Annie O's Kitchen — Restaurant in Hilton Head Island

I've been wanting to try Annie O's Kitchen for a while. I'm always looking for a good place to enjoy fried chicken, and Annie O's has appeared on a few published lists of places that serve it. So, my wife and I gave it a try and we're glad we did.

We arrived for dinner at 5:00 and the restaurant was empty at that time. It got busier while we were there, and by 6:00 the place was nearly full. We were escorted to a table next to an attractive wall made with wooden produce crates from San Jose, California. We are native Southern Californians, so found these California crates intriguing. After all, San Jose is about 3,000 miles from Hilton Head Island. We wondered what the story was concerning the crates. How did they get here? Why California crates in South Carolina? Well, I did a quick Google search and discovered that Zoria Farms, the brand stamped on the crates, closed in 2008, so their stock of old crates are available for purchase online. So, mystery is solved.

Anyway, I digress. We found the interior of Annie O's to be simply but tastefully decorated with a southern "farm" feel. It was clean and pleasant. The interior is actually more appealing than the exterior. The outside is rather nondescript. But just as you can't judge a book by its cover, you can't always judge a restaurant by its exterior.

I ordered what I came for: fried chicken. It comes with a biscuit and two sides. The sides I chose were collard greens and sweet potato mashers. My wife ordered jumbo chicken strips with sweet potato mashers and homemade baked beans.

My chicken was very good. It had a beautiful crunchy exterior and the meat was cooked perfectly, done but not dried out. The chicken had a slight tangy taste to it, which I assume is from soaking in buttermilk before cooking it. The sides were all excellent. My wife really enjoyed the baked beans, and I thought that the collard greens and sweet potato mashers were both very flavorful and complimented the fried chicken perfectly. My wife ordered a lemonade and I got an unsweetened iced tea to accompany our meals. Both were very good. The lemonade was just the right balance of sweet and tart, and my iced tea was crisp and clean.

Our server was pleasant and proficient, the food arrived in a reasonable amount of time, and my wife and I agreed that we would enjoy a return visit. Although the chicken was good, there are some other dishes I'd like to explore: meatloaf, chicken 'n dumplings, and shrimp and grits. They all...

My best friend and I took a day trip from Augusta to Hilton head for my 30th birthday yesterday on 7/28/18. We spent all morning on the beach and decided to grab a late lunch. We found Annie O’s on google under best places to eat in Hilton Head. I am soooo glad we stumbled upon this restaurant. This was such a awesome experience from beginning to end. We were greeted by our server Stephanie at the door with a giant smile. The decor was modern and inviting, very clean and comfortable. Stephanie was so attentive and personable. She gave us excellent descriptions of the menu and specials. But now we are to the good part! I started out with the watermelon sweet tea. All I have to say about that is wow! It is nothing like you’d expect. It was light and refreshing, not overly watermelonish. It was delicious! We decided to order the chicken wings as our appetizer with Stephanie’s suggestion of the Nashville hot flavor. Ohhhh myyyy gooosshhhh. They were like nothing I’ve ever had. They were crispy and juicy. Spicy but not overly hot. We took our first bites and just looked at each other like WOW! Seriously they were amazing. I ordered the chicken dumplings with collard greens as my side. My best friend had the jumbo steak wrap and chips. She said it was the best she had ever had. That her steak was soft and perfectly cooked. She really liked that cucumbers come in the wrap. She said it was very fresh. I felt no different about my meal. Everything was perfectly seasoned. The chicken dumplings were beyond flavorful and so hearty. Everything tastes like it was made with so much love. My best friend and I literally could not stop talking about how delicious the food was. We joked that it was a life changing meal. It really was though. I know this was a long post but I hope anyone who reads this can understand why it needed to be. When you find a place like this it must be appreciated and celebrated. Take the chance and go to Annie O’s as soon as you can! I promise you and your taste buds will...

Jim Scully was the epitome of poor customer service and schoolyard bully!

First, I selected this restaurant while on a day trip with my husband. Following a beautiful afternoon of dolphin watching based on the 4 star Yelp review we entered with great enthusiasm. I ordered Southern Fried Chicken with a side of sweet potato mash. I was in great anticipation of a great meal with sweet and savory.

Second, when my meal arrived the chicken was well presented which really piqued my curiosity and made me want to cut into it immediately! When I did I was greeted with red center. My husband requested Jim to come over When he arrived and was informed that the chicken was not completely done, he stated that it was fried to temperature and therefore it was done despite the red juices running from the chicken.

I asked if it could be cooked longer. He obliged without any hint of an apology for the inconvenience or interest in truly resolving the issue.

I was not surprised when it was returned dark, dry and unappealing. I asked for my meal to be refunded ( mine only as Rahman had endured his bland fried pork chop that requires additional seasoning to be palatable and did not require reimbursement) and was quickly informed that there was nothing wrong with chicken from the start and it is my fault that it was no longer edible. Still no hint of apology. In fact he doubled down on the original rendition of it was temperature and not the bloody center that determines wether it was ready to be served. Once again I was told that it was my fault! I felt chastised for my desire to enjoy a meal what I spent my money on and not deserving of any satisfactory resolution.

I left that establishment feeling very dissatisfied and even suggested calling authorities to come so I could receive a refund. I remained calm and left. I will NEVER return and unequivocally do not recommend this restaurant to anyone. I DID NOT receive a refund! I choose not make a scene and ruin anyone else's lunch as...