Business Travel Fun Guide - Unbiased Travel Reviews and Travel Tips - Home of the Best of BTF Award

Jestine's Kitchen is a well known, somewhat famous, Restaurant located on Meeting Street in Downtown Charleston, SC. Jestine Matthews, the child of a Native American woman and the son of a freed slave inspire the Restaurant name and the food served at Jestine's Kitchen. Jestine died in 1997 when she was 112 years old. The Restuarant is very popular, and often there is a line on the corner of folks waiting to be seated. Jestine's Kitchen 's has been featured in many magazines including Oprah Winfrey's "Oh", "Southern Living", and "Delta Sky Magazine." Rachael Ray has also visted Jestine's Kitchen.

Jestine's Kitchen is a tiny Country Style Mom & Pop Restaurant that offers Country Style entrees. There slogan is "Southern Food with lots of Soul." The Menu at Jestine's Kitchen includes "Greens" which is a Salad that comes with mixed Baby Greens, and "What got picked this morning." There is a variety of Sandwiches such as Grilled Turkey with Provolone, Jes's Meatloaf, Pecan Fried Whiting, Fried Shrimp Po Boy, and a BLFGT (Bacon, Lettuce, & Fried Green Tomato). There are also basket Entrees including Fried Oyster, Fried Chicken, and Fried Shrimp. Plate Entrees include Meatloaf, Fried Pork Chop, Fried Chicken, and they offer a different Blue Plate Special each day.

When we visited Jestine's Kitchen I ordered the Meatloaf, and Cheryl ordered the Fried Chicken. The food was absolutely Southern and wonderful. The Meatloaf is prepared in an interesting way. It is baked and then fried in brown gravy. It was delicious. The Fried Chicken was excellent too. The crust was crispy very tasty. The entrees come with a serving of sweet pickle slices and Cornbread, and a choice of two sides. I had the Collard Greens and Black Eyed Peas. Cheryl got the Collard Greens too, and the Okra Gumbo. The Collard Greens were excellent and obviously fresh.

I recommend Jestine's Kitchen in Downtown Charleston, SC for a tasty Southern Cooked meal. Be prepared to wait though.