Mount Pleasant Magazine March/April 2020

BEST OF 2020 www.ReadMPM.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com 2020 W W W . B E S T O F M P . C O M M elvin’s Barbecue has been an iconic barbecue restaurant since 1961, when David Bessinger’s father, Melvin, first opened the doors. It’s no wonder, with a family full of barbecue royalty. David’s grandfather is one of the 15 Most Influential People in BBQ History, according to Southern Living Magazine , and inventor of South Carolina’s first mustard-based barbecue sauce — today Melvin’s Golden Secret Sauce. With the Charleston area’s barbecue landscape expanding and evolving, owner David thought now was the perfect time to reimagine his restaurant. “I’m constantly trying to think of new ways to grow our business and that’s why we think now is the perfect time to reinvent ourselves,” he said. “We have a new logo, a new website, and even the dining spaces themselves are new, both on James Island and Mount Pleasant.” Always a smokehouse staple, notoriety for the barbecue joint skyrocketed in the ’90s when Emeril Lagasse visited and proclaimed Melvin’s to have the best cheeseburger in America. After that, everyone called them, from CNN to People Magazine . Despite the passing decades and a barbecue boom in the area, business is still on the rise. “Now you have chefs who are getting into the barbecue world and putting their own flair on classic barbecue dishes, which is great. The more the merrier,” said David. “Dad always said don’t worry about competition, worry about your own place. Worry about your service, the quality of your food and the cleanliness.” David hopes the branding overhaul will keep Melvin’s Barbecue relevant in the Charleston barbecue scene, while staying true to their family friendly atmosphere and quality food. Where Classic Barbecue Begins Melvin’s Barbecue Melvin’s in Mount Pleasant is located at 925 Houston Northcutt Blvd. BY TERI ERRICO GRIFFIS ths on its main eas and 2 additional ch and is on the “Very knowledgeable, responsive and honest. We have bought and sold over 20 homes and never experienced the quality of service that Andrea provided” “Andrea has helped me both in buying and selling properties. I have never had better representation in a real estate transaction than Andrea. I highly recommend her for any real estate transaction.” “...extremely helpful in making recommendations to get our house market-ready. With her suggestions for home improvements, our house sold in a week at the high end of market value .” 843.532.3010 - AndreaRogers1@gmail.com CALL ANDREA ROGERS Knowing Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island- As Only an Island Native Could