Sticky Fingers Ribhouse

Every city we’ve visited has had a number of iconic eateries that both locals and tourists enjoy. “Sticky Fingers Ribhouse” in Charleston is one such popular restaurant. Originally established in the Mount Pleasant section of the city, in 1992, by three high school friends (Jeff Goldstein, Todd Eischeid, and Chad Walldorf), it soon grew to include 16 stores in four states (Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). While this chain of eateries has a varied menu, its emphasis is on Memphis-styled barbecue ribs. Fourteen years after its founding, the chain was bought out by the Charlottesville-based Quad-C Management Corporation. Change is not always successful. Loyal customers of the chain soon realized that the quality of the food was deteriorating and they stopped eating there. By 2016, original founder Chad Walldorf was convinced by former customers to buy back the chain. Quickly, those customers noticed Sticky Fingers returning to its original level of good food. Located a short distance from City Market, Charleston’s Sticky Fingers building is a charming 18th century venue with old wooden floors, tin ceilings, and exposed brick walls. This is a must-do stop when visiting Charleston.

Located on Meeting Street a short distance from City Market, Charleston’s Sticky Fingers is a great place to eat.

The original 1992 Sticky Fingers in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood that started everything.

Charleston’s version of Sticky Fingers (the third store of the chain) is located in a building that was originally built in 1860 as William Harrell’s Saddlery Warehouse. It was one of the few buildings that survived the Great Fire of 1861.

Sticky Fingers’ mainstay part of their menu is the Memphis-style BBQ ribs...

....and to enjoy them properly definitely leaves you with “sticky fingers.”

Their menu even attracted the attention of President Bush (photo posted in the window of the Charleston restaurant).

A promise to keep!