This week’s Charleston Lowcountry Business of the Week is Big Billy’s Burger Joint, located on International Boulevard in North Charleston, right by Tanger Outlets. If you want the BEST burger in the Charleston Lowcountry, Big Billy’s Burger Joint is where you need to be!
Summer makes you crave a burger like nobody’s business, right? From Big Billy’s Certified Angus Beef, to their turkey and Wild Game of the day, the burgers satisfy every aspect of your burger craving. Vegetarian burger connoisseur? They’ve got you covered with their delicious Black Bean Burger! Big Billy’s Burger Joint is by far the Best Burger in the Charleston Lowcountry!
Mask or no Mask?
The first thing we noticed, which was very welcoming to us, was a sign on the door. In these confusing times, everyone has different rules regarding masking or not masking, and as fully vaccinated patrons, we are just as confused as everyone else. However, at Big Billy’s, they let you know with a sign on the door that everyone is welcome, but if you are vaccinated, you don’t need a mask, and if you are not, you do. They also make it clear on the sign that any employee that is not fully vaccinated is required to wear a mask, as well, and that the ones without masks have been fully vaccinated. Clear, concise, no questions, no confusion. Thank you, Big Billy’s!
THE EXPERIENCE
When you walk in, you immediately feel like you are at the beach and on vacation. Even though you are smack dab in the center of North Charleston at Tanger Outlets, you immediately are on Island Time. From surfboards, to tiki hut decor, to even the REAL beach game, Ringmaster, they have thought of everything to put you right on the beach.
The owner, Greg, is right there and greets you from the get. Now I have to tell you, that one thing that really impresses both Allen and me is that Big Billy’s is truly owner-operated. Greg was not expecting us, nor did he know that Charleston Living with Cindy was stopping by that day, nor did he know that his Burger Joint was going to be our business spotlight.
It was refreshing to see the owner actively involved with his customers, greeting people, not only checking on us throughout our meal to be sure that everything was okay…he was doing that with EVERY hungry patron in the place. Too cool. Kudos to you, Greg!
THE BEVERAGES
Almost immediately after we sat down, we were greeted by Andrea, who was upbeat and charming. She took our drink order, and let us peruse the menu for a bit. Allen ordered the Spicy Bloody Mary (no surprise there LOL), and I decided to try one of their signature cocktails, the Big Billy’s Mai Tai.
Andrea’s beautiful Spicy Bloody Mary definitely won the Allen Sweeney Stamp of Approval! A lot of places serve their Bloody Mary in a tiny glass, but this was a tall glass, beautifully garnished with Banana Pepper, Celery and c’mon, what’s better than bacon as a finish on a cocktail???? Nothing! Very happy man. Andrea’s spicy was perfection, and the rim was finished with what we believe was Old Bay. Again, perfection.
Now the signature Big Billy’s Mai Tai…OH…MY…GOD! This beauty had THREE types of rum, married with the perfect combination of fresh fruit juices that tasted like I was on the beach in a tropical paradise….seriously. I know it’s hard to believe, but this Mai Tai was one of those cocktails that put you smack dab in the middle of the beach when you closed your eyes. They hit the nail on the head with the Admiral Nelson Coconut Rum and Pineapple Rum but then threw a Toasted Coconut Rum floater on top to make sure the flavors were perfect. Be careful, though, because the taste was pure heavenly coconut/pineapple/orange, and didn’t taste like alcohol at all. So delicious! Thank you, Andrea!!!
STARTERS
Onion Rings
Now, if you have been to Big Billy’s, you KNOW that they are FAMOUS for their onion rings. Towered high with the biggest rings of onion dipped in a batter that is only known to the Leonard family and the Gods, the flavor of garlic may have come out, but there was a spice in there that gave you that spicy tingle, yet not overwhelming. Don’t forget to try the sauce! We have tried all kinds of onion rings (we kind of look at ourselves as onion ring aficionados), but Big Billy’s certainly has not only the best rings on earth, the sauce is like none other. It has a little kick to it, but it doesn’t overpower the ring itself. Don’t go to Big Billy’s without getting the rings as an appetizer.
Wings
The wings! Okay, so we almost completely devoured them before getting photos.
We all know that no matter where we go, Allen pretty much gets the wings as a starter. The plumpness of these jumbo wings were impressive! When you eat Big Billy’s wings, close your eyes. You will think you are in Buffalo, the birthplace of the wing! These treats were deep-fried to the perfect level of crispy, bathed lovingly in hot wing sauce, and devourd. I have to warn you, though, the heat is hot, so it’s not for the faint of heart!
Allen prefers to eat his wings without the veggies and dressing, but they do come with celery and bleu cheese or ranch if you like. When I get wings, I dip those babies in bleu cheese and go to town! Either way is delicious!
THE BEST BURGER IN THE CHARLESTON LOWCOUNTRY
Cindy-Breakfast Burger
As y’all know, I am a breakfast burger junkie. There is nothing like bacon and egg on an angus beef burger to get my mouth watering. Big Billy’s takes it to the complete breakfast level, and completes this beauty with grilled Black Forest ham, hash browns (I know, right?!) and American Cheese. I ordered mine mid-rare, and that’s how it came. This king of sandwiches came in the perfect color of pinkish red in the center, yet a flavorful crust on the outside of the burger that made me burger-crazy. I had to do the breakfast burger egg ooze test, and this time, I ordered my egg over medium (they actually asked!). The egg was perfectly cooked! There was just a little bit of ooze, but I didn’t dribble down the front of me as I took a bite (brand new shirt LOL)! Again, if you are looking for the BEST burger in the Charleston Lowcountry, this is it.
This Breakfast Burger Junkie gives this one a 10. Seriously. A 10.
Allen-Turkey Burger
Allen likes his beef burgers, but he’s also health conscious, and chose the turkey burger. As you turkey burger lovers know, it’s hard to find a place that makes a turkey burger that doesn’t feel like it’s made with Thanksgiving leftovers—heavy on the bread. Big Billy’s burger tasted like pure turkey, unbelievably juicy and NOT filled with fillers. From the brown crust on the burger to the fresh vegetables, this burger won his heart.
Oh! And he ordered jalapenos on his burger. Instead of piling them on top with the veggies, they hid these little peppers under the cheese so they didn’t slide off when taking a bite! Not only are they the best burgers in town, the chef even thinks through the eating process to make it the most pleasurable experience possible! LOVE THIS PLACE!!
SIDES
Tots!
Our side was the tater tots. What can you say about tater tots? They’re just tots, right? NO! Even the tots were amazing, they had a beautiful combination of flavors; garlic, onion, and salted perfectly! They had just the right amount of crunch with plump tender potato goodness inside, steamy hot, and just beautiful.
TO SUM IT UP!
The atmosphere is fun yet relaxing, with the island theme, really done right. The service is amazing (thank you, Andrea for making the MOST DELICIOUS MAI TAI ON EARTH), their onion rings are world renown. The burgers were perfectly cooked, EVERYTHING was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. I think next time, I’m going to go outside the box and try some of their wild game. Get ready, Big Billy’s, we will definitely be regulars! BEST burger in the Charleston Lowcountry!
What do YOU love about Big Billy’s Burger Joint?! Tell us in the Comments!
MENU
Ready to check out the menu? Here you go!
Want More?
Check out the restaurant page to find out more about where we locals go for not only the Best Burger in the Charleston Lowcountry, but lots of other great food, shopping, and more in the Charleston area!
If you’d like to suggest somewhere we should check out and review, Let us Know HERE!
Charleston Living with Cindy serves the ENTIRE Lowcountry of South Carolina, including, but not limited to Charleston, Goose Creek, Ladson, Moncks Corner, Summerville, Bonneau, Cross, Mt Pleasant, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, Isle of Palms, Johns Island, James Island, Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, Wando, Hollywood, and everywhere else Lowcountry!
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