Melvin’s at Riverside — Restaurant in Fayetteville

I wanted to give this a 5 star rating so bad, but I can't. To sum up my experience in three words: It was awkward. First, I was greeted by the chef outside, and he was very friendly and seated me right away when he realized I was waiting for a table... There was one other table seated. The restaurant is almost completely empty. So, where is the staff? He led me to my table, and after waiting 5 mins, he decided to start my order. He started to explain what their most popular items were when the waitress came over. So, he stopped to let her take over. Fine, but she didn't let me know what the popular items were as she took my drink order and took 10 mins to come back with my drink and three little hushpupies as a free starter. At that point, I didn't care what her thoughts were, I wanted to order. The three hushpupies were small but not small enough to fit inside the tiny little butter cup she gave with them. As I was waiting, I couldn't help but notice the decor and music playing. The decor is modern, but the tables had number plaques on them, and the benches had sneeze guards attached. It felt like the restaurant was trying to be upscale and fast food at the same time. And, the music...I don't mind a little R&B/Soul, but these songs were a little obscure and couldn't recognize a single track played. And the music was loud like you would have at a sports bar. It didn't help that there were no customers or sports channels to cover the noise. When the food finally arrived, the food was honestly really good. I ordered a half rack of ribs and steak fries along with cornbread. But again, with the fries, there just weren't many of them. Usually, at a bbq place like this, you get way too many fries, but here you get maybe ten??? While eating, there was a random dude who walked up to my table to ask if I wanted to support his church youth by buying some donuts. Who does that in the middle of a restaurant? And there wasn't someone manning the front to guard him from doing this even though there were hardly any customers! And for my tiny meal, I paid $25. I get that a half rack can be costly, but at $19, though? There wasn't a single item listed under $11 unless you ordered a starter. This place has potential but unless some of these concerns are addressed, I don't think I'll be coming back.

Edit to owner: I really appreciate you addressing the concerns I have. It feels like you really care, which is what I gathered when I first met you. I'm glad you are able to use my feedback to help you. I hope one day to try...

I came back to Fayetteville on business and to finalize the sell of my house. I had the taste for seafood and having lived in Fayetteville for the past 20 years I am familiar with the layout of the seafood land. I decided to come to Melvin's do to remembering when we ate here last year. I am so glad that I returned. I would have given a perfect score of 5 stars for everything but I deducted a star for having to wait to be served by my waitress when the place was not busy at all. I overheard the chef/owner come out to ask if I had been waited on and instructed that cashier to come at least take my drink order. By this time the waitress beat him to me and had t he friendliest, most beautiful smile and apologetic about the wait. She truly made up for the wait and was worth it. Soon after, the chef/owner came to talk to me and check on me himself. I really felt welcomed and appreciated him taking time to meet all of the customers. The atmosphere is not upscale however, it is warm and inviting. The music kept you entertained while waiting for your order. Shame that I was by myself. Now the food...I ordered the 2 piece flounder with a side of BBQ baked beans. I also had a side of popcorn shrimp (which are jumbo anywhere else you go. The fish was and shrimp was appealing to the eye when it came to the table. It was well seasoned and fried to perfection. The star of the table was the beans. Being a country boy I have a fond appreciation for good beans and these hit the mark. I found myself trying to eat the bans with my fork and switch to the fish every other bite. The beans got so good that I switched to my spoon and lifted the bowl and crushed them. When I tell you I would come back for a jumbo size bowl of beans alone, I really mean it. This is a must stop when I do return to Fayetteville. Melvin's keep...

My daughter invited me to 'lunch' @ Melvins' after seeing some positive chat on social media. As it worked out, we invited another friend and had an early 'dinner' instead. I approached the woman smoking the meat outside the restaurant upon parking, as the aroma coming out of that thing was pure heaven. She, Candace, advised me that I was about to embark on the best meal in Fayetteville, and from the smell billowing out of the smoker, I trusted her sentiment. We were welcomed and seated promptly. Christian, or Chris, was our waiter, and he had someone shadowing him, whom was equally pleasant.. Both gentleman were pleasant, and Chris was very knowledgeable of the menu and made excellent recommendations. My daughter ordered the 1/2 rib rack, cabbage, mac n'cheese, and a side of fried popcorn shrimp, my friend order the 2 sides/fish plate, enjoying catfish, collards, and mac n'cheese, and I order the 1 side fish plate, with whiting. The food really was amazing, plenty of season, and the hush puppies were better than most. We were offered condiments for the fish, but the seasoning was so good, it really wasn't needed. I also took a rib plate home to my husband, and he enjoyed every bit of if. I look forward to returning and bringing awareness to others of this great restaurant and moving around the other menu selections. The owner visited our table twice, making sure we had no issues, which we certainly did not. It is a very FAMILY FRIENDLY atmosphere.

Only reason this is not a 5 star review, is that ONE menu item rang up higher than what was stated on menu, and brought to my server's attention, and it really didn't get addressed. It will not affect me returning to this restaurant, though, food...