Melanie Andrews
ANOTHER SLICE
Good Food, Good Times
story by JENNIFER BROWN-CARPENTER photos by SUSAN DELOACH
One of the blessings of living in the Lowcountry is that you are never lacking when it comes to finding good food to eat. No matter what you are craving, you are sure to be able to find it. And if pizza is what you are craving, you do not have to look any further than Another Slice at 2111 Sea Island Parkway. Another Slice is a small, “mom and pop shop” pizzeria that features a good deal more than just delicious pizza. Pizza, barbecue, the most delicious meatballs, and live music are all part of what makes Another Slice a local gem.
The owner Melanie Andrews is originally from Vermont. She moved to Beaufort around 4 years ago but has been visiting the Lowcountry for over 25 years. Her brother has his own business here, so Melanie has been coming to visit and spend her vacations here, before finally making the decision to move here herself. “The beautiful beaches and friendly people” are what made Melanie really want to move to the area. “I guess you could call it the Southern hospitality,” Melanie says. Melanie’s mom and her step-dad also live here in Beaufort, moving here 7 years ago from Vermont. This was a big factor in Melanie deciding to relocate to the area. Melanie has over 20 years of experience as a chef, working as a head chef for 15 years in Vermont. Melanie got into the food industry because she loved working with food and turning it into art. She has worked in restaurants and in pubs, even working at Bricks on Boundary, before starting the process of opening her own place, Another Slice.
Her restaurant has been a two-year work in progress. She officially opened in April 2021. While there have been struggles, some due to the hardship in getting deliveries when it comes to food and beverages and some due to a hardship in finding employees, Melanie has continued to make it work, putting in incredibly long hours and making as many sacrifices as has been necessary to see things come together in the way she wanted. She is at the shop long before it opens and much later than closing in order to make things work.
So, what caused Melanie to want to open Another Slice? Well, Melanie knew that the Fripp Island and Harbor Island area needed another restaurant. There are not very many restaurants, in general, out there. They needed a casual and family-friendly restaurant in that area, so Melanie began to make her plan. When Melanie was doing her research, she initially thought about opening a breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot but in the middle of the night one night it struck her: pizzas! That was exactly what the area needed. So, Melanie decided she would provide pizza and barbecue with beers and wines.
Melanie chose not to add liquor to Another Slice, wanting to maintain the family atmosphere and not turn it into a bar scene. She wanted everyone to feel comfortable, and she did not want to stay open late into the night. It is a “come-as-you-are” spot so that you can stop by even if you’re fresh off the beach. “You do not have to be fancy,” Melanie says. There are a lot of campers and beach-goers that pass right by Another Slice, and while they might not feel “dressed” enough for other restaurants in the area, Melanie wants to make sure that they know they are always welcome at her spot.
The goal at Another Slice is to provide homemade natural ingredients, fresh pizzas and salads, and farm-to-table items, when possible, for families and anyone traveling through the area.
Another Slice serves two different kinds of pizza. The first is traditional pizza that is cooked in a pizza oven. The second is cooked on the grill, creating more of a flatbread pizza, before being stuck in the oven to cook the toppings. Both pizzas are cooked on the same delicious dough. Melanie also has a gluten-free pizza option. Melanie’s mom cooks over three hundred meatballs a week for Another Slice. “I could not do this without my mom. I do not have time to make three hundred meatballs a week,” Melanie laughs.
At Another Slice, you can find specialty pizzas (for example, The Old Italian Lady featuring her mama’s famous meatballs or the shrimp scampi pizza), delicious salads (garden, Caesar, and Caprice), pulled pork sandwiches, meatball grinders, and homemade baked beans and coleslaw for sides. You can also build your own pizza with any toppings that you want. Melanie is gaining quite a good reputation when it comes to her amazing baked wings, featuring her special dry rub with sauces served on the side. You can also call Another Slice and request a Lowcountry Boil or Frogmore Stew (whichever you call it!) and Melanie is happy to make it for you.
Since she opened, Melanie has made sure that Another Slice has entertainment on the weekends, year-round. On Friday or Saturday night, there will be a local musician at Another Slice, providing a good time. “There is singing and dancing, and we just have fun.” This creates another layer of that community-focused hospitality that is so important to Melanie.
Melanie has only been open for a year and is still looking for “her people” when it comes to employees. She is looking to hire like-minded people, who are going to help her as she continues to grow. Her goals are to continue to take it one day at a time, focusing on staying open in this post-Covid environment. “I cannot get any bigger than I am right now until I hire some great people.” (If you are interested in more information about employment at Another Slice, you can reach out to Melanie by calling (843) 838-2337).
Melanie loves what she does because she feels like she is able to contribute to Lowcountry society. “It is all about the people.” She loves seeing familiar faces and being able to catch up with those that she knows, and she loves being able to meet new faces and introduce them to some of the charms of our beautiful Beaufort by the bay. The customers keep her going.
Melanie is going to continue to expand her outdoor eating area to provide an even more enjoyable space for anyone who stops by Another Slice. She is also working toward getting some local taps and kegs at Another Slice to join her beverage selection.
Another Slice is open Thursday through Sunday from 12 pm to 9 pm. Pay Another Slice a visit and enjoy one (or several) of Mama’s meatballs for us!
