Every once in a while the food gods smile upon you and bless your culinary adventure with a gem of a restaurant hiding innocuously along your trail. We had such an experience recently at McCabe's BBQ in Manning, South Carolina. Driving north on I-95 from Jacksonville, my wife declared, "I want some barbecue for lunch." As she was driving I was tasked with finding a place where we could dine. Using Yelp, I first found a different bbq restaurant. Got great reviews. Served bbq. Yep, met all of the requirements. Yet some fellow Yelpers stated that it was only serving food to go. Nope. We need to sit and eat! Hence we ended up at McCabe's. Thank the heavens. The food heavens. It's a small unassuming place in Manning. I have no idea what else may be in Manning. Look, I didn't even know Manning was a place before today. Trust me. Stop in Manning. The food is served buffet style, but the incredibly friendly staff actually puts the food on the plate for you. We each had the all you can eat dinner. Because why not? There's lots of side choices, I had the "dirty" rice with hash on it. Honestly I can't tell you what's in the hash or how the rice is made, but it was amazing. The collard greens are some of the best I ever had, and the slaw, while a bit sweet for my taste, was still really good. There were also yams, okra, green beans, cabbage and stewed tomatoes. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. The pulled pork is phenomenal. On the table is Carolina bbq sauce (vinegar based. Not for everyone but i enjoy it). There is also fried chicken. Ok, I thought, I'll try it just to be nice. Holy Cow. Unbelievably good fried chicken! Get it. The drinks are limited to tea (sweet and unsweet), lemonade and water. That's fine though because the food is so good! Overall it was a fantastic experience, a great find and a place I highly recommend. Thank you food gods! read more

McCabe's Bar-B-Que - Is that a plate of food from McCabe's or is it heaven? Perhaps a plateful of heaven. Mmmmmmmm!!!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Manning, South Carolina

McCabe's serves up some of the best pulled pork bbq in the state of South Carolina . By Southern standards , that's a bold claim but I'm here to testify today as a self proclaimed bbq junkie connoisseur that McCabe's que' is worth the drive to the sleepy town of Manning, SC . In addition to the bbq, the hospitality you will encounter here is a dying art form - and it's genuine . The McCabe family seems to truly love what they do and it shows through the quality of the food , the great hospitality and the long line of folks waiting to get a taste of their addictive bbq! I personally love a bbq joint that keeps it simple . First, you are served barbecue the way the McCabe family thinks it should be eaten. There isn't a selection of sauces on the table for you to choose from . There's one sauce available here, and it works because it's delicious. It's a vinegar and pepper sauce that is slightly sweet. It's also got a just-right kick of heat; it's not so hot that you can't enjoy the sauce. And the pulled pork, is so mouth-watering perfect, it would be amazing without any sauce. Secondly, although it's a buffet there's only a handful of items to choose from and every single item seems carefully prepared with the greatest attention to the flavor profiles of each dish which leads to all the food on the buffet being absolutely delicious. The perlo is addictive - being raised on perlo I'm willing to give credit where credit is due and these McCabe folks have some secrets up their sleeves because whatever is in that perlo will hook ya, line and sinker ! I'm not even a fried chicken fan but the fried chicken here is something not to be missed! The texture , juiciness and flavor are out of this world - The real stars, though, are the wood-cooked pork, which is pulled into long strands and dressed with that peppery vinegar sauce I mentioned earlier , and the rich, savory hash and rice, South Carolina's iconic barbecue side. The pork is savory with a subtle smoky flavor that is just perfect . Do not miss McCabe's. This place is a culinary gem and a must for any bbq fan. My biggest regret is not finding out about them sooner! read more

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Best hash that I ever tasted! Try to stop by on my way to the beach as often as possible. Try it! You will not be disappointed. Bring your cash, no cc or debit cards that read more

Driving down from CT to Florida needed a quick stop for food , Pulled Pork and fried chicken, make sure and ask for for the sauce on the side Sweet potatoes are to die for read more

Great friendly service great buffet. Would definitely recommend. Not a big place but don't let the size fool you.

If you're looking for the best traditional South Carolina BBQ, you've found it here. Friendly staff, amazing food great price. You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't go in for a bite. PS the hush puppies are incredible! read more

Excellent food and the nicest people! A must for any Carolina bar-b-que lover. I keep going back fo more and more.

Hands down the best barbeque I've ever had. My husband was born and raised in the south and he said this took him right back to his childhood. You just don't find many gems like this anymore, especially somewhere where you walk through the door and they treat EVERYONE like family. Collards, dirty rice, and hash were amazing and if that was pulled pork I'd never had pulled pork before this. Just can't say enough about this place. read more

Let me start by saying I'm a bbq judge and award-winning bbq cook. On the buffet, we tried wood smoked whole hog bbq, fried chicken, bbq hash, perlou, yams, hush puppies, collard greens, slaw, beans and sweet tea, $12.50. The pork and fried chicken are arguably the best in the state but every one of the vegetables and side dishes are best in class. I almost cried when I tried the collard greens .The diverse textures and flavors elevate the meal to high culinary art. In addition to the great food, mccabes is a family restaurant, run by a family, that makes you feel like you're part of their family. A short drive from i95, I hope everyone reading puts mccabes on their bucket list. read more

Personally my favorite vinegar-based Carolina style pulled pork that is sold to the public. I think they have much better food than Scott's (and I pass by Scott's several times a week). One of the very few places left still fire the pit with good old hardwood. read more

Best bbq around!!! My husband went crazy over the collard greens . This is a must try if you have never been.

Drove an hour of the way on the trip from Charleston to Atlanta for this and it was 100% worth the drive. The family running it are the nicest people in the world and the food was out of this world. The fried chicken, pulled pork and rice and hash were absolutely amazing. Have eaten a lot of bbq pork and this was my favorite. The fried chicken is also worth a visit by itself. Crispy as can be while also being juicy and not greasy at all. Would suggest anyone within 50 miles of this place on a TH/Fri/Sat to go! Cash only! read more

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Driving north from Florida and hungry for some good BBQ. Heard about this small joint in Manning, so I push the pedal on the Alfa a bit further toward the floorboards and point the nose toward Manning. It is small in size, but that's the only thing small about McCabe's. Come in, face the counter, pick up your plate and start spooning in the goodies. Like many restaurants down this way, the food's laid out buffet-style, with all-you-can-eat being the standard method of chowing down; and let me tell you, that's exactly what you are going to do: chow down. Start off with the beans, sitting in the thickest sauce you can get and still have it pliable. They are soft, yet firm and the sauce has a nice hint of ham hock, or some other smoky meaty flavor. Nice. The Collard Greens are thick and sit in a vinegar-based juice that at once puckers you up and makes you salivate for the next bite. The pulled pork is what you always hope for (and seldom get) whenever you sidle up to a BBQ joint. Here in the Carolinas the taste can be mustard or vinegar. McCabe's is vinegar. Sweet, tart, mild, biting vinegar. Mighty fine. Mighty fine. All this is topped off with some good southern sweet tea, which is served in a large pitcher. No small glasses in this joint. But wait! As they say, "There's more!" The sweet potatoes. Brilliant orange color. A hint of sweet, a touch of vinegar and, I kid you not, so soft and buttery that you could spread it on your bread with with a knife. So, while I'm stuffing my face, I notice the sign that reads "Ribs $5.89/lb.". Well, add those to the pile, my friend. They arrive, a huge rack of ribs sitting in a small puddle of vinegar sauce. No need for a knife. Lift a rib and it pulls clean away from the meat. All you need do, is grab the meat and lift to mouth. Clean, neat and a taste to die for. I walked out of McCabe's with a full belly and a wallet lighter by only twenty-bucks. Now how can you beat that? Next time you're on I-95 going north or south, don't let Manning go by without stopping here. read more

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We actually passed this place because if you're not really looking carefully, it's easy to miss this unassuming place. "Cash only" and "hang up the cell phone" signs prominently displayed in the window as you walk in. This was hands down some of the best BBQ I have ever had - fried chicken so tasty and all the sides are amazingly delicious. Sweet potatoes, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, hash, hush puppies... MMMMMM! If you're on a diet, you may not want to visit McCabes, but I recommend the splurge. The service was outstanding and Southern fried friendly. read more

McCabe's Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Manning, South Carolina

I grew up eating McCabe's BBQ. I've also eaten BBQ in every state the lays claim to having great BBQ. It really comes down to personal preference but there is one key ingredient that makes great Q no matter where it comes from: slow cooking at low temps over real wood coals. I mean 12 hours worth of cooking. How and when the sauce is applied matters greatly as well. My idea of sauce isn't some modified version of ketchup that many regions have. The sauce should compliment the pork. Bottom line is if you want exceptional low country Q McCabes is hands down the best. Their sides are darn good too. Around Christmas and Thanksgiving they offer a BBQ turkey that is to die for not to mention the surgical way it is cut up. Then there's the hash. Never ask what's in hash because you really don't want to know but McCabes is stellar. Put it over rice and you have a little piece of heaven. I would love it if they would make their homemade sausage again please please. The only down side is that they have very limited times they are open. read more

Oh. My. Heavens!!! This little gem is just too much~oh the food~the glorious food!! The fried chicken is mouth wateringly delicious, the collards will leave you climbing into the pot wanting to eat your way out and the BBQ-Shut. Up!! The BBQ is so tender, insanely flavorful and just so damn savory! I can't forget the brown rice and hash~let's see~how shall I describe it~maybe decadent with a hint of spicy slap--yup, that's it! Y'all go enjoy this little slice of BBQ Heaven-I PROMISE you'll wanna take nap with a belly full of greatness~ Enjoy!! read more

This place is the real deal when it comes to South Carolina barbecue. Must have the hash, pulled pork, fried chicken, rice with their homemade sausage, collard green n mac n cheese. The family running the restaurant is very nice n friendly. So worth the detour. Will definitely be back! $9.95 buffet, the best bbq money can buy read more

McCabe's Bar-B-Que - Pulled pork, hash, collard green - Barbeque Near Me - Manning, South Carolina

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On the South Carolina bbq trail that we picked up at the SC visitor center off 95. We wanted a lunch spot off 95. Short detour. Hard to find, but well worth it. Ala cart or buffet. Tried most everything. It was amazing. Pork bbq, fried chicken, cabbage, coke slaw, white and Dirty rice, and the absolute best yams I have ever tasted. The McCabes served us and we're very friendly. Other customers were greeted like family. Conversations circled throughout as people told stories how they found McCabes . Cannot say enough. Owner even came out to take this picture of my wife and I. Loved it!! Will try and make back in every trip up 95. Note**** only open limited lunch hours. Call before you drop by. read more

McCabe's Bar-B-Que - Front shot of McCabes - Barbeque Near Me - Manning, South Carolina

So I was little confused trying to check this place out online. It was closed for a while, at least a year. I called before driving down there today and the owner said they'd been open about eight weeks. I hopped in the car and rode, and so glad I did. This is a small but mighty buffet. They have great hash and rice, no livers, not too sweet. They also do perlou--think dirty rice--and it is tasty stuff. All the veg were great: greens, cabbage, yam patties swimming in syrup, slaw, great hush puppies, okra and tomatoes, butter beans, and of course pulled pork--and fried chicken. It was all fresh and just very good--well-seasoned, hot, delicious. The ladies in the back are magic and I want to go to their church so I can follow them home for Sunday dinner. And I don't go to church. Yes, cash only, and yes, only three days a week, and your drinks are lemonade and tea, which is only fitting, but man--this is worth a trip. read more

This is the best pork bbq plate in the area by far in my opinion. Their hash is perfect, not the ketchup hash that most people in this area offer. Pork is great, sauce is great. Slaw is better than most. Fried chicken is unlike anything else you will find around here as well and is crispy and juicy. They have a buffet or you can just get a plate to go. Cash only so don't forget cash. read more

The family and I trek up and down 95 often. We definitely appreciate reviews from Yelp because we try to avoid fast food if possible. If you like Carolina BBQ, this is the place. Five stars for the pork and the fried chicken. The chicken is perfectly cooked and pork has the right amount of smoke. I take a star away for the sides. While I enjoyed the cole slaw, greens, and cabbage, the rice was hard, the gravy was nothing to write home about and the yams were from a can. There wasn't any mac-n-cheese the day I visited. Will we return? Yes! This is a family run operation, and everyone is super friendly. If you are looking for a delicious BBQ lunch, do jump 5 minutes off 95 and visit. The buffet is $8.75 for adults, $5 for children. They also have carry out and sandwiches. The sweet tea is very good too. read more

This food was out of this world amazing. We discovered it on Yelp on our drive from DC to Hilton Head for a wedding. All four of us got the all you can eat buffet for under $10. The food was so incredible. Small town, family-owned and run restaurant of 30 years--this place highly deserves your business. Only open for lunch on Thur, Fri, and Sat, though, so plan your trip accordingly! Highly worth the stop. Thank you, McCabe's, for a far superior lunch than we were expecting on our road trip to Hilton Head. read more

Temporarily closed due to illness. Be sure to call before driving here. Hope things work out. It's a destination BBQ joint. read more

McCabe's Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Manning, South Carolina

Great food and friendly staff! So glad this locally owned business has reopened. Looking forward to more meals from this hidden gem.

Ordered barbecue ribs and were greatly disappointed. Meat was not tasty with strong vinegar flavor. Side dishes were not the best either cole slow was like a baby food and had a bitter taste, deep fried bread is not the best idea. read more

Best barbecue in the state. The only hash you should eat. I love the freshness of the food.

Wow! Yelp you did us right again. Be here and expect to eat amazing food. Such nice people too I also mention the boiled cabbage- seasoning was spot on. Small town but way more flavors than anyone can imagine. read more

Stopped by on our way through 95. Food was great, could tell it was cooked with love, and the Hospitality was even better - the hash is a must get over rice, the chicken was light and flavorful, and the sides, pork, and tea was also on point for the overall experience. Thanks to the crew for all their help! read more

Great "Hole in the wall" restaurant to get a little local flavor. Friendly staff and great food, couldn't ask for much more! Would recommend. read more

Stopped in on way to Florida from Maryland. WOW!! Not enough stars to give this amazing place. Not one thing our family of four had that we didn't like. Fried chicken, ribs and pork bbq the best we've ever had. Every side was delicious. Only thing better than the food was the southern hospitality! This will be figured in to all trip South from now on! read more

This is an great place to eat the only bad thing is it's only open three days a week and cash only...

We had been driving all night & most of the morning from Vermont, when I was looking for a place to eat bbque off I95. Yelp led us to this gem. Wow! A different style but delish. You could never make all these dishes taste so good...worth driving less than 2 miles off interstate 95. I am hopeful they will choose something better than styrofoam to serve these goodies on. Bad for the environment..... read more

Wow. That pretty much sums it up. After disappointment after disappointment eating bbq around the state of South Carolina I believe we finally found a winner. On our way to DC over the weekend we decided to stop off by Manning, SC to try out McCabe's. It is a tiny little place with a small buffet. In short, everything I tasted was prepared spot on. Not one disappointment to be had. Manning is in the vinegar/pepper region of SC...no mustard to be had in the house. We've tried other vinegar based bbq in SC, but no one knows how to do it right (like up in North Carolina). McCabe's is the first that we've found who knows the combination and boy did they hit it just right. I have no complaints and plenty of praises for McCabe's BBQ. Many folks consider Sweatman's BBQ, less than an hour away from McCabe's, to be the best bbq in the state. I think the people who believe that need to have their taste buds checked. Sweatman's is ok, but not worth the effort to get there (in my opinion). It's just off I-95 and easy to get to (especially with GPS). We'll definitely be going back to McCabe's. read more

Small, off the beaten path, and extremely awesome. Try everything on the buffet...you won't be disappointed. Just remember to bring cash. 5 stars! read more

Sometimes its worth to venture off the road and in the case of McCabe's BBQ it is totally worth it! Driving south on 95 we decided to pull off and give it a try. The food far out weighs the ambience and only bring cash. This hole in the wall place is full of flavor and true southern hospitality. The BBQ is delicious, the BBQ sauce original and tasty. Definitely try the sweet tea. The sides are terrific and you can eat to your hearts content. The people who run the place are extremely friendly. Skip all the fast food and go a couple extra miles off 95 it will be worth it. This is truly a memorable southern experience. read more

A wonderful experience. Great food, lovely family. THE great spot to stop for lunch while driving down I 95 to the beach.

Small buffet with plastic plates in little shack with cafeteria tables. Only 2.5 miles from I-95 and surely worth it. BBQ compares well to my favorite NC eastern style ( vinegar) pulled pork BBQ. Highly recommended if you are looking for inexpensive genuine southern cooking and can forego the high falutin napkins read more

It's just a phenomenal place, the chicken and hash are the stars for me, the green beans are one of my wife's favorite things. Even if the food was only ok though, I'd stop to see the family, who are charming and put all their heart and soul into their food, which is what makes food great after all...So profoundly glad they are open again and that they are all well. read more

My husband & I were headed from Raleigh NC to Charleston sc and didn't want fast food for lunch... McCabes was awesome!!! Great food, friendly service, and cute atmosphere!!! The fried chicken was amazing. Telling friends about this place for sure!!! read more

We were driving from Washington DC to our new home in Florida and thought it would be nice to stop randomly and have some Carolina BBQ..... Let me tell you from the moment we walked in these people were incredible!!!!!!! The food was insanely good and the service as well. Super low cost and quality that is unequaled !!!!!!! MUST GO !!!!!!!! read more