Super pricey place, not good food, not fresh food, it is an expensive fast food place. Not great at all. Expensive and horrible food.
Derril Albert
I wish less than one star was available. Mediocre, very small biscuits that are pre cooked, reheated and served on a paper plate for $10. No thanks. The staff was impersonal and downright surly. Feels like a cheap sandwich shop attached to a fancy hotel. Anyone who says In their review that the biscuits were outstanding is obviously not from the South. Will not return.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Andrew Schneider
Decent coffee. Biscuit was ok. Very convenient spot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Preston Bessire
My wife and I are currently staying at the Renaissance Lindy hotel in downtown Charleston, and we decided to take the front desk’s recommendation to try Handy & Hot for breakfast. We learned from the staff that this cozy spot is owned by Vivian Howard, an award-winning chef, cookbook author, and television personality famous for her shows on PBS. After a bit of online research, I realized she’s also a New York Times bestselling author who has won Peabody, Emmy, and James Beard awards—so I was pretty excited to give her food a try.
The breakfast did not disappoint. I thought the breakfast potatoes were perfectly warm, and the eggs were whipped just right with an ideal amount of salt. The bacon was deliciously crispy, and the bread served alongside everything was thick, fresh, and really hit the spot.
To Management:
My only critique would be the sausage patties—they were a little too greasy for my taste, and I’d personally suggest a healthier (or at least a less heavy) alternative. Otherwise, everything else was fantastic, especially considering the affordable price point.
I love that Vivian Howard, who once dreamed of being a writer, has managed to blend her creative passions with her culinary talent, all while raising twins and running multiple restaurants (she also owns Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, NC, and Lenoir here in Charleston). It’s clear she pours her heart into her work—I can see why she’s racked up so many accolades.
Overall, I’d absolutely recommend Handy & Hot if you’re in downtown Charleston, whether you’re staying at the Renaissance Lindy or just looking for a satisfying breakfast. With Vivian Howard at the helm, you know you’re getting something special. I fully support her and can’t wait to see what else she comes up with next!
The sign outside is right. The coffee is proper - great NC roaster. While the “feel” of the place felt a little flat (we went in the afternoon - I’m betting the morning is more lively) the food was really great. Best packaged Caesar I’ve had. My wife got the potlicker stew and it was so delicious. Don’t sleep on the soft boiled egg and tomato relish - maybe the best thing I had and would definitely get again. If you like good coffee and small bites, this is a nice place to grab breakfast for lunch!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Softboiled Egg Tomatorelish
Nathaniel Reister
The biscuit was on point, the hot honey chicken sandwich ticked all the box’s, and my wife throughly enjoyed her okra and grits. Definitely will be back in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Renshaw
cute spot but completely under delivered I understand this place is leaning towards convenience but way too much quality is sacrificed paid 18$ for two hand pies after tip and they were decent at best, I can’t say I loved it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Todd Studeny
Our favorite place in Charleston to buy biscuit sandwiches. The biscuits are fluffy and fresh, and the bacon was amazing. We really enjoyed the apple hand pies, and the iced tea was refreshing. Worth a visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carol LeCompte
One of our first impressions of Charleston and it didn't disappoint. The biscuits are the best! Sam behind the counter took the whole experience well beyond 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jon Beard
Very disappointing experience. Staff was disorganized. We ordered two biscuits and a black coffee. Our food was taken to the wrong table where it was handled by those customers. Then (after far too long) the sever realized the mistake went and took it back, handling them yet again to see what was on the biscuits. I was expecting a "Sorry! I'll be right back with new ones." What I got was handed two well-traveled community biscuits. When asked about the coffee I ordered and did not get, I watched as some form of salted caramel latte milkshake concoction was made. I assumed it was for someone else and was puzzled when it was handed to me. The interaction went downhill from there, but I finally did get a small black coffee. A pretty good one, too.
We're big fans of Vivian and have had good luck at her other establishments. I don't imagine this was the customer experience they're trying for here. Hopefully, others will have a better time than we did.
Embarrassing presentation, small portion, served on a paper plate. Absolutely not worth the price. Tasted good, but this is sad. I’d be ashamed if this was my establishment.
Geoff
Great coffee and great staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeff Nelson
Food taste was excellent, home fries were seasoned well. Only disappointment was the size of the biscuits compared to price. The two egg plate was worth it though
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Neil Voskoboynikov
This place is amazing, cozy and bright atmosphere paired with amazing happy people and food is great, had the peach and goat cheese handy and eggs and was a bliss. Unique tea, ie Charleston fog is cool
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Graham Hyder
I had just finished walking the Ravenel Bridge and was hungry so I did a Google search and this place popped up and it got decent reviews so I thought I would just scoot on over and get a quick biscuit and a cup of coffee to go. I know Charleston is terrible for parking, but first of all, I had to park two blocks away, which wouldn't have been bad if it had been any good. I had read that the bacon egg and cheese biscuit was the best, so I got that and a black cup of coffee. I was a little bit astounded when my total came to almost $15. The biscuit was $10, which means a black cup of coffee was $4. That's ridiculous. The biscuit was pretty small and nothing special. The bacon was soggy, and the egg was loaded with salt. The coffee was non-drinkable. It tasted like straight vinegar, and I had to pour it out. Very overpriced and overrated, and I will not be going back and I do not recommend.
Super pricey place, not good food, not fresh food, it is an expensive fast food place. Not great at all. Expensive and horrible food.
I wish less than one star was available. Mediocre, very small biscuits that are pre cooked, reheated and served on a paper plate for $10. No thanks. The staff was impersonal and downright surly. Feels like a cheap sandwich shop attached to a fancy hotel. Anyone who says In their review that the biscuits were outstanding is obviously not from the South. Will not return.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decent coffee. Biscuit was ok. Very convenient spot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
My wife and I are currently staying at the Renaissance Lindy hotel in downtown Charleston, and we decided to take the front desk’s recommendation to try Handy & Hot for breakfast. We learned from the staff that this cozy spot is owned by Vivian Howard, an award-winning chef, cookbook author, and television personality famous for her shows on PBS. After a bit of online research, I realized she’s also a New York Times bestselling author who has won Peabody, Emmy, and James Beard awards—so I was pretty excited to give her food a try.
The breakfast did not disappoint. I thought the breakfast potatoes were perfectly warm, and the eggs were whipped just right with an ideal amount of salt. The bacon was deliciously crispy, and the bread served alongside everything was thick, fresh, and really hit the spot.
To Management:
My only critique would be the sausage patties—they were a little too greasy for my taste, and I’d personally suggest a healthier (or at least a less heavy) alternative. Otherwise, everything else was fantastic, especially considering the affordable price point.
I love that Vivian Howard, who once dreamed of being a writer, has managed to blend her creative passions with her culinary talent, all while raising twins and running multiple restaurants (she also owns Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, NC, and Lenoir here in Charleston). It’s clear she pours her heart into her work—I can see why she’s racked up so many accolades.
Overall, I’d absolutely recommend Handy & Hot if you’re in downtown Charleston, whether you’re staying at the Renaissance Lindy or just looking for a satisfying breakfast. With Vivian Howard at the helm, you know you’re getting something special. I fully support her and can’t wait to see what else she comes up with next!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Biscuit Batch, Pimento Bacon Biscuit, Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit, Brie
The sign outside is right. The coffee is proper - great NC roaster. While the “feel” of the place felt a little flat (we went in the afternoon - I’m betting the morning is more lively) the food was really great. Best packaged Caesar I’ve had. My wife got the potlicker stew and it was so delicious. Don’t sleep on the soft boiled egg and tomato relish - maybe the best thing I had and would definitely get again. If you like good coffee and small bites, this is a nice place to grab breakfast for lunch!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Softboiled Egg Tomatorelish
The biscuit was on point, the hot honey chicken sandwich ticked all the box’s, and my wife throughly enjoyed her okra and grits. Definitely will be back in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
cute spot but completely under delivered I understand this place is leaning towards convenience but way too much quality is sacrificed paid 18$ for two hand pies after tip and they were decent at best, I can’t say I loved it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Our favorite place in Charleston to buy biscuit sandwiches. The biscuits are fluffy and fresh, and the bacon was amazing. We really enjoyed the apple hand pies, and the iced tea was refreshing. Worth a visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of our first impressions of Charleston and it didn't disappoint. The biscuits are the best! Sam behind the counter took the whole experience well beyond 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very disappointing experience. Staff was disorganized. We ordered two biscuits and a black coffee. Our food was taken to the wrong table where it was handled by those customers. Then (after far too long) the sever realized the mistake went and took it back, handling them yet again to see what was on the biscuits. I was expecting a "Sorry! I'll be right back with new ones." What I got was handed two well-traveled community biscuits. When asked about the coffee I ordered and did not get, I watched as some form of salted caramel latte milkshake concoction was made. I assumed it was for someone else and was puzzled when it was handed to me. The interaction went downhill from there, but I finally did get a small black coffee. A pretty good one, too.
We're big fans of Vivian and have had good luck at her other establishments. I don't imagine this was the customer experience they're trying for here. Hopefully, others will have a better time than we did.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Embarrassing presentation, small portion, served on a paper plate. Absolutely not worth the price. Tasted good, but this is sad. I’d be ashamed if this was my establishment.
Great coffee and great staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food taste was excellent, home fries were seasoned well. Only disappointment was the size of the biscuits compared to price. The two egg plate was worth it though
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
This place is amazing, cozy and bright atmosphere paired with amazing happy people and food is great, had the peach and goat cheese handy and eggs and was a bliss. Unique tea, ie Charleston fog is cool
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had just finished walking the Ravenel Bridge and was hungry so I did a Google search and this place popped up and it got decent reviews so I thought I would just scoot on over and get a quick biscuit and a cup of coffee to go. I know Charleston is terrible for parking, but first of all, I had to park two blocks away, which wouldn't have been bad if it had been any good. I had read that the bacon egg and cheese biscuit was the best, so I got that and a black cup of coffee. I was a little bit astounded when my total came to almost $15. The biscuit was $10, which means a black cup of coffee was $4. That's ridiculous. The biscuit was pretty small and nothing special. The bacon was soggy, and the egg was loaded with salt. The coffee was non-drinkable. It tasted like straight vinegar, and I had to pour it out. Very overpriced and overrated, and I will not be going back and I do not recommend.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
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