Visit to Lewis' Barbecue in Charleston, SC--Review

[SweetHeatBBQnSC]

So several years back a new bbq place opened in Charleston (about 2 hours away) named Lewis' Barbecue. I saw it on Man Fire Food and the place looked good, not to mention I had never been to a Texas style BBQ restaurant. Had always heard how amazing their brisket is. Finally this weekend my nephew was playing in a ball tournament in Charleston so it was a perfect opportunity. Went and the reviews were totally on point. The brisket was excellent. It was prime grade and the pitmaster hit the perfect doneness. It would bend across your finger barely holding together. This definitely the best brisket I had ever tasted (both the lean and the fatty). I also had a link of the Texas Hot Guts (sausage) and it delicious and the snap on the casing was great. Ordered a couple spare ribs and they were nothing great. Actually makes me feel that most people specialize in a region of bbq. Either the beef or pork is awesome. I tasted a little of the pulled pork and it was ok. Got all 3 types of bbq sauce vinegar and tomato were really good. I tried the Green Hatch Chili Sauce in honor of my many Texan Brethren. Yuck! If that is bbq sauce I wouldn't ever want any sauce on anything either. The macaroni and cheese tastes great as well. I know we have a couple Brethren from around the Charleston area and it's a big tourist scene so I just wanted to throw a review out there for whoever it my help.

[TC Smoke & Que]

Thank you for the review of Lewis Barbeque! I had heard of it and it is one of those stops I will make in the future.

[Sjhill]

My favorite bbq place around. I agree with you their brisket is the best I’ve ever had. The Thursday special is great too. They take their briskets and make their own pastrami for it. The hatch Chile corn pudding is great as well.

[WilliamKY]

I have a coworker who's son graduated from C of C and took up residence in Charleston after school. My buddy travels down to visit his son and they hit up Lewis BBQ often. He raves about it. I'd like to try it sometime if I'm ever down that way.

[Mikhail]

Man, if I'm in SC there's no way I'm getting past the pork with vinegar sauce.

[bubbamac00]

I’m about two hours away as well and have had it a number of times. Brisket is always great. I’ll tell you a great combination is to pick up a few pounds of brisket from Lewis and some pulled pork from Rodney Scott’s. They’re only separated by about a mile or so. Pretty incredible combo from two great BBQ joints.

[pjtexas1]

When John was cooking at LA Barbecue in Austin they had the best brisket and sausage in town. I've never had sausage that good before.

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[lowcountrygamecock]

I LOVE Lewis bbq. Chopped brisket sandwich and Chile corn pudding. Been making recent trips down to visit family at MUSC and plan the trips around Lewis. I was a little disappointed in Rodney Scott’s the last time I went. Food tasted like it had been sitting out for a while. Normally good eats though but Lewis is top of the list.

[lowcountrygamecock]

Oh and whoever said pastrami on Thursday’s is spot on also.

[jzadski]

Great review Joedy. Sure wish it was a little closer to me

[Raider18]

I miss him at LaBarbecue. In my role I talk to co workers all across the country. I casually mentioned Lewis to a lady who works in our Charleston office a few weeks ago and said she needs to try it out. She called me yesterday to tell me it's the best bbq her family has ever had. I was jealous.

[SweetHeatBBQnSC]

Originally Posted by Mikhail

Man, if I'm in SC there's no way I'm getting past the pork with vinegar sauce.

Oh yes it is superb and this is when you find out the difference in pulled pork and what we call barbecue. The sauce being cooked in just makes it that much better.

Originally Posted by bubbamac00

I’m about two hours away as well and have had it a number of times. Brisket is always great. I’ll tell you a great combination is to pick up a few pounds of brisket from Lewis and some pulled pork from Rodney Scott’s. They’re only separated by about a mile or so. Pretty incredible combo from two great BBQ joints.

I am sure that combination is phenomenal. I tried Rodney's place not long after it opened. It is good, but need to add more sauce to get the "true Scott's BBQ taste." I live about 10 minutes away from the original restaurant in Hemingway. We could tell it didn't seem as "saucy" as the original location. We were told they had to sauce it a little lighter because the people of Charleston aren't as used to the true vinegar sauce taste as people at home. So they have bottles of sauce out so people can add to it. Also, to point out the difference in prices between Charleston and small town SC. Rodney's bbq is like $18# at the original location it is $11 or $12#. Real Estate is a little more expensive in Charleston haha.

Originally Posted by pjtexas1

When John was cooking at LA Barbecue in Austin they had the best brisket and sausage in town. I've never had sausage that good before.

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This was my first taste of Texas sausage and you can definitely tell a difference. I would love to know how that would taste in a sandwich complemented with other sides. Definitely the best sausage I've ever had.

[luke duke]

I’ve cooked with John a couple of times and he is one of the best around. He’s from El Paso, so his cooking has some New Mexico influences, hence the hatch chili sauce.