The wrong choice means a 45-minute wait for a mediocre slice. The right one is the perfect end to an epic night. Charleston bars close at 2 AM, so plan the food stop before the rush. When it's that late you need one of three things: pizza, a real meal, or something greasy.
Benny's & Paolo's
Benny Ravello's
The king of the 2 AM exodus from Upper King. Benny's serves gigantic, New York-style slices, and the line stretches down the block. Don't be fooled: it's built for volume and moves fast. Be in and out in about 10 minutes with a massive, foldable slice. A Charleston rite of passage.
Paolo's Gelato & Pizza
The go-to for the Mid and Lower King crowd. A classic, no-frills slice joint that's served the late-night crowd for years, with gelato if you'd rather go sweet. A more old-school Charleston feel than Benny's.
The Royal American
While the college crowd swarms Benny's, the local industry crowd and CofC students in the know head to The Royal American on Morrison Drive, a short ride from Upper King. The kitchen stays open late, and the bar food is unbelievably good: loaded tater tots, burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. It's a bar, so you have to be 21+, but it's the perfect place to wind down with real food instead of grabbing it on the go.
Cook Out
Sometimes you don't want a slice. You want a burger, fries and a milkshake tray for under $10. The Cook Out on Savannah Highway, a short Uber from downtown, is the mecca for this. Piling into an Uber for a Cook Out run is a sacred post-party ritual.
The Verdict: Your Late-Night Food Plan
The Classic Move
Join the crowd at Benny Ravello's. It's part of the experience.
The 21+ Wind-Down
A final drink and real food at The Royal American.
The Mission Move
Commit to the Uber for a glorious Cook Out tray.
Your food choice says a lot about your King Street bar crawl strategy. Whatever you pick, pick something. Your head will thank you in the morning. Under 21? Try the dessert crawl instead.