About Our I-95 SC BBQ Restaurant Guide
To help the hungry road-warriors on our roads, we have created SC BBQ Road Trip: A Restaurant Field Guide for each of the interstates that criss-cross our state. This is the Interstate 95 edition.
South Carolina’s bar-b-que has a long and storied past. This history has seen styles of barbeque that are both diverse and unique develop within our state. In fact, those taking a road trip within SC need their own field guide to help them find the perfect location to sample the best of SC’s BBQ Trail.
Traveling I-95 in South Carolina, visitors and residents alike have ample opportunity to sample some of South Carolina’s best BBQ. (As a side note, learn how to eat SC’s best BBQ for FREE!) What’s better: they don’t need to travel far off the beaten path to do so.
The I-95 corridor stretches for 201 miles along its journey through the state. While drivers do traverse the more urban tract of Florence, the majority of that distance is passed among our more pastoral areas.
Along the way, I-95 passes through two of South Carolina’s largest and most distinct BBQ regions: one region primarily serves a mustard-based BBQ sauce, and the other favors a vinegar-pepper based sauce. Here is a look at a rough breakdown of South Carolina’s BBQ sauce regions:
(Note: if you’d like to learn to make authentic SCBBQ recipes, including the world’s best mustard sauce, check out the recipes we’ve published on this site or our SCBBQ Recipes: Going Whole Hog cookbook, with over 150 pages of recipes from ages-old family traditions and today’s top SCBBQ pitmasters.)
You see, of course, that I-95 passes through the heart of the mustard and the vinegar-pepper regions of SC.As a side note, barbecue in South Carolina is not necessarily as defined as the map suggests. The map generalizes and whitewashes regions based on historical precedence.
Today, however, you are likely to find any of the sauces in any corner of the state, particularly among the newer restaurants who are paying homage to the state’s grand history, but if you are looking for a particular sauce, now you know where to look.
Finding SC BBQ Restaurants near I-95
Anyway, today you find yourself among the masses hurtling up and down I-95. You know traveling this stretch of road you certainly ought to be able to find some of this SCBBQ you’ve been hearing (and reading) about.
But where is it hidden?
We strongly suggest checking out our SC BBQ Trail Locator Map, but if you prefer, you might also consider downloading a copy of the SC Dept. of Tourism’s official SC BBQ Trail Map. Our map will find your location (with your permission) and show you the closest 25 SCBBQ restaurants within 100 miles of you.
While our locator map is fantastic (if we do say so ourselves), we know you probably don’t want to drive 40 miles off the interstate just to get a taste of South Carolina BBQ.
So, here we present to you all your options for enjoying real SCBBQ within 10 miles of a given exit along I-95. If you love SC BBQ as we do, we know you will appreciate this guide.
In addition, we’ll recommend our “Must Visit” SCBBQ restaurants along I-95.
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How We Selected These Restaurants
Just a quick overview of our criteria for selecting these restaurants:
- no national BBQ chain restaurants are included; all are SC-based restaurants and most are individual, family-owned shops
- all are “on” the interstate; that is, within 10 miles of an interstate exit
- inclusion in the list is not an endorsement and restaurants may be labeled “Must Visit” for reasons beyond the quality of their BBQ
- we will only include one restaurant on a given route for any major SCBBQ chain; note, however, while there are many Dukes restaurants in SC, they are not franchises or members of a chain, so all will be included
- mileage provided is not exact but was calculated using Google maps so it should be very close
- See SCBBQ Road Trip: Start Your Engine for a fuller explanation of our selection criteria.
Interesting Interstate Info
Before we begin, some interstate highway fun facts you might not have known:
- no matter which direction you are heading, the interstate exit numbers are the same for a given junction
- one or two-digit, odd-numbered interstates run south-north, with lower-numbered interstates starting in the West; I-95 is clearly a south-north running, East coast interstate, being such a high 2-digit odd number.
- mile markers for south-north running interstates begin at the southern border of each state
Thus, we will follow the exits up I-95 from our southern border with Georgia to our northern border with NC. And away we go…
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Distances are approximate: Use our map for more precise directions.
Exit 5 (US 17/Hardeeville)
Chickin Lickin’ Hickory House
“The spot is basically a trailer, with some outdoor seating and a one-person restroom. If you’re looking for a fancy, “clean” looking place you might had better go elsewhere, but if you’re looking for some good ole southern fried greatness, make the stop!”
~ Ryan A., Yelp
Hardeeville, SC 29927
Days/Hours:
| Monday | |
| Tuesday | |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Heavy Tomato Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 21 (SC 336/Ridgeland)
Dukes Bar-B-Que in Ridgeland
“Go early because it will be crowded, the best family served and prepared Bar B Que fixin’s in South Carolina.”
~ Citadel62, Trip Advisor
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Days/Hours:
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Buffet
- –
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Heavy Tomato Sauce
- –
- Light Tomato Sauce
- –
- Mustard Sauce
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 57 (SC 64/ Walterboro, Lodge)
Dukes Barbecue in Walterboro
“Saw a sign for this place on the interstate and so happy we stopped to give it a try. This definitely is not fine dining, but for all you can eat southern barbecue buffet served on a paper plate this place nails it.”
~ Brian M., Yelp
Walterboro, SC 29488
Days/Hours:
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Buffet
- –
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Heavy Tomato Sauce
- –
- Light Tomato Sauce
- –
- Mustard Sauce
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 90 (US 176/ Holly Hill, Cameron)
Sweatman’s Bar-B-Que
“They turned the old family home into a restaurant in the middle of nowhere on Hwy 453 between Eutawville and Holly Hill. Open only Fri and Sat. We drive 90 minutes and go 2 or 3 times a year. It’s that good.”
~ Faye C, Trip Advisor
Holly Hill, SC 29059
Days/Hours:
| Friday | |
| Saturday |
Features:
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Mustard Sauce
- –
- True 'Cue Certified
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 98 (SC 6/ Eutawville, Santee, Elloree)
Lone Star BBQ Tavern and Grille ***Temporarily Closed***
“Looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience? Real home cooking in a 1890s fish-camp style atmosphere. Can taste the love in every bite, especially the tomato pie.”
~ BillHHI, Zomato
Santee, SC 29142
Days/Hours:
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Buffet
- –
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Light Tomato Sauce
- –
- Mustard Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 108 (Buff Blvd – Summerton)
The Twisted Pig of Summerton (Opening Oct. 4)
“Easily the best BBQ I’ve had in the midlands area. Collards are amazing along with everything else. Awesome staff, and service. They add special items to the menu, also. Definitely a hidden gem that deserves more exposure. Worth the drive if you’re not local!”
Rachel R, Google Review
Summerton, SC 29148
Days/Hours:
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Buffet
- –
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Heavy Tomato Sauce
- –
- Light Tomato Sauce
- –
- Mustard Sauce
- –
- True 'Cue Certified
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 119 (SC 261/Manning, Paxville)
JK’s House of Ribs
“I can’t say enough about this restaurant. Less than 10 minutes off I-95 and well worth the short drive.”
~ Harlan M., Yelp
Manning, SC 29102
Days/Hours:
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday |
Features:
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Heavy Tomato Sauce
- –
- Mustard Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
D&H Bar-B-Que
“Non-pretentious southern BBQ with large portions and very friendly, attentive service. Homey atmosphere and prices are very reasonable. prices.”
~ Bob5705, TripAdvisor
Manning, SC 29102
Days/Hours:
| Tuesday | |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Buffet
- –
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
McCabe’s Bar-B-Q
“This food was out of this world amazing. We discovered it on Yelp on our drive from DC to Hilton Head for a wedding. All four of us got the all you can eat buffet for under $10. The food was so incredible. Small town, family-owned and run restaurant of 30 years–this place highly deserves your business. Only open for lunch on Thur, Fri, and Sat, though, so plan your trip accordingly! Highly worth the stop.”
~ Katherine W., Yelp
Days/Hours:
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday |
Features:
- 100 Mile BBQ
- –
- Buffet
- –
- Cash Only
- –
- Hash
- –
- True 'Cue Certified
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce
- –
- Whole Hog
>>> Read our Review of McCabe’s
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 146 (SC 341 – Lake City, Lynchburg, Olanta)
Country Cousins BBQ
“We love this place! Always hot food, great bbq, and friendly staff. We eat here at least once a week, seeing as how we’re so close. It’s small and not overwhelming as other buffet places, plus you can order something else if you don’t want what’s on the buffet, if you’re looking for a large variety then it isn’t for you.”
~ Jennifer D, Yelp
Days/Hours:
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday |
Features:
- Buffet
- –
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce
- –
- Whole Hog
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 160 (I-20/ Florence, Columbia)
Roger’s Bar-B-Q House
“This is a genuine Southern BBQ restaurant. This place is golden. It has the moist, succulent, tangy BBQ of South Carolina. Vinegar-based seasoning makes this some of the best BBQ in the South. The buffet is loaded with good food.”
~ Tawanat4, TripAdvisor
Florence, SC 29501
Days/Hours:
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Buffet
- –
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Mustard Sauce
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Exit 164 (US 52/ Florence, Darlington)
Wholly Smokin’ Downtown
“Wholly Smokin’ is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Florence. For those of you who don’t know, South Carolina’s Pee Dee region is a mecca for BBQ joints. Honestly, they are all delicious and all the same. Cue Wholly Smokin’. This place is a crown jewel and has gained the utmost respect from me and my taste buds. It’s BBQ and all the fixings, but with flair.”
~ Jessica H., Yelp
Florence, SC 29506
Days/Hours:
| Tuesday | |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Heavy Tomato Sauce
- –
- Mustard Sauce
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
Woodstone Barbeque
“If you are looking for atmosphere; go somewhere else. If you are looking for a great BBQ buffet this is the place. The buffet is not the biggest around but everything is good.”
~ Botzworth, TripAdvisor
Florence, SC 29505
Days/Hours:
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Features:
- Buffet
- –
- Cards and Cash
- –
- Hash
- –
- Vinegar Pepper Sauce