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Slingin’ Hash

SC BBQ Newsletter from Destination BBQ

08/29/22

Kindling

Hey <<First Name>>

Spent much of this past week a bit under the weather, but it didn’t prevent me from going fossil hunting with my wife and daughter on Morris Island. We enjoyed a half-day trip with the great folks at Coastal Expeditions.

We have a long history with Coastal, our now adult kids having attended camps there as youngsters and my wife having taken several groups of students on various summer adventures with them.

They aren’t paying me to say this, but if you have a chance to enjoy a day with them, it’s worth it.

My wife’s find above and my daughter’s collection from the day below. It was a good day.

(And if you’d like to follow our other everyday beach finds, follow my wife’s ThingsFoundonBeach Instagram account!)

Anyway, enough about that, what about SC BBQ?

Honestly, there’s not much happening as I write this. Not sure if that’s because I haven’t been keeping my ear to the ground as much this week or because there’s really just not much news, but in keeping with recent survey results, I’ll write what it takes to cover what I know.

In this issue, we take a look ahead to a busy September in the world of SC BBQ events. There are at least 6 events worth your attention that I’m aware of. In addition, we’ll update you on a closure that happened yesterday, give you a peek at a new menu, introduce you to a firefighter who smokes, and share a couple of “Best of” results that were published.

Finally, we’ll spotlight a Gardner you’ll want to know and share an improved listing that will make you a bit Wise.

Enjoy,

Jim

Lookin’ Good

Time to feature a “scroll-stopping” image. How about this one from Melvin’s on James Island?

Hot ‘n Fast

— Question for You — In this issue, I wrote about the announcement that the partners behind Charleston’s Jackrabbit Filly would be opening a Chinese/Carolina BBQ restaurant in 2023. As they did with their first restaurant, they have begun hosting pop-ups to build interest.

Per the owner, as reported by Eater, “King BBQ is Chinese barbecue with a side of North Carolina-style barbecue, so pork shoulder and red slaw sits on the menu with smoked Chinese sausage and jasmine rice.”

Take a look at the menu:

So, here’s the question: While the menu may be modified over the coming months, is this the sort of BBQ restaurant you’d want me to include on our BBQ map?

I often have trouble deciding with these sorts of restaurants, but it still doesn’t pass the sniff test to me.

Note: King BBQ will be “popping-up” each Tuesday for the remainder of the year at Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co. on King St. if you’d like to give them a try.

— Best Of… — Per this brief news report from WCNC, South Carolina ranked as the 3rd best state for barbecue in the US. That other Carolina was not in the top two.

Texas and Tennessee took top honors in this “national poll” while North Carolina came in 5th.

In other news, the Free Times released its annual “Best of Columbia 2022: Food and Drink” with some interesting results.

• Best Barbecue — Home Team BBQ

  • Runner-up: Shealy’s Bar-B-Que

• Best Ribs — The War Mouth

  • Runner-up: Hudson’s Smokehouse BBQ

— Oh Yah! — In his “Pop Up Pick” of the week, Post and Courier Food Editor Parker Milner featured a local firefighter turned pitmaster, James Romer.

Romer currently works as a firefighter in St. George, but while he was still stationed in North Charleston, his wife Jennifer gave him the gift of a simple smoker.

Like many, what started as a simple hobby evolved into a competition team and food truck/caterer.

His food truck, Oh Yah BBQ, is almost as demanding as his day job.

“James will often finish up a 16-hour day with Oh Yah BBQ and head to the firehouse a day or two later for a 24- or 48-hour shift,” Milner writes.

“‘When we started it, we didn’t know what we were getting into,’ he said. ‘It just kind of blew up to where we do up to three (pop-ups) a week.’”

Now, that’s dedication to two important jobs!

— Wee, Wee, Wee — This Little Piggy has gone home, well, is leaving the market anyway.

In a Facebook post on August 25, the owners of This Little Piggy Bar-B-Que in Summerville announced they would be leaving the comfort of their restaurant on Central Ave. in Summerville for the more mobile digs of a new “Piggymobile.”

Their last service in the restaurant was yesterday at lunch, but as noted, they will still be around. Fortunately, there are a number of excellent BBQ restaurants remaining in the area.

Additions/Updates

No new additions to the map this week, but I’d like to spotlight a “like-new” listing that I have recently given a significant upgrade.

This restaurant has been on our map from the beginning, but I had done a poor job telling its story. I think you’ll find it much more informative now.

Wise’s Bar-B-Q House

Having gotten its start in the 1960s, Wise’s Bar-B-Q House near Newberry has clearly stood the test of time. It is well-loved by locals and remains a place that should be on the bucket list of all SC BBQ fans.

Wise’s offers a small buffet with limited options, but it represents an era in history that you will want to experience. Plus, their unique mustard sauce and delicious take on hash are worth your visit.

Check out Wise’s BBQ in Newberry

Where There’s Smoke

Here are several of September’s upcoming BBQ competitions and festivals in SC.

The Smoke Ring

In each edition, we’ll metaphorically spin the SCBBQ globe and randomly select an SC BBQ joint to spotlight.

This time, the globe stopped spinning on Gardner’s BBQ near Rock Hill.

Gardner’s is one of those special places that only serve BBQ a limited number of days each year, but when they open, you’ll want to be there.

You’ll have to check their calendar to find out which days each year they open. And if you’re lucky enough to be there when they are serving, you’ll get to enjoy barbecue, hash, sausage, ribs, and more, much of it from their farm.

Check out Gardner’s BBQ

We’d love to hear your opinion of this stop on the SC BBQ Trail in our

I Love SC BBQ Facebook Group