Melvin's BBQ - James Island

Melvin’s BBQ on James Island delivers solid, classic barbecue with great flavor and consistency. The meats were tender, smoky, and well seasoned definitely the highlight of the visit. You can tell they know their way around traditional Southern BBQ.

Service was friendly and attentive, keeping things moving smoothly and making the experience easy and enjoyable.

The atmosphere is casual and laid-back — comfortable and welcoming, though fairly simple. It’s more about the food than the vibe, which works well for a no-frills BBQ spot.

Overall, a dependable choice for quality barbecue. I’d gladly return when the craving hits.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Tender and flavorful is how I'd describe just about everything I had here. Everything was cooked to just the right doneness - the sliced brisket, smoked turkey, and pulled chicken; even the fried okra, collards, green beans, hushpuppies. The meats needed no sauce, but the spicy golden secret and Alabama white were standouts for me. It's always impressive when a BBQ place does all their different meats and their (many) mostly veggie sides to the same high standard.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent food, great service. Reliable. The Costco gift cards are awesome!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food is good and they have daily specials such as half priced burgers on Tuesday, that make it even better. Unfortunately the customer service leaves a lot to be desired. Be sure to take your receipt and double check your charges. Was overcharged and then told there was nothing that could be done because I brought it to there attention more than 24 hours after it happened

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Hamburger

Overall nice spot for bbq. Staff was friendly, place clean but brisket had too much fat for my taste but worth checking out.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Food is really delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great customer service. Felt heard and seen by stuff. Will come back happy every time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I purchased a $16 brisket sandwich today, and for the first time it was extremely dried out and tough. I called and spoke with Mindy, the store operator, who informed me that she could not refund the sandwich. I wasn’t asking for a refund — I simply expected a replacement.

I was then told that she would only make me a small sandwich since I had already eaten a small portion. As a manager, a full remake should have been offered. I was also instructed to hold on to the remaining sandwich and bring it back as proof, which I will do.

I have never heard of a restaurant handling a complaint this poorly. You’ve just lost a regular customer

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Food way overpriced!! $12 BBQ Sandwich is Rediculious Definitely not the greatest BBQ in SC! Last trip!

I almost went to sleep hearing 1950 Christmas music while enjoying my cheeseburger! It’s January 3rd! Enough already!
Thank you!
10 star cheeseburger!!!!!!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food and service at a reasonable price. Loved the Double bacon cheese burger (1/2 off Tuesday) and brisket cheese sandwich, but the onion rings are more like a doughnut with a strip of onion - too doughy for me.
Sauces are great! Smoked on-site!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Fantastic food and good stickers!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

$30 for just 2 small bbq sandwiches that’s mid bbq. So you can’t order over the phone either. So I placed
A order online today for the first time 10/9/25. I ordered 2 lil Joe bbq sandwiches the one I received was ok at best. The other was in a plastic container no bread no fork. I called them they refused to make it right saying I should have been smarter and put bun for my bread which I did. I was just up the road working I would have came and got the bread. Instead a Spanish fellow said he didn’t want my service anymore. I never got disrespectful or cuss nothing like that. I don’t right many reviews at all because it’s pointless. However this place sucks.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Been here many times before. Ordered the same meal I always do, but to go. Got down the road and our ‘lil Joe basket’ x2 had no bbq sauce on the sandwiches and no fries!! $40 plus tip at the register. But only Half a basket received. I’ve never had a sandwich from this or any other affiliate from one of the brothers without the sauce already on it. Very disappointing and frustrating.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

I got a takeout smoked turkey sandwich and was very disappointed when I started to eat it. It was made with what seemed very stale sandwich bread. The turkey slices had tough edges that were impossible to eat, and the meat itself was so salty that I never could finish the sandwich. I hope that this bad sandwich was a fluke.

Food: 1

Service: 5