Those of us who live here know that Charleston is home to some of the best restaurants in the country, but it’s always nice to hear it from someone who doesn’t have skin in the game. 🙂

In a December 21st article by the Washington Post’s food critic Tom Sietsema, Charleston was listed as the 10th best food city in America, a remarkable feat considering our city’s size compared to others in Sietsema’s top ten list, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston.

Sietsema traveled to Charleston and ate at sixteen of our city’s best restaurants (check out the full list here), including The Ordinary, Xiao Bao Biscuit, and local favorite Martha Lou’s Kitchen, where the “craggy golden fried chicken, succulent shrimp and a heaping helping of hospitality” left a lasting impression. His favorite new dish was Mexican restaurant Minero‘s twist on Charleston’s tried-and-true shrimp and grits, featuring masa grits and chili sofrito.

Read more about Sietsema’s food tour through Charleston, and check out the Washington Post’s video homage to the lowcountry’s most famous dish, featuring local food connoisseur Matt Lee.