Tucked just off North Main Street, Bucky’s BBQ in Fountain Inn brings old-school, wood-smoked barbecue to this growing corner of the Upstate. It’s one of three Bucky’s locations, each grounded in the same principles that pitmaster Wayne Preston has followed since day one: real smoke, generous portions, and Southern hospitality.
Opened to better serve the communities south of Greenville, the Fountain Inn outpost keeps to the same time-tested recipes and slow-cooked methods that made Bucky’s a household name in the area. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or feeding a crowd with a bulk order, this location offers a familiar, no-frills BBQ experience that locals rely on.
When Wayne Preston built his first smoker from a discarded propane tank, he wasn’t dreaming of a barbecue empire — he just wanted to feed folks good food done right. That same spirit guides everything at the Fountain Inn location, where hickory-smoked pork butts go on the pit overnight and are served up the next day with cornbread and homemade sides.
As the Bucky’s website explains, “He believed people would come back if the food was good, the price was fair, and the service made you feel like family.” That mindset continues to define each of Bucky’s locations, including this neighborhood spot in Fountain Inn.
You’ll find other locations on Roper Mountain Rd. and near the Donaldson Center.
(Of course, South Carolina’s barbecue scene is packed with legendary joints and hidden gems. See more BBQ restaurants in SC to discover where to go next in the state or find other great BBQ joints around Greenville.)
At Bucky’s Fountain Inn, the menu delivers all the smoked classics folks have come to expect. Hickory-smoked pork anchors the lineup, available in sandwich baskets or full plates with sides and bread. Other meat options include smoked chicken, smoked sausage, and tender ribs. On select days or while it lasts, sliced brisket makes an appearance, adding another option for those who want to branch out.
Plates come with a choice of two sides — and these aren’t afterthoughts. Bucky’s prides itself on homemade sides like baked beans, mac and cheese, collards, sweet potato crunch, and banana pudding. Everything is prepared fresh, with the kind of downhome flavor that keeps regulars coming back.
The house mustard-based sauce pays homage to South Carolina’s barbecue roots, with other sauces on hand if you prefer a different kick.
Fountain Inn may be smaller than its Greenville neighbors, but this Bucky’s location is fully equipped to handle everything from weekday lunches to weekend family gatherings. Their catering menu offers meats by the pound, bulk sides, buns or cornbread, and extras like sweet tea and dessert. It’s a go-to option for tailgates, church suppers, and office lunches alike.
Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide Tichard Chapman fell in love at Bucky’s BBQ:
Love love love this place. The staff is super friendly and the food is to slap someone for. The ribs are awesome, sauce is optional as the ribs stand very well all alone. All of the sides were great too but the sweet potato crunch… but the sweet potato crunch… but the sweet potato crunch though… but the sweet potato crunch though… you gotta try it.
Needless to say we WILL be coming back here for some more awesome BBQ. BUT THE SWEET POTATO CRUNCH THOUGH…
Over on Yelp, Bruce S has sampled BBQ far and wide and found few who match Bucky’s BBQ:
I have had BBQ pork all over the US and I have found that most BBQ joints’ pulled pork is usually dry and missing on flavor and then depend on their sauces to “hide” their flavor and moistness. I found this issue to repeat itself in some highly-rated BBQ establishments around the US. I am happy to report that this is not true for Bucky’s! I dropped by from out of town before the lunch rush and found their pulled pork to be flavorful and very moist – without the sauce! Great place and very quick and efficient service! Great job guys!
Yeah, ok…sure. You can pull positive reviews from a website, but what do they know about BBQ? What about the folks who train the judges for BBQ competitions in South Carolina? What do they think?
The SC BBQ Association deems Bucky’s to be 100-Mile BBQ, barbecue worth driving 100-miles for.
Here’s an excerpt from their review:
The barbeque is very good, smoked for many hours over wood and it comes off very tender and juicy. I’ve watched them prepare it, trimming off any extra fat, and while watching those wonderful juices flow on the cutting board I could hardly keep myself from reaching over and snagging a piece as they were fixing it. This barbeque is, by any standard, a barbeque that one will drive out of their way to get.
The ribs, on the other hand, are even better than that; they are some of the best in the state.
Read their full review.
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 |
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| Sunday | Closed |
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