April 30 – Charleston, SC

Ashley Marina

Charleston is a foodies paradise…with wonderful restaurants specializing in great seafood and Lowcountry cuisine. We decided last week we needed to break away from our favorite places and try some of the other restaurants we've heard so much about before we leave. Today we had lunch at Poogan's Porch, one of Charleston's oldest independent culinary restaurants, with a fresh approach to Lowcountry cuisine. The meals we chose were excellent, full of delightfully fresh ingredients and flavor.

Poogan's Porch was opened in 1976 in a grand Victorian home that was built in 1888. When the original owners sold their home and moved away a little dog named Poogan stayed behind. He had been a neighborhood dog for years, wandering from porch to porch, in search of back scratches and table scraps. From his proud porch perch, he served as the restaurant’s official greeter until his death in 1979. It seemed only right that the restaurant be named after him. His porch and restaurant live on in his honor.

One of the dining rooms at Poogan's Porch. We sat at the table to the right by the window.

LOWCOUNTRY PASTA - Bowtie pasta, chicken, sausage, smoked gouda, bacon cream, cherry tomatoes, tri-colored peppers, Vidalia onions

SWEET TEA SALMON - Candied lemon & mint risotto, sautéed asparagus