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Happy Friday, Charleston. Hope everyone is enjoying the lead-up to a great weekend.
A quick recap on the All Things Charleston Dinner Club: this past Tuesday was our very first one, and it was a great night. We've already heard from a few of you who exchanged numbers and walked away with new friends, which is exactly what we were hoping for. We also got some honest feedback that not every table felt like the right match, and that's something we're going to work on for next time. The matching process is going to get sharper, and we'll keep refining the experience as we go.
Big picture, this was our first dinner and it went well. We're planning to host another one about two months from now, and we're aiming for an even bigger turnout. Stay tuned, and thanks to everyone who showed up and made it what it was.
Now let’s get into your 5-minute read of everything you need to know happening in Charleston this weekend.
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Best BBQ in Charleston
New in Town
Curated Events
Local Updates You Should Care About
🍖The Best BBQ in Charleston
Here's a fun and slightly controversial topic: the best BBQ in Charleston. I've included my three favorites below, though I'll admit I'm slanted toward Texas-style. Vote in the poll below to let me know which one is your go-to.
🥩 Lewis Barbecue is the undisputed king of Texas-style brisket in the Lowcountry, and it's not even close. Pitmaster John Lewis built his reputation on smoking massive cuts of meat for 12+ hours over post oak, and the result is a brisket with the kind of black-pepper bark and tender, jiggly fat cap that makes you stop talking mid-bite. The brisket is the order, full stop. Get it sliced, get a side of green chile corn pudding, and find a seat in the beer garden. Menu.
🍑 Palmira BBQ is doing something nobody else in Charleston is doing, blending Puerto Rican flavors with Carolina and Texas BBQ traditions out of a spot in West Ashley. Pitmaster Hector Garate (a James Beard Foundation Emerging Chef semifinalist) is known for whole hog and house-made sausage, but the beef cheeks are the move. They eat like a fattier, richer brisket with a peppery bark and intensely tender meat. Show up early because they sell out, and don't skip the pionono if it's on the menu. Menu.
🍗 Home Team BBQ has been a Charleston staple for nearly 20 years, and the menu is bigger than most BBQ joints can pull off well. The pulled pork and ribs are excellent, but the sleeper hit is the smoked wings tossed in their Alabama white sauce. They're crispy, smoky, and the white sauce is tangy and creamy in a way that ruins regular wing sauce for you. Pair with a gamechanger (frozen drink with rum, OJ, pineapple and coconut cream) and call it a day. Menu.
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✨Personal Reviews
I've highlighted a lot of new restaurants over the past few months, and I finally got around to trying a few of them this past week. Here are my honest thoughts.
🥩The Lick was absolutely phenomenal. I got the lamb chops, potato pave, and Gigi’s Bread, which is a Japanese milk bread with sea salt and honey butter on the side - it melts in your mouth. The restaurant is small but intimate and you can see the entire kitchen from the bar. Downtown experience right in West Ashely where you don’t have to worry about parking. Great spot for an elevated night or celebration. Best steakhouse you will find outside of downtown. Menu.
🍕Ok Donna is a great spot just far enough off King Street to escape the madness. The vibe is warm and welcoming, with a solid mix of bar seats and tables. Cocktails were out of this world. It feels like Bar George (same ownership) but slightly more elevated and lively. I had the Old Fashioned and the Japanese Cooler, plus a slice of the pepperoni pizza. The pizza wasn't what I expected, more of a square slice with fluffy bread, but it was really good. I'd love to go back for dinner and try the carbonara. Overall a great experience, and I'd recommend it if you want to spend a night out downtown but still keep a neighborhood feel. Menu.
🗿I was really excited for Mother's Ruin, but unfortunately it wasn't what I was hoping for. I tried their spin on the Old Fashioned. The drink was fine, but it felt like every other crowded bar on King Street. I really enjoyed Rarebit, so I was excited to see what they did with the space, but this wasn't my vibe. Maybe better if you're looking to party or want somewhere that'll be packed. Menu.
📌Curated Events
Friday
2026 North Charleston Arts Fest (More Info) · 10:30am-8pm · North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, North Charleston, SC · FREE · Annual event highlights regional and local artists with works in fiber from over 60 African American creators.
Party at the Point - Landslide (More Info) · Gates 5pm, music 6pm · Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Mt Pleasant · $15 (kids 12 & under free) · Landslide, South Carolina's best Fleetwood Mac cover band takes the stage for week three of the 2026 Party at the Point concert series.
Cinco Days of Cinco de Mayo - Cantina 76 (More Info) · 5:30pm-8:30pm · Cantina 76, Mount Pleasant, SC · FREE · Kickoff of 5 days of live music, tequila tastings, and drink specials on Coleman Boulevard.
Mr. Fahrenheit: A Tribute To Queen (More Info) · Doors at 6 p.m. · The Windjammer, Isle of Palms · $15+ · queen tribute concert at The Windjammer on Isle of Palms.
Moonlight Mixer (More Info) · 7-10 p.m. · Folly Beach Fishing Pier · $15 · Dance the night away under the stars at the iconic Folly Beach Pier! Music, ocean breezes, and classic Folly fun to the end of the pier.
Saturday
Lowcountry Strawberry Festival (More Info) · 10am-7pm · Boone Hall Plantation, Mt Pleasant · $15+ · Pick your own strawberries straight from the fields, then dive into strawberry-everything: shortcake, jam, ice cream, and plenty of local vendors. Live music, kids' activities, and hayrides.
The Magnolia Market (More Info) · 11am-3pm · Hanahan Library, Hanahan, SC · FREE · Discover unique finds, tasty bites, and good vibes at the ultimate shopping hangout.
Charleston Airshow featuring the Blue Angels (More Info) · 1pm-3pm · Over Charleston Harbor (viewable from downtown & Mt Pleasant) · FREE · The U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly between the Charleston and Mt Pleasant. Joined by the F-16 Demo Team from Shaw AFB, a P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight, and a C-17 demo from Joint Base Charleston.
Arts Fest Arty Block Party (More Info) · 7pm-8:30pm · East Montague Avenue, Park Circle, North Charleston · FREE · Live music, art vendors, food, kid's activities, and a community-vibe celebration of Park Circle's growing creative scene. Free, family-friendly, walkable.
Sunday
Boulevard Bazaar - Navy Yard x Celadon (More Info) · 10am-2pm · Navy Yard Charleston & Celadon Warehouse, North Charleston · FREE · The artisan market returns for its second year with 30+ local makers, food trucks, live music, and vintage vendors spread across both sides of Noisette Boulevard.
World Dance Showcase (More Info) · 11:30am-4pm · Park Circle Community Building, North Charleston · FREE · North Charleston Arts Fest closes with the World Dance Showcase — performances from international and local dance companies celebrating styles from around the globe.
📰Local Updates You Should Care About
🌳 Charleston County Council agreed to pay the Charleston Museum millions to prevent development of the historic Dill tract, preserving one of the area's most significant undeveloped properties. The deal ensures this important green space and archaeological site won't be turned into housing or commercial development. This represents a major win for conservation advocates who have fought to protect the tract from the pressures of Charleston's rapid growth.
🚧 SCDOT is building one of South Carolina's first roundabout interchanges at Exit 187 on I-26 in Berkeley County near Ridgeville Road. This innovative design represents a major shift from traditional highway interchanges and could become a model for future projects across the state. The roundabout is expected to improve traffic flow and safety for the thousands of commuters who use this corridor daily to reach Charleston.
🙏 Berkeley County just preserved 1,300 acres in Cordesville for good. The county accepted the land as a donation from the Estate of Barbara Mead, a stretch of woods and open space along S.C. 402 near Mepkin Abbey, and plans to convert it into a passive county park with community input shaping what that looks like. The acquisition is part of the county's Greenbelt Program, funded by the 2022 One Cent Sales Tax that's funneling roughly $58.7M over seven years into conservation.
That's everything for this Friday. Enjoy the weekend, Charleston. We'll be back in your inbox Monday morning.
- Ryan from All Things Charleston
How did we do this week?
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