Welcome to Melvin’s at Riverside
Melvin’s at Riverside, located in Fayetteville, NC, is a culinary gem specializing in mouthwatering BBQ. Known for its expertly smoked dishes, the restaurant offers a delightful menu featuring everything from succulent brisket to tender ribs, complemented by sides like fried okra and creamy mac and cheese. Diners rave about the warm atmosphere, friendly staff, and Melvin's personal touch as he tends to the smoker. The lively karaoke nights add to its appeal, making it a favorite among both locals and travelers. With flavors that evoke home-cooked nostalgia, Melvin’s promises an unforgettable dining experience that keeps guests coming back for more.
- 1130 Person St, Fayetteville, NC 28312, United States Hotline: +1 910-339-3059
Welcome to Melvin’s at Riverside, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Fayetteville, NC at 1130 Person St. This restaurant has quickly become a favorite for locals and travelers alike, thanks to its mouthwatering barbecue offerings and the warm, inviting atmosphere that surrounds it.
From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that Melvin's is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled dining experience. You can catch the tantalizing aroma of smoked meats wafting from the smoker out back, where Melvin himself can sometimes be seen tending to his craft. The warmth of the staff, highlighted by friendly waitresses and Melvin’s charming presence, adds to the inviting feel of this establishment.
Every dish at Melvin’s tells a story, and patrons' reviews echo the sentiment that the barbecue here is nothing short of perfection. Take, for instance, the smoked chicken BBQ, praised for its freshness and rich flavors. Guests rave about the ribs; many claim they are the best they've ever tasted, with meat so tender it simply falls off the bone, complemented by just the right amount of barbecue sauce. Side dishes like fried okra, cornbread, and mac and cheese receive high marks as well, enhancing the overall meal with their flavorful profiles.
The culinary offerings extend beyond just meats, with the sweet potato soufflé earning rave reviews for its delightful taste. Even guests who typically avoid desserts find themselves enamored by this dish—proof of Melvin's culinary prowess. Moreover, the atmosphere is often vibrant, particularly on Fridays when karaoke adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the dining experience, further solidifying Melvin’s as a community hub.
A visit to Melvin’s at Riverside is undoubtedly a journey through bold flavors and comforting Southern hospitality. Whether you're a local or just passing through, make it a point to experience their sumptuous barbecue and welcoming atmosphere. You’ll find that each visit is not just a meal but a cherished memory waiting to be created.

The smoked chicken BBQ was freshly smoked and delicious. I had the fried okra and they were yummy too, as was the cornbread! The BBQ sauce was perfect. They also brought us a complimentary hush puppy appetizer. The waitress was friendly as was Melvin out back tending to the smoker.

We were on our way back from spending the winter in FL and stopped in Fayetteville, NC at a Marriott Hotel. Upon checking in we searched for a restaurant near the hotel. We found Melvin’s At Riverside and it was only 8 minutes from our hotel. We sat at the bar and ordered a drink while we checked out the menu... We were served very quickly and after asking about some menu items (which all sounded delicious) my husband and I both decided on the ribs as there was a smoker on the front porch as we were heading from the parking lot to restaurant entrance. I ordered a full rack of ribs and fried okra and rice & gravy for my meal. My husband ordered a half rack of ribs and baked beans. I will honestly say these were absolutely the BEST ribs we have ever had, absolutely delicious and they were moist, not overcooked or burnt, and just the right amount of barbecue sauce. The side dishes were excellent also. Melvin came to us and asked how we were and how are meal was. His wife served us our drinks. All staff were pleasant, polite, respectful, and the restaurant was clean and we received excellent service. A bonus was that it was Friday night and they had karaoke tonight... this was wonderful also as there were some very talented guests that chose to entertain the crowd. I would highly recommend Melvin’s At Riverside as the food, cocktails, and service was excellent- you will not be disappointed at all!

Found this gem , on line . While passing through Fayetteville NC. Great food . The sweet potato & collards were delicious & the fried chicken was like being in someone’s home . The brisket was also very good . Prices are good & the staff were pleasant & helpful . This would be a regular place for me , if I lived there !

It's rare for me to say something is THE BEST I've ever had, but Melvin's has THE BEST BBQ I've ever had in my life! now I know why the parking lot was packed! We are traveling and already planning to stop on the way back home. The brisket literally melted in your mouth... and I'm not a big dessert person BUT the sweet potato souffle was slap your momma delicious oh and Tiki LOVED the green beans

I mean Melvin's is just a wild ride to flavor and criminally good. I ordered a brisket platter and my partner the fried shrimp and fish. From the hush-puppies, to the coleslaw, and okra, every side just hit and the brisket is the bombshell on top. So tender and flavorful, it's nuts. I wanted to stop eating it, just to have it forever. But I settled on just coming back for more. It's hidden away by the river. This is among the best restaurants I've been to in the Carolinas. Just go there!

The food is AMAZING in Darius Cook’s voice. He had it right in this one except the corn bread is delicious too!!! The karaoke singers came to shut this place down tonight....singing like they sang the original. Good oldies mixed with some good R&B. Gilbert Baez did his thing with this karaoke night! My husband and I have decided to eat light during the week and show up here every Friday night. Yes Darius I think you did find a hidden gem and I’m lucky it’s in my backyard

First time eating here since they opened. The have brisket, wings chicken and salad plus much more. I had the hot honey sandwich on a brioche that was amazing! Also huge and am only eating half. Great selection of healthy and tasty sides. I opted for potato salad that was tasty and quite chilled! Very yummy! The staff is warm and friendly. Can’t wait to come back So came back a second time and I stand by my original comments. I will also add the brisket sliders were smoked to perfection the sweet potato souffle is off the chain good as is the banana pudding (had to get some to go). The place is nice and cool and the staff is still exceptionally friendly! The sides are all next level good! Ty, we will be back!

Stopped as a nice break in a road trip south. It was beautiful out so we sat on the back deck. It was so nice in the back. Service was good. We split the platter so we could try a bit of everything and it was more than enough for two people. There was smoked sausage (surprisingly this might have been my fav thing on the plate and I am a brisket fan), BBQ chicken and ribs(the meat was so tender it just fell off the bone) and brisket(delicious flavor). Two small buns to make sliders and a piece of cornbread came with it as well. For sides we had the Mac and cheese (to die for), coleslaw (crispy and fresh) and fried okra (a personal fav). After dinner, we each received a small banana pudding. We split one and took the other to go. Best banana pudding I have ever had!