South Carolina doesn’t just do barbecue, it practically wrote the rulebook on how to turn humble cuts of meat into fall-off-the-bone masterpieces and sauces so tangy they’ll make your taste buds dance a two-step.
From mustard-based gold to vinegar-pepper perfection, the Palmetto State has transformed smoked meat into a full-blown cultural treasure, one locals defend with the kind of passion usually reserved for college football rivalries.
Whether you’re a born-and-bred South Carolinian or a hungry traveler passing through, these BBQ chains have more than earned their place on every food lover’s must-visit list…