This is a really cool place and a great lunch option. The bar was beautiful and there's a ton of seating options. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich because chicken is their thing and it was good! I have to say I think it's a little expensive considering it doesn't come with the side, well besides cucumbers (which were tasty and refreshing!), but the sandwich itself was really big. I also thought the beer was a little expensive, but for being in Charleston not terrible. The comeback sauce that's served with the French fries is delish! I'd like to come back and try other things. Our waiter, Raymond, was a gem, and hilarious! Such a character and we had a great time chatting with him. He was really attentive, too. I'd give this place a shot if you have a chance! read more

As part of the Charleston Culinary Tour our group ate here for our third stop. We were sat at a long table that was slightly offset from the larger dining spaces. A musician played his guitar in the larger section and we were able to still hear easily enough. The staff served us chicken sliders which were very delicious. The roll, while looking like it would overpower the chicken, was perfectly fluffy and a nice contrast to the crunchy savory chicken. I also had a cocktail here which was also very good. The waitstaff was prompt, fast, and informative. They stopped by to make sure we had everything we needed. They also gave great recommendations on drinks! read more

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Great service, good vibes, food was average. We didn't enjoy the steak, the chicken was ok. Something had to be off with the mac and cheese as it was just pasta with milk on it type appearance and flavorless. The cornbread and strawberry salad were good. read more

If you're looking for an amazing meal downtown, off East Bay, look no further than Rudy Royal.  I had a romantic date with my wife the other night and everything was SO good.  It was our first time eating there, the server was so helpful, she explained all the dishes and answered our picky food questions.   We started with some amazing summertime cocktails, I got the Margarita Royal and my wife loved that they served mocktails.  They are known for their fried chicken but upon sitting down, I quickly realized that there was SO much more to explore on the menu.  We started with the Tuna Ceviche and CornBread (OMG)! Then we moved on to entrees; I went with the Tempura FriedFlounder; it was absolutely delicious. The texture was so good, and it came served with a lobster sauce that made it all the better! My wife went with the Fried Chicken sandwich, add Pimento cheese, Lawd was it good! We tried the mint watermelon with whipped ricotta and olive oil, it was a great side that was not too heavy with all the fried food.   I have a thing about banana pudding and if it's on the menu then I MUST order it.  I have had lots of them in my life and this one was one of the best, served in a mason cup layered with Nillawafers, custard, and whipped crème, I wish I had one right now! I look forward to returning and trying their brunch as that menu looked just as amazing as the dinner menu.  If you're looking for a new spot to try out, give Rudy Royal a shot, you will not be disappointed.  -- Gustavo Serrano read more

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This was the second best place we ate at while touring Charleston. The short rib pasta was fantastic. The young lady who waited on us was extremely friendly. read more

My wife and I popped in for a delicious happy hour meal. We sat at the bar and ordered off the small plates menu. Our favorites were the fried pickles and crispy garlic potatoes. It was pretty crowded but we still got good service and could have a conversation. It was a nice way to eat downtown and enjoy being out without the normal pricetag. read more

Good food, salads were excellent and very large. Good wine selection. Good service. Have walked by many times and glad we finally stopped in. read more

We came here for a lunch on our day trip to Charleston. The chicken was solid, not the best but it did do the job.

The half fried chicken we purchased was burnt and had absolutely no flavor. This is the worst food place we've eaten at here in The downtown Charleston, SC area. read more

This joint is absolute YUM. We arrived late afternoon famished after traveling from FL and were taken care of by Becca. We ordered some specialty cocktails, a spicy shrimp appetizer and some chicken entrees. The food was great, cocktails tasty and Becca was a sweetheart checking in on us often. read more

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The service was awesome! Our server was very attentive and met all of our needs. The food was fresh and seasoned well. A cool ambience for a great meal! read more

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honestly i can't stop thinking about this food two days later. wow the mac and cheese was incredible, the mornay sauce they use it in is really top tier. i'm literally going to to try recreate the recipe because i loved it so much. the easer salad was great, though i had to ask for extra sauce for my liking. the fried chicken i added was amazing, it makes me wonder what they use to fry the chicken. overall, my friends and i agreed this was a great stop for a birthday dinner. can't wait to try this place again. it was very beautiful inside for photos and service was good. read more

The service was great and the chicken was amazing! Great atmosphere. We went on New Years Eve and they had a special menu. read more

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If go sip bite and taste everything was a restaurant this would be on the list I'm kinda obsessed! Their specialty is "Chicken & Cocktails" and they do them both oh so well! Pro tip: Get the Honey & Sea salt option and a side of the Nashville Hot you're welcome. I would have to say they probably have the best fried chicken that I've had in quite some time. You can follow along with my foodie adventures on Instagram. @sipbiteandtasteit read more

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The food was good but nothing spectacular. Our favorites were the honey salted chicken strips with cucumber salad. We also really liked the blackberry Bellini. read more

Cute local spot. Higher priced and smaller meals. Parking is tough. Fried chicken is a must try. Outside seating limited but available. Worth the visit if staying in the area. read more

I was in Charleston for a wedding when eight of us decided to dine out on a Saturday evening. Trying to snag a last minute reservation anywhere in Charleston for a large group on a weekend is tough. We were super pleased that Rudy Royale could accommodate us. The restaurant on East Bay is in a prime location for carousing around the famous market area. Finding a parking place can be a headache. Rudy's has been open for about two years and one of their signatures is their fried chicken. As someone who loves pot pies, I had to give theirs a try. It was unique, hearty and delish. A side of piping hot fries sealed the deal. Phillip, our server, was super helpful and responsive to our needs and whims. Great service, fair prices and tasty food. So glad we found Rudy's! read more

Rudy Royale - Fries with Comeback Sauce - Chicken Shop Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The best restaurant I've ever been to! Dwayne was wonderful! You cannot go wrong with anything you order. Seriously.

Came here on a Friday night to have some dinner and ordered a corn bread, fried spicy shrimps, Mac and cheese, and half of fried chicken. Service was quick. The fried chicken was very crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. (A better deal to get versus getting 1 plate of dark and 1 plate of white separately) The spicy shrimps had a nice kick to it. The corn bread was good that we got 2. It was warm and moist, not crumbly. The side butter added to the bread. The space is good for a date or just hanging out with some friends. And they take reservations. read more

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First time here and all we can say is WOW! Amazing food, great atmosphere, and even better service. Shoutout Scotty(ie)!! Best chicken i've ever had. Chicken and waffles were out of this world. Don't even get me started on the cracked potatoes. The royale bloody could be a meal! Cornbread the size of your head! I could go on and on but you have to come see for yourself!!! read more

Rudy Royale - Chicken Shop Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This is a sort of "up-scale" fried chicken place. It is nice to dine in, feels very comfortable. I will say, the chicken did not knock it out of the park. It wasn't bad but the batter had a strange bitter flavor, and the chicken didn't taste super super fresh. Honestly I've had better at Bojangles. But the restaurant is still nice! Sides were good. read more

We celebrated a family birthday here and it was awesome. Erica, our server, was amazing and attentive when the drinks were getting low. The food was amazing, my favourite was the whipped potatoes. The salmon was good, but the fennel salad gave it a weird after taste so I ended up only eating the salmon and the sweet potatoe purée. A few people at our table got the chicken sandwich and chicken pot pie and raved about them being delicious. It was a Monday, so the restaurant wasn't too crowded/loud. read more

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We had a great Sunday dinner at Rudy Royale to close out a bachelor weekend. The staff were very accommodating to our party of 10+ and provided us a very thorough dinner service. The party had a mix of items, from the legendary chicken sandwich, classic chicken pot pie, general Rudy's chicken, and even a really nicely executed salmon entree. I would without a doubt recommend this iconic piece of the Charleston food scene to any and everyone (especially groups or a party looking for a variety of options) Our server Megan, took great care of us and we would certainly come back from Charlotte to dine with her again. read more

Rudy Royale - General Rudy's Chicken, I think this may have been a featured item but I'm not certain. - Chicken Shop Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Top notch service and excellent fried chicken! Family friendly restaurant but also good for groups and dates. Location is convenient to the historic district and very walkable. We tried the warm seafood dip. It was heavy on the cream cheese and a little light on the seafood in my opinion. I ordered the two piece dark meal with the original seasoning and our server brought samples of the honey sea salt and Nashville hot sauce for me to try. Dipping the chicken in the salted honey was the way to go! I like that their menu is small so they can focus on what they do right-- fried chicken. Definitely recommend Rudy Royale! read more

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Sometimes it takes something special to get one out of a food funk. You know, that place where you crave something you can't identify, much less find. Sometimes that place is right in your backyard, under your nose so to speak, and you just stumble across it by accident only to realize you have found utopia! That is exactly what is on the menu at Ruby Royale. That one page menu might look small but it is HUGE on flavor! And the service is truly that as well. (Few places have I been where the dining room manager will fetch my license plate number from my car in the parking garage while I dine in order for me to be able to enjoy my dinner without worrying about a surprise ticket at the end of my meal!) That said, our table service was impeccable and the food was prepared to perfection. You may be thinking $40 for a whole fried chicken is pricey, but there are other places in town with bigger names and smaller chickens - both in flavor and size - that will charge you much more. Topping off this meal was the relatively quiet atmosphere, window seating and easy access for a downtown restaurant. If you're looking for a place to have a great meal, you just found it. read more

Rudy Royale - Entrance Bar at Ruby Royale - Chicken Shop Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We were downtown yesterday, I needed some coffee from the market and decided that while we were down there to grab some lunch. We walked by a couple of places, looking at their menus pasted outside, and when we came across Rudy Royale, we felt like it would hit the spot. Upon entering you, the place opens up with beautiful exposed brick walls. The hostess was not friendly at all. She didn't greet us, never asked how can I help you, she just stared at us, blank. I was still friendly, smiled, and said "hello, just two please". Another much more friendly lady seated us. Our waitress, Megan, was super pleasant, greeted us with a smile, and instantly made us feel welcomed. I ordered one of their drink specials, blackberry mojito, and it just hit that refreshing spot, especially since it wad so hot outside after walking the market. We ordered food and it did not disappoint. I got the Arugula salad, which came with strawberries, feta, and a champagne vinegarette, I also added the shredded chicken for some protein. It was probably the best salad I've had, so fresh. That champagne vinegarette was amazing. Corey got the short rib sandwich. It was so good. The meat was cooked perfectly. And the au jus just made the sandwich even better. We also got a side of crispy garlic cracked potatoes. And oh my! That was the best way to fix potatoes. I wish the side was bigger they we so good! Overall it was a good experience and we will definitely go back. read more

Rudy Royale - Short rib sandwich, crispy garlic cracked potatoes, & arugula salad. - Chicken Shop Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We had lunch at the Rudy Royale. Real chill ambiance with comfortable seating. Our server Scott was attentive and extremely pleasant. We ordered Delicious salmon sandwich, flounder sandwich, chicken and waffle with fried pickles appetizer. And Food has great flavor and seasoning. My wife had the chicken tender they were the TN hot. I had to wipe my nose several times but I'm a whimp when it comes to heat/ spicy food. The crispy garlic cracked potatoes were good, warm cooked potatoes topped with sweet garlic flavoring sauce. The cornbread was delicious served with honey butter and strawberry jam. That was eaten quickly. First time trying fried pickles they were enjoyable served with their in-house dipping sauce. I would return to try the royale cheese in honor of the motion picture Pulp Fiction. read more

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We were so glad they accepted reservations because they were 14 of us! So glad they put us in a separate room so that it was just us 14 people. The place is beautiful. Clean bathrooms too. Their 2 pc chicken have 2 flavors, nashville got or honey sea salt. I loved their nashville hot bcz it tasted the closest one to Hattie B's in Nashville. read more

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They didn't have Dr Pepper, but they did have chicken tenders and frickles. The tall guy should marry Ms. Axmann. The service was good, the ambiance was good. The atmosphere was real chill. They should have more people in here. Only complaint is no Dr Pepper. The chicken tenders were hot. The fries were salty. Mrs Roesler likes the salad. read more

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Ruby Royale accommodated our very large group and took wonderful care of us. The apps were delicious, and everyone enjoyed their food and drinks. We made our reservation for 12, and ended up with 14. We deeply appreciate the accommodations and recommend this restaurant if you are in Charleston! read more

We stopped here on a whim. We did zero research on this place. Our waitress, Carly, was beyond kind. I ordered the Oysters Rockefeller and my wife for the wedge salad. (We didn't want a big lunch as we had dinner plans a few hours later). We sat outside on the street and it was lovely. Food was great! read more

I recently traveled to South Carolina for my 10th anniversary. I had been told over the years that fried chicken in the south is a must so Rudy Royale was my first exposure to it. I have to say that their fried chicken is the best I've ever had. I've had the best that California has to offer but Rudy Royale is on another level. Not only did I eat my plate but my wife ordered the whole chicken and I helped eat half of hers as well. In addition to the food, our waitress was nice as well. Overall a great place to dine and have a drink. read more

Rudy Royale - Fried chicken at Rudy Royale - Chicken Shop Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Brunch at Rudy Royale was incredible I don't know how it's taken me so long to visit this chicken + cocktail joint located right on East Bay Street, but now that I've gone it won't be long before I'm back. Favorite bites/sips of the visit: Chicken & Waffles -- their fried chicken is what they're most well-known for & I can see why! Fried to crispy perfection with tender, juicy meat, it paired perfectly with the sweet, fluffy waffle that accompanied it Espresso Martini -- garnished with a marshmallow & made using vodka AND tequila, this is now on my list of top 5 espresso martinis in Charleston Deviled Eggs -- uniquely topped with a pork rind, I easily could've eaten two plates of these & actually had my husband try to recreate them the next day (they were not the same) Other highlights: Bloody Mary -- topped with a fried chicken slider & all the fixins, this one is an appetizer in and of itself! Oyster Shooter -- made with jalapeño tequila (my fave) & cucumber brine, this was my first EVER oyster shooter so it will forever hold a place in my heart Service was fast and friendly & ambiance was great/the space is very large and accommodating! They also have a private event room that closes off from the rest of the restaurant read more

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I originally had a reservation for later in the day but was heading in that direction earlier. I called the restaurant, and they were so accommodating and got me in right away. From that moment to when I left everything was amazing. Karmyn, my server, was attentive, helpful, and very pleasant. I ordered a bunch of dishes to try because I couldn't decide, and it was all fantastic. I especially liked the cornbread and deviled egg appetizers. When it was time to box everything up, Karmyn labeled all the boxes and even added in a sweet surprise (dessert). Thank you for a lovely experience. I highly recommend Ruby Royale! read more

Honey sea salt chicken was fabulous. Very accommodating service. Overall great experience.

Saw a bunch of 5 star reviews; and I won't agree. It was good, but subpar. The drinks were very unique, very strong, we only really liked the margarita and the sangria, out of the 7 drinks we tried. The chicken sandwich was delicious, however it was very greasy. A large portion but nothing to write home about. The Brussel sprouts were yummy, I don't know what's in them, but they were probably the best part of the meal. And the max and cheese for the table, that was crazy creamy and tasty: cornbread was not any of our favorite, like we can make better at home. And the banana pudding was nothing, literally a ton of whip cream and a couple vanilla wafers, where is the banana pudding?! The place itself has a nice vibe and lots of seating, we had a reservation and it got packed after we were sat. The service was average, again nothing to write home about. Also; super pricey for what we were given. Glad we tried it, but probably won't go back. read more

Rudy Royale - Fried chicken sandwich - Chicken Shop Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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First, they treated us completely as the invisible and ignored. They made us standing for 10min at front, although the restaurant was not busy at all and there were 3 hostesses. They didn't greet or excuse for the delay. They even took a couple in who came in later than us. I was going to leave but finally got sat. Foods weren't good or any special either. And who asks for credit card transaction fee separately these days!?? read more

The food and the cocktails were all incredible and flavorful! There wasn't a single item we got that was disappointing. Only recommendation I have is presentation of the corn bread shouldn't be flipped upside down, it's beautiful as is. Shown in the last picture. read more

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Service was terrible and food was overpriced and not worth it. It was eight dollars for 4 deviled eggs. Chic fila has better prices and food quality.The atmosphere was very upscale but there are better restaurants in downtown Charleston. I would give no stars but that isn't an option. read more

Ideal location right at the heart of downtown! The best southern comfort food, friendly staff and fast service. When you eat here you feel like you're eating with family, I've eaten both with friends and alone here and been pleased every time! read more