Virginia’s On King

I didn’t have a very good dining experience here in the past so I decided to give it a go again. The food was very underwhelming and the service was absolutely terrible. Our entire party felt ignored. Getting someone’s attention was difficult and even after we did got someone’s attention it took forever for anything to actually happen. There was several other restaurants in charleston that have great food at a reasonable price and amazing service.

I wish I could have given more stars but the service truly dragged down the experience. The waiter was not attentive, was awful when it came to making recommendations and was not personable. The She-​Crab soup was delicious and the crab on top was a nice touch. The Oyster Spinach Salad was tasty and had a nice amount of oysters. The pimento cheese appetizer was delicious but was not served with all of the items listed on the menu.
I would return to this restaurant and cross my fingers for a better server.

The food was fine here but the service was absolutely horrible. In a town where you can great food on pretty much every street I was blown away that the service was so bad. The restaurant was completely empty and not only did it take forever for food but to even have the waiter ask if we wanted anything else or things were good.
We ordered a shareable appetizer for the table and they had run out. Our waiter instead of asking what we wanted to switch to just rolled out with meatballs to replace the appetizer. We had 7 people two meatballs were in the plate to share for the table.
The restaurant also seemed to be out of many other foods on the menu and the restaurant didn’t seem to know until after they had taken multiple orders. Finally the bathroom was unclean and even after locking the door someone walked right in. Overall I was very underwhelmed.

Hostess was an unorganized mess… server was great… food was awesome. I would definitely eat there again based solely on the food. The staff needs to get their stuff together.

Eh. We were told the food in Charleston was can’t miss. Well we maybe should have done a little more research for our first meal. The shrimp and grits were so so and the crab cakes were nondescript. Staff was friendly enough, and the atmosphere is nice, but the food was definitely wanting. Much better options (in our opinion) up and down King

My husband & I were really looking forward to this place as most reviews are pretty good. But when we went this morning they seemed very under staffed and the kitchen was very behind. The young guy that waited on us was so nice and did a good job considering he was the only one waiting on all the tables. Yes, you read the right. One waiter for the whole restaurant.
I’m giving it 3 stars because it’s a really cute restaurant, they’ve done a great job decorating. The server was nice and attentive he was just a bit flustered. And the food was decent. The yogurt & fruit completely sucked tho as the fruit wasn’t even ripe.
I don’t think we will be going back next time we’re in Charleston.

Excellent food, great atmosphere for a casual lunch meet up or dinner with the in laws. ¹⁰⁄₁₀

So sad. Bad bad. Their idea of a wedge salad is wilted romaine. Crab cake Omg. Fried tuna fish Best idea is to go to Coast! Listen to me. Stay away. Food is horrible, at best!

We are from New Orleans and stayed in Charleston for a few days in April. We were in town to see Paula Poundstone and to visit a city we’ve been wanting to see for some time.
Virginia’s is close to the Charleston Music Hall, and had some very good reviews so we chose to eat here before the show. Glad we made a reservation because they simply don’t take walk-​ins; they’re just too busy.
The restaurant is situated in what seems to be an old store. This is an historic city and the building was for sure 100+ years old and had dining on two levels. Concrete floors, exposed beams, nice old woodwork and a general feeling similar to back home in the French Quarter.
We were seated in a booth right by the front window. There’s a lot of street traffic in this area with shops and other restaurants and it’s a charming neighborhood.
Our server, Gary, was a very pleasant and attentive young man (hey, I’m old here, okay?) — probably a college student. Personable and knowledgeable, you could tell he enjoyed what he was doing and the service was great.
We started with the tomato pie and some fried chicken livers. My sweetie loves chicken livers but not big ones, so they took the time to cut them into smaller pieces and fry them crispy. This on a packed Saturday! Very accommodating staff. Oh, and the tomato pie is absolutely the best I’ve had.
She had the chicken and dumplings and I had the shrimp and grits. I was on this whole shrimp and grits thing since it’s a traditional part of low country cuisine, and because there are lots of similarities between that and the regional food in south Louisiana, I was going to shrimp and grits my way through the city. I wasn’t disappointed. Their version had a bit of sweetness to it that I hadn’t experienced before and that was a pleasant surprise. And they gave us a pile of cornbread too. Good stuff.
She enjoyed the chicken and dumplings for the most part, but — and this is true — she felt that the dumplings didn’t compare to mine. I’m a chef and as it happens one of my passions is down home, southern cooking. And yes, my dumplings are feathery light and yet hold their shape well without being chewy. But enough about me :-D
The noise level is a bit on the high side but not too bad. You can have a conversation without yelling and the energy is nice. Sort of a «joint» without being one.
I’d recommend it highly and plan to eat here the next time we go to Charleston, which we definitely will. Good times, great food, great staff and a great town too. As Abe Froman, Sausage King of Chicago sake, «I highly recommend it.»
:-)

This was a truly atrocious experience. Food looked like 2 week old trader Joe’s frozen stuff that was re heated, only partially, before being served. We immediately sent it back and left. The manger seemed resigned to the sorry state of affairs and didn’t even offer to make things better — just let us take off. Avoid at all costs. Trust the crappy Unilocal reviews, they won’t lead you astray!

I visited Charleston (work-​related travel) for the first time a few weeks ago. Without a doubt, the first thing on my mind was soul food. I was with two others who were of the same mind. We asked different people their recommendations. We received many recommendations of places mostly on or near King Street. King Street is one of the main streets that run through downtown Charleston. Nevertheless we tried several of the places that were recommended to us. In my opinion, WE HIT THE JACKPOT with Virginia’s On Kings.
We walked into Virginia’s On Kings and was seated with no problems at all. Beforehand, we were told to make a reservation and I saw the reason for that. The restaurant was pretty popular. Also, the staff were top notch. Our server was easily one of the most courteous, well spoken and mannerly persons that I ever dealt with in my travels. I wish I would could remember his name. I would have gladly included in this review. Now on to the food.
I wanted some collared greens, fried chicken and mash potatoes. I ordered that and was in TOTAL AMAZEMENT when our server put my plate in front of me. I could go on and on about how great my plate of food looked. You can judge for yourself by checking out the photo of the plate that I uploaded here. Not only did it looked great, but it was obviously prepared greatly. You all, who regularly read my reviews, know how I like my food. I like real crispy fried chicken, that is not one huge ball of grease. I like my collared greens without the excess «collard green juice.» The mash potatoes were made perfectly. Literally, this was a perfect dinner. Every positive superlative word that you can think of described my dinner in a nutshell.
Without a doubt, if you are in Charleston and looking for a GREAT soul food restaurant, look no further than Virginia’s On Kings.

Sat at the bar on my most recent trip to Charleston because we didn’t make reservations before hand. Luckily the wait staff was accommodating and found us a spot at the bar. We started with pimento cheese for an appetizer. The cheese itself was good, the seaseme crackers were okay, suitable to be paired with the cheese. For my main course i went with one of the specials for the night, pan fried cornmeal trout with ocra and bacon bits. The trout was excellent! however the grits/​polenta they sat on top of could have used a little more seasoning and/​or been a little creamier.
Ambiance was nice and the restaurant was small enough to be intimate, but not so small that you felt like all eyes would be on you. Convenient location near the main stretch of King Street, but away from the hustle and bustle. Nice wait staff, and nice bar. Just watch out only serve beer and wine!

So… fried chicken and steak were very good. My son got the chicken and dumplings which had 3 little dumplings. We mentioned it to the waitress and she talked to the chef and we were told it was supposed to have 4… for an entrée. The chef graciously sent us out another little dumpling free of charge… really? Umm. not going back. Ridiculous!

As a local, I’m impressed with Virginia’s. My dad treated myself and my daughter for Sunday brunch and it did not disappoint. Fast service. Friendly staff. Accommodating to us with a 15 month old and the food was delicious. We will definitely return and have recommended to friends.

Good southern food, no booze on Sunday, prices ok, servers need some training not customer minded. Their spot on King is perfect, so they need to really step up their game. Prices are acceptable. This is one of those places that you walk away with a «ho hum».
Frank G

Will say, I did read reviews prior to making reservations and I went in with an open mind.
My young daughters enjoyed the Southern Fried Chicken; I liked the Pecan Crusted Chicken. However, I feel the price was a bit steep: $ 17 for a chicken breast and a plateful of green beans.
The ambiance was nice. Great place to watch people walking up and down King Street; music playing at a comfortable level to enjoy table side conversation while swaying.
One review said Virginia’s was Kid Friendly. I would not agree to the statement.

We went to Virginia’s on king with a party of 13 people for a birthday dinner. we brought our own cake for the celebration however they wouldn’t allow us to use confetti on the table even though they had paper tablecloth and said that they didn’t have time to clean it up. Mind you while we were there they close at 8:30 they turn the open sign off by 815 and the door locked we felt rushed and like we needed to hurry up and get out of there they act like they don’t have time to clean up confetti but they’re all standing around prior to closing up the restaurant seems to me on a Saturday night they would want to capitalize on business and make people feel welcome.
Onto the food: we started with a few appetizers appetizer usually meaning something to split with the table here only means one bite for one person barely with the price point starting between 10 and $ 20 for an appetizer. When we got our entrées I was thoroughly disappointed in the quality of the food, it was lackluster at best and seem to be mass produced while four people at our table got jambalaya they should also note how spicy it is when you order it so you know. The fish and scallops tasted frozen from the local Costco my dad’s meet was tough and not tender at all like you would expect it to be.
I had the pecan crusted chicken while it was good it was very heavy and greasy I will say that the macaroni and cheese was great serving a baby cast-​iron skillet alone my sister while she ordered chicken nuggets offer the kids menu and that she’s a pretty basic these were literally the same ones we buy from Cosco ourselves a restaurant should be local to troughs and flare should make it so obvious that their stuff comes from Sysco.
Our bill for 11 people was almost $ 600 with a party of 11 It did not include gratuity which I was thankful for since I probably would not have left extra anyway there are many other places in Charleston to eat, you can get better quality fresh local seafood then being on the crowded King street with a bunch of bars we left we felt very uncomfortable with all the bachelor parties and people partying in the street at a restaurant that so near Marion Square.

Had the fish combo platter either made broiled or fried I would recommend that the cornbread is very good and they have lots of sandwiches soups and salads parking is in the back of the building prices are not too expensive you can get a nice meal for two people for about $ 60 with drinks

A rather simple and basic restaurant but offering some interesting South Carolina Low County foods.
I had their seafood platter which had deep fried shrimp, talapia, oysters and scallops. All very good, at a reasonable price but nothing I’d consider as being particularly superlative, unique or outstanding to the area.

On a long weekend girls trip this was my favorite restaurant. I love southern comfort food but I also love elegant ambience and this place delivers both — winner winner chicken dinner!
I actually did get a chicken dinner, fried of course. It was moist, almost too moist but also the one reason I’m not giving five stars — it kinda reminded me of KFC. Look, I like KFC sometimes but I don’t spend $ 30 on dinner there. A friend and I split the pimento cheese appetizer — soooo good, probably some of the best pimento cheese I’ve had. We also got the house cornbread — it has brocolli in it which was very different to me but oh so good! The Mac and cheese I also got with my chicken was also very good.
This place had an upscale casual vibe which I loved!!! There were dates there but also groups. When I come back to Charleston I will eat here again.