The History of Pulled Pork BBQ and Mustard Sauce in South Carolina
When one comes from South Carolina or simply resides within the state for a brief period you come to realize there is this wonderful meal often unknown outside of South Carolina: Mustard Based Pulled Pork BBQ. It is absolutely fantastic. When you enter the world of Pulled Pork and the appropriate sauces you are introduced to a wide variety of recipes and restaurants.
One family stands out due to their legacy and an ongoing family and statewide squabble: The Bessinger Family. Joe Bessinger began the journey to BBQ greatness in 1934 with the invention of the “Golden Secret Recipe BBQ Sauce” and opened his first restaurant, “Holy Hill Café,” in Holy Hill, SC. This location closed during the Great Depression and in 1946 Joe and his son Melvin opened “Eat at Joe's.” Several other locations were opened by Joe and Melvin throughout the midlands and were later sold to his sons.
Maurice Bessinger of Piggie Park in Columbia, SC since 1961 approx (currently run by his children, Lloyd, Paul, and Debbie, and grandchildren) brought southern bbq to the headlines due to his political views and flying of the confederate flag. Great bbq to be honest and worth trying when in Columbia if you are willing to overlook his particular brand of craziness for the sake of good bbq--I figure I'm there so rarely that an occasional sandwich or bottle of bbq doesn't provide significant support his craziness in the long run.
His brothers are also in the bbq business; most prominently known: Melvin and his son David of Melvin's BBQ in Mt Pleasant and James Island since 1982 under this brand as Melvin and his son make a go of it on their own. Thomas of Bessinger's BBQ and Buffet in Charleston since 1960 (currently run by his sons Thomas and Michael). Robert of Robert’s BBQ with two locations in North Charleston (no further information available as it seems Robert has distanced himself from his family).
This large family of 15 children primarily stayed in the bbq business and pulled pork with a delicious mustard sauce is the norm from Columbia to Charleston and south towards the Georgia border largely thanks to this family. As with all families, this family has its squabbles; unfortunately, due to their prominence and Maurice's brand of craziness, their squabbles make national headlines. Maurice passed away last year, from what I understand, so here's hoping future generations can move away from this particular squabble and avoid his craziness in the future.
This Fourth of July I'll avoid the political ties to pulled pork by making a homemade mustard-based sauce. Personally, I think it beats every Bessinger sauce I've tried and must thank my friend Jason for sharing his recipe with me that I modified slightly.
One family stands out due to their legacy and an ongoing family and statewide squabble: The Bessinger Family. Joe Bessinger began the journey to BBQ greatness in 1934 with the invention of the “Golden Secret Recipe BBQ Sauce” and opened his first restaurant, “Holy Hill Café,” in Holy Hill, SC. This location closed during the Great Depression and in 1946 Joe and his son Melvin opened “Eat at Joe's.” Several other locations were opened by Joe and Melvin throughout the midlands and were later sold to his sons.
Maurice Bessinger of Piggie Park in Columbia, SC since 1961 approx (currently run by his children, Lloyd, Paul, and Debbie, and grandchildren) brought southern bbq to the headlines due to his political views and flying of the confederate flag. Great bbq to be honest and worth trying when in Columbia if you are willing to overlook his particular brand of craziness for the sake of good bbq--I figure I'm there so rarely that an occasional sandwich or bottle of bbq doesn't provide significant support his craziness in the long run.
His brothers are also in the bbq business; most prominently known: Melvin and his son David of Melvin's BBQ in Mt Pleasant and James Island since 1982 under this brand as Melvin and his son make a go of it on their own. Thomas of Bessinger's BBQ and Buffet in Charleston since 1960 (currently run by his sons Thomas and Michael). Robert of Robert’s BBQ with two locations in North Charleston (no further information available as it seems Robert has distanced himself from his family).
This large family of 15 children primarily stayed in the bbq business and pulled pork with a delicious mustard sauce is the norm from Columbia to Charleston and south towards the Georgia border largely thanks to this family. As with all families, this family has its squabbles; unfortunately, due to their prominence and Maurice's brand of craziness, their squabbles make national headlines. Maurice passed away last year, from what I understand, so here's hoping future generations can move away from this particular squabble and avoid his craziness in the future.
This Fourth of July I'll avoid the political ties to pulled pork by making a homemade mustard-based sauce. Personally, I think it beats every Bessinger sauce I've tried and must thank my friend Jason for sharing his recipe with me that I modified slightly.
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