Word on the street
What locals are saying
Melvin's on James Island is a genuine Charleston institution — a Bessinger family recipe dating to 1939 — that won back serious local credibility after owner David Bessinger ditched gas-assisted smokers and returned to offset wood burning in 2015. The pulled pork and smoked turkey earn consistent praise, and the iconic mustard-based Golden Secret sauce is considered a must, but the hash and slaw draw repeated criticism for being thin and runny; pricing also draws grumbling, with some locals calling it steep for a counter-service format. Long-time residents carry childhood nostalgia for the place, while newer critics see it as a solid but uneven neighborhood BBQ spot rather than a destination.
authentic SC mustard-based BBQwood-smoker comeback boosted qualitypulled pork & turkey standoutshash & slaw inconsistentprices feel high for counter servicedeep generational local loyalty
In the feed
