Music Man’s Bar-B-Que
Home of the Rock and Roll Buffet
“The home of what is quite possibly the finest Bar-B-Que in the South, slow-cooked whole hogs… just the way God intended. Plus, the best catfish stew in the Lowcountry!” as they say on their menu.
Nestled in Moncks Corner, Music Man’s BBQ is a spot where the community comes to feast and feel like family. The restaurant, famed for its slow-cooked whole hogs, offers an all-you-can-eat buffet that truly celebrates Southern comfort food.
Daily specials rotate but consistently delight, ranging from hearty chicken and dumplings to succulent fried catfish served with cheese grits and hush puppies. The weekends bring ribs and their much-loved fried chicken, which, along with their Sunday special of fried pork chops, keeps the local tradition alive and sizzling. This eatery not only serves up delicious meals but also embodies the spirit of South Carolina’s culinary scene.
Owner Gene Cribb said, “We serve whole hog BBQ that is pulled. We also serve ribs, but we do not serve brisket.”
History of Music Man’s BBQ
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Music Man’s BBQ in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, was brought to life by Gene and Esther Cribb. Their journey began unexpectedly when Gene, drawn by a passion for music and community gatherings, proposed the idea of opening a restaurant.
Esther recalls, “Gene came to me one day and said I’d like for you to come look at a building,” marking the start of their venture. This move was a significant shift from their regular jobs, driven by Gene’s dream and his deep roots in music—hence the name, Music Man’s BBQ.
The restaurant not only embraced Southern barbecue traditions but also became a venue for music, echoing Gene’s dual passions. This foundation set the stage for a local eatery deeply intertwined with the cultural and social fabric of Moncks Corner.
Resilience
Music Man’s BBQ’s journey through adversity highlights its remarkable resilience.
In December 2020, a devastating fire tore through the restaurant, threatening its existence and challenging the spirit of its owners and patrons. Despite these trials, Gene and Esther Cribb, along with the support of the Moncks Corner community, rallied to keep their culinary spirit alive.
They operated from a temporary location during the rebuilding process. Esther vividly expressed her gratitude at their grand reopening.
“It’s overwhelming,” she said. “We’re just so glad everybody came out to support us.”
This period not only tested but ultimately reinforced the strength and solidarity of the Music Man’s BBQ family, culminating in their triumphant return to the original site in October 2021. The community’s support was a testament to the restaurant’s place in the heart of Moncks Corner, emblematic of how adversity can forge an even stronger bond between a business and its community.
Remembering Gene Cribb
That resilience would be tested once again. The Moncks Corner community mourned the loss of Gene Cribb, whose passing in July 2023 marked the end of an era for Music Man’s BBQ and the town it serves. Gene, known affectionately as “Mr. Gene,” passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. The news was met with an outpouring of support and condolences, underscoring his profound impact on the community.
Customers and friends reminisced about his ever-present smile and kindness, reflecting on how he and his restaurant had become integral to the local fabric. Gene’s legacy at Music Man’s BBQ continues to inspire and influence the community, a testament to his life and love for Moncks Corner.
What Folks Are Saying
Google Review
Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide Arty Leasure knows the right day of the week to visit Music Man’s:
Totally awesome; homemade, made from scratch, cooked and prepared freshly daily. My favorite day is Thursday because of the fish and hush puppies on the all you can eat buffet and it is always freshly fried and hot. Straight from the fryer.
The cooks, kitchen workers and courteous dining area servers are professional and dedicated to this establishment. The owners must really take care of their employees because they work really hard at making this such a great establishment and family restaurant.
Yelp Review
Over on Yelp, Kathy E from nearby Ladson loves the mom and pop feel and the homemade food at Music Man’s:
I’ve heard so much about this place. I actually had a day where I can go and visit. Little mom and pop places are a rarity anymore around our area. The barbecue joints popping up are over priced and you get a tray of meat with like a side or two.
The hash and rice with some of the best hash I’ve ever had in my life. The homemade yams were ridiculously good. All the food was seasoned to perfection. Including the vegetables. I had cabbage and green beans. The macaroni and cheese was super creamy and cheesy. We went on a Wednesday and they had chicken and dumplings on the bar. I honestly have not stopped thinking about them since. The sweet tea was southern gold.
This place will definitely be in rotation. I don’t think I can say one negative thing about anything I ate from the all you can eat bar. Service was exceptionally friendly and restaurant was super clean. Very homey vibe.
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 Music Man’s Bar-B-Que to be one of the Top 100 BBQ houses in the state.
Here’s an excerpt from their review:
Music Man has music as the name implies but only once a month and then only on “Steak Night,” not on a barbeque night. There is a big mural on the wall that says, “I love beach music” so that is probably a good indication of the music. Steak night is reservations only. There is a large bandstand set up inside so it must be a big deal but, of course, I was there on a Friday so no music for me.
Music Man does two kinds of barbeque, vinegar and pepper and mustard. Given their location that is not unusual at all. A good number of barbeque restaurants in the low country do that since they often times straddle the mustard-vinegar and pepper divide in their area. Of the two my favorite was the mustard and the sauce that they serve on the side complemented the barbeque very well. I didn’t care for the vinegar and pepper quite as much as the mustard but my guess is that vinegar and pepper aficionados will like it. They also have a hot sauce that was hot enough to make it worthwhile. It tasted like a cayenne based hot sauce (which is plenty hot for most spicy barbeque lovers) mixed with black and red peppers and it did pick up the vinegar and pepper barbeque quite nicely.
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
Contact Music Man’s Bar-B-Que
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Hours of Operation
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
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Features
Buffet, Cards and Cash, Hash, Mustard Sauce, Vinegar Pepper Sauce, Whole Hog