East Cooper Restaurant Emphasizes Good Food, Good Friends, Good Times, Good Drink & Good Vibes

Jeff Walker, Food & Beverage Writer

Although the flagship location of Bohemian Bull at 1531 Folly Road on James Island has become a Charleston landmark, a second location in Mount Pleasant while carrying the same menu has taken on its own laid back feel good neighborhood feel. With the James Island Bohemian Bull encompassing a more eclectic beach and island theme, the Mount Pleasant venue has tapped into their forename, embracing a more artsy avant-garde motif, welcoming surrounding communities with its warm modern day bohemian decor. 

Good food and beverage have been a mainstay of Bohemian Bull since day one, and now with the restaurant allowing franchises additional sites have emerged in Maudlin and Greenville, with Mount Pleasant at 2668 Hwy 17N becoming the fourth South Carolina location. Basically sitting right outside Brick Yard Plantation in the former home of Carrabba's Italian Grill the Mount Pleasant Bohemian Bull, according to owner and managing partner Richard Thomasson caters to 19 surrounding communities, all within a 15 minute radius.

Do not confuse Bohemian Bull with a sports bar. Richard proudly declares his location is a gathering place that serves alcohol. Much like their big brother on Folly Road, the east Cooper Bohemian Bull offer up extraordinary BOHO (unconventional) burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, apps, and seafood entrees that reflect a southwest meets lowcountry menu, all served alongside signature single barrel cocktails, specialty bourbons, and over 30 draft beers. Think of Bohemian Bull as a modern day 'Cheers' with an emphasis on epic food, good times, and where regulars become instant friends.

People who live and work in Mount Pleasant flock to Bohemian Bull for a variety of factors. First off the food is everyday comfort food taken to the next level with a extra measure of bohemian flair. It only makes sense to start with their Starters. A bakers dozen aka 13 unique appetizers easily shared, as a lone lite-bite meal, or an awesome segue way to titillate the taste buds prior to hearty entree.

Two starters that top the list are their Popper Deviled Eggs, stuffed with a blend of pickled jalapeno and pimento cheese before being laced with bacon and blackening spice to give just the right kick. The Boom Boom Shrimp explode (pun intended) in your mouth. Lightly fried and served with a house-made Thai chili sauce over mixed greens. If you want something more lowcountry, something the kids might enjoy, yet with a bit of panache then the Fried Mac n' Cheese Bites served with Truffle Mayo for dipping might satisfy a picky family table. 

Bohemian Bull is known for their world famous (they could be) BOHO Burgers that begin with a blend of Black Angus brisket & chuck & served on a potato roll. That's a hellacious foundation for the That's My Jam Burger blanketed under fried green tomato, a slather of bacon jam, and oozing with pepper jack pimento cheese. The Truffle Burger is topped with a slightly fried onion ring and grilled portabella mushrooms, with gouda cheese and truffle mayo adding a touch of class. Both killer burgers!

However if you want to go old school than I suggest the Gettin' Smash Burger, two perfectly seared yet equally juicy patties drenched in American cheese and topped with pickles and sliced onion. If you're a burger purist it doesn't get any better than the Gettin', unless you drop in on Wednesdays when all their burgers are half off (dine-in) all day long. I'll do the math for you, that makes almost every burger on the menu around $8 or less. 

The $15 Folly Cheese Steak, a thin sliced ribeye and or ground chicken topped with beer cheese, grilled peppers & onions on a hoagie roll pays tribute to the city of brotherly love as well as Bohemian's original location. Not a red meat lover, than opt for the Birdger (a ground chicken burger topped w/arugula, pickled red onion, tomato, swiss & Thai chili aioli on a Kaiser roll). It's 'clucking amazing'. All out vegans will no doubt lean towards the Black Bean Burger that is seasoned gouda cheese & roasted garlic crema.

Maybe you want something that requires a knife and fork, Bohemian Bull offers up five everyday entrees with three screaming seafood including the beer battered Fish & Chips or the Blackened Fiesta Salmon topped with corn & black bean salsa over creamy chipotle rice. Ole! Shrimp lovers might savor the regular ($16) or large ($19) platter portions of Atlantic Caught Shrimp complete with hand cut fries and cocktail sauce. Your choice of grilled or fried. Gluten free and vegan menu options available. 

Still have a little room in your tummy for a sweet treat? Bohemian Bull have four desserts listed, with two reminding customers they are dining in an unconventional eatery. What do you get when you take a soft and flaky southern biscuit, layer it under fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream, a strawberry peach schnapps glaze, and whipped cream? At the Bull they call it good old fashioned Strawberry Shortcake with a twist. Want a serious sugar rush than a serving of Donut Ice Cream will fill the void. How's this, hot holes fresh out of the fryer topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. At $8 each they are easily shared and undeniably delicious!

Killer food has to accompanied by killer beverages. When Bohemian Bull is not profiling a 'Beer of the Month' they offer up another 30 plus IPAs, sours, lagers, porters, and stouts that satisfy even the discerning beer lover in your party. Local brews include beers from Low Tide, Edmunds's Oast, Snafu, Tideland, Rusty Bull, Estuary, and Mount Pleasant's Ghost Monkey. Daily weekday Happy Hour 4-7pm. 

Do you honestly think an establishment that has Bohemian in their title serves up ordinary cocktails? Not on your life! I'll let your imagination run wild with a Butterfly Key Lime Margarita or it's hot-blooded cousin the Mango Habanero Margarita. Don't fret, Bohemian Bull is every bit old school. You can order up an Old Fashioned with single barrel bourbon, a Manhattan, or get in touch with your sophisticated side and sip on a Mint Julep. Bless their heart!

From affordable to high end, American, Canadian, Irish, and Scottish whiskeys and ryes align their beloved bar wall. Over 50 plus blends including the smooth sipping Jefferson Reserve, Whistlepig 15 year, a Scottish MaCallan 15 Year, and the everyday three J's aka Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and Johnnie Walker. Safe to say Bohemian Bull is a whiskey and rye connoisseurs home away from home paradise. Richard and the staff remind sippers to visit often and to drink responsibly.

Okay enough already about their incredible menu. Bohemian Bull in Mount Pleasant is a neighborhood restaurant where the community gather to enjoy good food, good drink, good times, and on specific nights, great music from local artists. 

For those who remember how the former Mount Pleasant Carrabba's was laid out, you'll be delightfully surprised with the new and improved motif at Bohemian Bull. It is now more open and artsy, with intriguing artwork and welcoming decor. The old entrance parallel to Hwy 17 has become an screened open air patio adorned by majestic oaks, with an industrial garage door allowing easy access to the bar. Guests now enter Bohemian Bull on the side adjacent to the parking lot. 

Bohemian Bull at 2668 Hwy 17N is a gathering place serving up great everyday comfort food alongside your favorite adult beverages. They are every bit a member of the community and welcome partnering with neighboring groups to help raise funds for good causes. Inquire within. 

As an added bonus and when the weather permits the Mount Pleasant location has created a relaxing courtyard behind the building that is an ideal setting for sipping on a cocktail while listening to music or watching performance art. What makes the intimate area more inviting is the Isabelle Renee mural positioned behind the permanent stage with the words Richard says embody his location 'Do Good, Eat Good, Stay Wild'.

Let me break it down for you, 'there are a bazillion (real number) of reasons to visit Bohemian Bull in Mount Pleasant' especially on Wednesdays when the burgers are half price. Just minutes from Snee Farms, Park West, Dunes West, Rivertowne, Carolina Park, Charleston National, Brickyard Plantation and a dozen other communities north of the Isle of Palms connector. Experience an unconventional pleasantry at https://www.bohemianbull.com/mt-pleasant