For generations, Maurice’s Piggie Park has been serving up pit-smoked barbecue steeped in South Carolina tradition. With roots dating back to the 1950s, Maurice’s helped define the Midlands’ signature mustard-based style—what many consider the gold standard of SC barbecue. Today, the family-run business continues to carry the torch, focusing on time-honored recipes, old-school techniques, and a dedication to flavor that keeps folks coming back.
At the heart of Maurice’s operation is its commitment to true pit-cooked barbecue. The meat is smoked long and slow over hardwood coals in open pits, a method they’ve stuck with for decades because it simply produces better results. According to the team at Piggie Park, “pit-smoked BBQ gets its deep flavor from the natural smoke of real wood embers”—a distinction they believe separates the authentic from the average.
The result? Pulled pork that’s tender and richly smoky, kissed with that unmistakable flavor you only get from coals and time. Maurice’s also offers ribs, brisket, chicken, turkey, and a host of Southern sides, many of them made from scratch daily.
If there’s one thing that sets Maurice’s apart, it’s the sauce. Their tangy mustard-based “Southern Gold” sauce has become synonymous with Midlands BBQ. It’s the foundation of the restaurant’s flavor profile—used on pork, chicken, and even as a dip for fries. Over the years, they’ve added variations like Spicy, Honey, Hickory Red, and Original Red, but it’s the mustard that remains the soul of the brand.
As Maurice’s explains in their sauce history, “This unique flavor was inspired by the German heritage of South Carolina’s early settlers, who used mustard in many of their traditional dishes.” That heritage lives on in every bottle, many of which are now available in stores across the country.
Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch or feeding a whole family, Maurice’s menu offers something for every appetite. Barbecue purists will find plenty to love in the pulled pork plates, slow-smoked brisket, and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Smoked turkey and BBQ chicken round out the meat options, each served with your choice of classic Southern sides.
Among those sides: hash and rice—a South Carolina staple—plus baked mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, fried okra, BBQ beans, slaw, collard greens, and more.
The kids’ menu keeps things simple with smaller portions of favorites like chicken tenders or pulled pork sliders. And for those feeding a group, Maurice’s Party Package bundle together generous portions of meats, sides, and buns, ready to serve. Save room for dessert: banana pudding, pecan pie, and seasonal treats finish things off with a sweet Southern note.
Decades after firing up their first pit, Maurice’s Piggie Park remains firmly rooted in South Carolina’s BBQ tradition. Their steadfast dedication to hardwood-smoked meats, scratch-made sides, and that unmistakable mustard-based sauce keeps generations of fans coming back. Whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through, Maurice’s delivers a true taste of the Midlands—one plate at a time.
(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 Columbia.)
Find more videos on their YouTube and TikTok channels.
Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide Suzi Jackson is a NC native who was eager to try Maurice’s mustard-based ‘sue:
Wow. I am from Raleigh NC and we do BBQ vinegar based style. So I wanted to try SC BBQ. This place was the best to do it.
I had never heard of mustard based BBQ before! This BBQ was amazing. I had never heard of SC Hash before either…it is the BBQ ground with potatoes, onions peppers. They put on top of rice. It was delicious!!!! All of it was FANTASTIC. Everything came out fast,hot and delicious.
And the atmosphere simply amazing. I love the cabin!! The kid behind the counter taking our order was so friendly and also made us chuckle a few times. The whole staff seemed helpful and kind…….this is a hidden gem of a place in Columbia SC!!! I will be back. I saw a sign on the outside under new management. Not sure the history beforehand but who ever is running it now is doing a great job. OH AND LOVE THE 80s MUSIC!
Over on Yelp, Columbia-native Zawadski A. impressed relatives with Maurice’s BBQ:
We LOVE this place! The inside is classic, we appreciate the timeless cabin feel. This meal was for our family visiting from out of town, and they were impressed! Pulled pork melts in your mouth and the mustard sauce was a big hit! Our nephew said it was the best Mac n cheese he ever had, looked and tasted homemade! We even went back later that day for another drive-thru run and stocked up for the next day’s lunch! I hope they never close this place
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 Maurice’s Piggie Park to be 100-Mile BBQ, their highest rating.
Here’s an excerpt from their review:
Maurice’s is true 100 mile barbeque and it’s conveniently located so that everyone in the central part of the state can easily stop by and fill up. And since they operate seven days a week they can do so whenever they desire. So, for over 50 years people have come to just expect that succulent, slow cooked-over-coals, top quality barbeque to always be there and easily obtainable.
Read their full review.
Maurice’s restaurants can be found at these locations:
Columbia
West Columbia
Lexington
Irmo
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant for the most up-to-date information.
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Seeing the various recipes from different regions of SC is what I liked most about the cookbook. Looking forward to trying them out. It’s a small investment to pay to learn about various BBQ within our state, or a great way to try SC BBQ without having to actually go there. So much information on… Read more “SO MUCH INFORMATION”