The Best Barbecue in Charleston SC
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The best barbecue in Charleston SC, according to the experts: Time Out, AAA, and Eater have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Rodney Scott's BBQ comes out on top, and the good stuff runs deepest in Charleston and North Charleston.
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Lewis Barbecue and Palmira Barbecue hold the next two places. AAA shows up on more of this list than any other guide, with Eater next.
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Rank 1. Rodney Scott's BBQ
Whole-Hog Barbecue
The smoke reaches King Street before the building does, which is all the orientation you need. Rodney Scott's is a counter-service whole-hog BBQ shop where the pulled pork arrives soft enough to dissolve on contact, doused in a vinegar-and-lemon sauce with real bite. A Michelin Bib Gourmand, and the mac and cheese earns its place on the tray. Order before you reach the counter; nobody here has patience for deliberators.
The awards
- Time Out Time Out: Rod’s Original Whole Hog Pork Sandwich · The 18 best sandwiches in the world right now
- AAA AAA: Approved
- Eater Eater: 18 Best Restaurants in Charleston
- Time Out Rod’s Original Whole Hog Pork Sandwich · The 18 best sandwiches in the world right now
- AAA Approved
- Eater 18 Best Restaurants in Charleston
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Rank 2. Lewis Barbecue
Texas Barbecue
A mural of a steer over the parking lot reads "All Hail the King," which tells you everything about the mood inside this Texas-style BBQ shop in Charleston. John Lewis made his name at LA Barbecue in Austin, and the brisket he slices to order at the counter explains why. Picnic tables on a gravel patio, firewood stacked ceiling-high, and a permanent haze of smoke round out the scene. The Michelin Guide gave it a Bib Gourmand.
The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Bib Gourmand
- Eater Eater: 18 Best Restaurants in Charleston
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Rank 3. Palmira Barbecue
Puerto Rican Barbecue
Pitmaster Hector Garate smokes whole hog and beef cheeks through a Puerto Rican lens, and the result is a barbecue joint that feels like its own category. The beef cheek tacos landed on a New York Times list of the year's best dishes across the country, and the Chuleta Kan-Kan, a tomahawk pork chop, makes a strong case for its own recognition. Bring friends, bring an appetite, and don't plan anything strenuous afterward.
The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Restaurants In Charleston
- Condé Nast Traveler Condé Nast Traveler: 40 Best Restaurants in Charleston
- AAA Approved
- The Infatuation The Best Restaurants In Charleston
- Condé Nast Traveler 40 Best Restaurants in Charleston
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Rank 4. King BBQ
Barbecue
Two stone lions guard the front door of this North Charleston BBQ shop, which should tell you something about how the team does things. Meat by the pound is the move, built around shared combos that draw on both North Carolina Piedmont tradition and Chinese family-style dining. The hot pot collards keep people talking. Popular cuts like duck legs and ribs sell out, so arriving early is less a suggestion than a strategy.
The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
- Bon Appétit Bon Appétit: America's Best New Restaurants
- Eater Eater: 18 Best Restaurants in Charleston