Each year on May 16th, Americans celebrate National Barbecue Day (plus May is National Barbecue Month) with a variety of BBQ flavors and sauces. Grillers across the country choose their preferred cooking methods, whether it's charcoal, wood, gas, or slow-cooking, to showcase their culinary expertise in BBQ. Here's a roundup of some favorite Lowcountry BBQ spots:
- Location: 1217 Savannah Hwy, Charleston
- Highlights: Pitmaster Anthony DiBernardo believes in cooking BBQ low and slow to lock in natural juices and smoked flavor. They offer a diverse selection of craft beers alongside BBQ.
- Locations: 1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston & others
- Approach: Combining "white tablecloth" fundamentals with low and slow BBQ ideals, Home Team BBQ offers fresh, local ingredients, award-winning food, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Location: 464 N Nassau St, Charleston
- Unique Feature: Massive custom-made smokers greet guests, with pitmaster John Lewis serving Central Texas BBQ cut-to-order, including beef brisket and pork spareribs.
Queology
- Location: 925 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant
- Tradition: Known for its original mustard-based BBQ sauce, Melvin's offers Texas-style brisket and other smoked meats cooked over wood.
- Location: 188 E Bay Street, Charleston
- Style: Poogan's uses high-quality ingredients and time-honored smoking techniques to create flavorful, tender smoked meats and sides.
- Location: 331 Folly Rd, Charleston
- Experience: Duke's offers an all-you-can-eat buffet with classic BBQ dishes and a bare-bones atmosphere.
- Location: 1011 King St, Charleston
- Tradition: Known for whole hog BBQ cooked over live coal direct heat, Rodney Scott’s BBQ focuses on preserving the craft and flavor profiles of traditional BBQ.
Bakers BBQ
- Location: 807 Central Avenue, Summerville
- Highlights: Known for homemade smoked meats, specialty brisket on Fridays, and delicious desserts like Banana Pudding.
- Location: 6 N Market Street
- Signature: Queology offers competition-style BBQ with a balanced flavor profile of savory, sweet, and smoky.
- Location: 4964 Center Pointe Dr., North Charleston
- Approach: Jim & Nick’s celebrates authentic Alabama BBQ traditions with slow-smoked pork and beef, served fast without shortcuts.
- Location: 1602 Savannah Highway, Charleston
- Legacy: The Bessingers are known for their legendary mustard-based BBQ sauce, a Carolina classic since the 1930s.
Martin's
- Location: 1622 Highland Avenue, Charlesto
- Style: Martin’s offers West Tennessee-Style Whole Hog BBQ and a range of BBQ classics and Southern sides.
- Location: 1 Sanctuary Beach Dr., Kiawah Island
- Menu: Cherrywood serves top-quality meats smoked over local hardwoods with house-made sauces, complemented by a selection of over 60 beers.
- Location: 82 Queen St., Charleston
- Dish Highlight: Known for their unique take on Lowcountry cuisine, including a BBQ-inspired shrimp and grits dish featuring housemade bourbon BBQ sauce.
These BBQ spots in the Lowcountry offer a diverse range of BBQ styles and flavors, reflecting the rich tradition and innovation of American barbecue.
