14 joints where you can pig out on great barbecue

Happy national barbecue month to all who celebrate — and happy national barbecue day (yes, we’re doubling down this week), which lands on May 16. There are quite a few barbecue restaurants around town (we’re blessed, y’all) and we’ve rounded up as many as we possibly can to point you meat lovers in the right direction. Whether you like Carolina pulled pork or Texas-style brisket, we’ve got the spots for you. Happy eating.

Bessinger’s BBQ, West Ashley

Mustard-based barbecue | Founded in 1961 by brothers Melvin and Thomas Bessinger, Bessinger’s BBQ is known for its “no-frills” barbecue, and of course, its classic mustard sauce. (You’ll find this sauce at Melvin’s BBQ, too, by the way, since both restaurants are Bessinger-owned). Choose from pork, turkey, brisket, chicken or ribs either as sandwiches, plates or baskets paired with sides like okra, steak fries, baked beans and more.

Dukes Barbecue, James Island

Old-school buffet, chopped barbecue | Make your way to Folly Road for a simple take on barbecue at Dukes, where a smallish menu features take-out plates, baskets and daily specials that highlight chopped barbecue and fried chicken. There are a wide variety of sides to choose from, including corn nuggets, fried okra, butter beans and stewed tomatoes. Past winner of best buffet in the City Paper’s Best of Charleston contest.

Home Team BBQ, multiple locations

“Elevated, multi-regional barbecue” | You’ll find a range of barbecue at popular, locally owned and operated Home Team restaurants, from pulled pork to smoked turkey to chopped brisket. Don’t skip the smoked wings — a favorite menu item that frequently wins City Paper’s Best of Charleston’s award for best wings.

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, downtown

Whole hog barbecue at Martin’s. Credit: Martin's.

Pit cooked, whole hog barbecue | They “cut, chop, cook” the pork at Rodney Scott’s popular downtown restaurant (bonus: there’s a drive-thru). Get your Carolina ‘cue on a plate, sandwich or salad. Dig into classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans or potato salad.

Swig & Swine BBQ, multiple locations

Classic American barbecue | Anthony DiBernardo started his cooking career on the USS Batfish submarine while serving in the Navy. The pitmaster cooks up meats like pulled pork, pork belly, chicken and housemade sausages. Load up on sides like baked potato salad, pickled veggies and corn pudding and don’t forget dessert — Swig & Swine is known for its decadent banana pudding and nutter butter pie.

Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop, West Ashley

Counter service, “old school” barbecue joint | A Pat Martin franchise, Hugh-Baby’s highlights barbecue with pulled pork sammies and smoked turkey clubs, but you’ll also find a variety of burgers on the menu, too.

Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, North Charleston

Slow cooked Southern barbecue | Choose your own meat adventure at Jim N’ Nick’s, where you can order pulled pork with classic barbecue sauce or (our personal preference) vinegar-based Carolina sauce, beef brisket, smoked turkey breast and more. Don’t skip out on the restaurant’s hand-breaded onion rings or its loaded baked potato.

King BBQ, North Charleston

“Chinatown barbecue made with Southern smoke” | Shuai Wang’s King BBQ features meats like smoked duck, Chinese barbecue spare ribs and chopped smoked pork. Wang and pitmaster Brandon Olson serve up the good stuff (including sides like steamed pancakes and Sea Island red pea and corn salad) on the regular menu as well as a slew of weekly and daily specials.

Lewis Barbecue, downtown

Texas barbecue | Pitmaster John Lewis brought his Texas barbecue to Charleston in 2016 and locals haven’t looked back since. Barbecue fiends flock to Lewis for beef brisket, Texas hot guts and green chile corn pudding (among a variety of other meats and hearty sides). Don’t miss Lewis’ other local spot, Rancho Lewis, which features food inspired by his childhood in the Southwest Texas region. Lewis won Best of Charleston’s best pitmaster in 2024.

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, James Island

Whole hog barbecue | You’ll find pit-cooked barbecue and Southern sides (mac and cheese, broccoli salad, cornbread) at Martin’s, which was founded by pitmaster and restaurateur Pat Martin in Tennessee.

Melvin’s BBQ, James Island and Mount Pleasant

Mustard-based barbecue | For a taste of true South Carolina ‘cue, head to Melvin’s which serves up mustard-based barbecue (think tangy, vinegar-y) and sides like onion rings, baby butter beans, hushpuppies and more.

Palmira Barbecue, West Ashley

“Farm to table barbecue with old school wood fire techniques” | Hector Garate’s Palmira Barbecue started as a popular pop-up around town and finally opened as a brick-and-mortar on Ashley River Road last year. Garate fuses cooking techniques from Texas, North Carolina and his native Puerto Rico. Diners can look forward to meats like beef cheeks, barbacoa and house sausages as well as specialty sides like hash and rice and Puerto Rican beans.

Poogan’s Smokehouse, downtown

Southern barbecue | Head to East Bay Street for a taste of Poogan’s “Southern” barbecue, which includes a wide variety of smoked meats, from ribs to pulled pork to chicken wings. The smoke doesn’t stop there: Nosh on a smoked burger, smoked torta and smoked turkey sandwich, too. Sides include sweet potato fries, collard greens, roasted brussels and more.

Southern Roots Smokehouse, West Ashley and North Charleston

Hickory smoked Southern barbecue | Settle in for the meat sweats at Southern Roots, where you can stick with a classic barbecue platter and meats like sliced brisket, pulled pork or ribs — or mix things up with flash fried ribs, a slider flight or smoked tacos. Sides include mac’ and cheese, collards and hash and rice.