Who doesn’t love barbecue? The smoky flavor, the sauces, and most importantly, the sides to go with it! The south is well-known for barbecue and Charleston is no different. We have an endless supply of BBQ in the area so which should you try? I’m telling you all about the best bbq in Charleston, SC and where to go for what type. Did you know there were different styles? Well, each state does it a little differently. Read on!
Is Charleston known for barbecue?
Charleston has tons of barbecue restaurants with styles from across the South including the Carolinas, Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee. You will find creative pitmasters slowly smoking meats and serving up all your favorite southern sides like corn on the cob, collard greens, mac n cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, and more! Grab a glass of sweet tea to really top it off.
What BBQ is South Carolina known for?
South Carolina is famously known for mustard based spices on the barbecue sauce and dry rub. It is typically a slow-cooked whole hog over a pit with coals for 12+ hours or until the meat simply falls apart.
Best BBQ in Charleston SC
All of the best Charleston barbecue restaurants that you HAVE to try on your next trip. Actually, you might need to make two trips ;).
Lewis Barbecue
464 N Nassau Street | Texas Style Smoked Meats
John Lewis of Lewis Barbecue is well-known for his Texas style smoked meats including brisket and his famous hot guts sausage. Go through the line and order your meat selections by the pound, then choose from various sides to add to your barbecue platter. I love their green chili corn pudding, pinto beans, and especially the cheese dip! If you prefer to skip the line, sit at the bar and order from a limited menu with sandwiches, sides, and starters.
Just be sure to try the brisket – they run out often so go early! I’m also a big fan of the turkey, especially on sandwiches. You can’t go wrong!
Don’t plan on doing anything the rest of the day after eating here – you might need a nap!
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
1101 King Street | South Carolina BBQ
Rodney Scott is famous in Charleston and now the world thanks to his episode on Netflix’s Chef’s Table and James Beard Award for best chef! What started as a family business in the small town of Hemingway, SC has grown into a big business with multiple locations across the South and even a cookbook.
Stop in to Rodney’s Scott’s for the best South Carolina style pulled pork, chicken tenders, or catfish. And be sure to try the mac ‘n cheese here!
It is easily one of the absolute best bbq restaurants in Charleston so be sure to add this to your itinerary and watch his Chef’s Table show before you come.
Home Team BBQ
126 Williman Street and 2209 Middle Street | Southern Barbecue & More
Home Team BBQ has been a Charleston barbecue staple since 2006 with their first location on Sullivan’s Island. They now have a downtown location and others throughout the state (and Aspen!). What I love about Home Team is all of the options. Each table is loaded with 6 different sauces so you can dress your own ‘cue. In addition to barbecue they have tacos, burritos, burgers, salads, and incredible bbq sliders! It’s also vegetarian friendly with an option to substitute black beans on just about anything. And don’t sleep on the nachos!!
It’s also a fave spot among locals for their infamous “game changer” which is kind of like a painkiller. Also try one of my favorites, the frozen irish coffee.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
1622 Highland Drive | Tennessee Style Whole Hog BBQ
Located on James Island, right outside of Charleston, head to Martin’s BBQ for their Tennessee style whole hog barbecue. They smoke the meat every morning at 5am for 20+ hours over hickory wood. The location is great with indoor seating and a family friendly outdoor patio.
They also serve other favorites like wings, fried chicken, tacos, and lots of sides. I was so surprised with how good the pulled pork and wings were the first time I tried them!
Swig & Swine
1217 Savannah Highway | House Smoke Meats, Craft Beer & Bourbon
I really like Swig & Swine. They cater a lot of events around town so there’s always an opportunity to have some! However, they have three locations in Summerville, West Ashley and Mount Pleasant. Head chef Anthony Dibernardo is no stranger to the kitchen having worked at some of the top restaurants in the area including Blossom, Kiawah Island Resort, and Rita’s. He transitioned into a focus on barbecue and the rest is history.
Melvin’s Legendary BBQ
538 Folly Road or 925 Houston Northcutt Boulevard | Ribs and Southern Fare
Melvin’s has been around forever and we ate here allllll the time growing up! It’s classic SC barbecue with an incredible mustard based sauce that all began back in 1939! Get the pulled pork sandwich along with a side of their thick french fries and of course, start with their giant onion ring! And, end with the banana pudding.
Bessinger’s
1602 Savannah Highway | Carolina Style Meats
Bessinger’s is a part of the same family known for their mustard based sauces. It’s a family run Charleston barbecue restaurant still today after nearly 100 years. It’s very family friendly with an extensive kids menu with chicken fingers, burgers, and pulled pork sandwiches.
If you love it, you can even buy the sauce to take home!
Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q
4964 Centre Pointe Drive | Slow Cooked Alabama Style BBQ (and amazing cheese biscuits)
Go to Jim ‘N Nicks for the barbecue and stay for the cheese biscuits. These biscuits are famous in Charleston – seriously they are divine! Soft, buttery biscuits with the cheese baked right inside.
Jim ‘N Nicks serves Alabama style barbecue slow-smoked by their pit masters for 12 hours. They also have great salad options and tons of sides from collard greens to chili.
Now good luck deciding which of these Charleston barbecue restaurants to try during your visit! Also check out me other restaurant guides for Charleston.
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