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Who is Destination BBQ and What Can We Do for You?

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Destination: BBQ began in the summer of 2012 as a simple family blog covering our “Summer BBQ Tour,” as you can read below in what was the very first post on this site.

We are still the Roller family from Mount Pleasant: Heather and Jim and our kids: Christian, Chelsea, and Camden.

Because all the kids have now graduated, Heather and Jim remain the primary voices as we have been since that first post. Christian, Chelsea, and Camden (yes, all Cs) have moved out on their own, but we hope to include their voices any time they join us on a trip.

Since then, we’ve evolved from simply writing about our dining experiences to covering all things SC BBQ. Our goal is to help people find great SC barbecue and to help SC barbecue find great people.

Like to Help Us?

If you’d like to help us with that endeavor, we’re always grateful for help of any sort.

“How can I help,” you’re thinking?

Well, it can be as simple as just writing in to share your thoughts on ways to improve the site; constructive criticism is always welcome. Or even by finding things you like on this site and sharing them on social media, pinning images on Pinterest, or signing up for Grow.

If you’re up for it, I’d be grateful if you would check the map to look for BBQ joints in your area (or beyond). Maybe there is a new one you’ve seen that I haven’t added or there’s an old one that’s recently closed or has other info I need to update. Maybe click into a few listings to see if you can spot errors of any sort. Whatever you spot, send that info on to me.

For those with more time and desire, I could use volunteers to help test and photograph recipes. I have a small group of volunteers who have worked independently testing recipes for the cookbook and whose feedback has been invaluable. Always happy for more volunteers.

If you’re a writer, I always have need for some light research and/or writing to do. For instance, as I write this, I have about 25 restaurants I need to write up and add to the map. Or if you’re up for bigger projects, I’d welcome help there, too.

Don’t have time or feel you have the right set of skills? There is another option. Become an SCBBQ Patron and assist by helping us fund additional features or hire freelancers to help add content to the site.

Or maybe, you have your own thoughts on ways you’d be comfortable contributing. I welcome all input. Feel free to share your thoughts.

With your help, we can make a good thing even better. Hope to hear from you.

Now, on the site, you’ll find:

1) An events calendar, covering BBQ festivals and competitions across the state.

2) You’ll find our amazing Interstate Road Guide which shows you all the SC BBQ restaurants within a few miles of an interstate exit.

3) We are especially proud of our SC BBQ Locator Map. Find all the SCBBQ restaurants in the vicinity or search for any part of the state. Even filter your search to show only those that serve Mustard sauces or those who take credit/debit cards.

4) Don’t miss out on our Authentic SCBBQ Recipes. Learn more about our cookbook: SCBBQ Recipes: Going Whole Hog.

We invite you to Submit Your Own Recipes for others to enjoy as well.

4) And of course, it all began with our Restaurant Reviews.

In addition, there is more planned as we continue our evolution: a page featuring every SC BBQ restaurant, SC BBQ recipes and cooking tips, competition coverage, equipment reviews, and more will be featured in time.

In order to keep up, we invite you to keep up with our site by joining our mailing list or following us on Facebook or Twitter.

As of the time of this writing, we have been featured in The Free-Times in Columbia and The Herald Independent from Winnsboro.  The State will be adding us to their Local Food Blog.

Heather and Jim recently became members of the SC Barbeque Association and took our first steps to become official SCBA certified judges. We hope this will help us serve the SC BBQ community and help us develop an even better BBQ palate to provide you with more professional commentary.

Already impressed with our work, Lake High, president of the SCBA, has asked us to help the SCBA by providing reviews for their site as well.

In the end, our focus will remain focused on doing all we can to help readers with all things SC BBQ.

Legal Note: In April 2022, we formed an LLC. Today, the site is owned by and operated by H & J Enterprises of Charleston, LLC, DBA Destination BBQ.


 The Post That Started It All

Hello world and welcome to our summer tour.

Our family has decided to embark on a tour of notable BBQ joints in and around the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Destination BBQ is our simple blog designed to capture our experiences during each our of stops.

Who are we?

We are the Rollers from Mt. Pleasant, SC: Jim, Heather, Christian, Chelsea, and Camden (and Dixie, too). We don’t pretend to be connoisseurs or experts in the field. We simply enjoy good food, and really like good BBQ.

Simply put, it is our intention to provide our subjective opinions of what we experience. Good, bad, or just ok. We’re not food critics, we’re not expert pitmasters. We are who we are: just an average family.

But if you want a true, honest, unbiased opinion of what we experienced on a given day, that we can provide.

Therefore, tomorrow we begin.

Recently, Heather read an article in Southern Living about Scott’s BBQ in Hemingway, SC. (Supposedly, it is one of the best in the South. We shall see.) And this is what sparked us to begin our journey.

So Friday, June 8, 2012, we set out for Hemingway on the first steps of a trip that will lead us we know not where.

Come along for the ride…

Robby Bennett

Thursday 25th of January 2024

Jim, my name is Robby Bennett and I live in Cheraw SC. One of my close friends just gave me a copy of your book Going Whole Hog. We love pulled pork and good vinegar based sauces. I graduated HS in 72 and came back to work for our family business Bennett Motor Co just across hey 9 from the Burlington textile. I also played golf with Jim Roller who I think worked in textiles. Was that your dad? Anyway would love to talk to you at some point and see if there is something our Cheraw Arts Commission could get you up here to promote your book and bbq. Thanks Robby

James Roller

Friday 26th of January 2024

Hey @Robby Bennett, yep...that's my dad! A JP Stevens guy while in there. I will tell him you reached out. Being from Cheraw, I would expect nothing less than a love for pulled pork with a great vinegar sauce. Having grown up there, it will always remain my preference. As for a book event, I appreciate the thought, but not my cup of tea. I didn't really do it for recognition (actually I probably wouldn't have done it knowing that was part of the package), but thank you for the offer. This was just supposed to be a little something I put together for maybe a couple of hundred readers and had extra for those who came along in the future, but then it sort of blew up. Never expected all this. Thanks and Go Braves!

Gerald Bridges

Monday 10th of October 2022

Is or will the cookbook be available in print version ?

James Roller

Wednesday 18th of October 2023

@Laura King, Hmm...I will reach out to you via email and Etsy messenger and we'll see if we can connect. The odds are that there is no problem to begin with regarding your address. It's just that we have time before they arrive and I thought a double-check in the interim couldn't hurt. I've actually caught a couple of problems as a result, so that's good.

Laura King

Tuesday 17th of October 2023

@James Roller, I keep getting emails to confirm my address for the book. None of them seem to go back to you. Please help! 😊

James Roller

Monday 10th of October 2022

@Gerald Bridges, just replied to your FB post. Will copy answer below: I am working on that now, actually. Hope to have it ready by the holiday season. We'll see, but yes, I plan to have the option for a print version of what will be a much-expanded version of the original. Here is a copy of the current draft's table of contents (may/will change by final version).

David Polak

Thursday 29th of September 2022

So I was shopping for drums....All American of course...And Look what Dave found! not just an Easter basket to warm my lonely heart love yas

James Roller

Friday 30th of September 2022

Dave! How are you old friend? Hope all is well and the drums are Gretsch!

Earl

Monday 5th of September 2022

Do you still have "I'd Smoke That" shirts for sale?

James Roller

Monday 5th of September 2022

Hey @Earl, yep. You'll find it here.

Jane

Monday 18th of July 2022

Hi, I was looking at your tomato pie recipe and even though I really don't cook or bake, it sounded really interesting. I did have a question, what is "Italian" cheese? I guess actually what Italian cheese does the recipe call for? I know Mozzarella, Provolone, Ricotta, Mascarpone, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Asiago are more well known, or is it just your fav Italian cheese? I actually may try and make the pie, it'll be a first. Thanks Jane

James Roller

Monday 18th of July 2022

@Jane, I sent this to you via email earlier, but thought I would add here in case the email didn't get through:

First, to be clear, this really isn’t “my recipe.” It was a recipe provided by a local barbecue restaurant known as Piggybacks in Lake City, SC. They deserve credit for it.

As for your question, I think it is safe to assume that the recipe calls for a pre-packaged, pre-shredded product that you can find in most grocery stores simply labeled “Italian Cheese.” I don’t believe they are calling for any specific style of Italian cheese, just that generic mix.

Hope that helps.

GOING WHOLE HOG COOKBOOK - NOW AVAILABLE