Early Bird Diner
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Small diner with ~15 tables total. About 8 addl seats at the counter. Staff is friendly. Food is always hot. Coffee is good. It's usually a wait ~ 20 mins or less. Good choice if you have to wait at a nearby dealer/service center. (within walking distance from Pep Boys).
Solid Breakfast Spot Worth the Wait. We stopped by The Early Bird Diner on a busy morning and were greeted with a 15-minute wait, which is pretty standard for popular breakfast places. Parking was definitely at a premium--expect to circle the lot or park on the other side of Savannah Highway and risk the four lane crossing--but once we got seated, the food more than made up for it. My chicken and waffles arrived piping hot, with the chicken perfectly tender and juicy on the inside and nicely crisped on the outside. The French toast was also excellent--fluffy, flavorful, and cooked just right. Our waitress was attentive and friendly, and the food came out surprisingly quickly considering how crowded the restaurant was. The only real drawback was the syrup. It lacked depth and flavor, which was a bit disappointing since it's such a key component for both the waffles and French toast. They'd benefit greatly from upgrading to a higher-quality option. That said, the prices were very reasonable, and the portion sizes were generous--the chicken and waffles plate was huge! Overall, we really enjoyed our meal and will definitely be back. Next time we might lean toward one of their savory dishes instead of anything that relies heavily on syrup. Recommended? Yes, especially if you're craving classic breakfast comfort food.
Brought my niece here who was visiting from NC and my neighbor who moved here from Arkansas. They both liked it, but honestly she felt like the specialty pancake was over priced. The server was attentive and the food was plentiful
Excellent food and service. I had the schnitzel sandwich and tater tots. As close to a fried pork loin sandwich as famous in Indiana as I have found. And I have looked. Huge pounded out fried pork piece that was much bigger than the bread. Melted cheese and mushrooms. Yes please. The tots were perfect and plentiful. The sandwich was extraordinary and enough for two. I look forward to doing this again.
My mom and I have wanted to try this place for a long time. Finally made the trip and it did not disappoint! She ordered the Chicken and Waffles, I got the Shrimp and Grits, the kids got Chocolate Chip Pancakes and French Toast. I tried a little of everyone's food and would order every meal again. I have had Shrimp and Grits places where the gravy/sauce over powers everything and is almost like soup, but here it was perfect! The Chicken and Waffles was a huge portion that my mom and I decided we may split next time. It was super delicious and she let me take her leftovers home( insert happy food dance)! The resturant is kind of small so it does get to be a little loud and crowded. Don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table. There is plenty of artwork and stickers all over the walls to keep you entertained while you wait. The corner by the bathroom has a small selection of local products like grits and honey along with stickers, shirts and hats for the resturant. We will definitely be repeat customers!
We always drive by and see them packed. But today we stopped in early. Our server was very pleasant and he made some suggestions. I got the chicken and waffles and enjoyed. Chicken was crispy and good flavor. Huge portion!! My boyfriend got the eggs Benedict. (Sorry I didn't get a photo... I was eating). My food came way before his did. He didn't care for it much... it looked okay but I've seen better. They have really neat local artists paintings on the wall. Very unique.
We showed up to the Early Bird Diner late, which felt a little wrong given the name, but the coffee was hot, so all was forgiven. Breakfast plates here aren't shy; they come out loaded with all the good, down-to-earth stuff you actually want to eat. We ordered a basic cheese omelet with sides of sliced avocado and tomato, and both were perfect. You can't fake freshness like that. The avocado was buttery and bright, and the tomato tasted like it had been picked that morning. We also got a classic plate of eggs with HOMEMADE home fries (yes, homemade!), shell eggs instead of that cheap pourable stuff, really great bacon, and Texas-thick toast. The orange juice tasted fresh, but I'll admit I didn't ask. The plates were so big they practically covered the whole table, which made me laugh because it's exactly what diner breakfast should be: generous, a little chaotic, and completely satisfying. Presentation was simple, the kind you expect from a real diner, but the food itself was fresh, hearty, and way better than you'd think something served at noon in a place called Early Bird would be.
As soon as I saw the giant skeleton rooster outside , I knew I was b the right place for me! Let's start with the coffee! It was delicious! Our server Hannah let us know that the coffee is local. It's a must try item. We asked Hanna what's popular and what she recommends as we are from San Diego. We ordered two out of the three things she suggested and they both did not disappoint. Right after we ordered shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles I saw the banana pudding pancake and you can in fact order just one! Do not skip this either. It had real bananas and the pudding swirl was delicious and props to the nilla wafers on top too. The chicken and waffles; the chicken was two boneless chicken breasts and cinnamon waffles. I couldn't even finish half. It is a huge plate. The chicken was juicy and fried perfectly. The sauce for the chicken, I couldn't even finish literally bathe in. The shrimp and grits were absolutely scrumptious. The shrimps was also cooked perfectly and this was stick to your ribs good. Un pictured, the biscuit that came with was delicious and so fresh tasting. I see why this place is so busy. There is plenty to see when you walk inside. It seems like they support a lot of local artists and I appreciate that Thanks for excellent service Hannah!
My parents and I came in for lunch on a Wednesday and it was pretty busy! Service was attentive - our food took a while and someone came by after 40 minutes to let us know our ticket fell and so wasn't seen by but they were working on it immediately which we appreciated! I'm sure service is typically quicker. Portions of food are pretty good but not large to where you feel horribly stuffed. Very casual diner serving up brunch classics but some with a fun spin. I absolutely loved my corn cake benedict as my pancake was like a corn fritter which I love.
Service was great. An employee at the front seats you when you walk in. Has a diner-like atmosphere. Parking availability is the only negative thing about this place. Grits were thick, creamy, and flavorful. One of the best I've had in Charleston. Chicken biscuit was great. The chicken was crispy. The biscuit was nice and fluffy. Also tasted the pancake, which I will definitely be ordering next time! Tasted as though there was cinnamon in the batter and I loved it. Will be returning!
2 months ago
1 month ago
Been going to Early Bird since 2015, and I haven't had a bad experience yet. Decided to get breakfast with the wife, I usually get the country scramble. Basically a scrambled omelette egg with potatoes sausage, onions, green peppers covered with hollandaise sauce. BUT this time I had the special. It was blackened chicken, corn meal fried shrimp, green salsa over a bed of grits. It was spectacular. Juicy and well seasoned chicken breast, crunchy shrimp and I promise you it was scrumptious ‼ Certified and very recommended. Service was excellent. read more
Their pancake is delish! I only got one because they are huge! They cooked my egg perfectly- I like mine scrambled soft with cheese. I got the side of bacon and it was cooked just right. My friend got the French toast, which I tasted. It was not my favorite, but they give you lots of toast pieces. His came with ham and eggs. Bottom line: we both enjoyed our meal. There was a half an hour wait and the hostess did not seem pleased that we took a walk and weren't back at our appointed time. Service was adequate- there was only one server for our entire section. The place is not that big and the wait was 30 minutes on a Sunday at noon. It's your typical diner set up. read more
Small diner with ~15 tables total. About 8 addl seats at the counter. Staff is friendly. Food is always hot. Coffee is good. It's usually a wait ~ 20 mins or less. Good choice if you have to wait at a nearby dealer/service center. (within walking distance from Pep Boys). read more
6 months ago
Solid Breakfast Spot Worth the Wait. We stopped by The Early Bird Diner on a busy morning and were greeted with a 15-minute wait, which is pretty standard for popular breakfast places. Parking was definitely at a premium--expect to circle the lot or park on the other side of Savannah Highway and risk the four lane crossing--but once we got seated, the food more than made up for it. My chicken and waffles arrived piping hot, with the chicken perfectly tender and juicy on the inside and nicely crisped on the outside. The French toast was also excellent--fluffy, flavorful, and cooked just right. Our waitress was attentive and friendly, and the food came out surprisingly quickly considering how crowded the restaurant was. The only real drawback was the syrup. It lacked depth and flavor, which was a bit disappointing since it's such a key component for both the waffles and French toast. They'd benefit greatly from upgrading to a higher-quality option. That said, the prices were very reasonable, and the portion sizes were generous--the chicken and waffles plate was huge! Overall, we really enjoyed our meal and will definitely be back. Next time we might lean toward one of their savory dishes instead of anything that relies heavily on syrup. Recommended? Yes, especially if you're craving classic breakfast comfort food. read more
2 months ago
Brought my niece here who was visiting from NC and my neighbor who moved here from Arkansas. They both liked it, but honestly she felt like the specialty pancake was over priced. The server was attentive and the food was plentiful read more
Excellent food and service. I had the schnitzel sandwich and tater tots. As close to a fried pork loin sandwich as famous in Indiana as I have found. And I have looked. Huge pounded out fried pork piece that was much bigger than the bread. Melted cheese and mushrooms. Yes please. The tots were perfect and plentiful. The sandwich was extraordinary and enough for two. I look forward to doing this again. read more
9 months ago
My mom and I have wanted to try this place for a long time. Finally made the trip and it did not disappoint! She ordered the Chicken and Waffles, I got the Shrimp and Grits, the kids got Chocolate Chip Pancakes and French Toast. I tried a little of everyone's food and would order every meal again. I have had Shrimp and Grits places where the gravy/sauce over powers everything and is almost like soup, but here it was perfect! The Chicken and Waffles was a huge portion that my mom and I decided we may split next time. It was super delicious and she let me take her leftovers home( insert happy food dance)! The resturant is kind of small so it does get to be a little loud and crowded. Don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table. There is plenty of artwork and stickers all over the walls to keep you entertained while you wait. The corner by the bathroom has a small selection of local products like grits and honey along with stickers, shirts and hats for the resturant. We will definitely be repeat customers! read more
5 months ago
We always drive by and see them packed. But today we stopped in early. Our server was very pleasant and he made some suggestions. I got the chicken and waffles and enjoyed. Chicken was crispy and good flavor. Huge portion!! My boyfriend got the eggs Benedict. (Sorry I didn't get a photo... I was eating). My food came way before his did. He didn't care for it much... it looked okay but I've seen better. They have really neat local artists paintings on the wall. Very unique. read more
We showed up to the Early Bird Diner late, which felt a little wrong given the name, but the coffee was hot, so all was forgiven. Breakfast plates here aren't shy; they come out loaded with all the good, down-to-earth stuff you actually want to eat. We ordered a basic cheese omelet with sides of sliced avocado and tomato, and both were perfect. You can't fake freshness like that. The avocado was buttery and bright, and the tomato tasted like it had been picked that morning. We also got a classic plate of eggs with HOMEMADE home fries (yes, homemade!), shell eggs instead of that cheap pourable stuff, really great bacon, and Texas-thick toast. The orange juice tasted fresh, but I'll admit I didn't ask. The plates were so big they practically covered the whole table, which made me laugh because it's exactly what diner breakfast should be: generous, a little chaotic, and completely satisfying. Presentation was simple, the kind you expect from a real diner, but the food itself was fresh, hearty, and way better than you'd think something served at noon in a place called Early Bird would be. read more
As soon as I saw the giant skeleton rooster outside , I knew I was b the right place for me! Let's start with the coffee! It was delicious! Our server Hannah let us know that the coffee is local. It's a must try item. We asked Hanna what's popular and what she recommends as we are from San Diego. We ordered two out of the three things she suggested and they both did not disappoint. Right after we ordered shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles I saw the banana pudding pancake and you can in fact order just one! Do not skip this either. It had real bananas and the pudding swirl was delicious and props to the nilla wafers on top too. The chicken and waffles; the chicken was two boneless chicken breasts and cinnamon waffles. I couldn't even finish half. It is a huge plate. The chicken was juicy and fried perfectly. The sauce for the chicken, I couldn't even finish literally bathe in. The shrimp and grits were absolutely scrumptious. The shrimps was also cooked perfectly and this was stick to your ribs good. Un pictured, the biscuit that came with was delicious and so fresh tasting. I see why this place is so busy. There is plenty to see when you walk inside. It seems like they support a lot of local artists and I appreciate that Thanks for excellent service Hannah! read more
My parents and I came in for lunch on a Wednesday and it was pretty busy! Service was attentive - our food took a while and someone came by after 40 minutes to let us know our ticket fell and so wasn't seen by but they were working on it immediately which we appreciated! I'm sure service is typically quicker. Portions of food are pretty good but not large to where you feel horribly stuffed. Very casual diner serving up brunch classics but some with a fun spin. I absolutely loved my corn cake benedict as my pancake was like a corn fritter which I love. read more
2 months ago
28 days ago
7 months ago
3 months ago
5 months ago
Great food and service. Best grits!! Bought some humble hot sauce too! Diner vibe and food came quick. read more
2 years ago
Service was great. An employee at the front seats you when you walk in. Has a diner-like atmosphere. Parking availability is the only negative thing about this place. Grits were thick, creamy, and flavorful. One of the best I've had in Charleston. Chicken biscuit was great. The chicken was crispy. The biscuit was nice and fluffy. Also tasted the pancake, which I will definitely be ordering next time! Tasted as though there was cinnamon in the batter and I loved it. Will be returning! read more
8 months ago
What a cool local diner in West Ashley, I enjoyed the throwback to old school restaurant days. The food was top notch, chicken tenders were fried perfectly and the fries were tasty. Then the biscuits and gravy were fantastic, the white gravy was excellent. read more
10 months ago
Pancakes are a must get. I loved the pancakes. The service was good not exceptional. It's an old diner so the feel was a diner with one bathroom. Oh my daughter ordered blueberry pancakes and the blueberries were so juicy. read more
1 year ago
The place was amazing. I get a great hipster vibe. Everyone is chill and very nice! The food as you can see by the pictures was excellent! Coffee was great and the service was equally good. Just a local diner with a great reputation. It was featured on diners, drive in's and dives! read more
This little diner west of the Ashley is one of the our town's best spots. Hidden in plain sight, this offers some of the best breakfast you can find anywhere in Charleston. The Mess was a great dish with earthy tones- it tasted healthy but had great flavor. The pancake was rich and flavorful. I sat at the bar and the service was wonderful. Great for a Sunday brunch or a weekday treat. read more
7 months ago
Their food is consistently amazing year after year. Check out this HUGE pork chop! Service is always exceptional. Parking is challenging but worth the hassle. read more
1 year ago
Great food and great service. Got the chicken and waffles and the country scramble, both perfectly cooked. I really liked the diner atmosphere too. Looking forward to returning! read more
I've been to Early Bird Diner probably 50 times. When I lived in Charleston I'd come for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or post drinking! It seems now they are no longer open late but still a great place to get breakfast or lunch! No frills diner with a counter and great service. I always order the sweet tea and the chicken and waffles. Well not always, but usually! Pecan crusted chicken with the honey mustard and syrup is just amazing. Oh yeah the fried green tomatoes are great too! Every time I visit Charleston now I make sure that one of my meals is here read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
I have been coming to early bird for years and it never disappoints. The biscuits and gravy are a must try. The gravy is so delicious I'd buy gallons if I could. They're always very nice and the restaurant feels honey. This time I had the mess, which is a vegetarian entree and it was delicious. The curried vegetables were super good with the biscuits and gravy. I always get the Mac and cheese because it's also a must. Can't wait for next time. read more
9 months ago
2 years ago
It's been a long time since I had my Granny's biscuits. But, this biscuit right here definitely evoked those childhood memories of sitting in her kitchen kneading dough. I really enjoyed the hot and honey chicken biscuit with a side of seasonal fruit. The biscuit was light, fluffy, buttery, deliciousness! The chicken was very tender and seasoned just right making it the perfect bite. I can't wait to try more! read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
This is my favorite local diner! Every time I come in town, I have to stop in for their shrimp and grits. I have had a few different dishes from Early Bird, and I have never been disappointed. They make awesome dishes with loads of flavor. The staff is always so friendly, and makes you feel right at home. There is local art for sale all around the dining room, which makes for ever-changing decor. We love supporting local businesses read more
11 months ago
As a visitor I don't know from Southern diners but I'm still going to say this was great. Smallish menu, everyone friendly, fluffy biscuits, great Country Scramble, terrific grits and the pancake on point. Nobody wouldn't like this, whether you're from here or not. read more
I'm updating this because I forgot to post pictures with my review. What made the chicken and waffles so popular could be that they added pecan to the fried chicken so that it has a sweeter taste and the waffles are cinnamon. Make sure you use that honey mustard bbq sauce, it helps balance out the flavor. They were able to split the entree onto two plates if you're sharing. This version of the shrimp and grits has bacon, scallions, and grape tomatoes. Definitely one of my favorite versions. That tomato gravy was very creamy and delicious. read more
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More info about Early Bird Diner
1644 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29407
West Ashley
Directions
(843) 277-2353
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http://www.earlybirddiner.com/
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Ask the Community - Early Bird Diner
How is the pot likker bowl? What does it taste like?
I haven't tried it yet. Please let me know your opinion, if you try it.
Is this place any good? My cousin Emily Key said it was.
It's very good..... chicken & waffles a must try.
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