Bowen's Island

Bowen's Island by William Baldwin. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781929647262.

Steeped in unusual tradition, Bowen’s Island Restaurant is the quintessential seafood staple of the Lowcountry. Located 12 miles outside of Charleston, Bowen’s Island was established in 1946 by husband and wife Jimmy and Sarah May Bowen. Coming a long way since the restaurant’s formative years–when the eatery was only accessible by boat and had no signage to speak of–Bowen’s Island has transformed from hidden treasure to one of the most sought-out fish camps in the South. Following the death of Sarah May Bowen in 1990 and a massive fire that obliterated the building nearly a decade ago, Sarah May Bowen’s grandson and current owner Robert Barber refused to let its legacy fade; the iconic restaurant was rebuilt shortly after the blaze in 2006 and remains an optimum spot to enjoy one-of-a-kind “Lowcountry Boil,” housemade hush puppies and fresh-catch oysters. Featuring in-depth interviews, a whole host of family recipes, and personal photos contributed by diehard customers, this book is the foremost recorded history of Bowen’s Island, where the customer is never right.