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Best Spots to get BBQ in Charleston!

Thursday, May 28 is National Brisket Day, so what better way to celebrate than sinking your teeth into barbecue at one of these spots? Check each restaurant’s social media for updated dining options.
Warning: this post may cause you to drool.

Rodney Scott’s

The story goes that Rodney cooked his first hog at 11 years old and that the fire has never gone out. This beloved local restaurant has mouth-watering ribs, hushpuppies with honey butter, and Ella’s banana pudding (you’ll want two orders.)

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Lewis Barbecue

Recognizable for the giant, custom-made smokers out front, Lewis Barbecue has Texas roots represented by the delicious, 18-hour char on their meats. Try their sausage, brisket, and more.

Poogan’s Smokehouse

Not to be confused with the haunted restaurant Poogan’s Porch, this East Bay location brings the flavors of South Carolina. Try their local black-eyed pea salad or a mouth-watered pulled pork sandwich slathered with cheese.

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Melvin’s Legendary Bar-B-Q

The secret’s in the sauce! According to their website, Melvin’s has been “South Carolina’s Original Family of mustard-based BBQ” since 1939. Now 80 years strong, their savory sauce is available in-house and for individual purchase.

Bessinger’s Barbecue

Bessinger’s is known as the legacy of “the first family of bbq” and has been featured on multiple shows on the Travel Channel. Don’t forget to order some of their famous onion rings to go with your brisket!

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Home Team BBQ

For this Lowcountry treat, bring an appetite to one of their three Charleston-area locations. For something different try house-made pork cracklins, a smoked turkey burrito, or a brisket taco with chipotle sour cream.

Swig & Swine

Last but not least on our list is Swig & Swine, a popular spot offering beef brisket, smoked turkey, smoked pork belly, housemade sausage, chicken wings, ribs, and more than 60 craft beers.

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Eat & Drink

The Best Spots for Barbecue in Charleston

Featured Image: Eater

No one is surprised when they hear about the rise of Charleston’s food scene, and the expanse of barbecue restaurants is no exception. These five Charleston barbecue restaurants will give you plenty of southern food that you’ll be hungry to write home about.

Lewis Barbecue

Just two years ago, John Lewis changed the barbecue scene here in Charleston. Having established himself as a prized pitmaster in Austin, TX, he made his way to the Holy City to make his mark on Charleston with the opening of Lewis Barbecue. Welding the custom-designed smokers himself, Lewis wakes up at 4 a.m. to tend the fire that slow cooks meat for 18 hours.

 

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Welcome to the Monday morning smoke show. #pitcrew

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Rodney Scott’s

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ is deep-rooted in heritage and tradition. At a young age, Scott learned to cook whole hog barbecue watching his family do the same in the hog pits they built behind their convenience store in Hemingway, SC.

Word got out about how good the smoked meats the Scott’s were selling out of their convenience store was and people began traveling hours each week just to try it. With so much popularity, Rodney Scott decided to leave the family business and open up his own BBQ joint here in Charleston in 2016. In 2018, Rodney was named the James Beard Best Chef in the Southeast for his restaurant.

Home Team BBQ

With several locations, now expanding as far as Aspen, CO, Home Team BBQ is a fresh and local-minded restaurant right down to their sauces. With experimentation always in mind, the Home Team crew is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to use smoked meats. With award-winning dishes, an expansive bar, and a fun, family-friendly environment, Home Team is the whole package!

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How much for one rib?

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Smoke BBQ

In the heart of Charleston on upper King Street is Smoke BBQ. Smoke is one of the most diverse options of the Charleston BBQ scene. With plenty to choose from, including tacos and pastrami that is cooked 16 hours, Smoke stands out in the crowd. Check it out the next time you’re downtown and looking for some southern barbecue.

Swig & Swine

Swig & Swine features classic, all-wood smoked barbecue that delivers the juiciest smoked meats the Lowcountry has to offer. With four locations in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and West Ashley, Swig & Swine restaurants are serving up to barbecue lovers all around.

Eat & Drink

BBQ With A Salty Twist Coming To Shem Creek

Featured Photo: Saltwater Cowboys Facebook

Shem Creek is getting a new restaurant/bar and guess what – it’s going to have a ROOFTOP!

Saltwater Cowboys is set to open sometime in the very near future in the old Cottage on the Creek building. The new owners have given the restaurant a complete makeover by renovating the rooftop bar, adding a second outdoor bar with lots of TVs, a dog-friendly patio, more than 60 feet of floating dock and much much more.

The new barbecue restaurant will feature onsite, pit smoked barbecue selections along with locally sourced seafood including catches from neighbor Captain Tommy Edwards’ shrimp boat, the Miss Judy Too.

Wade Boals and Brett Yearout teamed up with Joel Olindo, co-owner of seafood and oyster bar Nico, to make this dream a reality. Along with executive chef Ryan Love the team promises a restaurant that’s more than just traditional barbecue and seafood.

According to Eater Charleston, a hot and spicy sausage sandwich, Cheddar Creek biscuits served with strawberry bacon jam, house-made bread and butter pickles, barbecue shrimp and grits, and fried oyster bacon po-boys make the menu, as well as, the stacked high “trash can nachos.”

Welcome Saltwater Cowboys, we’re ready for you!

Eat & Drink

Get Cheesy! The Best Mac And Cheese In Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Crave Kitchen & Cocktails/ Facebook

There’s nothing quite like a good mac and cheese. It’s practically an essential food here in the south, perfect alongside fried chicken, barbecue, or even all by itself. Everyone loves a box of Kraft every now and then, but here in Charleston, we can do better than that. Much better. Check out the five restaurants below for the best mac and cheese in Charleston.

Image Credit: Cru Cafe Facebook

Cru Cafe

Cru Cafe has some of the best mac and cheese in Charleston. It’s down to the orichette pasta they use along with the blend of four hand-grated cheese (pepper jack, aged cheddar, mozzarella, and fontina) in the sauce. Topped with more cheese and baked to perfection, this is some mac and cheese to write home about.

Image Credit: Crave Kitchen & Cocktails Facebook

Crave

The mac and cheese at Crave is legendary.  It consistently wins the Charleston Mac Off and has even been recognized by Esquire.  The spiral noodles they use are covered in a delectable creamy sauce that you’ll be talking about for days after you’ve tried it. The sauce is complemented by melted cheese on top, making for an ooey gooey masterpiece.

Image Credit: The Rarebit Facebook

The Rarebit

The Rarebit’s mac and cheese is not as creamy as some others, it’s more of a classic baked macaroni that your grandmother may have made you. But it’s still some of the best mac and cheese in Charleston. Pair it with one of their delectable entrees and you’re in business.

Image Credit: Swig & Swine Facebook

Swig & Swine

Any barbecue restaurant worth its salt has decent mac and cheese. Swig & Swine’s mac and cheese isn’t just decent, it’s noteworthy. The peppery and cheesy dish pairs perfectly with pork or brisket and the assortment of sauces. A side may not be enough, but try not to lick the paper dish it’s served on.

Image Credit: Poogan’s Porch Facebook

Poogan’s Porch

Poogan’s Porch is one of the oldest restaurants in Charleston and one of the most well known. And that is for good reason. The restaurant routinely turns out delicious southern meals like fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, pork chops and more. And the smoked gouda mac and cheese is something you don’t want to miss out on when having your dinner there. Order it as a side for their famous fried chicken and find food heaven.