South Carolina Is Home To The Best Shrimp & Grits And Here Are The 11 Places To Find Them

One of the most iconic dishes in South Carolina, originally made as a breakfast dish for fishermen and deeply rooted in history, is shrimp and grits. Grits were even named the official state food in 1976, and the earliest known shrimp and grits recipe in print was for "Breakfast Shrimp" in 1950 in the Charleston Receipts cookbook. Today, you can find a shrimp and grits dish on the menu of many restaurants all across the state of South Carolina. We've put together a list for you of some of the best places to enjoy this delicious dish.

Charleston:1. Husk

It's no surprise with the first known recipe for shrimp and grits to have appeared in a cookbook in Charleston that eight of the 11 restaurants on this list are in the Charleston area (several have additional locations). We start off with Husk, a longtime Charleston staple whose grits are milled from heirloom corn. Some say they are the best they've ever eaten. They're included in a Taste Atlas list of the best shrimp and grits in the world. Husk's menu does change frequently, so call ahead to ensure you'll be able to order the shrimp and grits if that is indeed what you want to try there.

2. Edison

Shrimp and grits at this upscale, casual spot located on James Island are served Caribbean-style with shrimp, conch, bacon, saffron-tomato gravy, and smoked Gouda grits.

3. Marina Variety Store

Family-owned and operated since the 1960s, the shrimp and grits at this seafood restaurant are a favorite menu item and come with sauteed shrimp, onions, peppers, and peasant gravy over grits. Other variations are offered featuring interesting ingredients such as fried green tomatoes, smoked sausage, or crispy alligator.

4. Poogan's Porch

Also included in the Taste Atlas list of some of the best shrimp and grits in the world, this dish at Poogan's is made with Andouille sausage, sweet onions, bell peppers, and Tasso ham gravy. This flavor combination is a winner for Charleston's oldest independent restaurant.

5. The Swamp Fox Restaurant

An award-winning dish served at this restaurant found at the Francis Marion Hotel, it's made from locally-caught shrimp, regionally local grits from Adluh Mills, located in Columbia, and with a richly flavored sauce.

6. Flying Biscuit Cafe (Locations also in Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, and Greenville)

The shrimp and grits at the Flying Biscuit Cafe has also won awards. It's made with creamy grits, white cheddar cheese, blackened shrimp, a roasted red pepper tomato sauce, and basil.

7. Page's Okra Grill (Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, Moncks Corner)

Featured on the Travel Channel, in Southern Living Magazine, and in the Taste Atlas list of some of the best shrimp and grits in the world, the Page's Okra Grill version features fried cheddar cheese grits topped with a smoked andouille sausage cream sauce, and pan seared jumbo shrimp.

8. Acme Lowcountry Kitchen (Isle of Palms)

Now Acme Lowcountry Kitchen is like a shrimp and grits heaven, offering a choice between seven different varieties! You just might have to visit every day for a week to get to try each one, raved about by customers.

9. J.R. Cash's Grill and Bar, Chapin

This is one of my personal favorites. J.R. Cash's shrimp and grits are served with peppers, onions, and andouille sauteed in a classic sauce over cheese grits. It is delicious.

10. Blue Marlin, Columbia

Shrimp and grits is the signature dish for the Blue Marlin and has also won awards. It's made from Adluh stone-ground grits topped with sautéed creek shrimp, andouille sausage, and Tasso gravy.

11. The Flipside Restaurant, Rock Hill & Fort Mill

And last but not least, another award-winning version of shrimp and grits is found at The Flipside Restaurant, made with andouille sausage, spinach, caramelized onions, charred peppers, and smoked tomatoes. Who knew you could get your greens in while eating such an incredible dish?!

I'm sure you've had delicious shrimp and grits at a restaurant not included in this list. Feel free to share with us in the comments! And if you'd like to make this dish at home, check out this wonderful cookbook with iconic dishes in South Carolina: Taste the State: South Carolina's Signature Foods, Recipes, and Their Stories.