Bessinger's BBQ...thoughts? (Columbia, Ladson, Moncks Corner: buying, live in, store) - Charleston - North Charleston - Mt. Pleasant - Summerville - Goose Creek - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

Geechie North · 09-19-2008, 11:01 PM

I am glad to see Bessingers is not overly popular.

I used to pray that it would go national, then Krispy Kreme did, and obviously changed....something, because their present donuts are like lead sinkers vs the old ones; afraid that would happen to Bessingers, also.

FYI, when I was younger (and crazier), I once convinced my wife to roadtrip with me some 1,124 miles, just to have a Big Joe Beef Bar-B-que basket.

emilybh · 09-20-2008, 08:50 AM

I went to Bessingers in West Ashley not that long ago and thought it was good. I didn't think it was grubby and dirty at all-- but Melvins is more convenient for me. The disadvantage of Melvins is that they only have their hickory sauce inside on the tables (not in the kitchen) whereas the standard sauce Bessingers uses is A hickory sauce. So at Melvins, if you want Hickory flavor and you are ordering take-out, you must ask for an empty container and take some of the hickory sauce from the tables before you leave.

ZUMAN · 09-20-2008, 10:13 AM

Charleston needs a Smokey Bones...it's like the Hooters of BBQ joints!

DJShymansky · 09-20-2008, 10:24 AM

There's a Smokey Bones in North Charleston, if I recall.

ZUMAN · 09-20-2008, 11:22 AM

DJ, you're absolutely correct...it's on Rivers Ave. Funny I haven't heard a word about it. Besides the natural beauty, I thought they (the one I ate at in Texas) had pretty good BBQ.

susie4 · 09-20-2008, 11:38 AM

When we were visiting my daughter last month, we went to Bessingers located in Goose Creek on College Blvd, I believe. It was a small restaurant; not real crowded and seemed to be mostly locals there. I thought the food was really good.

My favorite still remains Jim & Nicks.

SCBeaches · 09-20-2008, 11:45 AM

There are two good BBQ places on Johns Island: JB's Smokeshack and Hickory Hawg - both are family-run and on Maybank Hwy.

Rggr · 09-20-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cape_fisherman

I'm sure Bessinger's serves good food, but how do the locals feel about it? Are they a local hot spot or more of a tourist magnet?

Do they have the West Ashley/Savannah Hwy market sewn up...or would that same stretch of highway be able to support a competitive bbq joint? Not anything really comparable to Bessinger's, but just a simple take-out/drive thru place. Basics only...3-4 meats and the same amount of sides.

Thanks for the local knowlege.

Jay

There is always room for more BBQ if it's good. Any real BBQ lover will give you a fair shot.

cape_fisherman · 09-20-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emilybh

I went to Bessingers in West Ashley not that long ago and thought it was good. I didn't think it was grubby and dirty at all-- but Melvins is more convenient for me. The disadvantage of Melvins is that they only have their hickory sauce inside on the tables (not in the kitchen) whereas the standard sauce Bessingers uses is A hickory sauce. So at Melvins, if you want Hickory flavor and you are ordering take-out, you must ask for an empty container and take some of the hickory sauce from the tables before you leave.

Are you saying there is no wood flavor in the meat w/o the sauce on it? I've never eaten at either place so I don't know. The way you said it makes it sound like the meat itself isn't smoked.

Thanks for all the replies.

Jay

Rggr · 09-20-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cape_fisherman

Are you saying there is no wood flavor in the meat w/o the sauce on it? I've never eaten at either place so I don't know. The way you said it makes it sound like the meat itself isn't smoked.

Thanks for all the replies.

Jay

They do smoke it.