12 South Carolina BBQ Buffets That Prove Mustard Sauce Is Always Worth A Second Helping
South Carolina’s barbecue has a secret that can’t be bottled anywhere else: mustard sauce. That golden blend of tang and spice transforms smoked pork into something unforgettable, dripping with Lowcountry flavor and pride.
Generations of pitmasters have guarded their recipes, pouring tradition into every pot and spoonful.
Across the Palmetto State, family-run joints and bustling buffets keep the flame alive, serving smoky meats that glisten with sunshine-colored sauce and Southern hospitality that fills every plate to the brim.
1. Shealy’s Bar-B-Que, Batesburg-Leesville
Walking into Shealy’s feels like stepping back in time to when BBQ was simple and honest. The buffet line stretches long with pulled pork, ribs, and chicken all glistening under that famous Carolina gold sauce.
Families pack the dining room every weekend, and the smell of hickory smoke greets you before you even open the door. Hash over rice sits right next to collard greens and lima beans, making every plate a southern masterpiece.
Regulars know to save room for banana pudding, though the BBQ often makes that impossible.
2. Palmetto Pig, Columbia
Palmetto Pig brings a fresh approach to traditional BBQ without losing the soul. Their buffet offers tender brisket alongside classic pulled pork, all ready for a generous pour of mustard sauce.
The place buzzes with college students and business folks alike, proving good BBQ crosses all boundaries. Sweet potato casserole and mac and cheese round out the sides, each one cooked with care.
You can taste the difference when a restaurant uses quality ingredients and doesn’t cut corners on flavor.
3. Little Pigs Barbecue (Alpine Rd), Columbia
Little Pigs has been feeding Columbia residents for years with no-nonsense BBQ that hits the spot every time. The buffet keeps things straightforward with perfectly smoked meats and sides that taste like grandma made them.
What makes this spot special is the consistency. You know exactly what you’re getting, and it’s always delicious.
The mustard sauce here has just enough kick to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming the smoky meat. Green beans and coleslaw provide the perfect cool contrast to rich, warm BBQ.
4. Doc’s Barbeque & Southern Buffet, Columbia
Doc’s understands that variety matters when you’re hungry for BBQ. Their buffet spreads out like a southern feast with options that go beyond the basics.
Fried chicken joins the smoked meats, giving you the best of both worlds. I once watched a guy go back four times just for the ribs, and honestly, I understood completely.
The mustard sauce sits in squeeze bottles along the buffet, encouraging liberal application. Cornbread muffins and hushpuppies soak up every last drop of sauce on your plate.
5. Shuler’s Barbecue, Latta
Shuler’s represents small-town BBQ at its finest, where everyone knows your name and your usual order. The buffet may not be fancy, but the quality speaks louder than any decoration could.
Pork hash is the star here, a regional specialty that confuses outsiders but delights locals. Mustard sauce brings everything together in perfect harmony.
This is the kind of place where recipes get passed down through generations, and you can taste the history in every bite.
6. Brown’s Bar-B-Que, Kingstree
Brown’s has been smoking meat the same way for decades, and there’s zero reason to change. The buffet offers all the essentials done exceptionally well, from fall-off-the-bone ribs to tender pulled pork.
Their mustard sauce recipe remains a closely guarded secret, though locals have tried to replicate it for years. Red rice and butter beans provide authentic Lowcountry flavor that you can’t fake.
Sometimes the best BBQ comes from the most unassuming buildings.
7. McCabe’s Bar-B-Que, Manning
McCabe’s keeps the focus where it belongs: on perfectly smoked meat and tangy mustard sauce. The buffet line moves quickly, but people still take their time choosing between ribs, chicken, and pork.
What sets this place apart is the smoky flavor that penetrates deep into every piece of meat. You don’t need fancy techniques when you’ve mastered the fundamentals.
Squash casserole and field peas round out the vegetables, giving you permission to call this a balanced meal somehow.
8. Dukes Bar-B-Que, Charleston (James Island)
Dukes brings Lowcountry charm to the BBQ buffet experience with a location that serves both locals and tourists. The mustard sauce here leans slightly sweeter, reflecting the coastal influence on traditional recipes.
Pulled pork sandwiches get piled high, though the buffet lets you skip the bread entirely and load up your plate. My cousin swears the onion rings here are the best in Charleston, and after trying them, I can’t argue.
The casual atmosphere makes everyone feel welcome regardless of where you’re from.
9. Schoolhouse BBQ, Scranton
Schoolhouse BBQ earns an A-plus for turning an old building into a BBQ paradise. The buffet offers generous portions of everything, and the mustard sauce flows freely.
Eating here feels like attending a family reunion where everyone actually gets along. Smoked turkey joins the usual suspects, giving poultry fans something to celebrate.
The peach cobbler at the end of the buffet line tests your willpower after filling up on meat and sides.
10. Simply Southern Smokehouse, Myrtle Beach
Simply Southern brings authentic BBQ to the beach crowd, proving that tourists deserve good mustard sauce too. The buffet stays stocked even during busy summer months when hungry vacationers pour through the doors.
Brisket gets as much attention as pulled pork here, offering a Texas twist on Carolina tradition. Collard greens and baked beans provide familiar comfort after a long day at the beach.
The location makes it easy to grab great BBQ without venturing far from the shore.
11. Big D’s BBQ Trough, Conway
Big D’s doesn’t apologize for the name or the portions, both of which are unapologetically large. The buffet lives up to the trough reference with heaping trays of ribs, chicken, and pork all waiting for mustard sauce.
This is where you go when you’re seriously hungry and want options. Fried okra and corn on the cob add vegetables to your plate, though we all know you’re here for the meat.
Stretchy pants are recommended but not required for dining here.
12. Farm Boys Barbecue, Chapin
Farm Boys keeps things country with BBQ that tastes like it came straight from a backyard cookout. The buffet showcases simple preparations that let the smoke and mustard sauce shine through.
Pork ribs practically fall apart when you pick them up, requiring extra napkins and zero regrets. Mashed potatoes and gravy sit alongside traditional BBQ sides, bridging the gap between comfort food and smoked perfection.
This is where locals go when they want reliable BBQ without any fuss or pretense.