Southbound Smokehouse in Aiken

Spirit of Southbound in Downtown Aiken

Southbound Smokehouse has brought its signature blend of Southern flavor and laid-back atmosphere to The Alley in downtown Aiken.

Already a hit with locals and visitors at its North Augusta location, this Aiken outpost offers a new setting with the same focus on good food, cold drinks, and community connection. Set in a historic brick building once home to other beloved eateries, the Aiken location is uniquely positioned in the heart of town—making it a natural gathering place for everything from casual meals to lively nights out.

Southern BBQ Meets Cantina Vibes

True to the brand’s roots, Southbound Smokehouse in Aiken offers a wide-ranging menu that blends classic Southern barbecue with fun, approachable twists. Pulled pork and smoked chicken are staples, served as trays, tacos, bowls, and sandwiches. You’ll also find slow-smoked wings, fried chicken tenders, and house-made pimento cheese—with jalapeños for a kick.

Signature items like the “Crummy” (a comforting bowl of pulled pork and hash over rice) and the “Smokehouse Burger” topped with pimento cheese, bacon, and Sweet Jane sauce speak to the restaurant’s knack for combining bold flavors with a sense of fun. And in keeping with South Carolina tradition, hash and rice appears both as a main feature and as a side.

Plenty to Choose From

Beyond the barbecue, Southbound serves a mix of crowd-pleasing dishes that cater to a wide range of tastes. Options include:

• Munchies like pork rinds, pickle fries, nachos, and chicken salad
• Tacos and quesadillas with your choice of pork, chicken, or shrimp
• Hearty bowls like the Burrito Bowl, Bubba Gump (shrimp and grits), and Stoned Grit (topped with pimento cheese and bacon)
• Sandwiches with creative touches, like The Pimento Cheese Incident or The Firehouse
• Salads and sides that go beyond the basics, including collard greens, cajun slaw, Fleetwood Mac and Cheese, and of course, hash and rice

There’s also a kids’ menu for the little ones, complete with a treat and a choice of sides.

Good Food, Good Times

While the food is the main draw, Southbound Smokehouse is also about atmosphere. The Aiken location continues the tradition of offering live music and a fun, welcoming vibe where locals and visitors alike can kick back and stay awhile.

Whether you’re stopping in for a casual dinner, meeting friends for drinks, or just passing through The Alley, Southbound Smokehouse in Aiken is the kind of place that keeps people coming back.

(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 near you in Aiken.)

What Folks are Saying

Google Review

Among the many Google Reviews, Kevin Trotman appreciates the food, staff, and flavor of Southbound Smokehouse in Aiken:

We had dinner on a Thursday evening and were seated immediately. Our server was Jade. We really appreciated her attention to detail and how nice she was. We’re going to ask for her the next time we stop in.

The food was very good, especially the smoked wings with the house made ranch dressing. We didn’t know what to expect with the “Famous” wing flavor, but Jade explained that’s what made Southbound famous, so we had to go with it. We were not disappointed at all. It was a wonderful choice and we’ll order those again! Thanks for making our evening great!

Yelp Review

Over on Yelp, Jeremy H enjoyed the overall experience at Southbound Smokehouse in Aiken:

We walked over to this restaurant after the Christmas tree lighting at the end of The Alley. This was our first time here and we were extremely impressed. There is a lot of indoor and outdoor seating available. There is great music decor everywhere and the staff is great.

We decided to sit at the bar and it was busy. The bartenders were awesome and we churning out so many great looking drinks. We tried the New Girl in Town, which is recommended.

We got wings and that dry rub was so good. The wings were Smokey and a little sweet. We also shared ribs with Mac and cheese and greens. Those ribs were smoked to perfection. There was only a little sauce on the ribs; however, three sauce options were bottled on every table.

This will definitely be a regular spot for me. After we ate, we walked to get icecream at Flannigans. However, we returned for karaoke. I have to say that this was one of the best karaoke experiences I’ve ever had. The KJ was amazing. The crowd was a lot of fun. There were some great singers and song choices. This place is absolutely great.

Menu for Southbound Smokehouse in Aiken

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

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Hours of Operation

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	4:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Thursday	4:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday	11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday	11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday	11:30 AM - 4:00 PM