Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant
A family-owned BBQ institution since 1982, serving up legendary South Carolina mustard-based BBQ, ribs, and classic Southern fare.
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Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A family-owned BBQ institution since 1982, serving up legendary South Carolina mustard-based BBQ, ribs, and classic Southern fare.
"Experience the best BBQ our family had; a must if you’re visiting South Carolina!"
Arrive Early for Best Selection
Popular items can sell out, so visit earlier in the day to ensure availability.
Try Signature Sandwiches
Don't miss 'The Big Joe' pulled pork sandwich or 'Big D's triple bacon cheeseburger'.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Barbecue, American
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(843) 795-6794 ext. 4
Address
925 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
Website
melvinsbbq.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic South Carolina BBQ
Savor traditional mustard-based BBQ, legendary ribs, and pulled pork with their signature 'Golden Secret' sauce.
Hearty Burgers
Indulge in mouth-watering cheeseburgers and double cheeseburgers, a long-time favorite.
Iconic Southern Sides
Complement your BBQ with classic Southern sides like mac & cheese, okra, baked beans, and sweet potato souffle.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early for Best Selection
Popular items can sell out, so visit earlier in the day to ensure availability.
Try Signature Sandwiches
Don't miss 'The Big Joe' pulled pork sandwich or 'Big D's triple bacon cheeseburger'.
Order Takeout During Peak Times
To avoid potential wait times during busy periods, consider ordering your meal to go.
Sauce Bar is a Must
Explore the self-serve sauce bar for a variety of tangy vinegar-based and white sauces.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early for Best Selection
Popular items can sell out, so visit earlier in the day to ensure availability.
Try Signature Sandwiches
Don't miss 'The Big Joe' pulled pork sandwich or 'Big D's triple bacon cheeseburger'.
Order Takeout During Peak Times
To avoid potential wait times during busy periods, consider ordering your meal to go.
Sauce Bar is a Must
Explore the self-serve sauce bar for a variety of tangy vinegar-based and white sauces.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Melvin's BBQ is a long-standing establishment celebrated for its authentic South Carolina barbecue, particularly its tender ribs and signature mustard-based sauce. While many praise the flavorful meats and classic Southern sides, some diners have noted inconsistencies in food quality and service, with occasional complaints about dry or tough meats and bland sides. The sweet tea and large onion rings are often highlighted as standout items, making it a popular, though sometimes polarizing, dining destination.
"Been going to Melvin’s for 35 years! Delicious mustard-based BBQ and ribs, but my favorite is their double cheeseburger. Mouth-watering delicious, they come with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo and American cheese. We recently took a friend from Tacoma here for a cheeseburger and he loved it. Nice atmosphere, you can dine inside or out. Order at counter, and they bring to you. Clean bathrooms."
claire freeman
"We were in town for a medical visit and decided to try something new during our overnight stay in Charleston/Mt. Pleasant. After checking reviews, we landed on Melvin’s, hoping for top-tier brisket and mac & cheese.
Upon entering, it was obvious we were first-time visitors confused and scanning the large menu but no one acknowledged us or offered help. It felt like we were left to figure things out on our own, which set a poor tone.
My husband ordered the brisket grilled cheese with a side of mac & cheese. I went with the patty melt and onion rings, with plans to sample each other’s meals.
The food, unfortunately, didn’t measure up. My husband said the mac & cheese was dry and flavorless. The brisket sandwich needed more cheese and was just average, definitely not memorable. As for my patty melt, the burger itself seemed well-seasoned, but the sandwich overall just wasn’t giving “patty melt.” The bread was dry, and I even tried to salvage it with BBQ sauce, wasn’t a good save. The onion rings were massive with a good crunch and tasty batter.
The real standout? The Southern Sweet Tea. That was the only thing we’d come back for.
We paid $38 for two meals, which felt unreasonably high for what turned out to be a letdown. Sadly, we won’t be returning."
Wendy C. Bennett
"Stopped here for lunch for the first time with a large group after hearing great things about it. Even with our big party, we had no trouble getting seated — the restaurant is spacious, clean, and even has a side area for private dining.
I ordered the patty melt with potato salad. The burger was fantastic, loaded with caramelized onions and mustard, and the potato salad was solid — though after tasting my girlfriend’s mac n cheese, I definitely had some envy.
My girlfriend, who’s eaten here many times, went with her usual: a half rack of ribs with mac n cheese and fries. She loves these ribs. Any time we’re not here, she’s talking about them (and craving that golden BBQ sauce). Pro tip: don’t skip the mac — it’s unbelievably good.
We also shared some onion rings, which were huge, lightly battered, and perfectly crispy.
The golden BBQ sauce is a tangy vinegar-based sauce that’s perfect for drenching your BBQ. The Alabama white sauce was another hit, great for dipping fries and onion rings. They have a self-serve sauce bar that was clean and well stocked, so you can help yourself.
All in all, this will absolutely be a guaranteed stop any time we’re in town."
James H.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Melvin's BBQ is famous for its authentic South Carolina mustard-based BBQ, legendary ribs, pulled pork, and classic Southern sides.
Melvin's BBQ uses a cherished 'Golden Secret' barbecue sauce, a recipe passed down for generations, which is a tangy, mustard-based sauce.
Popular choices include 'The Big Joe' pulled pork sandwich, ribs, and their double cheeseburgers. Many also rave about their mac & cheese and onion rings.
Yes, Melvin's BBQ offers takeout and has a drive-thru, which is recommended during peak times to avoid waiting.
While primarily a BBQ restaurant, they offer several side dishes that can be enjoyed by vegetarians, such as baked beans, mac & cheese, and collard greens.
It's advisable to visit earlier in the day to ensure the availability of all menu items, as some may sell out.
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Featured in these publications
The Top 50 Barbecue Joints Of 2023
Tying at #39 is Melvin’s BBQ, which is the place to head if you’re east of the Cooper River in Mount Pleasant and want to sample South Carolina’s iconic mustard-sauced pork and savory hash and rice. Melvin Bessinger was another of the brothers who fanned out around the greater Charleston area and opened barbecue restaurants, and Melvin’s is run today by his son David. Over the decades, all the family’s restaurants have had to adapt to the each new shift in the barbecue industry — from drive-ins to all-you-can-eat buffets to the rise of craft barbecue and brisket mania — while still maintaining the fundamentals that make South Carolina unique.
Best BBQ in Charleston, SC
Melvin’s BBQ is a family-owned branch of the famed Bessinger family that opened its first location in Mount Pleasant in 1982. It all started in the backwoods of Orangeburg, SC, when 10-year-old Melvin was taught how to make the “Golden Secret” barbecue sauce that his daddy Joe invented over 80 years ago. Melvin’s son, David Bessinger, brought back smoking meats over wood and added items to the menu like Texas-style brisket and burnt ends.
Charleston’s Favorite Local Restaurants | ShermansTravel
If you’re looking for true South Carolina barbecue, cross the bridge to Mount Pleasant to eat at Melvin’s. Its namesake was a member of the Bessingers, the state’s biggest barbecue dynasty. Grab a pulled pork sandwich with its signature yellow mustard-based sauce, called “The Big Joe,” and a side of steak fries.
Best Barbecue in Charleston, SC – A Meatlover's Guide
A staple in the barbecue world of Charleston, Melvin’s is a no-frills establishment that brings customers dozens of delicious options on their menu. Though the food is outstanding, this location is more unassuming than some of its fellow BBQ joints in the area. But, Melvin’s history in the Lowcountry is rich.
All of Mount Pleasant, SC's Best Wedding Caterers
A South Carolina tradition since 1939, Melvin Bessinger's BBQ Restaurants are beloved and famous for the best St. Louis... Read more style pork ribs, chicken and "Boston Butts" BBQ in the South. Melvin's Barbecue serves its legendary Golden Secret Recipe barbecue sauce - a recipe passed from generation to...
Highest-rated Barbecue Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (427 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, American- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 925 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464-3448- Read more on Tripadvisor
Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (427 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)– Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, American– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 925 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464-3448– Read more on Tripadvisor
5 local eateries highlighted in Southern Living's best of barbecue roundup
This West Ashley staple tied with Melvin’s BBQ for the No. 39 spot. Southern Living called attention to the eatery’s “plate of chopped pork barbecue dressed in South Carolina’s signature tangy/sweet yellow mustard sauce,” which is always a winner in our book.
Where To Find The Best BBQ In Charleston
Melvins BBQ is a popular, family-friendly BBQ restaurant in Charleston with something for everybody. Melvin knows a thing or two about family since he’s a descendant of the Bessinger BBQ family.
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