What to eat in Savannah and Charleston

[tlackner]

My wife and I are heading to Savannah and Charleston right after the New Year. More than where to eat, we're wondering what to eat for breakfast. Other than grits (like polenta, can't stand grits, go figure, probably never had good grits), are there regional specialties we should be looking for when we head to breakfast? We'll take restaurant/cafe/diner recommendations, too, as well as coffee shop recs. We plan on staying downtown in both cities, and like to walk to breakfast.

[meljohns]

Soho South has a great brunch- really good shrimp and grits. Great atmosphere too.

[NYJewboy]

What? No BBQ?

[carolinadawg]

BBQ is not typically a breakfast food.

[Sue in Mt P]

Says who :)

[tlackner]

Sorry. We get to Kansas City pretty regularly. BBQ any time, but not in Charleston when you can get to Jack Stack.

[tlackner]

Thanks, all. Nice to know there's life beyond the Waffle House. And especially nice to know about pizza by the slice; guess that answers the Third Great Question.

[brickzander]

J. Chrisopher's is a must for breakfast/ brunch in Savannah: http://www.jchristophers.com/ and you must also visit Vinnie Van Go Go's to sample the best pizza in the South... get the slice not the pie: http://www.jchristophers.com/
Both of these are downtown and are perfect locations for your walking pleasure.

[bronwen]

We like the Cobblestone Cafe for breakfast, great omelettes and mimosas!

[bronwen]

Cobblestone Cafe's in Savannah - sorry for not mentioning it!

[Buddha49]

I can't really think of anything we eat in Savannah for breakfast y'all wouldn't eat at home, wherever that is. I like the Express Deli on Barnard for breakfast just south of Elliott Square for breakfast - nice fresh baked breads and pastries, and the standard but good quality meats and egg dishes, quiches, fresh fruit cups, etc. Very good coffee and juices.

B Matthews Eatery at Bay and Lincoln and Firefly Cafe (Harris and Habersham) have their followers as well. And there's always Clary's, a lunch counter in a pharmacy in the 400 block of Abercorn Street, an old locals' hangout featured in the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil book and movie.

[Sue in Mt P]

Hominy Grill in Charleston.

-----
Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

[rmlovvorn]

When in either Charleston or Savannah, you are doing yourself a great disservice if you don't get fresh local shrimp, oysters, etc. In Charleston, go to Hyman's (http://www.hymanseafood.com). I know it's touristy, but they have some great local seafood, and they'll give you a bowl of boiled peanuts to keep you occupied while you wait for your entree (their scored flounder is spectacular). Salty goodness!

[Sue in Mt P]

I agree about the local seafood, but I wouldn't go to Hyman's. Go to Jestine's, Off the Hook on Sullivan's, Boathouse IOP.