Kel’s Tavern is an American restaurant in Charleston’s Elk City district on the West Side. It opened in September 2025 at 222 West Washington Street, taking over the former Sergio’s Italian restaurant space, which had previously housed Books & Brews. The restaurant is connected to another Kel’s Tavern in Ashland, Kentucky, and focuses on elevated tavern food at relatively approachable prices. Its menu combines familiar American comfort food with some more creative appetizers and entrees. The dining room retains much of the layout from its previous occupants, with high ceilings, an open seating area and a prominent turquoise accent wall. A stage was also added to accommodate live music. The menu includes items like ribeye, bourbon-glazed salmon, fried chicken, fish and chips, pork chops and traditional sides such as broccoli casserole and baked macaroni and cheese. The Big Bang Shrimp ($13) featured Captain Morgan-battered fried shrimp tossed in a sweet, warm, tangy sauce and topped with fresh scallions. The shrimp had a golden fried coating beneath the generous layer of creamy orange sauce, combining sweetness and tanginess with the crunch of the batter. The Buffalo Chicken Empanadas ($13) were filled with spicy Buffalo chicken, fried until golden brown and drizzled with Kel’s house ranch dressing. The crispy pastry pockets combined the heat of Buffalo chicken with the cool, creamy ranch sauce. Pimento Cheese Fries: A generous serving of french fries topped with creamy pimento cheese. The Southern-inspired appetizer combines crispy, salty fries with rich, tangy cheese and the mild sweetness of pimentos. Meatloaf: A hearty serving of homestyle meatloaf accompanied by sides of Kel’s Corn and broccoli casserole. The meatloaf had an OK flavor, but I wish it was more moist. Kel's corn is whole-kernel corn served in a seasoned sauce, which was different. And the broccoli casserole was less ooey-gooey casserole-like than it was a mushier broccoli with crunchies on top. Points for effort, another visit to determine execution. Grade: B