For a great experience in southern cooking at affordable prices, Jestine's can't be beat! Check out the daily specials and make sure that you order some low country fare. One of the best southern cooking restaurants in the historic district.

By the time I arrived in Charleston, I was ravenous and figured since Jestine’s was right on my way to the Nathaniel Russell house, I would stop there.

I arrived about 1:30pm and when I started to go in, I was stopped by a waitress and told to form the line outside and someone would let me know when a table opened up. Thankfully, I was the first in line. When I was finally summoned into this dining kingdom, 15 minutes later, there was a line wrapping around the corner.

I was quickly seated at my table and, within a minute, my lovely waitress was ready to take my drink order. Since I had been previewing the menu, I already knew what I wanted. Like lighting she returned with tea in one hand and two cornbread sticks and butter in a basket in the other. They also had their own pickled cucumbers that were delightful.

Jestine’s serves southern favorites and comfort food. They offer such mouth-watering items as Po' Boys, meatloaf, fried chicken, ham, and plenty of seafood. They do have salads and veggies for the non meat-eaters.

I ordered the grilled turkey with provolone and fries. Since it comes with coleslaw and I hate coleslaw I asked if I could possibly have a few greens instead.

The atmosphere here is warm, cozy, and inviting much like your own home. Nothing fancy and the place is decorated with kitsch and a slew of awards and write-ups. They have been featured in everything from Southern Living to Travel & Leisure to numerous newspapers. And, yes, this is one of Rachael Ray’s stop on $40-a-Day when she was in town. If Rachael was there, then so I am!

It didn't take long for my food to arrive. This toasted sandwich included a super thick piece of turkey, a thick slice of provolone cheese, greens, topped off with warm turkey gravy. Just like Rachael says: YUM-O! At first I wasn’t sure how gravy and salad would mix well together, but I must say it was quite good. They do offer daily homemade desserts and ice cream, but my tummy was way too full to even consider it.

Jestine’s was named so for Jestine Matthews who was the housekeeper for owner, Dana Berlin’s parents. She wanted to share with everyone the wonderful home cooking of this lady who meant so much to her. I am sure Jestine would be proud.

Jestine’s is open:

Tue-Thur. 11am-9:30pm
Fri & Sat 11am–10pm
Sun. 11am-9pm.

Reservations are not accepted. Believe me it is well worth waiting in line here.

I was really anticipating a great downhome-type meal, and it was good. However, I was disappointed that cornbread was extra. You get these "cheesy" dinner rolls with your meal. The collard greens were excellent, though. The entrees were average. Our server really was not attentive. And, as you know, that can make or break a place. So average-quality food and a server with an attitude made for a less-than-satisfying experience.

You probably wouldn’t notice the place if there wasn’t a big line of people waiting outside. Jestine's Kitchen is a tiny, little corner restaurant on Meeting Street, just north of the market. They don't take reservations and the restaurant only has about 20 tables, so starting about 5pm, that line starts to snake around the building. One thing that is a little unusual is that you don't put your name on a list. When a table empties, they just go outside and fetch the next people in line. So be patient! I always meet interesting people and have a nice chat.

Jestine's has a great history. It is named after a woman named Jestine Matthews, born in the area in 1885. Jestine moved to the city around 1900 and became a housekeeper for the Ellison family. The woman who owns Jestine's today is the granddaughter of those Ellisons. She was raised with Jestine's warm heart and wonderful cooking. She actually lived to be 112 - ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE! Incredible! So don't let anyone tell you that fried chicken and mashed potatoes are bad for you.

What I love about the place is the wonderful atmosphere they have managed to create. The walls are decorated with family pictures. The tables and window sills are crammed full of kitschy salt-and-pepper shakers of all shapes and sizes. We had some near us shaped like flip-flops. I had to restrain myself from taking them, they were so great. The back of the restaurant has a big industrial fridge with pictures drawn by kids on it. It feels like you are eating in a bigger, busier version of your grandma’s kitchen. And all the servers call you "sugah" and "darling," so it really hits home.

With all that, it would be devastating if the food wasn’t wonderful, but you won’t be disappointed. Jestine’s is one of those places where I can’t decide what to get. I stare at the menu and invariably change my mind a hundred times. Everything looks so good. It is all traditional Southern soul food. They have all the basics, like fried green tomatoes ($5 for a big plate), meatloaf ($6), fried cChicken ($9), and all kinds of Low-Country seafood. One thing that I hadn’t heard of is pecan-crusted whiting ($5) – a type of mild fish. It is really good! We don’t have that in Alabama. Of course, just about everything comes with fried okra – and it’s done right, battered in corn meal, not flour. You can also get a variety of other sides, like gumbo, red rice, or wonderful mashed potatoes (all $2). For drinks, make sure to try Jestine’s "table wine" (better known as sweet tea). Or, for a real treat, get a bottle of Coke or IBC Root beer, served icy cold.

You will walk out of here with a full belly and a big smile, thanking Jestine.

We had an early dinner at a local eatery. We both had fried green tomatoes and cucumbers in vinegar. Susan had meat loaf with macaroni and cheese and green beans. I had collard greens and rice with Pecan Whiting, a fish. For dessert, it was Coca-Cola cake and coconut cream pie! Everything was great!