Our taste-and-tell guide to some of the latest food-and-beverage openings in Charleston
KinFolk
Although Popeyes might be the Internet’s reigning fried chicken sandwich king, John’s Island’s KinFolk—with its Nashville-style hot breast paired with pickles on a Hawaiian bun—is a worthy Lowcountry contender for Best in Show. You can go sans bun, too, by choosing one of five variations of the crispy, dry-spiced bird (from classic leg-and-thigh to wing or tender). Temper the heat with sides such as Greek yogurt cucumber, citrusy corn, or veg-forward potato salads. Tack on the sticky fish sauce-slicked pork ribs, smoked in-house, for good measure. Wash it all down with a local brew or a round of funky orange wine. Service hiccups (frazzled during peak hours) are forgiven with dessert: soft serve dappled with Fruity Pebbles, matcha, or sprinkles galore. @kinfolkchs
Spanglish Cocina + Bar
Hot pink and cerulean hues, along with tropical tipples by the Dalila’s team, will channel you to Cuba by way of Miami at this new gem on St. Andrews Boulevard. Sometimes staple dishes are the most telling barometer for quality. At Spanglish, the sofrito-deepened black beans and bay leaf-scented white rice are sublime. Try those with the lechon asado (pork shoulder marinated in lime juice and garlic, roasted to perfection). But start with the crunchy empanadas, filled with caper-flecked picadillo and served with cilantro-lime aioli. Dishes range from traditional (ropa vieja, tostones) to Southern-inspired riffs (country ham croquetas or local catch of the day), although you can’t go wrong with their peerless Cubano. High-octane cafecitos and the Florida key lime cheesecake will have you saying, “Que rico!” by meal’s end. Spanglishcubankitchen.com
