Big T’s Bar-B-Que on Congaree

If you’re looking for true SC BBQ at its finest, look no further than Big T’s Bar-B-Que. Larry or “Teddy” “Big T” Brown has served barbecue to the Columbia area for over 30 years.

What makes Big T’s authentic SC BBQ?

First, Big T’s cooks BBQ the right way. They cook pork shoulders using wood embers burned down from hardwoods in a burn barrel.

“Travis [Big T’s son] slow-smokes hog shoulders over hot coals in low metal pits. He burns down piles of wood to coals in a large, warped burn box behind the smokehouse and then shoveled into the pits.

“Once the pork is done, they pull and mix it with a sweet, tangy mustard-based sauce characteristic of the area. Departing from typical old-school barbecue menus, there is also fried fish, fried chicken, burgers, and pork chops. But, as is the case across SC, there is also barbecue hash,” writes Robert Donovan in Eater.

Second, as you have read, Big T’s BBQ is served with a great mustard sauce, a true SC original recipe.

Third, Big T’s BBQ  offers hash, yet another SC original. For those not from here, people sometimes described SC BBQ hash as “pork gravy.” It is a thick, meaty stew that often sits atop a bed of rice. Big T’s offers a classic SC hash recipe made of pork and offal. (Find out all you ever wanted to know about SC BBQ hash here.)

If you want an authentic SC BBQ experience, Big T’s Bar-B-Que has it all: wood-cooked pork, mustard sauce, and SC BBQ hash.

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1st stop on our Carolinas Barbecue Tour! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is a 1/2 pound of ribs and a full pound of “Chopped BBQ” from Big T’s Bar-B-Que in South Carolina. This place was awesome. The vibe was authentic, the service made you feel at home, and the food was on point. This place is authentic Central South Carolina style with offerings like cracklins, pigs feet, and BBQ hash over Carolina Gold rice. Sides were traditional greens, cole slaw, mac and cheese, and cornbread. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In the Carolinas, “BBQ” is synonymous with pulled pork. Menus offer “BBQ Plates” which you should know to be pulled pork. There is no brisket, no beef ribs, and no sausage. Sometimes you will find menu additions like barbequed chicken, fried chicken, or pork ribs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ South Carolina is known for its mustard sauce. In the mid 1700s, the British paid German settlers to colonize central South Carolina. The German influence in the area was responsible for the development of South Carolina’s unique mustard-based barbecue sauce which is tangy and sweet. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #bbq #barbecue #barbeque #meat #smoked #smokedmeat #pork #pulledpork #southcarolina #visitsouthcarolina #eatmeat #meateater #carnivore #carnivores #keto #ketodiet #carnivorediet #carnivorelife #carnivoreketo #ketocarnivore #worldcarnivoretribe #completenutrition #meatheals #ribs #spareribs #bbqribs #yes2meat #meats #bbqpork #bbqporkribs

A post shared by Dylan & Andrea (@carnivoresq) on Apr 13, 2019 at 4:09pm PDT

Big T’s Bar-B-Que Video Feature

Get to know more about Big T’s and see them in action in this video feature by SCETV hosted by Dr. Dick Pillsbury. Wait until you see how they cook their pork shoulders. True SC BBQ.

What are Folks Saying about Big T’s Bar-B-Que?

In his Google review, Rom Webster writes that Big T’s is among the best BBQ joints in SC:

Doesn’t get much better than this! They cook over hickory almost everyday of the week and “import” their Q to the two Columbia restaurants. But why do when you can go to the “mother ship” in Gadsden and get it fresh off the smoker! Best of all, you’ll meet Bit T too! And don’t forget to pick up a bottle of Mr. T’s Original Sauce in leading grocery store chains in SC! One of the best BarBQ restaurants in the Palmetto State!!!

Over on Yelp, Jane M calls Big T’s a “must stop” location:

Read their review here.

MENU

Menu for Big T’s Bar-B-Que on Congaree

Note: Menu prices and options subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant for the most up to date information.

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Menu 2 for Big T’s Bar-B-Que on Congaree

Menu for Big T’s Bar-B-Que on Congaree