I know Charleston and the Low Country don't have the rich BBQ history as other regions of the US, but that is what makes it so special as a Q haven in a foodie city. Where else can you get great Texas style Q and Carolina Style Q within half a mile?
First stop was Lewis BBQ. The Austin postmaster behind La Barbeque and of Aaron Franklin tutleag, they serve up central Texas style Q with a focus on Prime grade brisket. I also had the beef ribs (Sat only), Texas hot guy sausage, pork spare ribs and a side of corn pudding. The pork ribs were fine but nothing to write home about while everything else was a revelation. Though I would say the beef short ribs,while delicious, don't warrant a special visit as the brisket and the corn pudding are where it's at.
Next stop was Rodney Scott's - the man who is supposed to be king of Whole Hog BBQ. I got a decidedly smaller order of Spare Ribs with Chopped Whole Hog and sides of Hush Puppies and Mac and Cheese. The sides were first rate. The ribs were very good but I still believe that I objectively make better ribs. The whole hog - the man deserves the crown. I generally detested the pulled pork craze of the late 2000s as even the best pulled pork was dry and bland. Not here. As the mix up pork from all cuts and not just the shoulder, you get the fat from the belly, the flavour from the hand and the shoulders and little bits of sweetness from the ribs. If I would ask for anything different, it would be to include some various house made pickles like they do at Lewis to help cut through the richness. His signature Vinegar and Pepper based sauce does that but not with the same fresh vibrancy of a really good crunchy pickle.
I've been doing a bit of a Q tour of the region and these two places along with B's Crackling in Savannah were my 3 must visits'. I will not comment on B's here as this has always been a positive board and my review of B's is so visceral in its disappointment I will leave it at that.
My hidden gem so far: Southern Soul Smokehouse near some 6 class golf we played at Sea Island.
