Pork Chili Verde
Tucked off the main drag behind a hair salon on James Island, between the infamous La Ha and the eye-catching ropes course, sits Heart Woodfire Kitchen. The cinder block building has a large patio next to it, that I’ve never been able to sit at because it has rained each of the five ( yes FIVE ) times I have been there, but I’m sure it’s just lovely to sit at when the weather clears up. The interior is warehouse-esque, with cement walls, exposed ceiling, and cement floors. It also is usually packed full of families with children, which is not really a selling point for me at dinner. The entrance feeds you directly to the bar’s cash register, which is usually where whoever is playing hostess that day is standing. I say that because I’m not sure there’s ever an actual hostess there, but you do need to wait to be seated. And wait, you will. You aren’t waiting for a table to free up, or for a member of the staff to finish with another customer. You are waiting until someone cares you are there.
Once acquiring a table, there is no question of what appetizer to get. Pork Chili Verde. Always. It’s why I trek to James Island to this little place off of Folly Road. I like chili, but I don’t love chili. I don’t particularly care for sour cream or plain cheddar cheese, but I love them both on top of this tomatillo and pork creation. Something about all of it just clicks. It’s a must-try if you go there.
Roasted Beet Salad
It happened to be Burger Night, where they do a great deal on their hamburgers, but I was really in the mood for something lighter, so I ordered the Roasted Beet Salad ( pictured above ). This, like everything else that came out of the kitchen, too forever to receive. Once I finally did get my food, the dressing was heavy, and lacked depth. I asked for some lemon ( also took at least 10 minutes to get a plate with a few lemon wedges on it ), and after squeezing at least four lemons over the salad, I was able to enjoy it more. With a lighter dressing, it would have been okay, but instead it was soggy and heavy — the last thing I would want from a salad. This dish is currently my least favorite thing I’ve had in a restaurant this year.
My husband ordered a hamburger. The burger itself is fine. I don’t think it’s anything fabulous or amazing, but I’m also not a hamburger aficionado. It’s reasonably priced and was good for a burger. I did love the balsamic onions and pickles that came with the burger, though. I’m always a sucker for anything pickled. The burger also came with some sort of fried potato … thing. Like all wives, I was not about to order the fried potato thing, but I was happy to grab a few off of my husband’s plate for a quality control check.
Y’all, the fried potato things are delicious. I believe the restaurant calls them “Crispy Russet Potatoes”, but in my mind they will always be “Those Super Crispy but not Batter-y Perfectly Spiced and Seasoned Fried Potato Things”.
Fried Potato Things with a side of Hamburger
TL;DR:
Service does not seem to be a priority at Heart. Several things on the menu ( Pork Chili Verde, Crispy Russet Potatoes) are absolutely outstanding and delicious. Unfortunately, whatever palate created those items doesn’t seem to have influenced everything on the menu.
Eat:
Pork Chili Verde, Crispy Russet Potato Side Dish
Drink:
Wine, or a specialty cocktail.
Wear:
Casual. I’ve seen people ( albeit tastelessly ) in bathing suit coverups here.
Locate:
1622 Highland Ave.
Charleston, SC
Park:
Free gravel parking lot behind and to the left of the restaurant.
Contact:
Heart Woodfire Kitchen
843.718.1539
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