This was a whole experience. We were in Charleston Saturday night through Wednesday afternoon and Bertha's is only open Wednesday through Saturday til 5pm. So we took an Uber there on our way to the airport, luggage and backpacks and all. The line was to the door. Most people get their food to go but there are a handful of tables in the dining room. We parked ourselves and our bags at one by the front wall and settled in for our fried porkchops and fried chicken, lima beans, cabbage, red rice, mac and cheese, and corn bread. And while we waited for our food, one of the kitchen staff walked around passing out free frozen punch. It was good! This was the perfect choice for our last meal in Charleston. We were in and out in 45 minutes, full and satisfied. The only thing is we are still confused about pricing. We think there was an error because somehow we paid $29 for one meal and $19 for the other. Can't be right...but we didn't have time to sort all that out. Pay it forward. read more

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Inside a vibrant blue building is Bertha's, a soul food establishment that is not to be missed if you are in the Charleston area. Its small, and set up cafeteria style. You order, they plate it, you pay and either take it to go or to sit in the small dining area. Service is very quick and efficient, and you can tell there are a lot of regulars who come here because the staff joked and laughed with them as they waited in line. Speaking of the line, it moved fast but while we were there a woman came around with a tray and offered little cups of brightly colored something. I chose red and was delighted to see it was a frozen punch, red is cherry. My friend got orange and he said it was like a mango or peach flavor. I ordered the fried chicken, with cabbage and red rice. The cabbage was absolute fire, it was so tender and delicious. The red rice was good, but a bit on the dry side. I feel like had I been there when a fresh pan was brought out it would have been a lot better. The fried chicken was perfectly cooked and had a flaky crust but it needed salt and the tables did not provide any. I would come back, there are so many other things I would love to try and this place is busy for a reason. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Fried Chicken, Red rice, cabbage - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

Food was delicious. Quick service! Original sitting area clean but who cares about decorated area when the food is sooo good! 10 out of 10 every time we are visiting Charleston read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Fried pork chop, candid yams, green beans & corn bread - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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If you want authentic then you gotta get up in it! Bertha's is the soul food spot for you to make a stop. I came straight from the airport. A short drive. The outside is unassuming but the inside is booming! The line was backed up to the door. The sweet tea was SWEET!!! A bit too sweet for me but when in South Carolina... drink sweet tea. The red rice is also a staple of South Carolina. So get it. It was good and they give a big portion. The fried fish was on point. It was 3 big pieces. The Mac and cheese was very good as was the corn bread. Although there were a lot of people, the food was served in a timely manner. When the locals are waiting in line then that's enough data for me! read more

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Best food I've ever had at a food truck. B's Soul Creations, Breakfast and Brunch. Good service and great food. I will definitely go back the next time I'm in town. read more

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I was visiting from out of state. I had a carry out, I enjoyed my food. Most people carry out their food. It is a small place. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Chicken wings, red rice and butter beans. - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

The food was tasty and fresh! I enjoyed every morsel of my meal. Loved it! I also ordered a fried stuffed crab! Out of this world! Seasoned to perfection and the ambiance in the restaurant very friendly and made to feel like you were eating at home! Thank you for the experience! read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Bertha's Kitchen sign - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Ahhh I will dream of this fried chicken every day until I have it again. The 5 stars is 100% for the food. I visited Charleston and looked up where to get fried chicken and came across this place. It did not disappoint. Highly recommend coming here! This is definitely a no frills place - hole in the wall, dust in every nook & cranny, questionable levels of stickiness on the tables.... But the 5 stars is solely for the food. Came for lunch on the weekend and anticipated a very long line of tourists, but the line was short and it seemed to all be locals (which is always a great sign!) You order at the front. There's a few tables upstairs & downstairs. The fried chicken was soooo succulent and savory and flavorful. And it's MASSIVE. Skin was super crispy too. The sides were all good. Side portions are fairly small, but the chicken is massive & meal comes with cornbread so you will leave full. For sides I got: yams, mac and cheese, green beans, & corn. Enjoyed all but my favorite were the yams & mac and cheese. We also got the red rice which was delicious. We also tried the fried pork chop with gravy. Sooo flavorful. Recommend all of it! read more

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Tried Bertha's Kitchen and loved it! I had collards, white rice, macaroni & cheese, and cornbread. The mac & cheese was cheesy and delicious, and the collards were seasoned to perfection. Everything tasted like real soul food, and the wait wasn't long at all. Definitely worth the visit! read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Collards, white rice, macaroni, and cornbread - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

Came for lunch (they are only open 11-5) and it was fine, but I honestly don't understand the great ratings. Chicken was good, tender, but nothing that blew my socks off. Collards were fine, but I found better elsewhere in the city. Okra soup was very tomato heavy. Cornbread tasted basic, could have easily been a mix. It was an offbeat location too. Personally I would stick with the more downtown restaurants and skip this one. Prices were very reasonable though. I think our lunch for two, with plenty of food was $25. Service was quick. Tables were dirty, most people do takeout it appeared. read more

I was the only Non-Black customer for the first 20 minutes of my visit, so I knew the food here was going to be awesome! I came at 2pm Friday, but there was still steady flow of customers, sometimes up to 10 people waiting! Friendly staff all around, a young teenage gal greeted with a free frozen koolaid slushy. I ordered the Fried Fish, which they bread and deep fry for you fresh! It was 3 medium large pieces of moist tender whiting fish, covered in a crispy batter with nice seasonings, so sauce required! My first time eating red rice...it was great! As was the mac n cheese and collard greens. With a lemonade, it all came to $20 including tax. 90% of the customers seemed to taking their food to go...Ambiance is lacking with older furniture and they are remodeling. Also no air conditioning. So I can't quite give it 5 stars overall. But the food is great and a good value! read more

People say come here for the fried chicken, TRUST THE PEOPLE. The menu is a bit hard to understand what things cost (just chicken is 3.50). Got an order of a chicken with the sides of okra soup and rice with Lima beans. The okra soup was sticky and had a more acidic taste from the tomatoes and helped cut out some bitter taste of okra. The Lima beans over rice was good, but not a must get imo (I just don't like beans that much). I finished everything...and I knew exactly what I had to do next. I went up to line and ordered another chicken. The chicken skin is so crispy and thin, I don't like fried chicken when the breading is too thick, and this was just so right. Then once you break through the skin, you get met with this piping hot moist meat and you remember this is how fried chicken should be done. This is no frills, and what I love is that it's all locals that come here and even at random times (I came at 3pm). What I don't love is the location and parking, but I love how it's stuck with its roots and not tried to be anything it's not. You have to come here! read more

Bertha's Kitchen - fried chicken and rice in a styrofoam container - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

Best lima beans I ever ate. (And I've eaten a LOT of limas.) Best collard greens I ever ate, & I'm usually very fussy about collards. The cornbread was sweet, but not overly so. The green beans were perfect, as was the okra soup ( = "okra & tomatoes" back home in NC). The iced tea was excellent as well. The building is nothing fancy, but the food was divine. I totally understand why this place won a James Beard award. The ladies behind the counter were polite & pleasant. Note- the cabbage was not quite to my taste (a bit sweet, for me) although I know many people prefer it that way, so I don't fault the restaurant. read more

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Definitely a small local joint. Don't come here expecting anything fancy but the food is really good and the service is friendly and efficient. The whole time I was there there was a line to the door. Fried chicken is great- perfectly seasoned. The white rice with Lima beans and pork was soooooo good . Never had it before and not sure why I don't see it other places. The collard greens were okay, Mac n cheese was solid. The yams, OMG the yams. I can't even begin to express. the only reason it isn't 5 starts was because the seating space was def a bit run down. I know it's a low key place that is going for a feel but just felt a little shabby. read more

Best fried chicken I've had in 35 years of life!! It's perfectly crisp, the flavors just POP! You can do dark meat or wings. When it's 3 in the afternoon on a Friday, and there's a line to the door, you know it's worth the wait. Cornbread was perfectly prepared. We had the red rice with sausage, mac and cheese, and okra soup for sides. Okra soup and red rice were definitely the favorites. There's about ten tables inside- most upstairs in a neat historic style loft. Loved our experience and the food, will absolutely be back! read more

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The food was beyond belief. I had the crab and rice with shrimp. The atmosphere was pleasant and friendly. Our hostess, Gabby went our of her way to hold a parking spot for us in front of the resturant and treated us like "family" . Can't wait to bring my family and friends here. My only negative is the lack of available parking spaces and confusing parking sings. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

I've had this place on my yelp hit list for quite some time. So it's safe to say we were all pretty excited to finally get a chance to try it. Unfortunately, by the time we got there almost everything was sold out. Sides included. But judging by what we were able to to get, I will say everything was slightly above average. Hopefully I'll get a chance to give this place a proper review and try some of the things they're known for in the future. read more

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Excellent food, friendly and fast service, everything is hot and fresh! Seating on the ground floor and upstairs. Cash, card, and tap to pay accepted. read more

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The fried chicken is perfect. Wings are fried to order. They are worth the wait. The owner very sweetly provides "cold cups" -- frozen punch with fruit -- while you wait. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Cold cup - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Wildly good food, with a uniquely local vibe. The fried chicken may have been some of the best fried chicken I've ever had in my life. Everyone here clearly knows what they're doing. All the food was fantastic, strongly recommended! read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Mac N Cheese - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

If you want an authentic southern food and experience, this place is it! We had one of the best meal since we moved to South Carolina here. The red rice is well seasoned. The chicken, both baked and fried are cooked to perfection. Every sides are just delicious. I still dream about the cabbage. Do not cheat yourself out of good cabbage. Order it. The service is great. No servers but everyone working there is really nice. They gives out free frozen cups with your food! The ambiance is perfect. Why would you want to sit in a fancy restaurant eating this food? You don't need that. The place is clean, there are plenty of tables. You'll enjoy yourself. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Baked chicken, Mac and cheese, green bean, red rice - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Enjoyed the low country cooking along with the wonderful service of the waitress nice location

Bertha's is small and unassuming, so you'd have to know it was there. The parking lot is tiny so you may have to find street parking. There was a line consistently while we were here. There's no posted menu, but the food is sitting out in trays. I couldn't really see what was there though, until we got right to the front of the line. And at that point, I felt rushed to make a decision because of the line, so having a menu would've been nice. But on to the food. I had fried fish, mac and cheese, and yams. It seems that the sides are a la carte because she charged us for each side separately, as opposed to being included in a meal. My mom was with me, and got the oxtails. Honestly, I didn't like the fish at all. I'm not sure what kind of fish it was, but it just tasted greasy with not much flavor. But, the yams and Mac and cheese were BUSSIN BUSSIN (as the kids say). I'm not from Charleston, but this was a restaurant that I had seen was recommended, so I decided to give it a try. The sides were great, and if I were in the area again, I would come back to try a different entree. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Yams - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

RUN! DON'T WALK to Bertha's! And if you're not from Charleston (like me), then book that flight to Charleston NOW. Worth the $$$ flight AND the food coma. Not surprised this restaurant won a James Beard award. James Beard, if you're reading, please include more minority owned businesses like this! Favorites - the fried dark chicken plate with seafood rice, and green beans (gotta add veggies for that balanced meal) AND the catfish plate with Mac and cheese and corn. Meals come with a drink and hardy cornbread. BIGGEST regret was not getting the shrimp and catfish special with seafood rice. Price - BEYOND reasonable. Can't beat the portion, taste, and SEAFOOD in the low country. I know I'm not getting this type of seafood in TX. Service - doesn't sacrifice efficiency for friendliness. Love watching the staff create and cook behind the window. Reminds me of home. Even though we came during prime lunch time on a Saturday, we got our fresh, HOT food ASAP. Parking - ample. This is a popular and efficient place. We found space, and so will you. Ambiance - No frills, to-the-point family business. Upon entering, you're immediately greeted by a sense of family. Bertha's is a 2-story building with some seating on the first floor and much more seating on the 2nd floor. Why not sprawl out and eat upstairs? 20/10 would recommend. If you're hesitant to come to Charleston just to try this place, let this review be your sign. Shrimp and catfish special, I'm coming back for you! read more

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I have not been here in decades! Darius Cook features Bertha's Kitchen on his YouTube channel. Great food and special memories with my daughter. read more

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The staff is completely accommodating as well as welcoming. The crab balls are a must to try. Okra soup is pretty amazing. The Turkey wings were a little bland. The place is small but clean. The recipes are definitely family and it's southern cooking at its best! We ventured out on a Saturday after our mini vacay in Isle of Palms. We enjoyed our lunch here. The prices are more than reasonable. read more

Visiting Charlotte, SC, I stop by and had lunch. The food was very good. Soul food is what you get. Well seasoned and plenty of it. Do not look for a big beautiful building but if you are looking for good food you will find it. read more

Great environment and good costumer service with amazing food. Very nice people to be around as well.

This is Real Deal soul food at an outstanding price. Limited hours and out of the way but worth going out of your way. I ordered the special which was a chicken leg quarter that I got fried and lima beans and rice. I could sit down to a meal of just the lima beans and rice it was that good. My lovely wife ordered pork chops and she got two nice pork chops, mac and cheese and cabbage and both her sides were absolutely delicious. If I am ever in Charleston again I will definitely be hitting this place up again and trying some of their other Foods. While standing online a waitress came by and gave us little cups of what seemed like frozen Kool-Aid which was very cool. All of this food for about $25. What a great deal. Probably the best meal we had in Charleston. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Outstanding Fried Chicken and wonderful lima beans and rice - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Don't come to North Charleston and miss a visit to Bertha's Kitchen. Fabulous southern cuisine. A small venue but big taste. Several James Beard awards were displayed on the walls. Collard greens, red rice, green beans, macaroni n cheese all seasoned to perfection. Fried whiting, BBQ ribs and fried chicken were first class in the preparations. Associates were professional and friendly. This location was recommended by the concierge of the Homewood Suites. Great recommendation. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Highly recommended when in Charleston - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

As always great soul food at reasonable prices. I eat here at least twice a month and when I have the opportunity I bring along coworkers and many times reward a work crew by dropping in for lunch read more

Great food & friendly service! The fried chicken was amazing! I also loved the red rice.

Soul Food ! Stepping in you will already smell yummy food and almost can't wait to order and eat! Its a no-frills location.No indoor seating is available, but outdoor seating is available outside. You order in the building and can walk out to eat and clean up after yourself after. It is cafeteria-style ordering. We had fried chicken and fried fish with cabbage, mac and cheese, red rice and lima beans rice. We also ordered some seafood salad and a serving of bread pudding. Everything tasted great! read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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I wanted to try this place since we moved here, and when I finally made it I wasn't disappointed! The star of my meal was actually the corn bread - although the fried chicken wasn't far behind. I had the special: lima beans and rice with the aforementioned cornbread and fried chicken, and mannnnnn I cannot WAIT to go back. I didn't even know I liked lima beans! read more

Bertha's Kitchen - Fried chicken, cornbread, and lima beans with rice - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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This place is amazing. So authentic and the staff there are so kind helpful and warm. Give it a try. I had the fried chicken, the greens, the yams, the okra. Next time we visit Charleston we will go again. read more

GREAT food. We had friend chicken and barbecue chicken and both were amazing. Very affordable and you get a LOT of food with great service. Would absolutely recommend stopping in for good southern food read more

This place is the gem of low county soul food! Food was absolutely amazing!! The service was nice but there can be a line, but the keep it moving! The prices are right!! read more

Anyone who's been to Charleston before knows that it's an awesome place with tons history, beautiful scenery and most importantly amazing food. Charleston is prototypically southern and despite growing up in South Carolina I'm a relative rookie to soul food. That's why when we were last in Charleston I was excited to go to Bertha's Kitchen a @beardfoundation winning meat and 3 shop. Founded by black women and still run almost exclusively by black women you can take solace in knowing this place is the real deal. Let's talk about some of my fav dishes from the experience: 1. Fried chicken: from what I can tell online, the fried chicken won this place the James beard award. Extra crispy and flavorful skin, juicy chicken - this fried chicken hit different 2. Okra soup: this soup was hearty and delicious, I don't even like okra but this was a highlight 3. Fried shrimp: extremely crispy, not overly chewy and totally delicious this was amazing and I loved every bite of it Honorable mentions: candied yams, corn bread, crab balls, and seafood rice I'll be back here next time in Charleston - and if you're in town be sure to check it out!! read more

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Going to Bertha's now is a bittersweet thing. Don't get me wrong, it is amazing food. On the one a hand, there is the food. I grew up with soul food--and long have thought "our Bess" (also a SC-lady) made the best, period, end of story. Bertha's is right up there, better in many ways, which pains me to say. The okra soup was--I am beyond words. The flavors lit up your mouth--silk and tangy. Yet it had none of the okra slime. The lima beans were more subtle, with the smoke of meat as depth. The pork chop was wonderful. The fried chicken crisp, tasty and great. As we were heading out, one of the daughters gave us some S&P but cautioned to taste everything first because, "We season stuff about right." No, the food wasn't seasoned about right, it was perfect. That said, add some hot sauce on the pork chop and it goes from great to epic. The sad aspect, because of COVID-19, much is changed. You have to basically take out. Everyone is in masks, separated by plexiglass shielding. The sense of community and the love within the walls past reviews have described hasn't vanished, but it is greatly diminished. You can feel it still there, waiting for a easier time to shine again. And, being there now, with the masks, the distancing--which you don't see out and about in other parts of town--it is a painful reminder of how different communities have been impacted by this pandemic. All that said, I can't wait to go back soon, hopefully the glass and masks and distances between us are no longer needed. Then I'll not only taste the love in the food, but feel it in this place. read more

Bertha's Kitchen - The heritage that makes this place so special. - Southern Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

This is a must stop while in Charleston. Skip the fancy restaurants and give this place a try. The fried crab was delicious along with the red rice and Lima beans. The sweet tea is definitely sweet but goes well with the food. The employees were very nice. On my next visit, I will be back!!! read more