It’s takeout, minus the regret
By Hunter H. Kerrison, MHA, MBA
I’m a cook. But some nights, dinner needs to come from someone else’s kitchen, and healthy food (or fresh ingredients delivered to the door) can make the evening meal that much easier. So, the next time your husband asks where to pick up dinner and you stare back at him blankly, keep this list handy. It’s for the late work night, for the day the house cleaner came and you’d like the kitchen to stay pristine one more day, and for the evenings when everyone in the family is running in a different direction.
Here’s takeout that happens to be good for you: Thai worth the drive, sushi, Greek, pho, a fridge-ready chicken salad, plus local chefs, farmers, and fishermen who will happily stock your kitchen for the week.
Healthy Takeout from Local Farms and Kitchens
Straight From the Farm and the Dock
Sign up once, then pick up (or have delivered) a weekly haul of local vegetables or seafood. It’s a fine excuse to meet the people who grow your food.
Legare Farms
Johns Island
A 299-year-old family farm with weekly CSA pickups on James Island, in North Charleston, and in Mount Pleasant. A winter share starts in January.
Ambrose Family Farm
Wadmalaw Island
About 650 members, with a fall share that runs through mid-December.
Community Supported Grocery
Home delivery
The farmers market, bundled and brought to your door every week.
Abundant Seafood
Shem Creek and Park Circle
Captain Mark Marhefka has kept local catch in local kitchens since 2007. His fish share works like a CSA: prepay a credit and get 20% off day-boat catch.
Crosby’s Fish and Shrimp
Folly Beach and Mount Pleasant Seafood are Certified SC Seafood sources for fresh local catch. Ask what came in today, then buy that.
Our Picks for Pickup and Delivery
01 Platia Greek Goodness
Greek • West Ashley and Mount Pleasant
A food truck turned local favorite, with more than 7,000 delivery reviews averaging 4.8 stars. Order: the falafel wrap or a Greek salad with grilled chicken.
02 Basil
Thai • Downtown, Mount Pleasant, and Park Circle
Charleston Living’s Best Thai. Order ahead and skip the famous King Street line. Order: fresh spring rolls and a vegetable curry.
03 Kanji Sushi Hibachi
Sushi • West Ashley and Mount Pleasant
Regulars swear by the pick-three-rolls deal. Order: sashimi, sauces on the side.
04 Sushi Taro
Sushi • Mount Pleasant
A Charleston Living Best Sushi honoree. Order: nigiri and a seaweed salad.
05 The Fresh Market
Grocery sushi • Mount Pleasant
A sushi case built for weeknights, with delivery available. Order: salmon rolls and edamame.
06 CudaCo. Seafood House
Seafood • James Island
A fish market and kitchen whose wholesale side supplies sustainably caught fish to about 200 local restaurants. Order: the poke bowl, or a fillet to cook at home.
07 Pho Saigon
Vietnamese • James Island
Long-simmered broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs. A hug in a quart container. Order: chicken pho with extra herbs.
08 Get Carried Away Southern Market
Southern market • Mount Pleasant
Gluten- and dairy-free chicken, shrimp, egg, and tuna salads. Order: a quart of shrimp salad and a bag of greens, and lunch is handled for days.
09 Ladles
Soup • 12 locations from Downtown to Summerville
Charleston-grown since 2007, with vegan and gluten-free options. Order: Greek lemon chicken.
10 Stella’s
Greek • Downtown
Charleston Living’s Best Greek and Middle Eastern. Order: grilled fish with vegetables.
11 Taste of Thai
Thai • West Ashley
Family owned since 2008. Order: green curry with chicken.
12 Huriyali
Cafe • Downtown and James Island
A farmers market favorite turned neighborhood cafe. Order: a hearty salad and a smoothie.
13 The Gathering Cafe
Cafe • Summerville
Vegan and gluten-free at heart, with meat and seafood for everyone else.
14 Whole Foods Market
Grocery prepared foods • West Ashley and Mount Pleasant
Hot bar, salad bar, and sushi for nights when nobody agrees on dinner.
Local Chefs, Delivered
Healthy Thyme Meals Chef Landen Ganstrom, a six-time Charleston Mac Off champ, started Healthy Thyme the second week of Covid. His rotating weekly menu covers gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole30, and plant-based meals, delivered free from Mount Pleasant to James Island.
Also try Atlyss Food Co. (locally sourced meals in compostable packaging), Table & Twine (chef-made family-style dinners), and Clean Eatz Kitchen (meal plans from $8.99, with free delivery).
Order Smarter
Build the plate around lean protein and vegetables, get dressings and sauces on the side, and choose grilled over fried. Order tomorrow’s lunch with tonight’s dinner. And if you have specific dietary needs, a quick talk with your physician or a registered dietitian beats any menu we could recommend.
