Southern Scenes

A Charleston recap

Apr 21, 2025

I just got back home from a trip to Charleston, SC, this past week. It was my first official work trip for IKAP (hint hint), where it’s just far enough to stay a few nights. If you’ve ever taken a road trip in the south, there are a few things you’re sure to see. If you happen to look up, you’ll witness what might be considered the Holy Trinity of the southern highway. A billboard for a lawyer, an adult store, and one that simply says Jesus (there’s debate as to which of the first two needs Jesus more).
When making these treks, you’ll often drive through small towns as well. You’ll pass by a beat-up shack with a sign that says “Fat Boys Deer Processing.” You may witness what has to be the smallest chapel that you’ve ever seen. Even the McDonald’s "M" still spins in this town. But as you get closer to the East Coast, you’ll begin driving under palm trees and over potholes, where you’ll eventually end up in a place where wealth isn’t determined by the size of your house, car, or job title, but rather by the number of seats on your golf cart. This is the beauty of the southern road trip.

Like any good road trip, my first stop was in Augusta for a quick bite to eat at a local diner called "Waffle House." You may have heard of it. Of course, I get the All-Star Special. Plain waffle, smeared with butter. Hashbrowns scattered. Bacon crispy. Eggs Scrambled. Black coffee. A classic cuisine.

Once I refueled, it was off to Charleston, where my first stop was Sullivan’s Island.

I’ve only ever been to Sullivan’s for the beach out here. I hosted an Instagram poll to see which beach I should head to this time, and Sullivan’s won. The locals also seem to prefer it to Folly Beach, which they say is kind of “hippie,” while Sullivan’s is much more laid back.
After spending some time sunbathing, dipping in the water, and sand blowing into my right ear (I’m still getting rid of it), I decided to head into town for some lunch.

My walk took me past the local chicken run, which no southern island is complete without.

My usual stop on the island for lunch is the appropriately named Fishcamp. This joint was owned by the Basic Projects team until just recently. Everything this team puts together is outstanding when it comes to design.

I ended up with the Blackberry Mezcal Margarita, Softshell Crab Sandwich, and Key Lime Pie. By coincidence, I was sat next to a friend of mine and his family, whom I was going to see the next day.

Afterwards, it was finally time to check into my Airbnb, where I met the coolest cat in Charleston.

That evening, I made sure to stop in at Melfi’s, which has the best Bucatini 'Cacio E Pepe' I’ve ever had. Be sure to book a reservation if you ever plan on going.

Day two began with a drop in around a few local bakeries and coffee shops as I walked around town.

I ended up at Hampton Park for my morning walk, where I later discovered that its designer also designed Central Park in New York. It was beautifully put together, and after that discovery, it made a lot more sense as to why.

I then headed over to The Citadel, which is a military college nearby. Everyone on campus was in uniform, while I rocked my Lululemon shirt, running shorts, and white sneakers. It felt like I had successfully infiltrated a military base, with an unsuccessful disguise. I absolutely love a college campus. Large green spaces and historic architecture have my heart. If ever there is one nearby, I’m sure to find myself there, all while avoiding giving the “hello fellow kids” vibe.

I enjoy finding a local gym to get some reps in while I’m out of town. Just behind my B&B was a gym called Ethos. They’re also designed by Basic Projects. This is definitely the "hot people" gym. The facilities are incredible, and I love the aesthetic they’ve managed to create. They also have a nice cafe up front where you can get some work done while in town, if you’re more into a relaxed vacation experience.

I’m a huge advocate for historic buildings and wish more folks would study traditional architecture. Right around the corner from Ethos is another college called “American College of the Building Arts.” This college is dedicated to the creation and restoration of traditional architecture, and is one of the few places that have legitimately tempted me into going back to school. I had to drop by to check it out in person.

For lunch, I stopped in at the first place where I ever had oysters. Leon’s holds a dear place in my heart for introducing me to the wonder of such an incredible nutriment.

The World Famous Char-Grilled, to be specific. I eat them mostly raw now, but these are an easy introduction for anyone.

As the evening came to a close on my final night, I decided to do what any great American does, and went to the local Riverdogs baseball game. The dogs lost, but there’s just something relaxing about enjoying a hot dog, a beer, and America’s favorite pastime on a spring night.