Look at a map of the United States. See North Carolina? We’re on the coast, right? You’d think that meant I’d be able to find decent seafood. Sadly, no. I can’t find a decent seafood meal to save my life. Granted, Chez Polka Dot is smack-dab in the middle of the state, so maybe the seafood can’t travel that far inland on their little legs and fins. So I was excited to think I’d get a good seafood meal in Charleston.
I scored.
One of the things on my “to do” list for our visit was to try shrimp and grits. I’m going to be completely honest here: As a Yankee, the concept of grits just seems so…gritty. I like texture in my food, but not something that tastes like sand. And I like shrimp, but the idea of mixing the two just sounded weird.
Wrong! We went to Poogan’s Porch, an adorable little restaurant right in downtown Charleston. It’s named after a Poogan, a pooch who loved the porches of downtown. (Not kidding.) All the locals said, “You want shrimp and grits? You’ve GOT to go to Poogan’s.” You wouldn’t think a place named after a dog would be hot, but it is. Here in NC, there’s a hot dog place called Snoopy’s, for example. There’s always a line out the door.
Anyhoo. Got the shrimp and grits at Poogan’s. In a word:
Yow. Za.
I was absolutely blown away. If all grits taste like that, call me a convert. Creamy, spicy, with Vidalia onion, tender shrimp, sausage…all lovingly smothered with a crab sauce and two poached eggs nestled on top. UnREAL. Get there. Try it. Tell me you’re in love, too.
Can’t get to Charleston right away? You’re in luck! I found the recipe online at Food Network. Try it. Tell me you’re in love, too.
That sounds like the delicious shrimp and grits that we enjoyed at “The Post Office” restaurant in Edisto Beach. The texture was so silky, it just melted in your mouth.
Hmm…we may have to do a throw-down shrimp and grits challenge…