Written by Karen Pacifico
Photography by Donna Huffman
n addition to stopping at Cahill’s Market to purchase delicious fresh produce now you can get a home-cooked lunch at their newest attraction, the “Chicken Kitchen.”
The “Chicken Kitchen” serves home-cooked, southern-style meals Monday thru Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their menu changes daily, but one item you can count on is the scrumptious fried chicken.
Fried chicken (also referred to as Southern Fried chicken) is chicken which is dipped in a breading mixture and then deep-fried, pan-fried or pressure fried. Deep-frying has a long history in ancient cultures all over the world such as Rome, Egypt and China. Whichever way it was introduced to the American South, fried chicken became a common staple.
Johnny Cahill wants you to experience a taste of some true Southern comfort food and welcomes the opportunity to have you join him for lunch. There’s a relaxed country atmosphere with hanging baskets, colorful blooms, and picnic style dining.
He was born and raised in Bluffton and this is a real labor of love for Johnny, who has always enjoyed cooking. Cahill’s is a true family affair at this down home country store and, along with his siblings, they farm everything by hand, one row at a time. They don’t use chemicals and fondly recall their youth growing up with seed, fertilizer, a horse and a tractor. They plant and sell produce at the market with Johnny’s sister Debra at the helm running the business. Johnny does the cooking for the “Chicken Kitchen” and brother Mike is in the business as well.
The chicken is served every day along with several other meat choices and numerous fresh vegetables and side dishes. Under the meat items found on the menu on various days can be any of the following: fried pork chops, fried catfish, pot roast, sausage and peppers, baked ham or turkey breast, chicken pot pie, shrimp and rice and so much more. Side dishes can include: field peas and collards, okra and tomatoes, squash casserole, mac and cheese, red rice, various potato selections and too many other sides to mention. Choose a table, stop into the country store to make your beverage selection and to pay for lunch. Be sure and leave room for dessert. For example, where else can you have a pear cobbler where they grew the tree, picked the pears, stewed the pears and baked a delicious cobbler highlighting the beautiful, fresh produce. This is just one example of what awaits you.
If your appetite is for something on the lighter side, there’s a Light-Side lunch offering tuna, chicken or shrimp salad on garden greens, a garden salad or fruit salad with cottage cheese. And, Johnny offers a Kid’s Meal as well. After lunch, browse the country store for fresh eggs, peach preserves, stone ground grits, homemade vegetable soup and many specialty products. Remember there’s catering to go and be sure to ask Johnny about holding special events on premise.
The Cahill’s love what they do, enjoying a simpler way of life and we benefit from their hard work. In the weeks to come, celebrate fall with plump, gorgeous pumpkins followed by beautiful Christmas trees that will arrive for the holidays.
There are so many reasons to stop by and visit the Cahill’s. You’ll be glad you did.
Cahill’s Market
757-2921
1055 May River Road
Voted “Best Lowcountry Cooking”
“Chicken Kitchen” hours:
Monday – Saturday
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Market hours: Monday – Saturday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Open all seasons
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