Etc. Bakery & Deli in Charleston: Custom Cakes, Pastries, and Sandwiches

What Etc. Bakery & Deli offers

Etc. Bakery & Deli is a Charleston fixture that combines a full-service bakery with a sandwich counter, located on King Street in the heart of the city's downtown. The bakery side handles custom cakes for weddings and events, sheet cakes for everyday celebrations, and a rotating selection of pastries and desserts. The deli side serves hot and cold sandwiches, soups, and sides—the kind of place where you can grab lunch and pick up a birthday cake on the same trip.

The business has built its reputation on made-to-order work. If you need a specific cake design, flavor combination, or dietary accommodation, you call ahead and they build it. The pastry case holds what they've made that morning: croissants, Danish, brownies, cookies, and seasonal items. The sandwich menu leans toward classic combinations—roast beef, turkey, Italian meats—with the option to customize.

Key Takeaways

• Etc. handles custom cake orders for events and celebrations, with lead time required depending on complexity and current order volume.
• The pastry case rotates daily, so what's available depends on what the bakery made that morning—no may provide of specific items.
• The deli counter serves sandwiches, soups, and sides during lunch hours, and you can order ahead by phone to skip the line.
• The King Street location is walkable from downtown hotels and parking garages, with street parking also available.

Custom cakes and special orders

Custom cake orders are the backbone of what Etc. does. You describe what you want—flavor, frosting, design, serving size—and they quote you a price and timeline. The lead time varies. A simple sheet cake might be ready in a few days; an elaborate tiered cake with custom decoration may need two weeks or more. Call ahead rather than stopping in, because the staff can tell you immediately whether they can meet your deadline.

Flavor options include standard choices like vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet, plus seasonal or specialty flavors depending on what they're working with. They can accommodate dietary requests—dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free—but again, you need to discuss this when you order so they can plan ingredients and avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen.

Pricing depends on size, complexity, and ingredients. A basic sheet cake for 20 people costs less than a three-tier wedding cake with hand-piped details. Get a quote before you commit. Delivery is not standard, so plan to pick up at the King Street location unless you arrange something specific with the baker.

Daily pastries and grab-and-go items

The pastry case is stocked fresh each morning and sells out as the day goes on. Croissants, Danish pastries, muffins, and scones rotate based on what the bakers made that shift. Brownies and cookies are usually available. Seasonal items—like pumpkin treats in fall or peppermint bark in December—appear when ingredients are in season.

There is no way to reserve a specific pastry from the case unless you call ahead and ask them to hold one. If you have a favorite, call in the morning and ask if they made it today and whether they can set one aside. Prices are modest—most items run between $3 and $6—and the quality reflects the fact that these are made in-house, not shipped in frozen.

Deli sandwiches and lunch service

The deli counter operates during lunch hours, typically from late morning through early afternoon. The menu includes hot sandwiches (roast beef, turkey, ham) and cold options (Italian meats, chicken salad, tuna). You can customize any sandwich—add or remove ingredients, choose your bread, request extra sauce or dressing.

Soups and sides round out the menu. Soup changes daily, so call or stop by to see what's available. Sides might include potato salad, coleslaw, or chips. Prices are in line with other Charleston delis—a sandwich runs $10 to $14 depending on meat and size.

If you know you want lunch, call ahead and give them your order. They'll have it ready when you arrive, which saves time during the lunch rush. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may wait 10 to 15 minutes if the counter is busy.

Location and hours

Etc. is located on King Street in downtown Charleston, a block from the Market Hall area and within walking distance of most downtown hotels and attractions. Street parking is available on King Street, though it can be tight during peak hours. The nearby parking garages on Meeting Street and Church Street are also close.

Hours are typically Monday through Friday during business and lunch hours, with reduced or no weekend service depending on the season. Call ahead to confirm hours, especially if you're planning a weekend visit or a holiday order. The phone number and current hours are listed on their storefront or online.

What to know before you go

Bring cash or card—both are accepted. If you're ordering a custom cake, have a clear picture or description of what you want, your preferred date, and your serving size in mind before you call. The more specific you are, the faster they can give you a quote.

For pastries, arrive earlier in the day if you have a specific item in mind. The case is fullest in the morning and thins out by mid-afternoon. For deli sandwiches, lunch hours (roughly 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) are the busiest, so call ahead if you want to avoid a wait.

Etc. is a working bakery and deli, not a sit-down café, so there is no seating. Plan to take your order with you or eat nearby in one of downtown Charleston's parks or squares.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do I need to order a custom cake?

It depends on the complexity and how busy they are. A simple sheet cake might be ready in two to three days, while an elaborate tiered cake could need two weeks. Call with your date and design, and they'll tell you whether they can do it. If they're fully booked, they may suggest a later date or a simpler design.

Can I order a cake for pickup on a specific day?

Yes. When you place your order, confirm the pickup date and time. They'll have it ready then. If you need it on a weekend or holiday, ask when you call—they may have limited availability or be closed.

What if I have a food allergy?

Tell them when you order. They can make cakes and pastries without common allergens like nuts, dairy, or gluten, but you need to discuss this upfront so they can use separate equipment and ingredients. Cross-contamination is possible in a shared kitchen, so be clear about the severity of your allergy.

Do you have seating inside?

No. Etc. is a counter service bakery and deli. You order and take your food with you. Nearby parks and outdoor seating areas around downtown Charleston are good spots to eat if you want to stay in the neighborhood.

Can I order deli sandwiches ahead?

Yes. Call during business hours with your order, and they'll have it ready when you arrive. This is especially helpful during lunch rush if you want to avoid waiting in line.