You can't miss Martha Lou's Kitchen in Charleston, South Carolina.


The pale pink building sits along the road with a logo in the middle and giant fish art off to the side.


Hidden behind those doors is one of the tastiest soul food restaurants around - it's been recognized by the New York Times, The Travel Channel and Martha Stewart as one of Charleston's finest restaurants.


So I had to try it out. I walked inside, found a seat and looked over the menu. I ordered fried chicken, cabbage, maced macaroni and bread pudding. I also ordered a water, but received what I think was sweet tea - and the best dang sweet tea I've ever had in my life. Very sweet.


If this isn't the pinnacle of comfort food, I don't know what is. And, I had plenty of leftovers.

Pete's Hotdogs is located in Ripley and has recently reopened after a fire.


While passing through the area, I stopped through the drive-thru.


Pulling up on the right side, I could read the menu, which featured hot dogs, pepperoni rolls, Mexican dishes, salads and sandwiches. I ordered a Zul's frozen lemonade and received it before driving around the building to the other side.


There, I received my hot dog with "everything," or chili, slaw, mustard and onions.


The interesting thing about these dogs is that the toppings are put on the bottom. So I thought my dog was naked before I bit into it.


While not standard, it as convenient that all the toppings were conveniently snuggled in the bottom, so I didn't create a mess while driving. Not too shabby.

My biggest issue with Charleston - besides the sweltering humidity - is the difficulty in trying to figure out where to eat because there are SO many great restaurants.


Butcher & Bee is a restaurant that focuses on fresh, seasonal foods.


They feature a variety of mezze, which caught my eye.


What better way to try a variety of menu items than a bunch of small plates?


So, I went with a few different plates:


Strawberries with goat cheese, goat cheese, pistachio and mint


Local beets with parmesan cream and olive walnut crumble


Whipped feta with fermented honey and black pepper


I mean, all three of these were simple and refreshing, yet complex in flavor. Truly delicious.

Recently, I attended the Childhood Language Center Presents Charleston's Mac & Cheese Cook-Off.



This event is so fun because there are dozens of local folks making macaroni & cheese all for a good cause.



And lucky me, I was able to be a judge!



People's Federal Credit Union - This one was a baked mac and very cheesy.



Capital Insurance Group - This one from Donteako is always amazing and quite sweet. They had my second place vote.



WV Eye Consultants - This was a take on a Thanksgiving macaroni & cheese, fried into a ball with a cranberry sauce on top. Mmmm. They had my third place vote.

Asher Agency - This one had a truffle sauce and had a strong umami flavor - tasty.



Children's Home Society - This one had bacon which always adds some salty flavor.

City of Charleston - The City of Charleston made theirs on a waffle iron (and with waffle batter), topped with sriracha and honey.


Darin Fisher Kitchens/Cory Stout/ Muffin's Meat - This was made with bacon fat and truffle.


Shannon's Cottage Kitchen - Shannon is starting her own home business with the new cottage foods law! And this one had a great flavor.


Recovery Point - Topped with some green onion, this mac & cheese had a bit of freshness.



Thevenin Family - Queso mac & cheese was so creamy!



Herman & Company - This was a super creamy mac & cheese that you could definitely tell had some sour cream or cream cheese in it.


Stephen Fernandez - OK, I may be biased since he's a relative of my best friend's family. But this was SO GOOD. It earned my #1 vote because it had bulgogi, nori, sesame and an amazing flavor.



Big Joe's - Macaroni & cheese topped with pot roast.



Sherry Gordon - This small bite was pretty straightforward.



Jeff's Curbside - Just a little heat.



Bellaire at Devonshire - Topped with pulled pork and BBQ sauce.


Chick-fil-A - This one is pretty straightforward.



Sears Monument - pumpkin mac & cheese!


Jonnie's Meat Market - Always delicious.



Charleston Surgical Hospital - very creamy bowtie pasta.



Edible Arrangements - ham, pineapple mac & cheese.



Rainbow Pride - naturally dyed pastas!



Niki Kurten - six cheeses with monterey jack, swiss, gouda, goat cheese, cheddar and parmesan.