Shrimp and grits are the Lowcountry’s signature dish—and with good reason. Mount Pleasant’s shrimp boats deliver the freshest shellfish daily and some of the South’s best grits are milled right here in South Carolina.

It’s an easy dish to find in Mount Pleasant; almost every restaurant has it on their menu, many with their own spin on the standard. Next time the craving for shrimp and grits hits, be sure to try these outside-the-box takes on this Mount Pleasant standby.

Five Shrimp and Grits in Mount Pleasant

 

1. Page’s Okra Grill (302 Coleman Blvd.)

If the texture of a bowl of creamy grits isn’t your thing, Page’s shrimp and grits may be the perfect twist on the classic dish. The creamy, rich grits aren’t soupy, they’re crispy. Local shrimp in a smoked Andouille cream sauce are served over battered and fried cheddar grit cakes. The flavors are traditional, but no spoon is required. Website.

 

Shrimp and Grits at Page’s Okra Grill

 

2. Shem Creek Bar & Grill (508 Mill Street)

The kitchen at local favorite Shem Creek Bar & Grill turns up the heat on a classic. Their Dirty Shrimp ‘n Grits is perfect for those who aren’t afraid of some spice. Tender shrimp are simmered with spicy bacon and Cajun sausage in a rich brown gravy and served over creamy stone ground grits. Be sure to order a cold beer to cool down. Website.

 

The Dirty Shrimp ‘n Grits at Shem Creek Bar & Grill

 

3. Charleston’s Café (1039 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.) 

Breakfast at Charleston’s Café offers two different takes on the standard: a traditional version and Shrimp and Grits 2.0. Their original Shrimp & Grits features grilled shrimp atop grits with bacon, scallions, cheddar, and tomato cream sauce with eggs. Their Shrimp & Grits 2.0 puts shrimp, bacon, cheddar, and scallions on a fried grit cake, then tops it all with crab cakes, eggs, and tasso gravy. Whichever you pick, you can’t go wrong. Website.

 

Shrimp and Grits 2.0 at Charleston’s Cafe

 

4. Grace & Grit (320 Wingo Way, Suite 100) 

For a restaurant whose menu is built around grits, it’s no surprise that Grace & Grit has quickly become a grit-lover’s paradise. From sweet to savory, Grace & Grit has taken a southern staple and added their creative flair to create an array of flavor and styles to suit even the most discerning palate. Rest assured, their take on shrimp and grits is no exception.  Shrimp are cooked with tasso ham, bell peppers, tomatoes, sweet onions, and red eye gravy and served over smoked gouda grits. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but when the standard is this good, there’s no need to. Website.

 

Shrimp and Grits at Grace & Grit

 

5. SOL Southwest Kitchen (1101 Stockade Lane) 

SOL serves up a South by Southwest take on shrimp grits—a version that’s spicy and smoky and definitely not the dish your grandmother made. Shrimp are served in a creamy chipotle sauce on roasted poblano and smoked gouda grit cakes. Think decadent with just the right touch of spice and you’ll get the picture. Believe us when we way say, this is one take on shrimp and grits that will leave you hungry for more. Website.

 

Shrimp and Grits at SOL Southwest Kitchen

 

Once you’ve eaten your fill of shrimp and grits, go explore some of our favorite live music spots in Mount Pleasant!

 

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