Bertha's Kitchen — Restaurant in North Charleston

Visiting Charleston and wanted to try more local small business eats this time instead of eating downtown battery area. I’m well versed in soul food. I google searched for best fried chicken in Charleston and Bertha’s popped up first in an article for some of Charlestons best. Basically you go up to the counter and there is food resting in hot pans you choose what you want and food is scooped from pans and placed in to go containers. Staff kind of treat everyone like they are regulars so they don’t ask any questions or give suggestions or anything for instance I ordered fried chicken, Lima beans, rice and cabbage, I wasn’t given an option if I wanted white or dark meat so I assumed I would get mixed chicken. (The chicken was not out in the hot pans). I also love seafood so I tried a side cup of a seafood trio which included Tilapia, shrimp and scallops. The chicken was not mixed but a leg quarter that was very poorly cooked and greasy, Lima beans seasoned well but definitely not a fan of the pig tails that was mixed with the beans. Would have definitely preferred smoked ham hocks or smoked turkey has an option, the tails super soggy, very unappetizing to even look at, the cabbage was good and the seafood trio which was seasoned very well however it was over cooked scallops so dry. Unfortunately I tossed my 25.00 dollar meal and headed to Popeyes something I can get any day of the week. I was let down by Charleston thinking this is the best fried...

Whether you are from Charleston or just visiting, you must visit this place. Why? There is just something special about visiting local restaurants that have so much history. Yes the new age fancy "wine and dine" restaurants are great to visit but there is NOTHING like a home cooked meal made just like grandma did. Speaking of....Ms. Bertha was someone's Mom and grandmother but she has passed and her family continues to run the restaurant just like she did. Please do not let the outside area be a deterrent. This, again, adds to the history and greatness of this restaurant.

Be prepared for a line, but the wait isn't that long. There are some tables available to eat inside. What I love is that there is someone who walks down the line and asks you what you want to order and she writes it on a styrofoam box. This makes the ordering process go much quicker.

The food is great. There are lots of southern choices from chicken to liver, to beef and pork. The portions are good and the prices are fair. The staff are very friendly and they really seem to appreciate each customer and take pride in making great food.

Southern hospitality. Great food. Large portions. Fair prices. What else could you ask for?? Give Bertha's a try and you will be happy...

I am not into fried food especially chicken. I wanted some ox tail but ,went there on a Tuesday and it is served on Wednesday .

So, I ate there two days. Tuesday the baked chicken was calling my name .The tenderest thigh and leg portions with red rice and cabbage. I had some other things but after eating that tender baked chicken portions with the cabbage and rice there was no where to put another piece of anything so, I saved it for my hubby. That was Tuesday. Wednesday ; the ox tails ,white rice and okra soup. I had at least 5 pieces of ox tail; so tender it was about to fall off the bone. That was the only thing that I had ever eaten there and it has been about 2 years ago. I was so excited about the food that I paid for it then was about to leave it. It was as delicious as the first time I tasted it . My friend that went with me both days said after eating the food esp. the ox tail , wanted to go buy some so we can cook our own. It was a good distance from where we live but, it was worth every mile for all that very good eating .I know if we are on that side of North Charleston any time we will find some reason to...