06/12/09

What's the line about?

by aafsc

Jestine's is a Charleston institution--but one we should be embarrassed by. The food may be down-home, just like your Mom used to make (if you're from the south), but remember that Mom was not such a hot cook. All in all, the food is underseasoned to the point of being bland. I will concede that the housemade pickles they put on your table to knosh on while ordering are pretty good. But you can't order just a plate of those. Yet people do come, and wait patiently in line. Guess they have gotten used to Mom's food.

• Pros: Pickles are pretty good

03/03/09

Touristy but, rightfully so.

by Mi2SC

If you are coming to Charleston you should probably plan on going to Jestine's; It's a Charleston institution. I would certainly recommend getting there early because there is ALWAYS a line. Jestine's has excellent sweet tea and the coca-cola pie is really good!

• Pros: Fulfilling Southern Food.
• Cons: Waiting in line.

09/12/08

If you go to Charleston, go to Jestine's!!

by Travelnman1

When Southern Living Magazine features a restaurant at least 7 times, it is featured in countless publications along with spots on television shows a person would be crazy not to try the place. Well, Jestine?s lives up to all the hype! Just as every other review mentions, the southern low country food is outstanding. The service is friendly and each meal our group ordered was everything you could ask for and then some. It?s not the cheapest lunch you will ever eat; about $45.00 with tip for three. However, we could have skipped dinner after filling ourselves with amazing food (but in Charleston, that would be a sin). Yes, there will be a wait, and yes the wait will be outside on the side of the building, and yes it will be hot. You won?t melt; you won?t starve while you wait and you will not be disappointed! Just go! It?s worth the wait, it?s worth the money and you won?t forget the food.

• Pros: Food lives up to everything you read. Fun place to eat.
• Cons: It's a busy place, you are going to wait.

05/07/08

Great Service, Great Food, and Great Prices!

by coastiegirl

I came across this restuarant after watching a Food Network Show "$40 A Day". The food was fantastic and the service displayed true southern hospitality. My fiance and I went for dinner during the week, so there wasn't much of a wait. I ordered the veggie plate with fried okra, macaroni and cheese, and green beans and my fiance had the fried chicken plate with macaroni. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Everytime I'm in Charleston I always eat here at least once.

• Pros: The food and the service.
• Cons: None

04/13/08

Good Home Cooking

by mdbelle

I work downtown in the tourism industry and whenever someone asks where to go for good southern food, I send them straight to Jestine's. I have never had a bad meal there --- the sweet tea is amazing, food is wonderful, and the servers could not be more helpful. My only complaint is that I never have room for dessert! Of course, you can always take a wonderful slice of cake to go...

• Pros: Good service, good pricing, wonderful food
• Cons: The wait is a little long

03/26/08

Incredibly good.

by letitfly

This place is a treasure. The waitress and service was the best I have ever had, anywhere, and I eat out 3 - 5 nights a week. The food was delicious, the price low.

The only negative is the small size and the confusion caused by the line being outside but that is well balanced by the food and service.

I think the one bad review is a hack job by a competitor.

In the future, every trip to Charleston will include a few meals here.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: I can't eat there often.

12/19/07

Comfort Food

by topsyturvy

Hi Ya'll...Jestine's is to die for. Mouth watering, finger-licking good...yum yum!! So ya gotta wait in line a little...ain't so bad 'cept in this northern freeze someone dumped on the south. Ya'll be good now and head on over to Jestine's for some corn fritters and fried chicken. Oh and the free cucs are fab. Love, love, love this place.

• Pros: Coke cola cake...yummy!!!!
• Cons: Toilet seat was a little cold

10/14/07

Wonderful Home Cooked Southern Food

by lsemerson

My husband & I ate lunch at Jestine's while in Charleston for our 5th Anniversary. As we were seated our waitress brought a dish of sliced cucumbers. What a refreshing treat! We ordered an appetizer of fried green tomatoes which tasted fabulous! We went on a Friday and I ordered the Blue Plate Special which was Fried Flounder. The flounder was hot, crispy, fresh and delicious. It came with two vegetables. I ordered fried okra & collard greens. The okra and collard greens tasted like what my mom and grandma make today. WOW! Out of this world & full of flavor! My husband ordered the seafood platter with fried white fish, shrimp and oysters. They were also piping hot, fresh and delicious. For dessert we shared a piece of the chocolate Coca-Cola cake. Please don't miss out on this treat! This was our favorite meal for the entire trip!

• Pros: Good Home Cooked Food, owner named restaurant after lady who helped raise her
• Cons: Had to wait in line outside, small restaurant

03/23/06

Wow!

by tammystravls

My husband and I heard about this place and wanted to try it out. It is kinda weird that you wait outside for a table but definately worth it! The warmth of the staff was terrific and the food was so great that while my husband was in a meeting I came back by myself another day on our trip. I felt guilty dining by myself but the staff was great. They gave me a newspaper that highlighted the area's shopping to read while I waited. Don't miss the pie!

• Pros: Down home , Best Pies!

02/15/06

A lowcountry Must

by audiness

Take a quick stroll from the tourist-laden maket street to dine in an old-fashioned lowcountry atmosphere. The furnishings and decor are fun and casual, the wait staff was timely and courteous. Their menu features many lowcountry favorites, my mouth waters just thinking about the coca-cola cake.

A must when in Charleston.

• Pros: Casual atmosphere, Lowcountry flavor, Delicious deserts
• Cons: can be busy, croweded dining room