A spotlight from Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Chubby Fish
James London's tiny Coming Street seafood room — where the menu is written after the boats come in
It's just a map of my career in a way in terms of how we're layering our flavors.
— James London, Chef & Co-Owner
From Edisto Island to Coming Street
Charleston native James London grew up fishing off Edisto Island before studying at the College of Charleston, then trained at the French Culinary Institute and cooked in New York and San Francisco.
In 2018 he and his wife Yoanna opened Chubby Fish in a narrow storefront on Coming Street, staking a dock-to-table concept on relationships with the region's small-boat fishermen.
A menu written that afternoon
The menu is written the afternoon it's served, shaped by whatever the local fleet has landed that day.
London layers technique from his fine-dining travels onto whole-fish cookery and Lowcountry rice traditions, aiming for a room that feels casual while the food reads as ambitious.
Cannonborough, no reservations
Cannonborough-Elliottborough is a walking neighborhood of pastel single houses and independent shops just north of the peninsula's historic core.
Chubby Fish sits mid-block with no sign to speak of; regulars line up at the curb by four in the afternoon because there are no reservations.
Order this
The dishes that made Chubby Fish
Yellowfin Tuna Crudo
Silky slices played against crisp potato chips and whatever stone fruit the farms have brought in that week.
Fried Fish Collar
Meaty collars cooked in the style of fried chicken — the house's most-quoted dish and a lesson in nose-to-tail seafood cookery.
Chili Garlic Shrimp
Local shrimp piping hot with slivered ginger, paper-thin fresno rings, cilantro, and a bold pour of chili oil over rice.
Good to know
Chubby Fish, answered
How do reservations work?
Walk-in only. The line forms around 4pm; put your name down at 5pm and either wait or come back for a later slot.
What should I order?
The menu changes daily. Ask your server what came off the boat that morning and lean toward the whole-fish specials.
Where should I sit?
The room is small and loud in the best way. Bar seats give the best view of the pass.