While updating the Bluegrass Kitchen review page today at the Charleston Gazette Dining Guide, we learned of a new restaurant coming this Spring to Washington Street E., on Charleston’s East End. We were on the phone with Bluegrass Kitchen owner Keeley Steele and she mentioned the new place — Tricky Fish — which will go in at 1611 Washington St. E, beside the Subway shop . Tricky Fish? The name comes from a character in a cartoon favored by one of Keeley and John Steele’s kids. It was “a random cartoon blip,” that stuck in their heads, she says. Tricky Fish will serve gourmet hot dogs, chicken wings, fish’n'chips, po’ boys and other down-home fare. “It’s kind of like a beach shack concept,” said Steele.

It won’t be all that big, serving maybe 35 people tops inside. She hopes to see the place open by May. By June, the plan is to have an outdoor deck added on. Takeout will be a cornerstone of the joint. “We anticipate doing a lot of takeout since we’re going to be closer to the state Capitol Complex.” Watch for the Tricky Fish neon sign — they’re having one made locally, Steele said . “Far as I know, it’s going to be the first neon sign back on Washington Street E.”

– By Douglas Imbrogno