Just a stone’s throw from downtown Columbia, the Maurice’s Piggie Park on Elmwood Avenue has long been a go-to stop for those who appreciate the slow craft of real South Carolina barbecue. Whether you’re swinging by on your lunch break or picking up supper for the family, this location offers the same pit-smoked flavor and mustard-forward style that’s been part of Midlands tradition for decades.
It’s not just about the food—it’s about the experience. From the smell of hardwood smoked BBQ to the generous portions of pulled pork and hash, everything at Maurice’s Elmwood outpost speaks to a way of cooking that doesn’t rush and doesn’t cut corners. This is barbecue the way it’s supposed to be—seasoned with history, cooked over coals, and served with pride.
At Maurice’s, the smoke still comes from hardwood embers, not shortcuts. Open pits and patient cooking define the process, allowing pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken to absorb the full character of the fire. It’s a craft that goes back generations and one they’re proud to maintain.
As the restaurant puts it, “pit-smoked BBQ gets its deep flavor from the natural smoke of real wood embers.” That old-school method is what gives Maurice’s barbecue its bold, authentic flavor—meat that’s tender, smoky, and unmistakably South Carolinian.
(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.)
If you know Midlands BBQ, you know Maurice’s Southern Gold sauce. This mustard-based blend, tangy and rich, remains at the core of everything they do. Slathered over pulled pork or served on the side for dipping, it’s a sauce with history—and loyal fans across the region.
The family recipe dates back decades and was shaped by the German heritage of early South Carolina settlers. Today, the lineup includes other varieties like Honey, Spicy, Hickory Red, and Original Red, but the gold standard remains the mustard.
The Elmwood Avenue location serves a full selection of barbecue favorites. Customers can choose from pulled pork, smoked turkey, ribs, brisket, and BBQ chicken, available as sandwiches, combo plates, or party packages.
Each comes with your choice of sides—think hash and rice, mac and cheese, fried okra, collards, BBQ beans, and slaw, just to name a few.
Sandwiches are stacked on bunst, and there are lighter options like garden salads topped with smoked meats. Kid-friendly meals and generous party packages make this a reliable stop for busy nights or casual gatherings.
Sweet endings come in the form of banana pudding, pecan pie, and rotating desserts that round out the meal with a Southern touch.
Maurice’s Piggie Park on Elmwood Avenue offers a consistent taste of South Carolina’s BBQ heritage. With its dedication to pit-smoked meats, handcrafted sauces, and downhome sides, this location continues to do what Maurice’s has always done best: serve up time-tested barbecue with flavor that never goes out of style.
Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide Eric Stevens has long been a fan of Maurice’s Elmwood location:
Probably my favorite location as it is designed with a log cabin motif with fireplace, and on certain times at dinner you can get your food in great time. Lunch is super busy. But this is a quiet neighborhood towards late afternoon and the rush hour traffic has moved on. You have to understand the Carolina mustard and vinegar BBQ recipe, it is tangy. My parents were at first skeptical but greatly enjoyed it, and every time they visited me in St. Andrews we went to went to this Elmwood location. I always ordered the Little Pig (#2) Great hush puppies too.
Over on Yelp, Joseph L, a regular visitor from the Golden State, always stops in for Marurice’s Southern Gold:
I love local barbecue places and Maurice’s is a great Columbia area regional chain. Maurice’s has a cozy atmosphere – not a lot of seating, but a nice cabin feel. Service has always been super friendly every time I’ve visited (20+ times), and they always get the food out quickly.
Now to the food – Maurice’s pulled pork is fantastic, with a great smoked flavor permeating the meat. I’m also a big fan of their mustard based sauce (I always keep some on hand at home as well). Sides and desserts are always delicious as well, embodying traditional Southern cuisine.
I always make it a point to visit Maurice’s if I’m near Columbia.
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.
Find more videos on their YouTube and TikTok channels.
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant for the most up-to-date information.
Maurice’s restaurants can be found at these locations:
Columbia
West Columbia
Lexington
Irmo
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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”
SC's most flavorful secrets revealed: 2025 SC BBQ Survey results are in!
