Tha'store at Gilbert: A Lowcountry Deli in the Heart of Charleston

What Tha'store at Gilbert Offers

Tha'store at Gilbert is a casual deli in Charleston's historic downtown that serves Lowcountry sandwiches, prepared salads, and grab-and-go items made fresh daily. The shop sits on King Street near the intersection with Calhoun, in a neighborhood thick with galleries, boutiques, and other food stops. You walk in, order at the counter, and eat at a handful of small tables or take your food with you.

The menu centers on sandwiches built to order—pulled pork, fried chicken, roast beef, turkey—layered with house-made sides like pimento cheese, coleslaw, and pickled vegetables. Salads come dressed and ready to eat, and the shop stocks drinks, snacks, and desserts. Prices run moderate for the area, and the pace is quick enough that you can eat lunch and be back on the street in thirty minutes.

Key Takeaways

• Tha'store at Gilbert makes sandwiches to order with Lowcountry flavors and house-prepared sides, ready to eat in or take away.
• The location on King Street puts it within walking distance of downtown galleries, shops, and other restaurants.
• Counter service and small seating means the deli works best for a quick lunch rather than a lingering meal.
• The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan your visit for Tuesday through Saturday.

The Sandwich Menu and House Sides

Each sandwich starts with your choice of protein—the pulled pork and fried chicken are the most popular—and you choose which sides go on it. The house-made pimento cheese is tangy and thick, the coleslaw stays crisp, and the pickled vegetables add bite. You can also order sides on the side if you want to taste them without committing to a full sandwich.

The roast beef and turkey sandwiches appeal to people who want something lighter, and the shop will build a vegetarian sandwich if you ask. Bread changes, but it is usually a sturdy roll or flatbread that holds up to the weight of the fillings without falling apart. Portion sizes are generous—most people finish one sandwich and are satisfied.

Location and Neighborhood Context

Tha'store at Gilbert sits on King Street between Calhoun and Broad, in the upper downtown area where the street widens and the pace slows compared to the Market Hall end. This block has shifted over the past decade from mostly antique shops to a mix of galleries, clothing boutiques, and food businesses. The deli fits naturally into that mix—it is the kind of place people discover while walking between other stops.

Parking on King Street itself is metered and often full during lunch hours. The nearby parking garage on Calhoun (between King and Meeting) is a five-minute walk and charges by the hour. If you are coming from another downtown location, walking is often faster than driving and parking.

Hours and When to Go

Tha'store at Gilbert is open Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays. Lunch hours run roughly 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., though the exact closing time can shift depending on how busy the day is. The busiest time is between noon and 1 p.m., when people from nearby offices come in. If you want to avoid a line, go before 11:30 a.m. or after 2 p.m.

The shop does not take reservations and does not do large catering orders, so it is built for walk-in traffic. On weekends, the crowd is lighter than weekdays, and you can usually get a table without waiting.

What to Expect When You Arrive

You enter a narrow storefront with a counter on one side and a display case of prepared items on the other. A menu board above the counter lists the sandwiches and daily specials. You order and pay at the counter, then step aside to wait while they build your sandwich. Most orders take five to ten minutes.

Seating is limited to a few small tables inside and sometimes a bench or two outside if the weather is good. Many people take their food to go—the shop packs sandwiches in paper and wraps salads tightly so they travel well. If you do eat there, the tables are close together, so it is not a private or quiet space.

Dietary Considerations and Customization

The staff will build a sandwich however you want it—hold the mayo, extra pickles, no coleslaw. If you have a food allergy, tell them before they start, and they can tell you what is in each item. The shop does not have a separate prep area for allergen-free orders, so cross-contact is possible if that is a concern for you.

Vegetarian options exist but are not the focus of the menu. Most vegetarian sandwiches are built around the pimento cheese or roasted vegetables. Vegan options are limited. If you have specific dietary needs, call ahead to ask what they can do.

Why It Matters to Charleston's Food Scene

Tha'store at Gilbert represents a particular kind of Charleston restaurant—small, owner-run, focused on one thing done well, and rooted in Lowcountry flavors without pretense. It is not fine dining, and it does not try to be. It is the kind of place that has existed in Charleston neighborhoods for decades, where locals know the owner's name and regulars have a usual order. As downtown has gentrified and rents have climbed, shops like this one have become rarer.

The deli also sits in a neighborhood that is still finding its identity. King Street between Calhoun and Broad is neither the tourist corridor of Market Hall nor the residential quiet of the residential blocks. Tha'store at Gilbert is part of what makes that middle ground work—a place where someone can eat lunch without ceremony, then walk to a gallery or a bookstore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order ahead by phone?

The shop does not have a formal phone ordering system, but you can call to ask what the daily specials are or to check if they have a particular protein in stock. They build most sandwiches quickly enough that walk-in ordering is usually not a long wait.

Is there parking nearby?

Street parking on King is metered and often full at lunch. The Calhoun Street parking garage is a five-minute walk and charges by the hour. Walking from other downtown locations is often faster than driving and parking.

Do they have outdoor seating?

Seating is mostly inside at small tables. On nice days, there may be a bench or two outside, but it is not may provide. Many customers take their food to go and eat elsewhere—nearby parks or offices.

What are the most popular sandwiches?

The pulled pork and fried chicken sandwiches are the most ordered. Both come with house-made sides and are filling enough for a full lunch. The roast beef is popular with people who want something lighter.

Is Tha'store at Gilbert good for a large group?

No. The space is small, seating is limited, and the counter service is built for individuals or pairs. A group of more than four would be crowded and slow down the line for other customers. It works best for a solo lunch or two people eating together.