Poe's Tavern — Restaurant in Sullivan's Island

Let me start by saying I don’t normally do reviews because I think they can sometimes be unfair, but this one had to be done to save the next person. We wanted to go here so badly because we heard so many good things. Took the 45 min drive from home to try what I thought was going to be a good experience, not good at all! We sat quickly even though it was busy because there were only 2 of us. Waiter came over with zero personality and took our drink orders, we had a sweet tea and a perfect Margarita. There was nothing perfect about the Margarita. Tried to order chips and pico with drink order but this guy took the drink order and ran away so fast we couldn’t. Comes back with tea, serves from behind my husbands shoulder and literally slams the glass down and runs again. I finally got his attention to order the chips and pico and he looked so disgusted that I called him over,. He comes back, drops the chips and runs and I still have no drink! Comes back with the drink was about to walk away again and I caught him and said we want to order. I tasted my drink which was absolutely horrible. Thought I ordered it wrong because I just said Margarita not Perfect Margarita. Had to wave my hand to get this waiter again and I told him I thought I ordered wrong because my drink should have Grand Mariner in it and I told him not only didn’t I taste a hint of it but the drink was so sour like all they used was sour mix. Again, so rude and short, he looked at me and said “it’s in there and Margaritas have sour mix.” He looked at me disgusted like I bothered him and walked away. Ive been a bartender, server, and front of house manager for a long time so I know what a good drink is supposed to taste like, I didn’t need a rude quick lesson on sour mix from him. This waiter was not friendly at all and always looked like he was bothered. Food came out, burger was supposed to be medium and came out rare and cold, the Mahi Mahi tacos has zero flavor and were cold. Never returned anything because this waiter never checked on us. We ate what we could and left the rest. The only time he came over was to give us the check and stood over us so we could pay right away. Never once saw a Manager or anyone in charge the whole time we were there, just wait staff and food runners. The best thing was the chips and pico and the fries, doesn’t say much about this place. Not somewhere I’m going back to and when someone mentions it and all the hype it gets, I will be sure to save them the time and money we spent and tell them to avoid it. $70 later, we learned our lesson! Oh, in case your wondering, he got a 15% tip even though he should have got zero. I usually tip above 20% for a great experience, but I’m also not the kind of person to leave nothing for a bad experience. So...

Upon a Noon Most Dreary — A Visit to Poe’s Tavern, Sullivan’s Isle

Once upon a midday sunny, while I hungered, weak and runny (From the heat that made all senses dim and dulled my mind’s once-lustrous glow), There I spied a modest dwelling, tales of shadowed fame retelling, Every brick and beam compelling — Poe’s Tavern, bold and low.

Through the doors I wandered, curious, to a chamber dark, mysterious, Where the walls were lined with verses grim, and faces lost to long ago. And from a menu, rich, delicious — I chose a feast most bold, ambitious: The Gold Bug Burger — aye, auspicious! — served with cheddar’s molten glow.

Upon a bun well-toasted, golden, with lettuce crisp and tomato swollen, The beef did rest — still gently steaming — as if from some infernal show. Its taste! — a thing of dream or madness — brought to life both joy and sadness, For its flavor stirred a hunger gladness — yet I feared when it would go.

Beside it lay thin fries, hand-shaven, stacked as if by spirits graven, Each bite a whisper, sharp and savory, like footsteps soft in falling snow. I drank tea half sweet, half unsweetened, with lemon’s sting so deftly beaten, And lo! the refills swift and frequent, brought before I’d even know.

The service, like a silent raven, moved with grace yet ever watchful, Tending each guest with careful presence, never hurried, never slow. And in that place, both warm and haunted, I dined — fulfilled, and slightly daunted — As if the ghost of Poe had wanted One more verse, one more tableau.

And so I left, my hunger faded, But with thoughts still saturated In that gothic, burger-laden glow… Quoth the waiter,...

Kitschy, Edgar Allen Poe-themed Restaurant OB Sullivan’s Island where Poe had been stationed. Came here on a Sunday before 11am (when it opens ) and there was already a line. Our barre instructor had recommended we try this place, so it’s nice to know that both locals and tourists come here. When they opened, they let you sit wherever you want and there was plenty of seating. There’s no breakfast or brunch so we just ordered from the lunch menu. For three girls, we split two appetizers - the nachos and the fries with cheddar cheese and bacon. The calorie count probably negated the barre class we just did but it was well worth it. The food came out in less than 10 minutes and it was piping hot. The nachos were surprisingly spicier than I thought they would be, and they had a generous portion of guacamole. The chips were on the thinner side so they didn’t hold up well to the multitude of ingredients piled on, but you could still appreciate the mixture. There was plenty of cheese and quite a bit of jalapeños. For the fries, we opted not to get the one with the chili since we had already gotten chili exposure with the nachos, so we got the chives and bacon one. Also equally generous with the bacon, the fries were thin cut and quite crispy on the outside.

Miscellaneous - There’s no handicap stall and tight squeeze in the bathrooms (2 stalls in the women’s). They’ll have a staff member take you home if you’ve drunk too much and there’s also a parking lot. They do allow splitting bills and take credit cards. The service was friendly and prompt. Overall a fun experience to eat where Poe is the...