If you’re in Charleston on a Sunday and you’re looking for a memorable brunch experience, Halls Chophouse is the place to be!
Every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, The Halls showcase a small, local Gospel choir that belt out soulful sounds and sing classic Southern hymns while they play the piano and shake the tambourine. The choir sits in a nook right next to the entrance to welcome you long before you even get to the front door. However, throughout the morning the’ll make their way upstairs to give those dining rooms a chance to eat and watch them perform. There’s a reason this brunch is considered one of the 5 best Gospel brunches in the country! I so appreciate the Halls choice in performers as this music is the sound of Charleston. These songs have been around since slavery and are embedded in the history of our city.
But the choir isn’t the only reason to visit Halls on Sunday. Their take on classic Southern brunch dishes will far exceed any expectation you have ever had for the meal. My favorite dish, by far, is the Southern Sweet Potato pancakes. Fluffy pancakes covered in a brown sugar paste, topped with candied pecans and banana slices will have your taste buds jumping. Other favorites of mine include the brioche French toast (made with local bread), the shrimp and grits (a Charleston classic), and the crabcake eggs benedict (better than any others you’ve ever had). See what else is on the menu here. The portions are huge, making them worth the money and large enough to split. They also offer kids portions of most things on the menu. Don’t forget to save room for dessert because you won’t want to miss out on the ultimate confection, their whiskey bread pudding. Local brioche bread covered in a strong, yet sweet whiskey sauce and bourbon crème anglaise then topped with vanilla ice cream (ah, typing that just made me crave it all over again). But if bread pudding isn’t really your thing don’t worry, they have a long list of homemade desserts for you to try.
What makes this chophouse different from the rest isn’t just their carefully crafted cuisine, its their hospitality. On any given day someone from the Hall family will be there to greet you, and not just with a simple hello, but with a hug and a grin that stretches ear to ear. And when you return (I promise, you’ll definitely return), they will embrace you as if you’re an old friend visiting their home. No one is better at this than the Hall’s son Billy. His ability to make you feel like you’re their best customer, even if you only dine there a few times a year, is that special touch that most restaurants don’t have. I’ll never forget the second time I visited Halls. He came up, gave me a gigantic hug, chatted with me for a bit, then told me he’d get me the best seat in the house. Granted I had only been there one other time, but he made me feel so special as if he remembered me. It wasn’t until I was leaving I realized he did that with everyone, not just me, but it was ok because for that moment I felt important to him and thats how every restaurant should make every person that dines with them feel.
Because of their delicious food and their amazing hospitality Halls Chophouse stays booked, so be sure to make a reservation way in advance. Also, definitely dine during dinner as well. There’s a reason their considered one of the best chophouses in the country!
