Long ago in a misty age known as “The 80s” a visionary reporter named Jim Atkinson set out on a quest to document the great American institution of the Dive Bar, or in Atkinson’s terminology the “bar bar.” It was a risky and often thankless task, but Atkinson stuck to it and eventually published a book of his findings in 1987.
Editor's Note: This column is about finding the best local, made-from-scratch hamburgers the Lowcountry has to offer. No chains allowed. We eat local and fresh and urge you do the same. And we prefer an adult beverage with our burger. And another thing, what you see is what you get. No food stylists were harmed or otherwise engaged in the making of this Burger Beat. We snap the food as it comes to the table, occasionally throwing an elbow in the process. And yes, the tomatoes really were that red...
Wednesday night in Habersham, the award-winning New Urban community on the banks of the Broad River, just outside of Beaufort. There is a time warp vibe to the place with its lush parks and greenways, sprawling oaks and front porches. Without the cars, the golf carts and a few modern amenities, it's easy to imagine oneself in the hometown idyll of post World War II America.
The Burger Beat returns, with a visit to the Old Bull Tavern. Story & Photos by Mark Shaffer
There is an old world sensibility to this short block of downtown Beaufort. This narrow piece of West Street was only recently a series of vacant storefronts. Today it is an eclectic collection of shops, galleries, studios and single pub that feels as if it's watched the years drive by in everything from Edsels to Smart Cars.
(Mark Shaffer with fellow Burger Beater & Everyday Gourmet columnist Debbi Covington at the Old Bull Tavern)