Quarrier Diner is a historic downtown Charleston diner located at 1022 Quarrier Street in Charleston. The building dates back to the 1930s — originally a classic steel railcar diner. In the mid-1940s it was remodeled into an Art Deco style building, complete with Vitrolite glass tiles and a streamlined look that gives it a distinctive retro aesthetic.
The location has gone through various restaurant owners and periods of vacancy, as well. At one point, it was on an endangered properties list.
Quarrier Diner serves up hearty, classic American diner fare — especially for breakfast and lunch.
I ordered the Kielbasa Dogs - "2 Kielbasa Dogs On Split-Top Buns With Sauerkraut, Onions & Mustard" to go.
I love kielbasa, so I was excited for these. The sausage was hearty. The classic yellow mustard added a familiar tang that tied everything together. Still, the overall flavor could be elevated with a sharper brown mustard or spicy grainy blend to bring more depth and balance to each bite.
I think their breakfast has received more rave reviews, so I'd like to return to check that out.
Grade: B
Coffee With A Twist is a Christian-based coffee shop that features pretzels on Main Avenue.
They offer a variety of beverages, including lattes, mochas, chais, smoothies, dirty sodas and more.
Food options include pepperoni rolls, pretzels, hamwiches and more.
On my visit, I did a plain pretzel and a blondie to drink. Both serviceable. Decent flavor, but no extra *pop* to make it stand out.
Have you been?
Grade: B
Huddle & Hatchets is a bar & grill + axe-throwing spot located at 122 Capitol St.
It combines a casual sports-bar vibe (with a full bar and multiple large TVs) with recreational axe-throwing — so you can drink, eat, watch the game, and throw axes.
Huddle & Hatchets serves typical bar & grill / comfort-food style fare: nachos, wings, loaded potato skins/tots, sliders, tacos, pretzel bites, wraps, and other appetizers and entrees meant for sharing or casual dining.
Their menu features standout items like loaded tater kegs, “Tailgate Tacos” (including a popular “Hawaiian” chicken-mango-pineapple taco), pretzel-bun sliders with beer cheese & caramelized onions, potstickers with bourbon sauce, and more.
I ordered the "First String Sliders," which are three juicy mini burgers on pretzel buns with beer cheese and caramelized onions, with a side of tater tots.
The sliders were fine— the patties had decent flavor, but they leaned a little dry, and the pretzel buns I wish were a bit softer.
The "Peanut Butter Penalty Shake" was a wonderful way to end the meal - creamy vanilla ice cream topped with Reese's peanut butter cups, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Yes.
Grade: B
Monarca Taqueria in Morgantown is a casual spot known for serving Mexican street-style favorites with bold, authentic flavor.
Located on Walnut Street, it offers a wide range of dishes — from al pastor street tacos and quesabirria to birria ramen, elote, and vegetarian options — with generous portions.
I went with three fish tacos, Mexican elote and a tamale. The tacos were super fresh and crunchy, with a nice hit of lime that kept them bright and tasty. The elote was creamy, cheesy, and a little smoky — basically everything you want in street corn. And the tamale was soft and cozy, with a flavorful filling that made it the perfect comfort bite.
Have you been?
Grade: B
Durar Coffee offers authentic Yemeni coffee and tea, as well as traditional Yemeni pastries and treats in downtown Morgantown.
The name “Durar” translates roughly to “the pearl” (or “the essence”) in Arabic — reflecting the owner’s goal of offering the “jewel” or “essence” of Yemeni coffee culture to the community.
Alongside standard espresso-house drinks (americano, cappuccino, etc.), Durar offers traditional Yemeni brews and spiced drinks — like cardamom or saffron-infused coffee, “Sanani,” “Jubani,” “Qishr” (coffee husk tea), Yemeni black tea, pistachio lattes, and more.
They serve a mix of Western-style and Middle Eastern pastries and desserts — including their signature “honeycomb bread,” pistachio milk cake, and other items inspired by Arabic/Mediterranean and Western dessert traditions.
The vibe is cozy and welcoming; many reviewers highlight its warmth, inviting decor, and relaxing atmosphere — good for studying, casual meetups, or a quiet coffee break.
Durar Coffee delivers rich, aromatic Yemeni-inspired drinks that stand out for their warm spices, deep flavor, and authenticity.
Have you been?
Grade: B
El Pollon is a Peruvian style rotisserie chicken restaurant with a couple locations in Morgantown. "Pollo a la Brasa" is marinated with native Peruvian spices and cooked in the heat of the charcoal. It is a cultural icon of Peruvian cuisine and originated in the 1950s in the city of Lima.
I ordered 1/4 white meat chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies. It was tender, juicy, and full of Peruvian-roasted flavor. The skin has a delicate char that gives a smoky edge without being overly greasy, and the meat underneath remains remarkably moist — something that’s often hard to nail with white meat. They have an ajà verde, made with jalapeños, cilantro, garlic, and lime blended into a creamy base. The yellow sauce is the milder ajà amarillo sauce. The mashed potatoes and vegetables lacked the same attention to seasoning as the chicken, landing squarely in ‘just fine’ territory. And while the two traditional sauces held their own, the plate begged for a third option with a touch of sweetness to round out the heat and acidity.
Grade: B
Don Taco Mexican Taqueria & Birria House in Morgantown is a fast-casual spot known for its flavorful Mexican dishes with a strong focus on birria (the slow-cooked meat in broth).
They also offer street tacos, huge customizable burritos, sides like elote and ChoriQueso fries, and horchata made with a rice base.
I ordered two of the Mexican Street Tacos - Authentic Mexican street taco on double layer corn tortilla with your choice of freshly grilled meat or veggies, onions and cilantro. Served with salsa and limes on the side. I went for camaron (shrimp) and al pastor.
Both of these were good. Without the salsa, the flavors were not super powerful. But with, it made for a nice bite.
Grade: B
Griddle & Grind in Beaver was a locally owned breakfast and lunch café that opened in recent years in a former Hardee's location. I made a quick visit before they shuttered.
The atmosphere was relaxed and café-style, designed for both quick counter-service visits and unhurried sit-down meals.
Its menu featured traditional breakfast staples such as omelets, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and full breakfast platters, along with a selection of sandwiches, lighter options like an Avocado BLT, and coffee drinks.
I enjoyed a fruity, popping boba peach mango refresher.
The Bacon Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese was built on grilled sourdough bread filled with cream cheese, cheddar and jack cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and roasted jalapeños.
Both were enjoyable - The refresher was bright and refreshing, with a sweet, tropical mix of peach and mango.
The sandwich was a spicy, cheesy delight. Jalapeños add a punch of heat, while the melted cheese balances it with creamy richness. The sandwich is crunchy, flavorful and satisfyingly spicy.
Have you been?
Grade: B
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