The Alley has been open since November, but it's the eats I want to talk about. The newish bowling alley housed in a former wine distribution warehouse directly across from The Post and Courier on Columbus Street serves food that's strides ahead of the dingy hot dog fare.
Home Team Kitchen whips it up from a kitchen behind the bar under the leadership of Executive Chef Courtney Tomer. The reasonably priced ($5.95-$18.95) menu includes stick-to-your ribs staples like nachos, burgers and pizza. The Green Chili Nachos alone (a house best-seller), are a reason to make a visit, pronto.
They're loaded with slow-braised, fork-tender pork butt and resonate with the heat of a roasted green chili sauce, the creaminess of a house-made crema, and the sweet, acidic notes of roasted tomatoes. I also liked the juicy meatballs ($7.95) made of ground chuck and pork butt, laced with parmesan, fresh herbs, and topped with a tangy, slightly spicy tomato sauce and more of that melting cheese. A spanking fresh spring salad with house-pickled red onions, bites of fresh mint, English peas, perfectly dressed with a sherry vinaigrette are two more of many compelling treats coming from the kitchen. You can add pork belly or roasted chicken to the salad (along with the garden salad) for an additional $3.
If you can't have a good time here, you can't have it anywhere.
The Alley
131 Columbus Street
Charleston, SC 29401
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