Written by Luanne Berk

The Icehouse Restaurant is an historically authentic experience in downtown Summerville. Built in 1904 and nestled in Summerville’s Historic district, it was originally an ice plant. The main level of the restaurant was used for ice production while blocks of ice were stored upstairs. Renovations in 1980 restored it to what you see today.

While sitting at a table in Icehouse, you can sense the history: brick walls, hard wood floors, rustic décor. It all fits. The food is authentically southern, also a perfect fit. It has a casual vibe, not stuffy, no need to dress up. We sat near a table of 8 (three couples and two young children). They seemed completely comfortable with the kids wiggling and being themselves, lots of family laughter and banter. We took note of that situation, thinking we may plan a family gathering there in the future.

My husband and I arrived around 5:30 on a Wednesday and had no trouble getting a table. It was quite warm, so we opted for indoor seating, but they have an incredible outdoor seating experience, including an outdoor bar with barstools, lots of tables with umbrellas and a play area for kids which is probably why we saw several families sitting outside.

They offer a variety of unique foods from salads to all the meats, seafood, lots of local fare: Fried chicken, Shrimp and grits, Cajun pasta, shrimp po boy, pork chops, sandwiches, she crab soup, collards. The menu also indicates that they offer some gluten-free and vegetarian options.

My husband chose a “Grilled Peach and Goat Cheese Salad” with strawberries, blueberries, toasted almonds, prosciutto, and onions, topped with blackened salmon, which he claimed was nearly perfect. He said all the ingredients were fresh, the salmon portion was decent and cooked just right. The only thing he would change is less kale in the salad but otherwise loved it.

I was tempted by their “Pecan fried pork chop” topped with caramelized onions and apple chutney (apparently a popular dish here), but it seemed too heavy for my not-so-hungry appetite. Instead, I went with the “Airline chicken breast” with sauce, mashed potatoes and green beans which turned out to be excellent. We were both impressed with how hot the food was when it arrived, as if it came right out of the pan, a rarity at most restaurants. The chicken was flavorful, delicious potatoes, yummy gravy, and the beans were cooked just right.

There is a kids’ menu offering: chicken tenders, mini corn dogs, shrimp, PB&J, grilled cheese and butter pasta with parmesan.

Overall, the experience was great in the category of mid-range, comfortable, locally owned, farm-to-table restaurants. We will definitely be back to try some of those unique menu options!