Destination: BBQ

South Carolina barbecue is as magnificent and diverse as its people.

For a relatively small state, South Carolina boasts distinct regions with unique bbq styles. These regions make up what we refer to as the SC BBQ Trail. These regions are primarily flavored by the sauces popular within that section of the state.

Depending on where you are in our state, you might find your pork — because in SC bbq means pork — steeped in a vinegar-pepper sauce, or a light tomato sauce, or a heavy tomato sauce, or the sauce that is unique to our state — a mustard-based sauce.

And, just in case you’re visiting, in South Carolina, “barbecue” is a noun, not a verb — a thing, not an action, and no, that thing is not a grill. For us, “barbecue” is pork, whether it has been pulled or chopped, served with a tangy sauce, the best of which was from a whole hog cooked for hours over hardwood coals.

Learn more about South Carolina Whole Hog BBQ in the video below.

Dr. Howard Conyers, actual NASA rocket scientist, SC BBQ advocate, and host of the PBS series Nourish gives a quick look at what makes SC BBQ so special. See the video at the bottom of the page.

We hope our site will help you find and enjoy the best bbq in the state.

Check the links in our sidebar or click here to find what you’re looking for about SC BBQ:

Use Our Interactive SC BBQ Trail Map will not only show you the location of every barbecue restaurant in South Carolina but will even find where you are (with your permission) and show you all the restaurants in your area…and even give you directions to get the place you choose.

Download the Official SC BBQ Trail Map – download a copy of the official map from the SC Dept. of Tourism

Read Restaurant Reviews

See our Calendar of SC BBQ Events, Competitions and Festivals

Check other SC BBQ Links

Make your BBQ Better with Authentic SC BBQ Recipes (we Welcome your Submissions.)

Get a copy of our cookbook: SC BBQ Recipes: Going Whole Hog

See our 150-page SCBBQ Cookbook