The Boulevard Diner: Low Country Cuisine

By John Starzyk

Welcome back! As I mentioned in my previous blog, the Lowcountry cuisine is rich in African, Creole and Caribbean culture. One of the staple foods in this region is shrimp. The shrimp is so plentiful here, and can be used in a variety of ways.

Boulevard Diner, located in Mt. Pleasant is well known for their southern comfort food. Their menu has traditional items like burgers and salads, but in keeping with the Lowcountry way of life, they haven’t forgotten to include the cuisine that this region is famous for.

Last weekend, after a long week of classes, I decided to begin my culinary adventure. I decided I would go out for dinner and a movie with a friend. After talking with some friends and classmates at the College of Charleston that were born and raised here, I decided to try the Boulevard Diner in Mt. Pleasant.

Upon entering the restaurant, my friend and I were promptly greeted by the hostess and shown to our booth. One of the most notable things about the restaurant was the immense hospitality and courtesy that was displayed by the employees.

After being greeted by A.J. our server, we were told the specials. Many of the items included some kind of seafood. While taking a few moments to peruse the menu, I enjoyed some wonderful sweet tea, another culinary staple in this part of the country.

Dinner consisted of an appetizer and an entrée. For starters we had Fried Pickles. The pickles were cut into spears and deep fried until golden brown on the outside. The texture from the outside gave a nice contrast to the sweet and salty taste on the inside. Although the appetizer included a honey-mustard sauce for dipping, it hardly needed any accompaniment.

For my entrée I had a Shrimp Po’ Boy. The sandwich had large, deep fried shrimp that was served on a bakery roll with a remoulade sauce. While it may sound like a very basic meal, the taste of the spices on the shrimp combined with the remoulade sauce made it extraordinary. The portion sizes were very generous, and could easily be shared by two people.

My experience at the Boulevard Diner was a great one. The atmosphere in the entire establishment was very relaxing; the staff was very polite and courteous. The other customers seemed to be enjoying themselves very much as well. This is exactly what it means when someone is talking about the Lowcountry way of life. If you’re looking to try some great local food, I highly recommend the Boulevard Diner.