Shrimp Gate + Farm-to-Table Café with no Frills

Looking for a no-frills, local favorite that tourists often overlook? These are the under-the-radar spots where you’ll get real value for your money.

🍺Gene’s Haufbrau

Gene’s, located in West Ashely’s Avondale neighborhood, has been a Charleston staple for over 70 years and has been voted West Ashley’s Best Bar for more than 25 consecutive years. A true dive at heart, you’ll find cheap drinks, sports on TV, pool tables, and classic bar games. The menu is straightforward, but the quality stands out. Their chicken tenders are genuinely some of the best I’ve had. If you’re looking for a laid-back night at one of Charleston’s oldest dive bars, Gene’s delivers. Check out their website to see the ambiance and food menu.

🍅Stono Market & Tomato Shed Cafe

If you want real Lowcountry farm-to-table without the fluff, head to the Tomato Shed Café on Johns Island. The Ambrose family has been farming and shrimping here for decades, and it shows in the food. Think roast pork, barbecue, tomato pie, collards, butter beans, and fresh local shrimp, all served up in a no-frills, come-as-you-are setting. It’s the kind of place where locals catch up over sweet tea and you’re reminded why simple Southern cooking never goes out of style. Check out their menu here.

Charleston Wine + Food (More Info) · 3/4-3/8 · Prices vary by event · five-day culinary celebration showcasing top chefs, winemakers, and local restaurants through tastings, dinners, and immersive food experiences across the Lowcountry.

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party + Parade (More Info) · 3/14 · FREE · parade, live music, street vending and fare from Olde North Charleston restaurants, and much more.

Cooper River Bridge Run (More Info) · 3/28 · $60 · annual 10K run that starts in Mount Pleasant, crosses the Ravenel Bridge, and finishes in downtown.

Low Country Street Grocery (More Info) · 11am-4pm · Guggenheim Terrace, Daniel Island · FREE · A one-stop mobile marketplace featuring 90+ vendors, where you can grab local produce and goods from farmers and artisans in Charleston.

2026 Summerville Book Festival (More Info) · 6:30pm · James F Dean Theatre, Summerville · FREE · Features multiple author stages and literary events across town, including paid bestseller sessions and free community programs, signings, and workshops at venues throughout Summerville.

Monuments by Craig Walsh (More Info) · 8:30-10pm · Gaillard Center, Downtown · FREE · A free outdoor installation that transforms trees into illuminated portraits of Charleston community members, reimagining what a public monument can be.

Motown Throwdown (More Info) · 9pm · Wind Jammer, Isle of Palms · $10 · High-energy Charleston-based soul band rooted in the Motown tradition, delivering powerhouse vocals, tight funk grooves, and crowd-moving performance.

Sea + Sand Festival (More Info) · 10am-4pm · Main Street, Folly Beach · $10 · Center Street will be closed as Folly vendors, restaurants, and bars take over the street with local bands, 80+ art, craft, and fashion vendors, and a robust kids area.

Eat, Drink, Rescue (More Info) · 12-4pm · Estuary Beans & Barley, Johns Island · FREE · Head out to John's Island for an afternoon of fun with live music, food, brews, and adoptable dogs.

Vendor Fair at Frothy Beard (More Info) · 12-5pm · Frothy Beard Brewing, West Ashley · FREE · Shop local artisans and craft makers while enjoying brews from Frothy Beard.

The Sixties Show (More Info) · 8pm · Charleston Music Hall, Downtown · $65 · award-winning Off-Broadway production that delivers a high-energy, multimedia journey back to the 1960s with recreations of iconic hits.

Holy City Book Fest (More Info) · 11am-3pm · Holy City Brewing, North Charleston · FREE · Featuring local authors and books for all ages right at the taproom.

Crosswords & Croissants (More Info) · 12-5pm · Philosophers & Fools, Downtown · FREE · Specialty menu of mimosas and croissant sandwiches with jazz on the speakers and complimentary crossword puzzles.

Teddy Bear Picnic (More Info) · 1:30-4pm · Hampton Park, Downtown · FREE · Families are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animals and enjoy crafts, storytelling, and games inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar in one of Charleston’s most beautiful parks.

🚧River Road will temporarily close on weekends starting Friday, Feb 27 at 7 PM. The closure runs between Brownswood Rd and Main Rd from Friday at 7 PM to Monday at 6 AM, and will continue over multiple weekends. Crews are replacing a culvert as part of the U.S. 17 and Main Road improvements. Drivers will be detoured to Brownswood Rd or Old Pond Rd, but local access will remain for residents.

🥦Charleston City Council approved a settlement with Clemson University that clears the way to demolish the historic West Ashley vegetable laboratory, a 1936 USDA research building on Savannah Highway. Council’s vote overturns a Jan. 5 Design Review Board decision that had denied Clemson’s demolition request in a 4-2 vote and instead asked for a stabilization plan. Why it matters: The council’s action now raises broader questions about how Charleston balances historic preservation and community character with institutional development, and whether powerful property holders can override local design protections.

🦐South Carolina lawmakers are considering mandatory shrimp country-of-origin labeling under House Bill 4248, which would require all shrimp sold in the state, including at restaurants, to list where it was caught. The push follows “Shrimpgate” in Charleston, where genetic testing found roughly 90 percent of restaurants tested were serving imported shrimp while implying it was local, and new testing in Myrtle Beach showing about 75 percent of spots sampled were selling imported farm-raised shrimp. Supporters say the bill would protect consumers and help level the playing field for South Carolina shrimpers.

🏢Patriot’s Point is getting a new a apartment complex, Grand Lawn, a 4.8-acre mixed-use development featuring two four-story buildings with nearly 54,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and dining, plus one- and two-bedroom apartments above. Plans also include a 26,000-square-foot central lawn for community gatherings. Local take: While Charleston clearly needs more housing, adding density in this area will likely increase traffic in an already crowded corridor, and with projected pricing, these units may still be out of reach for many local residents.

🕰️Vintage Estate Sale near Colonial Lake (More Info)
When: Fri & Sat 8:30am-1pm; Sun 8:30am-3pm
Where: 16 Trumbo St, Charleston, SC 29401

Hosted inside a historic Charleston home near Colonial Lake, this estate sale features timeless artwork, valuable antiques, distinctive furniture, vintage Givenchy women’s clothing, fine jewelry, and highly sought-after china. Set in one of downtown Charleston’s most prominent neighborhoods, it’s a rare opportunity to acquire unique pieces at prices well below typical market and resale value.

That’s everything I’ve got for this weekend. Thanks for being part of this community and showing up for local spots around Charleston.

Reminder - I won’t be sending an issue on Monday, but keep an eye out for next Friday’s edition!

- Ryan from All Things Charleston

Search Properties for Sale or Find Your Home Valuation:
michelle.charlestonhomeguides.com

Michelle Wells, REALTOR
843.607.3621
[email protected]