Bailey and I tried a new soul food restaurant, Craves Soul Food, the other night–it was very good. It’s right at the end of the Cooper River Bridge on North Meeting. In talking to one of the owners, the idea grew from a huge inauguration party thrown by several families in North Charleston where everyone raved about the food, which led to catering, and which led to them pooling their money to start the new place. They use their family recipes and serve about seven different meats each night along with a number of different sides.

On our visit to Craves Soul Food, we tried the fried chicken and fried pork chops plus sides of mac and cheese, sausage and red rice, and yams. There were corn puffs served ahead of the meal (chewy and corned filled) and great cornbread with the meal.

The pork chop was very good–briny, and tender. The fried chicken had an excellent coating/skin and when we noted to the very friendly owner that the white meat was a little dry, within minutes we had another piping out (and succulent) piece. The mac and cheese was particularly good–very cheesy, with a little tang, and penne noodles–that alone was worth the trip.

Definitely plan to go back and try the other meats and sides and would consider them for catering.