11 Best Entrees in Charleston under $20

This list is the best entrees you can get for under $20 a person in Charleston. I tried to hit a broad spectrum of styles of food. Reading back through the list, I think it could be better, but it is a great start. Let me know if you have anything you would like to add.

11. All American Burger from The Charleston Burger Co. in West Ashley.

I don't care how many contests the newspapers have, this is the best burger in Charleston. I am sorry, but places like Sesame just don't get it. Sure, their burgers are tasty, but there is something about a smashed patty cooked on a well-seasoned griddle, piled on a messy burger with iceberg lettuce,  melted american cheese, and a big juicy slice of tomato that is somehow hard to duplicate. Keep your "gourmet" burgers. Charleston Burger Company gets real burgers - http://charlestonburgers.com/

BTW, those are house-made chips - Perfect!

10. Chicken Tandoor from Nirlep in West Ashley.

Nirlep has a great menu, with lots of authentic Indian favorites, but their Tandoori Chicken, cooked in a real clay tandoor is next level. Whenever I go there, I always want to try a little of everything, so the Chicken Tandoor usually ends up being shared around the table. At $14.99, it is a steal, and you get so much food! The staff is kind and attentitive, genuinely nice people who know how to make good food. Check them out - http://www.nirlepsc.com/

9. Country Fried Steak and Eggs from the Boulevard Diner in Mount Pleasant.

I will not apologize for anything on this list, but I feel like I need to give this one a little qualification. It's greasy. It's terrible for you. It is just about perfect in every way. It is more food than you can get for $8.25 anywhere in Mount Pleasant. The steak has a deep crunchy batter, and the meat it perfectly tender, with eggs cooked to order and all the other southern breakfast trimmings (grits and toast). If you aren't from Charleston (or even if you are) and you spent a little too much time on King Street the on Saturday night, it would behoove you to peel yourself of the sheets on Sunday morning and hit up the Boulevard. http://www.boulevarddiners.com/boulevard

8. Pho from Pho #1 at the H&L Asian Market in North Charleston.

This is my favorite recommendation just because of the force at which surprise and delight at how good the food is hits you. I remember my first time eating at Pho #1. I had shopped at H&L many times, and glanced at the little cafe off to the side, wondering what the protocol for ordering food might be. I never seemed like anyone was at the counter, but there were always a handful of customers. One day, I crept up to the counter, and I was immediately greeted by a pleasant employee who quickly took my order. 

I got a giant bowl of Pho Nami for less than $10 including the tip. The depth of flavor and quality of the food is really spectacular - reason enough to drive to North Charleston if you happen to be in other parts of the area. Also, take some time to browse the Asian Super market when you finish - they are a great source of plenty of ingredients that are hard to find anywhere else, especially for the price. They also have a few aisles dedicated to restaurant supply, so if you ever needed a giant wok or a 40lb bag of rice, this is your place.

7. Pâté Melt at Tattooed Moose Downtown.

If you are from Charleston, then you know about Tattooed Moose and you know about the duck club. You may have even seen Guy Fieri take a big nasty duck club bite on the Food Network. But all of the Tattooed Moose food is perfect, and they do meat better than anyone. If you really want to try something peculiar, get the Pâté Melt. It is just what it sounds like, a slab of quality pâté, which yummy  cheese, right off the griddle. http://tattooedmoose.com/

Sadly... this item is no longer listed on their menu only. BRING IT BACK. #betterthanthemcrib

6. Corned Beef Hash at Ms. Roses in West Ashley.

This is my personal favorite breakfast. $10 on Ms. Rose's brunch menu. I am actually salivating right now thinking about it. Huge chunks of shredded corned beef with crispy potatoes, not that riced up stuff you get at most places, and it is topped with the best Hollandaise to ever grace an egg. You also get a side. I am always tempted to get the potatoes because they are so good, but they are already in the Hash. Get the corn. Actually, sometimes, I just get the corn. This place is amazing.

5. Barbecued Chicken from Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ in West Ashley.

It's black. It's smoked. It is phenomenal. I don't even do barbecued chicken usually. But  I had one of those "When Harry Met Sally" moments when I saw someone else carrying it to the table. You get half a smoked chicken, two huge sides, bread, and a pickle for $12.95. Real, genuine BBQ.

4. Carnitas Plate from Taco Boy Downtown.

It is so easy to get lost in the list of fun taco combinations. I think I spent my first five trips to Taco Boy working through the taco list (Braised Beef, get that one). But the tacos are not the most interesting thing on the menu. If you look down and to the left on this page (http://tacoboy.net/downloads/TBMenuUpdatedApril2015.pdf), see the blue box titled "Platos Del Taco Boy". That's your new home. Another great big pile of food for $13. Carnitas! And the food is so excellently prepared. Seriously, go with a bunch of friends who have never been to Taco Boy. Let them order their tacos and margaritas first, then order this. When the food comes out they will think you are friends with the chef.

How could you miss it??

3. Banh Mi at Butcher & Bee Downtown.

You might not get it. Their menu changes daily. If you happen to be in when they have the Banh Mi with pork belly, get it. Ignore the rest of the menu (not that it isn't usually great), and get this sandwich. Fresh herbs, tasty tender meat, crunchy baguette. Get it.

http://butcherandbee.com/

I got this image from their website. It really does look that good. Actually, this picture does not do it justice. This really is one of the best sandwiches on the eat coast.

2. Catfish Dinner at Coast Downtown.

Overall, for the money, Coast is my favorite place to eat Downtown. Overall, for the money, fried catfish is my favorite comfort food entree, and coast does it better than anyone. Crunchy breading, tender flaky flesh that falls apart in your mouth. It is truly reminiscent of the outdoor fish fries and festivals I remember from my childhood.

At $18.99 this entree falls at the higher end of our $20 budget, but it is beyond worth it. This places knows how to put together a good meal. http://www.holycityhospitality.com/coast-bar-and-grill/

1. Cassoulet from The Grocery Downtown.

$49? I know! But, the Cassoulet is a shareable dish. It comes in one of these:

I am pretty sure this is the exact Le Creuset Dutch oven the grocery uses for their Cassoulet.

Wikipedia describes the cassoulet as a rich, slow-cooked casserole originating in the south of France, containing meat (typically pork sausages, goose, duck and sometimes mutton), pork skin (couennes) and white beans (haricots blancs). It was actually a peasant's meal that has been co-opted by French Haute Cuisine. The Grocery's cassoulet includes pork sausage and duck confit and easily feeds three people. They have a pretty interesting menu and atmosphere. I will definitely do a separate write up focusing on just that experience. http://www.thegrocerycharleston.com/