Jestine’s Kitchen

I was a tired and hungry traveler, looking for food at 7 PM upon arriving at my hotel. My cabdriver had recommended Jestines, for delicious food, as long as I had a way to work off the calories. I was very glad I went.
The fried chicken was outstanding. Crispy and succulent. The fried okra was very good, as were the green beans. I also had the coconut cream pie. Perfection. Very much comfort food from my southern roots. Also, not too fancy, and not nearly as busy as the restaurants closer to my hotel.
I’ll certainly be back.

Jestine’s Kitchen is like eating over at a friend’s house from the relaxed feel, exceptional customer service, and good southern cooking.
I enjoyed the Homemade corn bread with butter and honey ($ 1) but was sad that you don’t just get the piece for free with your meal. I guess you can’t expect anything free any touristy city.
My wife ordered the Blue shrimp and grits Sunday special ($ 12.95). Grits were very creamy and the shrimp very plump. There are even some peppers and onions mixed in for flavor. The best part? You even get to choose two sides.
I tried in the Sweet tea «table wine» ($ 2.50) with unlimited refills and well and wasn’t amazing, it was helpful to wash down all of the delicious food.
I ordered the famous Two pieces of white fried chicken ($ 14.95) with red rice and macaroni for my two side selection. The skin was crispy fried dark with a batter and the chicken was very moist.
We had some fantastic customer service from Chasity and will be recommending this place to friends!

The fried chicken was great. The chicken is very moist and tender. It is also very flavorful. But they charge $ 1 for split plate fee. Can’t go wrong with the fried chicken

Jestine’s was our first stop on a 48 hour trip to Charleston. A friend in DC had recommended it, but when our bell-​hop at the hotel said the food was almost as good as his grandmother’s cooking, we knew we couldn’t pass it up. Plus, it was a block from our hotel!
We arrived around 1pm on a Sunday, and lucky were seated right away. Our waitress was as nice as can be (hello southern hospitality!), and recommended a few things to us. I’m not too well versed in the art of southern cooking, so we ordered a bunch of a lot of things just to share and try it out.
First we started with some local brews by Palmetto brewery, which were delicious. And of course we started with a couple of pieces of cornbread slathered in honey butter! We shared the 3 piece fried chicken platter, which comes with 2 sides, but we ordered three. The collared greens were ok, not a flavor im familiar with and feels too healthy lol. The fried okra was classic and interesting, but again, was not in love. Speaking of love, the mac n cheese was so yummy! It reminded me of the type of mac n cheese you have as a kid. Just simple and delicious!
The fried chicken lived up to the hype as well. On the Food Network they are constantly extolling fried chicken that is crispy on the outside but moist on the inside, and this chicken definitely would be Bobby Flay approved! I didn’t love the Fried Green Tomatoes (despite LOVING the namesake movie – TAWANDDAAA!), but that’s not to say they weren’t properly executed, I think its just a flavor Im not used to.
Finally, because I’m a weak, impulsive person, we ordered the famous Coca Cola cake! It was a little too sweet for my taste, but my boo loved it and licked the plate clean!
Jestine’s is a great spot for casual, low country fare, conveniently located a few blocks north of the Charleston City Market!

If you’re a southerner and frequent ‘soul food’ or ‘meat and 3’s’ like spots you’ll prob be disappointed in this place.
— Veggies were the highlight– green beans, Mac and cheese, greens, etc
— Cornbread (you pay for) was average at best.
— Seafood and pork-​chop bland.

This restaurant is fantastic! I felt like I was at home! The staff was the friendliest I have ever met! Definitely had that southern charm.
Oh and the food. was literally heaven. I asked for a recommendation and my waiter immediately recommended the friend chicken plate (2 breasts) with Mac and cheese and collard greens. I also got some sweat tea. I don’t think I have ever had better fried chicken in my life. The skin was perfectly crispy and the meat was so juicy.
I’m so glad I was able to get some authentic southern food before heading to the airport. Mmmm I wish I could go back to Charleston just for another taste of their food and amazing service.

I had the 4oz meatloaf with deep fried corn cob and Mac n cheese. Very delicious! Would order food again. Staff was friendly. Tea was sweet, but not overly. Corn fritters are unique and not sweet as other places might offer. They are larger and only 2 come with the order.
One thing– if you have sensitivity to perfumes, tread lightly here. The cleaning products they used there caused me severe respiratory problems. I was breathing into a napkin my entire stay.

I think some of the problem with Jestine’s for me might have been the level of hype. So many people told me I had to eat here– and I just did not fall in love with it as other people have. I did, however, love the story of Jestine’s Kitchen and the meaning behind the restaurant– and we also had excellent service. For me, the a-​ok rating is really because of the food. My fried chicken was super dry and that made me sad.
Overall, if I lived in the area I’d probably try and head back– but it was too long of a wait for only okay food for me to hurry back.

This is the first place we went to upon arriving in Charleston with very hungry bellies. The reviews were fantastic and we were sure to have a good meal. Portions are fantastic for the price, so that’s a huge plus. Unless you’re eating for three… the chicken basket would be more than enough food. As sides we got mac and cheese, collard greens, fried okra and one other that I don’t remember. My husband enjoyed the fried okra a lot, everything else was not that memorable.

This seems to be the place to be as there was a line around the corner to get it. Very down home feel, a little kitschy but not over the top, but I like a place with local kitsch. The owner was VERY welcoming and friendly — loved that!
I went with two friends and we shared three meals to try different things — the fried chicken (the signature dish), pecan crusted chicken and fried shrimp. We all got Mac and cheese as a side. If you are used to the typical southern diet you’ll be delighted here but Californians and northerners might be a little taken aback how everything is fried. The Mac and cheese is good but heavy, I didn’t finish mine and I’m not a dainty eater. Also, the portions are large. If you’re usually a pretty healthy eater I recommend splitting one dish with some extra sides so not to overwhelm your tummy. The fried shrimp was my favorite. For its signature dish I thought the chicken lacked some wow and was a little dry but I can get fried chicken at home most anywhere so it’s not special to me like it might be to other tourists. For dessert we shared a slice of the coca cola cake — this is a must get item!
The prices were very reasonable for a tourist spot and dinner time, this always wins points in my book. So give this place a try and put some south in yo mouth!

I really wanted to like this place because of the history and because I just knew the food would be out of this world. Unfortunately… that wasn’t the case.
Thanks to Unilocal I knew there’d be a line outside to wait where I could potentially see empty tables inside. I arrived 830 and there was a small line. I have to say though, it was irritating to stand there and see 5 empty and clean tables. I digress, still optimistic about the food.
To my chagrin, after being sat the waitress brought beverages but like disappeared. When we saw her she was refilling beverages and helping others. We told her we were ready to order and she says hold on a minute and literally disappears in the kitchen for at least 10 mins; long enough for all other tables that sat with us to order. Now I’m getting hungry and impatient.
The food, all and all was okay. Once I ordered it came out crazy fast, like in 5 mins. Sweet tea was good, not overly sweet. The greens were good. My dining companion endorsed the pecan chicken as good. Now for the other things…
The corn bread, which doesn’t come with the meal, was very dry. It was served with honey butter, but slices of butter with honey poured on top. Too much to whip it together I guess.
Mac and cheese, very interesting. I appreciated that it was light. It’s done with more milk, less butter and little cheese. At first bite I was puzzled but as I kept eating I developed an appreciation for it, especially because it didn’t leave my tummy feeling really heavy.
Fried pork chop, well seasoned and piping hot. This isn’t a center cut chop, rather two thin sliced chops. I struggled in my mind whether it would be appropriate to pick up the bone and finish it properly. Thankfully the hostess came by to check on us and said to me, I know you’re dressed nice for dinner but don’t worry, you can eat that with your hands (motioning to the pork chop).
I struggle here because I want to like this place and the hostess was so sweet. I mean I’d love to take her home as an aunt kind of sweet. But at the end of the day I came for the food, which was okay, and the experience, which was annoying as hell with all that waiting. So it’s okay, hence my 3 stars and I’d consider giving it another try. I just wouldn’t come when I’m really hungry to avoid becoming hangry