What Folks Say about
HARD WORK SHOWS
The purchasing process went very smooth. I’m really enjoying the book. I can tell you put a lot of work into it. Keep up the good work!
Donald Jackson
Wholy Smoke Family Restaurant
This post may contain links from which I earn a commission. Please read my disclosure policy. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Note: Fire recently destroyed the restaurant. Support them in recovery by visiting their food truck which is now set up on site.
Wholy Smoke: The Wood (And Love) Makes It Good
Wholy Smoke Family Restaurant in Mauldin is built on love and flavor.
It was love at first bite for Greenville, SC, entrepreneur Leonard Pitts when he approached James Hester about opening a barbecue restaurant. Pitts – like many of the Upstate area and Greenville BBQ Trail tourists – had already been enticed with the juicy, smoky meats perfected by the Hester family recipe.
The Hesters established Ribs-N-Such catering several years ago, cementing themselves as the place to go in South Carolina for Texas-style BBQ.
In 2015, they rebranded into Wholy Smoke, moving their popular operation into a food truck option. And during the height of the pandemic, the Hester family relied on the love of community and expanded into a restaurant on Butler Road in Mauldin.
(And, of course, South Carolina’s barbecue scene is packed with legendary joints and hidden gems like this one. See more BBQ restaurants in SC to discover where to go next in the state or near you in Mauldin or Greenville.)
Wood-Cooked
In a world full of food trucks and barbecue restaurants, what makes them stand out?
According to Hester, co-owner and chef of Wholy Smoke, the carefully selected wood strains make the difference. It’s a technique passed down by generations of the Hester family in Pittsburg, Texas.
Hester’s grandfather passed on his love of cooking to his father who was an expert smoker. His father then passed on that love of cooking to him.
IT’S DA WOOD THAT MAKES IT GOOD!
“We are cooking on several reverse flow, custom-built smokers, using hickory, red oak and pecan,” James shared.
Now, James works his magic daily, satiating the appetite of hungry customers, near and far. “We absolutely love what we do and you’ll be able to taste it here at Wholy Smoke,” Hester said this Bite Squad feature.
Meat and More
You’ll get your typical barbecue meats that range from pulled pork to tender chicken and brisket to sausage and seafood. Fried lobster tails remains one of their most popular dishes.
And of course, no meal is complete without Southern sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, and potato salad. Standouts include their spicy pinto beans, a kale/cucumber/tomato salad, and desserts like sweet potato crunch and candied yams.
One online review suggested trying the green apple lemonade and another recommended these jumbo options: the turkey leg and “the barrel,” a jumbo-sized, stuffed baked potato.
What Wholy Smoke fans agree on the most is to always order extra barbecue sauce; the added layer of flavor takes your meal to top-level status. There is an array of savory sauces to select from including Original, Spicy, Moonshine, Sweet Heat Mango, Texas Gold, Teriyaki, and Garlic Parmesan.
“Food for me is just not spices and nutrients and enjoying it. There is a lot of love in it and that’s what we try to project … the love of food, the love of fellowship, the love of family and friends, and the love of understanding,” Hester says.
Vegan Options
The Hester family understands the importance of diverse diets and offers vegetarian and vegan options to its customer base, like their smoked jackfruit and vegan wings. Wholy Smoke also offers sides without meat or meat byproducts, including collards and beans without pork.
Greenville BBQ Trail Tour • Black-owned • Vegan-friendly • Food truck option • Catering • Accepts Cash and most major credit/debit cards
Read what others are saying.
What Folks are Saying about Wholy Smoke
Google Review
Among the many Google Reviews, Local Guide Shenita Sanders had a religious experience at Wholy Smoke Family Restaurant:
Today I met Tha Lord’s personal Pit Master. James, Marquita, and crew served up a delicious taste of heaven.
The brisket, pulled pork, and chicken wings tantalized my tastebuds. And you will NOT be disappointed with the delicious sides, sauces, and desserts.
Thank you Wholy Smoke for the amazing customer service and dining experience. I highly recommend everyone experience this local treasure.
I will be back often.
Yelp Review
Over on Yelp, former Texan Brad S found a taste of home at Wholy Smoke Family Restaurant:
We are from Texas and have a summer place in NC. The Bar B Que in this area is nothing like we were raised on.
There is no pulled pork in cattle country so we are always looking for a good smoked brisket.
We were delighted to talk with the owner to find that they are from TX and know how to smoke a perfect brisket. Pink lean center, darker smoke ring edge and crusty outside – awesome taste of home.
Lots of sauces for every taste and the Mac and cheese is delicious too. Can’t wait to go back and try their other offerings.
Menu for Wholy Smoke
Note: Menu prices and options are subject to change over time. Contact the restaurant for the most up-to-date information.
Looking for barbecue near I-85? Wholy Smoke is less than 4 miles from Exit 48. Drop in for some of the best Texas-style BBQ in the Upstate of South Carolina.
Gifts for Your Favorite Pitmaster
(even if that's you!)
On
Etsy
Shirts, hats, & more designed exclusively by Destination BBQ.
Location, Hours, Contact Info, and More
Map
Directions
Contact Wholy Smoke Family Restaurant
447 W Butler Rd
Mauldin, SC 29662
Mauldin, SC 29662
Hours of Operation
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday | |
| Saturday | |
| Sunday |
Review Sites
Features
Cards and Cash, Heavy Tomato Sauce, Mustard Sauce, True 'Cue Certified
