Ray's BBQ

My sister, Dorothy, lives in Charleston, S.C. Actually, she lives in Mount Pleasant, which is just over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant.

She called last week, saying there's a new barbecue restaurant, Ray's BBQ, in Mount Pleasant and she just had to go.

When she was standing at the counter, waiting to order, she noticed "Scrambled Dog."

When it was her turn, she said, "I didn't think anyone around here knew what a scrambled dog is."

The guy looked at her, and said, "I bet you're from Columbus."

It was Ray, the owner, who told her that he left Columbus when he was in his early 20s.

Ray told her that his under-the-counter sauce is as close to the one used by the legendary Chicken Comer. And his chili for the scrambled dog is as close to the equally legendary Lieutenant Stevens at Dinglewood.

Dorothy had the ribs the first time she went and said they were excellent. Last Saturday, she had the scrambled dog and told Ray that the chili is not as spicy as she'd like. He agreed, but said parents like their kids to have the scrambled dogs and that's why he keeps it pretty mild.

He told Dorothy he used to be in our sports department. Unfortunately, she didn't get his last name and I can't remember a Ray working with us.

Later on this week, I'm going to give Ray a call. I think he'll make a great story for our Life & Taste pages.