"Rex 1516 is a Southern/creole spot that makes some of the best classic cheeseburgers in the city, but we’re also big fans of their New Orleans-inspired specials, like the Dat Fish Cray, a crawfish gumbo-topped cheddar burger, or the Pop(corn) Don’t Preach Burger loaded with popcorn chicken and dill pickles. Their brunch is also legendary, and full of hearty Southern favorites like biscuits, gravy, shrimp, and grits (though not all together). Expect big portions and friendly service in the warm, somewhat cramped dining room. On Tuesday nights, the crowd gets significantly rowdier, thanks in part to their “Citywide Special” deal: a burger, a pint, and a shot for $17." - Jordan Price
"This South Street Low Country cuisine spot is a place that works just as well for dates as it does for a live music hangout or a weekend brunch. And even though you’ll want a plate of crab fondue and smoked short rib, skipping the shrimp and grits would be a huge mistake. It has eight jumbo shrimp sitting on a pillow grits. The dish is coated with a shellfish gravy and smoked tomato jam that gives each spoonful a flawless balance of rich creaminess and butteriness. Within a few bites, you’ll be slotting this dish into your weekly routine, like searching for that dream house on Zillow you can’t afford." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"Rex at The Royal is one of those places to check out when you don’t want to be on the wild end of South Street. And when it comes to date night, you’ll get a better dinner-and-a-show experience here than hitting up the TLA a few blocks down. With a menu full of Lowcountry favorites like creamy crab fondue, shrimp and grits, and crawfish pot pie, you’ll get to choose from a lot of tasty dishes that are perfect for any night of the week. And if the date goes well and you want a nightcap, they have a bottle shop inside where you can grab some merlot to go." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"A meaty, seasoned burger topped with the crispiest bacon is undeniably tasty at Rex at the Royal. Here, burger patties aren’t smashed, but grilled to their juiciest thickness. Pro-tip: Don’t miss their burger night, when they are paired with a side dish, shot, and beer for only $19." - Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme
"This South Street restaurant serves Low Country food in a glam, historic space that used to be a theater. For Restaurant Week, you can choose to eat things like oyster stew over french bread, fried chicken served with mac and cheese and sweet potatoes, and apple cobbler or beignets stuffed with chocolate." - candis mclean