Look inside: Brother Shuckers raw bar opens on Hilton Head in former Jump and Phil’s
Brothers Tom and John Mollica had a vision for the business they wanted to create — a polished and contemporary raw bar. They just needed a location.
The spot they landed in was anything but their vision. Jump and Phil’s was a Hilton Head landmark with an “it’s always been there” atmosphere complete with a stuffed and mounted Moosehead mascot named Waldo.
But the brothers saw potential in the location in Reilley’s Plaza on the south end of Hilton Head, not far from the gates of Sea Pines, and jumped right in as the owners on July 15.
“The location was amazing,” said John Mollica, who explained that they considered Charleston and Tampa before settling on Hilton Head.
After closing on Labor Day for a full renovation, including an all new kitchen, they’ve quietly reopened as Brother Shuckers Bar and Grill.
“We’re very proud of what’s going on here,” said Tom Mollica. “We looked at what the island didn’t have and wanted to fill a void.”
A quartzite bar with blue lighting sets the tone for the space that has large windows across three walls. The room can seat about 80, John Mollica said.
“It’s a dress up/dress down kind of place,” he said. “You can come in casual. You can come in dressed up.”
Central to the menu is a selection of raw oysters — three types are rotated daily — along with smoked cobia sashimi ($10) and bison carpaccio ($12).
Bison makes another appearance in the form of a burger topped with caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato and bacon ($8 single, $14 double).
A ramen bowl ($12) and baked oysters topped with white cheddar grits ($15 for 6) are highlights among more traditional bar options like Peel & Eat Shrimp ($14 for 1/2 pound) and cider-brined wings ($10 for 9 or $15 for 18).
Instead of a BOGO deal that many restaurants offer locals in the off-season, Brother Shuckers is offering a happy hour special “buck a shuck” oysters Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., along with half off certain drinks.
The drink menu is as extensive as the food offerings, or more. It includes a variety of beers, wines and even sake, plus an assortment of cocktails like the “Seapines Salty” made from gin, Cointreau and grapefruit juice.
The Hilton Head business is not affiliated with Brother Shuckers Fish House in Myrtle Beach.
Tom Mollica said he hopes Hilton Head’s Brother Shuckers is a place patrons can enjoy drinks and food and “chill” in the busy area known as the Barmuda Triangle.
“Eye of the hurricane,” he said.
If you go:
What: Brother Shuckers Bar and Grill
Where: 7D Greenwood Drive in Reilley’s Plaza on Hilton Head
When: Hours are 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily with the full kitchen open until midnight.
More info: 843-785-7000
