On a rainy Monday morning heading out from James Island County Park we dropped into Melvin’s in Mt. Pleasant. Who says we can’t have barbecue for breakfast?
I figured it would probably be pretty good since Melvin was one of the Bessinger barbecue family. I was wrong; it was really good.
We both had the chopped pork plate, today’s special, which came with around one-third pound pork, cornbread and one side. We got mac’n’cheese and added sides, hash for me and onion rings for Mom.
Chopped Pork Plate!
The first taste of the pork was stunning for both of us; it’s what barbecue should be. Distinct smoke but not too much, bits of crunchy bark and moist but no greasiness.
The mac’n’cheese was thick and cheesy with a little crunchy topping. None of the orange stuff.
Mom got a couple of onion rings. That’s right, a couple of huge onion rings. Unfortunately they were a miss; she says they were very heavily battered with a cake-like texture and greasy.
Free Pickle and Pepper Bar!
My hash was spot-on with lots of porky bits and that funkiness good South Carolina hash has. Recalling our visit to Shealy’s a few years ago, this was less mustardy.
We did sample Melvin’s sauces although they weren’t needed on the pork. The mustard sauce is mild with a mustard and vinegar twang but it won’t knock you over, and the red sauce is a standard tomato-vinegar sauce, not sweet, and has a distince peppery finish. Both sauces are fine.
View from out front!
Melvin’s Legendary Bar-B-Q is at:
925 Houston Northcutt Blvd.
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 881-0549
538 Folly Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-0511