“This is the BBQ place Summerton needed!” a customer named John Becker wrote in a public review, and that line gets right to the point.
Big Al’s BBQ & Grill brings a local, plate-lunch feel to Summerton, with owner Barry Ragin serving a menu built around barbecue, fried favorites, and Southern sides that feel right at home in Clarendon County.
This is not a narrow smokehouse menu, and that is part of its charm. Big Al’s is the kind of place where ribs, BBQ pork, fried fish, chicken wings, hamburger steak-style comfort, and vegetables all share the board.
BBQ Pork, Ribs, and Chicken
Barbecue anchors the menu at Big Al’s, especially with pork and ribs.
The menu includes BBQ pork by the half-pound or pound, BBQ pork sandwiches, rib plates, and ribs served by the rack. For chicken fans, Big Al’s also serves BBQ leg quarter chicken, giving diners another smoked-meat option beyond pork.
That variety makes Big Al’s a useful stop whether you are looking for a quick sandwich, a rib plate, or enough barbecue to carry home and share.
Fried Fish, Fried Chicken, and Southern Dinners
Big Al’s also leans into the kind of Southern plates that make a meal feel complete.
Dinner plates come with an entrée, three sides, and either cornbread or a dinner roll. Options include fried fish, fried chicken, pork chops, BBQ chicken, stewed beef, and turkey wings.
That broader menu gives Big Al’s a neighborhood-grill feel as much as a barbecue-joint feel. Barbecue may be the draw, but fried seafood, chicken, and comfort-food plates help round out the appeal.
Sides with Country-Cooking Pull
The side list says a lot about what kind of restaurant Big Al’s is.
Collard greens, black-eyed peas, lima beans, green beans, mac and cheese, rice and gravy, fries, cornbread, and dinner rolls all show up on the menu. That is a full-plate lineup, not just a side item or two tossed in as an afterthought.
For diners who like a barbecue plate with vegetables, starch, and something warm on the side, Big Al’s has the kind of spread that feels familiar in the best way.
Grill Favorites and Family-Friendly Options
Beyond barbecue and plates, Big Al’s keeps a casual grill menu in the mix.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, hamburger baskets, wings, kids’ meals, chips, snack pies, and fruit salad give the menu some flexibility. That helps when one person wants ribs, another wants fried chicken, and somebody else at the table is just after a burger or hot dog.
It is the sort of range that makes sense for a small-town spot serving both regulars and folks passing through.
Good Local Stop in Summerton
Big Al’s BBQ & Grill fits comfortably into Summerton’s local dining scene: casual, practical, and built around the kind of food people tend to come back for.
For barbecue fans, the draw is the pork, ribs, and BBQ chicken. For everyone else, the fried fish, fried chicken, wings, vegetables, and plate-style dinners make the restaurant more than a one-note stop.
If you are looking for a no-fuss Summerton place where barbecue shares the menu with Southern comfort food, Big Al’s is worth keeping on your list.
What Folks Are Saying
Google Review
Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide John Becker shared his experience with Big Al's:
This is the BBQ place Summerton needed! I picked up a BBQ sandwich combo and a Mac and Cheese. The sandwich was made special with the addition of pork skins, adding a crunch and flavor that compliments the mustard based sauce nicely. The pork skins were done to perfection, definitely get it with the skins! The Mac and Cheese was both cheesy and creamy and I could have eaten more than just one portion. If you are traveling 95 on a Friday or Saturday and want a good BBQ stop, I highly recommend this one!
Facebook Review
Over on their Facebook page, Mary Sparshott wrote a mini-novel about their visit to Big Al's:
If you’re near Summerton, SC, and craving southern cooking, this spot just minutes off I-95 is an absolute treasure. It’s takeout-only, but don’t let that fool you—the food here is leagues beyond what you’d expect from a carryout place. It’s like showing up at your childhood home and leaving with a plate of Grandpa’s cooking, made fresh just for you.
We stopped in around 6 p.m. on a Saturday, and while they were out of cornbread, the staff’s warmth and hospitality made up for it. Big Al, the chef, even took a moment to chat with us before heading back to the kitchen—a personal touch that sets this place apart.
The food? Unforgettable. I had the pork sandwich, collards, and mac and cheese, and my husband went for the fried chicken and fries. The pork was tender and flavorful, piled high on the sandwich. The collards stole the show—savory with a hint of smoky sweetness, like a perfect blend of BBQ and southern tradition. The mac and cheese was creamy and indulgent, the kind that makes you close your eyes and savor every bite.
Although the setup is takeout-only, they make it easy with curbside service—a great option if you’re on the move. Portions are generous enough to share, and I still had leftovers for to share with our son when we reach Florida.
Between the home-style cooking, warm service, and unforgettable flavors, this place doesn’t just serve food—it serves up memories. Don’t miss it!
Menu
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant for the most up-to-date information.
Well Made Book, Beautiful Clear Pictures, Accurate Well Written History
Quality of the book. Binding, paper, pictures, those are the things I liked the most. I have read “Black Smoke” and Rodney Scott’s book. The history aspect was in agreement with both authors. The info on sauces was very interesting. Have just started going through the recipes. The information preceding each is very well done.… Read more "Well Made Book, Beautiful Clear Pictures, Accurate Well Written History"
