Fernbank Public House Brings Big Burgers to a Cozy Charleston Corner

A plate of golden, hearty fries and a generously built burger set the tone at Fernbank Public House, a small Charleston restaurant where the food arrives with some welcome heft. This is a place for bacon, pimento cheese, gooey sauces, substantial sandwich fillings and a drink that does not feel like an afterthought.

The restaurant has the relaxed, slightly tucked-away character of a neighborhood regular's spot, but its food gives it enough personality to justify a detour. A compact dining room, bar seating and outdoor tables at both the front and back offer a few different ways to settle in.

Fernbank's burgers are not shy, and the menu favors combinations with layers of richness and contrast. Bacon and pimento cheese is one of the natural pairings here, while bacon jam brings a sweeter, deeper note to a burger that already has plenty of savory weight.

The goat burger has earned a particularly strong following. Goat cheese has enough tang to stand up to a substantial patty, and it gives the burger a little more character than the usual cheese-and-bacon routine.

The Rise and Shine burger is another good example of the restaurant's inclination toward a full meal between buns. For diners with a firm idea of their ideal burger, building one from the available components is also an option.

The sandwich side of the menu deserves as much attention as the burgers. Some sandwiches use homemade bread, a small detail that matters when the fillings are as generous as they are here.

Braised beef has been a standout choice, offering the sort of slow-cooked, filling sandwich that can hold its own against a burger. The pimento chicken sandwich is another popular order, carrying the restaurant's affection for pimento cheese into a different format.

A buffalo chicken sandwich brings crisp chicken together with house-made buffalo sauce and homemade ranch. It is a useful reminder that Fernbank does not rely on bottled dressings to do all the work.

Other choices have included wings, wraps, sliders, grilled cheese and a chicken club. That range makes the menu easier for a mixed table: one person can go all-in on a burger while somebody else keeps it simple with wings or a sandwich.

The fries land in an appealing middle ground. They have a crisp, golden exterior, but they are not wispy fast-food fries; the interior has the hearty, country-style texture that makes them satisfying on their own as well as beside a burger.

Garlic aioli is available for dipping, and the house-made sauces and dressings are a recurring strength of the kitchen. Ranch, in particular, gets more consideration than the usual side cup of dressing.

Pimento cheese fries turn the side dish into something closer to a shareable starter. Jalapeños can be added for a sharper kick, which is a sensible move for a table that likes its cheese fries with some heat.

Mozzarella pearls make an easy opening order, especially when the table is still deciding which burger or sandwich to tackle. Sliders and wings also fit naturally into a meal built around sharing a few things before the mains arrive.

The caprese salad has enough of its own interpretation to stand out from the predictable tomato-and-mozzarella version found on many casual menus. It is a lighter counterpoint when the table is also ordering fries, bacon jam and cheese-topped burgers.

A blueberry-lemon cheesecake has appeared among the dessert offerings, bringing a bright finish after all that savory food. As with any small restaurant menu, individual dishes and drinks can change, so it is worth checking what is currently on hand.

Fernbank works well for dinner with drinks rather than a quick bite on the way somewhere else. The bar offers beer, cocktails and other evening-friendly choices, with enough range to make a burger-and-beer order feel perfectly appropriate or to support a longer meal.

The beer selection includes IPAs, while a local favorite has also been recommended from the list. For cocktails, a fig-infused Old Fashioned has been a memorable choice, and the Manhattan is notably generous in size.

That combination of substantial food and a considered drink list helps explain why a meal here can stretch comfortably into the evening. The pace may be leisurely during busy periods, which suits a table planning to linger.

Inside, Fernbank is intimate rather than sprawling. The dining room includes a bar area and can accommodate small groups as well as family meals, but the close quarters become more noticeable during a busy dinner rush.

Outdoor seating gives the visit a different rhythm. There are tables at the front and rear of the restaurant, and the back patio has more shade for a warm Charleston evening.

The patio is a strong choice when the weather cooperates, particularly for a relaxed dinner of burgers, fries and cocktails. Indoors can be livelier, especially if a televised game is on, so the room is better understood as sociable than hushed.

The service style is conversational and welcoming, with staff happy to discuss menu choices rather than simply drop a plate and disappear. That relaxed exchange fits the restaurant's role as a local gathering spot.

Fernbank also has vegetarian choices, including a Beyond smashburger and a Portobello mushroom preparation. Gluten-free accommodations may be possible for certain dishes, though the details are best confirmed directly when ordering.

Parking is free in a lot and on nearby streets, though spaces can be hard to come by and the restaurant may involve a short walk from where you park. The small dining room can fill at popular dinner times, but the front tables, shaded rear patio, bar and compact indoor space give the place several pleasant corners once you are in.