Hannibal's Kitchen — Restaurant in Charleston

After a week of eating fried everything, I thought about eating a salad for lunch to finally get something not fried in my gut.

But, my mama didn’t raise a quitter- Karen.

My last few hours in Charleston was devoted to having soul food. Mind you I live few blocks from some of the best soul food in Harlem, but had to know if this part of the south was as good as the rumors.

The best dish I had was the okra stew over rice. The pork neck bones and tails were tender & tasty, although a tad under seasoned. The okra and the sauce it came in was delicious, but the abundance of flavor I was expecting was lacking. I’ve never seen this dish at any soul food restaurant, it must be a specialty. That said- get the small for $7.

The fried chicken was greasy and could have used more seasoning. It was lightly battered, moist and well cooked, though. It was definitely crispy, but could have been crispier. There was also an after taste that lingered and my guess is that was the oil used needed to be changed. This happens a lot when you fry too many other things (fish, hush puppies, shrimp, etc…) in the same oil past its optimum level. Yes, Karen…frying oil has a tipping point you shouldn’t cross.

The chicken livers were fried to perfection. The bonus was it wasn’t greasy, aka- it was cooked at the higher temp necessary to avoid that outcome. Also, for an appetizer, it’s massive, it’s good for 3 or could be a meal on its own. That said- it could’ve used more salt/seasoning. Also, the intense flavor of liver didn’t leave any aftertaste, unlike the leg 1/4.

I can’t believe I’m saying this about a southern restaurant that serves soul food but to me: all my dishes were under seasoned. I put hot sauce on everything, which helped alot. Still though…

At the EOD, NYC soul food is just as good, maybe even better than anything I’ve now had in Texas, Florida, Virginia and now SC. Gasp. However, it’s definitely much cheaper down here. So, there’s that…

The service was wonderful, which is rare back home. I forgot her name, but she was kind, sincere and very accommodating. She was one of two ladies you can tell cared about giving their best. Great vibes.

Side note: the 80s & 90s R&B playing was nostalgic. Translation: I’m getting old.

The time I came here, the place wasn’t very busy (past noon on a Friday). This is your warning: You will wait awhile for your food.

As I was eating it got noticeably more busy, to the point a line was happening. Many left. It became clear they were understaffed, both in the front and the back of house. Do not come here unless you have 60-90 minutes to spare, more if the inside is packed and there’s a line at the door.

In summation- this is the style of food I’ve had many times at childhood friends’ homes. It’s homey and comforting, not standard restaurant like. The price across the board is much cheaper than the fancy places downtown, where I was staying and this was very much out of the way for me; no regrets, I came to support a...

Here's a review for Hannibal's Kitchen with a 5-star rating:

Hannibal's Kitchen is an absolute culinary treasure, and my recent dining experience there was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring that every aspect of our visit was perfect.

The restaurant's decor is charming, with a cozy and intimate ambiance that makes you feel right at home. The seating is comfortable, and the layout is thoughtfully designed, allowing for both private dining experiences and larger gatherings.

Now, let's talk about the food – it is simply phenomenal. Hannibal's Kitchen offers a menu that is both diverse and carefully curated, showcasing a variety of dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences. I started with the crab cakes, which were crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor on the inside. They were served with a delicious remoulade that perfectly complemented the dish.

For the main course, I chose the braised short ribs, and they were nothing short of heavenly. The meat was so tender it practically melted in my mouth, and the accompanying mashed potatoes were creamy and seasoned to perfection. My dining companions were equally impressed with their choices – the seafood pasta and the grilled salmon were both hits, beautifully presented and cooked to perfection.

One of the highlights of Hannibal's Kitchen is their commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You can really taste the difference in the quality of the food, and it adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the dining experience. The flavors are vibrant, and each dish is expertly balanced and thoughtfully crafted.

The dessert menu is not to be missed. We indulged in the chocolate lava cake and the key lime pie, both of which were delightful finales to an already amazing meal. The chocolate lava cake was rich and decadent, while the key lime pie was refreshing and zesty – a perfect contrast.

Service at Hannibal's Kitchen is impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring that our glasses were never empty. The pacing of the meal was just right, allowing us to savor each course without feeling rushed.

In conclusion, Hannibal's Kitchen is a shining example of what a dining experience should be. From the exceptional food and drink to the outstanding service and inviting atmosphere, everything about this place is top-notch. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a memorable meal, Hannibal's Kitchen is the place to go. Five stars, without a doubt, and I can't wait to return and explore more of their delicious...

My husband and I needed a little time together Saturday afternoon. We have been hearing about this place since we moved to South Carolina 2 years ago. The food definitely didn't disappoint us!

FOOD: Hands down the food was excellent. Trying to be somewhat healthy I had the baked chicken quarter, a side of mac and cheese, sweet potato and collards. Can't have collards without cornbread. The portions were perfect for me! I had enough to take half of it home. The food came very hot and the person that brought the food out was extremely nice (different from our waitress) and funny.

SERVICE: Please pack your patience before coming here and do not expect any extra frills. If I had read that before, maybe my review on service would be different. From the host station it wasn't a bad interaction but it wasn't a good one. The person that sat us seemed stressed and very busy. The place was full but I imagine they are always busy. A little smile here and there would be nice.

We sat for quite a while before our waitress came to the table. When she finally came she just passed by and said she'll be right with us. The next time she came by she was ready to get our drink order and asked if we wanted any appetizers. We ordered the gizzards. But we told her we were ready to order since we had waited a while. She told us she'll be back after she places the appetizer order and brings us our drink. So more time wasted. My fear was that the appetizers will come out around the same time as the food. She finally came back and took our lunch order. Let me just say she did not have a bad attitude or anything. She just wasn't giving anything extra. Just took the order and someone else brought it out. It's best that you get everything you need up front because you probably won't see your waitress again for a while. It took us even longer just to get our check. She did ask us how will the food was so I guess that was nice.

ATMOSPHERE: It's a quaint little hole in the wall. I believe it's a historic building. No complaints there. What was rough was eating in the restaurant without air conditioning.🥵 Everyone was sweating up in that joint! They had two fans running but it wasn't doing anything. Again the building is old so maybe that day it had worked overtime. It was 92° outside and maybe 85 on the inside. For the most part it's pretty clean.

I really wanted to give this place five stars. The chef really knows what he's doing back there but should incorporate that Chick-fil-A type service and they'd be top notch! Real Talk though, they would benefit if management walked around to ask everybody if they're doing okay or...