At Poogan’s Hospitality Group, our story begins the way all good Southern tales should — on a front porch.

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It all started in 1976, when a stately home on Queen Street opened its doors as Poogan’s Porch. The building, steeped in Charleston history, had once been a grand residence, and with a little vision and a lot of heart, it became one of the city’s first true Southern restaurants. But what truly set it apart wasn’t just the crispy fried chicken or the biscuits. It was Poogan, a neighborhood pup who had made the porch his own. When the restaurant opened, he never left. Guests would often find him lounging on the steps or napping in the dining room, happily accepting ear scratches and the occasional table scrap. He became our namesake and our first official greeter, a furry embodiment of the warm hospitality we still strive to deliver to this day.

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Word spread quickly. Locals made it a regular stop, and travelers marked it as a must-visit. Over the decades, Poogan’s Porch earned its reputation as a beloved Charleston staple, a place where generations gathered over shrimp and grits, toasted milestones with mimosas, and told ghost stories over bourbon neat.

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But we didn’t stop at comfort food classics. In 2015, we expanded with Poogan’s Smokehouse, serving up slow-smoked BBQ with a Lowcountry touch just a few blocks away. As more guests began asking for a place to celebrate life’s big moments, we created Poogan’s Courtyard, a private event space filled with Charleston’s charm.

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And in 2020, we brought our love of Southern cooking a little farther inland, opening Poogan’s Southern Kitchen in Summerville’s Nexton Square. With every dish and every handshake, we carry forward the same spirit that Poogan himself embodied: loyal, welcoming, and always ready for company.

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Five decades later, we’re proud to keep setting the table for the Lowcountry...