Restaurant review: Rodney Scott Whole Hog BBQ
Overview of Rodney Scott Whole Hog BBQ
Even if you’re not local to Charleston, you might recognize the name Rodney Scott as an authority in southern BBQ after he gained international recognition from the 2020 Netflix special Chef’s Table: BBQ. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ focuses on authentic Carolina barbecue with low and slow pit-smoked whole-hog, ribs, turkey and beef.
Atmosphere and Ambiance: ★★★★☆
Located in a quiet residential part of Charleston near Hampton Park and the Citadel, pulling up to the curb, the first thing you notice is the retro inspired building and outdoor seating with each blue picnic table covered by a tin roof.
The second thing you’ll notice, upon exiting your car, is the smokey aroma of Carolina BBQ perfection wafting through the air.
The atmosphere is exactly what you’d expect, when you envision a nostalgic BBQ joint.
Service Experience: ★★★☆☆
Depending on the crowds, it can be a tight fit getting to the counter to order. At nearly every visit, the interior tables have been completely filled, but there is always ample seating available outside.
Place your order at the counter inside, then grab your order number and find a seat. Your server will bring out your food on a vintage porcelain platter. Staff is friendly, and the wait to receive your order is never long.
If you can’t wait for a sit-down meal, the Charleston location also has a convenient drive-through.
Menu Offerings: ★★★★★
The menu at Rodney Scott highlights Carolina-style whole-hog BBQ.
Traditional sides like hushpuppies, potato salad, collard greens, baked beans, and cornbread help fill your platter. The sauces are vinegar-based and packed with tangy flavor.
Food Quality: ★★★★★
Especially noteworthy at Rodney Scott are platters that feature pulled-pork.
The dry-rub ribs have just the right amount of bark on the outside, and very little grease throughout. We quickly decided that eating them with the provided sauces was sacrilegious and enjoyed them as-is.
The hushpuppies are another favorite, and we never miss an opportunity to order this side.
Cleanliness and Hygiene: ★★★☆☆
It’s a BBQ joint — it’s about what you’d expect. Nothing particularly noteworthy in either direction. Each table has a roll of heavy-duty blue paper towels to clean up any signs of a good meal.
Pricing and Value: ★★★★★
What really stands out about Rodney Scott, is not only is the food is great, but there’s something for every budget. Whether you want a $10 drive-through special (consisting of a pulled pork sandwich, one side, and a drink — the value can’t be beat!) or a 3-meat platter and an assortment of sides, what you’re getting for your money is astounding!
Final Thoughts
Rodney Scott has won numerous awards, including 50 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit Magazine (2018), 2018 James Beard Foundation’s award for Outstanding Chef: Southeast (2018) — only the second pitmaster to receive this recognition — and Nomination to the Barbecue Hall of Fame (2020). Needless to say, they’re well-deserved.
Rodney Scott always makes it into our top 1-2 favorite BBQ joints in Charleston (depending on what we’re looking for that day). We come here when we want Carolina-style pulled pork, don’t have time to wait in long lines, or looking for something a little more budget-friendly (in terms of bbq pricing). For brisket and ribs, we love visiting Lewis BBQ, our favorite Texas-style joint!
Overall, we rate Rodney Scott Whole Hog BBQ 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 Rodney Scott Whole Hog BBQ? What did you think? Leave a comment with your feedback or experiences below!
Has our restaurant review enticed you to try Rodney Scott? Visit the Charleston location at: 1011 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
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