But amidst the last decade’s gold rush around Charleston cuisine, Bertha’s shines in both its authenticity and flavor. It’s a classic soul food joint, with daily meat-and-three specials like fall-off-the-bone fried chicken, sumptuous pork chops, and collard greens that perfectly balance savory and sweet (there’s plenty sweet in the ice tea for everyone). The neighborhood is predominately African-American, and locals still line up here for lunch along with out-of-towners and Peninsula-based workers seeking Southern food done right.

One of the Charleston area's great soul food institutions, Bertha's is owned and run by sisters Julie Grant, Linda Pinckney, and Sharon Grant Coakley, who have been awarded the America's Classic prize from the James Beard Foundation for being an essential component of the community (the restaurant was opened in their mother's honor). There's almost always a line at the counter-service restaurant, but it's worth waiting for exceptional okra soup, fried pork chops, and lima beans.

North Charleston No real website, no PR team, and no pretense. This is on the short list for the best fried chicken in the state, and one of the best “not-so-secrets” in the city. A lot of people might go to another soul food restaurant named for another woman, and that’s fine, but the line at Bertha’s is always long, and it is important because it doesn’t need anything but word-of-mouth to make it one of the best.

Gullah cuisine is the bedrock of Charleston’s culinary prowess, so it’s impossible to truly say you’ve eaten in the Lowcountry without trying some. We suggest you head to Bertha’s for some lunch—and don’t forget the lima beans. This restaurant was recently declared a James Beard American Classic.

In May 2017, the James Beard Foundation recognized Bertha’s Kitchen with an America's Classic award, given to restaurants with "timeless appeal, beloved in their regions for quality food that reflects the character of their community." It has a casual ‘come-as-you-are’ atmosphere “where everyone is treated like family”. This black-family-owned restaurant was birthed by (mother) Albertha Grant (Bertha) with her award-winning soul food “of the highest order”. Bertha turned her home-cooked operation into a popular restaurant that won the hearts and appetites of the neighborhood who stand-on-line when the doors open for lunch.

Braving the long line here is part of the pilgrimage, and everybody’s in it together: construction workers, churchgoers, the lawyer from those TV ads, and now you. Bertha’s is about more than the silky okra soup, creamy mac and cheese, green beans like my granny’s, and fried pork chops (my go-to order ever since one of the owners gave me the up-down and said, “You look like it might be a pork chop day”). With its mural of Bertha herself and tables of impatient children waiting for their parents in line, Bertha’s is community across the steam table.

Spending a few post-breakfast hours there positions you for a lunch of okra soup, fried pork chops, red rice, and lima beans at Bertha’s Kitchen, a soul-food institution recently named an America’s Classic by the James Beard Foundation. You might drop by the Gullah-influenced Nana’s Seafood & Soul for something sweet. There’s no more reliable source than Kenyatta McNeil’s luncheonette for Chilly Bears, the frozen Kool-Aid treats once sold by downtown confectioners, as well as the brown sugar bars known as Chewies.

James Beard awarded while being approved by the locals, Bertha’s is run by a host of Black women who know how to make Soul Food the right way!. They are located in North Charleston but with them being so close to Downtown Charleston, they get their fair share of both “Comeyas” (aka “Come Here” aka “Not From Charleston”) and Beenyas (natives). Don’t let their accolades distract you from the fact that they have some of the best fried chicken, fried fish, and Red Rice in all of South Carolina.

Bertha’s, founded by the late Albertha Grant in 1979, serves up mouthwatering Lowcountry soul food, including fried pork chops, hamburger steak, fried chicken, yams, green beans, macaroni and cheese, rice and gravy, field peas with hocks, limas cooked with smoked turkey necks and the legendary okra soup. Bertha’s is inexpensive and informal, but every meal is prepared exactly to order. Arrive early, because the line starts forming well before the doors open at 11 am.

The winner of the James Beard Award for America’s Classic in 2017, the family-owned and operated Bertha's Kitchen has been serving up the city's best soul food in a small, no frills dining room in North Charleston since 1981. Step up to the counter to order fried chicken, oxtails, collard greens, lima beans, yams, cornbread, and other Low Country specialties. And get there early⁠—plates are first-come-first-served until they run out.

Established in 1979, iconic soul food stop Bertha’s Kitchen is known for their its chicken and fish, but what you’re really going for is the okra soup.A cousin of Creole gumbo, okra soup is stewed okra and tomatoes Everyone from famous chefs and food writers to locals and tourists make the trek to Bertha’s to take in the now-famous dishes created by the late founder Albertha Grant. 2332 Meeting Street Rd North Charleston, SC 29405

The bright purple awning and teal blue facade of this James Beard Award winner (2017 America’s Classic) may be the first things that catch your eye, but it’s the red rice, chicken necks, and okra soup that’ll make it worth your while to join the line of hungry patrons that snakes from the counter register around the restaurant’s perimeter. facebook.com, 2332 Meeting Street Rd, Charleston, SC 29405

If you’re looking for a soul food fix, there’s no better place to go than Bertha’s Restaurant in North Charleston. This family-owned restaurant has been serving up Southern comfort classics since 1979. Their menu is simple: fried chicken, collard greens, smothered pork chops, and more soul food classics like fried okra, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese.

At Bertha’s, on 2332 Meeting Street Road, you’ll get your fill of true southern soul food, even better than your grandma’s home cooking!. Don’t let its cafeteria style fool you – from the mac n’ cheese to the fried chicken and everything in between, it’s all delicious. Don’t forget the Okra soup, we hear it’s nothing short of mind-blowing.

Long noted as serving the best okra stew in town, Dennis says that while Bertha’s may fall under the term “soul food,” the kitchen does Gullah right too. And while you may not realize where Bertha’s is, you’ve likely driven past the little blue building a dozen times. Head up Meeting Street Road and you’ll find it.

Head to Bertha’s Kitchen to grab a Generous southern soul food platter on a Styrofoam plate – Better than anyone’s grandma ever made!. This inexpensive cafeteria-style restaurant serves delicious fried chicken, corn bread and the best mac and cheese we’ve ever had!. Rumor has it the okra soup will blow your mind.

This James Beard America's Classics Award winner has been serving some of the best Gullah grub around since 1980. Housed in a bright blue building, Bertha's is a landmark where folks line up for lunch and dinner plates on weekdays only. Try these: Okra soup, stewed chicken with gizzards, lima beans, purloo

For authentic southern soul food, there’s no place quite like Bertha’s Kitchen. Located on Meeting Street Road, this hidden gem reminds diners of eating at their grandmother’s house on Sunday. People rave about the chicken and homemade sides like macaroni and cheese and cornbread.

Located in Charleston's historic North Central neighborhood, Bertha's Kitchen is renowned for its authentic Gullah Geechee cuisine, including the iconic okra soup. This hearty, flavorful dish is a true taste of Charleston's rich food heritage.

Iconic soul food restaurants abound off the beaten paths in and around Charleston, so we’ll highlight just a few of the oldest, newest, and best-loved: Hannibal’s, Dave’s Carry Out, Bertha’s, and Martha Lou’s Kitchen, among others.

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (109 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)– Type of cuisine: American– Address: 2332 Meeting Street Rd, Charleston, SC 29405-6114– Read more on Tripadvisor

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (111 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Address: 2332 Meeting Street Rd, Charleston, SC 29405-6114- Read more on Tripadvisor

Albertha Grant’s legacy lives on at Bertha’s Kitchen, where you’ll find some of the best soul food in Charleston. Fried pork chops, lima beans, baked chicken, okra soup and cornbread are just a few of the staples offered.

2332 Meeting Street RdCharleston, SC 29405(843) 554-6519 Open in Google Maps. Known for its tempting soul food, this kitchen has been a fixture in North Charleston’s food scene since 1979.