Newest Burger Joint at 1137 Morrison Drive Offers Up Sides of Fun
Jeff Walker, Restaurant Review
For the better part of seven years 1137 Morrison Drive in downtown Charleston has been serving up America’s favorite go to comfort food, aka hamburgers and cheeseburgers. However, with The Tattooed Moose finding a new home in the Old Village of North Charleston, Heavy’s Barburger is now the purveyor on Morrison Drive offering up a splendid array of signature burgers and sandwiches that all come with a high energy vibe and a side of fun.
Skipping ahead to the food and beverage punch line. Less than a year after the location became vacant husband and wife John and Brenda Haire decided they wanted to carry on the tradition of serving food and drink that has mass appeal within a welcoming environment. Heavy’s Barburger checks all the right boxes including the top two, ie great tasting burgers at an affordable downtown Charleston price. Yummy!
Sandwiched (pun intended) right between the angled intersections of Meeting Street and Morrison Drive Heavy’s Barburger has it all. The new owners meticulously gutted the interior old school dive bar and transformed it into a more modern less grungy dive bar. Given the square footage they had to work with, the new look is quite welcoming with nice counter space for those dining alone, and adequately sized tables for larger parties. The front deck and side patio allow for additional use when weather permits.
Okay let’s get to the food. There are several eateries scattered throughout greater Charleston where you can get a good burger, and then there are a few places where you can get a really great burger. Heavy’s Barburger falls in the great burger category.
Currently priced under $12 their signature Barburger is double patty grilled cooked smash burger blanketed under American cheese and teeming with sliced tomato, red onion, lettuce and pickles with a slather of their secret Heavy’s sauce. Your made to order Barburger is served on a soft bun complements of Normandy Farm Artisan Bakery (one of a small list of elite local bakeries). Add your choice of regular or sweet potato fries or Heavy’s extra creamy Cheesy Mac for around $4. Yummy to the max!
Want something with a little more kick to it, try Uncle Gene's Ranchero Burger. A single smash burger layered under thick cut bacon, pepper-jack cheese, grilled onions, and pickled jalapeño. Brushed with Sweet & Sassy BBQ and topped with a fried onion ring Gene’s Ranchero will excite the taste buds and is best accompanied with a cold brew.
Perhaps you’re not in the mood for a burger or you’re one of those non-beef eaters (God forbid), no worries, Heavy’s has you covered. The Hey Cowboy is the ideal southwestern broiled poultry sandwich alternative. A plump and succulent grilled chicken breast cloaked in jack cheese and thick cut bacon, surrounded by tomato salsa, avocado, and lettuce. With a smear of roasted pepper sauce, the Hey Cowboy has just enough zest to please even a cowgirl’s appetite.
For full-fledged vegans Heavy’s offers a Veggie Burger. A nice blend of grilled portobello mushrooms with roasted pepper sauce, stacked with jack cheese, marinated avocado, tomato, lettuce and pickled red onions. Appealingly priced at under $10.
Maybe you’re popping in with your bestie in the middle of the afternoon, or co-workers after a long day and you’re not ready for something stick to your ribs. I suggest any of the four Shareable Bites aka ‘appetizers’. Their Heavy Style Fries are an ample and savory serving of crinkle cut loaded with queso, chili, jalapeños and pickled red onions. Delivered to your table with their Heavy's Sauce for the ultimate in dipping sensation.
While most eateries decide on a six or a dozen count of wings, at Heavy’s their Jumbo Wing Basket is a full one pound plus of crispy wings tossed in your choice of Red Ranger Sauce, Wright Sauce or Lemon Pepper Dry Rub. You may get six, eight, or even nine plump and juicy wings for just $10. Your order comes with Buttermilk Ranch or Bleu Cheese for dipping, and if you ask really nice, they’ll give you both.
When it comes to beverages Heavy’s goes old school, proudly dispensing Coca-Cola products alongside sweet tea and Lois’ Fresh Lemonade as well as southern favorites Cheerwine, RC Cola, and Nehi. For those 21 and older who enjoy a nice potent potable, Heavy’s carry a wide array of adult beverage including specialty cocktails, wine, and craft beers in both cans and on tap, many from local brewers.
Enjoy an ice-cold draft from hometown favorites Westbrook, Munkle, Edmunds Oast, Coast, Fatty’s and Revelry. IPAs, lagers, and pilsners are served up alongside white, pink, and red wines. The ‘Hey Kool-Aid Man!‘ might just be the coolest Heavy-Handed Pour on the menu, concocted from Appleton Estates Rum, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Grand Marnier, Orgeat, Bitters, fresh squeezed orange and pineapple juice. Simply a sweet and soothing ‘Yum-Rum’ cocktail.
Want sippables with a bit more citrusy passion than I recommend either the Shorty Margarita or Hot Lips laced with Lunazul Reposado, Ancho Reyes, Blood Orange Liqueur, fresh squeezed lime and orange juice. Just the mention of it tickles the tongue.
If you want a refreshing pick me up that is alcohol-free, try a couple of their Zero-Proof cocktails including the Good Girl Daisy, a splendid combination of Amethyst Lemon Cucumber Serrano and agave merged with a medley of lime, lemon, and orange to give it a fruity explosion.
While burgers, sandwiches, and salads are the main bill of fare, Heavy’s proudly proclaims ‘We Have Pie!’. Their home-made Lemon Lime Icebox Pie is a cool salute to the classic key lime, crafted out of fresh lemons and limes in a heavenly graham cracker almond crust with a dollop of home-made whipped topping. Divinely delicious!
With three appropriately placed big screens Heavy’s Barburger is most definitely not a sports bar. Even though games are on in the background, they are overshadowed by enjoyable classic pop, rock, R&B, and country music, the type of music that is just great to listen to while enjoying a satisfying meal. Breaking it down even further, Heavy’s Barburger is simply an all-around good burger bar that according to Brenda is just a really fun place to enjoy food and drink, especially with friends and family.
In case you’re wondering where the name Heavy’s comes from, John’s grandfather who was a big man with an even bigger heart, affectionately carried that nickname for years. John wanted to honor his grandfather’s hospitality by naming his new family friendly burger joint after him, and in July of the 2022 Heavy’s threw open their doors. Initial response has been overwhelming.
Great food, really cool beverages, great atmosphere, great service, and extremely fair prices considering Heavy’s Barburger is located at 1137 Morrison Drive in downtown Charleston. Come hungry and leave with a smile. Drop in between 4-6pm on weekdays and enjoy Heavy’s Hour aka late day happy hour. For a measly $5 you can sip on a margarita, glass of wine, jack and Coke, or a Pickers Vodka & soda as well as a plethora of draft beer selections.
For more on their awesome menu or their Pass The Hat program with its own special burger donating 50% of sales to select partnering charities visit Heavy’s website at https://www.heavysbarburger.com/
