Holt Bros BBQ in Hartsville

Barbecue With Room for Seconds

At Holt Bros. BBQ in Hartsville, barbecue is only the beginning of the plate.

Start with pork, ribs, brisket, or smoked sausage, then make room for fried chicken, fish, hush puppies, vegetables, and the rest of a broad Southern buffet. It is the kind of place where choosing a side can become the hardest decision of the meal.

Holt Bros. calls Hartsville its third location, but this restaurant has a character of its own. While the family’s Florence and Darlington restaurants are known for smoked meats and house sauces, Hartsville builds its identity around an all-you-can-eat buffet and salad bar that turns a barbecue stop into a full Southern spread.

Holt Bros. Comes to Hartsville

The Hartsville restaurant shares roots with the Holt Bros. locations in Florence and Darlington, part of a Holt family restaurant tradition that reaches back decades.

But Hartsville has its own personality. Rather than simply duplicating the fast-casual format of its sister restaurants, this location makes the buffet part of the draw, giving diners a broader Southern meal alongside the barbecue.

Barbecue at the Center of the Buffet

Barbecue pork is a natural place to begin, but the buffet often reaches well beyond it.

Holt Bros. BBQ Hartsville has promoted buffet spreads featuring ribs, fried chicken, fish, hot links, jalapeño-cheese smoked sausage, pork chops, chicken-fried steak, hush puppies, vegetables, and salad-bar fixings.

That kind of lineup makes this an easy stop for a table with mixed appetites. One person can build a barbecue plate around pork and ribs, while someone else can lean into fried chicken, fish, vegetables, and sides.

Buffet selections can change, of course, but variety is plainly part of the Hartsville approach.

Pit Meats Beyond the Buffet

The restaurant’s broader menu gives diners another way into the Holt Bros. kitchen.

Pulled pork, half chicken, ribs, smoked sausage, and brisket all have a place on the menu. Holt Bros. prepares its prime brisket with house spices before wood-firing it low and slow, then serves it chopped or sliced.

The smoked meats also show up in other forms. Brisket and pulled pork become tacos, sandwiches, and loaded tot bowls, while the Holt Boys American burger stacks brisket, barbecue, sausage, and an onion ring on a beef patty.

The Grace & Willie Bowl takes another turn entirely, combining tots, mac and cheese, queso, and a choice of pulled pork, brisket, or Cajun-style chicken.

House Sauces for Different Kinds of Barbecue

Like the Holt Bros. locations in Florence and Darlington, the Hartsville restaurant carries the family’s house-made sauce lineup.

That means diners can work through South Carolina’s familiar barbecue directions, including heavy tomato, lighter tomato, mustard, and vinegar-pepper styles. It is a useful spread for anyone who wants to settle on a favorite sauce, or change course from one bite to the next.

Southern Sides Carry Their Weight

The side dishes do more than fill out a plate here.

Mac and cheese, baked beans, slaw, green beans, fried okra, fried corn, sweet potato soufflé, fries, tots, onion rings, and hush puppies all give the meal a solid Southern foundation.

Dessert can be equally straightforward and satisfying, with Nana Puddin’ among the familiar Holt Bros. options. As with the buffet, individual sides and desserts may vary with availability.

Hartsville’s Take on Holt Bros. BBQ

Holt Bros. BBQ in Hartsville puts the family’s smoked meats and house sauces alongside a broad Southern buffet. It is a good fit for barbecue fans, families, and anyone who wants more than one kind of plate.

It hits the spot for those who want pork, ribs, brisket, and sauce, but it also works for families and groups who would rather have a full Southern spread in front of them. Around here, that is often the difference between a quick barbecue stop and a meal that lingers a little longer.

What Folks Are Saying

Google Review

Among the many Google Reviews, regular visitor Louis G has found a favorite:

The food is always delicious! I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve tried. My favorite thing to get is the Grace and Willie bowl with pulled pork. It’s delicious! The service is outstanding! The staff are always so eager to please the customers. My favorite spot in town!

Yelp Review

Over on Yelp, Hartsville area resident Bailey J shared her first experience with Holt Bros:

This was my first time trying Holt Bros in Hartsville, and it did not let me down. The young lady at the register was very kind and welcoming. Everyone was very attentive, which I loved. After getting home and trying everything, it all hit the spot and was exactly what I wanted.

The bbq wasn't dry and had great flavor on its own (although I can't resist adding more sauce). I wasn't sure why my coleslaw had yellow hue but soon realized it was an ingredient and a great addition at that. You couldn't taste mustard but it gave the slaw a nice tang. The mac and cheese also had great flavor. Perfectly cheesy and you can tell there was more seasoning than just cheese, which was appreciated. Can't go wrong with the hush puppies either. I'll definitely be back and so happy to have it in my town!

Sample Menu

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

Location, Hours, Contact Info, and More

Map

Directions

Get Google Map directions

Hours of Operation