The best in Charleston!! The brisket sandwich and the potatoes are the best! Make sure your appetite is ready and enjoy!!

I had heard about this barbecue joint all the way in Columbia and when I came down to Charleston for work, I knew I had to try it. The line was super long and it took about 30 to 45 minutes to get to ordering. The staff was great and attentive, and I really liked the barbecue dispensers in the Beverage dispensers. That was a fun twist! I got a brisket platter and everything on it was fantastic. The brisket would melt in your mouth and every bite was extremely good, they definitely deserve that Michelin star. If you're willing to wait a while, this is some of the best barbecue in South Carolina read more

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We stopped in, as we've done every time we've come to Charleston. Since we found out about Louis's, this time we ordered a half a pound of the brisket. The young lady who took our order educated us on the lean versus the fatty. We went with middle of the road. She gave us samples, and it definitely sold us on it. We ordered a side of fries along with the side of queso. We split the plate, and it's really, really good. Definitely enough food for the two of us. It was nice and tender. Fries were nice and crisp. The queso cheese sauce really took it over the top. The brisket didn't need the barbecue sauce, but it was a good complement to it. The line wasn't out the door, which was good for us. Got in, got our order, and found us a table. Nice clean atmosphere and great staff, as always. I'm definitely going to give it a 4 out of 5. The only thing that would have taken it to a 5 out of 5 is if the bark on the brisket had a little bit more flavor, with a little bit less salt to it. Other than that, it was an amazing meal. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We got here just after opening on a Sunday during the summer while visiting some friends - we walked RIGHT up to the counter, hardly 5 seconds wait; service was fantastic they got us our meal VERY fast. Originally we sat outside (they have small fans on the tables for the flies but honestly we didn't need them). Then the husbands found seats inside the AC. It was a little loud inside but definitely good vibes - the kids loved it here. For two small families (4 adults 2 kids) we ordered 1.5 lbs brisket, 1.5lbs turkey, 1.5 of the ribs (which were our favorite!! Fall OFF THE BONE and beautifully seasoned) and 1/2 pound of the chopped up brisket. Personally I loved the brisket the best - great flavor and the perfect mix of lean to moist ratio. There was someone walking around asking us how our meals were and cleaning the tables (which isn't out of the ordinary) but I especially liked that he picked up the floor after a family of 4 that was quite messy - and he did it with a smile on his face! THATS A WIN!!! I love employees who love their job Only concern we had *giggles* was after my friends found out I was a yelper, they asked me to include that they would like a handle on the to-go bags. DONT FORGET to try the sweet tea!! read more

Lewis Barbecue - Bar - 2026 - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Great spot. Visiting from our of town, came across it on YELP. Plenty of parking in lot along with street parking. Seating both inside and out. Some of the best BBQ I have eaten... ordered Brisket, Brisket Sandwich, greens, mac & cheese and beans....all items had great flavor... All of the staff was friendly and professional. read more

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I'm still craving the Brisket after a week. First time going, I will definitely be back with family and friends. Such great spot- causal and family friendly. Different places to sit, inside or outside. This is a popular spot, I was surprised at how busy it got on a Monday at 1pm. The food truly is amazing,and the sauces you can add enhance the flavors! read more

Lewis Barbecue - Prime Beef Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, Sausage, Cowboy Pinto Beans with Pico on top, Tangy Coleslaw with some onions and pickles on the side. - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We planned all of our dinner reservations for our Charleston foodie trip, so I let my husband pick where we went for lunches. He chose Lewis Barbecue, and while I'm not usually a huge BBQ person, this might be the best BBQ I've ever had. It's a Bib Gourmand-rated spot, and I can definitely see why. The service at the carving counter was great, and all of the sides were so good. I especially loved the mac and cheese, and the potato salad was absolutely bomb--creamy, a little tangy, and one of my favorite things we ordered. The free pickles were also a nice touch. The brisket was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the ribs practically fell off the bone. Everything was flavorful without feeling too heavy. I honestly wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, but this ended up being one of my favorite lunches of the trip. I'd definitely come back the next time I'm in Charleston. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The hype is real. The food here is unbelievable. The Michelin star is well deserved. If I were on death row, this would be part of my last meal! My husband and I came here for lunch. The line was out the door but moved quickly. Once inside, the sign on the wall encourages you to grab a beer from the bar to drink while you wait, which we did - great idea! We got the following to share: brisket, ribs, a hot sausage link, coleslaw and mac & cheese. The flavor of the meat tasted like Jesus himself made it AND blessed it before giving it to me. The texture is so tender that you don't even need teeth to eat it. The meat effortlessly fell off the rib bone as soon as it touched my lips! And those sides!! BEST mac & cheese and coleslaw I've ever had anywhere in my life. The coleslaw had very thin sliced green pepper in it (which I loved) and was also the perfect consistency of not-too-wet and not-too-dry. I don't know if it would be possible to make the mac & cheese any creamier or dreamier than it already is; I could have eaten a bucket of it! I already can't wait to come back here again!! :) read more

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Lewis Barbeque does not need this review at all but just have to acknowledge their amazing food. Charleston has quite a few wonderful BBQ places to choose from but by far this is our favorite! The main meats are awesome (Briskett, Ribs, Pulled Pork) AND the sides are amazing. The coleslaw is not drenched in mayo like most places do but is crisp, fresh and tasty! The Cornbread is amazing! Don't complain- there are usually long lines to place your order but factor that in so you are not starving:) read more

Lewis Barbecue - Michelin rated! - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Went with a group of four for lunch. The folks I was with are long time residents and they chose without consulting me. Lol, they know good food! It was just after 12 noon and by some miracle we only stood in line about ten minutes. The rush came in shortly after although I will say they handle the crowds beautifully. When it comes to barbecue, I am a pulled pork girl and I have lived in Texas! I don't hate on brisket, but none of it has bowled me over. Until today. Once again, I wasn't ordering so I just went with the flow. That chopped brisket sandwich was so moist and full of flavor that it did not need a DROP of barbecue sauce. I did use the sauce to dip my fries in. I don't often eat macaroni and cheese although I do love it ( my hips don't!) but I had to try it or risk the wrath of my lunch companions. It was delicious! The best I have had in a restaurant. Collards were fresh and tasty. I enjoyed the rustic setting and certainly the company. They can choose dining spots for me anytime! read more

Lewis Barbecue - Delicious! - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The best BBQ in America. I stop here everytime I come to Charleston. Food is always on, cooked the same and seasoned the same. They added seating, as well as, plenty of seating outside. The also added automatic rotating bug fans on each table outside. The service can be backed up, as the crowds come. Don't worry as you will get through the line as they usually have 2 sides to check out, one to the left and one to the right and they are active most of the time. Average cost can range from $50-$100 depending on how much and variety of meats you get. read more

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The Monday special was a BLT and idk if it was even bacon- it was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. Better than the brisket. It was absurd. Service was incredible. Made friends with the bartender. Always a great place to get out of the heat or get outside when it's nice. Special. read more

This place is so good I had to come back the next day! I came on Saturday specifically to try their giant beef short ribs that literally falls off the bone. The beef short ribs are only done by the lb and you can't do a 1/2 lb in case anyone is wondering. This is by far my favorite besides the fatty brisket they serve every day. Food was amazing and of course I had to get their banana pudding pie again! Literally heaven in my mouth. Shoutout to Derick he was working the patio and was cool. Made my experience here even sweeter. read more

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What an awesome first meal to kickstart our trip to Charleston. The moment we arrived and stepped out of our vehicle, the barbeque aroma filled our senses and left our mouths watering with anticipation. Ordering at the counter was an experience in itself. It's apparently common for barbeque places to allow customers to order meat by the pound and have it weighed and sliced to order in front of you, but the only times I've experienced that in Connecticut was at the deli section of Shop Rite. They allowed me to sample the brisket as they sliced it (absolutely delicious and melt-in-your mouth tender by the way) and made thoughtful suggestions, such as adding pickles and onions on the side (gratis) to provide balance and counter the heaviness of the meats. I wanted to try a variety of dishes, and decided to go with a 1/2 pound of brisket and ribs, a link of Texas hot guts sausage, and a side of Mac and cheese. That covered maybe 5% of the menu. There's a lot of options to choose from, in addition to rotating daily specials, presenting the opportunity for multiple return visits. They have a dedicated full service bar, and I imagine this as a fun spot to spend a night. The atmosphere is very inviting and casual, and the vibe eating outside is like having a backyard barbeque. If you prefer indoor dining, they have a large industrial interior that can accommodate a party of any size. Overall we enjoyed our meal very much. We left with our bellies full and our clothes smelling of smoky goodness. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Sliced brisket, ribs, Texas hot guts, and Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Went for dinner on a Thursday and the line was super long. It moves relatively quickly and the longest part of the wait is indoors (where it's air-conditioned and you can get beer or a drink while you're waiting) is it isn't too terrible. Even with the long wait times though the food was definitely worth it. This was probably some of the most tender and juicy brisket I've ever had in my life. The ribs fall right off the bone. The sausage has a good snap when you bite into it. And all of the sauces taste amazing. Really can't say anything bad about anything on my tray. I love that they have local beers here. They had a special green sour which was sweeter than I was expecting but a nice change of pace from a traditional beer. read more

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I didn't even know I liked BBQ that much until I went to Lewis Barbecue. This place completely blew me away. The setup is amazing--you walk up, choose from a huge spread of meats, and everything is weighed so you can build your perfect plate! We went all in and ordered ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, and every single bite was insanely flavorful and smoky in the best way. The brisket was especially incredible--super tender and packed with flavor. They also have a bunch of different sauces and salsas you can dip into, which makes trying everything even more fun. The jalapeño cheddar queso was the perfect addition to all the meats--rich, cheesy, and with just the right kick. For sides we got mac and cheese, collards, pickled onions, pickles, and bread, and everything paired perfectly with the BBQ. The whole experience felt like a BBQ feast, and it's easy to see why this spot is so famous. If you're in Charleston, Lewis Barbecue is an absolute must! read more

Lewis Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Best food experience I've had in Charleston -- even though there was an issue towards the end of my visit (more on that later). Yes, there will be a line to wait in during prime meal hours. But it's worth the wait. There's also complimentary water available just inside the door, and you can order a beer or drink at the bar to sip on while you wait. Counter staff are courteous and helpful. They even provided an extra bite of brisket for me to munch on while prepping my order. A half-pound of brisket, moist, was my selection, and it needed no sauce at all for the meat and the cooking method stood on their own. All the traditional Texas accoutrements were provided as well (hooray) and I added some creamy macaroni & cheese to finish off my plate. It all came at a reasonable price too, one of the few instances in Charleston where I felt like I was getting my money's worth at a restaurant. There's covered outdoor seating as well as lots of tables, booths and counter options inside, so even as busy as things were I had a surprising number of options on where to dine. The space was kept clean and near by swarming staff members...which leads to my only issue. When I got up to grab another beverage, the quick thinking bussers took away my plate before I was completely done! Aside from that faux pas, I strongly recommend visiting the Lewis operation. Genuine Texas style barbecue experience (including Shiner on draft!) coupled with efficient, welcoming service is a winning combination in my book. read more

My first time in Charleston and found Lewis Barbecue. It was awesome! The most tender and flavorful brisket I have ever had. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Brisket (Chopped) with macaroni and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I lived in Texas for a decade and one of the things I miss most is being able to get brisket at a top level anywhere. Lewis's gave that back to me being open here in Charleston. This is like you are in Texas minus the humidity. I would recommend this place to everybody that comes into town!! Sunday special chicken fried steak w/ white gravy is absolutely mind-boggling!! read more

Food: excellent!! Ambiance: very casual. Indoor and outdoor seating. Service: counter service. The folks were really nice and helpful. I've been wanting to go to this place for a while and we finally got to go this past weekend. The line was so long. It was out the door and nearly into the parking lot, but it moved quickly. When we reached the counter to order, the folks were really nice, very helpful : explaining all the dishes. I got the pulled pork and my partner got the chopped brisket sandwich. The fries were phenomenal. The sandwiches were phenomenal. The bread was just excellent on the sandwiches. We also got the coleslaw - now coleslaw is a very specific kind of food - either it is made it to your liking or not. In this particular case I did not like the coleslaw because it was salty and vinegary. I like the sweet chopped KFC style, personally. I would definitely recommend going to this place if you've never been. We are returning read more

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The BEST bbq I've ever had. Sadly they were out of turkey later in the evening but everything was great. Line moves fast. Cole slaw is another one of my favorites! We visit every time we come to Charleston and it never disappoints! read more

A classic Charleston spot! The line can get kind of wild, and prices are a little high, but it's a must try place. The brisket is the shining star! I do enjoy their happy hour deals as well. read more

Lewis BBQ is everything that it is hyped up to be. We got the ribs, pinto beans, fried fingerlings, and collard greens. The ribs are so tender and meaty! The sauce was kinda thin but still tasty. The greens were sweet, but tender and delicious. Just different than what I'm used to. The pinto beans are savory. You get a few pickles and pickled onions. The service was excellent. We were greeted with a smile and since it was our first time there they talked through how to order. It's a great casual dining experience. You can try all the different sauces too. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Ribs, pinto beans, fingerling fries, collard greens. - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Parking is tight. Food was great. Had beef brisket. Fries were great. A little expensive.

Wait on line, then hint for a table, then.. Enjoy the best BBQ of your life! Really high quality smoked meats and delicious sides! Two of us went on a Friday evening, and the line was long, but all inside, and we only waited about 15 minutes total. Order at the counter and move along for sides & beverages - cafeteria style. We both had the Friday special which was a smoked prime rib sandwich with tons of (optional) toppings. Delicious! We had no trouble finding seats inside. Staff was very friendly. Family-friendly place. Our second time here, and we'll be back again for sure. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Cafeteria-style indoor goodness! - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We tested our luck and came here on a Saturday. We are glad we did. The wait was not long and the food, man, I forgot how good this place is. I ordered the Brisket Nachos, Mac and cheese, and a drink. My husband got the chopped brisket sandwich, tallow fries and a drink. All their sauces are made in house. My favorite is the green chile sauce. The food was so delicious. The best Texas BBQ in the city. read more

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So leaving from Charleston i felt like some BBQ and became extremely lucky when searching , i pulled up and saw all the cars everywhere in a small neighborhood, luckily i found a spot and made my way in , the line was insane , but i figured with a long line like this it has to be good , Its a bit confusing because they had 2 lines, one for a drink at the bar where you can grab a drink to wait in the other line which is the Bbq line , looking around i noticed it was kept very clean with multiple rooms some indoor seating and and outside seating but you have to get lucky , The line moved fairly fast and eventually i made it to the counter, there are several workers doing a professional job , despite the constant flow of people they kept everything together impressively well, , totally courteous and ultimately friendly, i ordered the "EL SANCHO" Loco , which is Pulled pork chopped brisket and Texas hot guts sausage w pickled red onions. ,it was incredible , so juicy and flavorful with ought the need for sauce , i also ordered a pound of beef ribs which i had to eat later because i was so full, they have a sauce station with cups to go which in my case was necessary, on my drive home, i waited a long time to eat those ribs so i was a little scared but there was no way i was letting those beauties go to waste , They Were Amazing so well seasoned juicy even hours later and cold , That being said, Lewis BBQ is a must stop , ill have to try the other location in Atlanta next time , 5 Stars read more

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I expected a lot coming from here. Place is big and nice, staff is friendly. I just not impressed with the food specifically the sides. The beans were rough to eat. The corn pudding thing was just alright but their fries were good. We enjoyed the sausages more than anything else we got. read more

First time coming here in my years of living here and it did not disappoint! I came on a Saturday (day of the bridge - BIG MISTAKE) and had to wait in line for over an hour. So that did suck but not the restaurant's fault. I got the nachos with their brisket and it was awesome!! I love the sauces they provide and that they give pickles and onions. I would definitely come back again but I'm not gonna wait that long again. read more

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Lewis Barbecue totally lives up to the hype. I made sure it was the first stop on my visit to Charleston and i'm so glad I did. I got the pulled pork sandwich, sliced brisket, mac & cheese, and green chile corn pudding and everything was really solid. The meats were super tender and smoky, especially the brisket, which was the standout for me. The sides were just as good -- creamy mac & cheese and the green chile corn pudding had a nice little kick. If you're in Charleston and want good BBQ, this is a must. Go early if you can since it gets busy fast. Would definitely come back. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Off to Lewis Barbecue in Charleston, and let me tell you -- I came in skeptical. I've pretty much sworn off BBQ outside of Texas because it usually ends in heartbreak. But Charleston's most infamous smokehouse actually made me pause... in a good way. First off, the space? Gorgeous. Big, bright, and dripping with that unmistakable Charleston charm. It feels southern, it feels inviting, and it somehow still manages to give you that Texas-style "this is about the meat" energy. Now the food: the brisket was fine -- tender enough, but the bark needed way more seasoning to hit that true Texas punch. The collards? Tangy, balanced, and done the right way. But the real star, the thing no one warned me about, the plate I'm still thinking about as I'm typing this? The mac and cheese. Easily among the best I've had anywhere. Silky, cheesy, decadent -- the kind of side that steals the spotlight like it paid extra for the privilege. Lewis Barbecue was, and absolutely is, worth the trip. Charleston, you've got something special here. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Some of the best BBQ and sides I've ever had - worth the wait and the line moves quickly. The brisket was so tender and the pulled pork had great flavor. Both meats were very tasty and could hold their own in their simplicity without sauce. The sides were also memorable, all of them were solid - standouts were the corn pudding that added some sweet cheesiness to the mix and the slaw that was bright and crunchy to balance all the rich flavors. Casual BBQ vibe, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and friendly and efficient service. Prices were also very reasonable. Wish there was BBQ like this in the northeast! read more

Lewis Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Everything was so delicious! The sliced brisket melted in your mouth. We got Mac n cheese, corn pudding, potato salad, and fries for sides. Best BBQ I've had in a while. Lots of outdoor seating and dogs were welcome. read more

Sometimes you just need some meat -- and this was one of those days. so My friend and I decided to go to Lewis to satisfy that craving. We started with the nachos and then moved on to sandwiches and sides. Pretty sure our eyes were way bigger than our stomachs because we were stuffed and had to take some home! We also sat at the bar to eat since the line for the tables was quite long. Our bartender was great and offered up his favorites as suggestions. Here's what we ordered Nachos: Beef tallow fried chips piled high with green chile queso, pico de gallo, jalapeños, crema, and loaded with pulled pork. Two sliced beef brisket sandwiches: So huge and soooo good. Potato salad: Made with Duke's Mayo, celery, and green onion -- because everything's better with Duke's! Mac n' cheese: Super creamy and never disappoints. Collard greens: My favorite! Just the right amount of that tangy vinegar kick. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Pulled pork nachos - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Okay, Pro's: food was delicious and cooked to perfection. I loved the food. Loved the Rustic Vibe to the place. Cons: Overcrowded, long lines, no where to sit, no where to park, pure Chaos, Food was very expensive and they ask for heavy tips on the machine when you don't even get waitress service which I am getting so tired of. I tip well usually but if they make a living wage and aren't a waitress why are they expecting large tips? You essentially stand in line, order your food, take your food with you on a tray before you even walk away, get your own drinks, condiments, etc. Which was fine. But we had to stand and wait for a table that sat 8 being used by 4. They don't have white rice, I didn't see any hash. Not many Gluten Free options for sides at all. Please add white rice to the menu. Stools only. Maybe they have a few booths but mostly tables with stools which is hard on my back. Overall, I'll go back maybe during the week and not a weekend so I can possibly have a better experience without the chaos. The food I am showing in the photos was $172. Again, the Food was excellent and everyone agrees.. which is why it is always so packed with no where to park. read more

Lewis Barbecue - Pulled Pork, Prime Rib and Sausage.. - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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For reference - had a lot of BBQ in Texas some from even hole in the wall joints, and even food trucks that in my opinion make better BBQ so my review is influenced by that Brisket - cuts were dry and tasteless. Honestly wild that brisket of this quality was 35/lb. If you're gonna get brisket, ask for the fattier cuts Beef Ribs - very tender fell off the bone and that's about where the positives end. Extremely salty and not tastefully done Collard Greens - definitely star of the show which is sad that I couldn't say that about the meat Brisket nachos were good 2.5-3/5 Brisket read more

Lewis Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Love the moist brisket, the potato salad was excellent (light and refreshing, not heavy and mayo-centric), and the mac & cheese was dense and cheesy... just the way it should be. Excellent BBQ. Parking - eh, that's a bit more of a challenge. Come after 5:30p and you're going to be looking for a bit on the side roads. Fortunately in November, not a lot of bugs outside, but too cold to sit and eat outside, too. read more

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Lewis Barbecue was so good! Everything was flavorful, super tender and smoky. Great portions, friendly service. Definitely a must-try in Charleston if you're out of state!! read more

What a great BBQ experience. It was literally like being back in Austin, TX. The brisket sammiches were awesome. We got a mix of lean and fatty meat. The sides were potentially even better. We got the potato salad (A+), collard greens (A), and Mac and cheese (A+). Also got the hot sausage and it was delicious. Not really hot at all. The ambiance is perfect. You feel like you're right back in Texas. The service was outstanding as well. While I generally opt for lowcountry bbq when I'm in Charleston, Lewis was really great. Am excited too - because we're moving to Charleston next week. Will definitely be taking friends and family who come to visit there! read more

Lewis Barbecue - Brisket sandwiches, Mac and cheese, potato salad, collard greens. Texas BBQ goodness! - Barbeque Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Arrived around 1pm on a Saturday. Really busy, found some nearby parking and walked on over for our first experience. There was line but it moved quickly. You received menus to browse before getting to the cashier. Ordered turkey, brisket, nachos & queso, Mac and cheese and potato salad. Portions of the sides were very large! The sides were all exceptional. Brisket was some of the best we've had. Turkey was moist and juicy! Easily found outdoor seats on a beautiful day. Pricing wasn't bad considering the location and amount of food read more

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