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Alluette's Café
Categories: Restaurants Soul Food Restaurants Vegetarian Restaurants Vegan Soul Food, Vegetarian, Vegan [Edit]
80-A Reid StCharleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-6926
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 7 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
44 reviews for Alluette's Café
Review Highlights
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"The okra fried rice was definitely worth the wait." In 2 reviews -
"We want to eat something organic and freshly made." In 10 reviews -
"They have daily specials in addition to their regular menu." In 3 reviews
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Patricia C.
Buford, GA
5/2/2012
By far the freshest and tastiest food I had during my birthday visit to Charleston. The owner was a joy to talk with and one could tell that she knows the art of cooking for health.
The homemade tea was amazing. I highly recommend that you order it with your meal. For my entree I ordered the Geeshi burger with potatoes and both were tasty and fresh. The chocolate chip cookie for my birthday was made from scratch as well.
I ate at several of the larger and more prominent restaurants in Charleston but Alluette's cafe had the best customer service and food. I will definitely eat here again during my next stay in Charleston. -
Review from Krissie W.
Cleveland, OH
2/28/2012
If 3.5 stars were an option, this would be it.
The food was very good. I had the shrimp and it was good - not the best I've ever had, but definitely not the worst. The atmosphere was really nice, and since there were no posted specials, Aluette offered to cook us whatever. That is a rare experience.
It's a great alternative to all the glitzy places on King Street.
I wouldn't get dessert, however. We had some pound cake (the only option besides cookies), and although it was good, it was not worth the $8. All in all, Aluette's atmosphere is wonderful, but the food was pretty standard. -
Review from Sherry J.
2/15/2012
Thank you Yelp for helping me discover this absolutely AMAZING place!
My partner in crime and I were in Charleston for my b-day weekend and needed some wholesome food before we hit the town for some drinks and this was the first place that popped up on yelp.
when we walked in we were warmly greeted by one of the owners who was also super helpful in guiding us through the menu. We shared a salad and the rice and veggie stir fry and I am NOT lying when I say it was the BEST meal I have had all year, possible even ever!
We were privileged enough to have the place mostly to ourselves and the owners both spent much time talking with us and telling us about there journey with establishing this restaurant and their philosophy on food. They use mostly organic and all locally sourced food and Ms. Alluette is an absolute culinary genius!
This place is an undiscovered gem and I would recommended getting yourself here before people find out how great this place is and there is a line around the block to get a table! If I ever find myself near Charleston this will be the first stop I make! Thank you Alluette for making my b-day weekend perfect! -
Review from Chris J.
Philadelphia, PA
1/26/2012
This place is AWESOME! The people are really nice and you can tell that they are passionate about healthy natural foods that taste delicious. I eat Paleo, and it's hard to eat well on the road so I'm really glad I found this place.
The salmon soup was great. Perfectly simmered in a tomato and veggie broth. I love it when you can actually taste the ingredients of a soup and not just get overpowered with salt.
This is how veggies are supposed to taste! I will definitely return on my next visit to Charleston. -
Review from Jeremy E.
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had the pleasure to eat here last week with my best friends and significant others. To a person, we were all blown away by the food.
When we walked in, we were greeted warmly by the owner. The decor is very unique. A little cluttered and borderline messy, but it fit with the entirety of the experience.
The wife and I split their chicken sandwich and fried Tiger shrimp so we could sample a little more of the menu. We also had a cup of lima bean soup.
I have never enjoyed a chicken sandwich as much as I did this one. Lightly pan fried to perfection, topped with fresh lettuce, tomato and onion which added the perfect amount of texture and flavor. Really delicious.
The shrimp were also on another level of good. Growing up in Boston, I demand fresh shrimp and can taste if it has ever been touched by a freezer. These were right off the boat, and had that extra level of fresh shrimp flavor that makes my mouth happy. You know the shrimp is great when it is lightly fried, and you can see through the batter and look at the actual shrimp. No hiding behind crusty, thick fry batter.
French fries fresh cut and the potato was almost sweet which was just the cherry on top for me.
The only complaint I had was the time it took to get the food, but in all fairness, there is a *warning* that good food takes time.
When my group left, we talked about the food for a good 10 minutes, which is the mark of a fine spot to eat.
Well done! -
Review from A X.
Atwater, CA
8/15/2011
Stanley and I came across this restaurant by yelping it. We want to eat something organic and freshly made.
I got the Geechi Girl Burger and Stanley got the fried shrimps: both came with homemade fries.
It was AMAZING! My lunch couldn't be better :-)
The owner and the employees are super nice, too. -
Review from Debra D.
Nashville, TN
Holistic Food for the Soul!!!! The best Lima bean soup I have ever tasted! Local+organic....hummus to fried chicken!
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Review from Karl N.
Charleston, SC
6/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
A wonderful family atmosphere which makes it an excellent dining experience. No matter what you decide to order (fish, shrimp, chicken salad, Turkey Burger, etc.), each meal is great. Come join Alluette and her staff for a meal you will never forget.
Today, I had the shrimp with slaw. It was excellent. Hey, Aluette...how about an extra shrimp on the next visit? -
Review from Louise A.
Winston-Salem, NC
1/14/2012
Wonderful find. Thank you Yelpers for never failing to help me find a good place to eat. In town for a conference and wanted to explore on our last day. I was a little concerned because I was with a varied group, but everyone loved Alluette's amazing food. Be fair warned this is not a place for a quick bite and the bill may seem on the higher end, but the chef/owner freshly cuts your veggies, etc. after you order and is cooking all your meals from scratch. They appear to use many local and organic foods, and it was worth the wait/price. Not your mainstream dining experience, but perfectly quirky for this traveling biologist.
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Review from Sam S.
Eugene, OR
4/19/2011
I have been here twice and enjoyed myself immensely both times. The food is incredibly fresh and unique. I had the Salmon Stew and the Turkey Burger, both were excellent. My wife loved the black bean burger.
It's a small place in a somewhat strange location, but do not let that dissuade you. The service is a little on the slow side, but that's because everything is made fresh to order by a small, caring staff. If you go, be prepared for a slower-paced dining experience. There's nothing wrong with that! -
Review from Heidi Z. W.
Charlotte, NC
3/10/2011
What a treat to find Alluette's! Great food, friendly service and fair price.
Had the best black bean burger ever! Also had the juiciest fried chicken sandwich!
The organic peanut butter cookie was awesome and the oatmeal raisin was close second. -
Review from Faith D.
5/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food, made with thoughtful ingredients, and by a chef, Alluette, who loves what she does!
Yelp did not steer me wrong when I was searching for a delicious restaurant in the Charleston area. Alluette's is fabulous! Expect to pay a pretty penny for each dish, but your money is an investment in local business, local farmers, and fresh, seasonal ingredients. An additional perk is that you are eating something not only scrumptious, but also healthy!
My husband ordered the fried shrimp and even a month later he still is talking about how fantastic each bite was! He says it was the BEST fried shrimp he has ever had, EVER! I got one of the daily specials: shrimp creole over jasmine rice. The tomato sauce was so flavorful and completely fresh tasting...which with tomatoes, fresh makes a huge difference. My mouth is watering as I relive our dinner!
Like others have mentioned, the restaurant is not fancy, but it is comfortable, warm, and welcoming. In addition, the service is not fast, but it makes for a good dining experience...it's an opportunity to refine the art of conversation. We had a wonderful time and so will you!
Slow down, stop by, enjoy. We will be back the next time we're in town! -
Review from Kelly Love J.
Austin, TX
2/14/2011
Even though I moved away from Charleston over a year ago, I still miss Alluette's healthy soul food! When she opened her restaurant on Reid St. I used to eat there at least twice a month (more often if I was craving a healthy BBQ chicken sandwich with homemade cole slaw). The atmosphere is great and Alluette is a genius when it comes to making healthy food taste good. She takes traditional Lowcountry recipes and turns them into lower calorie, lower fat versions of Charleston favorites. Organic, local, sustainable...everything a restaurant should be.
Great place for lunch or dinner (I used to meet friends there for lunch all the time). -
Review from Anita W.
7/29/2011
Went for our anniversary when we were on vacation. I can't have milk and my husband loves meat, so the vegan/carnivore combo appealed to us. What we didn't understand was that this chef adheres to the "slow food" movement, meaning your food will take over an hour to get to your table. After that long of a wait and the great reviews, we expected much more. The tofu in my stir fry was goo-y, barely cooked, and not marinaded in anything (I set it all aside - it was disgusting), but the vegetables were farm fresh and perfectly cooked. My husband loved his fish and okra, but complained that he left hungry, though we dared not order more food after the initial wait. Oh, and the place was not at all full, so I didn't see a reason for that long of a wait.
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Review from Kate H.
Augusta, GA
8/29/2011
Good food but a bit over-priced for what you get.
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Review from Anna L.
Knoxville, TN
4/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Alluette was so gracious and welcoming to us and our three girls. She took the time to find out where we were from and explained the history of her cafe.
The black bean burger? Out of this world! But the one thing you absolutely must try is her friend shrimp! It is hand's down the best ever: light crunchy battering on perfectly cooked tender shrimp.
Also a thumbs up to the locally baked cookies... yum! -
Review from Mike C.
Greensboro, NC
5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
While in Charleston for a special weekend we visit Alluette's after a quick search on Yelp. I must say it was a nice find. The menu and food turned out ok but service and the bill in the end were a joke. We ordered a veggie plate with 5 vegetables and a veggie burger. 50 minutes later we got our meal and we were one of only 2 couples in the restaurant. While we enjoyed the food, when we got our bill....what a surprise. How about $22 for a vegetable plate? 4 small half slices of carrot, small portions. When we asked we were told..."well it is all organic". Not our first rodeo. We paid the bill but felt an honest review was due on Yelp.
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Review from Allison M.
Charleston, SC
10/14/2008
I've had the pleasure of eating at Alluette's a few times. The first couple times, i couldn't part with the chicken salad. The fresh, regional, free range chicken is shredded (not chunky) and mixed with a little mayo (not too much, as is so common) and herbs and spices. It's simple, and yet magnificent. I recommend taking some in a little container to go or for a picnic.
The last time I visited I forced myself to try something different. The shrimp salad was delicious as well. It was a rainy day, and I particularly appreciated the lima bean soup, which I expected to be mushed up like lentil soup, but it was brothy with giant whole lima beans and seasoned just right.
When you drive up, you might be asking yourself, is this really the place that ranked steady 5-star ratings on Yelp? It's not much from the outside, and frankly, the interior isn't anything to write home about either. After all, at it's heart it's a soul food joint. Alluette's soul food is holistic and healthy, not overcooked junk food sopping in too much butter. She has personally prepared every meal I've had there.
A few notes:
- Vegan and vegetarian friendly.
- All meats are free of hormones, nitrates, and artificial junk.
- They don't serve any pork products.
- Favor local and organic foods.
- Takes a little time to prepare -- don't go when you are in a rush.
- Catering available.
- Delivery available. (YES!) -
Review from Marge C.
Flushing, NY
7/7/2010 8 photos
"Ma and Pa" style restaurant with shockingly good food expertly prepared. Located at the outskirts of the tourist area but just a few blocks from the visitor center this little gem has a lot of heart. The outside is a bit rundown but don't be dissuaded. They have daily specials in addition to their regular menu. The focus here is fresh, organic, and local grown ingredients. The service is friendly, casual, and attentive.
The hummus was really fresh. The fried shrimp was lightly battered and nothing short of amazing. While it was just a side, the Okra Fried Rice was absolutely delicious...a must try! Nothing here was greasy or salty, just good.
Unfortunately by the time we got there the organic bread puddin was already sold out so go there early!!
Ma Alluette is a hard cookin lady and she's also trying to revive Jazz with her other joint, Alluette's Jazz Cafe. Wishin her lots of luck and all the best! -
Review from Demetria M.
Charlotte, NC
8/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Amazing....perhaps I'm dreaming.......am I watching the cook slice fresh okra and onions to create what I just ordered? Indeed she was and I certainly applaud her for putting that type of love into what she does and transfer it on to my plate...it was simply a unique and creative masterpiece. Everything here is made to order, so if you're looking for a quick turn around on your food, this is not the place. The okra fried rice was definitely worth the wait. Keep creating love in the kitchen and I for one will certainly support you every time I'm in the area
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Review from Carolyn M.
Tampa, FL
12/16/2008
Soul food exploding with soul! Alluette's Cafe is a rare gem. And I suggest you run, not walk to dine with Alluette herself. This home cookin' is the real deal. Organic LOCAL produce, daily vegan specials, exactly what you are looking for when you come to Charleston - Soul Food at it's finest without any guilt.
Supporting Alluete means supporting local farmers, organic principals, and vegetarians. Don't worry if you bring your meat-eating half, they can indulge in organic meats cooked in the finest ways.
I enjoyed a collard green sandwich on whole wheat bun with vegan cheese and a side salad drizzled with homemade dressing. It was divine. I texted my friends back in Florida exclaiming "I'm eating VEGAN soul food!"
Alluette, the owner and cook, is on a path of spiritual enlightenment and in tune with the principal "you are what you eat." She will only serve the finest food for you and your family to enjoy.
I will be back in January when I return for work. :)
Happy Vegan Dining.
be well,
carolyn -
Review from Dan W.
Marshall, WI
6/15/2011
Like another review stated, while the food was very good and the staff very friendly, the speed of the service and bill were to be desired. We stopped in simply based on the rating, not knowing it would take almost an hour to get 3 sandwiches, including a PB&J for our 2 year old. I could understand this, if this were a larger restaurant and busy, but since there were only 2 other tables seated when we arrived, and 1 of them had already been served, it seems a bit extreme.
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Review from Francesca L.
San Francisco, CA
6/9/2010
Probably one of the best hidden gems in Charleston! You would never find this place if you were walking along King Street, but that's also why this place is so amazing!
My brother and I have been on a quest to find quality places to eat in Charleston that accommodate a vegetarian sustainable diet and we hit the jackpot with Alluettes! Not only is the staff super friendly and laid back, but they are also well spoken on the issues revolving around organic, sustainable, locally farmed produce. Its nice to know that people care about where their food comes from and put the extra effort into supporting their local community.
The egg salad sandwich is phenomenal and definitely get the specialty sweet tea! The cookies are gigantic and every crumb worth indulging!
If you want great, quality slow food that cater to vegans, vegetarians, or those who want to support sustainable local produce, this is your spot! I can't recommend it enough! -
Review from Ryan S.
Santa Ana, CA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been meaning to get on here and post a review. We walked about a mile from our hotel to have lunch at Alluette's after having read the reviews on the cafe. As we walked up we noticed it was closed. A lady came out to unload items from her car and asked us if she could help us. We explained we wanted lunch and the website had mentioned the cafe was open. It ended up being closed, however she invited us in and made us a personal lunch. Both she and the cafe are amazing. A must visit if you are in the area.
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Review from Jasen F.
1/27/2010
Had a nice lunch visit here. Friendly service and greated immediately upon entering, which was good as it's a little bit of sketch on the outside, not bad, not good, almost an indifferent location.
We wondered outside to a nice little patio under a gorgeous October sky and walked back inside to see the specials.
Very local, small, laid-back, and good! Simple food, well done, served with the grace good food deserves. Not perfect but definately unique within Charleston. Good for your heart and belly. -
Review from Jimmy M.
Boston, MA
7/20/2011
Nestled away in a back alley, Aluette's cafe is a magical little place. It's a very down to earth, homey restaurant. Everybody here was so friendly and genuine. We had great conversations with the patrons around us and with the restaurant staff. Truly an enjoyable experience.
And of course, the food was delicious. Aluette manages to serve great soulfood in a healthy fashion. My girlfriend and I tried the shrimp jambalaya and the fried shrimp/fries/coleslaw. Both were incredibly delicious. The shrimps were lightly breaded and fried so that you can still taste the shrimp. The coleslaw was also fantastic, very fresh and very light. The jambalya was also very flavorful although I remain partial to my shrimps.
In short, if you're in Charleston and want to have a great meal away from the typical tourist-filled restaurants, you must stop by here. -
Review from David C.
Amesbury, MA
3/18/2010
Had an amazing lunch here on our way home from a roadtrip to Florida.
The food was fantastic as was the service. The owner was very attentive to the customers. I can't say enough good things about the fresh local ingrediants they use in their dishes. Wow! -
Review from Jennifer D.
South Nyack, NY
3/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
We stopped in here because we wanted a light and healthy lunch before we had a long walk around Charleston. Aluette's delivered! What is most notable here is not actually the food, though - the ambiance is created by the friendly, chatty, loving service. They are happy to engage you in conversation while serving up what they call locavore soul food. The slaw is good, the black bean burger is excellent, as is the fish soup and the shrimp salad sandwich. The portions are light and the sweet tea is refilled often. Definitely worth a visit.
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Review from Daniel C.
Branchburg, NJ
3/1/2011
This was undergoing a major renovation when I lunched here last week, but they still managed to serve me a very fine turkey melt sandwich. The staff and owner are very friendly and the renovations will greatly expand the outside eating area. They care about their product here and it shows. A unique experience..not touristy!
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Review from dan d.
San Francisco, CA
2/15/2009
So far everyone else has given Alluette's five stars, I must have missed something.... or they must all be vegan. Yes, this place is vegan friendly, which I suppose is pretty hard to find in the south and especially in southern food. Alluette's prides itself on the fact that all it's food is organic and "good for the soul" and you can be sure that this is reflected in the prices. They must get their ingredients directly from Whole Foods; (I saw the bags in the kitchen) because I paid $13 for a fried chicken plate that had about 10 total bites of chicken and meager helpings of mashed potatoes and cole slaw. My girlfriend's meal was even worse in this regard, $14 got her the three vegetable plate.... being addicted to collard greens, she ordered a double helping of collard greens and rounded it out with rice. I can't figure out how the tiny amount of food she got cost a dollar more than my organic, free range, happy-up-until-the-minute-they-crushed-it's-skull chicken, but somehow it did. Am I a restaurant manager? No, I'm not. Does this still confound me? Yes, it does.
Other tips about Alluette's:
Was the food good? Yes, it was very good.
Did I eat dinner again when I got home? Yes.
It's good for Vegans as they have tons of vegan type options.
It's good for Muslims as there is no alcohol or pork on the menu.
In that same regard - it's not so good for alcoholics. Or perhaps it is...
Don't come here if you're in a hurry. There are sings posted in the place that say "good food takes time".... and they live up to that promise.
They advertise "live jazz". They don't have live jazz. They have a guy with a guitar playing cover songs.
Will I go back? I might. I hear they're opening up a new location further downtown that's actually going to serve (organic) beer and wine, so I'll probably go to check that out rather than the current location. -
Review from Richard L.
Knoxville, TN
5/2/2011
Fried Shrimp and the Black Bean Burger. Both were really good. In a day where going to a new city means a lot of tourist, scary food because you just don't know what to avoid, Yelp led us here and it wasn't wrong. I felt like we were supporting a piece of history. All the food and service was just great.
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Review from Bianca B.
3/31/2009
Well, loverboy and I arrived in Charleston starving and in need pf some vegetarian food. Thank goodness for Yelp. We strolled into this cute spot on a not-so-cute side street.and it was empty, save for Alluette and her chef. We were greeted by their smiles and had our pick of tables.
They were playing some pretty nice jazz music and the walls and tables were filled with all kinds of local art and postings about events, books and photographs and art.
I ordered the shrimp salad and bf ordered the tofu stir fry. We both had some peach tea (which I could drink for the rest of my life!) All I can say about the food is: FRESH & PERFECTLY seasoned. Absolutely no complaints there. Full disclosure: we went back the next day for lunch. He had the stir fry again, I had a tuna sandwich. Yummy! I'd love to see her do up some traditional unhealthy southern dishes.
So... yeah, food was great. But something happened that threw the boy and I off. We had a conversation with Alluette and the chef. She informed us that black folks rarely dined there. After a lecture/sermon about the evils of pork and fried foods and how the minds of our black community were "shackled", loverboy and I kinda felt that maybe, unconsciously, her dietary elitism had alienated her from the very community she wanted to serve.
She's a born and bred geechie girl who knows she can cook - and cook well and make it healthy. But the food's a bit pricey and her spot is in the middle of the hood. I get that local and organic is not affordable because it's not mass-produced (hopefully, in the future, it will be affordable and accessible). Maybe being physically within a low-income Black community is supposed to make it accessible, but it wasn't working.
As we dined, we watched another black couple come in, look at the prices, shake their heads, and walk out. Now, who knows why they left. Not in the mood for salads and sandwiches? Prices not great? Wanted something spicier? But after they left, Alluette said, "See?" Her presumptions rubbed me the wrong way.
Politics aside, she's a beautiful woman with a gift in the kitchen. If anything, come for dessert and chat it up with her. Her bread pudding is reeeeaaaaally delicious. -
Review from Dante T.
Keswick, VA
10/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
Love this place. Alluette just made us feel at home. They have two locations one is a kinda shock due to the area and alleyway ish location but the bar/cafe by the park is just rocking with a cool menu full bar and wicked Jazz & Blues.His choice of fresh local ingredients is dead on. Made my soul happy and definitely worth your visit.
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Review from Michael B.
Lake Hiawatha, NJ
11/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
Come here if you want excellent food, fresher than anywhere else. I could swear they picked the lettuce for the salad right before they served it to me. Don't come here if you're in a hurry or impatient: as their sign says, good food takes time. And it's worth every minute.
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Review from Cat G.
Boston, MA
5/18/2009
a haiku for alluette's
Collard Green Sandwich:
local veg deliciousness,
soul food perfected.
super friendly staff, the amazing chef-tess gave us a free cookie for being newlyweds. what more could you ask?
My husband attests to the tenacity of the roast beef sandwich, and together we ate every drop of her lima bean soup -- it was perfectly seasoned, with a lemony brightness that surprised us both.
go, today. eat well! -
Review from Karen P.
Hartford, CT
8/15/2010
Three of us stopped in for lunch one fated weekend, and everything we ate was delicious-- and not just because we were famished. The cafe is super cute, with about eight small tables and peachy-colored walls. We tried the salmon burger and a BBQ chicken sandwich, which were listed as specials that day, as well as the house iced tea. The vegetables for the salads were all really fresh, and the meat/fish was well-prepared and hot. As I said, everything was delicious and truly spot-on. The staff were laid-back and friendly.
The only reason we didn't give Alluette's five stars was because one of our group used the restroom after our meal, and found the cleanliness to be questionable. Overall, sanitation could use improvement. -
Review from A R.
Charleston, SC
7/26/2011
If you want genuine (non-pork) but healthful southern cuisine, come on down. You can get fried chicken cooked in Alluette's grandmother's cast iron skillet -- fabulous. But be prepared to wait. Everything is cooked from scratch to order. And if you're looking for fancy, this ain't the place. It's more like sitting at the kitchen table at an old friend's home. Come with a friend, and catch up on each other's lives while your food is cooking. It's worth the wait.
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Review from Brent R.
Charleston, SC
9/13/2008
Incredible food. Have had dinner there a couple of times now. Everything is prepared fresh, to order by Alluette herself. Be prepared to take your time. There's no rush here. Quite possibly the freshest shrimp I've had in town.
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Review from Kurt S.
Los Angeles, CA
4/13/2011
The staff/owners are really friendly. The menu is simple but the items are really good. A real gem.
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Review from Tom W.
Chocowinity, NC
12/23/2010
Visiting Charleston and went to Alluette's Cafe on Yelp recommendations. We were not disappointed. The food was wonderful and Alluette was a pleasure. It took a while to prepare and did not all come at the same time, but it was all perfect.
