LoLA — Restaurant in North Charleston

Hubby and I both had the day off, and after realizing breakfast had pretty much left us bereft of food, we decided to go out for dinner. I saw LoLA mentioned previously and recommended it, and he was game. We beat rush hour but parking was already full. We managed to find a spot off the main drag within a block of the restaurant. The inside seating was packed and really loud in the small space, so we asked for outdoor seating in the shade. The host welcomed us warmly and the hostess escorted us to a picnic table under a tree. There was a nice breeze and it was lovely and open.

Our waitress Tina was clearly experienced, super-sweet, and fun. We got their signature "Swamp Water" sweet tea with citrus, which was unique, refreshing, and tasty. We were trying to figure out what made it swampy and we suspect Tang. Definitely something powdered, to impart the fruity cloudiness. It was happy hour so there were appetizer specials and we got the fried pickles, calamari, and a dozen raw Gulf oysters on the half shell.

The pickles were great, maybe the best fried pickles I have ever had. Long strips, not rounds, perfectly coated with deliciously spiced breading and a yummy dipping sauce. The calamari were fantastic, not at all rubbery or chewy. The oysters were fresh but lacked flavor and character. I may be totally spoiled, but these had no briny taste or essence of the sea; they went down easy but I like our local oysters better.

We followed the app feast with entrees of Cajun Angels and a Big Easy Po Boy. The sandwich was bursting with delectable fried shrimp and crawdads, so much so that hubby had to share a few with me before he could pick up the sandwich. The hinge on the bread gave out under the load about halfway through but he wrangled it all into his mouth. Tina saw the remoulade running down his arms and came to the rescue with more napkins.

Cajun Angels are bacon-wrapped scallops with a pile of Mexican street corn. The first bite was excessively salty, but popping a forkful of corn in helped temper that. It was the bacon, I discovered, after breaking down a scallop. Cut them in half, take half the bacon off, and scoop up some corn for a well-balanced bite. I don't know that I'd get that one again. I really want a bowl full of the fried shrimp and crawdads. Hubby said they were so good he would eat them off the floor.

By the time we finished and paid, there was a line building out the door. This place is unique, with great people and food, and we can't wait to go back and try more of the menu! Thanks for...

New Orleans is my fav city and I decided to take my date here so she could get a taste for the awesome food that can be found there. We were not disappointed.

We, and by we I mean I, started with the Cajun angels, which are four smoked bacon wrapped scallops served over Cajun street corn. They were delicious! I crushed them and probably could have eaten three more orders of them.

She decided on a Cajun pub fare order of shrimp and Cajun fries with their Creole tartar sauce. It was delicious. I loved when she didn’t finish all of her shrimp and I got to eat some. Score!

I was torn between the shrimp and grits and the etouffee, and finally decided on a fried oyster po’boy (be a real food nerd and google why they’re called po’boys for a cool history lesson). The bread was good and the creole tartar sauce was absolute fire! The oysters were seasoned and fried to perfection. I slapped some hot sauce on there and went to town. I know she was sharing bits and pieces of who she was but I really have no idea what she was saying as I was totally consumed with enjoying my sandwich.

For drinks I had a glass of Abita Amber, which is on draft along with some other New Orleans favs. Abita has some really good beers and they had the good ones including two of my other favs - Beeracuda and Andy Gator. What’s neat is they have Abita combos where they mix the beers for new funky tastes.

We enjoyed our meal and our drinks. The ambience is great and the food was delicious. They were packed and I’d definitely suggest reservations. Molly was our server and she was great. She was on point and checked in on us quite often. I’ll be back and hopefully with the same girl as I liked her and really need to know what the hell she was talking about while...

Southern soul with a Cajun heartbeat

There’s something about walking into Lola in North Charleston that feels like you’ve stumbled into the back porch of a friend who just happens to cook like a New Orleans grand-mère with a Michelin star in her pocket. The air hums with music and fryer crackle, the purple picnic tables dare you to relax, and every plate that hits the table tells a story worth listening to.

I started with gator bites—crispy, golden little morsels that hit that perfect sweet spot between chicken-tender comfort and swamp-born swagger. Dunked in the house sauce, they’re a handshake and a punchline all at once.

Then came the shrimp & crawfish étouffée, a deep, copper-colored lagoon of flavor poured over a bed of rice. The sauce was a slow jazz number—smoky roux, peppers, the gentle heat of someone who knows the difference between spice and punishment. Each shrimp and crawfish tail tasted like it had been baptized in butter and bourbon.

I wrapped it up the only proper way: beignets dusted in a blizzard of powdered sugar. They arrived hot enough to fog my glasses, soft as a dream, and unapologetically messy—the kind of dessert that makes you forget you own a napkin.

Service? Joshua deserves a standing ovation. He knew the menu like a seasoned tour guide, cracked jokes like a late-night host, and kept the whole experience light and easy without missing a beat.

Lola isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a love letter to the Lowcountry with a Cajun accent. If you crave food with guts, soul, and a sense of humor—where the beer is cold, the flavors are bold, and every bite feels like a high-five—pull up a purple bench and let Lola show you...