Legendary | Worth driving from anywhere
Hominy Grill
Review by: Michael Stern
***** THIS RESTAURANT IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED *****
We first stopped at the Hominy Grill for breakfast, but have since returned for countless lunches and suppers.
Not that breakfast isn’t wonderful! The sausage patties that come alongside sunnyside-up eggs are rugged and crusty and brilliantly spiced — a joy to eat when pushed through some yolk or sandwiched inside the tall biscuit that comes alongside. Bacon is excellent,too — double-thick, crisp, and full-flavored, just begging to be cosseted in that hefty biscuit.
Menus for later in the day offer such Southern soul classics as fried chicken with collard greens, gumbo, shrimp Creole, and country captain and, of course, baked cheese grits on the side. The grits that come with breakfast also are excellent: true comfort food in their own right, and the perfect companion for any meal that includes plenty of pig meat.
The building that houses this estimable restaurant was at one time a barber shop; and the striped poles that signify the tonsorial profession still flank the front door (on the inside). It’s a spacious room with an old stamped tin ceiling, wood-slat walls, and slow-spinning fans overhead.
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $$ |
| Seasons | All |
| Meals Served | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Credit Cards Accepted | Yes |
| Alcohol Served | Yes |
| Outdoor Seating | Yes |
What To Eat
Hominy Grits
DISH
Fried Chicken
DISH
Sauteed Shrimp on Cheese Grits
DISH
Buttermilk Pie
DISH
Breakfast Sausage
DISH
Okra beignets
DISH
Lima Beans
DISH
Chocolate Pudding
DISH
Fried Green Tomatoes
DISH
Potato Salad
DISH
Copper Pennies (Carrots)
DISH
Fried Cheese Grits
DISH
Roasted Eggplant, Veggie, and Goat Cheese Sandwich
DISH
Sweet Tea
DISH
Bacon
DISH
Big Nasty
DISH
Boiled Peanuts
DISH
Caramel Cake
DISH
Purloo
DISH
4 Vegetable Plate
DISH
Country Captain
DISH
Breakfast Breads
DISH
Granola
DISH
Deep Fried Corn Bread
DISH
Mashed sweet potatoes
DISH
Hominy Grill Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of Hominy Grill?
2 Responses to “Hominy Grill”
Jenn Baker
July 20th, 2008
My husband and I had a goal to not eat at any chain restaurant during our vacation in Charleston, as this is truly the only way to experience the true charm! Our last night took us to Hominy Grill, and it ended up being our favorite meal of the week.
Once we sat down, our super-friendly waitress brought a complimentary small carton of boiled peanuts to begin our meal. Their fried green tomatoes come on top of homemade ranch dressing, and were a fabulous appetizer. After perusing the side and vegetable menu, my husband ordered a vegetable plate. Lima beans are prepared with chopped baby portabellos and carrots. Carrot coins are served chilled in a delicious sweet dill glaze. You have to eat the grits (regular or fried cheese grits) when you come here, and the potato salad is unlike any you’ve ever had. It is prepared with red new potatoes, chopped celery, and a bit of jalapeno (I think) for just the right amount of kick.
I had the grilled eggplant, red pepper, red onion, and goat cheese sandwich and it was incredible. Their sweet tea is some of the best in the South, as is their cornbread. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed, and comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
Reservations are recommended for dinner; the place fills up quickly inside and outside on their patio. This is the place we cannot WAIT to visit again!
David Williams
July 19th, 2008
My family had lunch here and absolutely loved it. The blackboard offered no less that eight vegetables of the day. Torn between fried chicken and shrimp creole, I followed our waitress’ recommendation for the creole and was not disappointed: large plump shrimp in a not-too-spicy tomato sauce studded with Tasso ham and bits of bacon. I also ordered a side of lima beans, which were the best I’ve ever had. Flavorful but still light (not a hint of bacon drippings), they would convert a carnivore into a vegetarian. My wife had the fried green tomato BLT. The FGT was not greasy, though it was thicker and firmer than most. We also asked for biscuits, which they do not normally serve at lunch. Having read the reviews, I was expecting extraordinary biscuits. These had obviously been left over from breakfast and suffered as a result, though I’m sure they were wonderful when fresh.
Desserts are outstanding. The buttermilk pie is light, faintly lemony, and similar to (but lighter than) a chess pie. The chocolate pudding is outstanding, made with bittersweet chocolate; this is almost a chocolate brulee without the crust. The recipe is on their website, and we will definitely make this at home. The chocolate chip pound cake with custard sauce is a favorite of our five year old.
All in all, this is informal Southern cooking at a highly elevated level. Highly recommended.