Inspiring a Small Town from the Family Kitchen

story by ROBIN COKER              photos by CHARLOTTE BERKELEY

Nestled right in the heart of the Old Village of Port Royal beneath the live oaks is the family-owned restaurant Madison’s. This is the type of cozy place you find to tuck into—after spending the day with your toes in the sand or cruising the river to fill your belly and your soul. Walking distance from the local shops, boat ramp, and beach, Madison’s is a staple for the locals to gather. Most days, you will find not only the parking lot full of visitors from across the county, but also golf carts from the locals.

Two brothers from Charleston sought out this location to bring their vision to life. Evan and Brent Hallinan found this property in Port Royal and knew it was the framework for the meant-to-be Madison’s. They used their roots as inspiration to create a southern charm that you can feel from any table. The perfect pair for the job — Evan, a chef, and Brent in restaurant management — have managed to create a local family eatery that has been a success since the day they opened their doors.

The Hallinan brothers describe their story and mission: “We are a family-owned and operated business striving to provide a quality, casual, upscale dining experience to our community. Many of our staple ingredients are certified SC grown and sourced locally. Our network of small farms and fisheries spans the Eastern Seaboard and southwest into the Gulf states. We hope you enjoy your experience with us and encourage you to visit our partner farms.”

Traditionally across the globe, food has always been a beautiful catalyst to bring people together, and the kitchen of this local gem has it down to an art. Using locally sourced ingredients as much as they possibly can, they have various dishes to choose from. Walking into their dining room, you feel like part of the family no matter where you came from, a gathering place for all walks of life. You walk in a stranger and leave a friend. Wooden plank floors and local art cover the walls. The team is always happy to see you and serve you. A family-friendly dining room sits under the Spanish moss, and a big southern front porch greets you as you enter in traditional Carolina style. Previously Moon Doggies Café & Grill, Madison’s does not disappoint. You cannot go wrong with any of their dishes. They are always plated like a work of art, and the flavor is never compromised. A kid-friendly menu and a great wine list make this a fabulous choice for the whole family, business lunches, and date nights.

Being a family-owned restaurant, it is only natural to find a young man with big ambition and goals in the kitchen. Son of Brent and Rebecca Hallinan, 18-year-old Steve Adam Hallinan has found his passion, and he is pursuing it fully, not allowing the distractions of being a young kid in Beaufort to slow him down and pull him backward. Steve Adam, who shares that he originally had no desire to be in the kitchen because it just seemed too intimidating, is now making a name for himself in the culinary world. Steve Adam has found his love and passion for creating dishes by serving the community and travelers of Port Royal.

Starting as a host, Steve Adam advanced through many roles the restaurant was required to fill by necessity. He was volunteered and encouraged by his uncle Evan (co-owner of the restaurant) to step it up, and he did just that. It didn’t take long before the realization and the pull for the creation and art of food were going to be his passion and his future. He will tell you he has always enjoyed cooking, starting as a young boy helping his mom in the kitchen.

Recently accepted to The Culinary Institute of America, he will be spreading his wings and heading to Hyde Park, New York, to grow and challenge himself in the next season of his life. The Culinary Institute is the premier location for aspiring chefs and is moderately competitive to be considered and accepted into their prestigious program. This school will offer Steve Adam internships with partners such as The Food Network, and this hometown will be rooting for him.

It is always refreshing to come across young individuals who have a goal and a dream. And, even more so, to meet the ones who actually put in the work and effort to execute a plan, manifesting their dreams into a reality. This young man has taken action and is not scared of hard work. After graduating from culinary school, he will set out and globe-trot the world, starting in Paris. He will then navigate numerous countries and continents, absorbing knowledge and techniques from many cultures to add to his plate. In speaking with this future culinary rock star, he will tell you that he hopes to be an inspiration to his peers: stepping up to the plate, literally, and doing big things — inspiring community members to find what it is inside of them that lights up, clarifying any obstacle, and pushing forward. Many have found role models in some of the big household names of the culinary world; however, it is hard to relate to them, to feel as if it’s possible for a small-town kid. Steve Adam reminds us all that it is possible. In speaking with his mom, she says, “I love that my son found his passion. I’ve always told him to find something you love, and it won’t feel like work. It’s about finding your own beautiful art and medium to work in.” Find something you love to do, something that will serve you, your family and your community well—and add value to your every day, and you will never “work” a day in your life, the old saying goes. This guy is on the right path.

Recently, Steve Adam was invited to compete and was selected as third in his group for the International Favorite Chef competition 2021. This contest not only invites chefs from around the world to compete for a cash prize and two-page spread in Bon Appetite magazine, but they donate a portion of the proceeds to the Feeding America organization to fight domestic hunger through a nationwide network of food banks. For over forty years, this organization has provided nourishing food to families facing food insecurity and working to end the cycle of poverty and hunger.

Come on down to Madison’s to see this young man’s passion come to life and to feel the warmth that this family kitchen has brought to our little, sleepy port side village. You can wear your flip-flops or your dinner dress. All are welcome here. Steve Adam shares and highly recommends his favorite signature dish to prepare: the blackened salmon over spinach and citrus risotto. He also heavily emphasizes and adds that this dish is also “paired well with a beautiful blueberry compote”! Madison’s dining room is also available for private parties. Their team is always ready to cater your next event at your home, office, or wherever you want to enjoy their fresh and locally sourced dishes. You can find this special restaurant and their delicious food at 925 10th Street in the Old Village of Port Royal.