Steps from the beach and the Folly Pier on 2 Center St., Rita’s Seaside Grille is a Hall family-owned restaurant where guests can expect the same level of gracious hospitality they would see in Halls Chophouse, an acclaimed fine dining establishment in downtown Charleston. They are open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and serving brunch on weekends; their menus specialize in American fare like burgers, seafood tacos, steaks, BBQ, and salads. Indoor and covered outdoor patio seating is available. The patio is dog-friendly and features an indoor-outdoor bar for guests to sit back, relax and listen to live music performed daily and nightly.
For breakfast or brunch, bite into their decadent Brioche French Toast with crispy applewood smoked bacon, Vermont maple syrup, whipped butter, and powdered sugar. Access the best of both sweet and savory worlds with Rita’s Fried Chicken and Pancakes, a fried chicken breast, two fried eggs, applewood smoked bacon, sausage gravy, buttermilk pancakes, Vermont maple syrup, and whipped butter. Or choose from one of their quiches or omelets, such as the Seaside Omelet with crab, shrimp, peppers, and pepper jack cheese. Perhaps you prefer drinking your breakfast instead. Try their Smoothie, a nutritious blend of dark sherry, baba, strawberry, honey, hemp seed, kale, and almond milk.
If you eat lunch or dinner at Rita’s, do yourself a favor and order their signature Blackened Ahi Tuna Nachos appetizer for the table, which comes loaded with tuna, peppers, jalapenos, onions, jack cheese, black beans, queso, and refreshing watermelon pico de gallo. Rita’s Smoked Chicken Wings have soared in online reviews, and you can flavor them in your choice of dry rub or Buffalo, honey-chipotle BBQ, Thai sweet chili, or mango jalapeno sauces.
Fans of Halls Chophouse should consider selecting one of their Allen Brothers steaks, such as the Black & Blue Steak, a cast-iron blackened 12 oz. prime New York strip topped in blue cheese crumbles and served with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.
If barbecue is on your brain, pick from either their pulled pork or brisket platter, both of which come paired with butter beans, cornbread, and seasoned fries.
Seafood staples are highlighted by their superb Shrimp & Grits and the Seafood Platter, shrimp, and grouper matched with sides of coleslaw and seasoned fries. Their fish and shrimp tacos are all the rage, or you can always stick to the tried-and-true classic Rita’s Cheeseburger (for an upcharge, you can stack it with applewood smoked bacon and caramelized onions or mushrooms).
Rita’s carries various salads, including the popular Halls Chop Salad, featuring cucumber, celery, peppers, black-eyed peas, feta, and bacon on a bed of romaine with a side of peppercorn ranch dressing.
Need to polish off your dinner with a confection? Rita’s serves a Brownie Sundae, Key Lime Pie, and New York Cheesecake for dessert.
Their Lil’ Pirates’ menu geared toward the little ones ten and under-delivers on all the basics: hamburger, hot dog, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, PB & J, fries, etc., with milk or fruit juice to drink.
Rita’s also serves freshly brewed iced tea and sodas and can craft any number of mocktails for those desiring something different in a non-alcoholic beverage.
While they offer a rotating selection of draft beers, local, domestic, and imported, and a small collection of red and white wines, frozen drinks and cocktails are a Rita’s specialty. Chill out with a Frozen Key Lime Colada, a mix of lime juice and pina colada rimmed with graham cracker, or a Frozen Paloma, tequila, grapefruit, and lime decorated with a chile-sugar-salt rim. After a day sunning at the beach, revitalize with Rita’s Cool Cucumber Refresher, a blend of Ketel One Botanical Cucumber Mint Vodka, lime, and cucumber.
Or celebrate Sunday Funday by sampling one of their imaginative mimosa combinations like the Honeysuckle Fizz Mimosa containing champagne, honeysuckle vodka, and orange and pineapple juices, or the Strawberry-Basil Mimosa, a medley of champagne, lemonade, strawberry puree, and fresh basil.
Join them for happy hour specials Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m.
Lounge and listen to live music on their patio with friends and family while enjoying your meal and drinks. Check their website for an updated entertainment schedule. Rita’s also has a full-service catering and events menu if you visit Folly and need a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or other special event catered. They can also accommodate private parties with advance notice.
For remarkable casual dining and exceptional customer service in a family-friendly atmosphere, make Rita’s part of your next Folly vacation.
