About Bessinger's mustard-based barbeque sauce:
"The flavor is distinctive and well balanced, with sweetness but plenty of tang."
-- Southern Living Bar-B-Que: Our Ultimate Guide
"[Thomas Bessinger's barbeque sauce] was the best [of the Bessinger brothers'], terrifically balancing the tangs of mustard and vinegar with a wood fire's charry flavor."
-- The New York Times Magazine, Aug. 26, 2001
About Bessinger's onion rings:
"Their combination of puffy coating and crunchy-soft onion makes them one of Bessinger's memorable best-sellers."
-- Southern Living, May 2002
"Wow! Around for 60 years - and for real good reason - this is a Top Ten-er of the first order. With the best pork sandwich yet encountered, and classic, delectable hash - they also boast the most original, classic, delicious onion rings (and I'm not even a huge onion ring person!), and three outstanding sauces. Ranging from mustard-based, to a spicier batch of the same, and a wonderful vinegar-based sauce - they're a perfect compliment to some of the best spareribs currently being served. (It didn't hurt matters in the least, that we had them right out of the smoker...Oh baby!) Tender, tear-apart ribs, with the ultimate "wavy pink" texture - their flavor forced me to ask if I could set up a cot near the smoker."
-- Allan Baker, Freelance Writer, BBQTravel.com, Aug. 12, 2004
"A landmark in Charleston, Bessinger's is the newest member of A.R. Baker's Top Ten. This place is fabulous! Arguably the best mustard-based sauce around -- tender, juicy, celestial shredded pork and great buns...You see where we're going here? If not -- please try to stay with the rest of us. You have Bessinger's trademark item -- their incredible, selling-national-secrets-for-the-recipe, pork sandwich. It's as good as it gets in PorkLand. Two more trademark items are their hash (a thick, sumptious BBQ "gravy," served over rice) and their award-winning onion rings. The superlatives could take up an entire article. Let's just say -- THE very best of their respective ilks. And, the spareribs -- right out of the smoker ... Remember that floating dog we spoke of earlier? This time at least -- I was outside... Rating - 4.98* [out of 5] "
-- National BBQ News
"The Big Joe sandwiches, either pork or beef, are examples of barbecue at its best and the sandwich shop offers the best mouth-watering cheeseburgers in town."
-- The Islander, May 20, 1992
"I have been eating Bessinger's Barbeque for over 37 years. In my nationwide search for the perfect barbeque, I have yet to find any better."
-- Reese Inabinett, Mt. Pleasant
"No doubt about it. It's Bessinger's Barbeque, Charleston. Slow pit roasted pig, chopped and mixed with a great sauce. It's a succulent, tender, mouthwatering feed. Mmmmm good!"
-- W. Langdon Reeder
"We drive 100 miles to eat at Bessinger's. My daughter made reservations for our anniversary at the only five-star restaurant in Charleston and we insisted on Bessinger's."
-- A.J. Sineath, Pinopolis
"One of the best barbeques I've had!"
-- J.P.
"Like your barbeque. Always bring our visitors from Indiana and Illinois here when they are in town. They love it also."
-- Don & Cleo Cox, Walterboro, S.C.
"Best barbeque, hamburgers, chicken and ribs. Best restaurant in South Carolina for good food."
--Law, Ladson, S.C.
"Completely excellent! Food and all! Great job!"
-- Mahony, Syosset, NY.
"Excellent food. All the girls are excellent waitresses and do their job well. It makes it a pleasant place to dine and enjoy."
-- Edward Ulmer, Charleston, S.C.
"Everyone was well dressed and appropriate looking! Five people greeted me. I felt very welcome!"
Fast, easy, nice food and great value. Don't change the way you're doing things now. It's great!
-- Bryun Blalock
We're from out of state and drove by and saw how full the parking lot was so had to stop! If we ever make it back to this part of the country, we're definitely coming back here!
-- Mel and Kathy Lockridge, Missoula, Mt.
Bessinger's is very clean and respectful to their guests.
-- Markeya Ross, Charleston, S.C.
Visiting from Atlanta, Georgia. Please open a store in Atlanta!
-- R. Bengess, Atlanta, Ga.
"We love to stop by every time we come to Charleston. Just wish we had a Bessinger's in Walterboro."
-- R.L. and MJ Carter, Walterboro, S.C.
"I've never seen a onion ring look like a doughnut! AMAZING! Food was great!"
-- Roger Ted, Clifton, Va.
"Recommended by Charleston native now living in North Carolina. She was right. It was excellent."
-- Donna and Dan Brown, Wadesboro, N.C.
"We've been here for only two days and we've come for dinner twice!"
-- K. Riley, Vero Beach, Fla.
"We like BBQ. Spotted your place and decided to give it a try. Great food. Will stop by again when we are back in town."
-- Kathy & Sam Mundy, Buford, Ga.
"One of the best BBQ places in the South. Wish you had one in Savannah. Keep up the great work."
-- Mike and Millie Wilson, Savannah, Ga.
"We flew in on our private plane to shop for rugs. You were near and looked interesting. BEST BBQ EVER! We thought we had some good stuff in Augusta, Ga., but this is awesome. Thanks for a real treat!"
-- Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Beazley, Evans, Ga.
"You have a reputation for quality and cleanliness. We live in Mt. Pleasant and come all the way over here to eat."
"Bessinger's is the best BBQ. If only there was one in Myrtle Beach. We go out of our way to come here -- it is always worth the trip."
-- Dr. Sennema, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
"This letter is to say 'many thanks' for a great evening of food and service for the Citadel Class of 1957's 45th reunion party at Alhambra Hall. Everything exceeded our expectations. Many of the classmates came up to me that evening and commented on how great the food was. I have also received some e-mails and letters telling me the same thing. A job well done and no one complained that they didn't get enough to eat. Speaking for our entire committee we personally appreciate the efforts of you, your wife and staff in helping to make the evening a great success. As we look to the future we will be contacting you again for another catering function in 2005. Take care and I will be seeing you in your restaurant."
-- Roger A. Attanasio
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