Blu Smoke Pit

Johns Island BBQ Dream Realized

“I always wanted to do a barbecue restaurant on Johns Island and I made the decision to make it happen,” Rick Agius told the Post and Courier.

That decision became Blu Smoke Pit, where brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and other pit-smoked meats anchor the menu while fresh oysters remain a nod to the restaurant’s coastal roots.

Drawing on Agius’ years as owner of Smoky Oak Taproom and the experience of longtime pitmaster Lucas Harrell, Blu Smoke Pit blends traditional barbecue with Lowcountry character in a way that’s uncommon around Charleston.

Smoky Oak Legacy Lives On

Before Blu Smoke Pit, Rick and Jennifer Agius built a loyal following at Smoky Oak Taproom on James Island. When the opportunity came to reshape their Johns Island restaurant, Agius returned to the style of cooking he had wanted to bring back.

According to the Post and Courier, Agius recruited pitmaster Lucas Harrell, who spent more than a decade at Smoky Oak Taproom, to oversee the restaurant’s pair of commercial smokers. That experience carries through the menu, where traditional barbecue remains the foundation.

Inside, the décor reflects the change in direction as well. Vintage automotive memorabilia, oversized gas station signs, and a welcoming dining room replace the former seafood theme, creating a space that feels every bit like a modern smokehouse.

Barbecue Leads Menu

Blu Smoke Pit builds its menu around a wide selection of pit-smoked meats.

Guests can order plates featuring brisket, chopped brisket, pulled pork, ribs, beef cheeks, turkey breast, house sausage, or half chicken. Each barbecue plate is served with two sides, bread, pickles, and pickled onions.

While many restaurants focus on one or two signature meats, Blu Smoke Pit offers enough variety that first-time visitors can return several times before trying everything coming off the pit.

Smoke Beyond Traditional Plates

The smokehouse influence extends well beyond the barbecue plates.

Smoked meats appear throughout the menu in dishes like the Brisket Philly, Blu Smoke Cuban, pulled pork sandwich, smoked turkey club, and smoked burger. Starters include brisket stuffed jalapeños, BBQ nachos, pork belly bites, smoked wings, and fried chicken livers.

Families and larger groups can also choose from shareable platters built around the restaurant’s smoked meats, making Blu Smoke Pit an easy choice for gatherings as well as everyday meals.

Oysters Share Spotlight

Although barbecue is now the restaurant’s focus, Blu Smoke Pit has not completely left its coastal roots behind.

Fresh East Coast oysters remain available raw, chargrilled, or Rockefeller-style, giving diners the option to pair smoked brisket or pulled pork with one of the Lowcountry’s favorite traditions. The combination is uncommon among South Carolina barbecue restaurants and gives Blu Smoke Pit an identity all its own.

South Carolina Sides Worth Saving Room For

The side dishes balance familiar barbecue favorites with regional flavor.

Mac and cheese, collard greens, potato salad, sweet slaw, cucumber salad, Brussels sprouts, fries, and sweet potato fries all make appearances alongside brisket and beans.

For SC barbecue fans, the rice and hash is especially worth noting, adding a distinctly local touch to the menu.

Neighborhood Gathering Place

Blu Smoke Pit is designed as much for gathering as it is for eating.

Indoor and outdoor seating, multiple bars, a covered patio, numerous televisions, and an arcade area for kids make it easy to settle in with family and friends. Catering and private events are also available for those looking to bring the restaurant’s barbecue to a larger crowd.

Whether you’re stopping in for a plate of brisket, a rack of ribs, smoked wings during the big game, or oysters with friends, Blu Smoke Pit offers a fresh take on the neighborhood barbecue restaurant, one rooted in proven pit-smoking experience while embracing the character of Johns Island.

What Folks Are Saying

Google Review

Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide kwhite013 found the spot:

This has quickly become my favorite spot for BBQ and Oysters. The staff is so polite and attentive. The smoked wings are some of the best in town with a side of house made bleu cheese. Julian is a great bartender and always makes the experience so much better. The music hits just the right vibe. I was so glad to be able to watch the Olympics on their 12+ TV’s. I can’t wait to come back!

Yelp Review

Over on Yelp, Charleston-area local Cheryl G sampled lots of the meats and sauces and enjoyed them all:

DOUBLE DELISH!! Service was great. Everything was sooo good.

It is hard to pick a favorite of THE MEATS!! But my favorite was the BEEF CHECKS followed by the Brisket, Pork, then Turkey and Chicken. The sauces really surprised me. I don't usually care for Vinegar based sauces, but it was good by itself and also combined with the mustard sauce. Glad they take Walk ins!!

Sample Menu

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

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