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Maple’s is a challenge to find. There is no sign out front and the building sits off the road behind a family member’s house. On first glance, you’d think it was a detached garage, but that humble home has been dishing out classic Pee Dee style barbecue for decades!
Maples has been in business for a couple of generations and while it may not appear to even be a restaurant on first glance, our experience is that some of the best BBQ comes from places like Maple’s. Places that are carried by history and tradition always hide the tastiest treasure on the inside.
Photo by Wilton Stribling
Speaking of history, you’ll find the following hanging on the wall inside:
Photo by Wilton Stribling
The memorial photo reads as follows:
The late Isaiah (Nick) Maple was born March 17, 1917, and departed this life on January 19th, 1984. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. March Maple. He was united in Holy Wedlock to the former Miss Ellen Bracey. To this happy union, they were blessed with ten children. A son and daugther preceded him in death. He has large host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. The late Isaiah (Nick) Maple was a renowed barbecue cook in Sumter County from 1947 until his death. He was loved by many, not only for his famous barbecue but also for the many kind deeds shown to family, friends, and even strangers.
You can smell that history right when you drive up to Maple’s. It’s the smell of smoke that lets you know you’re in for a True Cue experience. Wood-cooked pork barbecue the way Nick Maple first cooked it generations ago.
Photo by Wilton Stribling
What Folks Are Saying
Google Review
Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide David Macias says to watch out for the kick:
No exaggeration. Best barbeque I’ve ever had. The pork itself is great but their sauce ??? I buy a little extra to use on various other meals. It’s a strong vinegar based sauce with a spicy kick, not a hint but a kick.
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SCBA Review
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 Maple’s one of the Top 100 BBQ joints in the state.
Here’s an excerpt from their review:
The barbeque is the kind of Pee Dee barbeque that one expects once you cross the Wateree River and move east; that is, it has a red sauce that is vinegar and pepper with tomato and spices. I have a hard time deciding if I like it better with or without sauce. Both are special.
The one thing to prepare for, however, is smoke. Maple’s smokes their barbeque more than any place I’ve ever eaten. If you like it smoky, and many do, then you should make the trek to Maple’s and give it a try.
As a former SC resident, the thing I liked most was the hash recipes. As unique as hash is to SC, I’ve been amazed that hardly any SC recipe books have a hash recipe. Then it’s the regional BBQ and hash along with the stories about different families/cooks, etc If you’re really a fan, this… Read more “THIS IS A MUST HAVE!”