Hanks Seafood
By Avery Gavornik, CharlotteBergerPR
Oysters and clams and shrimp, oh my! This week our Tastemakers crew headed to the place with the “Best Seafood” in Charleston, according to Charleston City Paper, and were treated to an abundance of fresh seafood (I mean, we do live in Charleston, remember!) and strong mezcal cocktails.
Located on the corner of Hayne and Church downtown, Hank’s has been a Charleston staple since 1999, a fan favorite for both tourists and alike.. We tipped our hats off to the bartender as we sipped on the Caribbean Summer cocktail, complete with Sombra Mezcal, lime, chipotle simple syrup and a tajin rim.
Our eyes widened as we were presented with a gigantic Seafood Tower, a rich selection of iced shellfish including shrimp, mussels and oysters. Our tower was accompanied by Tuna Tartare topped with jalapeño, shallot, EVOO, tomato, herbs, and lemon, as well as Sauteed Lump Crab Cakes. Afterward, we dove into two different styles of oysters, the Oyster Casino with garlic butter, smoked bacon, asiago cheese, and bread crumbs, and the Fried Oysters with green tomato sweet corn, blue cheese vinaigrette and pickled okra.
It seemed like the seafood train was neverending when Crispy Calamari & Shrimp, as well asLocal Clams were brought out next, and just as our stomachs told us to stop, their Buttermilk Fried Chicken was dropped in front of us. Paired perfectly with collard greens and mashed potatoes, we came to the consensus that it might have been one of the best fried chicken dishes we’d ever had in the Lowcountry. A BOLD statement we agree- but we are sticking to it!
Our group had the opportunity to chat with the lovely Hallie throughout our meal, the Development Officer for My Sister’s House, a nonprofit organization in South Carolina whose mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing housing, support, services, education, and a sense of community to those in need. Now, more than ever, people of all ages need the help of My Sister’s House. If you needed another excuse to drink that delectable drink we mentioned earlier, $1 from every Caribbean Summer sold now through July 22 goes to this incredible nonprofit!
