The March Hit List: Estadio, The Daily, Big John’s, and More

It’s hard to decide what might be better here — the drinks or the food — so order a variety of both, from different versions of gin-tonics (no “and” in these Spanish cocktail staples) to a seasonally rotating selection of tapas including trumpet mushrooms, skewers of olives and anchovies, and a beef-and-pork meatball. The setting is lively, the dining room open so the kitchen action is the show, and happy hour includes a $10 cider porron to get the party started just in time.

For two nights only, March 5 and 6, the oft-lauded off-menu Royale with Cheese makes its return to Zero George. More than a “Pulp Fiction” movie reference, and a sandwich that scoffs at the term “burger,” this wagyu beef labor of love will come out of hiding with a bevy of bourbon. Sip barrel proofs, rare expressions, old bottles, and plenty more Kentucky surprises alongside one of the best bites of beef you’ll ever have on the Charleston peninsula, inside a steakhouse or out of it. 

Originally opened in 1955, Big John’s was known for bras hanging in the rafters and plenty of beer-swilling Citadel students during its heyday, but it closed, then converted to something else, then rose from the ashes like a phoenix. Its website “ilovebjs.com” recalls its more raucous past, but these days, there’s more burrata salad than beer-drinking contests. That’s fine with us, because there’s also a country-fried steak with white pepper gravy — a dish that soothes the ills from our own late-night shenanigans — and plenty of sandwiches, fries, and other comfort foods, along with a wide selection of bar beverages. 

Coffee? Check. Salads? Oh yes. And killer chocolate chip cookies? Definitely. Brought to Charleston by the Butcher & Bee folks, The Daily is a stop in, pick up, or conversely, settle in and set up breakfast and lunch spot. There are healthy salads and beverages in the takeaway case, made-to-order sandwiches and specials (don’t sleep on the bacon breakfast sandwich), chilled wine, and gifts, coffee, and snacks. It’s much more matcha latte and tabbouli salad than Lowcountry shrimp and grits, and it’s a local mainstay. 

In the heart of the historic peninsula, just a short walk from the City Market, is Poogan’s Smokehouse, where cast iron skillet cornbread and smoky pulled pork can be enjoyed inside or at cafe tables on the street for prime people-watching. It’s all about the protein here, cooked slow and smoky, from brisket to pork to ribs, all available in tray combos in generous portions, especially when ordered with mac ‘n’ cheese and collards. Finish the fun with a triple chocolate brownie, then join a walking tour, satiated and ready to work off some calories. 

The OG P&W is on James Island, but the buzz is for its newest brother up in North Charleston. A former bank space-turned-bourbon vault has become a favorite new Park Circle hangout spot, and there’s no need to just drink and run. Go for broiled oysters with your boilermaker, or a burger and fries with bearnaise with your beer, and make sure and say hello to Charleston industry veteran Caroline Woodruff behind the bar. She serves all with a smile and along with her staff, can easily handle the crowds clamoring for all the drinks and foods on a weekend night.

There’s not a bad seat in the house at Mill Street Tavern, where sunset views of Shem Creek and the Ravenel Bridge flood social media on the regular. Menu-wise, there is a little something for everyone here, from sushi and Parmesan-truffle fries, to bang bang shrimp or hot chocolate churros for brunch. The takeaway from both the views and the variety is this: Mill Street is a bring your friends, sip on Shem Creek kind of spot, especially as weather warms up and the days get longer. 

Early March always makes The Ordinary one of the hottest reservations in town, because that is when visiting chefs and food journalists descend on the Holy City for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. It’s a darling of food folks because it hits on all fronts: service, design, drinks, and of course, perfectly sourced, respectfully prepared seafood. The bar is a wonderful place to mingle and mix and sip from an impressive collection of rum, the seafood is exceptional as well as an education in sense of place, and almost no patron leaves without sampling a crispy oyster slider. 

Don’t look for a sign, but do follow your nose to this neighborhood pizza parlor that’s been slinging pies for more than a decade. They know good, chewy, pillowy crust, they know generous toppings, and they know that to keep customers and the business happy, it helps to have a sense of humor about it all. There’s the Get Gnarly with olive oil, spinach, and balsamic chicken, another pie with jalapeños and bacon, and plenty of traditional pepperoni and Meat Lovers options too. Pro tip: They deliver to the peninsula, so if you’re staying in an Airbnb in the ‘hood, you can really live like a local.

Wednesday through Sunday, sit back and let the chefs decide. Located in the Pacific Box Crate development on King Street extension, chefs Kazu Murakami and Chris Schoedler offer a nightly omakase experience that starts at $80. Reservations are required, and we suggest that you make them early, because many Charleston chefs love settling in for this special kind of dinner on their nights off, so you’ll have plenty of in-the-know competition for your seats. And what do they know? That the attention to detail is exceptional, the seafood superbly fresh, and the chefs are inventive and wonderful hosts.