Bertha's Kitchen

Coordinates: 32°50′17″N 79°57′39″W / 32.8381°N 79.9607°W / 32.8381; -79.9607
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Bertha's Kitchen
Map
Restaurant information
CityCharleston
StateSouth Carolina
CountryUnited States

Bertha's Kitchen is a restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. The restaurant was in 2017 named one of America's Classics by the James Beard Foundation.

History[edit]

The restaurant was founded by Albertha Grant in 1980 or 1981 after her son bought a small motel and asked her to start a restaurant in it.[1][2][3]

The restaurant is located in Charleston's Union Heights neighborhood on North Meeting Street.[1][4] It is decorated with family portraits by a local muralist and family friend.[1][2] It is located a few miles north of downtown.[5]

Menu[edit]

The menu is influenced by Gullah cuisine and includes fried chicken, fried pork chops, fried whiting, red rice, stewed chicken neck with gizzards, lima beans, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and corn bread.[1][6][2] Travel+Leisure called the gumbo soup a "must-try" Charleston dish.[7] Jane and Michael Stern call out the lima beans.[8] Multiple commenters call out the fried chicken.[9][10]

Ownership[edit]

Grant died in 2007.[2] As of 2017 the owners were Grant's daughters, Julia Grant, Linda Pinckney, and Sharon Coakley.[1] In 2022, in the fallout from the COVID pandemic, the family put the building on the market, citing pandemic-related staffing issues. Their intention was to relocate to a smaller location.[6]

Recognition[edit]

In 2017 the restaurant was named by the James Beard Foundation as one of America's Classics.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Bertha's Kitchen". James Beard Foundation. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  2. ^ a b c d Quinn, Chase (2018-06-06). "Inside the Lunch Rush at Bertha's Kitchen, a Soul Food Institution". Bon Appétit. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  3. ^ "The Best Fried Chicken in America". Eater. 2022-06-29. Archived from the original on 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  4. ^ Bentley, Rosalind (10 March 2020). "Gullah Magic in Charleston, South Carolina". Southern Living. Archived from the original on 2022-12-14. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  5. ^ Douglas, Deborah D. (2021). Moon U.S. civil rights trail : a traveler's guide to the people, places, and events that made the movement. Inc Recorded Books. [Place of publication unknown]. pp. 28, 34, 52. ISBN 978-1-64049-917-1. OCLC 1162341075.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ a b Perkins, Erin (2022-03-10). "Charleston Famed Institution Bertha's Kitchen Is for Sale [Updated]". Eater Carolinas. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  7. ^ "This South Carolina Destination Was Just Named the No. 1 City in the U.S. by T+L Readers — Here's Why". Travel + Leisure. Archived from the original on 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  8. ^ "Bertha's Kitchen - Charleston, SC | Review & What to Eat". Roadfood. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  9. ^ "This Is South Carolina's Best Hole-In-The-Wall Fried Chicken Joint". 103.5 WEZL. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  10. ^ McCreless, Patrick (11 February 2023). "SC has 1 of the best fried chicken restaurants in the South, new ranking shows". The State.

Further reading[edit]

32°50′17″N 79°57′39″W / 32.8381°N 79.9607°W / 32.8381; -79.9607