Many of our customers tell us, “You make us feel like we are part of the family.” That sense of kinship has guided Bluegrass BBQ & Catering from its earliest days—and it’s back in Cowpens as of spring 2025, as always, under the stewardship of the Jordan family.
Bluegrass BBQ began in Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, when a refurbished 1921 boiler became the heart of a hand-built food truck. After cleaning, sanitizing, and mounting that bright-red boiler on a trailer, the Jordan family fired it up to smoke more than 400 pounds of pork each week.
In 2011, the first brick-and-mortar opened in Greer, and in October 2015 a second spot in Cowpens filled up fast as word spread about those scratch-made sauces and sides alongside the slow-smoked meats.
When the Cowpens lease expired, Bluegrass fell mostly silent for a few years, but all along the intent to reopen was strong. Sometimes, it just takes time. Now, with that same family-first philosophy, the restaurant has reopened in Cowpens—ready to keep building community one plate at a time.
Every rack of ribs, butt of pork and chicken thigh is smoked over 100 percent pecan wood, then served with a heavy-tomato sauce made from scratch. On any visit you’ll find:
Bluegrass offers to-go family packs designed to feed 4–6 folks—choose ribs, pulled pork or chicken plus two or three sides from the everyday lineup. Full-service catering remains available for gatherings large and small, bringing that pecan-smoked flavor straight to your event.
If you’re taking an SC BBQ Road Trip along Interstate 85, take Exit 83 and Bluegrass BBQ is about a mile away.
Google Local Guide Susan Graves wrote about a great experience at Bluegrass BBQ in her Google Review:
My sister and I ate at the Bluegrass for the first time today. We are sorry we hadn’t done it sooner.
Best BBQ Pork and ribs we have ever had. Sauces are to die for. You have to try their original Smoked Green Beans.
They also had homemade banana pudding and pecan pie. Sadly we didn’t get the chance to try the desserts because their platters are huge.
Great service! Great food! And a Great family-friendly environment.
In his Yelp Review, world traveler Mark C claims that he has never had better BBQ:
Hands down the best barbecue I’ve had in 25+ years. Trust me, I’ve traveled the world over and I have eaten my share of pork, beef, and chicken.
I met Jordan the owner of Bluegrass BBQ and his son Jesse for the first time today, while in their town on law enforcement matters. This is a down-home small-town America GEM of a place.
I honestly hate to yelp about it as I do not want to fill the place up, so I have to wait next time.
However, as I have a world-class palette and have tried food from all over the world I want people to know when I do come across the best of the best. This barbecue kitchen is one of those.
The best of the best. Well done Jordan!!! As I was leaving, Jordan tempted me with a sample of his banana pudding and I was SOLD, Sold sold!!!
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant for the most up-to-date information.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday | Closed |
Cards and Cash, Heavy Tomato Sauce
This is much more than a book of recipes! It is also filled with BBQ history, anecdotes and mouthwatering photos! I have been a BBQ enthusiast for years, and this book is a must have! I appreciate all of your time, research and effort it took to create this book. You will not be disappointed… Read more “Well worth the wait!”
