167 Raw
Assorted dishes at 167 Raw
Well, at long last I finally tried 167 Raw, and let me tell you: I can confidently say this was the best meal I’ve had in Charleston. Does that sound like high praise? Buckle up, because you have no idea.
Allow me to introduce you...
Let there be no doubt, this place is seafood focused. The menu is a mix of more “permanent” items and some rotating daily specials. It’s got a super cute vibe; relaxed, yet upscale enough to make a great date spot for people in their 20s-40s. Music was great and really set the tone with classics and reggae beach town vibes. The service was very friendly and knowledgeable, and I thought the prices were extremely reasonable for the quality and portion sizes.
But what about the food?
If this is the meal to beat in Charleston, then you’ll want to know what I ordered. So here’s what’s good...
The Drinks
Grapefruit Gimlet Frozie – Wonderful! Bright and citrusy. Tasted very fresh.
The Eats
Scallop Po’ boy - Delicious! Tender scallops cooked to a perfect golden and topped with two amazing sauces. One was an avocado crema, and I’m not sure what the other one was but it was great. Mexican influenced. Pure yum.
Dressed Oyster - Topped with creme fraiche and caviar. Had a slight saltiness to it, along with a light scallion flavor. Creamy but not overpowering. If I were you, I would order this whenever it’s available. It’s that good.
Shrimp Cocktail - Fresh, for sure, but honestly? Very standard. Nothing groundbreaking here. You’ve had this before.
Daily Crudo – When I was there it was a yellowtail and it was PHENOMENAL. Super fresh, with a nice mix of texture. This thing hits all the right notes: light citrus, a drizzle of basil or cilantro oil. Slight salt from caviar. Cream. Fried crunch (potato, I think) on the side. If you like the daily fish, the crudo is a MUST order!
Baked Oysters - Simple but oh-so-delicious. I LOVE that they used Manchego for the cheese. There was also a slight spice, a bit of heat, but not overpowering. The oyster flavor still comes through just fine.
Lobster Tostada – Okay, this was unexpected, but I gotta say: this might be the best thing I ate. All of the ingredients paired so well together! Delicate, tender lobster. Onion. Cilantro. Slight spice. Classic blue corn tortillas. PHENOMENAL. Get it now.
Mahi Taco - PERFECTLY cooked mahi, and I mean perfect. Nice grilled flavor, yet not quite charred. SO tender. Avocado and cilantro crema for smoothness. Radish and corn gave a great crunch. Soft, fresh tortillas. Seriously delicious.
Lobster Roll - A lightly buttered and toasted brioche bun, filled with chilled lobster that had been ever so lightly coated with mayo. A very solid roll, can’t fault it.
Perfection, with one small quibble...
The ONE AND ONLY negative comment I could make is that this place does not accept reservations. It’s walk-in only and there is always a huge line, which is to be expected with food this good and prices this reasonable.
Despite that though? 167 Raw gets a 10/10 from me. No question at all. Try it for yourself and see if it isn’t the best meal you’ve had in recent memory.
