Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant

Barbecue restaurant · Mount Pleasant

Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant

Barbecue restaurant · Mount Pleasant

1

925 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

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Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant by null

Highlights

Family-friendly BBQ eatery serving ribs & other Southern dishes in casual, woodsy surrounds.  

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925 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 Get directions

melvinsbbq.com

$10–20 · Menu

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925 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 Get directions

+1 843 795 6794 ext. 4
melvinsbbq.com
melvinsmtpleasant

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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"Melvin’s has served smoked meats to the Charleston community for decades. It is known for its family-friendly establishments and speedy service. Try a pulled pork plate with mustard sauce, onion rings, or the famous burger while on the go." - Eater Staff

6 Standout Barbecue Spots in Charleston
View Postcard for Melvin's Legendary Barbecue

James H.

Google
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.

Rachelle Gilliam

Google
The food is the best BBQ we've had to date and we've had a lot of different kinds of BBQ over the years!! We had their sliced Brisket (lean), Pulled Pork, Smoked Turkey, Pulled Chicken for meats. For the sides we had the Butter Beans, White Rice, Sweet Potato Souffle, Baked Beans, Collard Greens, Hush Puppies and Banana Pudding. All of the meats were moist, very tasty and they don't give you too much of anything, which is great for us! All of the food was outstanding and the staff is so nice. There is parking but it can get a little hairy trying to get in and out but not a show stopper. They have a drive-thru and you can also order inside and take it home or there is mobile ordering. You wait in line to order and then go sit down if you're dining in, they'll call your name and bring you your food. You'll need to throw your trash out. So, if you're in Mt. Pleasant, SC and you love BBQ, you definitely need to go!!

Wendy C. Bennett

Google
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.

Annette Clark

Google
We have come here for years and loved the food. It has been about 6 months since here and the food has really changed. The sides all have zero flavor and taste like fast food rather than the quality food it was. The only nice person in there was the nice lady that rang us up. She seemed to be new….. I had to beg others to get me tea since both containers were empty. I didn’t eat the food…. It tasted that bad and I didn’t ask for my money back because I truly feel it would have caused an uproar. Very sad day that Melvin’s is this bad…

claire freeman

Google
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.

VERAMAE `

Google
The food came out very quickly and the service was friendly. The food was lukewarm and the only thing that tasted good was the collard greens. The smoked turkey tasted like bologna and we couldn’t finish it. The brisket was dry and the sauce was needed to make it taste better.

C.C. Chapman

Google
YUMMY! Start with some golden sauced wings and then fill up with all the meats possible. The baked beans are sweet and the ribs were perfection.

Don Seals

Google
I got the Big D's triple bacon cheeseburger and it was ABSOLUTELY delicious!!! Worth every single penny!!! I'll DEFINITELY be back for another one!!

Ron N.

Yelp
We were looking for a good carry out close to the Inn at I'on. Melvin's said no pickup orders or doordash after 8:30 so I thought I would just go to the restaurant and place a togo order. They were very pleasant and accommodating. The food was outstanding. The pulled pork and brisket were tasty and plentiful. We had sides of fries and onion rings. Service was fast. and the pick- up was easy. Good bbq. Pulled pork, onion rings, carry out service was fast and better than doordash. Next time we are in Charleston we are going back for restaurant service.

Melody B.

Yelp
I wasn't too hungry, so I shared a meal with my husband. We ordered for pick-up via online through their website for a pickup ASAP. It was ready when we got there (about 20ish minutes later). We did the two meat plate (pulled pork and 1 smoked jalapeño sausage link). It came with two sides and cornbread. We chose fries (not pictured) and mac & cheese for the sides. Honestly, the fries were probably the best part. Whatever seasoning they put on it was so good, so I definitely recommend choosing that as a side. Everything else was decent. The meat definitely needed BBQ sauce (which they provide on the side).

Laura P.

Yelp
My teen and I went to check out what some foodie boards referred to one of the best non smash burgers. Wow, now I understand some laughing emojis on the fb post when someone said melvins. It was not good - very greasy - my son left almost all of it. The fries were steak fries that also were bad. We didn't try the BBQ but big fat no on burgers. The staff was super nice and that place got hopping around 630pm but to each their own. I think the non smash burgers at Edmunds oast, Coleman public house, poes are the best we've had so far. Little jack was good but not $$$ for a mini burger good to go back. So for now we're sticking to the ones we like so far or making our own with the mix at ny butcher shop.

Alyssa G.

Yelp
Really appreciate how kind and speedy the drive thru workers are! And food is always delicious!

Guy N.

Yelp
Excellent BBQ The wife & I split a 3 Meat Plate combo. We ordered 2 briskets & one ribs, which caused the cashier some consternation as she seemed new and didn't know how to input that order. Also got the Donut Onion Rings and Carolina BBQ Hash. Here's how I'd rate everything on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being best): Brisket (9): Almost as good as Central Texas brisket. Tender, moist, and flavorful. Wife & I both loved it. Ribs (9): Great smoke flavor. Donut Onion Ring (10): Wow! How have I gone this long in life without experiencing donut onion rings. Fantastic! Definitely the best onion rings I've ever had. Carolina BBQ Hash (5): Looks like baby vomit, and had a bit of a baby food texture to it that was unappealing. Would not order again. We've also eaten at Peninsula Grill, 82 Queen, and Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ on this trip to Charleston, but Melvin's was the best meal we had.

Andrew C.

Yelp
Covid/Inflation suck! This is close to a 2 star review but I think there is potential here. After a long day at the beach, we thought oh perfect a bbq drive thru!!! Unfortunately we had looked at a menu just two years old online, and saw some great value we thought, so we ordered at the window without thinking twice. Sticker shock! Everything was $5-$10 more. Not blaming the business at all, but let's make sure we make that increase worthwhile. Brisket plate $28- definitely not worth it to me. Flavour and smoke was really, REALLY good actually, however quite dry. Looking back after, I see you can choose fatty/lean. (Point/Flat of a brisket). Was never offered a choice, which again goes down to that extra level of customer service which was just not there. My little one loved the fries and Jr Joe sandwich (pulled pork), wife enjoyed the brisket sandwich (no sauce), and giant onion rings. It was cool to see butter beans (Lima beans) on a menu! I usually get made fun of for eating these, I love them! Slaw was tasty, more of a vinegar than creamy but great flavour too. Lastly- no sauces to be seen or offered at drive thru. "Good brisket doesn't need a sauce" I kept telling myself. Wife agreed it would have been nice to have just something extra on her sandwich to perk it up. Show some care in customer service, and potentially improving both locals and tourists' experience and the star ratings improve from me.

Courtney C.

Yelp
Today was my first visit. I went through the drive thru. I ordered the brisket plate with bbq baked beans and homemade Mac n cheese as my sides. I requested the brisket to be sliced and a lean cut. Since I've never been here, I requested all sauces to the side so I could try them. I did not receive a side of Alabama white sauce to try and none of the sauces were labeled, but I did find one that I liked. After reading other reviews on here, I ordered one donut onion ring, and I ordered a large lemonade because it's freshly squeezed and homemade. Brisket - 9/10. I loved how tender it was; the only thing that threw me off was the spice rub on it, which I didn't care for. I would order this again. BBQ baked beans - 10/10. I really enjoyed these and will definitely re-order this as my side in the future. Homemade Mac n cheese - 6/10. Maybe I just got a not so fresh portion or maybe it's because I got it to go but I really did not think the mac & cheese was creamy enough at all and lacked seasoning. I'd be curious to see what it tastes like hot out of the oven. I honestly would not order this as my side of the future. Donut onion ring - 6/10. someone wrote a review on here that said it was the best onion ring that ever had so I was definitely intrigued. I guess I didn't really realize that a donut onion ring like this is mostly batter with a side of onion. I would've preferred more onion and less batter. I'm glad I tried this but I would not re-order this item at a future visit. Freshly squeezed homemade lemonade - 12/10. I am so glad that I ordered a large size. This was the best lemonade I've had since I've been here. I would definitely recommend the lemonade if you're a lemonade person. It is on the sweeter side but oh my gosh so good!

Bruce T.

Yelp
Best burgers in town. They always have Texas Pete to add to anything you eat which even adds more flavor

Leita W.

Yelp
Went with a group and we sampled a bit of everything. 3 Meat Plate (ribs, brisket, turkey), Big Joe Pulled Pork, Fries, Chicken Tenders, Mac n Cheese, Onion Rings, Butter Beans, Lemonade, Chocolate Pie, and Lemonade. Service was fast and incredibly accommodating. My top three favorites were the brisket, ribs, and fries (honorable mention to the best turkey I've ever had and the lemonade that never fails). Truly though, everything was seasoned to perfection and felt like a big bite of home. Favorite BBQ spot, always!

Linda B.

Yelp
The cashier was zoned out - she charged me for 2 combos and only one burger - so after only receiving one I went back up to let them know what I was missing She said she didn't hear it - ummm what cashier would charge someone for 2 combos if there was only one burger? Worst customer service ever - I don't mind paying for what I ordered but there was no acknowledgment of their mistake and then my husbands fries were cold by the time he got his burger - Service has definitely gone downhill This was my 3 rd negative experience here in the past 12 months - Do better and properly train your employees!

Nathan K.

Yelp
Darn it Melvin! I feel like garbage. Hung up at this hotel while my family gets to have fun. I don't think it's COVID. Test is negative. But I'm stuck by myself near your restaurant and I want some BBQ to feel better. So I order on a delivery service a salad with pork and order some extra sauce since it isn't clear the salad with meat is going to come with any bbq sauce. What happens next? I still don't get any sauce. Instead I get 4 packets of blue cheese :) who needs this much friggin dressing?! Salad was fine. Pork seemed good. But hard to really A+ your place without the sauce. (If there was some confusion about the order, I recommend some changes to your menu descriptions in the delivery app. Or contact the customer. But I can't imagine anyone is ordering "extra sauce" and wants anything but bbq sauce?)

Milt M.

Yelp
Fantastic hash. Order was a good portion and very delicious. Sides of butter beans and sweet potato soufflé which were both very good in taste and portions. I definitely would recommend Melvin's

Rosemary C.

Yelp
Go for the gold, it's worth it! Melvin's is the right place to dive into golden mustard for BBQ sauce. Normally it's tomato base or vinegar base for BBQ sauce. While all sauces are represented here, the mustard definitely pairs well with pork. Among the two mustard sauces presented, go for the spicy mustard sauce. It's not that spicy and it adds smokiness to an already well rounded sauce. Unlike Dijon mustard, its not super sour and there's enough sweetness to make it striking while minimizing the heartburn. The pork ribs were amazing. As shown there's a beautiful pink smoke ring which made it falling off the bone tender and intense with flavor. I enjoyed the fact that smoked doesn't entail burnt, and these ribs are edible from end to end. The brisket is still really good. Personally I would have gone for the pulled pork but the family voted on brisket and as such we tried out the fatty cuts of brisket. While not as intense as the Texas pit style, it is on the salty side but still pairs well with the mustard BBQ sauce. There are plenty of pickles and bread to make sandwiches and enjoy the softness of the brisket. The sides were generous. Onion rings came as a pair. Use that slot to get something generous. Coleslaw was plentiful and had an onion kick behind it. The fried okra was fried to perfection. It was not dripping in grease and the okra was fresh. The collard greens were well done. Initially a little salty, but the flavors from their mixed spices kick in afterwards. Overall, swing by for lovely decor, big meals and friendly staff. I'm looking to get some sauce online to step up the BBQ dishes of my friends back at home.

Kim F.

Yelp
Five stars for the 'Big Joe' pork sandwich, 3 stars for the mac and cheese, and two stars for the very slow drive-thru service. After a long ordeal trying to get to our destination from out of town, my wife and I scrapped or sit-down dinner plans and were starving. It was 8:30 PM--well past when we thought we'd eat. We love barbecue, saw Melvin's, and headed for the drive-thru. There was a lot to choose from on the menu, but we decided on splitting a 'Big Joe' pork sandwich combo (sandwich-side-drink). My wife loves mac and cheese, so we ordered it and a Coke Zero. Then we waited. We were the third or fourth car in line and it took us nearly minutes to get our food. By the time we saw a human at the window we were on the edge of hangry. The young man was doing his best, I'm sure. We finally got our food (which did not feel hot in the bag) and drove to our condo five minutes from there. We couldn't wait to tear into the food! The sandwich was very hefty--big enough to be shared--and it was SO tasty! The smoky flavor was just right, the meat nice and tender, and the mustard-based sauce on the sandwich was the right combination of tangy and sweet. We really loved it! The mac and cheese was nothing to write home about. It was barely warm at first bite, which wasn't a deal breaker when one is hungry like we were at 9 o'clock at night (more than 10 hours since we had last eaten). I found the side to be very bland and a little bit dry. I focused on the sandwich. As a side note, our soda was great--fizzy and flavorful. Not every restaurant serves a good fast food soda, but Melvin's came through! I definitely recommend the barbecue here, but nighttime drive-thru service may not be the best. I'd give them another shot next trip to Charleston!

Ted H.

Yelp
Always awesome!! Ribs, pulled pork bbq, incredible coleslaw, delicious banana pudding, fried okra that's benchmark worthy plus Great barbecue hash and rice.

Dean W.

Yelp
One of the best burgers I have ever had. Really outstanding food and friendly people. I highly recommend it.

Peyton R.

Yelp
I just wanna shine a light especially on Daniel who was working the drive-thru tonight. We just went 15 mins ago. You know Charleston is so quick to complain and write a bad review or try and be a Karen but never wanna spotlight people going above and beyond. My husband and I ,with our tiny tyrant toddler came into the drive thru. Full discloure both of us food and Bev basically our entire lives. Husband really wanted brisket Mac and cheese which they don't carry (have an amazing pulled pork one though) and Daniel was very patient (like a saint) with my husband why he was trying to decide what he wanted. He even double checked to make sure it was just the meat we wanted on the side for the nachos. Honestly overall very kind and our food is amazing. Mac and cheese 10/10. My signature side plate 10/10. We always come here and we appreciate y'all and everything that you do.

Annette T.

Yelp
OVERPRICED for the little amount of food you get .Sandwich combo with one side over $16.

Sadie A.

Yelp
Everything was delicious! The BBQ nachos were probably my favorite and so unexpectedly delicious! The customer service was great as well!

Caroline O.

Yelp
Melvin's BBQ has the best BBQ and cheeseburger in Charleston!! Every time I go the service is exceptional and the food is even better. Will be going back next Tuesday for half price burgers!! Best day of the week.

Nicole B.

Yelp
Food was decent, poor customer service. My immediate impression when we went to the counter to order our food didn't represent this place well. I was thinking about getting a salad and asked the woman at the counter how the salads were and she responded with, "I've never had one" with a deadpan expression and apparently no desire to offer anymore information or suggestions. I ended up getting a junior pulled pork with baked beans. It was fine. Hopefully this customer service experience isn't the norm.

Dan P.

Yelp
Excellent Southern BBQ, Ribs, Chicken/Wings, Hamburgers, & more.... Our favorite when it comes to Southern Cuisine & BBQ! Melvin's also offers some unique items such as Hash & Rice, large sweet Onion Rings that are almost the size of a donut, and the Best Mustard Based Barbeque Sauce that you have ever tasted, which is a Bessinger secret family recipe... David Bessinger is a 3rd generation pit master, and he really understands the business and is a perfectionist when it comes to dining experiences. Do not miss Melvin's in Mt. Pleasant or on James Island when in the Charleston, SC Area! - Dan Pape, Mt, Pleasant, SC Resident

Gene T.

Yelp
Good meat. Good sauces. Crappy atmosphere. Soda fountain was out of all kinds of sodas. Ice was running over. Not managed real well. Ordered a 3 meat plate. Brisket, pork and ribs. Brisket was smoked nice. Pork was dry. Ribs were perfect. Tender with a chew. Easy to pull off bone and had a chew. Corn bread was good as was the slaw. No alcohol.

tj K.

Yelp
Kind staff! World Class onion rings. Best onion rings ever. Really interesting idea. Mac'n Cheese was delicious. Brisket was 9/10. Highly recommend-Tjk

Ty W.

Yelp
If I am being honest this food reminds me of Famous Dave's minus the burnt ends and rib tips. Which at the time Melvin's did not offer. This barbecue is solid. The flavors were amazing the sauces were perfect the barbecue was perfectly cooked. I had a combination of brisket and ribs I devoured everything minus the bones :-) I highly recommend this restaurant 1 million stars.

Teresa J.

Yelp
Melvin's is still the staple in my life that I have to have when I visit family. Every thing on their menu is delicious, the customer service is outstanding and so friendly, and they are affordable with wonderful to go options. The little Joey pork is always my go to with fried okra. The collard greens you should also not miss out on! They are full of flavor! The onion rings are huge and when you leave grab a banana pudding to go.

Sophie P.

Yelp
My first visit to Melvin's was great! It was a must-do during my time in Mount Pleasant. The food was delicious and the service was very friendly. The brisket was amazing - the flavor and smokiness didn't go unnoticed! All of the sides were absolutely delicious, especially the Mac and cheese. I can't wait to stop by again next time I'm in Mount Pleasant!

Herbert P.

Yelp
O.....M.....G..... Melvin's BBQ is a must stop shop for everyone. My family and I were in town for a vacation and the staff recommended a few options for sining. We choice Melvin's and boy did that decision pay off. I ordered a d2 meat combo with double ribs and 2 sides of collard greens and an extra side of max n cheese. I, also, ordered a 1/2 chicken meal (all dark meat) with sweet potato casserole and french fries. My family ordered a 2 meat combo meal (ribs and chicken wings) with sweet potato casserole, mac n cheese and 2 extra sides (fried okra and mac n cheese. All of the food was absolutely delicious. So good, in fact, that we will be returning another night while we are in town. This place truly deserves 7 outta 5 stars. Its that good.

Lucas A.

Yelp
Tried this BBQ with a friend of mine that was visiting Charleston. We were looking for some good southern pork since he lives in New Jersey, and since Melvin's was close to where we were, we gave it a shot. We walked in and there were 3 tables occupied max. We placed our order and told us to wait. We sat on our table for about 20 minutes and waited, thinking why it takes so long to get our food. We finally got it, and well, it wasn't good. The pulled pork was alright, but my god the brisket was terrible. It had fat and cartilage, and just looked unappealing. I don't understand how it took 20 minutes to prepare something like this. Paid $30 and I can honestly say I'm never returning to this establishment. What I've realized is that if you want some good BBQ in Charleston, the only option is Lewis.

Seth T.

Yelp
Melvin's has caused me an existential crisis. Perhaps I should explain. While on vacation in the Charleston area, my family and I were looking for an easy, relatively quick place to grab dinner before evening plans. Having driven up and down the main road of Mount Pleasant a few times, I had seen the sign for Melvin's. As a barbecue place it immediately had my attention. As I stared at the menu the thought hit me. "How do I judge this place? What should I order? What kind of meat should I get?" As a person who loves barbecue, these are more complicated questions then it might first appear. Back home, I've learned what to get where. If I want pulled pork, I know the place that does that the best. Brisket? I know those directions by heart. Ribs? There are a couple of different options. A lot of the times I get turkey, and I can give you the name of the place that does that well, too. But faced with some place new, what do I pick to render a verdict? Is pulled pork the definitive choice? Ribs? Brisket? Turkey? Chicken? And what about sides? Doesn't cornbread deserve consideration? Mac'n cheese? Vegetables like green beans? WHAT ABOUT ALL THE BARBECUE SAUCES?! ... Sorry, I needed a minute there. I take my barbecue (too?) seriously. Anyway, there I stood. Faced with my one opportunity to sample what Melvin's had to offer. Stomach grumbling. Paralyzed by the gravity of the choices before me. I went with...a two-meat-two-sides plate. Yes, a three-meat would have been better. My stomach can only do so much. I selected pulled pork and brisket with green beans, sweet potato souffle, and had cornbread as well. The cornbread was of the sweet variety. That's just how I like it, so that was a clear winner. The sweet potato souffle was also very sweet, loaded with brown sugar. It wasn't quite dessert, but pretty close. The green beans were not sweet (which would be weird), but had the right amount of salt and seasonings. So the sides were fine. But...nobody cares. You didn't read this review to learn about bread and vegetables. We're at a barbecue place, and whether or not you come back hinges on the meat and not the accompaniments. I was nervous about the brisket that laid on the plate before me. This cut of meat can be difficult to cook properly so as not to end up with a burnt slice of shoe leather. I took a bite...and it was excellent. The meat was juicy, and the bias cut included some of the flavorful crust. The pulled pork, which I thought would be the safer choice, was not up to the same quality. The flavor was perfectly fine, but my pile of shredded pig was rather fatty. I'm not anti-pork fat, but there's a time and a place for it. Fried into a rind? Great! Almost burnt in bacon? ABSOULTELY. But globs of spongy fat mixed in with slow-cooked pork? Pass. Now we come to the final candidates for judgment: sauces. And in this case, Melvin's already started behind with me. In fairness it's not entirely their fault. I'm not a fan of Carolina-style, vinegar-based barbecue sauces. I want brown sugar and tomato paste. Season and spice it up with different things, sure, but start with that base and go from there. You can understand my trepidation as I filled a dipping cup with the red sauce. Thankfully for my palate, it didn't go hard on the vinegar. I could tell it was there but was diluted enough for a northerner like me. In contrast to my normal sauce expectations, Melvin's features their mustard-based sauce over everything else. That was a new one for me, as I've never been to a barbecue place that pushed a gold sauce above first and foremost. That's fine, I'm a fan of the yellow stuff, and it does help differentiate Melvin's from other places. It has a nice mix of mustardy tang with a more traditional barbecue sauce flavor. It was good. The one demerit I'll give to both the yellow and the red is a thin consistency. If you're hung up on a thick, rich sauce slathered on your meat you're going to be disappointed. The Yankee in me blames the Carolina vinegar. Having written all this, it's been therapeutic. Thoughtful review and reflection have allowed me to make peace with the deep confusion that consumed my barbecue-loving soul as I stared at the menu that day. I did what I could do in the limited time I had. My final verdict, however, is still embroiled in an internal conflict. If I were a local, I'd keep Melvin's on my list. I would try a different meat on my next visit, pairing it with the safe choice of brisket on a two-meat plate. The mustard sauce is also a nice change of pace from what I'm used to. It would be a fine option when I was in the mood. As someone on vacation, however, I'm not sure I would use one of my few lunch or dinner opportunities to sample local food to return. While the brisket and sides were good, the pulled pork and the sauces didn't make me want to tell everyone about the incredible barbecue I had. It was, like I said, fine.

Victor M.

Yelp
I like this place BBQ pork was good and the Big Joe was a good size for lunch, I can make it a obligatory stop when in Mt. and the 4 sauces they have are fabulous and tasty. Being my first time here I looked at the online menu before getting there so I wouldn't be spending a lot of time looking at their wall, WRONG I got there and the menu was totally different so we ended up ordering the Big Joe and it was still confusing because if you order a combo and two sides we wanted one side french fries and the other side onion rings, NO you cant have those two, if you want the rings you have to pay extra. Well so don't put it as an option on the "sides" place it somewhere else as "extras" but I am being led to believe I can chose any from the "sides" list Then when we got our order the onion rings are humongous, two rings but it is mostly batter and one feble strand of onion inside, so why it so special just won't order next time, just doesn't make sense because flour is cheap so it must be labor now that wages are increasing 10 fold everywhere. Their add at the entrance offers 20 dollars per hour to cashiers Was debating between 4 and 5 but the food is good and plentiful so it is a five and maybe I will get familiar with the menu but please make your online menu the same as your store menu. The BBQ sauces are to die for!

Kayleigh B.

Yelp
First of all I will admit the food is great except the mac and cheese it was way over salted. Oh and the majority of the soft drinks were low on syrup. My main issue is the service. We placed our order and everything seemed fine. The food was then brought out and one of the orders was wrong. It was a simple mistake we were missing an appetizer and instead of having it the appetizer was a side. So we were missing one of our sides and in its place was the appetizer as a side. We let the employees know what was wrong and an employee who did not take our order came over and said that was what we ordered. I'm not sure how this employee knew what we ordered as they did not take our order. We tried to explain the issue and they continued to say "this is what you ordered" when it simply was not. Eventually the employee who took our order came over and apologized that they did not input the order correctly. Anyway nothing else came from it no offer to get the missing side or bring more of the item that should have been the appetizer. I mean really when you're dropping at least $20 for each person in your party the least they can do is bring out your missing side and not adamantly argue with you.

Kari K.

Yelp
Margaret, the catering director, made planning our family gathering so easy! Top notch service and food!

Edi S.

Yelp
Great BBQ, good pricing and nice portions. Hard to believe that the BBQ was almost as good as some smaller venues. The sauces where delicious. Highly recommend.

Francis O.

Yelp
Best burgers in mount pleasant in my opinion. Pricey - but fantastic. BBQ is average - it's all about the burgers and that onion ring though.

Ann B.

Yelp
Good food! I lived my bbq plate! Good prices and friendly staff. A little confusing to place your order, maybe I was just tired from traveling! Try it you won't be sorry.

Jerry P.

Yelp
Hard to get in and out of, and not easy to order. food okay. What good bbq is supposed to be. no fat.

Brian A.

Yelp
The BBQ is great! Now when you service French fries it is wise to have ketchup in you business! How do you run out of ketchup, there is a grocery store a block away! At least tell people you are out of ketchup when they order French fries! How stupid can you be ! Well Melvin's answered that question today! 80 years in business, still need to learn how to provide service, sad

Mark L.

Yelp
They have a high rating for there wings. I waited in the drive thru line for 40 minutes, ordered 12 pcs wings got to the drive through window and was told there were no wings. They did absolutely nothing to accommodate my 40 minute investment of time. I will never come back here again.

Greg W.

Yelp
Best brisket and pulled pork I've had since left Texas five years ago in Austin. The brisket was very moist as was the pork.

Stephanie H.

Yelp
Great brisket- may be the best I ever had- tender and nicely smoked. But the lemonade is way too sweet- wow!

Anne S.

Yelp
I grew up down the street from Melvin's, so this was the barbecue I was used to eating literally my entire life - the Carolina mustard-based sauce, specifically from here. It is my favorite barbecue sauce, which is slightly ironic considering in all other contexts I actually hate mustard. It's damn near impossible to write a review on a place I've gone to for 30 years that has changed workers, etc. over that time. The one thing I can say is that the food is good and consistent, prices consistent, and the interior/exterior has recently been upgraded. You can dine in, order to go, or go through the drive-thru. My random thoughts: Every once in a while, I get weirded out by the thick skin pieces (or whatever it is) in the meat, but that's a personal thing, and also, it isn't in every sandwich. As a kid, I didn't like BBQ so I ate the hamburger, which at one time (i.e., in the 90's) was voted as the best hamburger in the world. It's 2020. Be lenient when you eat that hamburger and get your panties in a wad that it's not actually the best burger you've ever eaten anymore. It's still damn good. Traditional. Melvin's is great for family meals or serving for large groups. You can't go wrong selecting any side. The Little Joe sandwich is basically exactly the same size as the Big Joe sandwich. So just determine whether you want an onion ring or different side. Consider buying Melvin's sauces as gifts for others.

Mia K.

Yelp
BEST SERVICE EVER! THE KINDEST EMPLOYEES EVER! Such a homey ambiance. The best food in mount pleasant and the best burger in Charleston.

Krisila F.

Yelp
We love Bar B Q, so a visit to the low country must involve a search for good BBQ. We were tired from our trip and decided to look for a place with delivery, drive through, or sit down. Melvin's checked all the boxes. It did not disappoint! I wanted brisket, but they were out, so I had the pulled pork. It was delicious! There is a long list of sides & I tried the sweet potato soufflé & it was full of nuts, which I LOVED! The hush puppies were a little over cooked. My husband had the chili cheeseburger with slaw and also said it was good. He had a huge onion ring on it and said the batter on it was just so so. There are 2 locations and we tried the one in Mt. Pleasant.

Steve F.

Yelp
So this place does not stack up to all the hype. Smoked wings were good (solid dry rub flavor and fall off the bone), but $13.99 for 6 is high even with current commodity pricing. My kids even thought the milk tasted watered down and the soda to carbonation ratio (brixing) was too little syrup. Also overall food quality lacking. Save your $$$...

C. Ray T.

Yelp
I'm a frequent eater of smoked pig pulled and piled high. I travel the BBQ trail. My preference is Lexington NC style with red slaw. This wasn't that. But, for what it is, it was good. I had a big pork sandwich with white slaw. I ate it all. This was heavily smoked on real wood. If I had to guess, oak and apple. But I'm not sure. It had a nice smoke flavor and the ring was thick. I couldn't tell if it was shoulder or whole hog but it was plenty moist and tender. They do SC Gold (mustard base) sauce here. It is in SC. If you keep an open mind, it's pretty good. If you're only comfy with one style that isn't SC Gold, you'll not be happy. If you don't know much about BBQ pork - you'll probably like this fine if you don't drown it in a KC sugar sauce. I'd have liked this more with a western NC red slaw - this was a touch sweet for me. I've heard good things about their brisket too but this here ain't Texas, I'll stick to the smoked pig. We'll be back...

Lauren M.

Yelp
Excellent spot in Mount Pleasant. Great serving sizes, amazing flavor, and such a cute atmosphere. I LOVED my turkey sandwich and my husband was RAVING about his brisket. Such rich flavors and excellent service. Definitely would come back and 5/5 recommend!

Karen C.

Yelp
The first time I had Melvin's was takeout so I was super excited to go eat at the restaurant. I've been really into brisket lately. Unfortunately, they were out of the lean brisket but a very nice person at the counter recommended the half and half brisket. It was heavenly. Not too fatty. Very flavorful. Delicious in fact. What can I say about this onion ring? I loved it. Like a pillowy donut almost. It was gigantic and very filling. The coleslaw was also yum. Everyone at my table enjoyed their food: ribs, pulled pork, chicken. My husband was very disappointed they were out of burnt ends and wings. Guess you gotta get there early!!

Brandon R.

Yelp
Food is okay however customer service is poor. If you want good BBQ go to Lewis downtown. Save your money & thank me later

Cora F.

Yelp
Amazing Mac n cheese but just noticed their was a large piece of plastic in my container