Since firing up his first smoker in 1999, owner and pitmaster Wayne Preston has stayed true to a simple mission: serve real wood-smoked BBQ at a fair price. Bucky’s BBQ has grown from a roadside trailer to three permanent locations in the Greenville area — Roper Mountain Road, Donaldson Center, and Fountain Inn — each one a reflection of Preston’s commitment to old-school, South Carolina-style ‘cue.
At Bucky’s, they do things the traditional way. Whole pork butts are slow-smoked over hickory wood for ten to twelve hours daily, never rushed and never gassed. That kind of patience, coupled with a belief in scratch-made sides and generous portions, has helped Bucky’s carve out a loyal following across the Upstate.
Wayne Preston didn’t get into barbecue for the spotlight. A lifelong Greenville native, he built Bucky’s from the ground up with a secondhand smoker, a roadside setup, and a belief in doing things the right way — even if it took longer.
According to the restaurant’s website, “He built his own pit out of a discarded propane tank and used hickory wood to smoke pork shoulders overnight.” That same pit eventually moved into Bucky’s first brick-and-mortar location, and Preston’s hands-on approach to cooking remains at the heart of every plate served today.
Rather than chase trends or cut corners, Preston has stayed focused on offering real BBQ with genuine hospitality. Whether it’s a family dropping by for lunch or a business ordering catering for 100, the goal is the same: “We want to make your day better with a hot plate of BBQ,” he says on Bucky’s website.
Bucky’s menu leans heavily into the South Carolina BBQ tradition, with hickory-smoked pork at the center of nearly everything they do. You’ll find pulled pork sandwiches, classic plates with sides, and hearty combos for those who want a little bit of everything.
Meat options include:
Plates come with your choice of two sides and cornbread or bun, while combo plates let you mix and match meats for a bigger spread. Sandwich baskets offer a faster, more portable option but still include fries and a drink.
Don’t overlook the sides — they’re scratch-made, and favorites include baked beans, slaw, mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potato crunch. Desserts like banana pudding and peach cobbler round out the menu.
Bucky’s also serves a signature mustard-based sauce, staying true to the Midlands-influenced flavor you’ll find even in the Upstate.
Bucky’s catering operation reflects the same approach as their restaurants: straightforward, satisfying, and built to feed a crowd. They offer everything from bulk pick-up to full-service catering with on-site setup and staffing.
Catering packages include meat by the pound, bulk sides, and freshly baked buns or cornbread, with optional desserts and drinks. Whether you’re hosting a backyard reunion or a corporate lunch, Bucky’s caters with the same smoked meats and homemade sides that regulars have come to count on.
(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.)
Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide Dwayne Martin shares that it was a trip not wasted:
Some of the best BBQ ANYWHERE….pulled pork was fresh and delicious. I also loved my green beans and slaw. Drove down from Hendersonville, NC to eat here and it was definitely worth the trip.
The ribs were delicious as well…You definitely get your moneys worth. The portions are generous.
I love the no frills (but cozy) atmosphere. We will be back soon!
PS….their mustard and sweet BBQ sauces are amazing.
Over on Yelp, Ashley T sends everyone Bucky’s way:
I recommend Bucky’s to everyone looking for a bbq place! It’s top tier in both the ribs and pulled pork department.
The ribs are incredible. Great flavor, wonderful texture, absolutely worth the price. The pulled pork is excellent! It’s so tender and flavorful. Everything pulled pork should be! It’s great on a sandwich or by itself. Their sides are delicious also!
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 | |
| Tuesday | |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday | Closed |
100 Mile BBQ, Cards and Cash, Light Tomato Sauce, Mustard Sauce, Vinegar Pepper Sauce
What I liked most about the cookbook is the research and backstories. Even though I grew up on Lexington NC BBQ, you’ve got to get this cookbook as there is much more variety to BBQ in SC, If you can’t decide, this is a labor of love, with a lot of volunteer time and input.… Read more “BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS”
