again if we had a special occasion to celebrate.
(4)Kelsey F.
GET THE MAC & CHEESE!!! Just don't miss out on the Mac and cheese. Seriously so good. Fried chicken was great- very moist and had a crisp and very flavorful fried batter. Get both of the sauces on the side (both are delicious). Biscuits were also very tasty. Our waitress, Lacey was amazing - sweet and extremely helpful. She made great suggestions when we couldn't decide and wanted to eat everything. Don't be turned off by the decor inside (still not sure what's really going on there... Let's call it southern eclectic?) Just close your eyes and enjoy the mac.
(5)Brittney C.
Great ambiance - complete Southern feel. The brunch food was outstanding - started with hot, fresh biscuits, fried green tomatoes, and among the table we ordered shrimp and grits, fried chicken/waffles, pimiento grilled cheese, fried chicken with collared greens and mashed potatoes. The grits were some of the best I've had (though being from Texas, not sure that we have that great of grits to begin with!). I would highly recommend this place to get a good feel of the south.
(5)Maidel R.
A lil creepy with the history and a lil tight quarters. The food was average and so was the service
(5)Chelsea R.
Best southern food in Charleston, hands down!
(5)Aaron V.
We dined here on Christmas Eve. I had made reservations a few days beforehand, so we wouldn't be stranded without a place to go for dinner while in Charleston. We arrived a few minutes early, but were seated right away. The food was quite good - except for one item. However, I don't think the food was as good as the prices being charged for it. The biscuits were a huge disappointment. I know this is just the bread that they serve with the meal. But if you're going to specialize in Southern food, you need to have your biscuits down! They were served hot...nice, tender and flakey. But...someone failed to add that pinch of salt to the dough! It seems like a small thing, but no salt in the dough makes for a biscuit that tastes like raw flour. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh, maybe it was just that one batch. But on to the service. The service was quick and friendly...maybe overly friendly. Again, for a restaurant of this calibre, you'd expect a waiter that is a little more professional, a little less "sports bar". Also, we were among the last to be seated, and as other diners left, tables were being cleaned and being set for the next opening. However, the staff would wipe the tables, throw the rag across the back of a dining chair, and walk off to do something else. For at least 15 minutes, there were at least 3 nasty rags hanging on chair backs. Ewwwww. Not a great visual at a finer dining establishment.
(3)Julie H.
A nice restaurant with a well designed menu. The mustard bbq and smoked mac was very good as was the seafood pasta. The portions of scallops and ravioli was small. The she crab soup here has a spiciness that I don't care for. The biscuit bread was enjoyable. It was nice having the option of outdoor seating. Our waiter Nick did a great job; however, the kitchen was behind so meals came out slowly.
(3)Aleaha R.
I have to be honest I have been here 3 times and each time I'm more disappointed. The fried green tomato and fried pimento cheese I highly recommend. The tomatoes though are a little dry, a sauce would make them better. Service is always great there, very friendly and attentive. First visit had fried chicken and was good. The last visit, We had 4 different dinners and had mixed reviews. The steak special was really good and cooked right. The ribs and Mac were really good. The short rib was ok, I was tender but I have had better at other places. The cauliflower mash was not good, had to order a side of mashed potatoes. The worst meal which was recommended by the server was the red snapper. The fished was cooked so much that the skin would not separate. Pork was super dry and overall needed a sauce or something. My husband had about 3 bites and threw the rest away. For the price just disappointed. Just at a point we won't return.
(2)Tavia H.
I was referred to Poogan's Porch by Florida friends who used to live in Charleston and I was not disappointed!! I made reservations for my 3 girlfriends and I for the second night we were there..and the night before we did a Ghost Tour and found Poogan's was on the tour as the third most haunted restaurant in America!!! Our tour guide told us about an old schoolteacher who used to live there named Zoe who plays tricks on the servers and guests, particularly females! Some people have also felt the spirit of Poogan, who was a little stray dog that the owners took in and who often greeted guests on the porch! While we were eating dinner, our server came up and asked us how our food was and out of the corner of my eye I saw the lemon in my ice tea pop off the rim and land across the table near my friends drink....we definitely had a visit from Zoe!!! It was very exciting!! Even with all the excitement it didn't outshine our delicious dinner! we started out with heavenly biscuits and my friend ordered a side of mac n cheese which was equally yummy! I had the short ribs and my three friends had the fried chicken entrees...and we all loved our food!! The overall experience with food, server and Zoe made for a fun night!!!!
(5)Jin G.
Loved it! Definitely recommend it to anyone who want to try good southern food, especially the shrimp and grits! Food: 5 stars Went here with my parents to try some legit southern food and was not dissapointed! Mom had the dinner special seared scallops. She love it. After taking a small bite, it was tender, juicy and buttery. It was like a small cloud of love! Dad had the roasted duck. It was also delicious, juicy and tender. I must say, this place knows how to execute their protein. I had the shrimp and grits. I never realized how flavorful grits can be. Best that I have ever had! I would come back here in a heart beat! For dessert we shared the flourless chocolate cake with strawberry ice cream. The perfect finish to a perfect meal! It was more dark than I expected but the ice cream off set the bitterness. One more scoop of ice cream would've provided more balance because it seemed to me that the cake was a bit heavy. Still it was a very delicious meal! Ambience: cozy and classic. We were sat promptly in the 2nd floor near a window that provided the perfect amount of sunlight to off set the dim lighting. Service: hands down one of the better waitress that I have encountered. She was professional and attentitive. Our glass were never empty, switched out our dinner ware at the appropriate times.
(5)Rachel F.
Great food, great atmosphere, and watch out for the ghost of poogan. It is said he roams the restaurant and patrons feel him brush up against them. Great dinner spit.
(5)Leona J.
All fried food with NO vegetarian options besides one egg omelet. Left a lot to be desired. Our table found a palmetto bug crawling around on the floor and when we brought it to a waiter's attention, he stepped on and killed it right there in the restaurant! Will never go back.
(1)Lisa W.
My husband and I had dinner here last evening. All I can say is that the staff was amazing! The food was to die for ! I had some of the fried green tomatoes which were wonderful and the she crab soup is delectable! my husband enjoyed the bone in fried pork chop with green beans and a mac and cheese that I have a hard time finding the proper words to describe the greatness of it. I had the smoked mustard barbecued ribs. Hours after eating them I could still smell the wonderful aroma of the smoked meat and the delicious thoughts of enjoying this meal again. The peanut butter pie is wonderful and the pecan pie is out of this world. If you have the time, stop by and enjoy a meal at this restaurant while in Charleston South Carolina.
(5)Amy R.
PHENOMENAL!!!! The food is just awesome. The biscuits are out of this world!! I had the natural fried chicken with whipped potatoes & green beans with onions. The chicken came with 2 gravy/sauce choices. Both were equally scrumptious. My husband had the shrimp & grits. The best he's ever had in his life. For dessert we had the bread pudding was which unbelievably amazing!! The service & atmosphere were top notch!!! We loved this restaurant & would come back to Charleston just to eat there.
(5)Jason B.
We ended up going back for brunch when most places we checks were insanely busy but Poogan's had a 15 minute wait. Once again spectacular service (thank you for everything Sara!) and delicious food. The chicken and waffles was as sublime as the soft and perfect biscuits. I can't say enough about how great this place is and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Sarah F.
My favorite restaurant in Charleston! Set in a fabulous historic home in downtown Charleston, the food is amazing and the service is spot on. If you are looking for comfort food, with an upscale southern flare, this is the dinner spot for you! Always leave happy with a full belly!
(5)Gloria C.
My husband & I went there Saturday evening, 9-5-2015 and we were disappointed. We were seated upstairs in the rear dinning room. The room was nice enough but the chairs are worn out and you sit down in a hole because the cushions have given up. Have the owners sat in those chairs in the last few years? They must have forgotten to dim the lights because the room was very bright the whole time we were there. We waited a long time for the salmon. It was probably good 20 minutes prior when it was first prepared... but by the time it reached us it was not hot at all. I am guessing that the celebs pictured on the wall in the entrance hall downstairs got their food when it was still hot. I don't like my entree served in a big bowl either especially since I was already sitting too low in a hole in the seat cushion. Such simple things would have made this a very nice dinning experience: dim the lights when it gets dark outside, reupholster the chairs bottoms, bring the food out when its HOT, stop serving entrees in big bowls.
(2)Roseanne R.
First visit to Poogan's! Made reservations on-line and was seated immediately. Service was kinda slow, our server seemed to have responsibility for all of the tables in the back area where we were seated. I ordered the pork chop, collards and mac and cheese and enjoyed my meal. My husband had the short ribs and was not impressed. The ribs were tough, without much flavor, so he filled up on the biscuits. Lovely old house, ambiance was okay.
(4)Kimberly H.
You are in for a real treat if you going to Poogan's Porch. Everything I tried from the menu was excellent . I ordered the shrimp and grits and I will have to say they have the best shrimp and grits anywhere. My husband ordered the ribs and macaroni and cheese. This macaroni and cheese is the best I ever had with gouda cheese and ham. The she crab is excellent as well, with a not too spicy jalapeño sauce. They will keep bringing you home made biscuits that are delicious. The entrees run around 24 dollars, but they have huge helpings. We made reservations,and we were glad we did.
(5)Lauren T.
Love this cute restaurant! Poogan's Porch is one of the oldest restaurants in Charleston (along with Queen 82 which I believe is THE oldest), and it has a great reputation in the area. We came here for Sunday brunch and had a fabulous time! The restaurant is in an old house that really gives you a true "Charleston" vibe, and they serve lowcountry favorites and southern staples. We got the French toast, cheese grits, sausage and mimosas, among other things, and everything was delicious from start to finish.This is an awesome place for brunch, lunch or dinner and it is in a fabulous location!
(4)Katy L.
Two weeks removed from my trip to Charleston and I still think about the chicken and waffles from Poogan's. Too bad that wasn't what I even ordered. We stopped here for Sunday brunch on the recommendation of a friend. There was a wait, 30 minutes, which wasn't bad. And they do it so they will call you when your table is ready so you can walk around the area around the restaurant. Once seated, we were delivered some amazing biscuits. I wanted to ask for more but thought that might be in poor taste. I ordered the shrimp and grits, which was pretty awesome, but my friend ordered the real winner -- the aforementioned chicken and waffles. The waffle was so crispy and delicious, the chicken moist and tasty. The star was the syrup which is infused with hot sauce. Sounds weird but it was amazing. I will definitely be back the next time I am in Charleston.
(5)Rachel N.
Ate here for our last meal in charleston and it was delicious! Surprisingly we were seated in a Friday night of a holiday weekend within 10 mins. It was just my husband and I and they only had porch seating but it was perfect for us! The food came out quickly and was yummy! I had the fried chicken and husband had the scallops- we liked both!
(5)Ashley W.
Wonderful wonderful food and service! Save room for the peach cobbler! A must try! Poogan's never disappoints. Some of the best she crab soup in Charleston, great portions, and casual yet classy dinning.
(4)Christy M.
Excellent dinning experience! The sweet tea salmon is a must. The wait staff were very nice. I would recommend this place for a special occasion.
(5)Amanda L.
Oh goodness, where do I begin?! This restaurant is adorable, delicious and you'll leave just feeling happy! I recently vacationed in Charleston with my boyfriend and his family and this was hands down the most memorable restaurant we visited. My boyfriend and I escaped his family for date night at Poogan's Porch and started off with the Mac & Cheese. While this isn't your typical appetizer, this is everything you'd ever want in mac and cheese. It was creamy, hot and perfectly spiced with the ham and scallions. Next came the deliciously warm and perfectly flaky biscuits paired with a whipped, sweetened butter - yum! My boyfriend and I ordered the same thing for dinner, which never happens, but thank goodness we did because this plate is not worth sharing. Be selfish - eat the Pan Roasted Grouper all by yourself! The fish was perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was a good sized portion and I just didn't want it to end. The spices of the fish paired with the sweetness from the creamed corn were the perfect bite. Below the fish are a few pimiento cheese ravioli - oh.my .yum. You're able to taste the freshness in the pasta and the pimiento cheese didn't overwhelm the dish. If we lived in or near Charleston we'd be back every week. We were seated on the back porch and it was the perfect evening to sit outside, enjoy a few glasses of wine and a deliciously elegant meal. I'll be sure to come back if I'm back in Charleston again!
(5)Mary Jo S.
We first ate at Poogan's in 2011. Thoroughly enjoyed the food and atmosphere. This year comes along and we have plans for a FL vacation in November...and our 40th anniversary was on our trip back home. Charleston wasn't a long detour, so we spent our anniversary dinner enjoying a wonder meal and evening. When I called to make a reservation, I mentioned that it was our anniversary. The host, Louis, welcomed us like dear old friends. Our attentive and gracious server, Sarah, treated us as if were her only table - but we weren't. Our meals were delicious and served graciously. We could not have asked for anything more. Even better, it seemed like every group at the other tables in our room was receiving the same attention. Thank you again Sarah, Louis, and Poogan's Porch, for a most wonderful and memorable special day.
(5)Alissa P.
Awesome service from our waitress and the food was so good! We had a 5 year old, 2 year old and a 2 month old with so we made a reservation and they were super nice about it. I highly recommend the pimento and cheddar fritters as well as the fried chicken sandwich!
(5)John B.
The only reason I am giving one star is because I cannot give none. Let me start with the positives. The biscuits are to die for. The food is above average. The issue with this restaurant is the absolutely horrible service. We were seated for close to 20 minutes before we finally asked a waitress who our wait person was as she had walked past us several times without looking at us. It was pretty clear that she wasn't. There was a bus boy clearing a table next to us that totally ignored us. She seemed totally oblivious on how to answer the simple question and said she would be back. She disappeared for about 10 minutes and a seemingly nice lady showed up to take our drink orders. No apology and she mentioned that she would try to figure out what was happening with our server. She came back with drinks and a waiter. Who also was apathetic to our wait. He did take our order and we finally got our food. Everyone got their food but one dish's steak was way over done and was sent back. It took another 30 minutes for the refute to show up. They did not offer anything more than an apology for the steak. No free desert, nothing. if service is important to you, do not eat here!
(1)Sloan S.
Poogan's Porch is always on my list anytime I have the opportunity to get down to Charleston. The food is always on point and the service is top-notch. I mean, in a city full of amazing restaurants, you have to really stand out! I've been to Poogan's Porch for lunch and dinner before and thought they were both great; on my recent visit I was able to grab a later Saturday brunch. As with every meal, they bring out the most incredible biscuits and butter. I could probably eat entire baskets of these! The brunch menu is more limited but they've included a few lunch favorites, like the Famous Fried Chicken Salad. Seriously, this salad is bomb. The fried chicken is done so lightly that it doesn't feel too heavy or greasy; just the right amount of crunch without feeling like you're eating something terrible for you. The salad is well-adorned with vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots), but the real star is the dressing! It's a honey-jalapeño dressing that I am craving as I'm writing this review... so delicious and pairs so well with the chicken. My mom ordered the Crab Cake Benedict and my boyfriend had the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Of course, I tried both and was seriously impressed. The hollandaise sauce over the poached eggs was perfection, and the BLT has a surprising addition of crab meat remoulade, which kind of sends the sandwich over the top (if that's possible). So, so good. This place gets super busy so make reservations or plan to park yourself at the bar while you wait! Great mimosas during brunch, too.
(5)Eric K.
Ate here for brunch before departing Charleston. Really good eggs benedict. Others in my party partook of the sweeter side of the brunch menu, and one went between the two with chicken and waffles. Everyone was very satisfied with their meal. Poogan's is named for the stray dog the owners sort of inherited when they bought the house years ago. Poogan passed away decades ago and the statue out front and the name is all that remains. (The statue does not do the dog any justice though; looks creepy.) Poogan's is interesting for another reason: it's a stop on some of the city's ghost tours, though not for the dog. One of the house's previous owners is said to haunt the joint. Our breakfast? No ghost. Take note of the celebrity signatures on the way in. Some of them are quite dated, so it's an interesting gallery of careers past as you wait to be seated.
(4)Zahyra G.
Everything was great from the appetizers to the food n service. Julie was our server and she was great at giving pointers and describing the plates. 1st time visit to Charleston will definitely come back here to eat.
(5)Patrick L.
Hands down the best damn fried chicken I've ever had. We had a wait of 35 minutes for lunch so we ate at the bar. I told the people next to me if I could I would marry the fried chicken. I think it's legal in South Carolina or is that Kentucky? Go here. Eat. Be happy.
(5)John H.
We have eaten at Poogans Porch for eight or so years (my wife longer than that), and it is always a fun place for a meal. The prices are fair, the ambiance is nice, and the food is always delicious. The cocktail I had today was the bourbon smash thingie. Uhmmm, yeah, that's not on my must do again list, but everything else was great! Today I tried the fried chicken sliders and my wife had the fried green tomato blt. Both were terrific. Sitting outside on a beautiful fall day like today is perfect!
(5)J V.
What a great place with such history and charm. I love the story about this place. The food was EXCELLENTLY. We went on a Sunday for brunch and the waitress was extremely nice and she helped with suggestions of what we should get. They give you complimentary biscuits. Always a plus for us! I got the pork chop and it was so succulent.
(5)Amanda H.
We came here for lunch on a weekday & throughly enjoyed our meal! Atmosphere: Relaxed with a classy twist. The restaurant is an old home that is supposedly one of the most haunted in the world! Service: Fast & friendly Food: Delicious!! There were so many things on the menu we wanted to try I only wished I had the capacity to eat more. We shared a few dishes & really enjoyed them all! We had the Gouda Mac & cheese as a side, along with the shrimp & grits & the fried green tomato BLT. I would certainly order all options again! I hope to return in the future & try out some more things on the menu. I would highly recommend dining here!
(5)Nicole R.
I'm rating overall experience here. First and foremost make a reservation...in advance...days out! Totally worth it! We arrived early. The bar was a little crowded but I was told that I could take my drink outside at their little tables. This was our first night of mild temperatures so it was perfect. Decided to be adventurous and had the stampede (pricey drink) because I love buffalo trace! Was leery of egg whites in my drink but it was in a powder form and added a frothiness that was SO good! I am craving the drink as I write! We were seated upstairs...decor was beautiful. Started my meal off with she-crab soup. I'd never had it before and wanted to make sure to try this Charleston staple. Very tasty...sweet. The biscuits are served premeal with a tasty sweet butter. My meal choices was the short ribs with horseradish cauliflower puree. Not the best shirt ribs I've had but good still. My mom had scallops and shrimp with a grit cake...she enjoyed it. Dessert was their version of an apple crumble...served with ice cream. Since it was a prebirthday dinner...dessert was on them as well as a complimentary glass of rose. Highly recommend for total experience...good drink...good food...great staff!
(5)E.C. S.
The food was terrific. Our table was in the bay window of the main floor -- a nice spot, but... At a neighboring table a patron was not happy with his meal and was VERY loudly complaining. This kinda took the fun out of it. The result of that felt like the server just wanted them to leave -- no visit form the manager or chef -- which left us feeling uncomfortable and a bit awkward. While this did not happen at our table, it DID influence our experience. The place also felt a bit "stuffy" -- almost TOO quiet and hush-hush. We like a place with a bit of life (fun-life, not angry-life) and Poogan's fell a bit short of the right ambiance for us. The food was terrific -- I had a simple dish of fried shrimp and it was top-notch -- and no complaints there. I just wish the place had a vibe that was more fun and full of life. We might return but, quite frankly, I would prefer to spend my time and money in Husk (right next door).
(4)Heather H.
This was such a poor experience and wish I could do zero stars since we left before being seated. We checked into Poogans Porch during lunch hour and was given a wait time of 25-30 minutes. After approximately 40, I approached the hostess to ask how long the wait would continue since we were over in time and there were three tables available outside on the porch. She was rather rude and quoted another 10 minutes since one other couple was ahead of us. During the process of waiting, several other waiting guests of the restaurant made comments of the rudeness of the host. We joked that you didn't typically find that behavior in the South, especially in the tourist industry. (This confirmed that I wasn't being overly sensitive due to my hunger.) Then, after approximately 50 minutes, our table was available and we were taken to the back dining area. We were given no apology for our wait. However, as the hostess rounded the entrance to the back dining area, she stated that our table was full and that it was marked incorrectly. She left us (by the bathrooms) to go and figure things out. Then, as she came back, we were told once again that it would be another 5-10 minute wait. We decided to leave at this point and I made the comment that they needed to better 1) explain outdoor seating and 2) give more accurate wait times. We had plans and could no longer wait at this facility. As I turned around I caught her saying something snippy to a server. Therefore, I asked for a manager's card and will be writing a similar email to him. I will say the food looked good as it passed by....however, I can find plenty of other great places to eat in this city.
(1)Martin G.
Pretty good still. Great atmosphere and wait staff. Wonderful old house restaurant. Food is so-so. Plantation chicken good. But snapper tasted frozen or overdone. Go though just because its a Chas must. And you might get the best seat in the house.
(3)Jessica C.
This tourist place was pretty crowded in a Saturday for bunch. We were told the wait would be 30mins at 1:30pm so we headed to the bar. After ordering a drink and about actually 15 minutes later our table was ready which was nice. We ordered the Mac and cheese appetizer and it was quality cheese and the green onions were a nice touch. Biscuits and butter were brought out before the meal. I ordered the blackened fish with poached eggs son a bed of succotash and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the fried pork chop and he said it was a little above average. It was dry on the edges of meat and juicy in the middle. Would we go back during our next visit?.... Depends if there was a wait! There are some many different great restaurants I would like to explore other options!
(4)Lily L.
A group of my friends and I came here for lunch on a Friday, and the service was great! The waiter was super friendly, the atmosphere was very charming, and the shrimp and grits that I ordered were delicious - not too runny or dry, and a good portion for lunch. I will note that there really isn't much street parking available, but there is a paid garage nearby.
(4)Tracie F.
Excellent service! Best lunch ever! Sat out on the upstairs porch...gorgeous Day, birds singing...BEST ever pork chop, collard greens and the BISCUITS & MAC n CHEESE are to DIE FOR! Perfect atmosphere...loved eating outside! Can't wait to come again!
(5)Hailey P.
Poogan's Porch is excellent! I love the atmosphere and the service is good. The food is so fulfilling and delicious. I am a huge fan of the gouda mac and cheese. The buttermilk chicken is superb.
(5)Michele C.
Ate here on a girls trip weekend. Ordered the shrimp and grits (very good) and the fried chicken (very very good). Drinks were adequately liquored up and the service was exceptional! I would go back for the friend chicken for sure and I can't imagine me saying that at $22 a plate for basic (but not) friend chicken.
(5)Rob H.
I had the Pan Seared Scallops - Smoked bacon risotto cake, citrus scented spinach, tomato-green onion buerre blanc. It was very good and I enjoyed it. My companion had the fried chicken because it was so highly recommended. She was thoroughly under impressed. It was cold and dry :-( We felt, while the service was excellent and it was an interesting and fun place, that the general service concept was "get 'em in and get 'em out". Not an elegant relaxed dining experience for dinner.
(3)G J.
Classic feel in an old home. Not only was our server very attentive, so were several other members of the wait staff who checked in us. We went with shrimp and grits off the traditional menu and crispy skin snapper off the contemporary menu, so different yet both were outstanding. Highly recommended.
(5)Korina S.
Loved the look of this place; it was like an actual house, really cute and quaint. The biscuits and butter they give you to start are so good! We also started with the fried pimento cheese which was tasty. Since I was visiting down south, I thought I should get the fried chicken. It came with mashed potatoes and gravy and was pretty amazing! The service was also good and they had some tasty cocktails.
(4)Meg M.
My husband and I had lunch here on a Friday around 1pm, we only had to wait about 15 minutes and were seated on the porch. our waiter was very attentive, always making sure our glasses were full and food was brought promptly. We split a wedge salad [pretty basic wedge], then the pimento fritters... which were awesome! They were stuffed full of pimento cheese, we had 2 each and the sauce they were in was perfect. We split the fried green tomato BLT and were so glad we split, it was HUGE. more than one tomato, and great bacon and sauce. The homemade chips were good, but hard to eat since we were so full after all the rest. we enjoyed sitting outside with a slight breeze, but also to people watch and listen to the guides on the horse drawn tour groups. I would go back when in town and get the fritters and blt again or just the fried green tomato app.
(5)Ashlynn B.
Outstanding. Amazing. Delicious. I come here every time there's the Charleston restaurant week. The prices are wonderful and the food is SUPERB. I've had almost everything on their menu and it's all delicious.
(5)K H.
One of the best meals we had in Charleston! First of all it is in this gorgeous old Victorian home, which set the stage for a perfectly southern meal. We started with homemade low-country biscuits and butter, delicious start. We had the lump crab toast as an appetizer, so fresh with just the right amount of mayo. My husband ordered the duck, which was outstanding. Cooked perfectly with the most complex flavors. The service was fantastic, the staff was very accommodating and attentive. We heard the pimento chess fritters were incredible, but were just so stuffed from our meal we couldn't eat another bite. We must try it on our next trip! This is a must-visit if you are in town for more than a day!
(5)Vinetta F.
Very over rated. Poogan's Porch is fine. It's not great, but not terrible either. This place was totally a disappointment. I expected a much better experience based on the reviews. I had the Pan Roasted Duck, which was under cooked for my taste. Dessert wasn't even a redeeming part of the meal. The crust on the pecan pie was raw; plus, the filling was more of a bourbon custard. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend this local. Also, I totally have concerns when you walk pass the entrance to the kitchen and it smells like sour milk.
(3)Brendan O.
Southern food, especially seafood, at its finest. We shared the She Crab soup which held a perfect rue with subtle crab flavors. The award winning seafood and grits did not disappoint. The scallops were cooked perfectly with shrimp served over a fried grit cake. Scallops over ravioli was perfect. The home style decor, great service, and wide ranging wine selection made this a great night.
(5)Dawn W.
Loved the fried green tomatoes. The pimento fritters were also great. Iced tea was perfect! The fried chicken salad is huge. The short rib sandwich was also great!! Beautiful old restaurant in charleston!
(4)Sam R.
Experienced one of my top 5 meals of all time here! Had the She Crab Soup as an app and the Shrimp and Crab pasta dish - so deliciously amazing! I had been craving a pasta dish and it delivered 100%. Great atmosphere and drinks. Definitely have to book a reservation in advance. A must stop when passing through.
(5)Jonathan S.
Wasn't impressed by this place at all. I had two of their special cocktails, both were disgusting. Trust me, I'm not a picky drinker either. For dinner had their BBQ chicken with blue cheese risotto. Risotto was fantastic, chicken was dry and bland. Was also supposed to have some Texas Pete on it but didn't taste it at all. What brings it up to 2 star were the amazing pimento cheese balls and mac and cheese. Service was also slightly below to average rating.
(2)Gerry G.
Fried chicken was awesome, the ribs were excellent. Biscuits are the best we have had. Now we are going to try the pecan pie. Terrific dinner stop.
(5)Bev A.
Spending a month in Charleston for the Holidays which gives us many days and nights to try out more great restaurants. We do rely on Yelp as well as recommendations from friends and family. This was a hit. Bibb Wedge salad and She Crab Soup to start. The salad was fresh, perfectly dressed and enough to share. My husband enjoyed the soup, but he's from the south and has had better (he likes when they serve the sherry on the side to pour into the soup) Ribs and Mac and Shrimp and Grits for our entrees. Both were incredible. The ribs had this delectable mustard BBQ sauce and the meat literally fell off the bone. Gouda Mac & Cheese, some of the best ever. The shrimp and grits equally as amazing with depth and richness of flavor and nice bites of sausage mixed throughout. Both generous portions and way too much for us to eat at one sitting. We were heading to A Christmas Carol opening night and they were kind enough to save our leftovers for us which we retrieved the next day and enjoyed for a couple more days.
(5)Nichole B.
Although the atmosphere was really appealing and the plating of the food grabbed my attention, the food itself just seemed to lack any flavor. I was really expecting to have sort of a wow moment when eating here but I just didn't. I started with the Fried Green Tomatoes which had no seasoning at all, even in the batter they fry them in. So it tasted like a lot of crunchy nothing, even the peach chutney on the side just tasted like room temperature peaches. I didn't get any goat's cheese as some viewers mentioned? Maybe needed some spices to kick it up a notch? Had the salmon and spinach salad, tasty but not something I'd order again or come back for. The establishment is beautiful and the staff very friendly, every tabled seemed to be booked for lunch on a Friday afternoon. Maybe I just ordered the wrong items this time, but I was expecting a lot more flavor.
(3)Toni P.
Fix yelp! Walked all the way to this restaurant to find out they were closed 230-5...
(1)Dawn C.
This place is adorable and worth the wait for a great meal. I had the fried green tomato BLT, my mom had the southern fried chicken. We were both making yum sounds the entire meal. The only reason I gave 4 stars is due to the very short beer list... A place of this caliber should have a nice variety of local craft beers and some basic staples.
(4)Zimin M.
Their food might be heavenly, unfortunately we didn't have the honor to be allowed in there with baby stroller. We requested to be on the porch by the side so we could be out of the way knowing the establishment is small. We were told we cannot due to safety. I am not sure why a sleeping baby in the stroller is not less safe as those people sitting on the railing of the Porch. We were then told we cannot bring the stroller in. We were left no choice but to leave.
(1)April C.
One of my best friends had his rehearsal dinner here. It's a good thing he is a foodie because we benefited from his great taste! Even with the prixe fix menu, we were having trouble deciding what to get. The she crab soup was phenomenal. We had it three different times during our visit and Poogan's was my favorite. It was not overly salty, but rich in flavor. The scallops were delicious and cooked perfectly. The grits were very good too. The highlight of the evening was actually their complementary biscuits! Our entire group could not stop talking about them. They were flaky and buttery, yet not greasy.
(4)Jennifer G.
Delicious comfort food. Very high quality food, large servings. Can never go wrong with poogan's porch.
(5)Sarah M.
The only reason I have this 4 instead of 5 stars was because they didn't have 1 of the things on the menu I really wanted. And they were out of cobbler that night. But we went to eat late and it's farm to table so I guess that's a sign that everything is fresh and not frozen from a distributor. The food we did have was unbelievable. We still talk about it a month later as one of the best meals we've ever had! Definitely a spot to hit up in Charleston - but make reservations.
(4)Stephanie M.
I really should have ordered the shrimp and grits, is what everybody tells me. Fried pimento cheese balls were yummy but like how could a ball of fried cheese NOT be good. We all shared the alligator salad too. I did not like it that much at all. The alligator tasted like chewy Chinese food chicken. Rest of the salad was average. I ordered the snapper from the menu (not the special) which was featured at the James Beard house. It had a cheddar grit cake and pulled pork too. It was pretty good but it didn't blow my mind. 2 of my friends had the fried chicken, it looked pretty standard. My other friend had the ribs and mac and cheese special and he wasn't blown away by it either. I really liked the drink I ordered, can't remember what it was called but it had cucumber in it and it was really refreshing. Hopefully I'll be back soon to try the shrimp and grits.
(3)Amanda B.
Totally disappointed by Poogan's Porch. The staff is wonderful, but the food is below par. This is more of a tourist trap than a top ranked Charleston restaurant.
(2)John M.
My Bride and I have been spending a week in the Charleston, S.C., area to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and chose Poogans Porch in Charleston for dinner on Thursday. We started with an appetizer of Pork and Beans, which consisted of pork belly, butter beans and black eyed peas. Great way to begin a dining experience in a picturesque environment such as Charleston and historic location like the old house in which Poogans is situated. We moved on to the seared scallops and the Meyer filet, and as my Bride and I are in the habit of sharing our meals, we dined on a Surf & Turf combination of her scallops and my filet. The filet was served a perfect medium rare, and the scallops had the ideal crust and flavoring. We've never had better meals in our travels. Our server, Rosa, was a treat and sent out a complimentary champagne round after we had mentioned that it was our anniversary. If you're looking for a great meal in a beautiful location, try Poogans Porch.
(5)Jane S.
Sadly, incredibly disappointed. Compared to other choices in Charleston like Husk, Stars and Magnolias, Poogans left us wishing for more...a lot more. We had been reading the reviews of Poogans so we decided to go on our way out of town. I had the fried pork chop and eggs, my boyfriend had the pulled pork Benedict. His lacked flavor and was slathered in so much BBQ sauce, even if the plate did posses flavor it would be disguised in the sauce. My dish was a fried onslaught of greasy potatoes and pork with an overdone egg on top. The dishes weren't disgusting but they left ALOT to be desired. Neither of us ate our entire meal, the leftovers weren't worth the hassle of carrying and we both left with stomachaches and disappointment. Even worse, even though our waitress could tell there was something wrong she just dropped the check off and disappeared. Mediocre at best, especially with the epic possibilities just steps away.
(2)Laura M.
Excellent meal. We started with She Crab soup. Oh, so good. The mac and cheese is a must!! We sipped our sweet tea and savored the Shrimp & Grits. A little slice of southern heaven. Highly recommend.
(5)Vicki K.
We are from Texas so we are accustomed to southern comfort food. By any standard Poogan's met AND surpassed all our expectations. Fried green tomatoes appetizer...to die for. Split entree with hubby of fried chicken (2 huge breasts) along with collard greens and garlic mashed potatoes were sooooo good. It was also more food than either of us could eat. Oh and BTW the biscuits and honey butter they bring right up front is everything they said it would be...awesome. Couldn't have been happier with our meal.
(5)Emily G.
As our first stop for food on our Charleston mini-moon, we were really excited to try all the lowcountry specialties Poogan's had to offer. We settled on a couple of things while enjoying our first drinks of the trip. My handsome, brand new husband had a Westwood RPA (rye pale ale - a first for him, but not the last). He enjoys hoppy beers and this didn't disappoint, however he claims he'd pair it more carefully in the future with a meal with more bolder flavors. He ordered the cast iron pork chop, which was the better of our two meals. The pork chop was seasoned well and the gravy it was served with finished it off nicely. The sides were just as great -above average Gouda and ham Mac and cheese, and sautéed green beans cooked to ideal crispness. My meal was just ok. I started off with a delicious cocktail called 'the Mystic' which had st. Germaine, cucumber, grapefruit juice and was refreshing for a day that was pushing 100 deg F. I had the Famous Fried Chicken salad on our server's recommendation. The fried chicken breading was tasty however the chicken itself was dry. The greens were somewhat wilted but the dressing, a jalepeno honey mustard, was original and impressive. Overall, a solid lunch with friendly and attentive service in a cool historical house and a great start to our exploration of Charleston's famous food scene.
(3)Debbie L.
Surprisingly disappointing. Service was terrible. We had reservations for 2 and were seated within 10 minutes, which is acceptable. But that's where it ended. We were not acknowledged from our server for over 15 minutes. We ordered 2 wines. We then had a biscuit basket, which was delicious, but the basket was never removed from the table or refilled. just sat that empty the entire meal. We were told by our server that we should not have gotten "The Specials Menu" since they were sold out. I was disappointed because I did want the special, but decided to order a soup and salad. I also told the server to let me keep the menu, so that I could order something later if I was still hungry. My husband ordered the fried chicken. We never saw the server after that. My salad and husband chicken came out exactly one hour after we were seated. No one aske us how our meal was. My husband wanted to request additional gravy for his potatoes and I was going to order the Mac and cheese. We sat there another 15 minutes after our plates were empty. I fly all over the world and eat out a lot, so I am aware of customer service. I got the impression that volume of guest are more important than the dining experience. I finally left the restaurant hungry, and my husband informed them how unhappy we were. Luis, the general manger was apologetic and unaware of how poor the server was.
(2)Christopher M.
Poogan's Porch was AMAZING! If you want great Southern food, in a beautiful southern town don't miss out on this restaurant. I wish I could give them more than 5 star. The biscuits & gravy and the shrimp & grits are unbelievable. If you are in Charleston go to Poogan's Porch you won't regret it. They close between 2 and 5 to change over from breakfast/brunch to dinner.
(5)Claire D.
Food was excellent, and we got it to go and ate it almost an hour later. Pork chops, scallops, and chocolate peanut butter pie. We have a toddler who doesn't want to be at a restaurant and had never eaten out in Charleston and so we really appreciated they made us a to-go order. Place looked cute, we'll be back!
(4)Caroline C.
Great dining experience start to finish. It felt like we walked into someone's beautiful home for a delicious dinner. We arrived a few minutes early and got their version of a Moscow Mule at the bar. Minor complaint the copper mugs they use to serve this drink has a sharp edge not the nice rounded lip that I am used to at other establishments, tasty drink but I felt like I had to be cautious sipping it. Our meal started with complimentary biscuits. Leading up to our trip my in-laws kept raving about the biscuits so I walked in with high expectations. While I thought they were very good, Poogan's biscuits just fall slightly short of the very best biscuits (for me). That special place in my heart is strictly reserved for the light and buttery morsels at the Loveless Café (outside of Nashville) but their recipe is top secret. Poogan's is willing to share their recipe with you, but I'm sure they have a special touch. I will say their biscuits were the best I had in Charleston which is still no easy feat. For entrees, I had the fried chicken which was a little dry and bland, just meh in my book not worthy of signature dish status. I in typical me fashion had order envy. My very graciously let me have half of his stellar dinner which to me is a sign of true love. My husband ordered the crispy skinned snapper which was designed for the James Beard house and was the best single dish we had while in Charleston. The perfectly cooked snapper had the promised crispy skin and all the accompaniments just made sense. The pimiento cheese grit cake, pulled pork, greens and BBQ reduction all came together to provide all the great flavors of the South in a more refined modern plate. and I cannot sing the praises of this dish enough, if you are going here you must order it, thank me later!! To finish we had the pecan pie and vanilla ice cream. It sounds ho hum but their version of pecan pie had a different creamier filling that was more like a melted, fresh, warm praline than the standard typical corn syrupy "goo" in most pecan pies. I emailed the restaurant and they shared the recipe for the pie and tried to scale it down for a home cook *they normally make 12 pies at a time) which I thought was very cool and I look forward to trying to recreate it at home. We loved the history of the house and next time we are in Charleston we'll be making a repeat visit!
(5)Emily H.
The fried chicken sliders are amazing. The biscuits here are to DIE for. The atmosphere is very charleston, especially if you're seated on or near the porch. The sweet tea is great as well, and always outstanding service.
(5)Deb W.
The food was fantastic and we'd go back in a second if friends wanted to go. The atmosphere was a bit too formal for us, but otherwise it was excellent.
(4)Nicole K.
We came here for lunch on the recommendation of a friend. We love sitting at the bar so we had no wait at all. The food was well priced and prepared and there were ample drink options. Service at the bar was great as well. It definitely lived up to its reputation. The only reason I'm shorting it a star is because of a super small menu selection for lunch options.
(4)Amy S.
So delish!!! Great atmosphere and eclectic southern cooking. If you're in Charleston -- put this spot on your list.
(4)Susan W.
Not exactly what I was expecting. I had lunch here twice in the same week and while the service was good, the food seemed to be hit and miss. Some things were really good while others just okay. I will go back for lunch, but probably not for dinner.
(3)Eric B.
Ate here while visiting Isle of Palms for the week. It's nestled in the old part of Charleston about 4 blocks from the water. We had a reservation for 9 and the table was set up and waiting for us when we arrived. Server promptly arrived at the table to take drink orders and arrived minutes later with biscuits which were fantastic. My wife and I started with the fried green tomato app which was served with baked goat cheese rolled in pecans and peaches on the side. For my entree I had the jumbo sea scallops and my wife had the buttermilk fried chicken. Both were excellent and the portions were large. For dessert we had the "award winning" bread pudding which was mediocre, but good. Overall a great place for a group as well as something a little more intimate.
(4)James H.
So good that we dropped in twice on the same vacation. Great southern fare at an almost great price. The service was good, the food was right up there with grandma's, and the environment is relaxed. The back dining room has great ambiance. I'd recommend it without hesitation.
(4)Andrew M.
I'm not exactly sure why this was listed as a touristy place, since it seemed many locals were here as well. I tried Poogan's Porch due to being fascinated by the legend of Poogan and due to the fact it was across from the Mills House, my hotel. We started with a bowl of she-crab soup, which was amazing. A different server returned with another bowl; we asked our server if there was a problem, and it turned out to be a mix-up in the kitchen. We had to endure another bowl LOL I had the plantation chicken which was crazy good. The sauce added a nice punch. My date had the pork three-ways. The BBQ was ok, but the pork belly and country ham macaroni and cheese was delicious. We finished with the pumpkin bread pudding. While solid, I would have preferred a little more pumpkin flavor. The cocktails were tasty and they were not light on the booze. Our server was delightful. She gave us hints on doggy diets and was just a joy to talk to. Finally, why this place doesn't sell their biscuit mix is beyond me! :)
(5)P. C.
A John Daly, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese fritters and airline chicken... All's good!
(4)Chad R.
During a Birthday trip for my wife while we were on a ghost tour we learned about Poogan's Porch, and the dog it's named after. This morning we had the pleasure of having brunch here. My wife claims its the "best omelet ever" and the French toast is the "Toast with the most" you can not ho wrong. Service was A+ as well as cuisine. Great Job!
(5)Sandra F.
I had the fried green tomato benedict and I thought that was really yummy and fun. Biscuits for the table were great too - haven't found a biscuit yet in Charleston that I didnt like! The reason for only three stars is because some of us Yankees are used to lighter morning far, so when we asked for fruit instead of potatoes it seemed like a reasonable request. Not only did the waitress look at us like we were from Mars, she then proceeded to tell us the fruit would be $5! Thats more than on Miami Beach. When the fruit arrived it was one slice of cantaloupe, one slice of honeydew and a few sliced strawberries - nearly identical to what came as garnish on our plate. Certainly not a $5 fruit bowl. Head for Poogans when you're looking for a country breakfast but don't try to get cute with the substitutions it seems!
(3)Laura F.
Shrimp and Grits. My all time favorite brunch item. I have to say, I've never seen it Poogans style (topped with a poached egg), but was still quite pleased! If I didn't have my heart set on that order, I would have had a hard time deciding on the best brunch choice at Poogans! Will definitely return to challenge my favorite menu choice with another Poogans culinary masterpiece!
(4)Nicole M.
Maybe we were there on an off night, or maybe we ordered incorrectly, or maybe we were destined to be disappointed after having an incredible meal the night before at Husk. Whatever the reason, Poogan's Porch left me bloated from an overly salty meal. The service was friendly and fast, but I was underwhelmed by my meal (scallops -- perfectly done and then overpowered by salty sauce and greens). I also ordered the ramps appetizer which was disappointing, though I'll own up to the fact that fried ramps was probably a bad call on my part. The biscuits were decent. We wanted to like this charmingly situated place, but it wasn't meant to be, and my experience was more tourist trap than fine southern dining.
(2)Shannon M.
You MUST get the fried chicken and biscuits. To die for!!
(5)AL B.
Hands down BEST RESTAURANT in CHARLESTON! From the incredible location on Queen Street in the Historic District, the old home built in the 1800's and later converted to a restaurant, a ghost dog and incredible food.. a MUST ! Had the Mac n'Cheese it was incredible-baked with big chunks of ham and tasty cheese... after this you won't want to share! Homemade biscuits hot out of the oven..so good!! ANd to top it all off the PECAN PIE- full of pecans.. hands down best food in the city and the ambiance was great !!
(5)Mary B.
Yum! Lunch on a Friday afternoon. Had the 3 for $20 w/arugula salad,meatloaf and dessert. Everything great! Get the fried green tomatoes and OMG the biscuits are to die for!
(5)Brian B.
The Snapper with pulled pork, which sounded a little different, was very good. Highly recommend! As well as Mac n cheese app.. Unfortunately the banana bread pudding was sold out. The chocolate cake was ok..
(5)Amanda S.
Amazing buttermilk fried chicken. My mom tried the Plantation fried chicken which was fantastic too. The food and service was excellent! You have to try the pimento and cheese fritter appetizer. They also have a fun drink list with creative cocktails. Excellent location right in the heart of downtown.
(5)Jeffrey G.
Go Elsewhere This place was highly recommended by a couple of local people. We got to the restaurant at 5:30 for dinner. We reported that we had 5 for dinner. They asked if we had a reservation? (We weren't told it was recommended) The hostesses looked at us like we were crazy. The head hostess finally told us "too bad, no room in the inn". We were ready to walk out and she stopped and said she could seat us in the bar. (no problem, we are all adults) My problem with that was, why act like we were intruding on their space? That option should have immediately been open. I thought she was very condescending and even the looks from the waitress were at times condescending, however she was very good and friendly. The six ounce ny strip is not worth $28 beware!! The southern fried chicken was very good The local shrimp pasta made my son sick. Would like to give it a better rating, but my conscience will not allow it.
(1)Hugh W.
Awesome! You should eat here! NOW! I won't bother with details because every single thing was delicious and perfect.
(5)Jill S.
Strange smell in the entrance but absolutely amazing food! Service was also great. No complaints. I was going to give it 4 stars bc it wasn't my absolute favorite, but I can't think of any complaints. The buttermilk fried chicken was the best fried chicken I have had. Enjoy!!
(5)Julie R.
Had lunch here last week on the back porch. Here goes: Service: 5 stars, our server was a complete professional, even though it was busy he spread himself evenly and food was brought promptly. Pulled pork ravioli: This was a big disappointment. The sauce was a tomato sauce and honestly it tasted like cheese ravioli you can make at home. We didn't see or taste any pulled pork in it. It was 2 tiny ravioli for $8..we were surprised. Fried Green Tomato BLT: A step up, the bread was toasted to the point where a second late would of been burnt. The inside was soggy but flavor wise the whole combination was OK. Duck Confit Grilled Cheese: My husband took this on. It had a good amount of duck meat. A triple decker packed with greasy goodness. The biscuits before the food came were decadent. A mini meal in themselves. Keep that in mind if you order an appetizer. The location was great and service excellent. Maybe we got the wrong things, I would give another shot though.
(3)Carla J.
Everything was stellar amazing! Our waiter was great and knowledgable on food and wine. His recommendations were dead on. I would eat here over and over again.
(5)Joanne S.
We were so looking forward to eating at this place. Especially my husband. We're been to Fleet landing, Hominy, Heiyman's & Husk & were excited for this place. Unfortunately the service was very bad. The two parties that came in way after us got their drinks, biscuits & food 20 minute before us. Like them, we had kids and they got kids menu & we didn't so our kids order from the adult menu. Both my husband & dad order their crab soup, one was a cup & one was the bowl. My dad got his cup first, 15 minute later my husband had to remind the waiter for his bowl of soup. 50 minutes later we got our food, my dad's alligator was cold & had to send it back. Nobody enjoyed their food because we waited so long for it and seeing everyone get better service around you and not your family very disappointing. My dad is a chef, I use to waitress in college so we're familiar with good customer service. No apologies from the owners or manager. We normally tip 20% but only tipped 18% because of the poor service.
(1)Grace R.
While on our trip to Charleston this past weekend, we stopped by Poogan's, a personal favorite of mine, for a drink and a snack Saturday afternoon. It was about 2:00 and the place was still packed! We snagged some seats at the bar and treated ourselves to a tasty treat. I had a (delicious!!) bloody mary, while my boyfriend just had a beer. We got an order of the Pimento Fritters and they were absolutely killer good. The best part of the dish is the green tomato relish under them... I really wish they sold it! We didn't do a full meal at Poogan's this trip, but definitely will next time. I love this place and highly recommend it for just a drink or for a meal.
(5)Kevin D.
I Heard about this restaurant while on our Carriage Ride tour that drove right by it. Our guide mentioned the restaurant as a favorite of his and gave us a brief history regarding it's name. Poogan was the name of the dog and the story is that guests occasionally will feel something brush against their legs under the table...well, it's the ghost of Poogan. Well, I'm a big fan of haunted - anything - so, my wife and I decided to try it. Let's say we have been going back every year when we visit Charleston. It's a beautiful old house turned into a restaurant specializing in southern food. The BBQ salmon was a huge hit with my wife and I. We get that all the time. The service was great and while waiting for your meal, you're greeted with a warm butter biscuit made fresh hourly along with a side of butter. I forget what the flavor of the butter was, but it was amazing. The BBQ salmon was served over Charleston cheddar cheese grits, with two fried sweet onion rings, along with sautéed spinach. When I think of BBQ salmon, I think if the salmon cooked in the sauce. That's not the case, the BBQ sauce actually lightly drizzled on top and along side of the salmon offering the perfect amount of BBQ. The seasoning of the salmon was simple - salt and pepper. It's a favorite lunch spot for us when we visit Charleston. Not only was the food great, service was awesome. I'm sure the other items on the menu are just as good, but it's hard to order something new when you have a favorite.
(4)Peter A.
Historic Southern Food and Charm.
(4)Byrd B.
Had read a good bit about PP on Yelp and travel magazines. Was not disappointed. Service was superb. Made reservation and seated promptly. Warm atmosphere on a cold night. Wonderful back room with crackling fireplace was ver inviting and romantic. Food: Beautiful presentation. Great taste. Smallish portions. Pork ribs with honey mustard sauce were meaty and delicious. Pecan pie filling was good but crust seemed dissapointingly storebought. Would definitely return when in Charleston.
(4)Carrie E.
An authentic Southern food experience. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken which was comfort food heaven. Prices were reasonable and service top notch.
(5)Lauren H.
Not what it used to be. My husband and I came here about 10 years ago and absolutely loved the food. We were excited to come back this time around but felt the food was lacking in finesse. The soft shell crabs were salty. The soup was room temperature. Biscuits were good but also room temperature. Slight disappointment.
(3)Annika W.
A million people have been here and loved it on Yelp, but this is one of my most solidly five-star places and among my top five favorite restaurants in the world, so I will chime in. The food here is delicious, the kitchen manages to perfectly balance traditionalism with a high-quality, healthy enough style (rather than the uncompromising skillet and deep-fried foods that Southern cooking is known for). Every dollar for this meal was worth it, so I encourage everyone to treat themselves here. Restaurants of this price category (~20 dollar entrees) are a special occasion for me, so I loved that this place makes one feel special without feeling at all pretentious. And who wouldn't want to eat a nice meal in a beautiful historic house like this one. And to reinforce my point about how much I liked it here: My husband went back to this place a few months later, with two girls and without me. My jealousy was all about missing out on the meal there, not in the least about his company.
(5)Roy T.
Ate lunch on the porch. Outstanding service. I had the catfish and my wife had a grilled cheese with bacon. Our food was fantastic. Tea was good. Desert was very good. Overall one of the best places we went during our five days in Charleston.
(5)Whitney S.
HANDS DOWN my favorite restaurant in Charleston. Conveniently located in downtown Charleston, this place has delicious Southern food - come starving! Also, come early as they have very specific hours that they open and close. We got the buttermilk fried chicken, which as the best fried chicken I've ever had in my life! We also got fried green tomatoes (also delish) and the lowcountry pasta - the sauce on this pasta is out of this world. The prices are a bit higher than typical pasta/fried chicken, but worth every single penny. The staff is friendly and the old house is adorable. It's also on a side street, so not as crowded as some other restaurants. Definitely make sure you go to Poogan's! We would have gone back if we had more than 4 days.
(5)Susan B.
Poogan's is a must try if you're in Charleston. Delicious food, excellent service, cool setting, and convenient location. Check it out!
(5)Ginny L.
I've only had great experiences here.... I wish I could offer a suggestion, but everything is amazing. Enjoy!
(5)Lindsey H.
Food was great, service was not. Our meal (2 adults) took over 2 hours. And we eat fast. We waited forever for our food. It was great but not worth the wait.
(3)Briana B.
Absolutely loved this place! Great food and what a cute place! Really has the Charleston charm!
(4)Jennifer B.
If you are in Charleston, you have to go here! The restaurant is absolutely beautiful! We went for Sunday brunch. There was about an hour wait, but trust me, it is worth it. They will put you on the list and text you when your table is available. The service was stellar and the food was amazing. We sampled the biscuits and gravy. Literally the best I have ever had, and we had the fried chicken. YUM! I cannot wait to go back. Don't miss this spot!
(5)Diana W.
Best place we ate in Charleston. We went to Magnolias and Blossom while here and this was THE place we kept comparing those meals to. Started off with the fried green tomatos which was the first time I've ever had this! Unforunately it was lightly fried and the tomatoes didn't really have flavor. What kept us eating this appetizer was the goat cheese. My shrimp and grits were fantastic. The grits were cheesy and soft and the gravy on top? I couldn't get enough. It's a pretty huge portion but I was able to eat about 90% of it. This dish doesn't skimp out on the huge shrimp either! My husband got the scallops which were tender and sauteed so well!! The fried grits he got? Best thing he ate on the trip. The seasonal bread pudding for the night was made with a mocha bread. We opted for the icecream with it and...after all that we ate, we still finished the plate. The service was great, the food was delicious, the house was quaint. Great place to dine at and get a feel of the south. The famous biscuits though? I've had better at popeyes...but everything else was so fabulous.
(4)Lauren H.
One word: YUM! After a girls' weekend in Charleston we decided to end our time together with brunch here. Their biscuits are delightful and the Bloody Mary's were so great too (and I don't even like tomato juice). I ordered the catfish and finished every bite. They paired it with a lima bean/black bean succotash which I thought was so inventive and was delicious! I had a little bit of the Charlestowne Fry too. Again - SO good! We (9 ladies) shared several dishes and I can't think of anything that was not phenomenal. Love the food, the ambiance, the staff. This place is a MUST if you're in the area.
(5)Brian C.
More like Poogan pooped on the porch! The review is slanted poorly because this upscale hipster restaurant was filthy! Uggh 8 o'clock dinner and my wife and I are covered in ants! I told tge sweet waitress and she said they were sugar ants! just a lotta southern bs for ants! They are not sweet or sprinkles they are filthy ants. It was impossible to enjoy the food which tasted meh after feeling like this place was too filthy to dine in! Once I alerted the waitress and she told a manager who did nothing but say they would call pest control! Hello southern hospitality? Here is where you comp guests a drink or dessert! Nope nothing! Shows really poor manners for not taking responsibility for a filthy ant infested hipster eatery! It was also so hot! I wasn't sure if they were too cheap to invest in AC so they could peddle more over priced drinks! Anyway avoid the ants as they was nothing special about the food or service!
(2)RJ C.
Unfortunately not impressed. I was so excited to visit Poogan's Porch. The atmosphere was beautiful and it was an amazing day in Charleston. I am disappointed to share: service: we felt rushed throughout our meal, we kept having to ask for more time and even told the waiter "sorry, we are not in a hurry." appetizer: my wife and I love a good seared scallop, but the mustard sauce it was served with made the app taste more like a hotdog than a $10 scallop. entree: filet mignon - who doesn't love a good steak? and I was especially excited about the blue cheese potatoes gratin. the steak was covered in, what Poogan thought, was a reduction - it was more like gravy. The filet was fatty and oops, they forgot to give us steak knives. entree: shrimp and grits - a southern staple, my expectations were high. The shrimp was served tail on, which would be fine if the meal wasn't swimming in gravy. So the decision is cut the shrimp and loose the meat in the tail, or messy fingers. For $25 shrimp and grits, lets just say I'm glad I had a napkin. highlights: atmosphere, biscuits with butter. the rest I could have done without.
(1)Jenny R.
Some friends and I went to this restaurant once and have never returned because of the service. We made a reservation for 6 but we had one more person than we expected. They refused to accommodate the one extra person. Our friend left. We saw our table and asked to why our friend wasn't allowed since we were sitting at a round table... we all squeezed in and there was enough room for one more person. The server said it was fine with him but when he told the lady that was "in charge" she still said it "wasn't possible".We called our friend anyways to come back and he did. I'm sure they weren't happy about it but we got him in. Our server told us that his manager was not happy with it but he didn't care at all. We tipped him well and left to never go back again. The food was great but it was not worth what we went through to have a nice time with friends.
(1)Big Baby Jesus C.
Oh Poogan baby! Your food was 5 stars all the way around, except for your biscuits, which weren't fluffy enough (bake at a higher temperature for less time and they'll be fluffier) but the service was a huge disappointment. Apparently they didn't like my T-shirt. I was going to book a spot for 1 through Opentable, but I remembered I'm boycotting their service since they sent me a snotty email last time I used it saying I was a no show when I totally fucking kept my reservation. So the host lies through his teeth and tells me there's no table available in the restaurant for at least an hour but I could sit at the bar. He just didn't want me in the dining room with my "sensational" T-shirt on. Everyone was very distant to me because I had a T-shirt on they didn't like and I was lied to and got shitty service as a result. I won't be back, and it's a crying shame because you have great food, but I've got too much self respect to allow myself to be treated like a second class citizen because you've got some fucking hang ups about my choice of attire. Never though I'd have to say this down here, but learn some manners.
(2)Kathryn B.
Poogan's Porch is by far my favorite restaurant in Charleston. It's a quaint house that was converted to a restaurant. There's a cute ghost story associated with the place, check out their website to get the scoop. Many ghost tours even feature Poogan. Too bad I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him...yet. The entrees I've tried are Plantation fried chicken, Buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp & grits, scallops, short ribs, and duck breast. EVERYTHING is good here. The biscuit are heavenly. Don't forget to try the Pimento Cheese Fritters. My mouth is watering just thinking about their food!
(5)Holly J.
Great Place. Cool menu. Great Drinks. WEnt when the in laws were in town and had a blast.
(4)Christine R.
Had the most delicious lunch in Charleston! My first time trying shrimp and grits and it was fantastic. The service was very prompt and friendly, and it's an appropriately decorated old southern home with a lovely ambiance. Definitely recommend!
(5)Dick L.
Good food and service; I had the cast iron pork chop. One caveat - the "key lime pie" is really more like cheese cake with lime sorbet.
(4)Jeff W.
Wow, I had high expectations when a friend reccomended that we try Poogan's....but I was still pleasantly suprised. The atmosphere is fabulous, and we sat on the front porch. Even though it was a hot day, it was cooled by the overhead fans and slight breeze. The staff was friendly and the food was GREAT. I had the fried chicken salad, my wife had the ahi special. Both plates were excellent, especially given i am not the biggest salad fan (trying to be healthier than just fried chicken). The service was great, a slight bit slow....but fit the day and pace we were enjoying. Will definitely be back next time.
(5)Dave M.
The Mac&cheese is mouth watering. The duck was an 8 but pork chops were a 10. Highly recommend in the competitive Charleston market.
(5)Selphyne B.
I wish I had taken a photo of the food but we were starving! This restaurant is inside a charming and historical looking southern house. I would give 5 stars for food flavor but took a couple away because of some big problems no one should over look. One problem was that the staff was made aware of vegetarian and food allergen dietary needs and we were assured we would be accommodated. Biscuits were brought to the table and consumed and someone at our table asked about the biscuits production because they loved them so much and it came out that they are made with lard, which is not viable for a vegetarian. (The vegetarian dietary restrictions are medical!) unfortunately this caused severe pain and illness later. This restaurant fries everything in peanut oil unfortunately, so menu choice was very restrictive, but the chef was kind and accommodating as possible. The tabled ordered a starter of the Gouda macaroni (vegetarian substitute needed and fulfilled) and the basil infused goat cheese and tomato salad. Both of these starters were absolutely incredible. So full of flavor and aroma. One of the best macaroni and cheese I have ever had. The basil goat cheese on the tomato salad was mind blowing in regards to flavor! The entrees mostly satisfied the respective patrons at our table. My husbands grandmother ordered some fried oysters that came with house made chips and a pimento slaw. She loved her chips and oysters but did not like the slaw. My mother in law had the crispy snapper on top of a fried cheese grits party and her fish was beyond over cooked but she enjoyed her grits cake. My father in law probably had the best dish in my opinion. He ordered the grilled wahoo served over a red rice risotto. He felt like his fish was over cooked but I tried it and it was just the way I prefer it! Definitely still craving it! I did not try the risotto as it had pork in it. My husband had a pan fried pork chop that came with a side of the Gouda Mac n cheese (original non vegetarian) and he was highly satisfied with the preparation and flavor. I had the grouper on top of a pimento cheese ravioli...I do not like pimento cheese anything but was willing to give it a try hoping for the best. It was also supposed to come with a red pepper and corn accompaniment which did sound wonderful. The grouper was cooked well but not flavored as great as my father in law's wahoo. The ravioli was absolutely disgusting and should not exist. The poor corn was almost non existent in the dish and what little there was drown in the pimento ravioli sauce. I would return and suggest others without dietary restrictions try this place. We all shared dessert and chose the key lime pie and the daily special strawberry coconut torte which was absolutely FANTASTIC. I would love to get that grilled wahoo served with vegetarian version of the Gouda macaroni! And as lovely as the biscuits tasted, I could never eat them again because the severity of illness it caused me. I wish that more people understood the full scope of dietary restrictions and whether or not they were medical necessity or choice, but be respected either way. The staff and chef were extremely wonderful except for the waiter not realizing the lard ingredient mistake.
(3)Jyotish B.
We went to this place considering all the good reviews it has. The staffs were friendly but not really helpful, but food was terrible, like horrible. The biscuits were stale and dry, nothing close to good. We ordered fried green tomatoes as appetizers and they were very thick and almost raw. The salad was terrible for the price. My friend just started drinking her beer when a fly fell in to her glass, and the waitress didn't offer another beer as an replacement. I wish I had better things to write about this place. Its just unfortunate and very disappointment.
(1)Jennifer L.
Love this place! Quaint, romantic atmosphere and the food was delicious! I ordered the Wedge Salad and the Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops. The Wedge Salad was just a bit soggy but not too bad. However the Scallops dish was absolutely heavenly, I was savoring every bite! It came with smoked bacon risotto cake, citrus scented spinach, tomato & green onion buerre blanc. Really enjoyed my meal! The staff were great too! Very prompt service. This place is a must try for visitors!
(5)Rhonda F.
Dinner here Friday evening. So impressed across the board with service, food, ambiance and GREAT wine list that we tried to book reservations for Saturday. Unfortunately not happening. Smoked Gouda stuffed chicken breast, pasta, flat iron steak, grouper and swordfish. Each dish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. It is rare that I will finish my entire entree but not true in this case. Server was friendly and extremely knowledgable. Side note: bourbon pecan pie was not the best but really who cares after all the amazing entrees. A definite return visit will occur.
(5)Andi H.
Carly our waitress was amazing. We loved the location and atmosphere but the reason we would come back is Carly. We were visiting from Boston and she made us feel at home! The chicken and waffles were to die for!!
(4)Genevieve B.
Came for brunch. Before you even get a chance to look over the menu, they drop off a basket of the fluffiest, most delicious biscuits and sweet whipped butter you've ever had - but don't fill up - their menu portions are huge! We had the chicken and waffles and a pork benedict. Everything from the setting to the service to the food was fantastic!
(5)Missi T.
Pimiento. Cheese. Fritters. This home turned restaurant was nearly perfect; ambiance, southern charm, and unforgettable food. Everything I ate was thought out and put together deliciously. Cheese fritters and applesauce | Why didn't I think of that? Scallops with sesame-crusted watermelon | Why didn't everyone else think of that? Fried Green Tomatoes with goat cheese and peaches | Why is this not the standard? This place would have received 5 stars had service put in a bit more effort. They weren't slow or not familiar with menu; was just hoping they connected a bit more with diners in such a classically southern atmosphere. If you don't eat here- you didn't eat well in chuck-town.
(4)Olesya Z.
Fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and biscuits - all were some of the best I've ever had. Please note that for weekend brunch, they don't take reservations for small parties so it's first come, first serve. We went on a rainy late morning and the place was surprisingly half empty but the fireplaces were lit. We didn't wait at all, and service was great. I also enjoyed learning about the house and Poogan's story, along with all the old photos around the house.
(5)Trevor D.
Yummy! I love this place. Great historical home turned into a fantastic restaurant. YUMMY BRUNCH TOO!
(4)Joe S.
Service was excellent and the shrimp and grits were vey good.
(4)Sarah W.
My fiance and I ate here on Valentine's Day and it was pretty good! I didn't have any expectations (we're new here from Seattle), so that helps. The restaurant is situated in an old house downtown. Downstairs in the "living room" is the bar and casual dining, and upstairs is the main dining room. It is TINY...maybe 10 tables, if that! Make sure to have a reservation because like I said, seating is very limited. As for the food, it is very good. I got the grilled Mahi Mahi and garlic mashed potatoes while my fiance got the fried chicken. We had the macaroni and cheese for an appetizer but weren't too impressed (I've had better mac n' cheese from Stouffer's!). Our entrees were very good, not delicious, but very good. We may be back.
(4)Valerie N.
Despite the sad "no reservations" policy, I really enjoyed Poogan's. We came in a group of 6 + 1 dog on a Sunday for brunch. Our wait wasn't that long for an outside table, but boohiss, there was no umbrella. Unfortunately that meant that our table had to split up, but I was seated on the upper porch and it was no problem at all. Yay to host staff that are flexible! Bloody Mary = HECK YES. Spicy perfection with yummy pickled okra. Had I not been the driver, I could have easily downed several, as they were also half price. Booyah. Pimento Cheese Fritters = hands down, one of the best apps I've ever had. I could barely eat two (they come as a plate of 4). They are rich, perfectly fried, and mysteriously un-greasy. Yummity. These plus a simple salad would have been the perfect lunch! Burger + pimento cheese = It was hot and I didn't want eggs - what can I say? The burger was huge, I loved the tomato and housemade pickles, but the bread was meh and the side of grits was really sad and flavorless (boooo). Our waitress was so pleasant and full of great suggestions. She definitely added to our dining experience. All in all, really good eats! I'd definitely return thanks to the excellent service and yummy food. Kudos for the water bowls for puppies! P.S. Yes, this is the site of Josh's reunion with his mom from Holly's World!
(4)E T.
Had a fabulous birthday dinner here while visiting Charleston where I went to college on the 70s. Hadn't been back since and had forgotten how beautiful the architecture and history was. Poogan's porch combined everything in one neat package. Good southern food beautiful historical home and of course that southern hospitality. Favorite item of the night...pimento cheese balls. Yum!
(5)Tricia L.
We had a wonderful dinner that totally exceeded my expectations. The service was as excellent as the food. I would highly recommend the scallops. They were the best I've had. It's a good idea to make reservations and arrive on time. We saw many disappointed when they were turned away. We loved our experience here.
(5)Anne O.
I went last week. My young nephew was visiting and he really wanted to taste alligator, especially after seeing one near my yard. Poogan's was the first to come to mind. We started our meal with alligator salad and the pimiento balls - Definitely go back for both of those. Then this is where it got sad. Joe ordered the shrimp and crab pasta and I ordered the scallops with risotto cake. His pasta came and I didn't say anything - but about a 1/3 of the way through the meal he said he thought he'd rather just eat the shrimp and crab, as he knew I was paying and didn't want to offend me. I had seen that large clump of stuck together, not fully cooked mass of pasta (you know when you don't stir it quick enough and it clumps and you can't or don't fix it? I assured him I understood. I couldn't eat my risotto cake, it tasted of old oil, and frankly, burnt. As we were finishing what we could eat and saw on the far end of the table 2 white lumps in a basket and asked Joe if that was our biscuits??? I am not exaggerating when I say they were as white as this page, no browning at
(2)Gabe F.
AMAZING! My new favorite restaurant in Charleston. The pork chop is amazing. Half priced mimosas on saturday are excellent. BISCUITS, BISCUITS, BISCUITS!
(5)Joanne L.
Poogan's Porch is such a quaint place to have dinner... I love the history of the house! Starter: We had fried green tomatoes as an appetizer, which were perfectly crisp and went well with the accompanying relish and cheese. Entrees: - Pan fried duck breast: very tender and succulent, sauce was delicious, yum! - Shrimp and grits: generous pieces of shrimp, grits were just creamy enough, but some pieces were dry clumps :( - Seafood pasta: a great light and fresh dish - Cast iron pork chop: good piece of meat but a little too overcooked for me, not juicy enough Dessert: Banana panna cotta was not soft and creamy but rather had a harder consistency like... stale cheesecake? It was good but not what we were expecting. Overall, had a wonderful time. Great ambiance and food. We sat at a table at the bar next to the kitchen so I enjoyed watching all the dishes come out. Would definitely come back again!
(4)Thomas W.
My wife and I went here on our vacation. Picked it from Yelp review not knowing what to expect. Fantastic meal, great drinks and very attentive service. We were seated in the upstairs master bedroom. Very nice atmosphere. I had the lump crab and shrimp pasta. My wife had the salmon. Both were very good and cooked perfectly. The biscuits are to die for. They really play up the haunting thing, very cool.
(5)Bruce B.
As New Englanders looking to try authentic Southern cuisine, we had many fine restaurants to choose from. Based on a recommendation from a friend and other reviews on Yelp, we settled on Poogan's Porch, and we were not disappointed. We made a reservation through Open Table. We arrived a few minutes early and were seated right away. The atmosphere was upscale, while still being quaint and comfortable. The service and food were both very good. The meal began with biscuits, which were fabulous. I had the fried alligator salad as an appetizer. I'd never had alligator before, so I didn't know what to expect, but I found It to be a little tough and bland. I don't know if that's normal. For my main course I had the shrimp and grits. Very good and full of flavor, although the shrimp may have been just a tad overdone. My wife skipped the appetizer and had the crispy skinned snapper, which was excellent. The portions were quite generous and we left no room for dessert. My only complaint is that I would have like to order wine after my per-meal drink, but the waitress didn't check back with us until after our meal was delivered (by someone other than our waitress) and we were half way done with our meal, at which point it was a little late for wine. Overall, it was a very good meal. I would recommend it to others and would gladly eat there again (but not before trying some of the many other local restaurants on our list first).
(4)Meghan G.
The best meal I have had in a long time and for such reasonable prices!! It was definitely better than Husk. I can't enough about how good it was. We got the crab soup, fried alligator salad, the fish with a grit cake and pulled pork, and the beef with blue cheese gnocchi. It was all amazing!! If I could give 6 stars, I would. Service was amazing as well.
(5)Mini E.
Went to this place based on a friend's recommendation and had no regrets. We got a table outside on the second floor porch which seemed very private as there were only three tables out there. I personally thought it was a nicer place to dine than inside and yes, the weather had a lot to do with my opinion. We started with the country ham mac & cheese and it was awesome. Probably the best mac & cheese I had ever had. I had the shrimp and grits and the wife got the buttermilk fried chicken. The shrimp and grits were very good with plenty of shrimp. The buttermilk fried chicken was not greasy and very tasty. The mashed potatoes were cooked to perfection, not too loose or lumpy, seasoned just right. This was the best meal of our five day trip in Charleston and highly recommend this place. The service was good and the food was outstanding.
(5)Scott B.
She crab soup was excellent and I only got it because our server recommended it. Wife's filet was delicious and the blue cheese "dumplings" with it were original and very tasty. I had the shrimp and scallops with grit fritters. Scallops were good, shrimp not so much, and the grits made up most of the meal. No reservation on a Friday night but were seated right away, although it was upstairs. Great service.
(4)Kara R.
What could be better than to start 2013 at Poogan's Porch?! Used Open Table to secure a table for two. Started with the Pimento Cheese Fritters....who knew you could fry pimento cheese. Served with applesauce and were perfection. Then had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Shrimp and Grits. I don't need no stinky black-eyed peas, greens and cornbread for new year. Found a new tradition. Ended the meal with the Banana Panna Cotta which was light and just the right amount between two people. Our server, Sara, was very easy going and made the whole experience for us. Southern hospitality at its finest. Thank you! We'll see you in 2014!
(5)Lindsay S.
Really liked this place overall...really quaint and homey atmosphere and our waiter Buck was so accomodating to our party. I loved the biscuits they served at the beginning of the meal and wine we ordered for the table. I had the she-crab soup which was pretty good and the fried chicken and shrimp and grits (split) which I wasnt as crazy about. ce la vie. The 2 desserts we got were also extremely good. Perhaps I just chose the wrong entrees..
(4)Michael M.
A historical treasure! Food is top notch, ambience has relaxing country historical atmosphere, people are friendly and will help you find something you like. I definitely recommend the Sweet Tea Salmon cooked medium well. Make sure to reserve a spot. This place gets crowded real fast!
(5)Joanna C.
Not being from the South, I came to Charleston on a quest to find authentic Southern food (and to see all of the pretty historic houses). After looking at Yelp ratings, I decided to go to Poogan's Porch with my family for some quality chow. It did not disappoint. It's in this cute little house and was really crowded (weekday dinner)! Luckily for us, there was a table for four in the bar area. The staff was really friendly and our servers were really nice about recommending foods and telling us about what was popular since we had no idea what to order. The food did not disappoint. The biscuits were good! Soft, warm, and doughy with honey butter, we really enjoyed them. We ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer since it's supposed to be a southern classic. I liked the flavoring of the chutney and the goat cheese, but the tomato itself was just okay, don't know how I feel about frying a tomato. Then came the rest of our food, which there was a lot of. The Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops were really big, and decently good. Nothing spectacular, but they were solid. The Pork 3 Ways was pretty good, I liked the mac & cheese that came with it and the pulled bbq pork. Not a huge fan of pork belly (too much fat on it for my taste), but the collard greens were a good finish. The Center Cut NY Steak was pretty standard. Like the scallops, they were good, but not stand out. The Bourbon Braised Beef Brisket was well-flavored and rather delicious, as were the cheddar chive croquettes that came with it. Considering the big portions, we had a bunch of leftovers. All in all, it was a really satisfying meal and if I ever find myself in Charleston again (which hopefully I will because it's so cute and relaxing), I'll definitely be back!
(4)Tara B.
I am a local, and our family loves to eat at Poogan's Porch. It is a good representation of southern cuisine. We recently took friends from out of town there hoping for our usual excellent customer experience. Unfortunately, this night our service wasn't what we were typically used to. Sebastian was our server and seemed "bothered" to serve us. He was not very friendly and actually seemed visibly upset when he could not hear what one of the little kids was saying to him. We wondered who peed in his cornflakes that night, but my optimist husband said "maybe his girlfriend just broke up with him before he came to work." Aside from our server, the rest of the Poogan's experience was nice. The building is a charming historic house that is now made into a restaurant. That allows tables to be spread out throughout various rooms upstairs and downstairs. The placemats and the flowers on the table appear to be the sweetgrass items that the famous Charleston basket weavers make, adding the Charleston touch to the table. There is a good wine selection, and the menu has several choices that are all wonderful southern foods. We loved the home made biscuits with honey butter while we waited. On our table we had the fried pork chop, salmon, ribs, and lump crab & shrimp pasta. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. I think the thing we raved most about was the gouda bacon macaroni and cheese. AMAZING! I love how there is also a famous Charleston ghost story behind this house as well. I would definitely return as I know we have had better servers there in the past. However, if this had been my first visit, I am not sure how that would have influenced me. I also recommend making reservations as often this place books up quickly.
(4)Chris P.
Best Grouper I have ever had. Great atmosphere. Great bar. All around great place.
(5)Sase D.
Not very impressed. The alligator bites were over cooked and chewy. The she crab soup tasted like they used a canned "cream of" soup as it's base. The best thing I had was the biscuits (and those were free). What nobody seemed to mention on here is that the menu mostly consists of brunch. The only thing this place had going for it was its cozy atmosphere and kind waitstaff.
(3)Peggy G.
We went for dinner with 2 kids (1 who is very picky) and the grandparents. Friends questioned our decision because they think of Poogan's Porch as more of a breakfast/lunch place. So ,we were a little concerned, but so glad we went for dinner. It was very good. The staff was able to satisfy the picky 10 year old with something off the menu and they were eager to accommodate. The food was good and good portions and a fair value. We enjoyed it and wouldn't think twice about going back.
(4)Tony M.
Great place! Had a quick lunch and tried the chicken n biscuits. Perfect to share. Service was great and you have to try the John Daily drink! Golfers will get the pun!!
(4)Junior R.
We ate at Poogan's Porch for dinner and it was ok. I ordered short ribs and it came almost like a roast with potatoes and tomatoes. The short ribs were tender and good, but the sauce lacked any real "pop" for me. the potatoes were good but again the thin gravy sauce wasn't anything special. the tomatoes seemed out of place in the dish and I would have faired alot better with maybe some carrots or a green in there. The wife ordered a crab soup and appetizer crab cakes. The soup was awesome flavorful and very meaty! The crabcakes were the size of 50 cent pieces and were some of the worst crabcakes we've ever had honestly. The biscuits and butter they supply the table with were awesome also! But all in all, this place had the hype and defintely fell short with me. Maybe it was my pick of the short ribs? But I wasn't all that impressed. The setup itself was awesome dining areas all throughout an old house. It was definitely a cool experience in that aspect. The waiter we had seemed disconnected from us as well and almost fake. She seemed to want to feed us and move us out and not too interested in the fact of if we really were enjoying the dining experince there. Another big name Charleston establishment that to me, fell way short of the hype
(2)Allie C.
Best biscuits EVER!!! Not kidding!
(5)Raul C.
Very good ambiance. I ended up here by pure happenstance. After trying to get into a nearby restaurant (that was booked solid) and walking by this one, I called (could not take another face to face rejection) and it turns out they had a table available. My server was great. She was very patient and made several good recommendations. I started with the arugula salad and had the Crispy Skinned Snapper as my entree. The snapper, served on top of pulled pork, which sits on a cheddar grit cake, was excellent. Looking forward to visiting again on my next trip.
(4)Suzanne C.
Amazing dining experience. Everything we ate was totally delicious and flavorful starting with the bread, oyster arugula salad and our entrees even including our kids dinners which were Mac n Cheese and chicken fingers. I had eaten here 15 years ago and 15 years later still outstanding!
(5)Lowell P.
Poogan's Porch = classic Southern food. That little equation could really sum up the restaurant. It's nothing extremely fancy or exciting, but it's Southern food at its finest (almost). The She Crab Soup isn't the best I've had in Charleston (or anywhere), but it's not bad, grab it someplace else, possibly Chez Fish if you're near Kiawah/Seabrook Island. The Pimento Cheese Fritters are delicious, what's not to like about fried cheese? The Cast Iron Pork Chop was delicious, nicely breaded on the outside and tender on the inside. The Gouda Mac and Cheese that accompanied it was divine, definitely a winner. A short and simple review, but as I started this review, I said it was "classic" Southern food and you really don't need to elaborate too much on that. If you're looking for a safe bet on some delicious, artery clogging food, Poogan's Porch might be right up your alley.
(4)Natalie H.
Biscuits and gravy sooo creamy and great price! Also got the BBQ Benedict, very good!
(4)Hilary D.
This restaurant was great. Charming house.... Request to be near fireplace in colder weather. Staff very friendly. Best dishes were macc and cheese appet, shrimp and grits and short ribs. Great biscuits to start. We were celebrating our anniversary and they gave us complimentary champagne. Very sweet. Wasn't impressed with crab appet. Enjoy!
(5)Amber D.
Delicious. Had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Biscuits were also delicious. We had a large group but service was great. Everyone in the group was very happy happy with their meal. We went to a handful of restaurants while we were in Charleston, but this was definitely the best.
(5)Julia V.
Poogans Porch- The food was pretty good, my meal was fine but my parents and my brother really liked theirs. Be warned though, the moment I walked in this restraint it had an eerie vibe. It felt very creepy to me and I wanted to get out of there ASAP. The next day we searched it and found out it was one of the most haunted places. If you are into ghost, this is the place to be (especially the women's bathroom) check out the story online! Overall nice restaurant
(3)Leslie G.
I went here for brunch on a recent trip to Charleston and had a great southern meal. The restaurant is very homey (makes sense since it's in an old house) and has a lot of charm. We got there a little after 9 AM on a Sunday, so there was no wait yet. To start, we had the delicious biscuits and honey butter. I probably could have just eaten those all day! For my actual meal, I had the fish and grits, which turned out to be enough food for about 3 people. We are talking a massive amount of food. The fish (flounder, I believe) consisted of about 3 fillets on top of cheesy grits and topped with two fried eggs as well as stewed okra and tomatoes. It all tasted great, but I was full about a third of the way through and since I was staying in a hotel, I couldn't take the leftovers with me. My boyfriend had an open-faced omelet with fried oysters, and his meal was also enormous. But we both thought the food was very good. If I come here again, I would probably get a starter and then split one entree with another person!
(4)Tres S.
Great lunch - beautiful house converted to multi-seating options, including porch and back-yard patio. Friendly servers. Three different dishes, all great. Also parking garage across the street.
(5)Happy C.
It's the best seafood pasta I have ever had so far. Definitely worth a visit.
(5)Charles Y.
We had an early reservations at 5:30 and the restaurant wasn't busy. My wife ordered the scallops and they were very good. However, I ordered the ribeye and although the inside was cooked medium as I had ordered it, the bottom of the steak was charred (burnt) and gave the entire steak a really bad taste. Decided not to send it back and ended up trying to cut the bottom off so I could eat it.
(2)Aisha I.
Staying across the street at the Mills House we spent a lot of time hanging out on our balcony overlooking this restaurant and saw a steady stream of people walking by on ghost tours that featured this restaurant or trying to get in for a meal. We were intrigued. Sadly, since they were so popular we couldn't get dinner reservations but did manage to stop by for breakfast. It was amazing. The biscuits are, like others before have stated, exceptional but the fried chickens and waffles? The best. Ever. I could write an ode to that meal. It was that good. If you come for brunch you must order this dish. I also really liked the staff who I saw going out of their way to accommodate people, and had such a good attitude in general and needless to say we will definitely be back.
(5)LOUIS R.
Good basic food Less pretentious than HUSK next door for sure !
(4)Richard R.
We stopped by, not realizing that reservations were needed. The hostess was able to offer a bar table within a few minutes. Happy that the plan worked out! The mac and cheese lived up to the billing as the best in town, and I don't even live here! The wife had the she crab soup- but it had a little bit too much of a bite of sherry for her taste. Dinner was Buttermilk Fred Chicken for e (very god) and Shrimp for her. Really good as well. If I am again 3,000 miles away from home I would definitely come back here. Seriously, Great Place, Great service and Great Food.
(5)Brian C.
Dinner Apr 21 Highlights of the dining experience - Great entrees with perfectly paired sides! Pan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops were awesome! Fresh, juicy and cooked perfectly. The accompanying Grit Cake and Spinach were perfect sides. Bourbon Braised Beef Brisket was top notch. Very flavorful and lots of meat with little fat. The side of Cheddar Croquettes and Broccolini we're delightful. Double Cut Pork Chop was thick, juicy and cooked just right. It was almost to big too eat ..did I just say that? The Warm Smoked Gouda Potato Salad was heavenly and it also came with the best tasting Brussels Sprouts ever! Biscuits were amazing as well...ask for them as soon as they come to take u drink order. Their sauces....everything sauce we got on every dish, appetizer or side was incredible. Low-lights of the dining experience: The back dining hall was extremely loud. Couldn't have a conversation at table, let alone hear the waitress. They need some "sound absorbing" decorations or something in there. Not overwhelmed by appetizers either. The special Fried Quail was just ok. The Fried Ravioli was bland and tasteless and if their was BBQ Pork in there, it wasn't enough to notice via sight or taste. The She Crab Soup was overly peppered - which way over powered the crab taste, Desert was a special Strawberry Trifle and it wasn't very special. It came out in a glass tumbler and they gave us forks. Poor presentation and very pedestrian. Overall I am very glad we went. The main courses were outstanding and I would like to try the Fried Chicken dishes.
(4)April K.
a wee bit on the pricy side, but the fried pork chops that came with green beans and Gouda Mac and cheese were delish!! the pork was just a tad bit dry. the shellfish and grits was a surprise. didn't expect the grits to be in the form that it came in. they actually fried the grits. there should be a picture of what it looks like. sweet tea and lemonade. half and half is a must get!! you would think, how good of an Arnold Palmer get? you'll be surprised. it was the perfect amount of lemonade and sweet tea. the biscuits that they bring out with homemade butter. yummm. the homemade butter is a little bit on the sweet side. so if you like sweet butter, you'll enjoy~ didn't give it a five because the form of the grits was not what I expected and the pork was just a tad bit dry. totally forgot to write about the fried green tomatoes. loved them!! my friend didn't like it as much but if you like tangy and sweet and smoky that comes from the Gouda it's a must try.
(4)Gary E.
Ate at bar. The bartender was great and made perfect lunch and drink recommendations. Hostess was a snob and Major turnoff. But glad we ignored her and had lunch anyway
(4)Lee H.
Southern charm. That about sums up Poogan's Porch. Housed in a historic Charleston house and complete with two porches, we decided to dine on the second floor porch. It was oppressively hot, but when do you have the chance to eat on a Southern porch? I'm obsessed with all things pimiento cheese, so when I spotted pimiento cheese fritters on the appetizer menu, it was a no brainer. They were piping hot, gooey and the green tomato jam was a nice complement to the cheesy pimiento. My husband claims his shrimp and grits with blue crab gravy was the best he's ever had and I'm still dreaming about the honey jalapeno dressing that came with my fried chicken salad. I must figure out how to recreate. Our meal was topped off with a basket of biscuits and sweet tea, both of which were the perfect Southern treats. As if it couldn't get any better, our waitress sent us on our way with to go waters, which was a godsend on a sweltering Charleston day.
(5)Katie H.
Other reviewers don't lie; the biscuits are in the top 3 I have ever had. We went to a fairly late dinner at Poogan's Porch while in Charleston. I was regrettably stuffed from lunch even at 9 pm, so I don't think I got as much out of the experience as I might otherwise have, but even so, it was evident that if you're looking for attentive service and an upscale-feeling Southern meal, this is your place. I am possibly physically incapable of passing up anything that involves smoked Gouda, so I ordered the plantation fried chicken, which is stuffed with spicy collards and smoked Gouda. A great combination. It came with freshly peppered/salted green beans and some whipped potatoes. The dish overall had a bit more kick than I was expecting, but the surprise was pleasant even for a spice wimp like me. For me, this was more of an experience than a place I'd return to again and again, but I definitely found it to be a worthwhile stop in Charleston.
(4)Bisley B.
Ok, to start I was in Charleston for the bridge run and we were debating between a few restaurants, and decided to walk by each one. Poogans had a sign welcoming bridge day runners in front of the restaurant, so we decided to go in. Upon entering we were told that they were completely booked with reservations but could sit us outside. Not a big deal, except there were many, many empty tables that remained empty for over two hours inside. Funny that so many people seemed to not show up for their reservations. I did notice that there was an informal dress code and those dressed down a little were seated outside. Not a big deal, except I don't like being lied to. If there is a dress code or standard, just be honest and either I'll go to the car and change or happily sit outside since it's their house their rules. Just don't give me a BS excuse or lie to me, be honest. On to the food. We had the macaroni as an appetizer. It had a good taste (gouda was a good taste with the ham) and would of been a very good dish except for the elbow macaroni like you would get out of a box. Who uses elbow macaroni in a decent restaurant? Dinner came with complimentary biscuits and butter, which were good but too sweet for my taste. My fiancee had the Grouper, which was very overcooked and bland. I didn't taste the rest of her dish so can't comment on it. I had the scallops. The scallops were very good and cooked like they are supposed to be. I would recommend the scallops, but not the bland spinach or risotta cake (tasted like it had been sitting around a while) that came with the meal. In the end dinner was ok, but wished we had chosen more wisely. We are normally good tippers and felt bad not tipping as much, but felt we couldn't tip out normal amount in good faith after our experience here. I felt bad because the waitress was friendly, even though my glass did stay empty several times.
(2)Lindsey S.
Ate here during restaurant week and went with the $30 fixed price menu. I had the peach and pecan salad, chicken and chocolate banana bread pudding. I really wanted to try the crab cakes, grits, and fried green tomatoes, but they weren't on the restaurant week menu. However, what I had was awesome! The vegetables served with the chicken looked fine, but were actually amazing, I was pleasantly surprised. Everything I had was great and now I want to go back for the menu items not on the fixed price menu. I'm sure they will be wonderful as well based in everything else we had. I'd also like to comment on how good the staff was. We told our server that we needed to leave within an hour to make it in time for a scheduled tour we were taking. She continued to check on how much time we had and helped get our dessert out quickly to make it. She was so helpful and nice. Definitely a great place to eat in Charleston!
(5)Cecil C.
Awesome food! Very Very good. If you have a palet, this will make it sing! Been going there for over 20yrs~!
(5)Geoff D.
Decor was very casual but the food was closer to fine dining. Great presentation. The scallops and pork belly starter was excellent. For my main course I got the plantation fried chicken, it was okay, a little dry. The sides were excellent. Mash potatoes very light and fluffy and the green beans had great flavor and crisp. My wife got the pan seared duck and it was very tasty. The potato dumplings were also great. Forgot to mention the biscuits are out of this world. Service was nice and very quick.
(4)Stephanie R.
Really enjoyed it!! Went here for lunch and found it to be very affordable (but I wouldn't call it cheap). The house is very charming and old south (rich south that is). My only complaint with the service was trying to get our name on the wait list. The people at the hostess desk were acting like they did not want to acknowledge me....to the point where someone came up and to the side cutting in front of me. This was not noticed by the staff although I don't really see how when I was literally standing right in front of the stand. But oh well. Minor inconvenience. We were seated in about 20 mins and served some heavenly biscuits with home made honey butter. I ordered an appetizer of fried pimento cheese with green tomato chutney. The pimento was ok but the chutney was awesome! For my meal I ordered the fried chicken sliders with homemade pickle slices. FANTASTIC. The chicken was juicy and so tender it melted in my mouth! The homemade pickles, potato chips, and rolls (not sure if those are made on site) were also excellent. Easily my favorite meal while in Charleston; would have liked the hostess stand to be a little more attentive, though.
(4)Esther J.
I don't understand why this place has such high ratings. Overrated food. Total tourist trap. Disappointed by all of the dishes. Service was so slow.
(2)Christine K.
Excellent, excellent, excellent!!! Our family with two young boys ate a delicious meal here. It's very rare that both our boys are eating AND there is a moment for us parents to enjoy our food as well. And this actually happened!! It started with the fresh biscuits brought to the table after ordering. The BEST biscuits we have ever had. A must try! Our boys were actually quiet scarfing up their biscuit before their food arrived. The kids chicken fingers were very good. The pureed cauliflower that came with hubby's pork chop was devoured so fast by our 17 month old. His pork chop and my duck breast were both memorable meals on our top food lists. The only part lacking was a 5 star dessert. We ordered the orange cranberry cobbler which was ok but nothing to repeat. Service was great, nice quieter atmosphere (as long as your kids can behave, you fit in), and prices were very reasonable for the top notch quality food.
(5)SomeOne S.
The biscuits are indeed fabulous, the décor wonderful, and the wine list superb (there's a reason Poogan's wins Wine Spectator's top award year after year). But the rest of the food didn't floor us. The shrimp & grits, the dish that other reviewers rave about, didn't live up to the hype, and I would not recommend it. At the Shrimp & Grits Festival that took place in late August 2014, many restaurants fared - in my view - far better. The fried alligator, while good, was so heavily breaded that one could not even taste any alligator in those breaded chunks. It could have been pieces of tofu, for all I know... The fried chicken and some other stuff we had (I don't recall) wasn't anything to write home about. The service lacks as well. The waitress was inattentive and was going through the motions. It took a long time for the food to arrive. Overall, this could have been an amazing dinner, and it ended up being just ok. We didn't have a bad experience, but we didn't have a great one either. Overall: not worth the money, perhaps worth going once to see the interior but not much more. **1/2
(2)Robyn R.
The biscuits & Shrimp and grits were delicious!! Very cool atmosphere and our server was very nice!! Both me and my co worker loved our meals!
(4)Miriam W.
Doug and I went for brunch the other day, and it was great. They start you with their biscuits, served with honey butter. These biscuits are beyond great...so tender and fluffy they fall apart in your hands. According to our waitress, Isaac has been making them there for 30 years. I'd say that was time well spent, as I've never had better biscuits than these. Shrimp and grits are different wherever you get them, and here they're floating in a rich crab meat studded gravy, with roasted red and yellow peppers and sausage. During brunch they add a couple of poached eggs. Yum. Doug went for the fried green tomato benedict, which is served on their incomparable biscuits. Great food and great service in a lovely setting. We didn't see any ghosts, but we had a terrific brunch.
(4)Alissa K.
This place was really very good - booked based on yelp reviews. Would go back for sure next time we r in charleston. For this price point the food is probably more like 4 1/2 stars. To start its in a great location in historic charleston and right by a parking garage. The restaurant itself is an old house that is divided up into multiple dining rooms. There's a nice coziness to it. The fried green tomatoes were quite good and I loved the pecan crusted goat cheese it was served with. Probably the best fried green tomatoes my husband and I have had. The batter was nice and light. Other apps ordered were the she crab soup and the strawberry salad. The salad was very unique - made an Italian styled dish southern- and it was tasty. The soup was good - but probably not something to go back there for - especially given how good some of the other dishes are. The scallops and snapper dishes were outstanding and the two best mains at the table. Also ordered was the fried chicken. This was solid but not mind blowing. One member of our party ordered the crab cake appetizer for a main which portion was was def sufficient once u considers apps, biscuits on the table and dessert . The complaint about the crab cakes is that u didn't have the real lumps of crab (not sure if this is a local thing). Half of our group came down from baltimore which has spoiled us for crab cakes. We finished up by trying out the pecan pie with bacon chocolate ice cream. Pie was good - ice cream was the star! Had a nice maltiness to it and the savory/sweet ratio seemed spot on. Service was well done - not rushed. Great place - looking forward to returning!
(4)Tom S.
Always good, one of our favorite places in Charleston. Staff provided great service. Portions are good size (you won't go away hungry). Biscuits (have some) they are great. Fish was excellent and cooked just right. Pimento Chesse Balls were amazing, you have to try them.
(4)John K.
We did the apparently oh-so-popular brunch here and despite the wait, I was really happy with the food. Get here early and get on the list - they take your phone number and will text when a table is ready. Fried green tomatoes are only $5, and a great snack while waiting for your mains. The "sunrise shrimp and grits" were awesome. I was surprised how well the poached eggs incorporated into the dish, but it was quite a serving for one person to tackle. The crab cakes benedict was about as great as it sounds. Despite my inclination to avoid all things hollandaise during brunch - thanks Bourdain - I took a shot with these and was glad I did so. Crab cakes filled with crab and not breading? a noble and excellent offering in my book. I heard some quasi-locals outside scoff at the line saying, "It's good low country cooking, but it's not that good." Well, most places may not be worth an hour wait, but we put our names down on the list and walked King Street. I'll take a walk with perfect weather before a great meal any day. A good brunch choice if in a rush? no. But nobody really seems to be in a rush in Charleston anyways.
(4)Ben T.
One of the best in Charleston! Romantic/intimate atmosphere. I had the best scallops I have ever had. I really want to find the sauce for them. The apps were even better. We had the fried green tomatoes (which surprisingly was my first ever) and the pimento cheese balls. Two bottles of wine later and it kept getting better. If visiting you must try this place.
(5)Kimmy R.
This may be my new favorite place in Charleston. It was like you were eating in someone's house and they were back cooking in the kitchen. The food was very southern, I had some fried oysters that were amazing. I also had a tenderloin that was served with mushrooms and potatos.It felt like I was eating my southern Grandmothers cooking. The place was very busy and the waitress was not the best or most attentive. The food more than made up for service. I would love to go again and try the mac and cheese and get a better waitress that can actually recommend things on the menu.
(4)Jenny M.
The biscuits with honey butter were my favorite thing about this place! I'm glad we chose this place- it was a yummy restaurant as well as a place with historical signifiance - and its own ghost story! The food was good and very rich - we didn't finish it or have room for dessert afterward! My only complaint was that there was a funky smell in the house - like old glue or something.
(4)Kay C.
LOVED Everything about this place. The atmosphere, the food and the service was fantastic! If you are looking for the southern experience it seems that eating delicious friend green tomatoes on the front porch of an old home in Charleston hits the nail on the head! We also had the ribeye and fried fish combination both were perfect. Would defiantly recommend.
(5)Casey M.
Wow, need I say more? No, but I'm going to anyway. Poogan's Porch is doing everything right. From the beautiful home turned restaurant decor and dining rooms, to the wonderfully southern style cooking, Poogan's is a MUST try for those visiting Charleston. We started with the fried Alligator, and jalapeño dipping sauce, and could not have been more pleased to eat something out of a swamp. The fresh made biscuits reminded me more of cake when topped with the sweetened butter. My wife had the special pan-seared Wreckfish that blew our minds with flavor as we ate the tender, perfectly cooked, fresh fish. I had the Crab Cakes and Cheese Grits which were so rich that you need to eat the tomato and okra it is served with to cut through the decadent home made crab cake. Service was wonderful, and very accommodating with our 5 month old son needing to eat a bottle. To wrap this up, next time in Charleston, I will come back to Poogan's. And I look forward to it!
(5)michael b.
A converted home, the food and the staff here combine to deliver a meal you will feel good about dragging out your Visa card for. We had a great table in front of one of several fireplaces and a knowledgeable server that made our first experience together in Charleston (fresh off the flight from Chicago) memorable and inviting. We had the Fried Chicken, the She Crab Soup, Pork Chops and a bottle of wine our server recommended and we got our foodie world rocked! Go there and feel good about booking the reservation :)
(5)Allan L.
First timers to Charleston we had to try Poogans. Actually sitting on the porch upstairs was a great start because it was a pleasant evening. Having a Porch Dog drink was the next best thing to happen. The food was incredible to say the least. The ribs that our friend had were so flavorful that I smelled them way across the table. Seafood amazing, absolutely one of the best dining experiences I've had and we are in NYC all the time. Absolutely do not miss this experience.
(5)Jason V.
Great dinner spot. Loved sitting on the porch. The food was excellent as was the service and the menu. Make sure to put this place on your list.
(5)R C.
Extremely pricey for what you get. I got the Blackened Scallops and they were great, as was the lemon butter sauce that covered them. But as far as dinning experience and the taste of the sides they recommend, you could do better at any other restaurant. Its a beautiful restaurant but the food served there does not meet expectations
(3)Morgan H.
I would say this is 2.5 stars. My cousin and I left The Bar at Husk which is right next door in a small house (next to Husk restaurant) after we had wonderful drinks (really one of the best bar experiences I've ever had) and walked a few feet to Poogan's. Looking back, we should have stayed at Husk. Not to expound on Husk too much but, it is really wonderful! If you plan on having drinks and maybe an app one place and dinner another, don't make Poogan's and Husk the combo. When you leave Husk, more than likely you'll be disappointed. Anywho, we walked over to Poogan's and were seated promptly outside on the patio area...close to the street so we could people watch. A co-worker of mine sent me a wonderful, amazingly beautiful picture she took on her phone of pan seared Rock fish over risotto. Based on what the picture looked like and happening upon the restaurant, we tried it out. Of course...the Rock fish was a special that wasn't beiing offered the night we were there! We started with drinks, again after leaving The Bar at Husk, and we were highly disappointed. We both got some rosemary thing they were serving that tasted like thin syrupy sugar water. We switched them out. I got some apple thing. Nothing tasted like fresh apple. My cousin got a blueberry something that had this artificial purple layer floating on top. It tasted like sizzurp (cough medicine). As you can tell, nothing was exciting, fresh, or memorable about our cocktails. Major let down after what we had at Husk. We decided to share a dish because we were both being indecisive. We shared the seafood pasta. LITERALLY three shrimp, a scallop, NO salt and a plate full of pasta. Aren't you supossed to add salt to the water when boiling pasta? I'm an amateur chef so I'll answer that...HELL YEA! It was so bland and had so much potential to be great. Really sad. Oh, I forgot to mention the biscuits...they're horrible. Bland, no flavor and pasty. We kind of hated that we wasted money there. Sad story.
(2)Arable M.
Fun atmosphere, great food and wonder staff. Thanks Jen! ( Psst, also wonderful pomegranate martinis! )
(5)Kepa P.
It was the first restaurant we visited in Charleston and it did not disappoint us! We had the special of the day that was catfish and it was great! We sat out in the porch and had nice wine with our meal. Really liked the place!
(5)Kats T.
We had an excellent dinner here - completely enjoying everything about our experience. We ate on the late side, and the service was outstanding throughout - even when we had a prolonged dessert and drink course and I'm sure the staff really just wanted to get out of there and go home, but they didn't make us think that. I loved the cozy setting - it was winter when we went and we were seated in front of a small fire place that made the dinner feel like we were eating in a private room (even though there were plenty of other - filled - tables around us).
(5)James T.
Heard great things about this place and it did not disappoint! Simple, delicious low country comfort food. Well done, beautiful location and reasonable price. The buttermilk chicken and Gouda Mac n Chz was the truth!!!
(4)Nicole L.
First off let me say that the biscuits are very delicious. The service was excellent. The wine selection was good and the wine my party chose was very good. We got the Heirloom tomato salad and the pimento cheese fritters to start and both were so good. I got the lump crab and gulf shrimp pasta which was really good. It was very sweet and the crab and shrimp were very fresh. I would definitely go back.
(5)Debby E.
Delightful place with great food and service. We loved the stuffed fried chicken. The pecan pie was a winner as well.
(4)Natalie B.
This was not the first time we've dined at Poogan's, but it was the most memorable. Knowing that it was SEWE, and Valentines weekend, I made a reservation for myself, my boyfriend, and my parents (who were in town for a visit). We checked in, and while we were waiting a minute for our table to be set, I overheard a party of six who had accidentally made reservations for the following week (thinking it was for that night) and were told that the restaurant was booked solid. The manager on duty went above and beyond to find the family a place to eat (southern, downtown, family friendly, for a party of six for SEWE weekend?!) I mentioned that we were celebrating a few special occasions, including my parents 35th anniversary, so when we sat down and were greeted with a glass of celebratory champagne, I was very happy. The service was wonderful, and the food was fabulous. The classics are there and done well, but the more adventurous dishes were above and beyond. Although it took some convincing to get my boyfriend there, he left very full, and very impressed. Needless to say, we will be back.
(5)Tom S.
Good, honest food, perhaps a little pricey for what it is, although the decor is lovely. Our waitress was annoying, and kept asking my partner if he was ok with just water, despite him having said so three or four times - she developed a bit of an attitude when he said he didn't want coke or sweet tea?! Anyway, the chicken sliders were delicious and the sweet potato fries were good, too. Probably wouldn't go back unless someone else was paying, though.
(3)Dave A.
Best biscuit I ate while in Charleston. All around nice place. My wife had the fried flounder which was excellent. Fun place to go for a nice brunch.
(4)Tim P.
As a native Charlestonian, I guess I am spoiled when it comes to good restaurants. My wife and I only visit Poogan's Porch once every two years or so. For the life of me, I don't understand why. EVERY time we have visited, we have enjoyed it. As other reviewers have stated, the biscuits are TO DIE FOR! This is coming from a fat, southern boy who has eaten his share of biscuits! Our server, Rosa, was fantastic. For appetizers, we had the She Crab Soup, wedge salad and alligator. The alligator was fried perfectly and the jalapeño dressing complemented it nicely. The wedge salad was good. However, the She Crab was disappointing. Again, being a native, I have grown up on She Crab Soup and this version was entirely too thick and starchy. Good crab flavor but no roe visible and no taste of sherry. For the main course, we had the flank steak and the fried pork chop. The steak was good (however the mashed potatoes were cold) and the pork cup was excellent, especially the gravy that topped it and the fact that it was served with Gouda-ham Mac & Cheese. Desserts were mediocre. Overall, I could not be more satisfied with the service. For the most part, the food was very good. If you are visiting Charleston, you should really try Poogan's for a taste of the Lowcountry.
(4)Sandy S.
Poogan's Porch has been one of Charleston's best restaurants for a very long time. They always have incredible food and the "being at home" feel of this restaurant is so very inviting !! Loved it !!
(5)Kathy S.
This is a great place--for tourists. If you're a local though, there's no good reason to dine here when there are so many good places on the area. Had the fried oyster salad today and the oysters were so dry that I even thought at one point that I'd been given chicken livers by mistake.
(2)Andy R.
We stayed next door for the week and tried them out for lunch and we were very happy. I had the fried chicken and my wife had the low country pasta. Everything was very good, the only thing was She was dying for some "chicken and dumplings", but they were out this day. The following day around mid afternoon we wanted a snack, so she calls next door and the lady on the phone was very rude! Long story short, they only serve chicken and dumplings for lunch and it's 3:30 at this point so she still didn't get her "chicken and dumplings"! So in conclusion, if your looking at their menu and see something you like ask if they actually have it that day before you get a seat.
(3)Thomas H.
Best fried green tomatoes that I have ever had. I think they use the same batter as their fried chicken. The pork chops were outstanding as well. Decor is beautiful. The restaurant is in an old building that has been restored. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)John H.
Friendly staff, quaint atmosphere, old Charleston motif. Although there was ample seating at 5:00 PM, I chose to sit at the bar. The dinner I ordered was described on the menu as Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($16.95). It came with mashed potatoes and pimento coleslaw of which I could only bare a couple bites of each. The chicken seemed over fried but had an ok flavor. The gravy was an odd grayish color. My meal wasn't bad, it was just bland and uninspiring. In summary, my dinner was below average and I know of no compelling reason to return.
(2)David D.
My wife and I had a late bite sitting at the bar consisting of three appetizers. We had shrimp and grits, Mac and cheese, and fried green tomatoes. All were great. Poogan's had the best biscuit of all the laces we visited in Charleston. Friendly bartender and a comfortable atmosphere. Nearly went back for another visit during our short four day trip.
(4)Rebecca M.
Wow! This place is fantastic! Nice restaurant atmosphere - can go dressy or more casual. Very unpretentious and relaxing unlike some other charleston places. The biscuits they give you are so yummy served with honey butter. I got the duck (with duck confit, arugula and potato dumplings). Seriously the best food I have had in a long time. Just an experience in itself. My husband got the grits (w/sausage, shrimp, peppers & gravy) which he raved about. Only thing he didn't like was the shrimp still had the shell on which was odd. Will definitely return next time we are in Charleston.
(5)Wendy J.
I am a local and have been going here for decades. Consistently good
(4)Jana S.
We had a little weekend trip to Charleston (from Atlanta) and based on all the positive things people had to say about Poogan's Porch, I made dinner reservations here for Saturday night. I came with very high expectations and left feeling let down. On the positive side: Our waitress was great! She was fast and accommodating and our drinks were always filled. The biscuits were the best part of our meals. They are DELICIOUS!! I'm not a fan of honey butter, so I didn't care for that. The not-so-great: I ordered the day's special: beer braised short ribs. My mouth was watering when I heard that. However...... the ribs were completely dry (where's the braising liquid??) and the meat was tough. The blue cheese potato gratin was delicious, but somehow the blue cheese just did NOT mesh well with the flavor of the beef. I had to eat the two items separately, i.e. eat all the potatoes, cleanse pallet, then eat the meat. I was pretty disappointed. My fiance shared my disappointment with our dishes. It was good, but just ok. And I was expecting a lot more. His parents had the buttermilk fried chicken. Again.... ok, but not great! Also had the shrimp and grits of which we returned almost all of the grits. We ended up skipping desert. My favorite part of the restaurant is the history behind the name (Poogan was the owner's dog). And apparently, the restaurant is haunted, too, because as we were leaving a ghost tour was standing in front of the restaurant and waiting for a ghost of some poor woman who died there to start spinning the outdoor ceiling fans.
(3)Alayna T.
Wonderful! But unless you have a huge stomach, stay away from a starter- there is no way you can eat an app and your entire meal and trust me, you want to eat every bite!!! My husband and I had the biscuits and gravy to start with - 3 biscuits and just enough gravy. A tad sweeter than my moms but excellent! I had the French toast, three large pieces cut into wedges - just perfect. So come on in and give it a go!
(5)Jon B.
This was a great way to end our visit to Charleston. Sunday morning brunch was super yummy, starting with fresh biscuits that almost had a sweet taste to them. We had an Ike breakfast, with flavorful homemade sausage. We also got both the crab cake and pulled pork benedicts. The crab cake was simply crab, delicious and fresh. And the pulled pork was great too, moist and with a sweeter barbeque sauce. Combined with hollandaise sauce it was a great change from the usual eggs benedict.
(5)Caleb S.
This was a great place to eat a nice lunch in Charleston. My wife and I went for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon and were surprised to get a nice seat out on the front porch. Other than the hot and humid Charleston summer weather this was a great place to sit and watch the foot traffic and eat a pleasant southern lunch. My wife had the fried chicken with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. I had the fried green tomato BLT with homemade sliced chips. They were both excellent! The staff was very attentive and polite. This will definitely be a stop the next time we are in Charleston.
(5)Megan L.
Great experience! Great food, great service, great drink, great atmosphere!
(5)Sean D.
We ate at Poogans Porch last weeks. The mashed potatoes that cam with our meals were cold even though the entrée was hot. It was a little weird and made us wonder what was happening in the kitchen but it tasted good.
(3)Sasha B.
We were looking for a place with outdoor seating that would allow us to bring our pup (he was not down to miss out on the sights of Charleston). Poogan's was really nice about it and gave us a table at the front patio and even brought out a bowl of water for the doggie! After placing our order a fresh batch of biscuits arrived. They were fluffy and delicious. Then a bottle of Cabernet sav came out - boy was it good! And only $25 (Alexander Valley)...at a restaurant...I know. Unheard of. The couple next to us (also with a dog) were drinking the same bottle and also raved about it. For food we ordered: - heirloom tomato salad (the sweetness of tomatoes was perfectly contrasted by the sharpness of the cheese) - pork chop (delicious flavors all over the plate - pork chop was slightly overcooked - slightly. The portion size was very generous - that's a good thing) - large scallops (cooked perfectly but over salted - too salty for me) The service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. If I'm back in town I'll definitely return here. Good food at good prices.
(4)Bob M.
Really enjoyed this place. My wife and I sat on the upstairs porch on a warm summer night, and it was a great experience. I had the best pork cops I've ever eaten. My wife had the very tender duckling. Lots of stuff on the menu that looked really good, too. Next time we're in Charleston, Poogan's will definitely be on the agenda.
(4)Charles F.
4.5 Some Charleston natives may consider Poogan's on the touristy end of lowlands dining, I frankly do not care about such trivialities when I'm washing fried alligator down with top shelf bourbon in a 19th century house. I could complain that there was a pair of dead fruit flies garnishing my manhattan, but to do so would be disingenuous given how apologetic and accomodating the bartender was - it's summer in South Carolina after all, I'd be drowning myself in vermouth too if I was a fly. On the topic of service, it's worth pointing out that everyone on the floor is genuinely warm and highly professional. The food at Poogan's is excellent, they're doing everything right as far as I'm concerned while possibly missing the X-factor required to hit a 5th star. That the check worked out at approx $25 per head with alcohol including 20% tip is staggering for food and service this good in a setting like this.
(4)Chris M.
A fun cozy place, with decent but not great food, good atmosphere and very slow service. I had fried chicken and fried green tomatoes, my one time eating traditional food, and my last. It was good, fried food is fried food. It felt like the kind of place a ghost might live and when we asked about it we were told, yes, an old woman ghost lived there, died by falling down the stairs. "Grab the railings," the host shouted us as we went upstairs to the dining room. Our table was next to a fire place, most appreciated on a cold, cold, winter night.
(3)Juichia C.
I'll admit that I really bought into the whole little house with porch kind of cozy dining environment! It was super cute! We sat on the second floor porch and it was really lovely. It was romantic and intimate without having that fine dining restrictive kind of feeling. The shrimp and grits was AMAZING. It was loaded with butter or lard and it was little plate of heaven. The yellow grits were very smooth and tasted extremely awesome with the vegetable juices. The vegetables and shrimp were plentiful. For starters I tried the she crab soup which was disappointing, and the pork belly scallops which were awesome! Their biscuits are very delicious, but it's nothing superior to those that you can make from Pillsbury cans. Service was very friendly and nice, definitely somewhere that I would recommend to others on a visit to Charleston.
(4)Reggie M.
My wife and I had dinner here last night with another couple. The restaurant was easy enough to find using our GPS. Although the small attached parking lot was full, there is a large parking garage very close to the restaurant that charges $1 per 30min. We did not make reservations and were lucky to get the last available table at 6pm. We were seated upstairs in a large dining room. My wife loved the decor. Our table ordered the filet mignon, scallops, both types if pork chops. We had a few appetizers and some wine and cocktails. Everyone enjoyed their meals with just a couple complaints of the filet and pork chips being a bit salty. The service was prompt and attentive. The room chatter was a little loud but I kind of like that. It makes me feel like people aren't eavesdropping into your conversation. I probably would really give this place 4.5 stars. I hesitate to give 5 stars, just because I want to really mean it when I do drop 5 stars on a place.
(4)Steven A.
This felt like a quintessential Charleston dining experience. The beautiful converted old house makes it feel like you are eating in someone's living room. The polite and courteous staff just make everything better. We did brunch this morning and the first thing our waitress mentioned to us was that they were offering half priced mimosas and bloody mary's. Both were excellent. The BM was delectably spicy and offered just the right amount of hair of the dog from last night's revelry if you know what I mean. My wife tried out the pulled pork benedicts with home fries. They were just decadent enough to make you feel like you were eating something you shouldn't (but enjoying the hell out of it anyway). I tried the sunrise shrimp and grits. While I am not a big fan of grits on most days, I feel obligated when in the south. You just have to go local. I did and loved every forkful. The grits had plenty of cheese and butter but when you layer on the shrimp with perfectly poached eggs, it became heavenly. The blue crab and tasso gravy with sausage was just gilding the lily but who cares. I'm glad they do that. Good good good.
(5)Alyssa H.
I was only in Charleston for two days, and on the first night I learned about Poogan's while on a ghost tour. After the tour guide also mentioned how good the food was, I felt like I HAD to go there. But, they were fully committed the next day, so I called around 6:30 to ask if there was any way I could eat there. They told me I could eat at the bar, or wait for one of the cocktail tables. So I make my way there, and I am greeted very warmly by the host, and explain that I am looking to sit at the bar. She stops what she was doing and pointed at the last open seat, telling me to rush over and grab it. I thank her, and do so. I sit down, and am greeted by the bartender, who quickly makes me a deliciously strong disaronno sour, and asks if I am waiting for a table. I tell him no, and that I would like to eat at the bar. I ordered the Mac and Cheese for an appetizer. It comes out quickly, and is delicious. While I was sitting at the bar, many of the servers would interact with me as they were waiting for their drinks. I really appreciated this. I work at a Brewery/Pub, so I am a sucker for great service, and Poogan's had it. For an entree I got the steak filet, and it was amazing. I had gone to the bathroom, didn't see any ghosts, and headed back and saw that my food had arrived. I think I sat there staring at it for at least a minute because it smelled so amazing. And it was. I couldn't finish it, but I really really wanted to. I do regret not trying any of their desserts, but I was stuffed by the end of my meal. I was so happy I came to this place, the next day I called and spoke to the manager letting her know how great the food and staff was, and that I hoped I would get a chance to go there again.
(5)Susan D.
This is a wonderful place for great food in a charming old house. Both the back patio and the 2nd story porch are terrific spots to enjoy your meal. We were in Charleston just for the weekend and managed to go to Poogans twice. Eggs Benedict on crab cakes, omelet topped with fried oysters, perfect bloody marys, in fact all our mixed drinks were great, amazing she crab soup and fried chicken, and outstanding desserts. The hot biscuits served with butter mixed with a little honey were brought to the table soon after we were seated and were a fine start. I recommend Poogans highly.
(4)R L.
Poogan's has a lot of hype, so naturally, I booked a last minute table. We were seated upstairs, and the dining room although with two fireplaces roaring, was very dark and didn't give off a great atmosphere. Our server was friendly, so I cannot say service was bad at all, and it was probably the only thing besides their great shrimp and grits that keeps this from being a one star. Dinner was underwhelming for the price. Too bad since I guess it may be a hit or miss kind of place, but with all the offerings in Charleston, I'm surprised that it seems to have a 4 star rating. Biscuits were cold and seemed to be missing something (salt?) in the dough. The dinners came out and looked like they had been sitting under a heat lamp. Maybe brunch is better, but if you go to Poogan's, don't expect a stellar meal like you would at another Charleston restaurant. I hate to leave these kind of reviews, but Poogan's needs to take a long hard look at itself if they seem to think they are a 3 or 4 star restaurant.
(2)Alison H.
My husband and I went here for dinner and it was delicious! We loved that the restaurant was in an old Charleston house. We ordered crab cakes as an appetizer, we would probably skip this next time. I had the fried chicken for dinner and would definitely recommend it! My husband ordered a special which was a surf and turf with grits and asparagus. His steak wasn't cooked correctly the first time so we sent it back. The staff was great and very understanding. They brought him out some she crab soup while he waited for his food to be fixed. The second dish of his was much better! We would highly recommend this place!
(5)Lisa R.
This was another great rec from Yelp. While visiting Charleston over a long weekend, we didn't think we would get into places like this without a reservation. We did walk by during the brunch rush and it was packed to the brim with folks waiting for a table. Fortunately, upon arriving on a busy Sunday night, we were asked to wait at the bar for about 15-20 minutes for a table. After placing our order for drinks with the bartender, we were quickly seated in the main dining room. The room is nice and had a great feel to it. Oddly, we were surrounded by couples...and I mean every table was a pair of diners. The waitress was somewhat forgetful of the menu items we ordered, but overall service was fine. (We had to ask her repeatedly to bring out some biscuits and when she brought out our entrees, she forgot who ordered what.) The food was delicious though - I had the gumbo and he had the pork chop. This place is pretty cool and I can't get over the Charleston style of restaurants in these old homes. Good times!
(4)Ahna K.
To be fair, I have to start of with my review on Poogan's Porch saying that I psyched myself out & set extremely highly expectations before coming here. We were visiting Charleston, and decided that Poogan's Porch was a must visit due to the history of the place & the charming story of Poogan. The pros: - service was great. we were seated promptly. - our server was polite & attentive - ambiance was charming. we were seated on the 1st level, in the room with the fireplace. the interior felt very homey. - scallop and pok belly appetizer: delicious! this was the best thing we had during our dinner The not-so-good: - she-crab soup: this was the first time trying this. couldn't tell if it was supposed to be this peppery? after having my main course of the pan roasted snapper, which also tasted extremely peppery, i assume that the the chef had a heavy hand on the pepper. - buttermilk fried chicken: just ok... the batter seemed to heavy. again, just not sure if this is the way the do it in this part of the country? With the amount of dining options around Charleston, I'm afraid we won't be visiting Poogan's Porch again the next time we're in town.
(2)Alex G.
Excellent food, atmosphere and service. We went during restaurant week. I ate of their regular menu (braised short ribs) which were amazing!! I loved the setting, our waiter was excellent. Best place I've eaten in Charleston so far.
(5)Randy L.
Some sweet tea anyone?!? Flew into Charleston to visit my brotha from anotha motha in South Cak-a-lak-ay. First thing I wanted was some grub fit for a good ole boy, and lucky enough my friend had reservations already lined up! The place is in a totally unassuming building next to an empty lot. Its an old style colonial building that fits in with the rest of the area that surrounds Battery Park. The place is filled with local lore, history, and superstitions to boot. Long story short the place is named after a previous owner's dog who stayed with the place long after his owner and the set of sisters that are supposed to haunt the place. They have pictures of the pooch right after you enter the porch. Cozy and warm feeling, almost felt like you should have dress code, but no one even thought twice about my tank top and shorts..(its hot and humid out here..sue me) The service was quick, friendly, and welcoming....southern hospitality..nothing like it. Started with the local Palmetto Amber Ale, the jalapeno calamari over okra appetizer, and some bomb biscuits..like slap yo mama good..seriously. The calamari was only meh...I shoulda got the gator salad but hey...cant win them all right? The beer was great, but the biscuits were moist, fluffy, buttery, and had just a bit of crunch on the outside. They are served with fresh sweet cream butter, and I had to remind myself to stop eating it. (After the visit I checked other reviews and confirmed I wasn't smoking crack; cause everyone was raving about them) My friend and I ordered the Seafood Calabash Combo while our other buddy got the Buttermilk Fried Chicken over mash w/ Collard Greens. The portions were ginormous! I had loads of succulents and crispy Fried Catfish, Oysters, Shrimp, and Scallops that came with a side of spinach salad and fresh cooked kettle chips. The only gripe was the spinach was a bit overly salted even for me and the cocktail sauce was pretty sparse considering my plate was all fried seafood garnished with spinach. :) I got a taste of the Buttermilk Fried chicken that was juicy, crisp and wasn't overly greasy as I thought it would be. It had a light tempura/panko style breading and didn't leave a trail of grease on the plate!
(4)Philip A.
Stopped by for lunch the other day. Had the specials of the day which included the Blackened Catfish and Shrimp and Lobster Pasta. Both were excellent. Highly recommend!
(5)F B.
I don't know if they were having a bad night or what, but I was not impressed with the food. The waitress was really nice and it's a cool building, but that was about the only good part of the meal. They didn't have a single vegetarian entree, so I ordered the mac and cheese without the ham. I tried to order a salad too, but they were out. The pasta came out looking like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a really long time, lukewarm and gelatinized. A number of other people around the table complained that their meat was really overdone.
(2)Mike W.
Poogan's Porch is a small, charming Southern restaurant in the heart of Charleston's Historic District and has been around for over thirty years now, so it's something of an institution. It is also somewhat touristy in the sense that due to its location, repute, and menu, it draws in a lot of tourists, but it gets its share of local business-folk, too. The fried green tomatoes, Lowcountry Shrimp Salad, fried catfish, and shrimp and grits are all stand-out items on the lunch menu (I've never been there for dinner). That Lowcountry Shrimp Salad especially is a fine choice for lunch. Their biscuits also are a stand-out. The interior is . . . well, old, and I suppose charming, but it is the attentive service and quality, well-crafted, Southern dishes found here that keep people coming back for more. Better yet, it's haunted: the ghost of one Zoe St. Armand is said to frequent the restaurant which was her home when she died here in the 1950s. By all accounts, Ms. St. Armand sounded like a cross between Nathalie Dupree, Scarlett O'Hara, and a 1920s flapper and has been said to drink the chef's coffee in the restaurant's kitchen and leave traces of her red lipstick on the cup. So in essence, this place has everything you need for a winner in the restaurant scene of a city like Charleston or Savannah: good Southern staples, an old building, attentive, sweet, service, a full bar, and a ghost. What more could you want? Be advised it can get busy in the high tourist season at lunch, and you may wait for a table and wait for your waitress once seated, despite the overall quality of their service under less stressed conditions. Plan accordingly.
(4)illy o.
Fried food heaven! The hubby & I decided to share 1 entree & 5 starters. Complimentary warm biscuits were delicious! The fried green tomatoes and pimiento cheese fritters were great! The fried pork raviolis were ok and a bit dry. The scallop & pork belly was amazing! The mac n cheese was disappointing as the smoky Gouda overpowered the taste of the dish. And last, our Calabash style flounder was awesome! The batter was so light, crunchy, and full of flavor! The service was good and my only complaint is that we got so full we couldn't eat all of the fish!
(4)Jonathan L.
Not a bad place! The Mac and Cheese appetizer was delicious! I had the Shrimp and Grits and they were a little underwhelming for all the rave reviews about it. I may have gotten a bad plate for $21. Anyway, the buttermilk fried chicken was awesome and so were their biscuits! The service was great too.
(3)Sarah C.
Great food, great drinks, great service!! Loved it and want to go back this trip to enjoy more of their wonderful food.
(5)Kevin B.
I went here during restaurant week and I left pretty darn happy. The food was delicious and I cleaned everyone of my plates. The signature drinks we ordered were good and pretty unique. Everything was properly cooked and seasoned and the short rib was great. My wife was a little let down and would probably give a 3 as her tuna was not seasoned and the grits didn't really go with it. Service matched expectations and I like d the interior of the old house. If I were local I would go back to order from the standard menu which I think looked even better. Which ended up being a big trend here for restaurant week. I don't know why they don't try and use it as a chance to impress in Charleston. Oh and the biscuits they serve are amazing I wish I could of gotten more I watched the guy dropping them off like a Hawk!
(4)Dustin T.
Fantastic 'low-country' cuisine. If you want to taste some gourmet southern cooking, Poogan's is a great option. The building, both outside and inside, was very charming. Very friendly wait staff, and the food was fantastic. i had the saccadash combo seafood platter, fried in pure peanut oil with spices, it had catfish, oysters, scallops, and shrimp - and I had it with their grits, which was so tasty. For dessert I had some pecan pie - which was fantastic.
(5)Cody D.
Poogan's Porch is a great food destination in Charleston and is great for any occasion. Sitting directly next door to the famed Husk Restaurant, Poogan's provides a relaxed environment coupled with some exciting history/lore to go along with the house. The meal I got was the duck confit that was divine. The fat was rendered perfectly and gave the skin a nice crisp. The duck was served with potato dumplings that were nothing short of incredible. The dessert was the Cafe Mocha Bread Pudding that was another stellar dish. This is a must eat when in Charleston
(4)John C.
Got there just in time for the last seating before brunch ended. Service was friendly and very good. The food tasted good but luke warm-crab cakes and fritters. The fried chicken and pork chops were hot out of the fryer but the mashed potatoes were barely warm it seemed like the kitchen checked out. Too bad we were excited to try it. First time in Charleston, we'll keep looking I wouldn't make a special trip back.
(3)Peter F.
Buttermilk fried chicken was to die for, service was good, drinks were well made, everything was reasonably priced. I've been here twice, and will probably be back again.
(4)Brandie G.
Poogan's Porch was our first dining stop on our recent trip to Charleston... Saturday brunch at the recommendation of several friends, and boy oh boy did it not disappoint! We didn't have reservations, but we walked in right when they opened (around 10:30) so we were seated almost immediately. We didnt get to sit outside, but indoor seating is just as lovely. Our waiter was awesome and recommended a delish brunch beverage: apple bourbon smash. Wow, did it hit the spot. I had to do the shrimp and grits; I mean come on, it was my first meal in the shrimp and grits capital for goodness sakes! The coolest part, other than it tasted amazing was that there was a poached egg on top! So amazing. I later found out on a ghost tour that Poogin's is the 3rd most haunted restaurant in the US, awarded that honor by God knows... Apparently a ghost dog is always out on the porch mooching for food... Guess it was a good thing we sat inside... I hate begging dogs!! Oh and by the way, the biscuits, served first, were amazing.... And I know my biscuits... I'm from the Deep South ;-)
(5)Whitney M.
The pimiento cheese fritters were fabulous and our entrees were perfectly prepared. Portions were huge- plenty for 2 people. The only negative was the lack luster service. Where's the Southern hospitality? Our server didn't even greet us and seemed completely uninterested in our dining experience.
(4)Stacey S.
We managed to slip into the bar to eat when the line was out the door with a 40 minute wait for a table. We shared the fritters, mac & cheese, and fried green tomato BLT. Loved the pimento cheese fritters - ooey, gooey, fried goodness with a nice sweet & spicy green tomato chtuney. I could eat these all day! The mac & cheese was well balanced - not too decadent or rich. The BLT was simple and good. Topped off with some local Palmetto Lager this meal made a rainy, busy day in Charleston so much better!
(4)Kim M.
Was so excited to go to Poogans Porch after I read all the reviews. It was myself, hubby, and two small boys (3 and 4). The service was excellent! Our server Sara couldn't have been more attentive! We came at 5pm, since the kids eat early. We were done by 6:15. I was disappointed in the fried green tomatoes ( although this could just be in general as I have never had it before). She crab soup was interesting...there's a spice to it that we just couldn't identify. The shrimp and grits was delicious, and hubby cleaned his plate of fried chicken and mashed potatoes (picky eater). I must say the best item was the Mac and cheese...to die for!!! All in all a good meal!
(4)Jennifer J.
Thank goodness I got to have shrimp & grits here, because the other place that was recommended(Swamp Fix), sucked! Everything at Poogan's was incredible, including the service. They don't scrimp on the drinks either!
(5)Kelly D.
Ok, our hotel room looked out at poogans porch. We had lunch here and it was crazy good. I had the fried chicken with southern greens (never had that)....wow! We shared the gouda mac and cheese with ham.....my hubby had the swordfish grilled to perfection with a sweet citrus sauce. He was just in heaven with his food. The house is charming and romantic.....so cute. loved the atmosphere. I can't wait to visit charleston again!!! The food here is amazing!
(5)Heath C.
I thought the food and service were excellent when I stopped by for lunch last Sunday. They have the best biscuits I ever tasted and they come with some awesome sweet butter. The She Crab Stew, Fried Alligator and Fried Green Tomatoes are super tasty. If the wait's too long for the dinning room, the bar is full service and a good option.
(5)Joanna F.
I had highly anticipated going to Poogan's Porch on my recent trip to Charleston, and I got what I think I expected. However, the food wasn't quite as good as I had hoped. We arrived around 12:30 on a Sunday. We had a wait ahead of us. I loved the atmosphere at Poogan's Porch. We looked like we were sitting in someone's living room. The biscuits were fine. We ordered fried green tomatoes for an appetizer. I had never had them before, but the tomatoes seemed rather flavorless although the dipping sauce was delish. I ordered the crabmeat omelet with grits. It turned out they were cheese grits which were pretty good. The omelet had a generous portion of crabmeat but there was cheese in it and gravy on it, which I didn't expect. This didn't turn out to be a bad thing, but it just wasn't what I was expecting. I generally felt unimpressed the my food here. I would go back to try a dinner option though, if I find myself in Charleston again.
(3)christy h.
Our best meal in Charleston - hands down! (High Cotton was wonderful as well but Poogan's Porch was amazing - especially for the price). Our server, Christina, was excellent and made all the difference. We truly stumbled upon this place walking around hungry and were not disappointed. The ambience is inviting and warm, the staff very friendly, and the food was to die for. There were 4 in our party and we were all beyond impressed with our orders. I personally had the chicken & biscuits and it was worth every single calorie!
(5)David R.
Nice atmosphere and a good menu, but service was quite slow. Took more than an hour to receive the main course. Not worth the wait.
(2)E B.
We followed the suggestions thanks to Yelp and had one of my favorite meals of all time. The Mac n cheese is ridiculous. I would have paid $20 for this little bowl of heaven. The buttermilk fried chicken was perfect and the shrimp and grits tied it all together. Everything had the perfect salt and pepper twist that handled the richness of the food spectacularly. Service was good and the prices were shockingly reasonable. Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!
(5)Lewis H.
My wife and I enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving Dinner at this restaurant. The food and service was excellent, especially considering it was a very busy holiday. Our waitress was attentive without being smothering and she made an excellent wine suggestion. We truly enjoyed our experience here.
(5)Brad M.
Having eaten Southern food my whole life, I had reservations of whether this place would live up to its hype. It did. It was Labor day so the weekend brunch was still on. Started with the she crab (soup/chowder) which was a good starter even on a hot summer day. The FGT were crispy and hot. Never had better. The biscuits were only second to granny's. Entrees were chicken and waffles, Shrimp and grits, and buttermilk fried chicken (boneless). The boneless concerned me bc I'm thinking Tyson??? But no worries- def not. All were excellent in their own regards. However, I'd rate the shrimp & grits top. Had some the night before at Southend and no comparison. Price for 4 adults 1 child- 90$ plus tip. Service good. 45 min wait.
(5)Ryan S.
Took my parents here a few weeks ago - my second trip. No disappointments! The buttermilk fried chicken was the best fried chicken I've ever had. We got a spot on the upper level balcony, great atmosphere and service. Highly recommended!
(5)Hula B.
we had an amazing lunch. they have a such a great wine list we had to have a bottle. great selection of wines not seen everywhere and at fair prices. good and service were both excellent. i highly recommend eating on the porch at 'the porch'. everyone raves about the biscuits, i couldn't imagine what could be so special about a biscuit. they are however, probably the best biscuits i've ever had. not sure what they do, but wow! more importantly everything else is really good too!
(4)Rob P.
This was a first. I was in Charleston for business and the valet recommended this restaurant for dinner. As I was walking to my table, I couldn't help but notice a horrible smell and assumed it was another person as I walked by. It continued at our table and the other person picked up on it as well. We realized the restaurant smelled dirty and got up an walked out. Glad we did because we had an excellent meal at Fulton 5.
(1)Tim W.
Nothing short of delicious!
(5)Pam G.
I would probably give this 3.5 stars if I could. We came for Sunday brunch on our last day in Charleston. For some reason I was expecting the place to be less upscale than it is. It is located in a lovely old house. We showed up with no reservations but were seated immediately. We started with mimosas which turns out are only $3 each on Sundays. You certainly can't beat that and I probably would've ordered a second one if I had realized it! They have several eggs benedict options which all sounded good: Crab cake benedict, pulled pork benedict and fried green tomato benedict. I'm not even sure if they had the traditional ones but it didn't matter because these 3 all caught my eye. They are served on their buttermilk biscuits which is a nice touch. I ended up getting the fried green tomato version since I have a hard time resisting fried green tomatoes. They were delicious, but you really couldn' t taste the different flavors, the tomatoes kind've got lost in the other ingredients. I ended up deconstructing it and enjoyed it more that way. I can't remember the name of what DH got, but it looks delicious. They described it as an open faced omelet with fried oysters, remoulaude sauce and I think there was also some kind of sausage on it. I didn't hear any complaining from his side of the table! The only thing that wasn't up to par was our service. Once our waiter took our order we couldn't find him again when we wanted to order coffee. We ended up asking a busboy for it. The other tables were also delivered a basket of biscuits with their drinks, ours came with our meal and I would've loved one sooner than that. I didn't really care for the honey butter for the biscuits either, I would've preferred regular butter or jam. I think it would be worth another try for dinner or lunch, but with all of the great restaurants in Charleston it may not be anytime soon!
(3)Trish D.
I found Poogan's Porch on the Food Network website, as it had been featured on Giada's Weekend Getaways. After checking it out on Yelp and seeing that it had pretty good ratings, my husband and I decided to try it out. Like others have mentioned, it is located in an old mansion, which made for a quaint and somewhat charming atmosphere (upon entering though, we did notice a really unpleasant old and musty smell). The staff was pretty friendly and attentive, although service was on the slow side. For lunch, we ordered the fried alligator, wedge salad and my husband had the jambalaya. I was VERY disappointed with my fried green tomato BLT (which was actually recommended by the waitress) and would have sent it back had the other food we ordered not been good. Overall, our dining experience was satisfactory. It was a little overpriced for what we got, but I guess you also pay for the atmosphere. Not sure if we'll be coming back again.
(3)Bryan W.
Just excellent for traditional southern food prepared with good ingredients and cooked correctly. Not much more you need in my opinion. Nice, casual atmosphere and recommended highly.
(5)Eddy J.
Lunch menu and server is not so special than other restaurant.
(2)Scott J.
Pimento Cheese Fritters - Wow! Simply fantastic. The fresh homemade biscuits and butter were also terrific. My fiance had the shrimp and grits - she said they were just okay. I went with the buttermilk fried chicken breast, pimento mac n' cheese and green beans. I was very happy with my meal. Chicken dish is two boneless, skinless breasts with brown gravy. The service was excellent - we never waited for anything. The restaurant did have a funky odor (as seen in other reviews) which made our table on the front porch an ideal spot for dinner. Prices were very reasonable.
(4)Meg S.
Omg the biscuits!!!!! The biscuits!!!! The shrimp and grits is mind blowing the salads are small but tasty!
(5)Din L.
Great food! We really love the cozy atmosphere . The service was alright . We had to ask for the biscuits ,she totally forgot about it. Butter honey was so tasty. The shrimp and grit was yummy and seasoned well. The brisket was soft and cooked just right. My flounder was very tasty as well. Do try the award winning bread pudding if there is room for it.
(4)Jeff S.
Thought the food was great. Ate there for brunch. Started with the pimento fritter... cant go wrong with pimento cheese and deep fried together. Wife had chic and waffles; says it was the best she ever had. I had the pulled pork Benedict; was a great balance of savory and sweet using pork and BBQ sauce. A must go for visitors.
(5)Thom S.
Poogan's Porch is in a quaint house on Queen Street and is worth the stop. Their Buttermilk Fried Chicken will melt in your mouth. The seafood is as fresh as it gets. I enjoyed the Calabash shrimp done perfectly. And don't forget the biscuits, in fact, plan on taking a few with you.
(4)Joanie O.
Ate here for lunch and had a great time. My group had the fried green tomatoes for a starter and they were great. The breading was tasty and the sauce (which tasted like homemade thousand island) was a great pair. I got the pimento peddler. which is a southern version of a grilled cheese, it also has bacon and great tomatoes. I loved it. I paired it with mashed potatoes instead of the chips and those were good too, very peppery. I would definitely come back my next trip to Charleston.
(4)Susan H.
So it was our first outing since arriving in Charleston, so I may be over rating it since we were very hungry and full of anticipation. But in my opinion it Poogans Porch lived up to its hype. We had the fried oysters which was my favorite. They were perfectly cooked. The other dish was the pan fried red snapper with pork and fried grit cake. Again a hit with us. We both loved the pulled pork and wish there was an entree for just the pork. So, we have several other places to visit through our stay and hope that they are just as delightful. BTW, I was also very happy to see reasonable prices on the menu. Made paying the bill at the end of dinner not so painful.
(5)Patti W.
What started out as an amazing meal was quickly ruined by a rude and argumentative manager. I ordered a ribeye cooked medium rare, closer to rare. When it arrived, it was overcooked. It would have been perfect if I wanted it medium well or well done, but I didn't! The waiter was very apologetic and saw immediately that it was overdone and whisked my plate away to fix the problem. I sat without food while my family (a party of 6) ate. They felt bad eating without me, but I didn't want their food to become cold while waiting on mine. As they were finishing their meals, my food arrived. I asked to speak to a manager due to the timeframe and that I was now eating my meal alone. When the manager arrived, he immediately informed me he came out to speak to me of his own accord. No, I requested you to. Next, he told me the steak was still pink. No, it was not rare-medium rare as requested and for a $27 ribeye it should be right. He stated he would adjust my bill, but wasn't happy about it. When the bill came the waiter apologized and stated the standard gratuity was waved due to my issue with the steak! Really? Our waiter was great, so you, as a manager decide to take money from him to fix the problem? No, that isn't good customer service at all! I had to wait for the bill to be adjusted correctly (removal of the steak) so I could pay and tip my waiter! All this left me feeling that the manager didn't care whether I was happy or ever came back. Guess what, I won't! If you had apologized for the error and offered a small discount I would have been happy! Instead, you argued with me and tried to tell me my steak was fine! Guess you don't care about repeat business.
(2)Saul M.
On an extended road trip we had been spending too much money & time dining out. Since we were staying @ a great guest house @ the Joseph Aiken Mansion, we decided to order take out & dine in. We decided on Poogan's. It is located in an interesting, well maintained, but antique feeling mansion. While waiting for our food I went upstairs to find the walls full of fascinating black & white pictures. The staff was friendly & attentive. We only had to wait 15 minutes or so for the take out even though the restaurant was very busy. Everything we ordered was really delicious! The freshness & flavor of the Gumbo, She-Crab Soup, & Shrimp & Grits were outstanding! My mouth waters just writing about it.
(4)Mindy Y.
We ate lunch here in between boat tours. The food was wonderful! The biscuits are unbelievable, the buttermilk fried chicken was to die for! The restaurant was converted from an old house so it was homey but the food was more like fine dining. Very good service and atmosphere. I would definitely return!
(5)Mia M.
My favorite restaurant in Charleston so far! Charming ambiance, attentive service and delicious food. Made me wish I could temporarily expand my stomach so I could eat more. Also, it's nice to see a restaurant with a well designed logo and website.
(5)Karen L.
My new husband and I had dinner there last night. The food was to die for, and the service was amazing. I started out with a glass of wine, he ordered a cocktail and we got some of the pimiento cheese fritters to share. While talking with our server, we mentioned that we had just gotten married. While we were sharing the pimiento cheese fritters (INCREDIBLE), she brought us each out a glass of champagne. She made some suggestions on the menu. I had originally planned on ordering the fried chicken, but she sold me on the pan seared scallops. My husband ordered the shrimp and grits. We enjoyed the complimentary biscuits with honey butter (super fluffy and delicious) while waiting on our food. The food was amazing. I am so glad I listened to her suggestion on the scallops. The came with sauteed spinach and a bacon risotto cake. Everything was incredible. My husband finished his plate of shrimp and grits and said they were great...I tasted them, and they were. We passed on dessert because we were too full, but the blueberry cobbler sounded delicious. If you are in Charleston, you should go. The food was wonderful, the service was wonderful, and the prices are a little more reasonable than some of the other restaurants in Charleston. Ask for Rosa to be your server. We love her!
(5)Josh C.
Still one of my favorites, Poogans was great long before so many other notable restaurants started popping up around town. The biscuits are awesome. The fried green tomatoes are still the best in the city, in my opinion. Try the fried chicken for lunch. The low country pasta for dinner. The she crab soup is very good. One thing that makes this place unique is the old house it is in. Have a drink at the bar (which was once a parlor), and have the bar tender tell you the story of Poogan (the dog that haunts the big front porch). Great place for couples.
(4)Lauren B.
Very nice restaurant. My only complaint lies with yelp saying its good for kids. I brought my 2 year old after reading that and I was uncomfortable. The staff was great and my daughter was fairly well behaved but I would never have brought her had I known how nice it was. Maybe for a kid that is 10+. Pimento cheese fritters were amazing!
(5)Ann Marie D.
I am a fan of any place with this much charm. The old historic house that holds the restaurant is so charming and adds so much to the experience. The food was well prepared and the service was good too. This place has been featured in movies and on the Travel channel and with good reason.
(4)Joe T.
Dined at Poogan's Porch this evening with the wife, her favorite brother and my dear sister-in-law. I had the sweet tea glaze salmon with the lemon and mint risotto and asparagus all of which was delicious. My wife and her bro had the bourbon braised brisket with croquettes and broccoli which they both thought was just ok - the brisket was not as tender as they expected. My wonderful sister-in-law had the calabash style shrimp with chips and string beans which she enjoyed. Beautiful place to eat, excellent service and overall very good food. Definitely recommend.
(4)Terri S.
While visiting Charleston we went to Poogan's for dinner based on Yelp reviews. Although reservations are recommended, we didn't make one but happily took two empty seats at the bar. The atmosphere was nice, the service was good and there are some interesting cocktails if you're into that. But the main reason to go here is the snapper entree! My husband had the duck which was also very good but when he tasted my snapper he realized I had ordered THE dish! There were other tasty sounding dishes on the menu and it was hard to choose but I'm so glad I experienced this dish. I doubt I'll be in Charleston again but if I were to go back I would definitely go to Poogan's.
(5)Pres P.
I used to be a huge fan of Poogan's Porch but now I am downgrading the former 5-star rating I gave them to 1-star because there customer service WAS THAT BAD! My girlfriend and I took her aunt from out of town there and we all got FOOD POISONING from Poogan's Porch. I know these things happen from time to time so I was not that mad at that point. I called two days after that experience to speak with someone about the food poisoning and the first person I spoke with did not even apologize. The second person I spoke with, Terrell the general manager, did apologize and said that he would call me back promptly. He never called so eventually I called back. This time the lady I spoke with was very kind and courteous to my situation. Unfortunately she also said that Terrell was going to call me back to resolve the situation. Guess what? Terrell never called me back. Because of this poor customer service and the fact that we all got food poisoning, I will not be going back or recommending Poogan's Porch any longer.
(1)Sherri W.
Fantastic food and good service. The Crabcake Benedict was flavorful although the eggs were just a bit runny. The mimosa was excellent. Warm biscuts were served soon after we arrived. The wait staff were friendly and efficient. The building itself was charming. Although it was crowded, our reservation allowed us to get right in with no wait. Really enjoyed it.
(4)Jennifer A.
I loved old houses that are renovated into restaurants. It gives off such a cozy feel. Plus there is a cute story about the name of the place on the menu. I also love a place with good, yummy biscuits. Crab cake omlette was good and bad. The crab cake was great, but there was too much egg. I'm a big fan of having all my food items proportional. At the end of the meal there was a big pile of egg just sitting on my plate. I still recommend a visit! There are other items on the menu I would want to try.
(3)alexandra f.
Maybe I'm giving this place a 5 out of 5 because I was several glasses of sherry in when I arrived. Maybe it's because I'm not a southerner and I'm a total philistine to the correct execution of its cuisine. Maybe this place was just damn good and that's that. The piping hot biscuits and honey butter got me totally in the mood. Because I was 5 sherries deep I wasn't too hungry for some of the belly bombs on the menu. So Dad and I decided to split the hot crab dip and the fried alligator. Okay, any restaurant that serves fried alligator automatically gets a token "you're f-ing awesome" rating from me. The crab dip was hot, gooey, and frankly made me awash with food emotion. You must order this. The alligator was great. To be honest, it tasted like chicken but nowadays, what doesn't? Our waitresses was super friendly and attentive. She recommended the southern comfort sunrise drink. Delish.
(5)Sharon L.
Not the best experience I have ever had. We left before ordering dinner. The Staff seem polite and welcoming, but the old fish smells drove me out the door. Bad day for the kitchen or what? Didn't seem clean - actually felt this old house needed a good housekeeper or ghostbuster.
(3)Melissa B.
Great service. Good food. Quaint and comfortable setting. Quiet street.
(3)Suzanne M.
I've eaten at all the big names---Magnolia's, SNOB, Hominy Grill, HUSK---and while each is good in their own way, the atmosphere and dishes at Poogan's were the most consistently delicious. Intimate dining rooms--we ate out the patio, under the starts---romantic. It was very quiet, and you could have a real conversation--rather than yelling over the din of other restaurants. We wanted everything on the menu, but you must, must, yet the fried pimento cheese. It is a week later and i'm still thinking about it.
(5)Alvin E.
Was just bored and decided to try out Poogan's Porch for dinner. Having the ability to reserve a room directly from the yelp iPhone mobile app was very handy since the place was packed when I arrived. It was easy to find parking since there is a parking garage directly opposite the restaurant. They give a complimentary biscuit with cream which was just delicious. I had the fried green tomato for starters and along with the cream and juicy red tomato sides, was a very appetizing dish. I had the shrimp and grits as the main entree. The mixture of different types of peppers along with sausages made the dish just awesome. If I visit Charleston again, I will definitely be visiting this place! I highly recommend it and the staff are very courteous and give good suggestions if you are confused about what to order.
(4)Angie N.
Loved it. Cute place. Shrimp and Grits were yummy!
(4)Laura T.
The menu at Poogan's Porch met the needs of both me and my daughter, so we ended up there for dinner. I ordered the Iceberg Wedge and it arrived with pepper presprinkled on the plate. Good thing -- the server did not come back to check on her delivery. Next I ordered the She Crab Soup. It was adequate, but not excellent. I felt like there was a flour taste to it and no sherry lacing. There was not a strong crab taste. We also ordered the hot crab dip with garlic crostini. It was good, but not with adequate crab pieces to meet my desire. My daughter ordered the jambalaya. It was a little heavy on the tomato, but good. The service was not good. The server was inattentive and didn't make eye contact. She layed a styrofoam clamshell on the table for my daughter to dish her jambalaya into y.
(2)Howard K.
I had shrimp & gitts & my wife had the salmon both dishes were excellent. The service was terrific. Would highly recommend.
(4)Lori W.
Beautiful restaurant, inside and out. We sat upstairs, in a private little corner and I was terried when I saw a several tables with lots of children nearby. I didn't expect to see children since this restaurant sort of is billed as not kid-friendly. On this night, the children were pretty well behaved, so I was grateful. I had the shrimp and grits which were not my favorite - it's not Poogan's problem though. I personally do not find Charleston-style shimp and grits to be to my liking because of the gravy that is used. I wanted to try this dish, however, and that's OK. The fried green tomatoes were amazing as were the dinner rolls. My gf had the carolina shrimp dinner and loved it. The service seemed a bit rushed...the staff looked harried. They were efficient, but I wouldn't say they were friendly. I'd most definitely go again though.
(4)Stefanie G.
I am a local who visited Poogan's Porch during their roll back menu week. My friends and I had a delicous dinner and would highly recommend the food. However, our service was not great. We had an error with our check and the manager took the waiter's side versus ours which was extremely frustrating. Plus, they did not really apologize for the error and failed to explain to us why they didn't adjust the bill. It was a disappointing evening to an otherwise great dinner. Charleston is know for such great service and this was by far below average at best.
(3)Steve N.
Lived up to it's reputation - I gave it 5 stars. Everything very delicious plus it was "rollback" night, week, or month and all entrees were under $10!.
(5)Olivia F.
The food was amazing!!! The biscuits were so good, definitely the best I have ever had. For appetizers, the alligator was really good. I had the shrimp and grits, it was definitely well done and filled me up. This is the perfect place if you're looking for some typical southern food, and a must place to eat if you are visiting. The service here is great, they're friendly and very helpful when deciding what to order. Make sure you make a reservation before you go, I ate in the bar and even that was completely full by the time I left.
(5)Kyle R.
Great southern restaurant! My wife and I had fried green tomatoes, pork three ways and buttermilk fried chicken and each dish was delicious. We sat in the dining room in the back which had plenty of space for every table. I would definitely go back to Poogan's Porch and recommend it to anyone looking for southern food in Charleston.
(5)Meg C.
I have been visiting Charleston all my life and lived there for a year but had somehow managed to miss the famous Poogan's Porch! It is nestled in a Victorian home on Queen Street. We attempted to dine out on the front porch, but that darn Charleston humidity got the best of us, so we moved inside. They were offering half priced Bloody Mary's and Mimosas and my group is not the kind to turn down that kind of deal. My girls had the Bloody Mary's, which they said were one of the best they'd had. The Mimosa was my choice and I sipped on that while perusing the delicious sounding menu options. We tried the Pimento Cheese Fritters (fried + cheese? Win win) and most of us ordered the shrimp and grits. Very creamy and rich and a slightly different version than I'd previously had, with peppers and topped with poached eggs. The waitress was extremely friendly and helpful. Service was good. I'd love to dine there again when it's a little cooler so I can enjoy that front porch.
(5)Ron H.
The food was fantastic. From the fried alligator with jalapeno honey mustard sauce to the pimento cheese burger, the flavors were top notch. The waiter was less than stellar, but appeared to be rather new in listening to his approach. The rest of the wait staff sounded and looked very attentive and well versed.
(5)Marc A.
Best biscuits I ever had! All the food was flavorful. Highly recommend.
(4)Allison F.
Poogan's Porch is outstanding! In addition to the impeccable service, this lovely restaurant is set in a charming old house which lends itself well to the upscale Southern menu. The warm, fluffy biscuits are absolutely divine. My barbecued salmon was beautifully plated on a bed of cheese grits with a side of perfectly seasoned green beans. Perhaps you'll get lucky enough to try the special of the day: a succulent, tender pork chop served alongside creamy macaroni and cheese. If a delicious meal in a classy-yet-unpretentious setting is on your agenda, don't miss this Charleston gem!
(5)Stacy K.
Love this place! Some of the best fried chicken around, which is really saying something in South Carolina. My boyfriend loved the seafood, especially the she crab soup. The cocktails are also amazing--not cheap, but strong and delicious. And the atmosphere is great, you feel like you're back in time dining in an old southern mansion. Between the building, the lighting, and the unobtrusive service, the whole place has a very quaint and romantic feel. Although it's certainly not cheap, we left feeling extremely satisfied that it was money well spent.
(5)Matt B.
Great food and a charming venue. Star deduction due to a/c malfunction and management offering nothing to ease our suffering in the miserably hot and humid temps upstairs. Stuff happens that is no one's fault, but give me a little something so I can say "they did the best they could to please us in this unfortunate situation".
(3)Julie S.
If no stars were an option that would be my vote. First they were out of alcohol at the bar for three of their specialty drinks. Second, the service was terrible and the waiter kept 'forgetting' to put parts of our order in therefore no food was flowing! And finally, when we did finally get our entrees the food orders were not right - particularly a veggie plate. What part of pig belongs on a veggie plate? None! I asked to speak to the manager and she was very defensive and tried to tell me that the ham in the Mac' n cheese was crispy smoked Gouda cheese - NOT... It was a dreadful experience - Out of our party of 6 none of us will go back.
(1)J. E.
Great Southern Brunch! Decided to try out the place passing by Charleston from NC to FL. What a great find. Neat location in downtown Charleston, and very close to a parking garage. My wife had a fried green tomatoe sandwich with goat cheese. She loved it. I tried a Po Boy with Oysters. Yum! We also tried a She Crab soup and some Gumbo. Also some wonderful choices. Service was good and the staff was very friendly. For brunch the pricing was not too much given the downtown location. We'll certainly be back next time we visit Charleston.
(4)Kris G.
I've only been here once, but my food was amazing! It is truly southern style food and it was sooo good. My husband and I were both pleased, while it is slightly more expensive (which is expected downtown anyways) it was well worth the money and not astronomically priced.
(4)Kristina C.
When I asked the concierge where I could go for lunch that included a good cup of She-Crap soup, this was the first place they recommended. After a nice walk through the city, we steered over to Queen Street. Here we were greeted and sat promptly. Amazingly enough, at about 1 PM on a Saturday, we did not have to wait. You will not be able to resist the biscuits, espeically with the butter with honey they have at the table. The she-crap soup was good (not the best I've ever had - go to Peninsula Grill, but be prepared to pay). I enjoyed the Fried Green Tomato BLT - a fun little twist on a southern treat. While I didnt have an adult beverage, the bloody mary's looked delish! Service was great. Highly recommend you put this on your list when in Charleston.
(4)Harrison H.
Those biscuits were awesome. But everything else was terrible. And the name Poogan is like nails on a chalkboard.
(1)John C.
Solid, but nothing super special. I would give it a 3.5 were that an option. Crab soup was reeeeealy rich. Kinda left a feeling in your mouth like you had a coating in there, similar to how a dog acts if you give them peanut butter (not that I've ever done that :) ). Fried Green Tomato BLT was a nice twist, and a welcome one. Goat cheese makes it very interesting. The shrimp & grits was the highlight of the meal but is not a traditional low country shrimp and grits. Go to Hyman's or Magnolia's for that. However this dish was fantastic, and it would be the first thing I would order when and if I return. Service was good, though we must have caught a bad break, and got seated in the room with 5 tables of old Southern women giving looks and attitude. The restaurant is in an old house and has a good vibe otherwise.
(3)Mike W.
We ate at Poogan's Porch on the second night of a recent visit to Charleston. Dinning rooms are open and table spacing is close but not so tight as to feeling crowded. Service was even paced and friendly. Food items were all very good. Great shrimp dish. I would recommend.
(4)Jason H.
Wife and I both got fried chicken, it and the mashed potatoes were both perfect... She had collards and I traded out for green beans. We were both unimpressed with the vegetable portion of our meals. That and the fact she ordered sweet tea and had an unsweetened refill, and that I had to request a water refill since waiter walked by twice and never checked my glass.
(4)Ind R.
If you would like to purchase a commemorative t-shirt and coozie with your meal, go to Poogan's. If you would like to eat Southern food in a building old enough to be "haunted", go to Poogan's, or ANYWHERE ELSE IN CHARLESTON, including most people's houses. I'll say that my mint julep, fried green tomatoes, and biscuits were all praise-worthy. But my entree was forgetable, and the grits and green beans that accompanied it were bland. The wall paper and washed out watercolors didn't improve the situation. Poogan's is the safe place to take your visiting great aunt who thinks she wants an authentic experience. *disclaimer* I've never gone for breakfast. Someday I'll give it a try, hoping that eating pancakes will make me eat my words.
(2)Gina C.
Out of all the restaurants that we ate in Charleston, I liked this one the least. First of all, when I arrived the restaurant smelled like a dirty rag. It made me loose my appetite. I did love the quaint look of the old house converted into a restaurant. For starters they give you warm biscuits with honey butter. It was so good! For apps, I ordered the fried green tomatoes which were one of the best I've had. It had just enough breading where you can actually taste the tomatoes. As for my entree, I ordered the shrimp po boy sandwich. It was about 4-5 pieces of fried shrimp in a hoagie. I thought it was okay. I just ate the shrimp out of the sandwich. It also came with a side order of sweet potato fries. I don't think I would order the sandwich again. I tried my sister's fried chicken salad which was delicious! Nothing special about this place in my opinion.
(3)Stephen C.
Very nice ambience. We had pork chop and plantation fried chicken. Former was very good, latter was ok.
(4)Katie K.
Has been, and always will one of my "must eat" places in Charleston. Homemade biscuits and honey butter. Fantastic house cocktails (try the blueberry lemonade). And desserts that are out of this world (peanut butter cheesecake). Love it!
(5)Christina F.
A beautiful little house turned eatery, with a delightful little story of the Dog named Poogan. Service is warm and friendly. A pleasant surprise to see that we arrived smack dab in the middle of restaurant week, and they offer a 3 course prix fixe for only $20!! Everything was fresh and great, mac n cheese appetizer was very good, with a smoky cheese and the portion was huge; as large as an entree. For dinner I had the fried chicken and mashed potato, which was some of the best fried chicken I have ever had, and gets extra points for being BONELESS! The biscuits provieded were also great, nice and fluffy. FOr the included dessert, we both opted for pecan pie, which was great, with an incredibly rich custard filling. This is the part where we get to the negative, the one small piece of crap on top of what was otherwise a 5 star dining experience. On top of this wonderful luscious pie, were beautiful, cute piped stars of....COOL WHIP! Are you SERIOUS?! WTF? Cool Whip!?!!? In a restaurant where we raved, because of the incredible high quality and homemade taste of every component of the meal, they choose to end it with artifical whipped hydrogenated fats. Seriously?! Anthony spoke to the manager, who assured him that they usually use fresh whipped cream (I know for a fact that this was cool whip, or its generic equivelent), and would do what he needed to to get to the bottom of it, and at least provide an explanation, Anthony gave his email, and was assured a quick response. It has been 2 days, and no response. Hmmmm. Duly noted. Will update if we hear something.
(4)Michelle N.
What an awesome lunch. Complimentary biscuts, awesome. Pimento cheese fritters, awesome. Smoked gouda mac and cheese with ham, awesome. Fried green tomatos, awesome. My oyster and shrimp po boy was slightly less than awesome, but but when I poured some of the tasso ham and blue crab gravy from my friend's portion of shrimp and grits, it became awesome. By the way, the shrimp and grits, awesome. Loved the food. Loved the service. Loved the space. Love the neighborhood. Would go back to Charleston just to eat here again, possibly dinner next time.
(5)Lady M.
I visited Poogan's Porch for dinner on a recent vacation in Charleston after it was recommended by several friends, and I was not disappointed. I think this was easily the most enjoyable meal on our trip. Our meal started with some tender, buttery biscuits, which we devoured. I had the "cast iron pork chop" which was just delicious - fried crispy, smothered in country ham gravy, and with sides of green beans and smoked gouda mac and cheese. This was not a low-cal meal but it did satisfy, and hit all of the right savory notes. It was also a nice portion for the price. While it actually wasn't clear to me that the pork chop was breaded and fried from the description on the menu, I won't hold that against it. My dining companion had the pan roasted grouper over risotto and enjoyed that very much as well. We finished off our relaxed meal by sharing the peanut butter pie. While I was very happy with the service and ambiance of the restaurant, I will note that we were seated in the upstairs room, and they took the "mood lighting" a bit too far - it was quite dark, and only just before we were leaving did someone turn up the lights to a more acceptable wattage. Overall though, it was a great meal and I would definitely recommend Poogan's Porch to others dining in Charleston.
(5)Craig G.
We came here for lunch after doing parts of the Allan Hartley's Charleston Walking Tour. We were pretty hungry when we arrived. It looked very busy and we were worried that there would be a long wait. But we went in anyway and were immediately seated in the backroom on the ground floor. The waitress that served us was very friendly. We got our drinks very quickly, but there was somewhat of a wait before the food came out. We got biscuits the same time as we got our food. It would have been nice if we had gotten the biscuits earlier. Still I'm glad they came at all since the biscuits and the home made butter were very good. I had Calabash Shrimp and Oysters. I loved it. It's a very tasty dish. It's definitely worth trying. It came with Hoppin' Johns and a vegetable. These were probably even better than the main dish. My wife got the cheeseburger special. The burger was huge. Much too big for my liking. It was too big to take a bite from top to bottom. My wife ate it with a fork and knife. She asked for the burger to be cooked medium rare and it came out well done. She was not a fan. We ran out of milk for our 16 month old son while there. The waitress promptly filled up his sippy cup with milk. She didn't even charge us for it. I would recommend this place for the service and some of the dishes. But you definitely need to choose carefully.
(3)Karen T.
Loved everything about this place. We went on a Tuesday night and it was busy, but not hectic. Our server was very attentive. The decor is lovely and creates a great atmosphere. I was on a business trip, but I'd definitely call this a romantic place for a date too. The biscuits are as great as everyone says. The buttermilk fried chicken was excellent, and for a small upcharge, we got the mac and cheese instead of mashed potatoes. They'd just won the Charleston Mac-off, and I can see why. The smoked gouda flavor was fantastic. Had strawberry citrus cobbler for dessert; I'd rather go when peach cobbler is in season because I'm sure that's delicious.
(5)S E.
I'm so sorry that any other visitor during the holiday season had less than a great experience! I mean, I had expectations too, but mine were met! We live in Seattle and had the good fortune to spend Christmas in Charleston. We've visited the city several times, and Poogan's Porch has been on my list for a couple of years. First of all, it was our wedding anniversary, and my husband arranged to have flowers delivered to our table prior to seating, and it went off without a hitch. Score one point each for husband and Poogan's Porch! Secondly, it was also fun that our waiter was originally from Seattle, so there was a nice yet professional conversation flow. I had the She Crab Soup. I know crab.....I live in the world of Dungeness, and this soup was utterly savory and fantastic! My husband ordered a different starter (can't remember which now, but he loved it) and was a little put out that I wouldn't share more than one taste of mine. Heh. So at about this time, the maitre'd approaches us and tells us that another couple in the restaurant are celebrating an anniversary and would love to share a bottle of Dom Perignon. Hello? I love bubbly, but more than that, they were a lovely couple from Orlando, and I can't wait to pay it forward! But I digress. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. Fantastic! The breading was light and crisp. I ended up taking some of it home, which went fast the next day (I ate it. I would not share). I can't eat like that every day, but I wish! My husband ordered the pork chop, and immediately any attention I would have been given, due to our anniversary and the fact that I actually put on makeup, went right out the window. I like to think I'm a pretty good home cook, but I can never get him to make that face when I cook a pork chop. He was literally in hog heaven. We ordered a bottle of wine and enjoyed it. They had a nice wine list with a decent price range. Bread pudding finished our feast, along with a fine cup of coffee. My only reason for the 4-star rating is that seating is a little cramped. I wish there were less tables. That, combined with a louder-than-I-like acoustic thing is my only gripe.....but I'm not griping. Poogan's Porch is a wonderful destination in Charleston. They haven't seen the end of us.
(4)Ralph T.
Booked on Open Table they did not seem to be ready for us. Sat us upstairs by ourselves for a short while until more customers came. Our waiter didn't know the specials, said he was not supposed to work today. Seemed a little miffed. We had the fried ravioli along with the fried green tomatoes. both were excellent. I had the Local Tuna and my wife had the Snapper. My tuna was very, very salty. It was cooked properly but man, way too much salt. My wife's snapper was cooked properly but she said her greens were very salty. Both came with a risotto. One was mushroom and the other blue cheese. Both were very flavorful but were served on the cool side. Too bad it was entrée quality. They served a biscuits for breads which were great. Overall not impressed with the service or meal quality. I don't think it should be rated as high as it is.
(3)John E.
Good food, good service. I had the fried chicken which was very good. The fried green tomatoes were alos very good. I'm docking 1 star for not having a wait staff in the bar.... John
(4)Rob B.
This place is excellent - authentic Southern cuisine at reasonable prices in a beautiful Charleston-style home. There was a lengthy wait to get a table, but our party of three was able to be seated right away in their bar area (which is also beautiful). The biscuits they serve before the meal are to die for. The service was good, considering how busy it was, though the waiter knew very little about beer (recommended a porter as being "similar" to Sam Adams lager).
(5)Jim D.
Enchanting Poogan's Porch offers one helluva good brunch. If the charming interior doesn't allure you, the smell of the hot, fresh biscuits will! Outstanding biscuits accompanied by rich, sweet honey butter. There ain't nuthin' wrong here, folks. I dare you to eat just one. I did ask our server, James, for another order of it, but it never came. Boo. I ordered the shrimp 'n grits and my companion the Charleston Frye (open faced omelet with fried oysters, bacon, and cheddar cheese). Both tasted very good and served quite generously. Our side order of fried green tomatoes were all right, but not nearly as good as some of the rave reviews of it. What's the dilly, people?! They do have a bar and a few tables located just after the hostess booth, but they don't serve any food there. Sort of a wasted space, if you ask me but whatever. Reservations are highly recommended as this place really fills up quickly with both locals and tourists alike. Overall, Poogan's a solid place to grab Lowcountry fare. The cuisine isn't the most inventive, but it will please most discerning palates with simple, good food.
(3)Matt S.
You know, I wasn't really feelin this place. Reading the reviews all over the web, we were all so excited to visit but it was generally a big letdown. The service was pretty terrible - our server was totally disinterested and maybe even uncourteous. Like he didn't want us to be there. All of which can be overcome by great food, which Poogan's didn't serve. The fried green tomatoes were just OK. Their twist on the BLT, with goat cheese, was fine. Certainly not up to the "must eat" accolades it's garnered across the web. The fried alligator was very good, though, better than expected. I give this place a big eh. I would have probably been more excited had it not been so hyped, but aside from the bad waiter there was nothing memorable about this meal.
(3)Norman F.
This place is off the chart excellent. I ate lunch here several times while in town. Get the brazed spare ribs.
(5)Sharon C.
Absolutely fabulous! Wonderful food. Great service. (Thank you Travis). Do not miss the peanut butter cheesecake! It is divine!!
(5)Samantha E.
One of the best brunches I have ever had and the BEST biscuit in the world. That is a lot to say since I am such a huge breakfast fan. The restaurant was adorable, the service was great, and I had great time.
(5)David C.
If you are looking for Southern comfort food in Charleston look no further! The Buttermilk Fried Chicken, fine sweet tea, and biscuits that reminded me of mom was worth every calorie! Make a reservation on Open Table to be sure and get a table.
(5)Jason L.
Very good food, great service! We had the alligator (very good), the shrimp and grits (average), and the fried chicken sliders (my wife said they were awesome). Decent beer selection. Definitely worth trying in Charleston.
(4)Samantha S.
Shrimp and grits were great, service was solid, and the atmosphere was pretty cool too. I love these old houses that have been renovated into restaurants. Poogan's Porch is an excellent stop on the dining tour of Charleston!
(4)Maria A.
What a lovely house-turned-restaurant! My stars, Charleston is charming and this restaurant definitely adds to the local seduction. Ok, i NEVER say this, but the service here was almost TOO attentive. Lots of checking in, jokes that tried really hard to be funny, hand-shaking etc. HOWEVER, the food was prompt and hot, drinks were always refilled, as was the bread basket, and our waiter gave us to-go cups of ice-water for the sweltering day, which came in very handy for those members of my family that only visit the steamy South once a year. DO order: the pimiento cheese fritters. White-trash deliciousness made to look classy enough for a nice Southern home. The shrimp & grits with crab gravy - not your traditional shrimp & grits, lots of seafood flavor and oooh chile, that gravy is RICH. Not as much sausage flavor, almost closer to a seafood gumbo, but with delicious creamy yellow stone-ground grits. Im not complaining. Do NOT order: the Planters Punch, unless you're one of those cheap whiskey, sweetSWEET tea drinking southerners. Jim Beam with raspberry liquor and something else I forget - but you can bet it was unbearably saccharine and brought my jet-lag crashing back down on my head. Otherwise, I'd definitely come back.
(4)Wes G.
Had She Crab Soup (5 stars!), pork ravioli (4 stars) and Plantation Fried Chicken (4 stars). She Crab soup was excellent. The Pork Ravioli was good but a little dry. Plantation Fried Chicken was very good. Full breast stuffed "cordon bleu" style. If you're wanting the "typical" fried chicken I'd steer clear. The mashed potatoes were a bit too dry for my liking and the green beans were slightly over cooked. Great atmosphere and would definitely recommend and return. Service did leave a little to be desired (water glass stayed empty majority of meal and attentiveness was lacking). We did go at end of night and this may been a contributing factor. Overall great place and will return next time around.
(4)RB H.
Came to this restaurant expecting an hour wait and was delighted when we only had to wait about 30 mins. The server was very friendly and attentive. The home-made biscuit you get before your meal was great! I had the Shrimp and Grits which was very tasty. The gravy that was served on top of the dish was great. Haven't had shrimp and grits like that before. Make reservations in advance as this place gets pretty busy.
(5)Virginia W.
My family and I went here for Mother's Day Brunch. I liked how they took our name down and my phone # and just texted us when our table was ready so we could walk around the market. The decor is great and we loved how they had made everything look. We had an attentive waiter, but our food took forever to come and people who came in after us got their food awhile before we did. The food was good, maybe even really good, but definitely not amazing. The mimosa and bloody mary had very little alcohol in it despite their prices. I was disappointed they didn't have waffles or pancakes on their brunch menu except for fried chicken and waffles. I can't give a brunch or breakfast place 5 stars if they dont have that staple. it also got rather loud because of I'm guessing an old room with poor acoustics since there were not that many people in the room. The prices were a bit much for what we got, but that's typical in Charleston if you don't go to college paces. Overall it was a pretty decent experience.
(3)Priscilla W.
Our family managed to get a table on a busy Saturday night after a cancellation. Note to anyone dining out in Charleston- reservations are a must! We were seated in an upstairs dining area- my only complaint was that it was not cool enough and we were not acclimated to the southern heat. Our wait staff was excellent and attentive. The menu was varied and difficult to choose from. I opted for the pan seared scallops which were cooked to perfection. It came with a risotto cake which was interesting but I prefer traditional risotto. My husband had the mahi which was a bit dry and slightly overcooked and lacking the gastrique it was supposed to come with. One daughter had the shrimp and grits which were tasty and my son in law had the buttermilk chicken, which he said was very good. The portions are plentiful and the biscuits served are warm and delicious. I would recommend this as a lovely dining experience and would return.
(4)Kyri K.
I came here with my boyfriend when we were visiting Charleston one night en route to Hilton Head. Really wonderful place with a lot of character and history. We sat on the front porch on a breezy night and had dinner. We also got a little ghost tour just from listening to the tour guides passing by. Everything we ordered was delicious, except the gazpacho, which was a little off. Didn't try any dessert, but wish I had. Service was also great.
(4)Jeffrey C.
Poogan's has great she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, and their biscuits were a dream. I had the buttermilk fried chicken, too, and was blown away by the richness of the flavor. The sweet potato fries were marvelous and I feel they should just take the regular fries off the menu because they don't compare. The restaurant is supposed to be haunted by Poogan the Dog and apparently a girl in the upstairs bathroom. I didn't however feel a dog at my feet and no one saw a girl in the mirror while I was there, but maybe next time... A definite must if you're in the Charleston! Go for lunch because then the prices are reasonable.
(4)Terry B.
Best meal in Charleston so far!!! We loved everything we tasted - Shrimp & Grits, the Plantation fried Chicken, Fried Tomatos, Pimento Cheese fritters & the Waffles & Chicken!!! We are still in town and plan to stalk the restaurant! Service was excellent as well!! We made it back for Sunday Brunch which was equally as good!'
(5)annonymous l.
I like Poogan's. I personally like 82 Queen better, but Poogans is good too. It's always busy. You will need a reservation for sure. It's in an old house so that adds to the Southern hospitality if you are a tourist. It's something different. If you are reading this is Charleston, I wish you a wonderful evening. Charleston is one of my favorite places in the world. I saw somewhere that it was voted 'the friendliest city in America'. I agree with that. Enjoy! Soak up some history while you are there. The ghost tours are great.
(4)Chad W.
The food was good but overpriced. The $$ needs to be at least 3. Not a great place to bring little kids.
(3)Ron O.
Being from the West (don't hold that against us), we loved this place. The bisquits were superb. Crusty, slightly sweet, and with a soft, moist, & chewy center. Next up, alligator. Nice delicate batter and juicy inside. I've had alligator both out West & in the South and this one did not disappoint. Then came the crabcakes and fried chicken. Crabcakes - slightly spicy, lotsa crab meat, very little filler, and nice flavor. Buttermilk fried chicken, mmm-mmm. Two boneless breaded (nice crunch!), not greasy, moist, and delicious pieces of chicken. Mashed potatoes were more like mashed baked potatoes, but were good nonetheless. Green beans a little chewy. Strolled in on a Monday during lunch and we're seated immediately. Waitress was friendly, efficient, and attentive. Parking a breeze, since we used the public lot across the street. Wish we saved room for dessert. Love banana pudding!
(5)Ruth H.
We thoroughly enjoyed this place. All the ingredients were extremely fresh and flavorful. The Heirloom Tomato salad was exquisite, the biscuits warm and flaky, and the shrimp and grits were the best ever. The service was great and we would definitely come back on our next trip to Charleston.
(4)Kevin A.
This place is great! It is located on a relatively quiet street in downtown Charleston, It is kind of isolated from all the other restaurants in downtown. The restaurant is in a beautiful, traditional Charleston house. We were seated right next to a fireplace, and there were only a few other diners there. It had a very quiet and peaceful ambiance. Had lunch here with two of my friends. We had the fried alligator which was okay and the mac and cheese. Probably the best mac and cheese I ever had! For the main course I had to get the shrimp and grits (due to my life long search for the best shrimp and grits). It was good and spicy, and the shrimp was sweet, just as I expect of the local shrimp.
(4)Joe T.
best food in charleston !!!!!! julie is the most helpful, wonderful waitress around!!!!
(5)Andrew M.
Friendly, efficient service, and the perfect place to get that Charleston "feel." I had the red snapper with grits. A bit watery, but luckily, that's how I like it. Low Country dining at its near best.
(4)Julie W.
excellent spot!!! the interior is beautiful and the 6 of us were seated as soon as the place opened for sinner at 5pm. had the wedge salad and mahi mahi ravioli. service, food and environment were all lovely!
(5)Paul G.
We had a great meal at Poogan's. I made our reservation through Open Table, for 6:30 in time to make it to the Dock Street Theater for the opera. Table was ready early, prompt service and the food was great. The duck medallions were perfect and the cheesy potatoe bake was fabulous. My wife's two big crab cakes were excellent as was the pimento cheese fritters. We had to try a cup of the She Crab Soup which was as good as advertised. Our little two top was in front of a fireplace, but very close to a wait station which didn't bother me, we had lots of room and the tables near us were not too close. I noticed the bar area was small but had a nice old South feel, wouldn't be too bad to just pop in for a drink. We did not find anything wrong with this meal. 2 beers, 2 apps, 2 entrees = $73 before tip. Its easy to see whey they have been open for so long.
(4)Susan R.
Biscuits like Granny's, fried chicken like Granny's....is my Granny back there? Excellent service, perfect food, delightful desserts.
(5)Adam W.
5 stars because the shrimp and grits and biscuits are to die for.
(5)Jo Ann G.
Delicious and well worth the trip into the city. Shrimp and grits were delicious. The grits were excellent. Fried shrimp were gently breaded and very good.
(4)Madeline S.
Great place for dinner - not a total 5 stars but only because of the service. The food was in a great portion sizes and very good. I highly recommend for the ambience and the food quality. I ordered scallops which were served with collard greens and fried grits. The biscuits that came out first were the size of my face! So yummy and filling. Great price for the quality.
(4)April R.
Great biscuits and setting! One of my favorites in Charleston.
(5)B O.
Lunch was decent here. Was really looking forward to their breakfast but it's only served on weekends. The shrimp and grits are swimming in gravy which was not very appealing since that's a slightly unusual preparation. The staff is very nice and it's in a great location with off street parking.
(3)Aisha M.
Came here while on our honeymoon. And reallllllllllllllly liked it! The wait was pretty long (parking was worse), and by the looks of it, seemed as if the place would be overrated (especially after being disappointed with Hominy Grill). I was dead wrong. We ordered some sort of buttermilk fried chicken and waffles... and it was pretty good!! The best part was the dessert. Some sort of banana budding I think... gosh, if we're ever back in Charleston, we will definitely be stopping by for at least the dessert... Overall, the place ROCKS. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because Jestine's is better, and had no wait nor parking issues. I would have given it a 4.5 stars if I could.
(4)Imperial P.
Visiting Charleston with my mom we made it a point to tryout a good number of restaurants. Poogans was a hit. The service was pleasant, all smiles upon entry and helpful wait staff. I had the seafood pasta and my mom had the buttermilk chicken which she enjoyed and even had leftovers. Being in the "historic"/downtown area of Charleston I was happy that they had parking (paid parking $6 but better than nothing). The restaurant is in an older home so it's not your typical seating arrangements. We dined upstairs and while small it wasn't cramped. Cozy describes it perfectly. I would return should I ever go back to Charleston.
(3)E K.
We came here based on the great reviews and weren't so impressed. We came for lunch on a Friday and were told it would be a 30 minute wait. After waiting almost an hour we were seated at a table with dirty plates. When our waiter arrived after about 15 minutes we told him about the plates and he took them back, looking skeptical. After another 5-10 minutes he came back to take our appetizer order. Another 10 minutes or so he took our lunch order. We asked the manager (who was visiting a table who sent food back) for some biscuits after being seated for 20-25 minutes. We asked a bus boy for some silverware and he came up with steakknives. We had to ask our server when he brought the appetizers for utensils. The food did come out pretty quickly once it was ordered. The biscuits, as mentioned in other reviews, were great. For appetizers we had the she crab soup and macaroni & cheese. I'm not sure what all the hype on the soup was because it was pretty bland. The Mac & cheese was really good. For lunch I had the fried green BLT which was very good. The hand cut chips it was served with were overcooked and had no taste. My husband had the shrimp and grits which he said was very good. My in-laws both got salads which I think they found satisfactory, except for one of them being the wrong order. When we told the server about it he wasn't even familiar with the salad that was ordered. He had to consult the menu before coming back to tell us that we were right and that he would take it off the bill. Overall I would say the food is pretty good, but not worth the trouble we went through to get it.
(3)Alessandra H.
A friend from home recommended we stop by Poogan's Porch for brunch and we're happy that we did. I think we got there around 10 AM on a Sunday morning and didn't have to wait to be seated. To start, the mimosas and biscuits were perfect. I ordered the Fried Green Tomato Benedict which was seriously delicious. My husband enjoyed the Steak and Eggs, my father gobbled the Pulled Pork Benedict, and my mother enjoyed the Cinnamon French Toast but complained that the portion was too big. Seriously delicious brunch food with a really attentive and polite waiter (Jamie maybe?).
(5)Austin R.
Of all the places I ate in Charleston, Poogan's is where I had my favorite dish (and also where I left my sunglasses which they admirably held onto until I asked about them the next day). The dish was sweet tea-glazed salmon with sautéed asparagus and a lemon mint risotto. All of the flavors were great together and each part of the dish was cooked well. I'm now inspired to try out risotto back in the home kitchen. The other dishes I tried here--she crab soup, cantaloupe bisque--were very good but not up to par with the salmon. The chocolate pecan pie was delicious for dessert with the bourbon caramel sauce, and jam-packed with pecans--maybe a few too many for my liking. Poogan's is certainly a nice dining experience.
(5)Megan G.
I think perhaps going to Poogan's for brunch was missing the point... So I got snowed in in Charleston during a recent business trip. Yes, snowed in. Never fear, I'm told this happens about once a decade. This gave me an extra Saturday in Charleston, and I decided to take advantage by going to Poogan's Porch, which I'd heard about from several Charlestonian coworkers. I showed up around 10 am on a Saturday and was shown right in. First impression: this place is adorable. Poogan's is in an old mansion and they seated me right next to one of the fireplaces. Very cozy, very cute. I ordered coffee and juice, which were brought out quickly, along with some biscuits with honey butter. The biscuits were very, very good and when the waiter thought I'd eaten them both he offered to bring me more. I did have to ask for water, which I thought was strange. Honestly, very little on the brunch menu appealed to me. It all seemed fairly un-inventive - very standard brunch fare. I also thought it lacked much of a Southern/regional flavor. Disappointed, I ordered the french toast, really the only thing on the menu that appealed to me. I should have read Morgan's review - the french toast was totally underwhelming. Really, the food was nothing special at all and I was quite disappointed. I think, though, that brunch probably isn't really Poogan's specialty. I would definitely be willing to give it another shot, but I'd go for lunch or dinner.
(3)Aaron D.
Hm, so there's no really nice way to say this but ... Poogan's Porch is kind of smelly. Well, to be specific, the *porch* itself isn't smelly, but the interior dining rooms smell like wet sneakers. Not appetizing. At all. When we complained to the waitress, she told us that it was just because the building was old. Um...OK. I've been in plenty of old buildings that didn't smell like moldy footwear, but whatever. Fortunately we were able to move to the porch, which was odor-free. The food itself was pretty good. The fried alligator appetizer was much more tender than I had expected. Our waitress said it's because they marinate the alligator in buttermilk before they cook it. We shared a fried chicken entree that was ridiculously huge. The kitchen kindly separated the entree onto two plates and it was so much food that I thought they had given us two chicken entrees, but our waitress assured us that it was just one divided portion. The famous biscuits? Tremendous in size, but otherwise unremarkable. This restaurant is good value by Charleston standards and provides a solid 3-star dining experience if you're able to breathe the sweet fresh air of porch seating.
(3)Jodi S.
Poogan's Porch is the epitome of Southern Hospitality with a spin on delicious Southern classics. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledgable and the atmosphere was pleasant. The best part... The food! Pimento cheese fritters are a must! The scallops, stuffed chicken, and pork chops were all hits as well!
(5)C T.
Loved this place! First it was very quaint and quiet for a Saturday night meal. Had the fried lobster tail for the appetizer which was absolutely delicious. I enjoy the taste alone so I didn't bother with the sweet sauce that came with it. I got the shrimp and grits-good choice by me! I love trying this dish at all the local spots and this has gotta be one of the best. I loved the creaminess and slight spicy nature of the gravy. The grits also obviously had cream in them as they were perfect also. Wifey got the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes. She said it was better than MY mama's!! So, naturally my Mama better get her game up! All in all great dinner. Service was efficient, enjoyed the ambiance, and the food doesn't get much better.
(5)Beth M.
I really enjoyed the environment, the service and my wine. My husband was enamored with the sea scallops and the Poogan's Punch. However, I was very disappointed in the red snapper. The dish was not hot when it arrived at the table and it was rubbery. Worse still was that the flavor of the fish was basically non-existent. I had high expectations because the restaurant had been hyped so much by locals and in publications, but I was not at all impressed with my meal. The sea scallops saved the experience because my husband was thoroughly impressed. If I were the chef, I would remove the red snapper altogether from the menu.
(3)Todd W.
This was my second visit to Poogan's. And while I enjoyed my first experience, I was less than impressed on my recent visit. This is an old home that has several room with 4-5 tables in each room. Maybe it was the area we sat in last time that made it better (lower level behind the bar area), but this time was quiet and boring. We sat upstairs and the mood was completely different. Request to sit downstairs if you go. Service was good once it got going, but it took a while once we sat down to get service started. Ordered the buttermilk fried chicken, and while good, was nothing overwhelming. A lot of great things on the menu though, all with southern charm.
(3)Jeannie H.
Amazing food, atmosphere and service. Mac and cheese is a must! Would def go her again!
(5)Nina P.
Lowcountry Excellence! A True Taste of Charleston! Went on a date with hubby while in Charleston. Came on a Friday night and it was busy but we had a reservation. We shared the fried ravioli appetizer. Stuffed with pork and goat cheese served fried over a bed of greens and tangy BBQ sauce it was wonderful! I had the salmon special - blackened over goat cheese and jalapeño pepper grits - it was to die for! Lick the plate good! Also, the warm biscuits were perfect and handy for soaking up all the delicious sauces! We'll be back with out a doubt! Ps. Drinks were strong. Poogans punch was awesome.
(4)Joseph H.
Not necessarily a bad restaurant but I've had better low-country cuisine elsewhere. They did let us sit on the patio with our dog though so that's a plus.
(2)Scott S.
Incredible
(5)Ryan B.
The best grits I've ever had. Very coarse ground with just the right amount of cheese. We started with the scallops appetizer which was perfectly cooked. The biscuits are housemade and delicious, as many as you want! I moved on to the shrimp and grits for dinner. The sausage in the dish made it amazing, but the grits......o the grits, they are amazing! My fiance had the scallops, which we perfectly cooked and the grit cake was ridiculous. I can't say enough about this place. I will definitely go back if I'm ever in the area.
(5)Eleni A.
I need to move to Charleston for the food! We had brunch here this morning. It's in an adorable old house on Queen Street. Indoor or outdoor seating - We sat inside in the back room next to the window. Our server was friendly and really efficient. The food - WOW. Started with Mac & cheese with Gouda, ham and bacon. See photo. Then I had their crab cake Benedict on a fresh hot biscuit with a side of home fries. See photo. My friend had the pulled pork Benedict. We both left feeling fat and happy! Highly recommend!
(5)Angela F.
What a great place! Located in a great old, cute house. Be sure to check out the Poogan the dog's statue on your right before going up the stairs. The house is allegedly haunted by Poogan (some sitting on the patio feel hair brush by their legs and a mean old lady (seen in the bathroom mirror and in upstairs windows). Point being: lots of old Charleston character! The food and service is superb! We started with the fried green tomatoes, good as especially made by the delicious cranberry jam. The biscuits with honey butter were yum. The braised spare rib sandwich with sweet potato fries also very tasty. My absolute fav by a landslide: the shrimp and grits! Holy tastiness!! Will def return when in Charleston to mow down the shrimp and grits...mmm....
(4)Tasha L.
Take it for what it's worth. The ambiance is lovely! Located in a vintage charmer of a home in downtown Charleston. The history of the place was interesting, but only explained on a piece of paper located at the front desk that we had to pass around to read. Our group of nine had reservations a few days ago. We were told they would need to split the group into two tables, which was not objectionable. However, once we arrived, they were able to push a few together to make one long one. A nice touch. That's about where the benefits of this restaurant end. The service was dismal. Our waiter was impatient and distracted. I'm not sure if this is because of the size of our group, our ethnicities, or our originations. I saw plenty of upper-class white people sitting nearby that got warm and friendly service. As an Alaskan, I always try to learn about local cuisines and cultures. Our waiter seemed bored with my questions and naivety. He markedly noted that most people in Charleston are not actually from Charleston and that he was from Minnesota. He gave a very anti-climactic first impression of the city. Surely the food would speak for itself? No, not really. Prices were VERY high for what we received. From the biscuits to the shrimp 'n grits, nothing impressed. The menu said the biscuits were home-made. I would venture that they use the term "home-made" loosely, given the dough tasted like doctored-up Bisquick. The shrimp on my plate were not properly deveined. The fried chicken for my friend was forgettable. The plating was neither contemporary nor creative. Perhaps my experience is indicative of the city in general. A place rich in history, but poor in culture. It seemed a destination for materialistic upper class white people determined to flaunt their superiority, regardless of actual value. I have no intention of visiting Charleston again, and this restaurant is the perfect metaphor why.
(2)Amber H.
This was probably my favorite restaurant in charleston. The building is super cute,and the food melts in your mouth. The biscuits and homemade honey butter are the best I've had. The service was impeccable. This place was named after a dog,and his fancy graveside is out front. I thought it was so cute. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Sara M.
EAT HERE. Especially if you're a tourist trying to get a very "Charleston" experience. Lovely, unique atmosphere! The restaurant is in an old house. So much charm both on the porch and inside. On a beautiful side street in the historic district. They serve so many amazing dishes. We loved the alligator salad, she crab soup, fried chicken and crispy snapper. Definitely recommend sharing a bunch of plates amongst your party because you'll want to try it all!
(5)Stephanie S.
The second we drove into downtown Charleston we parked a few streets away from Poogan's and it started to DOWNPOUR! We ended up sitting on the porch while it was raining and it was such a lovely experience. We even got rained on a bit, but it was hot and so nice to be outside during the storm that we didn't mind. The waiter offered to move us indoors, but we declined. Good service! My boyfriend and I started with the fried alligator. SO good! It came with a Jalapeno cream sauce, which was yummy. I ordered the fried chicken over salad. My only meh thing was that it came with the same Jalapeno dressing as the alligator. The actual fried chicken was done perfectly though. My guy had the chicken potato dumpling dish. He loved it.
(4)Patrick D.
Awesome, y'all. Everything you'd want from a charming Charleston restaurant: delicious Southern comfort food, all the hospitality you'd expect, and a casually upscale atmosphere...like having lunch or dinner at your wealthy aunt's house. The rolls they bring out before your food arrives are amazing, as was the pulled pork sandwich I had. Wish we had left room for dessert!
(5)Katie N.
First of all, our server was so wonderful. She was knowledgeable about everything on the menu and provided food and drink suggestions that she seemed to genuinely enjoy herself. The Gouda Mac and cheese was so creamy with the right balance of flavors with some bacon in it. In fact all of the food had great texture, flavor, and presentation including the low country stew, fried chicken, and our dessert. I ate at quite a few restaurants during my weeklong visit in the Charleston area and this restaurant was the best.
(5)Racquel P.
I came here on a weekday around 2pm and there was a pretty long wait. Luckily they had bar seating so I opted for that. My bartender/server, Eric (I think?), was very friendly and accommodating. Southern hospitality at its finest! Started with an "ice pick": iced tea, vodka, & lemonade. So refreshing on such a humid day! The biscuit that came while waiting for your entree was sooooo good. Good thing they only gave one or I would be in trouble!! I also wanted to eat somewhat healthy so I got the famous fried chicken salad (all good things in moderation, right?!) and so amazing! The fried chicken strips were so crispy and juicy. I do not like a lot of dressing on my salad and they give you a whole bowlful on the side. Perfect for dipping. This dish left me extremely satisfied, even for a salad, and that is saying a lot! Poogans Porch is worth the hype. I would definitely come back here if I am in the area again.
(4)Charlie P.
When at Poogan's Porch, I feel like I'm in my grandmother's home placed in the South, cozy and comfortable the way a bed and breakfast may feel. While there are many other spots in Charleston that I think serve better cuisine, Poogan's Porch is a solid option for a Sunday Brunch. The menu is heavenly Lowcountry and Southern-focused, with menu items like Fried Green Tomatoes, Crab Cake Benedict, Alligator Bites, Country-Fried Pork Chops and my personal favorite Chicken & Waffles. As far as Chicken & Waffles go (as Charleston has their fair share of options) Poogan's has one of the best, served with a heavenly not too-sweet blueberry maple syrup. Those traveling to Charleston and looking for a "taste of the south," I recommend Poogan's Porch for brunch. It fills up fast so go early or be sure and book a reservation. Must-order items: Chicken & Waffles Sunrise Shrimp & Grits Blackened Catfish
(4)Helen A.
Walking into this spot, it looks absolutely lovely! It's a very charming place with a great ambiance. The food was fine but nothing to write home about. It was all going fine until we realized there was a COCKROACH on the wall right next to our table. When we told one of the servers that was walking by, he simply stomped it dead and kicked it off the balcony like it was nothing. Maybe the southerners are more accustomed to these critters, but I do not like this kind of view during brunch. As far the food specifics, my group tried several different things. We had the fried green tomatoes, fried alligators, biscuits with gravy, chicken & waffles and crap cake benedict. The appetizers were much better than the main courses, my favorite being the biscuits and gravy.
(2)Taryn C.
OH.MY.GOSH. Their Fried Chicken is the most amazing fried chicken I have EVER had. SOOO Good. I would go back to Charleston just for their chicken. Also, the service and restaurant itself were really good. But their food was just amazing.
(5)Meg T.
Brunch was amazing! Between the six of us, we has pulled pork benedict, crab cake benedict, shrimp and grits, and French toast. Everything was delicious! We tried making a reservation and none were available on Open Table, but we decided to call and they had plenty of space, so definitely call!
(5)Josh G.
Well, what can I say that hasn't been said? The fried green tomatoes are amazing when you combine the goat cheese and chutney that accompany them on the plate. And I mean that. Amazing. The rest of the food was very good as well, but not life changing. I had the snapper and she had the shrimp and grits. Our server, Kevin, was fantastic. The food came out quickly and at temperature upon arrival. The two specialty cocktails we had were exceptional. It was a nice experience. Highly recommended.
(5)Nicole W.
Tucked away on beautiful Queen Street, Poogan's Porch is one of Charleston's oldest dining establishments. Poogan's, named after a pooch who loved sitting on that very porch, specializes in "low country cuisine." Without fully understanding what that meant this place was the perfect epitome of a southern meal placed in the atmosphere of a beautiful Victorian home. Upon recommendations, we ordered the fried alligator (delicious but a mere sidekick to the other dishes), Chef Isaac's She Crab soup (delicious soup, sweeter than expected) and the big kahuna: the Mac and Cheese (country ham, aged smoked gouda)! The Mac was extremely flavorful, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. This was by far the best Mac and Cheese I've ever had. If you are reading this do not leave without ordering the Mac and Cheese! I repeat, do not leave without ordering the Mac and Cheese!
(5)Shy A.
We got lucky and were seated within 15 minutes on a Sunday, score! I would recommend setting a reservation otherwise but we felt like living on the edge. Queen street is full of lively places to eat so you won't go wrong either way but if you have your heart set on Poogans, make that reservation! So a quick breakdown.... Biscuits-As good as everyone says! It's not buttery, almost floury and doughy but incredible. They remind me of the sourdough biscuits my grandmother used to make. The honey butter they brought with it was amazing! But, don't fill up on biscuits just yet...you'll miss out other other delicious bites and you don't want to do that! She crab soup-thicker than what I've had in the past and a bit fisher but still tasty. I wanted some crackers to offset the texture of the soup. Shrimp and grits with poached egg-the bff loved this dish! I liked it as well even though I'm not a fan of poached eggs. But, in this dish, the egg yolks make it. It creates this wonderful texture and brings the entire plate together. Fried Chicken-fantastic! Really tasty for being bone out, the breading was sublime. The collards that accompanied it was perfect. I've eaten a lot of collards in my day and have always found the need for a pinch of salt or more vinegar but these were above approach. Oh, the Bloody Mary's are some of the best we've ever had....that says a lot. It was simple, served without the salt rim. Perfect. They use a Charleston mix....that's what we saw, I have no idea what's in this mix but can only assume it's what makes it so wonderful. The service was on point...no complaints there! I'll definitely visit each time I'm in the area!
(4)Kevin M.
Poogan's Porch is a good representation of the overall Charleston food scene and the city in general. It's an older house that was converted into a restaurant, but the service is that of a bed and breakfast. Everyone was incredibly polite and welcoming, which was a pattern throughout my entire Charleston trip. I started out with the fried alligator for appetizer, which was ok. It was my first time trying alligator so I think it just isn't for me. I then had the shrimp and grits which were really good, but not as good as I would have hoped for. It lacked spice and just an overall wow factor. That being said, it was still a good meal. Location wise, this place can't be beat. It's right in the heart of downtown Charleston and walking distance to most hotels and tourist establishments. The experience at Poogan's from a service standpoint was excellent and the food was good. I wish the food were a little better, but it's definitely worth the trip as you may find it to be better than I did.
(4)Amy Lauren S.
A friend and I visited Poogan's Porch a few weeks ago during "Rollback Week". Each February, Poogan's rolls back prices to the 1970s, which is a great deal. It is after restaurant week but the rollback menu includes the whole menu and isn't a prix fix deal. Getting a reservation during rollback week is tricky because many locals know about it. We parked at the garage just across the street. One big bonus is convenient parking with a $6 lot next door and two garages on Queen Street. We were promptly seated and our orders taken.The restaurant is cozy and charming and we sat near the fireplace. The staff brings out delicious honey butter biscuits and they were the BEST! I had the sweet tea glazed salmon with asparagus and risotto. The salmon was cooked perfectly, melted in my mouth, and the sweet tea glaze wasn't super sweet, but complimented the salmon and asparagus well. Sweet tea is a way of life in the South, and Poogan's did a good job incorporating that flavor into the salmon/asparagus/risotto dish that is standard at so many restaurants. The portion was just the right size, and while I didn't leave hungry, I didn't have a food-induced coma. My friend had the pork ribs and mac and cheese, and a side of fried green tomatoes. I'm sure they wanted to turn tables quickly since the restaurant was sold out, but the biscuits came out ASAP and the appetizer and entrees did too. Everything was timed right, and that made Poogan's a great experience (it's awkward to get your entrée when you have only taken two bites of your appetizer). Still, we didn't feel rushed out of the restaurant. We had a great experience, and I would highly recommend Poogan's Porch for a nice meal in downtown Charleston.
(4)Lindsay B.
It pains me to give this place 2-stars... it just wasn't good :-\. I was so excited to try this place, I called my husband "Poogan" for at least two weeks prior to arriving in Charleston. Poogan is actually a small white dog, so maybe that wasn't the best, but I meant it in a loving way and didn't know about that until I happened to pass a tour guide say it-- oops! I got the mac and cheese without ham, but it was so salty I honestly didn't taste much else. My husband got the catfish, which he liked but thought the portion was way too small. Waitress was extremely charming and nice, good service, nice atmosphere, but the food just really didn't do it for me and it would not be one of my recommendations.
(2)Alicia W.
The house is super cute and we were met with smiles. My mother who is disabled was dinning with us and the hostess moved some of the existing reservations around so that we could sit downstairs. For any other handicapped individuals there is no elevator and the staircase upstairs is fairly step. The front of the house has manageable steps with a handrail. Onto the food, we loved the biscuits and honey butter - a nice touch. And also ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. The tomatoes were super thick and went along well with the orange marmalade. The table had: sweet tea salmon, the pork chop, steak and the fried chicken. All reports were good, even my picky mother said is was great. Would suggest a reservation. And even though it is a nicer place, our son who is 14 months was welcomed and accommodated. Great dinner!
(5)George W.
Love this place! Great food. Great service. Great bar. Atmosphere is ante-bellum home. Air conditioned. They have gluten free selections. We were party of nine. Everyone satisfied. Make a reservation.
(5)Chris B.
Our high expectations and optimism about Poogans were unfortunately met with disappointment and frustration. Our experience: Reservations were made a day in advance for outside seating but once we arrived our name wasn't on the list. We requested outdoor seating again and proceeded to the bar to kill the next 45 mins. This would've been fine if we were any closer to being seated. However, upon following up on the wait, I was told that a table became available but it was reserved for another couple who called in...this should've been the point where we walked out, but we were invested. We are finally seated after a little over an hour (wasn't a crowded night). We then sat there with no waitress aware of our presence for another 15 mins at a dirty table. I ordered duck and the gf had the snapper. I will say the cook and seasoning on the snapper were good but everything else was disappointing. I expect better when spending $65+ but realistically, I would've had a better tasting meal at a pizza joint.. To end the night my foot found its way into a dog bowl strategically placed under our table for some reason haha. At this point it was amusing and our only concern was leaving. Overview: Quality of food doesn't justify the price. Service was very unorganized and seemingly inexperienced. Certainly cannot recommend with so many other great alternatives.
(2)Eric Joleen G.
This was my first time to Charleston, I was here for a few days for work. I took a shot in the dark and walked in to see if there was room to eat. The site said by reservation is highly recommended for they are always busy. They made room for me at the bar, and did not make me feel like I was an inconvenience at all. Hospitality is something they have here. The bar tender gave me the recommendation to have the Lefthanded Milk Stout, amazing beer. For dinner I had their cup of She Crab soup, amazing, Shrimp & Grits amazing and their biscuits will put you in a euphoria. I highly recommend going to eat here if you can. For parking, which is hard to come by in old town, there is a parking garage down the street which makes it easy. Thank you again for the hospitality.
(5)Jennifer H.
I'll be honest, I wasn't overly excited about this place at first. Once we were comfortable seated at the bar, that changed-and not because I was drinking bc I was sipping on water. We looked at the menu and got to talking with one of the bartenders-a former New Yorker like myself and a Buffalo Bills fan!! We made small talk and he gave dinner recommendations while we waited. I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful outdoor seating in the back of the restaurant. Our server was good. The biscuits were delish-I ate two! I ordered the pan seared scallops and they were heavenly!! I enjoyed every last bite of the scallops, pimento cheese ravioli over cream corn. The meal and the atmosphere was very nice. I sampled my friends mint risotto and my other friends vegetarian risotto option and I learned that I'm not a big fan of risotto but glad I was able to give it a try! I would have like a little more food as I was still hungry after cleaning my plate. I was very tempted to give your bread pudding a try-next time it's a must!
(4)Wing C.
Charleston is a true foodie paradise and Poogan's held up to its reputation! We were warmly welcomed with sparkling champagne and warm, fluffy house made biscuits with whipped honey butter. I had to give the full run down of these biscuits - because they were THE best bread I've ever had (including all types of bread!). They were lighter and fluffier than all biscuits I've encountered. The whipped honey butter only brought them to a whole different level. I devoured three before my appetizer and ate another two along with dessert. Unbelievable! Fried pimento cheese fritters - oozing, gooey cheesy goodness topped with refreshing, green tomato jam. Perfect appetizer! Calabash styled shrimp and oyster with red rice risotto and collard green - lightly battered and flash fried, the seafood was fresh and flavorful, the red rice risotto was cooked in sweet tomato base, the collard green had a spicy kick. A true southern comfort food. Shellfish and grits - after having magnolias for lunch and learning poogan's won the james beard nomination for this dish, I was ecstatic to see how it would compare. Unfortunately this was by far my least favorite shellfish/shrimp and grits dish on my entire trip. Not saying it wasn't good, just wasn't great. My grit cake was overdone and way too dry. The shrimp and scallop were oversalted. In addition, this dish could use a bit more sauce. It was missing the comfort southern cuisine feel. Beignet - made with the same amazing biscuit dough base, dusted with powder sugar, served with raspberry jam and a cup of coffee. The cup of coffee was a bit odd, but nevertheless it was the perfect sweet ending! A little disappointed by their award winning shellfish and grits, nevertheless an amazing, fine meal. Would definitely recommend everyone visiting Charleston to check out poogan's on his/her visit!
(5)M P.
Loved the story of Poogan and his people. Our server was kind and helpful - the chef, after hearing I was GF and really wanted what was a blue crab pasta dish, created an amazing iteration with veggies instead of pasta. It was so delicious it should be a regular on the menu. Thank you for being so accommodating!
(5)Patrick K.
I'm dreaming about coming back to Poogan's!!! Every single time I'm on Queen Street I'm thinking about those amazing scallops that I had for dinner. This place is definitely a hit! It's a traditional southern restaurant located within a beautifully renovated Charleston home. The ambience is amazing and the décor is just lovely. I don't think I've had a better dining experience anywhere like I did at Poogan's. I recommend this place to anyone that asks where they should go have dinner. Service was great, but make a reservation this place gets busy!!
(5)Rissie M.
We have 2 kids and when we originally looked at this place we thought it would be inappropriate to bring them along despite Yelp saying it was okay. In the end we risked it and it was perfect for kids. It was the ease of fine dining along with accommodations for the little ones. The pimento cheese fritters is quite possibly the best thing I have ever put in my mouth!For the main course I had the ribs and Mac. The ribs had a mustard sauce and the meat slid off the bone making it easy to eat with a fork and knife. You must try this quaint little place!
(5)Andrea R.
Dined here for brunch on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend. Upon arriving we checked in and were told the wait was 20 minutes. The entire time we waited we watched 4, yes FOUR tables sit empty. We ended up waiting around 35 minutes total (those tables were never filled). My husband went to check where we were on the list and inquired about the outdoor seating, he was told even though we were next on the list there was a completely different waiting list for outside and we would be last on that list, meaning another 40 minute wait. What? So we were next on the list but not really? When we were finally seated they took us to a large room in the back, there were around 12 tables and only 1 was occupied when we sat down...wait..so why was there a 35 minute wait again?! Service was poor, to sum it up our waitress sucked. She was bored and uninterested, we sat around forever waiting for water refills, she didn't go over any of the specials, never brought out the free biscuits (which we didn't know you got until a table next to us got them), forgot my husband's side order of grits etc. What made it more obvious was that two tables were sat down after us with a different waitress and we heard her go over the specials, which we knew nothing of, she gave detailed descriptions of the dishes and even offered suggestions for drink pairings, she seemed awesome, we watched the other guests with service envy! The upside to the awful service was that the food was delicious. My husband ordered the crab cake eggs benedict which he loved, with a side of grits that basically came with our check. I ordered the country fried pork chops with scrambled eggs and home fries. The pork chops were delicious! They came with a Texas Pete au jus that was outstanding. They were so perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. When the free biscuits finally came they were really good. The service left a really bad taste in our mouths so with all of the other brunch options in Charleston I'm not sure we would be back again.
(3)D M.
Extremely friendly staff. I had a mule served in a copper cup. Very refreshing (so much so I had a second.) Biscuits we're great (ask for the recipe and they'll give you a card with it pre-printed.). Great match with their honey butter. Great fried oyster and roasted beet salads (two different salads) Shellfish with Tasso-pimiento grit cake (fried) in a fish demi-glaze. James Beard worthy dish. Grouper special was as good. The manager thought we waited too long for our entrees (we didn't as far as I'm concerned) so he bought our desserts - chocolate peanut butter pie and lemon point cake with blue berry ice cream / chocolate crumbles. Perfect end to a great first day in Charleston. Second visit - last day in Charleston. Started with a fried oyster salad as well as a fresh peach/blueberry daily special salad. Back to Grouper and Shellfish over Grits for dinners. If it ain't broke ....
(5)Nick B.
Came here with my gf to get a bite to eat before our movie. Decided to try it out because of Yelp. My gf got the fried pork chop and I got the duck, both were excellent. I highly reccomend the smoked gouda mac n cheese to accompany any entree. The service was excellent and the ambience was also fitting of downtown Charleston. You will be happy going here.
(5)Tom G.
Doesn't look like much but had come recommended. Went for Sunday brunch. Est cup of coffee in Charleston so far. Had pulled pork eggs Benedict and will recommend that to anyone for brunch. I'll even try to duplicate this at home I liked it so much. Also had my first "fried green tomatoes". Don't understand why this is a big deal in Charleston.
(4)Nicole O.
Ok. So living down the block from Poogan's we have loved the friendly staff and yummy food! However, last time we were there, we sat outside. Well, towards the end of our meal a HUGE rat came right up to our table from the drainage vent on the porch. Gross. It came right up to our puppy and I am so so thankful that he doesn't appear hurt. The waitress said she would let someone know.... But for a fancy, expensive establishment the lack of attention to this matter was a bit offensive. The Mac and cheese is great! The rolls were good as well... Don't think we'll go back anytime soon... But only because we enjoy our quality meals without the company of rats, or at least an apology from Management.
(3)Rachel A.
I ordered: fried crocodile and the green tomato BLT. Both were good, loved the crab remoulade. Service was sub-par. I'm not sure if they were understaffed or what but very weird. They didn't refill our drinks or give us biscuits until we asked and then we got our appetizers while we were eating out sandwhichs. It was definitely weird but worth the trip.
(3)Mackenzie S.
My friends and I go here for what we call "staycation"- treating ourselves to slightly pricey but awesome food in our own city! The brunch is amazing, service is always a pleasure, and the atmosphere is quiet, relaxing; perfect for staycations. The she crab soup is one of the best, crab cake Benedict is amazing, and the Mac and cheese is to die for. A must-visit in Charleston!
(5)Judi H.
Pooganns Porch was a old Southern home transformed into a restaurant. The Food was good. My expectations were much higher because of how crowded it was and how long we had to wait. Would try dinner if We go again.
(4)Sonya M.
Service was superb. Drinks are very unique. Get the fried green tomatoes as an app. I had the dinner special - BBQ local quail. My boyfriend had the fried chicken, which he loved. To end off the night, we had the berry bread pudding. Loved everything and service was great! Must go in Charleston!
(5)Chris C.
We had the Alligator, which was a first, and it was delicious. The fried green tomatoes BLT was great with homemade bread. I had the chicken and waffles, which went well with blueberry syrup. Service was a little slow or it would have been 5 stars Would recommend this place if you are visiting Charleston.
(4)Katie W.
This is a hard review to post. The food is amazing. The scallops with pimento cheese ravioli was one of the best dishes I had in Charleston, and that is saying a lot. The biscuits were pure heaven, especially with the honey butter. The service was abysmal. We were rushed and treated terribly. Our server made it seem like a substitution (potatoes for pasta) on the kids menu was impossible, but she never returned to let us know whether it could be done or not. I had a question about the menu and she acted extremely put out that I was wasting her time. It's too bad, because the food was spectacular.
(3)Eva H.
This was the first place we ate at during our weekend stay in Charleston. We had an Opentable reservation for 9 and waited at the bar until exactly 9. While waiting, I got a sweet tea vodka drink, which was deliciously made and refreshing. For our meal, we ordered the she crab soup, the fried chicken with and mashed potatoes side, and the fried shrimp and fried oysters with green beans and risotto (and also a sub of Mac n cheese). She crab soup was creamy and crabby. I've never had it before, so I can really attest to it's flavor, but it was tasty. The fried chicken - wow, maybe the best I've ever had. The skin was fried to perfection, airy and crisp and without any extra grease. The two pieces of dark meat were juicy all the way through. Really top notch! The mashed potatoes were just as good - finely mashed and subtly flavored with butter and salt. The fried shrimp and oysters were also great because of their batter. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and not over cooked like fried shrimp typically is. It was also larger than fried shrimp usually is. The fried oysters were also good, but honestly, I can't really tell a difference between different fried oysters. I'm writing this all our meals, which included 3 other meals with fried chicken. While a couple other fried chicken had more flavor in the batter, Poogan's was the overall best and the one I would go back to have. Where else did I have fried chicken? Kitchen 208, Leon's Chicken and Oysters, and Jestine's Kitchen.
(5)Jonathan M.
Amazing pimento cheese balls, crab cake Benedict, chicken and waffles and everything else. Also such s great atmosphere
(5)Shamik T.
Overall, I found my experience at Poogan's Porch disappointing -- and mostly due to the incredible contrast between the food (delicious) and the service (abysmal). The front-of-the-house was pleasant enough, but the general service was lacking. I suspect this was due to the bottleneck at the bar (it appears there is only one, and it is quite small) in getting cocktails made. The cocktails themselves, were, pretty good. But at one point we realized that we waited nearly 30 minutes for them. Dinner itself was great. The biscuits were fresh and tasty. The empty baskets stayed at the table for the duration of the meal though. Our dishes were generally good, and our (admittedly large) party partook in a wide range of the menu. But for a restaurant that doesn't appear to get much bad press, our experience was surprising. Our server would disappear for long periods. It took close to an hour for our entrees to appear after our starters were removed. We ordered drinks that sat untouched on a waitstand in the hallway, only to get to our table covered with condensation. Wrong meals arrived, twice. We had to ask for empty glasses to be removed. My water glass was filled and never returned to me, instead left to sit alone at the end of the table. That biscuit basket? Eventually we just placed it under the table, when it was clear it was not going to be removed. Perhaps this was an off-night for service. But then again, the restaurant should recognize that and act accordingly. For all the trouble, they were kind enough to remove a $7 Cobb salad. Thanks. I do not come to Charleston often, and when I come next, I'll probably try to go next door.
(2)Wes R.
I've been to Poogan's twice now and really enjoy eating there. I should asterisk this review with the fact that both times I ate here, they were doing the rollback pricing. (Prices are equivalent to their pricing in 1976 when they opened - which is freaking awesome!) Anyhow, during my first visit I learned that I really love their Mac & Cheese! It's done with gouda and it's to die for! I had the fried chicken as my entree and I thought it was done perfectly. The second time around, I had the Ribs & Mac. This dish was okay. The highlight was the side of Mac & Cheese :) The service is solid. I really appreciate when the servers are knowledgeable and leave the pretentious attitude aside. I think the folks at Poogan's nail this and for that, I am grateful. To wrap things up, I'll say, this. At regular pricing, this place is more like 3.5 stars. It is very pricey on the regular. However, it's a must during the rollback pricing. I'll continue to visit every year for the rollbacks. If you're making it out for dinner, be sure to stop by the Husk bar next door for a drink beforehand.
(4)Nannette P.
Enjoyed our dinner here. We make a point to come here every time we're in Charleston. Parking is a challenge and costly. I'd come back again. Desserts are good too.
(4)Glenn J.
Fantastic. Great atmosphere. Wonderful food. The she crab soup was delicious. The fried chicken and ribs were beyond great. Would highly recommend.
(5)Bryce C.
This was another big disappointment in Charleston. I went over Labor Day weekend and was super excited to try Poogan's, but I found it to be a pretty subpar brunch spot in a city filled with amazing options. We came at a very busy time on a very hot day and we were quoted 60 minutes as a wait, when we said we wanted to sit upstairs on the balcony, we were immediately taken to a table. I highly suggest that if you can deal with the heat. Unfortunately the busser trying to open the door to the outside decided to push on a pane of glass as he forced it open and sliced his hand when he shoved it through. We really felt bad for him. As soon as we sat down the waiter asked us which cocktail we would like. It was so hot out that both my friend and I declined. The server immediately soured and started telling us how it's not brunch without one and asked us again to confirm we didn't want one. I work in sales, so I really don't appreciate a hard sale on alcohol. You never know if that person may be against drinking or if they just are not in the mood that day for a drink. It is my biggest pet peeve. Hell, I still ordered a soda and my friend ordered an iced tea, so we weren't some free loading water drinkers. For my entree I had the Charlestowne Fry, which was beyond bland. It was sprinkled with a few flavorless fried oysters and the Gouda was non-existent. It was served with a few sad pieces of fruit which was supposed to be a fruit salad. When you serve something that's that sad looking, don't even bother putting it on the plate. I ended up having only about a third of my entree before I pushed it aside, where it was immediately snatched up by the server with no questions asked about why it was barely touched. Our bill was shoved at us before we could even take a breath. All in all, it's a restaurant that I really feel relies on a good name and reputation, but serves bland food with even worse service.
(2)Allison W.
My friends and I stopped in for dinner last Saturday night. We had reservations and were seated quickly. I love the decor and Southern feel of this place. I also love that it is named after a dog :) We started with the pimento cheese balls. DELICIOUS!! If you are into greasy deep fried delicious pimento cheese, this is the appetizer for you! I ordered the roasted duck as my entree. I loved the duck. So moist and flavorful! The potato dumplings that came with it were tasty as well. My sister in law ordered the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes & gravy. I have to say hers was my favorite! Delicious & crispy chicken. I loved the gravy, so much flavor and huge portions! My husband had the shrimp and grits. To be honest I was not a huge fan. There was too much going on. The gravy was weird and took away from the grits. I don't think I'd order that again if/when we go back. All in all we had a great experience and I would recommend! Also we had an amazing waiter who brought me a sample of the pimento cheese ravioli and it was divine!
(4)Jenny S.
Poogan's Porch was right around the corner from the hotel we stayed at (Mills House) so we walked over for Sunday brunch. We didn't have reservations so we did have a brief wait. They text you when your table is ready so we could've walked to some of the shops during our wait but we opted to sit at the bar and order mimosas. We were seated after a short wait at a table right by the window and our server was great. She brought out homemade light and fluffy biscuits that were just like my grandmothers and we also ordered fried pimento cheese balls which we quickly devoured because they were delicious. My husband ordered an omelette plate and he was pleased. I had the French toast with bacon and I was equally pleased. We would definitely done here again.
(4)Cait H.
Poogan's was our last dinner during our Charleston honeymoon vacation, and it was definitely worth the change in plan. We were originally going to go to a sushi place on our last night until Jay and I found out about Poogan's on our ghost tour. We were very intrigued by the ghosts (both human and canine) that inhabit the restaurant, but one look at the menu had us making reservations. We started with the Macaroni and Cheese appetizer, made with country ham and aged smoked gouda. This was good enough, and filling enough, to eat for our meal, but we certainly didn't stop there. I ordered the Pan Seared Sea Scallops, served with pimento cheese ravioli (holy crap, I could have eaten so many of these) and creamed corn. Jay got the Roasted Catfish with red rice risotto, sausage, okra and tomato butter. We finished with caramel bourbon bread pudding. The caramel sauce was ridiculous and one of the best desserts we had on our entire trip. Poogan's is definitely worth it for a special occasion. Hopefully when we return to Charleston, we will go for brunch, which is apparently very good (translation: get all the biscuits).
(5)J J.
The Good- Biscuits, best I ever had in my life, duck, best I ever had in my life, alligator best I ever had in my life. I 've lived either in New York or New Orleans and am quite the foodie so this says a lot. The Bad- The ribs with the mustard BBQ were awful. Who wants yellow mustard slathered all over dry ribs??? The pecan pie dessert was served cold not warm and ended up tasting like a cold, dry, stale brick. Bottom line the great was fabulous, the bad was awful, but I'd go again for the great.
(4)Anrenee R.
Ordered fried chicken dinner. But I am not sure of my ability to judge fried chicken. The dinner came with fresh biscuits, which may have been the highlight of the dinner. The chicken was great. I just don't like picking meat off bones. We sat at the bar because we did not make reservations. The staff was very friendly and accommodating though.
(4)Morgan M.
My mom and I went here on our big dinner out for our spring break vacation. It totally lived up to our expectations! The ambiance was very nice in the back dining room and the server was very knowledgeable. We liked the biscuits but they weren't the best. I ordered the ribs with the Mac and cheese and brussels sprouts and was very impressed. The rib bbq mustard sauce was great and the meat fell right off the bone. My mom had the fried chicken and loved it. I would definitely recommend this place if you're visiting and want a good southern food experience.
(5)Maia D.
What a wonderful place for a girls lunch! PP is a beautiful colonial home that has been converted to a restaurant serving new American and southern fare. Dining here is like dining at someone's home. There are lots of rooms and a corridor along with some dining out on the "porch" Some highlights for me were the sweet tea refills that seemed endless. No sooner did I suck down the last drop than it was being refilled. Many choices on the menu for many different cravings - from fried oyster salad to burgers, a crab cake sandwich and grilled cheese (that incidentally had everyone at the table wishing that was what they got) and fried chicken over mashed potatoes. Something for everyone. Salad or sweet potato fries on offer as a side. She crab soup had a nice little bite to it while the fried green tomatoes were crisp and served with a lovely remoulade sauce. More out of curiosity than anything else, we ordered the alligator app that came served like sweet breads - fried little morels on a bed of greens with a jalapeño sauce. Alligator tastes like a combo of chicken and fish. Do with that what you will. Poogan, BTW, was the resident pup.
(4)Katie Z.
AMAZING biscuits! Seriously! Stopped here for brunch and had a great experience. I would highly suggest making a reservation if possible. I had the chicken and waffles and they were just okay, everything on the menu sounded great so I would go back!
(4)Lauren S.
Poogan's Porch was amazing! The staff was attentive and accommodating throughout the entire meal. Everyone was very polite and made sure we were happy, especially our waiter Kevin! The food was one of the best meals I have ever had! We started with a wedge salad and the Mac and Cheese, both of which were full of flavor. I enjoyed the beef filet with blue cheese dumplings for my entree. The meat was cooked perfectly! For desert I had the goat cheese cheese cake with mint and blackberries. I wish I would have eaten the whole cheesecake! I definitely recommend visiting this restaurant!
(5)Korey P.
We had a wonderful dinner. The food was excellent. Ambiance was nice. Had our 2 little kids with us and ate when they first opened for dinner at 5, so they weren't super busy yet.
(5)Lewis F.
We wanted to try some southern cooking before leaving South Carolina, so we decided on this place. The restaurant is a remodeled home, complete with a front porch (hence the name) and what I believe to be the original staircase and hallways. We didn't have reservations, and the dining room was booked for nearly two hours, but the hostess asked if we wanted to eat at the upstairs covered balcony. Since it was evening and not oppressively hot, we thought it would be OK. We were asked to take the front staircase and met up with the hostess at the upstairs hallway (she had taken another set of stairs). She escorted us through one of the dining rooms and to the front balcony. It was cute, with white pillars and a great view of the street and the hotel across the street. The weather was great: warm and balmy, but not uncomfortable. Our waiter, Nick, was nice and friendly. Tim and I started with drinks called an "Icepick", i.e. iced tea, lemonade, vodka. The boys had sweet tea, of course. A basked of fresh-baked biscuits were brought out. They were very good. For appetizers, we ordered fried green tomatoes and alligator salad. Both were delicious! I hate to sound like a cliche, but the reptile was breaded and fried, so it really did taste like chicken. For entrees, I had the shellfish and grits, while Tim had the shrimp and grits. Our older son had the pork chops, and the younger one ordered the ribs and mac. Unfortunately, he didn't read the part that said "mustard barbecue sauce," so he didn't like it. Tim had to trade dishes with him so that he would have something to eat for dinner. Anyway, all the food was excellent! The grits with the pork ribs were cheesy, while the one served with the shellfish was a savory grit cake. Definitely check out the menu on their website for more details (though they have different specials daily). My dish wasn't that large, so I had room for dessert: beignets! Yum! They weren't too big, and they were served with some fresh fruit compote and a small espresso. The service was wonderful. Our waiter refilled our water and sweet teas without us having to ask, and he even apologized at one point for his absence when he didn't check in with us for a while. Honestly, we didn't even notice. Definitely glad that we had chosen this place for our last dinner in Charleston. If you plan to be in the area, please make reservations at this place and treat yourself. If the weather is nice, consider eating at the second floor porch. We would definitely come back here if we ever return to Charleston.
(5)Sam P.
We ate here with our 2 teenagers on a arrival in Charleston. There is nothing negative I could find to comment. The food was perfect portions and so delicious. Each of us choose different from the menu and there were no complaints. Great choice of wines and cocktails. We were seated upstairs, environment was just what I expected from a historic place like Charleston. We finished our drinks on the porch upstairs after eating which was nice to watch outside. Service was on point, even after living in NYC with high expectations for speed. I would say 100% go no complaints
(5)Scott C.
I am being very generous with 3 stars, but I will explain why in a minute. I have always wanted to eat at Poogan's Porch because it is an iconic southern restaurant. I was finally passing through Charleston and got to stop there for lunch. I asked my waiter (who was actually the bartender) if the chicken with their chicken and waffles was real fried chicken or if it was the all white meat boneless stuff. He said "No, it's real fried chicken." Imagine my dismay when it came with CHICKEN STRIPS!! Seriously??? At THIS restaurant?? I could imagine maybe Waffle House doing that, but Poogan's Porch?? Truthfully though, I know they're not the only southern restaurant out there passing off boneless, skinless, all-white-meat chicken (and might I add "flavorless") as "real fried chicken." The waffles were equally bad. They were spongey and I had to tear them because they wouldn't cut with the edge of my fork. At least the syrup was good! Dear Poogan's Porch, if you must stick with chicken strips as your "fried chicken" then please make your menu reflect it as such. REAL fried chicken has bone and skin. The other stuff requires dipping sauce due to the lack of flavor! You may want to consider getting on a flight to Atlanta to see how Gladys Knight makes chicken and waffles at her restaurant. She knows what she's doing. Based on my food, I would rate it with one star. I am upping it to two because the service was good. I am further giving it three because I looked around at some of the other dishes and they seemed to be prepared properly.
(3)Guilherme G.
Poogan's Porch is a traditional southern restaurant. Delicious biscuits, good sized portions and comfort food. The pork chop, with green beans and mac&cheese was spot on. the panko crust was crunchy and was a good pairing for the pork meat. Service was kind, but could be more attentive - maybe because the place was busy on the 4th of July weekend. The ambience is ok. No frills.
(4)Meaghan G.
Noah Calhoun is that you?! (My apologies for The Notebook reference) but now that I have that out of my system. I can honestly say that Poogan's has it right on ambiance and food. This quaint restaurant tucked away on Queen Street makes you feel as though you have stepped back in time the moment you walk up to the front door. Outside seating is available in the front and back of this beautifully crafted home, but the inside ambiance cannot be beat. Intimate lighting and sturdy wooden tables make for a romantic atmosphere. You can go dressy or casual, as the clientele comfortably displayed both forms of attire. The menu is divided by traditional and contemporary southern dishes. Warm biscuits with sweet whipped butter to start?! Yes please! The shrimp and grits were out of this world, and the Mac and Cheese lives up to its reputation. While the apps are a bit on the smaller side, my entree was really filling. I only wish I had saved room for dessert. For this world traveler, Poogan's offers some of the best food ever.
(5)Lyndi R.
Had my birthday dinner here and I'm in love! The food is divine, the staff training and upbeat, and this well cared for Victorian is so homely and history bursting through the windows! The Filet is cooked perfectly, and the Mac and Cheese was the best I've had.
(5)Grace T.
People really seem to like Poogan's Porch, but I honestly don't think that they execute their food well. The service is what you'd expect at a high-end restaurant, but their food, for the price, is just not up to par. I think people like to jump on the band-wagon and rave about something everybody seems to like, but I'm going to say that I've experienced better and just give two stars.
(2)Dariel S.
I really enjoyed my visit to Poogan's porch. I went with my great dane on a beautiful day so we were able yo sit outside and the staff was great accommodating us. We went there for brunch which I highly suggest as it is one of the top brunch spots on Sundays. I had the chicken and waffles which were delicious and my wife had a fried green tomato BLT. Love this little spot.
(4)Christine J.
Praise the Lord we were able to eat here with last minute reservation bc it was easily the best southern food I've had thus far. We started with the wedge salad (our very feeble attempts at being healthy) and we're initially disappointed at how small the portions were. It was an excellent salad though, but we were worried that all our food portions were going to be kid sized :(( But when our main courses came, our fears were put to rest. Everything looked, smelled, and tasted like a dream. My bf got the salmon and loved it, especially the flavors of the fish itself. His first reaction to the rice was hilarious when he said that it tasted like bubblegum. I thought I'd heard him wrong...but we figured out that it's because the rice is infused with mint! He wasn't too big of a fan but still enjoyed his dish. My bf gives me a hard time for getting Shrimp and Grits at every single southern restaurant but sadly, I haven't found one that really sticks out until I had it here at Poogans Porch. So much flavor, amazing portions, and just so darn delicious! I wish I lived in Charleston just so I can have this dish whenever I want. The service was pretty average, although you could tell we weren't a high priority since we're just a young couple passing through but luckily, their food was so good that I didn't care too much. Definitely a must stop if you're ever passing through Charleston!!
(5)Jessica B.
I was a little disappointed in my visit to Poogan's Porch. This was our first visit and I am not sure if we caught them on a bad day, but it did not go how I imagined it would. They were offering their rollback menu/prices when we went, so they were quite busy. We had a reservation at 5:15pm. We arrived at 5pm, were seated at 5:20pm. We ordered our drinks, appetizers and entrees. Our waitress was very polite and didn't seem flustered, although she looked as she was servicing all the tables in the area. The biscuits they served while you waited for your appetizer or entree were great. Some of the best I've had in Charleston. Our appetizers, salads, were not great. My mother-in-law and I ordered the wedge salad and my father-in-law and husband ordered another on the menu. The lettuce wedges in our salads were a little brown, there was barely any dressing and the vegetables were chopped tiny and there were not a lot. The salads that the men ordered, were the same- but one came with a ton of toppings and the other only had one thing. Unacceptable. By the time our entrees came out, they seemed as if they were sitting a while. My mother-in-law's Chicken Charleston was extremely dry, had very little (bland) sauce on it and was served over a tiny biscuit. The ribs were not that good, either. They were dry, cold and did not have a lot of flavor. The fried mixed basket was okay, per my father-in-law. I had the pork chop. I thought it was good, but it was not very hot. The gravy it came with was also not hot, it was barely even warm! The green beans were over cooked, brown and had way too much seasoning. We ordered dessert as well. We tried the bourbon caramel cheesecake. It was gluten free, which is okay- but not always my favorite. The bourbon caramel "sauce" on top was a jelly like topping. We peeled it off, as a whole. It was a consistency of fat from a pan that has been sitting for a bit. It was not that good. Overall, it was just okay. Part of me is happy we went during roll back prices, as I would not have paid full price for any of the meals we received. I would not put it at the of my list for places to go when I am downtown. I know a lot of people consider it "a staple" of Charleston, but I can think of a long list of others that would come before.
(3)Hunyah B.
Mac and cheese was fantastic. Cute decor! A very fun atmosphere. The portions are very large, so keep in mind when ordering. Easy to share. The service could be a little slow but was a busy sunday so it's understandable.
(4)Kaitlyn S.
I was in Charleston just for the weekend and the food just hi lighted the trip. This was one of our brunch stops and everything was top notch delicious. The biscuits are the best biscuits I've had in a long time. We started off with the fried green tomatoes which I would order again and again. Three out of the four people at my table ordered the chicken and waffles and it was so good! The portion size is plenty. No one finished a plate. The mimosas were also very tasty.
(5)Brittany M.
AMAZING!!!!' I had the Pan Seared Scallops with creamed corn and pimiento cheese ravioli that had every bite making me moan. My friend had the Short ribs with Gouda macaroni, it was fantastic. I would definitely come back in a heartbeat.
(5)M H.
Was I disappointed. As were all my guests I finally convinced to go there. Went for Saturday lunch. Menu was slight, more like brunch. Food was average - nothing special. I could have prepared just as good at home. Probably won't be back (unless it's for the pimento cheese balls - ok - they were pretty good).
(2)Amy B.
Poogan's Porch easily delivers the best southern food and service I've ever experienced. My fiancé and I celebrated his birthday there last night and they started our meal with complimentary glasses of champagne. The meal that followed was fantastic! We started with the pimento cheese fritters and really... How can you mess up fried pimento cheese? I don't know because that was creamy and delicious. I'd left the restaurant a request when I made our reservations online, not knowing if it would be seen or executed, but when our main courses arrived, it was perfect! They spelled out '41' in bacon on the plate, just as I had asked! (Yes, that is a Walter White reference.). He was so tickled, and I was thrilled that the staff was so happy to help me make him feel special. Thank you so much, Poogan's Porch! We have done the whole bacon bit for the past 4 years and never has a restaurant understood or delivered on the first request, much less via an online request! All that said, I'm probably not talking about the food enough. Because the food is still the best reason to go... The scallops were hands down the best scallops I've ever had. The sear on the scallops was perfection, the creamy corn underneath could stand alone as its own dish. The filet was just as good, cooked to a perfect medium rare and the blue cheese dumplings where divine. My only regret is I didn't save an appetite for dessert.
(5)Athena B.
Holy amazing brunch! I've had so many people recommend Poogans to us and we got to try it last fall. It was amazing! I had my first ever experience with chicken and waffles. I'll tell you what, PP set the bar very high for all future establishments! The chicken and waffles was so tasteful and very lightly fried! My husband got the pork chop and eggs and he loved it! Our new fave spot in the city!
(5)Angela W.
This place was adorable and I am so glad this is where we had our last meal in Charleston! We came for brunch on a Sunday and were really worried there would be a wait but luckily were seated right away. They don't take reservations for brunch so I would recommend getting there on the earlier side if you want to avoid waiting around, especially if its in the summer months. It is next door to Husk, so the environment is similar - a cozy home with various rooms for dining. They start off with biscuits so you know immediately that this is going to be a good meal. Before even getting to my main dish I was already 600 calories deep in bread and butter but definitely no regrets there. I had the pulled pork benedict and thought it was a nice twist on a classic brunch dish. My boyfriend had the Charleston Fry, which was an omelette with fried oysters, cheese, bacon, and all other sorts of good stuff on it. If you don't mind starting off with something heavy, this was really good as well. We ordered mac and cheese for the table and that had the perfect amount of pasta to cheese ratio. Now if only we could have a brunch spot serve complimentary biscuits in NYC...
(4)Liz L.
Allow me to begin by saying our food was fine. Not awesome, not bad. The mac and cheese was good and I did enjoy my seared catfish. But everything else...what a snoozefest. I think the problem is that it is an uninspired menu. Gave this another shot for their rollback dinner menu and I felt like I was rolling back to my 5 year old tastebuds. The brussel sprouts were terrible, and I LOVE brussel sprouts now (not so much at 5). All the vegetables come with bacon - vegetarians beware. I really don't think there is any reason to go here with so many other options in town. Even with the pricing on their Rollback menu...Five Loaves has better food and is at the same exact price point.
(2)Kris L.
Now THAT is a biscuit. Stopped by Poogans Porch for brunch. Loved the starter biscuits-slightly sweet crumbly fluffy pillows Tried the fried chicken sliders-the fried chicken was nice and juicy but I would have appreciated a bit more of a kick/spice in the bredding. Overall one of the best biscuits of my life. Enough said.
(4)Byron L.
Brunch is busy, so don't expect a quick table. The bartender will ignore you as much as possible, I just waited for the table to get a drink. The mac and cheese is just amazing, it has crunchy bacon and the cheese is tasty. Get it OR GET OUT! I picked the chicken and waffles and it was good :) add some hot sauce for an extra kick. Overall, great food.
(4)Jesse W.
This place is amazing. I have nothing but praise to state about Poogan's Porch. One of my friends and a guest author of Wojdylo Social Media recommended this restaurant to me before I made the trip to Charleston. I waited until the last day of my trip to try out Poogen's Porch just because I wanted it to be a lasting memory. Boy was it. I had a fried buttermilk chicken meal with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. It was unreal. We also thoroughly enjoyed the biscuits. Please understand that this is not the most healthy food you can eat but it is definitely the most tasty. If you are ever in Charleston, SC you should definitely make a trip to Poogan's Porch. The only thing that was not 5 out of 5 was the sweet tea. While it was good it was not the best sweet tea I had while in Charleston.
(5)brad h.
To be honest we stopped in by accident, thinking this was another place that we had been years ago. It was a pleasant error. This is a classic that in years past would have turned you away without formal dining attire. Thankfully it's casual... The fireplaces covered with dozens of coats of paint tell the story - this place has been here forever. The ambiance is classic Southern. The food was great. They brought out four HUGE biscuits and butter. We consumed two and promised to take two hostage for later. They served as a great snack as the road trip ran into the night... I tried the BBQ sandwich. I have to confess, this plate of meat took me back in time to my dad's smoked pork. It was heavy smoke. Delicious... It came with home made potato chips that were thick and crunchy. Those biscuits! That pork! I'm sold on this place...
(4)Jackie M.
So good! From the fried green tomatoes to the shrimp n grits... Absolutely delicious! Oh, and the pork chop with Gouda Mac n cheese... To die for!!!! I wanna be there right now!
(5)Marcus B.
My girlfriend and I ate here by the reviews. They were spot on. The food was great and service was great as well. Very knowledgeable about food and made great recommendations.
(5)Cathleen N.
We have never been disappointed with a meal in charleston and poogan's porch can hold onto its high ratings. We were traveling with our little Doxie and had the hardest time finding a restaurant that would accommodate him. Luckily, we were able to find covered seating on the porch as it was a blazing inferno outside. The service was fantastic. We were quickly seated and our server was always magically there when we needed him without helicoptering. We started off with Arnold Palmers. These were my favorite in all of charleston. It had a slightly minth taste to it that kept it refreshing. Appetizers included the fried green tomatoes and Mac n cheese. The friend green tomatoes were just okay. Won't be getting them next time. The mac n cheese though? To die for. Creamy, savory goodness that had just the slight hint of saltiness from the country ham. My husband and I happily ate all of it. He had the short rib sandwich and it must have been fantastic as there was nothing left on his plate. I had the fried chicken sandwich and goodness, it was delicious. There was just the slightest bit of heat to it, which paired wonderfully with the slaw that sat on top of the chicken. It was a healthy serving and I was so full off the appetizers and Arnold palmers that I could only finish half of the sandwich. I saw some other menu items that I would love to try next time!
(5)Andy M.
This is such a cool spot! A converted house tucked away in the heart of downtown Charleston, Poogan's Porch is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We went for lunch on our first day in town and it was fantastic. I had the lunch special BBQ local roe shrimp and she had the fried green tomato BLT, both we absolutely delightful. Not to mention those delicious biscuits!
(5)David T.
Here I sit upstairs drinking superb drip coffee and snacking on melt in your mouth bread with butter that makes you crave for more. Tyler, our waiter, was informative in his recommendations and was on time with coffee refills. He was all together pleasant! The crab benedict was tongue slapping good! I'll be back
(5)Renee S.
We came from California to Charleston. My husband is a Southerner and was wanting a good old fashion southern meal. He loved Poogan's. We ate at several other restaurants in Charleston claiming southern food but my husband said Poogan's was the best. We actually ate there twice. I had shrimp and grits for the first time it was delicious; everything was. Also had sweet Tea for the first time, it was very good. Great bourbon drinks too!
(5)Tom Fjord ..
On my visit to Charleston last summer (August 2014), I stopped by this place with a friend and ordered some Southern style fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes with gravy. It was quite tasty. Truly a party in my mouth and everyone was invited. Situated in an old beautiful Southern style house, legend has it, this location is haunted by the ghost of one of the sisters who owned this house, Zoe St. Amand, who ended up in psychiatric care for the remainder of her life due to depression after her sister passed away in 1945. But overall, great fried chicken :)
(4)Andrew W.
Sunday Brunch at Poogan's Porch FTW! It's a miracle that we got in on a holiday weekend without having to wait more than two minutes. We sat at a table in the downstairs dining room in the back. The service was friendly and attentive. We were served two complimentary biscuits (which were the best biscuits ever!). Then we ordered the mac & cheese which was made with country ham and aged smoked gouda. It was pretty good, the ham was salty. I ordered the Pulled Pork Benedict - described as "pulled pork, poached eggs, and BBQ hollandaise on a fresh baked biscuit" with home fries. My wife opted for the cinnamon french toast with strawberries, pecans, and powdered sugar with bacon. Oh my, was that Benedict GOOD! The BBQ pulled pork was juicy and flavorful. I definitely felt like a southerner during that meal. Alas, I gorged myself on it until I was too weak to hold my fork. Though I polished off the Benedict, a few home fries remained on my plate... taunting me. With the food coma taking hold of me, I was defeated. It was a good brunch, I definitely recommend it.
(4)Rachel L.
Poogans unfortunately did not live up to its 4 star hype for my family and I. I was drawn to it for both for its cool southern home location and its food, which everyone seems to rave about. While the outside of the house is adorable, the interior was just like any other restaurant and was underwhelming to say the least. If you're looking for that cool southern vibe, definitely request to sit outside. The food was also unfortunately on the meh level. While the appetizers started off on a high note - the pimiento cheese fritters and fried green tomatoes were delicious and flavorful, everything else went downhill from there. We ordered the fried chicken which for all its stellar reviews by yelpers and waiters alike, was especially disappointing. Covered in a super THICK fried breading, it was so thick that as soon as you cut into the chicken, the breading-goodness (usually the reason why you order fried chicken in the first place) all came right off. A few bites in and you were just eating mediocre skinless chicken. What kinda southern fried chicken is that?!? I've had a TON of fried chicken in my time and this was probably the worst. Dinner also came with a complementary basket of biscuits which while good, were not anywhere near as epic as others make them out to be (especially having just tried Bojangle's..). Step up your game people! Drinks were appallingly bad. Our waiter recommended the bourbon apple drinks because we like sweet drinks and they could not have been less sweet. We even had them add more juice and they still tasted horrible. Dessert was the only other redeeming part of this meal, although still nothing AMAZING. We got the peanut butter pie which was super rich and delicious although was frozen solid so near to impossible to cut into. All in all, Poogans did not live up to its online hype nor my very high Southern food standards.
(3)Tiffany G.
I've had my eye on this place since we moved here in January, but it's not really a place to take your three year old. So when a girlfriend from home came to town, I knew this was where we had to go. A group of six was no problem- we sat in a lovely room upstairs with original brick work (yes, I asked). The service was great- very attentive without being pesky. We ordered some starters for the table- fried green tomatoes (OMG), pimento cheese fritter (where have you been all my life) which were both to DIE FOR. Everyone ordered something different for dinner- shrimp and grits, scallops and ravioli, blackened grouper (my meal), rib tips with mac n cheese and one other, which is escaping me now. My meal was phenomenal- blackened grouper on a bed of risotto. There was an amazing crisped glaze on the fish that was delicious. I chalked it up to another amazing Charleston meal. We never saw the ghosts that roam the halls, but we were not disappointed!
(4)Glenn V.
It's great to see the celebrity autographed photos upon the long hallway wall with a grand staircase on the opposite side. Poogan the pooch being buried in the front lawn is a bit peculiar and kept us from eating outside, not my decision. The building itself is quite Charlestonian, architecturally appropriate for Queen Street downtown. The fried oysters are always a winner, considering my meals were mainly during lunch service I typically opt for the shrimp and grits which it another great dish. However I find my lower grade a result of the feeling of being corralled like cattle in the above mentioned hallway followed by prices that I think speak more to the historic value as opposed to the quality of their food.
(3)Joe S.
Amazing food and the best service we have experienced in a long time! I had the duck and my wife had the shellfish and grits. Both dishes were great. They even brought out two glasses of champagne for us because it's the day before our anniversary. Desert? You be the judge. Five stars!!!! We'll be back! Ask for Rosa. She was a fabulous waitress and special thanks to the manager for bringing us the champagne. You made our first day in Charleston memorable. Thank you!
(5)Stephanie B.
Can't say enough good things about this place! Every time we come to Charleston, it's a must! The food is absolutely delicious! I have had the sweet tea salmon, the ribs and shrimp and grits and have been very pleased with every meal. You can't go wrong!
(5)Alexandria T.
This place is amazing. There was a 30 minute wait so my mother and I went to the bar, and the bartender made me the most amazing mint, bitters drink I've ever had. The chicken and waffles were amazing. The Syrup on the waffles consisted of blueberries and Texas Pete, which doesn't sound like a great combination, but was heaven. I had the crabcake Benedict which was prepared perfectly as the crabcakes actually had a lot of crab meat in them. I think my favorite part of the meal was the biscuits they serve to you complementary. They taste like buttery clouds of heaven. Make sure to ask for Brittney as your server. She was so pleasant and friendly and we actually had some really great conversation. I will be back
(5)Corey H.
Food and service were awesome, would definitely go back only thing I would change is I would ask for a table on the upstairs porch
(4)Katie O.
GREAT restaurant and service. Started off with the pimento cheese fritters with green tomato jam. Only 4 small fritters come with this appetizer so make sure you savor it. They are awesome. My husband got the shrimp and grits. Safe to say this might be the best we've had. It has big shrimp, andouille sausage, yellow & green bell peppers, and chunks of onion. You won't be disappointed with this meal. I had the lump crab and shrimp pasta. It has a subtle sweetness to it that makes it very tasty. We love the outside atmosphere and the fact that this establishment has so much history.
(4)Ben L.
If God ever made biscuits, this is how I would expect them to taste. This is my stamp of approval for the best biscuit I ever had and it's free??? What the heck? Yeah, it's the free bread they give you at the beginning of the meal. The honey butter is almost unnecessary, never thought I would ever pass up butter lol The restaurant is inside of a house and the feel of the place cannot be beat. It definitely has that old world Southern feel. The place seems like a place you should dress up, but you don't have to. The table for six we sat in was so comfortable, it was the most comfortable table that was in the shape of a hexagon. The food: Biscuits with honey butter- oh dear lord, the biscuits. So amazing, so fantastic, so outstanding, so life changing, so etc. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Shrimp and Grits- Tri-colored peppers, sweet onions, sausage, tasso ham & blue crab gravy. Nothing represents Charleston more than shrimp and grits. The beautiful gulf coast shrimp is such a prized commodity. The combination of the two pair well. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, the grits were a little too mild in flavor, though. I also thought the peppers were a wrong choice, since they have too strong a flavor. I was a good dish, but the Hominy Grill still takes the cake for best shrimp and grits in my book. Blackened Catfish- butterbean, black-eyed pea and bacon succotash, arugula, bourbon gastrique. Blackened catfish is such a Southern dish that was started in Louisiana. The flavor of the catfish was excellent, it also had respectable heat from the spices. The items under the fish were a little off for me. I kinda felt like they were two separate dishes on the same plate. I wasn't all that crazy about the beans and the gastrique. yelp.com/user_local_phot…
(4)Richard C.
Charming restaurant in an old charleston home. Be sure to read the story of Poogan the namesake. They bring biscuits to the table while you're looking over the menu and holy cow... these might have been the best biscuits I've ever had. So fluffy and light! For appetizers we had the she crab soup and the lump crab toast. Both were good but the toast was the better of the two. I had the shrimp and grits with andouille and it was very good, but not the best I've ever had. My wife had the sea scallops with pimento ravioli and it was absolutely delicious. The portion of sea scallop was very generous. Would definitely recommend this dish. We were so stuffed by this point that we took dessert to go. We could not pass up beignets. Even a couple hours later they were still wonderful. Highly recommended. Service could have been better. It was a while before we were greeted by our server after being seated and at the end of the meal we stared at dirty dishes for way too long.
(4)David A.
I went for a Saturday brunch here with my parents after my father & ran the half marathon. We had a 45 minute wait before receiving a table, but once we were seated, I knew we were in for a treat. As an aside, they took my cell number and sent a text message once the table was ready. That was we could go on a walk and enjoy Charleston during our wait. Our table was on the second floor next to the fireplace (which was lit since it was in the 50s in South Carolina). Our server was named Sarah and she did a fine job. She was polite, seemed sincerely cheerful, and attentive to our table. We started with biscuits, which was buttery and light--almost croissant like. We also ordered a plate of the fried green tomatoes to share. My father and I both ordered the "Sunrise shrimp and grits" entree. This plate is served with blue crab gravy, peppers, sausage, poached eggs, which I mashed all together. It was perfect for a cool day and for two tired runners. My mother ordered the fried green tomato BLT, which she was pleased with. Brunch is my favorite meal and Poogan's Porch is outstanding. You'll probably have to wait, but I would say it is well worth the wait.
(5)Steve K.
One of the better jobs at poaching eggs in the lunch that I had here, which also had some tasty pulled pork. A shrimp and grits dish was also good--a little more basic than some others I've had but well-made. The dessert bread pudding, with some fresh berries in it, was delicious. Service was a little slow.
(4)Preeyam P.
GREAT drinks. If you are a gin lover get the Aviation cocktail. The sight of all the bitters lined up at the bar was enough to make me happy for the rest of the night. Our server took great care of us.
(5)Michele Q.
"Accidentally" ended up here for dinner and since we did not have reservations, it was about an hour wait for a table. But, we were told that if we found space at the bar, we can also order food there. One of the women at the bar was nice enough to slide over so that we could fit another chair - turned out she was the general manager's gf. She was extremely pleasant to talk to and was very helpful in providing recommendations. As a result, we wanted to try everything on the menu. Ended up ordering the fried alligator salad, mac & cheese, scallops and brussel sprouts. With the exception of the brussel sprouts, we were thoroughly delighted with all of the dishes, including the biscuits! Learning our disappointment with the brussel sprouts, Luis (the GM), did not charge us for the order. Thumbs up to the great food and great service. He even remembered us when we ran into him in the area the next day! :)
(5)Diane C.
Pimento cheese fritters were to die for!!!!! Service fantastic. Many best Evers: Blackened catfish, fried chicken breast, collard greens- perfect Southern cooking! The only negative was that the room we were in was noisy.
(5)Marc P.
Really good food. We enjoyed the Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer, and mains of Catfish, and Shrimp N Grits. I was a little disappointed at all the kids dining there, and the fact that they didn't have any beer on tap. Nonetheless, a great server and some really tasty food would have me recommend this place for those in the mood for some good Southern.
(4)C A.
First of all I don't care much for biscuits or Mac and cheese but by far the best I've ever had. Alligator salad, yes, alligator was tasty. Service was a lovely painted picture of the menu. Very Charleston experience that I highly recommend.
(5)Carla D.
A solid 4.5 stars! I dined al fresco this evening with the ghost of Poogan on his beloved porch. He suggested the lump crab toast as an appetizer and the shrimp and scallops with a Tasso-pimiento grit cake with shellfish demi-glacé. The crab toast was good, not knock-your-socks-off amazing, but still good nonetheless (this knocked off the half star). The shrimp and scallops though? Spectacular!! Best scallops I've ever had. So clean and silky, cooked perfectly. The grit cake held up really well in the demi-glacé. Every bite was perfection. And the buttermilk biscuits? Flaky, delicate, heavenly pillows of love. I am satisfied and happy. Good Poogan. Good dog.
(4)Allie W.
Apparently one of the most haunted places not only in Charleston but in the world. Be sure to ask your server about the ghost who haunts the old house that holds this restaurant. As for the food, it is great! I went with the shrimp and grits which were extremely flavorful and included andouille sausage which added some interesting flavor. My friend got the ribs which were tender and fell off the bone. We had to wait a bit for our reservation, but it was a Friday night. Great location downtown walking distance to harbor views and in the middle of downtown shopping.
(4)Everett M.
Best food I had in Charleston so far. My fiancé and I could not believe our taste buds!!
(5)Adam G.
Poogan's Porch is a classic southern eatery in Charleston. The setting is a very quaint old Charleston house and the atmosphere is low-key. The food was all great - I went with the All Natural fried chicken, which came with butter whipped mashed potatoes and green beans. It's not always so easy to eat healthy down there, but they sure know how to fry things. This is one of many great Charleston restaurants.
(4)W Richard T.
Wonderful experience. Food was excellent, chef Daniel was extremely personable, ambiance was good. Service was better than most.
(5)Alex P.
One of my favorite restaurants in Charleston. Everything that I have tried has been delicious, the atmosphere is very quaint and southern and the waiting staff is always so friendly. Top favorites: Mac N Cheese Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes Pimento Cheese Fritters Go there! Its wonderful.
(5)Amit K.
I am torn between a 3 and a 4 for this restaurant but will go with the A-OK status (rating = 3) as-per yelp. On the good side, this is among the the few kid-friendly restaurants in downtown Charleston that invite you for a Southern food experience. The restaurant ambiance is great - housed in a 150-ish year old, yet charming, home with pretty staircases, windows, and doors. The servers are nice, attentive, and knowledgeable about the food being served. The food itself, however, leaves much to be desired. The storied fried green tomato was just ok, failing to convey flavors through the deep fried batter, the pimento fritters a tad too loaded with cheese, and the biscuits, while better than the other two items, lacked the moistness expected from a freshly baked batch. The mashed potatoes were absolutely divine with subtle velvety texture and hints of butter and herbs. The vegetable risotto was surprisingly well done for an establishment that does not highlight it on the menu. The fried shrimp and oysters did not make the grade as perhaps the batter, yet again, over-powered any other flavors. In summary, nice looking place, does have a good kid-friendly vibe, food was ok and I would like to think we ran out of luck with our selections but other yelpers could give it a try :)
(3)Emily F.
THE BISCUITS. My husband, brother in law, and best friend were in Chas for a few nights and went out to eat here. We got ribs and Mac, and fried chicken. The fried chicken was excellent but I thought the ribs were the real winner! Talk about some fall-off-the-bone meat. Service was excellent, we didn't have a wait on a Tuesday night, overall excellent meal, but OH MY GOD I'm going to have dreams of those biscuits for months.
(5)Santo C.
Modern versions of low country favorites. While my blackened catfish was excellent: spicy, not overdone with savory risotto (wish it had more okra in it however) spouses green fried tomato BLT better. Tangy green tomatoes with arugula and crisp maple bacon. The crabmeat remoulade dressing was a 1000x magnitude of thousand island dressing. Unique. Sweet tea that's not-to-sweet brings it all together. Service is friendly and attentive. But since we had plenty of food (spouse gave me half the BLT) I won't complain about not getting the fried alligator appetizer. Spouse says waitress just knew it would be too much food. Now on to exploring Charleston.
(4)David K.
Accustomed to visiting Charleston during the tourist down season of late November, we unwisely found ourselves walking down Queen St. and up King St. without a meal plan. We stopped at several restaurants we knew, some by past experience and some by reputation, one of these being Poogan's Porch where we had a nice lunch several years ago. A couple were booked for the entire evening, one or two could seat us in a half hour but Poogan's could seat us right away! In we went. I would describe the food as Lowcountry Classic-Plus. On the menu, by name you'll see all the dishes you'd expect from the genre and few if any surprises. You'll find Shrimp and Grits, Fried Catfish, Fried Chicken, Short Ribs, Roast Duck, and more. But they all have an individual touch (that's the "Plus"), while generally adhering to their southern roots. Like the catfish: fried with Cajun sorghum butter, or the Shrimp and Grits, with Tasso ham gravy. I was intrigued by the "Crispy-Skin Snapper": pimiento cheese grit cake, pulled pork, local radish, wilted arugula, North Carolina barbecue reduction. A piece of fish sitting on a pile of pulled barbecue pork, all sitting on top of a grits cake? Could they really pull it off and serve this thing "crispy-skinned"? I had to find out. I must say, it was technically pretty successful, and taste-wise just about perfect. The snapper arrived with cross-hatched skin which was glazed, presumably with the nc bbq sauce, and in fact was somewhat crispy when it was served. That's gotta be pretty hard to to, especially in a busy restaurant. I must say the combination of snapper with pulled pork may have seemed odd at first but any such thoughts were dispelled when I tasted it. It worked very well. Very good grits cake too. Firm, and not too buttery or cheesy - just enough. I ate all the fish but did manage to save enough pulled pork and grits cake to eat as part of lunch the next day. We shared a Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer: with pecan-encrusted goat cheese and seasonal fruit chutney. Good I guess. A little too soft, thin, not "green" enough maybe? So are they overcompensating a bit with the fancy dressings? The goat cheese was def. a nice touch though. Then again I had far better ones a couple days later, albeit prepared more simply, at Jestine's up the road and they also cost less money. The wife had Ribs and Mac: Hickory smoked pork ribs, mustard bbq, bacon-roasted brussels sprouts, smoked gouda mac and cheese. Pretty excellent, in all its parts. Fork-tender ribs, good smoky flavor, the bbq sauce perfectly complimenting the meat. She liked the mac and cheese and said it was among the best she's had, if not the best. Personally I thought it was pretty good, but I like my own recipe better than anything I've tried in restaurants. Still I've got to wonder and admire: how do they get the smoked Gouda to melt? Whenever I've tried it the results have been disastrous. Ambience and comfort level couldn't be better. (Well, my chair could have been more comfortable.) We had a small table for 2 in a corner up by the front window; couldn't have had a better seat in the crowded dining room. It was loudish but not uncomfortably so. Being in the corner helped with the noise and relaxation. Our waitress - Rosa - was a pleasure to deal with.
(5)Chuck D.
I've eaten here three times previously while traveling and have yet to be disappointed. Both the food and service are top-notch; I've eaten in both the bar and dining area. They serve the full menu in the bar My latest visit I had the Crab and Shrimp Pasta. It was very good. A light sauce of vermouth made a nice accompaniment to the sweet crab. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Sylvia G.
Unbelievably the best meal ever! Get the short ribs ! The most tender melt in your mouth fall apart delicious meal I've ever eaten. Served with horseradish cauliflower mash, I normally hate horseradish but this was understated and just gave it the kick that it needed. End of story. Get the short ribs. I promise you'll be happy.
(5)Katie H.
Had one of my top ten meals ever eaten here and that's saying a lot...... Despite the strange name this place lives up to Charleston's culinary chops. The menu is a nice variety of quality Southern food that will please almost anyone. Started with one of the best biscuits I've ever eaten. Had a difficult time choosing my dinner from the menu but ended up with duck over gnocchi and duck confit. Every single bite was fantastic. The flavors paired perfectly and the duck had no gaminess and was cooked to perfection. The restaurant is in a gorgeous old home (no ghosts today), service is impeccable, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality of food. Overall it was a fantastic experience. (We even got in without a wait!) Would recommend a reservation if you want to ensure being sat quickly.
(5)Kelsey M.
I go here with my Mom all the time and we used to love it but it has Really gone down hill. We ate here today and there was a nicely sized one inch bug crawling up the wall right next to our table and our lunch. I had to flag down a waitress to try and get the bug and she smashed it, almost getting it into our food as she scraped it off the wall. I get it sometimes these things happen especially in Charleston, but it is still gross and off putting from your lunch. The waitress didn't apologize about the bug or anything no I'm sorry. And I would have liked an acknowledgement that it isn't unreasonable for me to enjoy my lunch without unwelcome guests, as opposed to her scooping it off the wall like this was "the norm" for Poogans now. Then we begin eating our chicken and dumplings, we usually get the fried chicken and collards, but opted to try something new. Wow, was it disappointing! Carrots and celery weren't properly cooked. The chicken and dumplings were served in broth instead of the usual cream-based sauce and there was more chicken than sweet potato dumplings. I have no interest in raw carrots and celery diced up in broth for $16. I had a couple of bites and then just left it. After the bug, the raw vegetables and just complete lack of effort put forth towards the food and service, I Will NOT be returning to this horrible establishment. Ever.
(1)Kat V.
Fabulous lunch of she crab soup, fried green tomatoes & southern fried chicken salad. The restaurant's namesake is Poogan, a beloved pooch who must enjoyed porch sitting. So sweet! Great atmosphere & service - highly recommend
(5)Lindsey H.
My husband and I went here for dinner tonight and it was fantastic! We ordered the mac n cheese to share as a starter and it was hands down the best mac n cheese we have ever had!! If you go here, you absolutely have to order it!! I ordered the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans and it was amazing as well. Again, best fried chicken I've had- perfect seasoned breading and very moist chicken. The mashed potatoes were very rich and creamy and the green beans were well seasoned and complemented the meal nicely. My husband ordered the scallops and had rave reviews as well! We will definitely come back the next time we are in Charleston!
(5)Meghan M.
This is a must when in Charleston! I had the Ribs and Mac and it was delicious. My husband had the pork chop which he also loved. The service was also great. This was easily one of the best meals I've ever had and coming from Chicago, I know what good food is!
(5)Chantelle F.
Delicious fried green tomato appetizer. Homemade bisects with honey butter were great. The pork chop with mac was outstanding. Interior is a charming Charleston home but not as well kept as Husk next door.
(4)Trevor T.
The oldest privately owned restaurant in Charleston does no disappoint. Service can be slow and not perfect, but the food is perfectly executed for Southern food. Consistently great food.
(4)Brady K.
My first 5 star rating, everything was top notch. Was seated right away and service was great. They start you off with delicious buttermilk biscuits while you look at the menu. I chose the fried green tomato BLT. Man was this delicious tomato was great and had some of the best bacon I have ever had. This wasn't you average BLT it had a crab mayo that added a ton of flavor. My side was sweet fries that were good but seemed average. Price was good for lunch and I am extremely happy with my experience here.
(5)Marina C.
Y'alllll. Although there was a lack of ghosts present, the food and atmosphere are more than worth it. We started with the fried pimento cheese, which was phenomenal. The butter they gave with the biscuits tasted like your grandma made it with love and honey. The brunch was great, shrimp and grits were some of the best I've ever had, and the biscuits and gravy were heavenly. 10/10, hands down.
(5)Margaret J.
My roommate and I planned a day where we would shop all day and enjoy Charleston since it was her last night staying in this great city. So all morning we shopped and needed a place not only to rest but enjoy a good lunch. We found ourselves at Poogans Porch and boy am I glad we went. About a 5 minute wait fro 2 on Friday afternoon which we thought was great. Our waiter was great! Had good suggestions and didn't stalk us throughout the meal(gave us some space). We started with the pimento cheese fritters which were breathtaking. Perfect for sharing. It came with 4 and sat on top of a type of fruit glaze. Simply delicious. For our entrees my roommate, got the shrimp salad special. She said it was great and came with about 6 jumbo shrimp. PERFECT! I enjoyed the famous fried chicken salad with honey jalapeno dressing. Absolutely devine! 4 luscious chicken strips cooked to perfection and that dressing I pray they make it at a grocery store. The meal and the whole experience was a perfect ending to our day!!
(5)Mike S.
Fantastic service, fantastic food, excellent atmosphere. We went for breakfast and were amazed at how perfect this place was. Tons of southern charm, and very friendly staff.
(5)Nemil S.
Came here for Charleston Restaurant Week. Cocktail - 1/5 - Forgot which one I got. It was similar to something you would get at a sports bar...big tall pint glass with ice and xyz liquor and mixer. Don't be fooled by their fancy menu of cocktails, it was terrible. Biscuits - 5/5 - delicious soft fluffy biscuits served with butter, probably the best part of the night! Shrimp and Corn Chowder Soup - 3/5 - corn chowder with one piece of shrimp inside. Nice and creamy, but wish it came with more shrimp. Steak - 3/5 - cooked how I asked, medium-rare, pretty big quantity, great flavors, just wish the meat was prepared better. The medallions weren't cut well and didn't taste super fresh. Beignets - 3/5 - I always compare my beignets to Cafe du Monte in New Orleans, and these were nowhere near as good. It was nice that the dessert came with a mini-cup of coffee for dipping and some jam. Fried dough with powdered sugar, what's not to like though?
(3)Lora R.
This place has the best mac and cheese ever! My boyfriend and I cannot stop raving about it, and craving more. We ate it twice while on vacation and will be coming back next year. Not only is the mac and cheese wonderful, but the biscuits are too! The fried chicken and shrimp and crab pasta got an A+ in our books. Unfortunately we were too full to try desserts, but I'm sure they are wonderful. I recommend this place!
(5)Magali T.
I've been there twice now and they have great service, great drinks, and solid meals. Appys: we had the fried green tomatoes (amazing) and my husband had a wonderful light watermelon salad (a special). I had the braised pork which, while excellent, had a bad ratio of meat to everything else. I ran out of the lovely sauce and fresh vegetables when I still had half the meal left. The pork was a little heavy by itself and I found myself wishing I had more of the other stuff. I ended up leaving some of the meat as a result. My husband is a vegetarian and took the only option available, which was whatever chef made. It turned out to be simply fettuccini alfredo with a few veggies. While it was good tasting to him, it also felt like not much effort was put into it (also they were pretty cheap on the veggies). The service was stellar and you can't beat the ambiance of that old house. Despite the little shortfalls, I still would recommend it.
(4)Curtis L.
What a fun southern atmosphere. Right when you walk in, you are engulfed in a homey aroma of southern cooked food. Tonight is my first night in Charleston, and first time on the east coast. A little apprehensive, I walked through Charleston's subdued DT and stumbled across Poogans Porch. As it turns out, the restaurant is set in an old house in the middle of DT. Once inside, you find a house divided among 2 floors of dining and bar common space. I sat at a common table in the bar, which I shared with another couple -- make sure to make reservations ahead of time (something I didn't do). Let me start with...What a find - I started my meal with a light cocktail that took the heat off of a hot, humid night. I found myself scarfing down two of their home cooked biscuits with honey butter. Such a good start to my dinner. Next on the menu was Poogans dinner special - St. Louis BBQ ribs & mac 'n cheese. The ribs were fall off the bone good and the mac 'n cheese was a creamy, classic goodness. ***Addition to review*** I ended up going back to this restaurant again on my trip. *seating outside is great* This time trying their "Arnold Palmer", which is concocted with sweet tea vodka and lemonade. Oh boy. As an appetizer, I had to try the deep fried gator salad. I can't say that I've had anything like this before, but what I can say is that it won't be my last time ordering it. For dinner, I had the cold smoked tuna which is smoked at 60 degrees F, giving the fish a smokey and smooth texture. The entree is served with a bed of savory rissotto and fried oysters. A must try! My belly didn't have room for dessert, but I would wager to guess that their desserts would rival their great entrees. This place is a must try!!!
(5)Tricia W.
Ate here because we couldn't get into Husk until 10:00. Sat at an outside table upstairs. Nice atmosphere but the tablecloths were dirty. Had the shellfish and grits You get 2 small grit cakes, 4 shrimp and 2 scallops for $23. Not a lot of food for the money. The grit cakes were good. One of my shrimps still had the shell on it, so someone in the kitchen missed that. Biscuits were good, maybe the best part of the meal. Service was good and the folks came around to check on whether or not everything was satisfactory. I would probably skip this place next time since there are so many other options in Charleston.
(2)Joe D.
Personally, I think it's the best damn biscuit in Charleston. And the alligator is PERFECT. This place is just the epitome of Charleston, great quality for the the money.
(4)Julie T.
What a charming place! If you are looking for what true Charlestonian Cuisine is all about look no further than Poogan's. I came to Poogan's Porch with my mum for lunch today. Everything was lovely: The food, the service, and the reasonable price tag. Our server was friendly, professional, and on top of our dining experience the entire time we were there. I wish I'd gotten her name so I could ask for her next time.... ah well. We shared an order of fried green tomatoes to start. I thought they needed a touch of salt, but otherwise were amazing. I ordered the daily lunch special of local shrimp over pasta, and my mother got the fried green tomato BLT. The BLT was yummy and the homemade chips that came with it were spot on! My shrimp and pasta special made me sad... That dish should be on their regular menu! I got 6 PERFECTLY cooked, and delicately seasoned, jumbo shrimp over a bed of linguine; that was tossed with wilted baby spinach, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a white wine reduction. I can find NO FAULT at all with my lunch. It was exactly what a fine dining lunch plate in an old-school veteran Chatleston Restaurant should be. I will be returning to Poogan's Porch very soon for dinner. So, along with 82 Queen next door, this is what High Charlestonian Cuisine is all about!!!!
(5)Dine O.
I went to this restaurants due to the great reviews. I should've gone else where. The place had a stuffy smell. Like it needs to be aired out really bad and it's hot. We were seated up stairs as there was a wait downstairs. The tables are wood and aren't covered so you can see the years of dirt, dust, and crud...while you eat...eeeww. The food-the shrimp and grits...a soupy cold mess. At least mine was. I couldn't even pick up the mixture worth a fork. It went right through. I was very unimpressed by this smelly hot restaurant. Never again!!!!
(1)Molly C.
My husband and I recently went to Charleston for a long weekend, and I did extensive research on where we should go for each meal. I had read great things about Poogan's Porch and was excited to try out this charming restaurant for lunch on 10/31/14. First things first. The restaurant was clean, the staff was very nice, and everything on the menu looked absolutely wonderful. It was honestly hard to choose what to order! I ordered a local beer and my husband ordered a bloody mary - both were good. They brought out some warm biscuits which were honestly the best part of our meal...I wish they had included 4 more in the basket! We ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer, and they were terrible. They were very soggy and lacked that crispy fried crunch that you expect with a fried green tomato. Instead, we we were left trying to spoon up soupy tomatoes onto our forks (not easy....we gave up). For our lunch entrees my husband ordered the pulled pork sandwich with homemade chips. His plate looked delicious and I tried a few chips (needed a little salt). He said the sandwich was fine but nothing to write home about. Then you get to my entree...shrimp and grits. It looked great coming out of the kitchen and the first few bites tasted great until I noticed the BAR CODE STICKER IN MY FOOD. Yuck. Someone in the kitchen clearly did not clean the peppers enough and the bar code sticker was just floating around in my grits. The staff was extremely embarrassed and rushed out a cup of she cab soup to tide me over. My replacement shrimp and grits came out about 1 minute after the soup (so I didn't eat it), but this new bowl looked like a hot mess. It was slopped into the bowl and was almost overflowing. Shrimp and grits is best in reasonable quantities, as the dish is delicate and should be slowly enjoyed, getting a taste of each component in every bite. This new bowl looked like stew thrown into a bowl and rushed out the kitchen door. I was over it from the moment I saw the sticker in my food, so I didn't eat much more of the replacement bowl. They even included the shrimp and grits on our bill! However, they were respectful and took it off once we mentioned our disappointment. I probably won't give this place another try if we return to Charleston, and I have learned that even though a restaurant has a great reputation and means well, if they are not producing good food then it is best to respectfully speak up about the quality.
(2)Lisa K.
We celebrated my 50th birthday here and had a great time, although the five of us may have been a little too loud for some of the guests...but our server, Rosa Maria, was THE BEST and she really took care of us. I love this restaurant's story ( about a little dog named Poogan) which is why I chose to come here instead of some of the other big name restaurants Charleston has to offer....who can resist a place that kept an abandoned pet on the renovated restaurant property??
(5)Mark J.
It's ok but not spectacular. She Crab soup was too thick for my taste as if it was made with flour instead of cream. The shrimp grits was made with Vidalia onions which made it very sweet - while it may work for for most people I prefer it to be more savory or spicy than it was. I also tried the buttermilk chicken fried chicken which was excellent In particular the sage sauce which was excellent. If I were to go back in the future I would definitely go for the fried chicken
(3)Aaron P.
**Overall Rank 4.1/5** Nothing special about the food...but cool old "haunted" house makes for a unique dining experience. **Food - Portion size 5/5** Entrees are about average compared to similar places, plus, you get homemade biscuits and honey butter before your meal. **Food - Taste 3/5** Shrimp & Grits were very tasty. The poached egg on top added a unique taste, but made it a bit "saucy". Compared to other S&G's, Poogans' were very runny....There was no solidity to the grits...I couldn't eat with a fork. My wife had Chicken and waffles. The chicken was a little tough and dry. But the batter and syrup were better than competitors. Recommend ordering extra syrup. AND, there is a faint spiciness to the syrup. Couldn't figure out what it was, but be warned. The chips that come with the kids chicken tenders are delicious. **Location 5/5** Tucked away down Queen St. Not hard to find at all. **Parking 4/5** We always park at the garage on Cumberland right next to Toast, but there is a garage right across the street from Poogan's. Either one puts you within walking distance of the restaurant as well as the rest of downtown. **Cleanliness 5/5** Nothing to complain about! **Originality 3/5** Pretty much the same menu a lot of other Charleston "southern food" restaurants have. Expect the southern staples. **Service 5/5** Best service we've had in Charleston, HANDS DOWN. We got our food faster than Jimmy John's, NOT A JOKE. We ordered, our waiter walked away, and came back about 3 minutes later with our food. It was insane. **Price 2/5** We went for lunch and it was dinner prices at smaller portions. You are paying for their rep and location. To be honest, there are better places to get the staples. **Wait 5/5** We went in about 10 minutes before they stop seating at 2:30 (on a Saturday). Didn't have to wait for a seat, and again our food came out ridiculously fast. Only take reservations for dinner, even though they have the Yelp reservation app. **Atmosphere 4/5** Meh. It's an old house with the mood set to be very dark and trying to be intimate, but it doesn't really match the food. They need to open some windows and let in some light.
(4)Susan H.
Came on the suggestion of a friend- ate outside on the patio as it was a 90 minute wait without reservations for an inside table. I've never had fried green tomatoes so I have nothing to compare them to, but they were tasty. Not too impressed by the crispy fried snapper- a little bland. Hubby's catfish was very tasty. Honestly, at $80 for 2 people I expected more.
(3)Amiee S.
Went here for dinner after a long hot day touring Fort Sumter. I read that you need a reservation but we got there just when they opened, so we had no problem getting a table. The restaurant is in an old southern house and has a lot of character and is very cozy. I had their special that evening, ribeye with a tomato ragout with fingerling potatoes. They use local beef and produce and the steak was cooked perfectly and was very flavorful. The tomato ragout was a surprise because, while I like mushrooms, they are not something I usually order. But the combination of tomatoes, wild mushrooms and onions were delicious. My mom just had the Fried Green Tomato appetizer with a little fried goat cheese ball. I tasted one and it was also very good and crispy. My dad had the shrimp and grits. I think he liked it because there was nothing left on his plate either. While a bit pricey, I think it was worth the quality of food they serve. I will definitely go there again the new time I am in Charleston.
(5)Emily R.
Poogan's Porch was great! I came in a bad mood, and the service, atmosphere, and quality of food managed to cheer me right up. We wandered in on a busy Sunday, and happily were seated after a minor wait. They were packed. The waiter was excellent, really enthusiastic about the food and the way it was prepared--it really made us excited to eat. Everyone loved their dishes. I had the shrimp and grits. It was good--I just wish they had removed their tails. It sucks reaching into a steaming hot plate of semi-liquid food to remove shrimp tails. Cute place to eat--I'd definitely recommend checking it out if you're suck in the historical area of Charleston.
(4)Tracie J.
Let me first say that we were here 20 years ago and our server was rude to me. When I asked her what a specialty "low country" item would be to try authentic southern cuisine, she rolled her eyes at me and seemed very annoyed. It didn't stop there, she was nasty, cold and having been a server for years myself (now a writer), her attitude was reflected in her tip. But it did not deter us to come back when we chose to get away for a few days (no kids, all grown up now), and chose this establishment again. Our server was outstanding and the food, 20 years later, is still wonderful. I chose the shrimp and grits for which they have won awards. It was the best grits I have ever had, what a delicious dish. My hubby had the she crab soup and friend snapper ... Oh my!! So good!! We will come back. Great restaurant and EXCELLENT service Kevin!!! Thank you.
(5)Justin B.
We went here for dinner, although a friend recommended it for breakfast. The food was good....but just good. The prices were moderately high. If I go back, it'll be for breakfast.
(3)Sheri K.
I have eaten at Poogan's Porch many times with great experiences and great food. But my last visit on 2/20/15 left me scratching my head. We were seated at approx. 5:40 for our 5:30 reservation. Our waitress took her time, getting drink orders first, and about 10-15 minutes later, we placed appetizer orders. She actually forgot an appetizer, so the process was delayed until the additional appetizer arrived. Then we placed dinner orders. Nothing was quick, but we had all evening, so we didn't mind. Our dinner didn't arrive until well over an hour after being seated. We finished eating and finished our wine. We declined desert and coffee and began paying for our checks. At no time were we loitering or lingering too long in this restaurant. The problem was, the manager came over to our table and asked us to leave! Yes, asked us to leave. He said there were others waiting on the table and they had been waiting for a long time. We were flabbergasted to say the least. Perhaps he should have seated them at one of the other empty tables in the room because there were two that would accommodate a party the size of ours. Or perhaps if the waitress had taken our appetizer order along with our drink order without any errors, we might have saved 40 minutes or so. Or had she taken our entire food and drink order all at one time, the entire dining process would have been much quicker. But Poogan's has always been as much about the experience as much as the food, so that is not the way things are done. Three of my associates and I were entertaining a colleague who had never been to Charleston before. We brought her to Poogan's Porch because we thought it represented what Charleston was all about. Well not any longer. I was very embarrassed. I am 50 years old and have dined all over the country. I have never, ever been asked to leave a table! One of the ladies in my party had expressed to the manager before leaving the restaurant how embarrassed we were by his behavior. He actually had the nerve to say to her "Well, you had been there almost 2 hours." Poogan's, this manager is doing your restaurant a disservice. The ladies that I dined with all just looked at each other in shock and said "I wonder what would have happened had we taken them up on desert and coffee?"
(1)Michael B.
This place is awesome! Best food ever. The fried pork chop is amazing. Everything on the menu was amazing!! My favorite meal in Charleston.
(5)Nikkita M.
Great biscuits. Mimosa was tasty and fair priced Biscuit and Gravy starter was great but it was very large. Share with lots of people or don't eat a lot of it so you can enjoy the rest of your meal. Fried green tomatoes were yum. BBQ pork Benedict was awesome! Didn't like the grits that much but the rest was delicious
(4)Connie L.
the she-crab soup = AMAZING layers of flavor the biscuits = AMAZING; super light and not super heavy; slightly sweet, fluffy, amazingness the pork benedict. = pork is a little too sweet for my taste fried alligator = interesting, but i would not get again SUPER cute and interesting inside
(4)Christin N.
If you want large portions of delicious food for reasonable prices AND all of that topped off with kind and knowledgable waitstaff-- You've come to the right place! Tip: I've been for both lunch and dinner and both times there was a wait. I suggest getting a reservation. Top food choices: The pork chop is amazing The duck with poutine gnocchi was out of this world The pot pie is hearty and rich Ok food: Fried Green Tomatoes: juicy and lightly breaded, but a bit too tart for my taste. However, it is a southern staple; so for tourists, it's definitely worth it.
(5)Denise N.
My sister and I dropped by with no reservation before we were meeting up with our ghost walk tour. We only had a 10 minute wait before we were seated. We had one of the best meals we've had in charleston! The fried chicken was juicy, crispy and amazing! The beef filet with blue cheese dumplings was to die for! I was afraid the blue cheese dumplings would be over powering but they were perfectly balanced! We ended off our dinner with berry bread pudding which was the best I've ever had! We later found out on our ghost tour that the restaurant was known to be haunted! :O
(5)Jana M.
Service was decent, they were quick to seat us (which on a holiday weekend is pretty impressive). I had the chicken and waffles which were slightly less than average; however, the syrup that they used was really amazing. It was a combination of blueberries and some other things including hot sauce, which sounds terrible, but it actually works.
(3)ashley g.
Poogan's porch is one of those places that was recommended to me many times and I finally made it there this weekend and I was not disappointed. I was dining solo and had a cute little table on the back porch. I started with the mac and cheese app, delicious with ham and smoked Gouda! I also got the mystic cocktail which was refreshing and fabulous! The waitress informed me they were out of fried green tomatoes, which i thought was disappointing but she was able to give me a regular BLT and it was so tasty that I didn't even miss the fried green tomatoes! Service was delightful and I had a wonderful time!
(5)Mike P.
My wife and I were in Charleston for 4 days total. We ate here twice. That should tell you something. I did have to knock one star off because the second visit was just a tad less spectacular,more from a service standpoint, but the food was still very good. I got the fried chicken and it was very good. Desserts are good but I wouldn't say they're absolutely necessary here. Biscuits are wonderful so make sure you get some of those!
(4)Wes B.
Truly great spot for weekend brunch. Biscuits are amazing. Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, Charlestown fry, crab cake Benedict, French Toast are all great low country choices. The pimento cheese fritters are decadent. Service is great. Many celebrities have dined here with lots of signed photos along the entry hall. On a nice sunny day, ask to sit on the back porch if the front porch is occupied.
(4)Tony K.
Cute place for brunch. The biscuits and fried green tomatoes were delicious. The service was outstanding and the bloody Mary's were made perfectly. I would recommend the shrimp and grits!
(4)Basti B.
Poogan's food is delicious every time we go. We've eaten here 5-6 times over the past couple years and it is always outstanding. Also a big fan of the atmosphere upstairs. If you've had sea food the day before make sure to try the pork chops, they are something else! Good for both big groups and date night. Will be back here very soon.
(5)Jack H.
My lovely bride and I popped in for a late lunch on a Thursday afternoon. We had a drink in the bar (excellent mixology, by the way) until our table was ready upstairs. Three appetizers were ungodly: the she crab soup, pimiento cheese fritters, and the fried green tomatoes. We need to try it again for dinner, along with a couple of entrées, to see if Poogan's merits 5 stars, but it seems close after just one lunch.
(4)David Z.
This review is ONLY based on my experience trying to get a reservation. I called the restaurant on Thursday evening to make a reservation for a party of 12 for the following weekend. I was told that I would have to email them with the request, so I did. Unfortunately, I did not get a reply back until Monday afternoon, only to be told they did not have any availability. Naturally, by that time I had booked another place. From all the reviews, it seems like a great restaurant, but there is no reason why they can't promptly reply to reservation requests, even if it is just to say, they are booked.
(2)Guido T.
Few options but very traditional and large portions. Easy to reserve a table and get a txt when it's all ready for you. We have been twice for brunch. Fried green tomatoes and the Charlestowne Fry were the best options. Good Bloody Mary too.
(4)Alex P.
Oh my gosh!! The food is so good, its not even fair. The Mac and cheese was really cheesy and literally perfect. And so was the She crab soup. The lump crab and shrimp pasta was so addictive that I was able to finish the whole plate. I don't know if we were super hungry, got lucky on our picks or its just that good, but we were so happy. This experience was almost two weeks ago and I can still taste the food and I miss it.
(5)Jill W.
Unfortunately after waiting an hour to be seated, because they were short staffed, our lunch was disappointing. We wanted to try them out over restaurant week as we had not eaten there before. I ordered off of the restaurant week lunch menu and got the grilled Caesar salad. It came out not grilled at all and was just okay. Server said it should not have been advertised as "grilled". I ordered the braised short rib and the ribs themselves were excellent but the broccoli and potatoes were very undercooked. I had asked our server about the bread pudding for dessert and she told us it was a mixed berry bread pudding. Once again it did not come out as advertised. It was raisin bread pudding with chocolate and cream sauce. The manager walked around asking other tables how their meal was and never once came to our table to apologize or explain the confusion. Not a great way to start out restaurant week at this restaurant for sure!
(2)Amy T.
This review is not based on food but the two minute customer service experience. I walk in at 2:27 and was denied a table. I was told The cutoff for lunch is 2:25, service ends at 2:30. I get it, you are trying to break for dinner service but two minutes! Come on! I'm hungry, from out of town, carrying a 14 month old in hand, it's hot, drove out of our way just to come here and when I ask politely a second time for a table to accommodate us, you tell me there is no table available when there are obviously open tables all around us. Is this what you call southern hospitality? I really wanted to try the food, but am in town for only a short period. Next time please don't turn away a customer and update your yelp hours inclusive of breaks.
(1)Chad C.
Excellent meal! Excellent service from Sebastian! Scallops were tasty with cream corn & ravioli! My wife had the salmon. My children had the fried chicken. All wonderful! Also try the worlds best Mac & cheese; delicious! Call ahead for reservations.
(5)Stan D.
We came here with family on the recommendation of friends who once lived in the area. It was very nice, serving traditional, Southern treats in an old, historic setting. One of the really nice aspects of this restaurant is that all of the produce is local from South Carolina. I like that commitment to the local economy as well as to the environment. There is no better way to get a real taste of an area than with locally grown products. If you are vegetarian or vegan, however, you will have some difficulty finding variety on the menu. There are choices, and there is a Chef's Vegetable Plate on the dinner menu, but, for the most part, it's just an "accommodating" menu, and not really meant either for vegetarians, and especially not for vegans. And, that makes sense since the design of their cuisine is around foods of this region where veganism is not extremely popular. We were there for brunch. The only vegan options on the brunch menu are the Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Pimento Fitter - neither of which is a low-cal treat. The only vegetarian options are the Cinnamon French Toast, and the Vegetable Omelet. Everything else is Traditional Southern. We opted to try both the Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Cinnamon French Toast. The presentation on the Fried Green Tomatoes was excellent, but, without the Remoulade Sauce, they would be fairly devoid of taste. Still, it is nice to try a classic staple of the area. The French Toast was divine, and very filling. Diners need to understand that much of the dining experience is in the ambience and atmosphere. This former residence turned restaurant is the perfect venue. I loved the old, carved wood bar, the steep stairs, and the sense that I was dining at Aunt Lucy's more than at any restaurant. That alone is worth the price. This place is upscale, and excellent on every level. I fully enjoyed my experience, and will recommend it to anyone visiting the area.
(5)Emmet S.
Had the fried chicken sandwich (with Texas Pete sauce - yum) with homemade chips. Also had a cup of she crab soup. Food was great & the service very friendly.
(5)Katie B.
Visited during restaurant week, but I don't think I got anything from the Restaurant Week menu, because the regular menu was too tempting! The biscuits - OMG. I need to go back ASAP! Beautiful atmosphere and great for lunch!
(5)Keith H.
Drum Roll Please....... and.... ehhhhhh. There were good and bad things here, but the overall experience was underwhelming; a let down. Best part of the night, BY FAR, was our server, JACK. Jack knocked it out of the park! Best server I've had in years, actually. He was super friendly and very quick and attentive. He was also very knowledgeable of the menu, Charleston history, other local hot spots, favorite hang-outs, etc. Any question we had, he had a great answer or suggestions. Here's the story: The GF and I have been wanting to try this place for a couple of months now, especially since it comes up on almost every YELP search we do when we are hungry and downtown. The outside seating is pretty cool and homey - definitely seemed like a great place to eat. Unfortunately, a little too chilly on this particular night. The inside, more specifically the bar area, had an odd smell and reminded me of yer great aunt Lucy's house (not a good thing). The inside/decor was exactly like you would except - an old southern home that is a restaurant. The bar service was awful. Beer selection was well below average (yes, Charleston can now be considered a beer town... so every restaurant should step it up - having a great selection of local, regional and unique craft beer is EXPECTED). The mixed drinks were totally lacking in imagination and flavor. The one drink that looked the most exciting... was the worst! Tasted like water. Additionally, one of the bartenders seemed to be in a good mood, quite happy and fun - however, we got the OTHER bartender. This is how the exchange went. We picked up the beer menu and saw that the had some local breweries listed, but NOT their beers. Being quite familiar with local beers (one person in our party WORKS at one of the breweries) we kindly asked the bartender "Which beers they had today?"... he responded by GIVING US ANOTHER MENU... The EXACT same menu that we were clearly holding in our hands and saying "Here are the beers. They are right here." What we wanted to say was "no buddy, listen here, this is a list of breweries, some of which make over 25 year-round and seasonal beers - you literally gave us a list of businesses." That would be like me saying "okay, you want some food, well.... here is a list of farms"... I'm sure you can GUESS what each farm produces and is selling to our restaurant at this exact time of the year. Good luck! This was odd considering they had a bunch of awards for best Wine list/service. Unfortunately, it seems that they have made every other aspect of the bar service a "back burner" issue. Hey P's Porch... time to recognize that Craft Beer is the frontier; it is the new "wine." There are now thousands of producers around the country using unique ingredients, techniques and their knowledge (sometimes from the wine world) to expertly craft new beers. The food was very southern, very traditional and very much expected for the price, location and hype. Nothing blew us away, but nothing was terrible or inedible. Catfish - yum! Ribs - yum! Biscuits - double yum! Pecan Pie - yum! Would I recommend this place: Yes, ESPECIALLY for people who don't drink alcohol or who don't order it when they go out. Awful bar service. If you're going here for a cocktail and a beer. DON'T... DON'T GO.
(3)Erin G.
We had an amazing meal at Poogan's Porch. I had the soft shell crab appetizer, my fiance had the fried green tomatoes. Our entrées were the shrimp and grits and the duck. They were both delicious. Also, the homemade biscuits, are phenomenal. I highly recommend reservations.
(5)Erica D.
My husband would rate this place a 1 star.. He had the simple sunrise breakfast and it was horrible (he says Waffle House is much better) . I had the shrimp and grits and they were ok. A little different for my taste buds. The biscuits and fried green tomatoes were amazing but that's it. Not worth the wait.
(2)Tracy M.
First off, the restaurant hours noted on Yelp are wrong. There is a closure from 2:30 to 5:00. That was an ugh! factor. Walked several miles in the heat only to have it closed. Very hungry and hot, we walked to a bar/restaurant to eat but instead pulled up the Poogan's dinner menu from their website and decided to wait it out till 5:00 based on the menu on line. Even called to make reservations. We arrived promptly at 5:30 and seated immediately. Our servers, yes two very nice ladies, attended to us. Our drinks were brought promptly. When we looked at the menu, it wasn't what was on their website and the dish we were most excited about wasn't on the menu. So, I decided on the filet with the blue cheese dumplings and my friend had the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. I liked her meal much better than mine. The chicken was crispy and potatoes were yummy. My filet had a weird taste to it. I hardly ate any of it. I just didn't find the meal as good as it sounded. And I was starved. Oh, I did have the wedge salad and I did like that. It was good. I did have to ask for more dressing since it's a little drizzle. I'm on the fence with a 3 or 4 star, but went with the 3 star because that's an average mark. The service was good, but the wow factor just wasn't there for the food.
(3)Sara M.
Great gourmet cuisine!! A little pricey- but hey it's fancy!! Enjoy! Try the alligator salad!
(4)Jennifer S.
My husband and I eat here every year when we come to Charleston. My husband always gets the fried alligator bites, this time with biscuits and gravy and eggs. A-ma-zing! The biscuits are so so good! Our server Nick was so great! He brought us champagne for our anniversary and was really knowledgeable. See you next year!
(5)Scotty C.
I've always had good experiences at Poogan's over the years. Rumors say it's haunted but, I haven't seen any ghosts yet. Haven't been for brunch yet but I've had lunch a couple times and dinner plenty of times here. I would say stick to classic favorites like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, or pork chops. I once decided to get more adventurous and try a special short ribs dish they had. While it was good, I was drooling over my friends giant portion of Fried Chicken while I was still hungry after cleaning my plate. Even though they've definitely become a Charleston "must try" for tourists over the years, they still maintain a strong local following. The food is really that good. I also love the fact that they take care of locals in January with their roll back pricing from back in the day... much appreciated!
(4)Joe C.
Popped in for lunch. Greeted, seated out back and attended to promptly and professionally. Pinot Grigio was nice and chilled. Had the BLT - (with the fried green tomatoes) excellent! Chips excellent. My wife had the blackened grouper sandwich special which was cooked perfectly and spicy! I will attempt to replicate the red skin potato with blue cheese and bacon side dish when I return home. Would highly recommend !
(5)Ellen O.
Poogan's Porch should be on everyone's list when visiting Charleston. We ended up arriving at Poogan's on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch and we were seated in about 15 minutes. I had the grilled pimento cheese sandwich - oh my - so comforting! My husband had the Famous Fried Chicken Salad, which I found myself eating off his plate too. That's one yummy salad. The service was very attentive and very nice. I can't wait to go back to Charleston and to Poogan's Porch!
(4)Sydney G.
Had a great dinner at Poogan's Porch recently. We made reservations for a table of 4, and called the day before to change it to 5 and they accommodated us easily. We started with the pimento cheese fritters which were SO GOOD. Like, life changingly good. I definitely recommend ordering these. The macaroni and cheese was also really delicious, and I don't usually like macaroni with ham in it. If I were to order dinner again, I'd definitely opt for one of the fried chicken courses, because those were definitely the best of the table.
(4)Cathy S.
The service and decor here cannot be more perfect for Charleston. Had alligator for the first time and it does taste exactly like chicken (always thought it's just a phrase), but with a very different texture, kind of bouncy and chewy yet absolutely light and lovely. Also had grouper and snapper for dinner, both comes with complex flavors however i find them a little bit overdone. Banana pudding tastes like heaven in a little cup. A must stop when you are in town.
(4)Haley I.
Poogan's Porch is our "go-to" restaurant when headed downtown or when friends and family visit. The pan-roasted duck and the lump crab and shrimp pasta are my absolute favorite dinner options. You can't go wrong with either.
(5)Bridget D.
Classic, tasty goodness. We went for brunch and had the fried green tomatoes + biscuits with mimosas, and shrimp & grits. It was all delicious & I would definitely recommend the shrimp & grits. The place is super cute & overwhelmingly charming! It feels like you're having dinner over at your classy southern friend's home. We'll be back.
(5)Don D.
When you bring three kids to a restaurant, on a Monday....and you feed them fried ALLIGATOR...and they LOVE it....you are either in the Twilight Zone or Poogan's Porch! What a delight this place is! Recommended by a lovely lady at the visitor center in Mount Pleasant, this place oozed Southern charm and exceeded all of our expectations. We were a party of six - three adults and three kids. We ate: fried chicken with mashed potatoes and collared greens - best fried chicken I think I've ever eaten! The gravy highlighted the perfectly fried chicken which was crunchy yet tender inside. The potatoes were married with oodles of butter which was heaven when combined with chicken-n-gravy. The kids and adults all devoured the Alligator. Kids said it was better then Calamari. We also had fried green tomatoes - since we are NY'ers - had to go all in! They too were crunchy outside and bursting with flavor and tender inside. Ooh the biscuits, how dare I not mention their flakey, soft and full of flavor selves. I begged my Nephew to pack the two remaining in his cargo shorts but he didn't.....I wish he did as they were amazing. Brother in law has salmon salad which he said was great. My wife had the famous shrimp-n-grits and oh my was that delicious! Being a Yankee through and through I wasn't thrilled about trying it but asked for more once I did. My Daughter ordered a burger and sweet potato fries - both cooked to perfection and delectable. I didn't try the other dishes but they were nothing but empty plates - so I am thinking they rocked too. The service was very prompt, attentive and friendly too. We drove about two hours from Myrtle Beach and feel like we really hit the jackpot with Poogan's Porch as it was the only place we ate at in Charleston before heading back. A new favorite!
(5)Jen S.
We had a party of 9 people with reservations. We were seated 10 minutes from our time of reservations. We tried the fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese fritters and the mac and cheese for apps, they were all great! Everybody had a diffrent entree and they were all fabulous! This place was awesome!
(5)Matt M.
Quite good. I had fried chicken. Val had scallops. Recommended, but Charleston is a city of delicious food, so don't skip S.N.O.B., F.I.G., or Husk to make time for Poogan's Porch. It's good, but the competition is very good.
(4)Brian M.
I have lived in Charleston for 8 years now and Poogan's Porch is in my top 3 favorite places to eat. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu (i've tried everything) but I suggest starting off with the Mac & Cheese app, followed by the fried chicken and mashed potatos, and since I am not a sweets guy, wash it all down with a nice bourbon on the rocks. Another dish that is great is their jambalaya. The converted house that Poogan's operates in makes you feel like wealthy southerner from the 1800's on a first date hoping to make it to 1st base. If you are looking for just a drink or ten, they also have a good bar area. The only con I can think of about PP is their location, and even that is not a big problem. If you aren't familiar with downtown Charleston, it can be tough to find. Parking is also an issue but they do have a large parking garage across the street. Heck, I would take a pogo stick to Poogan's if I had to. The best thing about PP is their rollback menu. During January (excluding restaurant week), they feature a menu with pricing from the late 1970's. Every dish is under $10 and I normally make multiple trips. For Poogan's Porch, I give two spoons up!
(4)Honest A.
Dined here on my last trip to Charleston. Decor was excellent. My wife said the scallops were the best tasting in her life. I enjoyed the shrimp and grits, but I don't think they are the best in town as others as stated. Very solid restaurant experience in the heart of America's greatest city.
(4)Kathleen M.
One of my favorite meals ever! Who knew that poached eggs on top of shrimp and grits would be so good? I mean, yes, it sounds good, but I'm amazed I had never seen it before my trip here. We came by happenstance: there was a wait for lunch next door at Husk. We had no problem getting a cozy table by the fire at Poogan's. And when I say cozy, I mean boiling hot. I'm almost always cold but our table in the side room was pretty steamy. Wish there had been availability on the (very small) porch and patio out front. The menu for lunch is small but it all looks tasty. I couldn't look past the shrimp and grits, obviously, and I'm glad for it as it was delicious. A heaping portion with tons of shrimp, perfectly poached eggs, and just the right amount of seasoning. Oh, and don't miss out on the biscuits they bring you in the beginning: so effing good. I wouldn't miss another meal here when back in Charleston, that's for sure. You shouldn't miss it either.
(5)Tonya C.
Our Service was great, just the right balance of attentive when we needed something but not overly so, letting us enjoy our time at Poogans. Had hand cut pork chop, which was great. But the greatest thing? the best biscuits I've EVER had, absolutely fantastic. Husband had fried seafood combo which wasn't anything overly special but ok. All in all a wonderful experience!
(4)Dave D.
There have been few times where the only thing that has been better than the food was the service!
(5)Amy D.
My husband and I stopped here for lunch on a whim. The place looked interesting from the street and the reviews were good. Without a reservation, the wait for brunch on Saturday was 45 minutes but well worth the time. The fried green tomatoes were well cook but a little bland, but the remoulade helped a lot. My husband had the chicken and waffles, which were a lot spicier than he thought they would be. The blueberry sauce made them super tasty. I had Crab Cakes Benedict, and it was terrific too.
(5)Adolfo B.
This is a staple place to visit and have a meal and guaranteed to always satisfy your palate. On this last visit we stopped in just for a quick drink before heading to the airport and upon entering we immediately noticed a very unpleasant odor. It was like old dirty water - not in par for this place.
(4)Russ K.
How can a place get even better every time you go back??? Here's what to not miss out on, first the biscuits (served with your meal). So good in fact this last time, we got a dozen to go. This is reason enough to return to Charleston! Second, order whatever is on the special. This last time the pork short ribs on a bed of pimento mac and cheese.... makes you want to cheat on your wife with a restaurant. I can now die in peace.
(5)Charlie B.
My lovely lady friend and I were in town for a wedding and took some time away from the festivities and spend some time together in Charleston by our selves. We tried to go to the restaurant next door and were turned away without reservations. Luckily enough we landed on the doorstep of Poogan's Porch where I had one of the most amazing brunches of my life. I ordered Ike's Down Home Breakfast with the biscuits and gravy, did I mention that their biscuits will make you hate all other biscuits, and it was fantastic with perfectly cooked eggs over medium. My date ordered with best shrimp and grits that Ive ever eaten. I mean this is the kind of dish that you'll talk about months later, toss your head back, close your eyes, and just look at each other knowing that while you're stuck in Atlanta you aren't getting anything that good. Service was quick and attentive, prices were good, portions were large, they didnt make me feel bad for not calling ahead, and if I lived in Charleston this would be my regular weekend place, no question about it.
(5)Roger Y.
The most under-rated restaurant in Charleston. Slipped for a few years then got a new chef in a couple of years ago who turned this into a nice place turning out good food at very reasonable prices. I regularly get the spinach salad with grilled salmon for lunch.
(4)Mike M.
Well prepared, high quality food but we waited 40 min for a table and left a little disappointed. The portions are small, and the menu is limited. The kids menu for some reason had no selections for breakfast like pancakes or French toast during breakfast time. The biscuits they bring out are some of the best I've had. The fried chicken was $14 and contained two extremely small pieces of chicken. Good food but not the most enjoyable experience.
(4)Carolyn L.
We had the fried green tomato, calabash combo, and buttermilk fried chicken. Everything was fried, but event was great, even the coleslaw, the biscuit and the chips that came with the meal. For a drink, try Mystique if you want a nice refreshing drink on a hot summer day.
(5)Alison K.
Our best meal in Charleston by far! The buttermilk biscuits are scrumptious! (They will give you the recipe if you ask.) I had the seafood pasta, which I was spicy and creamy and had huge sweet scallops. For dessert I highly recommend the Bourbon pecan pie with bacon ice cream!
(5)Allison M.
If you have never eaten the shrimp and grits here, you are missing out! A favorite spot in Charleston
(5)Hilary S.
Fried green tomatoes were delicious, as was the fried oyster salad. I had the smoked ahi tuna which was out of this world, perfectly complimented by the blue cheese risotto. My friends had the duck & buttermilk chicken and were also very happy. The service was great and this was honestly one of the best meals I've ever had.
(5)Eric F.
Loved Poogan's Porch. Our entrees were delicious. Good service. Beautiful outside porch area consistent with what you find in the Charleston area. They accept reservations for inside dining but outside areas are first come, first serve. You can be notified via text when yo
(5)Sandy F.
Excellent food and service. Wow. Biscuits, chicken, grits, shrimp, and sweet tea. Yummy. Nice and full of light new upstairs porch eating area is a good addition. Reasonably priced and very large portions. Might want to share.
(5)Jill L.
Christmas menu good, but was hoping to see some real southern choices on it, being that's what makes Poogans so great. I had the scallops, and they were the best I'd ever had.
(4)Samantha M.
Used to love this place but have become more and more disappointed. Our server yesterday could best be described as having a bad day. The choices on the brunch menu were very limited, and the omelette I ordered was so bland I didn't even eat it all. They could do so much better. We made this our last visit.
(2)Jennifer E.
Ate brunch and dinner at Poogan's Porch during my visit to Charleston. The food is delicious. Would definitely recommend this restaurant. Ordered a seafood pasta dish that was amazing! The pasta noodles were sooooo good. I can't even explain how wonderful they tasted. I also ordered the chicken and waffles which was very yummy.
(5)Steven G.
We went to Poogan's Porch for the first time. Great service. The food was outstanding! Great dining environment.
(5)Lyne C.
Yum, yum and yum!!!! Super cool place. Looks like fine dining but isn't. We took 3 small kids and everyone was very friendly. We ordered the crab soup, chicken and waffles and alligator. It was delicious. Highly recommend. The Mac and cheese was too salty for the kiddos tho. Had to return it and they were very nice about it.
(4)Jeffrey K.
We stopped in Charleston for two days on the way to Florida for a week and walked about the city on the day after New Year's. Some 30 years ago we stayed in a small hotel nearby here as part of a trip through the South and had Thanksgiving dinner at Poogan's. (This was a splurge big time for us back then; this trip is remembered as much for some of the worst motels we've ever endured which we had to do to make up for the luxury stops). Anyway, we saw Poogan's was still in business and so dropped in for dinner... needed to go to the bar as there were no reservations available until too late... but no sweat, we like to eat at the bar. I had an amazing cast-iron pan pork chop and Deb had shrimp and grits. And we explained to the bartender that we hadn't been back in 30 years.... which was probably before he was born. Good, solid, local food and well worth the wait.
(5)Claudia C.
Amazing! 2nd time eating here and again it was amazing. Biscuits are awesome and everything we had was prefect. Service was amazing as well. Love this place.
(5)Betsy G.
Best meal I had in Charleston! If you don't eat here you will regret it, so just do it!!! Pimento cheese fritters, Bibb lettuce salad and cast iron pork chop are to die for!
(5)Evan M.
We came here without a reservation - not a good idea. However, they were able to seat us quickly. We started with the alligator - it was really good. Even the kids liked it. I had the BBQ - very good. My daughter's burger was really good, too. The best was my wife's fried chicken. I did not know that fried chicken could taste that good. To top it off, our waiter (and his help) was excellent.
(5)José C.
They don't get as much press as Husk (next door), but the food here is as good. I tried alligator here for the first time and loved it--like calamari! I came here for brunch with some other friends (none of us were local). This is good quality southern food and they are located smack dab in the center of town, so it's a great place to see tourists and locals alike. It's also conveniently located to the big parking garage and carriage tours, so the 4th star is for the location. The quietest (and most romantic) place to eat here is the balcony. The indoor seating tends to be loud because of all the hard surfaces.
(4)Chris P.
Great dinner. She crab soup was amazing but this was my first time trying it so can't exactly compare it to others. Shrimp and grits was good but the sausage overpowered the dish, making it more like a jambalaya with grits. No complaints and overall a very good dinner. Not sure I would go back only because there are so many other places to try.
(4)Suzanne J.
Lovely ambiance....especially in the upstairs dining rooms. This place is in a re-done older home on Queen Street across and next door to parking. Delicious she-crab soup and fried green tomatoes. Loved the beet salad and glazed salmon. Wonderful meal for a fantastic price. I've been going to Poogan's Porch for many years and have never been disappointed.
(4)Chelsea P.
Absolutely best restaurant in Charleston. The vibe and waiters were fantastic. The food was phenomenal. We shared everything. Had the she crab soup and was blown away. Then split a bibb salad that was too die for. Then split the mac and cheese and shrimp & grits...ohmygawd. There are no words for the amazing food. We don't like the touristy type places and like "finer" dining without outrageous prices. This place was far cheaper than expected for the quality of the meal and wait staff. Do not skip this place.
(5)Malorie D.
Our waiter was THE BEST and had all the right recommendations for us. I cant remember his name was but he had glasses and fair hair. My friend and I were in town for 1 night only and b/c we were on the early side of dinner we were able to be sat on outside immediately. THE PIMENTO CHEESE FRITTERS were probably the best thing I have ever had in my life. Coming from NYC you tend to be a food snob but the food, the innovation and ambiance here left little to be desired. I would definitely go back.
(5)Serena U.
Great food and flawless service. Very nice atmosphere.
(5)Marty B.
I had the country fried pork chops and it was some of the best pork chops I've ever had. I
(5)Christina J.
I have been to Poogan's Porch 3 times now and every time the experience was great. There is street parking on Broad St. and it is only a couple blocks to walk from there. There is also a garage right across the street from Poogan's, but I find it a bit pricey. My first visit (Oct-2014) I went with a group of 4. We were seated promptly at our reserved time. We arrived a bit early and enjoyed some drinks and the atmosphere in their small bar area downstairs, reading about the haunted history of the place. The Moscow mule I had was perfect. The biscuits before dinner have never been my favorite. Something about the flavor is just a little off to me and they lacked 'fluff.' We all ordered different entrees. I had the pork chop, which was delicious. My fiance had the pasta and really enjoyed it. My second visit (Feb-2015) was during the "Rollback Month", which featured a menu with prices from the 1970s. The most expensive thing on the menu was only $12! So I indulged in the fried alligator appetizer, which was mouthwateringly good! Crispy to perfection and the breading had some good spice to it. Then I had the ribs & mac. The mac and cheese was very good, but also very rich. I couldn't finish it because of the richness. The ribs were very fatty so I didn't eat most of them. The mustard sauce paired really well with the ribs. Overall not my favorite meal, but the ambiance made up for it. We were seated upstairs right next to a roaring fire in a very cozy room! My third visit (Feb-2015) was not long after the second. I went back with my fiance on the last day of the "Rollback Month". We split two apps--the fried alligator (which did not disappoint the second time!) and the BBQ grits with shrimp and sausage. These were really really good, but I liked the alligator a little bit more. For our entrees, I ordered the sweet tea glazed salmon with candied lemon/mint risotto and asparagus. All I have to say is O.M.G. this is the best meal I've ever eaten in Charleston. The sweet tea glaze was amazing and the risotto was to die for. Fiance got the flank steak with potatoes and broccolini. I tried his as well (and stole his leftovers) and this meal was amazing as well. Only problem this visit was we were seated along the outer wall, and an outlet cover was damaged and a very cold breeze was rushing in. It felt like a refrigerator under the table. We asked to be seated somewhere else and the server was very proactive in making us comfortable. We were seated right next to the fire in the same room, so we were warm after that! All in all, I have to rate Poogan's 5 stars because of the amazing meals, the charming and cozy atmosphere, and the friendliness of the staff. Can't wait till my next dinner here!
(5)Wendy P.
I brought my best friend who lives mostly in Greece and her friend who lives in London. They were totally charmed by the staff and the delicious food as was I. My first time there but not my last as I go to Charleston once a month. We had the wedge salad, fried green tomatoes and the fried seafood platter. Really good and I'm pretty fussy. Looking forward to introducing more people to Poogan's Porch
(5)Sarah F.
AMAZING pimento cheese fritters. A little slow, but worth the wait!
(4)Laurie P.
Our party of 12 went here for New Years Eve and everything was excellent. Service was great and so was the food. Started with She Crab soup and Cheese Fritters - Yum! Everyone loved their Entree's. We had Grouper, Lobster, Scallops, Filet, and Stuffed Chicken. No complaints. Highly recommend Poogan's Porch!
(4)Nicole F.
Fantastic meal. Great atmosphere. Great service. So impressed. I came for dinner with my sister at around 9pm Sunday night and had no trouble getting a table without reservations. I appreciated the casual feeling of the place and liked that there were families with young kids and grandparents around. It didn't feel too "scene"ey. Dinner was great and we needed help to narrow the menu. Our waiter suggested the Mac and Cheese. Fantastic. None of the bread crumb crust you find everywhere. Just straight delicious. We also got a watermelon salad, I think a special? Also great flavors. My sister got the scallops and was super satisfied and I got the best buttermilk fried chicken and biscuits I've ever had. I had Magnolias the next day and I think it was their gravy that was lacking compared to Poogan's. We somehow saved room for dessert and got the blueberry bread pudding with coffees. The coffee too was great so I asked the brand: King Bean. I bought a pound the next day to bring home! The whole meal was worth the indulgence and really reasonably priced for appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Coupled with great service and ambience, this was definitely my favorite meal on our trip.
(5)Sajid A.
Classic southern cooking at its finest. Fries chicken is cooked to perfection. Best sweet potato fries I've ever had. This place is in gourmet, located in a beautiful old house with quite the history! Fantastic spot for lunch or dinner!
(5)Misty M.
BRUNCH. Chicken and Waffles to die for, with a blueberry texas pete maple syrup that will make you slap your grandma...The chicken is perfectly cooked, with just the right breading-to chicken ratio and not in the least bit greasy or chewy. The biscuits are heavenly, and the service is fantastic! Definitely a favorite.
(5)Justin R.
Best Chicken sliders I have seen in the south. Very tender chicken, biscuits cooked to perfection. I would recommend this for anyone who has a big appetite!
(5)Staci A.
On food & service I'd give Poogan's a perfect rating. However, they could step it up on the cleanliness. The women's bathroom looked like a murder scene. The buttermilk fried chicken was THEE BEST fried chicken I've ever had! Oh & the pimento cheese balls were infact amazeballs.
(4)April S.
I have now eaten a couple times at Poogan's Porch and enjoyed it each time! The food portions are plentiful and the service was excellent. I ordered the Shrimp and Grits last time and was nowhere near close to being able to finish it in one sitting. My brother ordered the Plantation Fried Chicken and I almost wished i had ordered that instead because it was just THAT good. I finally gave into all of the Yelp reviews that insisted on ordering their Fried Green Tomatoes even considering I was a FGT virgin! They were actually very tasty... but I'm pretty sure that anything fried is usually delicious. During my last visit, we were sat pretty early, around 6ish or so and the dining room was very quiet. It started to fill up as we were leaving but if you're looking for a more active dining atmosphere then you should most certainly make a reservation for a later dinner. I've never sat on the patios at Poogan's but they both look like a very nice spot for enjoying traditional southern low country fare. I think the thing that I like most about Poogan's is the story behind the name. As you can see on their website, the restaurant is named after a dog that was left behind by previous house owners (Poogan's is set in an old Charleston house) and sat on the porch every night greeting restaurant guests. I just love the history that comes along with the Charleston area and this beautiful, older home. I think Poogan's is a must for tourists visiting Charleston, although I've heard that locals don't actually eat there along with many of the other touristy restaurants in downtown. But in my opinion, Poogan's is a great place for a nice, laid-back and relaxing dinner and I'll be sure to go back soon!
(4)Daniel D.
While on vacation in Charleston, SC Poogan's Porch was my first stop for brunch. Upon entering, I felt as if I was walking into the typical southern home which was a comforting vibe. The long bar in the first room was in beautiful dark wood and really made the room. When seated in the room with the fire place, there was a nicely decorated Christmas tree which convinced me that i was having breakfast at a relative's home. We started with the fried alligator which was perfectly fried and the jalapeño honey dressing was not overpowering at all. After glancing at the entrees I was stuck between the pork chop and chicken and waffles. Not to my surprise I went with the famous Chicken and Waffles. Unlike I've ever had before the chicken was boneless (I prefer fried chicken with bones, but it was a nice change up). The waffles were soft and light and the blueberry sauce on top made maple syrup not so important at the time. The waitress was so kind and soft spoken, she really portrayed southern hospitality. I would recommend this place to anyone who lives or visits downtown Charleston.
(5)Katherine W.
This is a wonderful place to eat. The food is amazing. The service was friendly and prompt the last time I was there. I love sitting out on the porch. The desert was the best. It was a lovely dinner. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Scott R.
Wow - the she crab soup started our evening meal and it was superb. Then came the scallops, the best scallops we've had anywhere. While the food was absolutely fantastic, the best was our server, Sebastian! He made the night a true delight, thank you Sebatian!
(5)Barb R.
Best scallops ever!! Biscuits were AMAZING!!! Sebastian was a super server!! Friendly and knowledgeable.
(5)Francesca J.
Excellent meal! They had a range of southern entrees, all with a gourmet flair. We received recommendations from our server, and we each picked different entrees to try. They were all delicious! The atmosphere made you feel like you were in someones home. Great cocktails as well! Make sure you make a reservation!
(5)Erika Josephine W.
We ate here mostly because it was haunted and they had "good food." Good Food?! more like top notch, amazing, delicious food! Went here for brunch at exactly 9AM on Sunday Nov 16 in hopes of missing the crowd and we did! We were sat down immediately. Hot biscuits were brought out to us. They were amazing. Sweet, light, fluffy and with a sweet fluffy butter spread. My mom and I were joking that we were going to ask for a bag of them to go. My mom ordered the regular 2 eggs, bacon, potatoes breakfast (she's rather boring and doesn't like to try new things). She enjoyed it very much and said it was the best. I'll take her word for it. Now me? I like trying new things. I saw there was a Country Fried Pork Chop with a Texas Pete jus. I got my eggs over easy. WOW! I blown away. Everything was perfect. The pork chop was breaded and fried but the crust was exceptionally crunchy and the crust was thin. Even though it sat on a bed of "jus" it didn't get soggy! I enjoyed covering my porkchop bit in that jus and putting a little bit of egg on top. It was so darn good!!! On top of that our waiter was super attentive and chatted with us a bit. The decor was very nice too. I felt like I was in a southern home- which I was! So, if you are on the fence of going here because it's a "touristy" place or it's too expensive I can tell you that it is worth a visit!
(5)Bob-Law L.
Great food and fantastic service. Lunch and brunch are pretty reasonably priced too.
(5)Stephen W.
We tried this place for dinner on a Sunday night. We did not have reservations but the hostess got us within 10 minutes (we arrived about 8:30pm). Even more impressive was her seating of another couple at 9:29 when the restaurant closes at 9:30. The service was good but not excellent. I think our waiter was tired and he probably had worked a long day. He was courteous and helpful but seemed to disappear for long stretches. The food was very good. My wife started with fried green tomatoes and loved them. I got the she crab soup and it was good but not spectacular. There was some crab but it was all at the bottom. The soup overall was rather bland. For the entree the wife got the buttermilk fried chicken. She did so at my urging and with some trepidation. In the end she was glad that she did and she loved it--moist, flavorful, really excellent. Came with collard greens and excellent mashed potatoes. I got the crab crakes and they were very good, not much filler. The main problem was that I had eaten the best crab cakes in my life the night before (see my review of Coast), and second the cakes had the sauce on them and not on the side, so the crab flavor was somewhat lost. Overall, the restaurant was a good experience and we were happy we tried it. We would return and try other southern dishes.
(4)Austin C.
First off, the biscuits are the best I have ever had and this is coming from a backwoods TN boy who knows good biscuits! The fried chicken was also very well done with a nice gravy. Nice location in a nice part of town and very easy to find. I would certainly recommend!
(5)Jody A.
This was our first time to Charleston so we followed Yelp reviews and dined at Poogan's. I would have to agree with all of the positive reviews on the food. Biscuits were certainly noteable as was the Shrimp & Grits and Buttermilk Fried Chicken. The Pimento Cheese fritters were a treat and NOT heavy at all. Service was good and the restaurant has a nice low-country charm about it.
(4)L G.
Went last night with the family. Not impressed. My order was a big disappointment. Red snapper special. Way over-cooked. And, didn't taste like red snapper -- guessing it was a cheaper substitute (a lot of restaurants apparently have been caught doing this in the last few years). To their credit, they took the dish off our bill. But it didn't make for a positive culinary experience. Our other dishes -- shrimp and grits and fried chicken -- were OK. Have had better elsewhere -- for less money. Service was good at least. Wouldn't recommend.
(2)Angela L.
Just OK for me. It seems like the hype about this place is based more on its haunted connection. Food was just OK- nothing particularly bad nor good about it; it just wasn't exciting. Atmosphere, on the other hand: please space your tables and chairs farther apart! We were sitting in the back room on the first floor by the back windows- it felt sooooo claustrophobic! Also tables and chairs were pretty sticky (it took 3 different people to try to move the candle in the middle of the table when the food came).
(2)Pratima M.
Outdoor seating on patio so it's pet friendly. Biscuits were soft and flakey. I had the fried chicken for brunch which was moist, not too much batter. Small portions though. Collard greens and mashed potatoes were perfect! BF had the pork entrée which was pretty darn good as well. Will def go back!
(4)Kelly K.
I just wasn't impressed with this place like I hoped to be. The restaurant, an old converted house, was beautiful and it was lovely to wander through the rooms, but the atmosphere wasn't quite what I thought it would be. The biscuits and honey butter we got as we ordered were delicious. I had the shrimp and grits and it was delicious. I guess I would go back for that. We went at lunch and I understand that they want lunch to be more casual, but I don't want to hear Funky Cold Medina on the radio during my posh, Southern lunch. What's wrong with a little classical music? Or some nice jazz or blues? I used the restroom and no ghosts tried to trap me in there either, bummer.
(3)charity s.
Loved the food, loved the atmosphere, loved the service, loved poogans porch! We had the pimento cheese fritters, wedge salad, fried chicken and shrimp & grits. The real highlight was the chocolate pecan pie though. Warm gooey goodness. The biscuits served along with the meal were divine as well. When making the reservations about a week in advance i gad requested a table in the upper balcony. was happy they honored the request as it was a perfect way to end our trip to Charleston.
(5)