Restaurant review: Lewis Barbecue

Overview of Lewis Barbecue

Let us start by saying this establishment currently holds the title of the best BBQ we’ve ever had! Offering mouthwatering Texas-style barbecue, smoked meats, and delicious house-made sides, you can’t help but savor every bite at Lewis Barbecue.

Atmosphere and Ambiance: ★★★★★

Sit at a picnic table in the dappled sunlight under a South Carolina oak tree. While you eat, you’re engulfed in the aroma of smoking meats, carried by a light breeze. The entire experience is pulled together with classic country music playing over the speakers.

While there are casual seating arrangements inside, we’ve only ever eaten outdoors. Despite the crowds, the covered picnic area is large with ample seating and communal tables, and noise levels are moderate so you can still hear your conversation.

Service Experience: ★★★☆☆

If you go during peak times — nights and weekends — the line will undoubtedly be out the door, and you’ll find yourself waiting for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Of all the BBQ restaurants we’ve patroned, this is the only one worth the wait! While we usually find ourselves here for dinner, the best times to experience Lewis Barbecue for minimal wait times are during weekday lunch hours.

Once at the counter, service is efficient. Place your order, which is cut and loaded onto trays in front of you. We’ve never felt rushed, and the staff is there to help get your order exactly right!

They also host special events like live music nights, or an annual Hatch Chile Roast, which enhances the dining experience with a welcoming community vibe.

Menu Offerings: ★★★★★

Lewis specializes in Texas-style BBQ, and you can’t come here without ordering the expertly-crafted brisket (we like it moist for melt-in-your-mouth flavor) and pork ribs! Take up the cashiers offer of sampling each BBQ sauce — a tomato base, vinegar base, and chili/mustard base — to find your preferred flavor profile.

There are various daily specials, but our favorite is the Sunday chicken fried steak.

As far as sides go, all orders come with pickles and onions, and we recommend adding the mac ‘n cheese, potato salad, tallow fries and coleslaw.

Wash it down with soda in glass bottles made with real sugar instead of sticky corn syrup.

Lewis Barbecue's Sunday special — chicken fried steak — on 35mm film. 

Food Quality: ★★★★★

After ordering at the counter inside, all the meats and sides are piled onto a tray for you to pick from. It may not be as pretty on the plate (of course, that’s subjective), but it will be some of the best BBQ you’ve ever — and dare we say will ever — have. We’ve never had a bad experience here!

Regarding portions, all meats are ordered by the pound (or quarter, half, etc), while sides are offered as singles, quarts, or pints.

We’ve never enjoyed brisket at other BBQ restaurants, usually finding it flavorless, too lean, and dry. Because of Lewis, it now makes it onto every order! As far as ribs, we’ve had good, and we’ve had bad, but these are the best! Fall-off-the-bone tender, seasoned to perfection, and just-saucy-enough (but their sauce trio is excellent for dipping if you want a little more). These two offerings, in our humble opinion, really are the star of the show!

Smoked turkey may also not be what comes to mind when you think BBQ, but it’s worth a mention and we order it by the pound around the holidays (unless we’re smoking our own).

Cleanliness and Hygiene: ★★★☆☆

It’s about what you’d expect from a BBQ joint. Not too many expectations here, but no complaints. The picnic area is kept clean. Despite needing to clear your own table, we’ve never noticed remenants of diners food or trays, or trash littering the ground.

Pricing and Value: ★★★★☆

Compared to similar restaurants in the area, Lewis Barbecue isn’t cheap by any means, but go in expecting to pay for the quality you’re receiving! Being the best BBQ in town, the value is there.

Final Thoughts

We highly recommend Lewis Barbecue, especially if you want brisket or ribs, and have the time to wait in line. It’s one of our favorites, and we’ll be returning time-and-time again.

Lewis Barbecue is a great spot for families, couples, and solo diners.

Overall, we rate Lewis Barbecue an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Ratings are graded based on expectations and experiences within the restaurants own category. Three stars is neutral, while anything above exceeds our expectations, and anything below leaves something to be desired.

Tell us your thoughts!

Have you dined at Lewis Barbecue? What did you think? Leave a comment with your feedback or experiences below!

Has our restaurant review enticed you to try Lewis Barbecue? Visit at: 464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403

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