Our taste-and-tell guide to some of the latest food-and-beverage openings in Charleston
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
Sure, you could fill up on pit standards such as pulled pork, sliced brisket, spare ribs, or Memphis dry rub wings at this West Tennessee whole hog, family-friendly, outpost on James Island. But the menu’s outliers are the hidden gems. Get the “Redneck Taco” (so beloved, it’s trademarked), especially satisfying in its crispy fried catfish iteration, served atop a sweet cornmeal hoecake and smothered with Jack Creek sauce and slaw. The Farmer’s Salad (a generous serving of smoked chicken and a rainbow of crunchy veg) along with stellar sides, such as the hickory-infused baked beans, are bold choices that pay off in flavor. If you’re feeling extra daring, try the habanero-spiked Devil’s Nectar, one of the many house pitmaster sauces worth a drizzle. martinsbbqjoint.com
Hokkaido
For a town that champions its bounty of fresh fish, Charleston’s contingent of reliable sushi restaurants is surprisingly skimpy. Hokkaido, in the WestEdge development, is unlike its namesake (a wild, northern Japanese island), with decor bracingly low-frills in a diminutive space; but the fare is on point, as is the service. Start with the hamachi kama (broiled yellowtail collar), tender and succulent, best eaten as unadorned as possible (a squeeze of lemon). Follow with the spicy scallop or shrimp tempura rolls, which are among an armada of maki options that satisfy both elaborate and simple cravings. Udon soups and hibachi entrées offer filling options for those drawn to warmer fare. And though takeout might support a majority of Hokkaido’s operations, dining in has its perks; your requisite matcha ice cream scoops will provide a perfect denouement to a casual night out. hokkaidosushihibachi.com
