Charleston Eats: Pancito & Lefty

As I've said many times before, I am obsessed with Charleston's food.  Whenever date nights are left up to me, they always start and end with food.  One of my favorite past times is looking at the Charleston Eater's Heat Map, where you can see all of the most popular spots around the city this month.  Since we moved here three years ago, we've especially fallen in love with the wide array of Mexican food (examples A, B, and C), so when I saw that a new spot was opening up on King Street, I couldn't wait to try it.

Pancito & Lefty is as authentic as they come here in Charleston.  They opened in late February with a wide array of sophisticated street food, margaritas on tap, and a fantastic selection of mezcal.  You walk into the restaurant, and you are immediately hit with blasts of color.  Bright pinks and turquoise not only cover the walls but also the seating and floor.  Basket lanterns hanging from the ceiling round out the fun vibe, and the whole setting makes you feel welcome. 

Now for the food: Pancito & Lefty focuses on shareable plates with the freshest ingredients.  The first time I visited, my co-workers and I tried a little of everything for lunch: queso fundido with chorizo, guacamole, tamales, quesadilla, and crispy fish tacos.  Of course, we also had a few beers. 

We enjoyed everything we tried, and the flavors are definitely unique from other local Mexican establishments: the quesadilla was filled with squash and mushrooms, and the tamales were topped with a delicious mole sauce.  When we returned for another work event a few weeks later, we ordered just our favorites: the appetizers.  Their guacamole is my #1 pick in Charleston, and the sal de chapulin on top (only look it up if you're an adventurous eater...) is awesome.  Mexican queso is delicious on its own, but add in chorizo and serve it with soft corn tortillas, and it can't get any better. 

Pancito & Lefty is easy to find, up King Street in the old Zappo's Pizza location.  Due to city ordinances, they actually couldn't paint the south-facing side of the building, so you can still see the bright Zappo's colors as you drive up from downtown.  Pancito & Lefty is the perfect spot for happy hour drinks and snacks.  I suggest heading up to this newly thriving area of Charleston, putting your name in at Leon's or Little Jack's, and walking just next door to start your evening with a prickly pear margarita and a couple small dishes at Pancito & Lefty.