Melvin’s Legendary Bar-B-Que

Wonderful spot for BBQ on James Island! The brisket is outstanding along with the collards and potato salad. Turkey is also tasty. Try all of the sauces… All are delicious! The onion rings are interesting… It’s like a donut batter covering the onion. Not my favorite but my boyfriend loves them! Good prices for the amount and quality of food.

The Bessinger’s family name has been synonymous with Lowcountry BBQ for many years. Their onion rings are unique and oh so good. I really like their BBQ, but I grew up on it, and there is a lot of good competition out there now. They also have huge burgers. Expect it to be cooked well done. Get one fully loaded, and don’t forget the complimentary pickle/​pepper bar. They have the best sweet tea (you gotta love it SWEET), and they have the little «rat turd» ice. I’ve learned as an adult that the ice should be referred to as something else… chewblets or something less foul sounding. This place is good for families or professionals, it doesn’t matter. They usually employ young students at the registers, but they get the job done. There is some parking available on site, but there is also overflow in the main shopping centre. Just be careful of pedestrians and other cars.

I think the cheeseburger is the best in town, especially the morning after a long night. I’m not a fan of their onion rings (too battered and sweet), but a lot of people love them. The little Joe pork basket is also good.
Drive-​thru can take a while.

Great pulled pork and their sauce is amazing! Very reasonably priced as well.

I always like a hot dog on July 4rth, so on the way back from the beach stopped here for lunch. Thought it was just a simple order of slaw dog basket (hotdog with slaw, fries, and their trademark onion ring) the guy asked me what i wanted on it… i’m like isn’t slaw on it? …yes.ok, was asked again what i wanted on it… hmm…i said… nothing else… i’m not sure what was there to comprehend… i just wanted a hotdog basket.
it was awhile before i got my food… what did i get? a footlong chilidog loaded with onions and a bowl of coleslaw… took it back to the counter and said this is not what i ordered… not only was it not a basket, it was a hotdog with chili and onions and no fries, or onion ring. I said i just wanted a plain hotdog. he saids the only way to get that is to order a kids meal hotdog??? I’m like i haven’t been to Melvins in awhile… so a hotdog basket has changed as I never had a problem just getting a hotdog, fries and onion ring before. The guy from the back overhears and saids i’ll bring it to u.
a few minutes later I get another foot long plain hotdog. So i take my receipt back up to the counter and show him, it saids «basket» on the receipt, doesn’t that mean fries and onion ring with that? The cook overhears and again saids I’ll bring it to you…
Alas! finally, I get to eat what i wanted! I mean like for a $ 10 hotdog order, it needs to be right! My second choice would have been Cookout W. Ashley… maybe it would have been easier? It would only cost $ 5 for 2 hotdogs and fries combo there.
Aside from the rough start, food and onion ring was great… bun was a bit overheated and dry. I’ve only eaten and Bessingers on Savannah Hwy. and Melvins off hwy 78
prior to this and never had a problem. Maybe this was just not my day… oh, well, enjoyed the onion ring and have half of the hotdog left for supper.