Bowens Island 'bottomless' steamed oysters!

Last week thanks to Tommy and an episode of Man vs Food does Charleston we discovered Bowens Island Restaurant. Sadly, the original 'oyster joint' burned down in 1996 as it celebrated its 60th anniversary. The new space is nothing short of a shack but I have a feeling it is a palace in comparison to the original building.

photo of original building exterior

Building now

Parking area

The M v F episode challenged the host Adam Richman take a stab at the 'bottomless' steamed oysters served to him appropriately out of a shovel. Priced at $21.50 on the menu I don't know how it is possible to eat more than one shovel without the help of at least 1 or 2 other friends!

Man v Food spread

We arrived late in the evening so I couldn't really get any good photos of the place. The road leading to the restaurant was pitch black and a little scary I have to say. We had no idea where we were going with no signs leading us to our destination other than a beeping light on an iphone screen. Finally when the road ended and we had found it!

Once we placed our order at the front we were each handed a fresh rag, oyster knife, and stack of saltines. We were also instructed to help ourselves to some cocktail sauce out of a beverage fridge and be on our merry way to the 'mess hall' or main building. At first we thought we were the only ones in the whole joint aside from the dude at the front register taking our order and the other dude waiting outside by a steam bucket filled with fresh oysters. It was a bit odd. Then we walked into the main shack and found 3 other folks inside hovered around a shovel full of oysters and a heat lamp.....good luck!

Notice the very tasteful setting of plywood covered tables and mismatched plastic chairs. The tables came complete with holes in the center allowing those shucking oysters to deposit the shells into a garbage can placed below.

Below you can see our safe order of just one large tray of oysters as opposed to a 'shovel' full! We also sampled Frogmore Stew which was a steamed selection of shrimp, potatoes, sausage, and corn which was delicious.

Frogmore Stew