5 star. Not enough people are talking about this hidden gem. This food is served with love and history.

Great place for BBQ in Columbia SC. Near USC/5 Points, this location is convenient and restaurant is well put together with outdoor patio that allows cigar smoking. There is a decent selection of bottle beer and wine. The show stopper is the BBQ. Shoulder, Brisket, Chicken, Smoked Wings and Burgers. I'm a Texas Boi and the smoke here was perfected by a Houston Smoke Master. Gotta try the Mac N Cheese and baked beans. Collars on point too! The KC cut ribs are tender as well as the brisket flat. I'll try the point next time. Give it a shot --- Close to Texas Style. read more

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I'll keep this brief.... Best pulled pork I've had in my 64 years. I feel somewhat qualified to say this. I lived in Memphis for well over a decade and sampled a lot of it. I've smoked my own. Railroad's is better. I ordered the plate with green beans and spicy collards...and cornbread. Out came this enormous pile of meat and a selection of three sauces. How on earth would I be able to finish. Well... It wasn't hard. Gone gone gone. My favorite sauce was the mustard based although the vinegar base was tasty also. The green beans had obviously spent some time in the smoker. Collards were perfect. The cornbread...dessert. Cool decor with local sports signage and banners, and civil rights photos and posters from over the years and a smattering of band posters, too. There's in iconic photo of Mohammed Ali and Malcolm X. Lord willing, I'll be back. read more

This is my 3rd visit to Railroad Bbq and it won't be my last! Great smoked wings, really good pulled chicken and some of THE BEST Collards I have ever eaten, nice and spicy and full of flavor! Of course I got some banana pudding and a slice of carrot cake to split as dessert. My mom had the pulled chicken sandwich and said it was delicious and very satisfying! The staff is super helpful and I just love the way the restaurant is decorated. read more

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Great service and delicious food!!! I had pulled pork, potato salad, mixed collards & kale and a slice of cornbread. Of course everything was seasoned to perfection!!! Portions are plentiful! Definitely Southern food at its best :) read more

Food, staff and ambience, perfection! We got the stack plate with the brisket, pulled pork, spicy collards and green beans. The weather was so nice and we had our pup with us so we sat outside in the entertainment area and enjoyed the amazing smoked vittles and topped it off with banana pudding. Definitely worth a return visit! Loved the music choices too they had playing. read more

Excellent wings and brisket wedges. Staff was friendly and service was quick. I'll return

So I was in Columbia, SC for some training. For lunch I searched options and found Railroad BBQ. My classmates agreed to eat here. We walked in and I fell in love with the ambiance. The restaurant was a celebration of Black History in South Carolina. Photos, articles, and tons of history. Such a meaningful setting to enjoy a meal, company and conversation. The service was fantastic. The food??? This was 100% the very best pulled pork I've had in my entire life. I would drive 1.5 hours every day to eat here. My employer would never allow this. I do know that every time I'm in the Columbia, SC area, Railroad BBQ is an absolute MUST!! read more

Railroad Bbq - Pulled Pork Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Food was good, service was great! Overall, value was there and we will visit again. Good menu with a lot of options.

In Columbia and searched for lunch. This establishment has a 4.8 rating and it should be 5.0. You walk in to a very friendly staff that is helpful. They suggested The Tubman which is a selection of BBQ and three sides. It came with ribs brisket and pulled pork. All of the meat is beyond good. The spare ribs were soft and basted perfectly. The brisket melts in your mouth! The pulled pork with a selection of sauces is amazing. The Mac n cheese is amazing. Best coleslaw I have had in a long time. Came with corn bread that I loved. It was to feed four but could feed six or more! The service in this restaurant was fantastic. If you love BBQ you need to eat here. read more

Railroad Bbq - Leftovers! - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

What a hidden gem! We got the "Tubman" - barbecue ribs, beef brisket, pulled chicken, and pulled pork. ALL the meat had been trimmed well and was delicious! We also enjoyed some great sides, especially the potato wedges and baked beans. The cornbread was good too, although the slaw was just average. The only thing we didn't like about this place is that there is not one of these in Atlanta, where we live. We would definitely have this on the top of our BBQ list. I should also add that my husband is a bona fide "barbecue snob" and he said this place absolutely rocks! read more

A Columbia original offering up some of the areas best bbq along with a dining environment filled with notable historical memorabilia-you are guaranteed to leave not only full but also wiser! Railroad has all the basics, pork, brisket, chicken, hash, dogs and burgers. While the menu is simple it's filed with flavor. Whether you are a vinegar, ketchup or mustard lover, Railroad has your back. Staff is friendly and welcoming. Limited parking and seating so do be sure to plan ahead read more

Railroad Bbq - Side palazzo- I couldn't decide so I opted for an array of sides including pulled pork, salad, Fresh Green Beans and cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

I saw Railroad BBQ pop up on a list of must try places in the Carolinas, so we made a road trip out. I had the pulled chicken sandwich. It was pretty good. It's a bit of a drive for us, but it's worth trying if you're in the area. They're known for their brisket and greens, so I might try that next time. read more

Railroad Bbq - The Engineer - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Railroad BBQ is a Columbia,SC staple. Great food and the service was quick and straight to the point. If you're on the fence on the numerous amounts of BBQ restaurants in Columbia to choose from, Railroad BBQ won't disappoint. Definitely will be coming back! read more

Railroad Bbq - The John Henry - Pulled Pork - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

On a business trip to Columbia and craving some local Q instead of the typical chain grub, and BOOM ! Success ! Railroad is the real deal ! I went simple on my visit with a pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese. Excellent ! Not fatty, just tender and delicious with a choice of three different sauces to try. I'm a vinegar based fan so that was my fave but the mustard sauce was pretty tasty too. Mac and cheese was some of the best I've ever eaten. Lastly, banana pudding for dessert...enough to share, fortunately, I was solo ! I did take 1/2 back to the hotel room fridge for breakfast, however ! So, in closing- Food, Service, Vibe : Check, Check, Check ! Next visit: Brisket or ribs, and collard greens ! read more

Railroad Bbq - Pulled pork and Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Loved our first time here. The staff was incredible and so kind, helpful, and genuinely happy which is hard to come by. The food was DELICIOUS and highly recommend going big and making sure you get everything you want. Topped off our meal with the banana pudding. If we lived here we would be back often! Great stop! Homey and awesome small bbq place that's a gem! Check it out! read more

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We ordered take out so I can't comment much on the actual service besides the cashier I spoke with on the phone to place the order (who also was the same one who gave me my food). The bbq spot has really interesting decor - the kind of place where you could stare at the walls forever, which is always a great thing. Here's what we ordered - Brisket, Mac n cheese, potato wedges: my son says it was the best brisket he's ever had. I personally would rate it a 3.5/5. It was Smokey and tender, but a little more flavor would have been perfect. The mac n cheese and potato wedges was good but nothing to obsess over. Salad - HUGE salad for $10. It was enough to eat half and eat the other half the next day. Good amount of all the toppings. I got the vinaigrette which was flavorful - sweet, savory and tangy. Smoked wings with Carolina red sauce, spicy vegan kale/collards and vegan black beans: I was disappointed that the menu didn't have a half chicken so I bit into the wings wanting a 1/2 chicken. Take that how you want. That said, the wings were Smokey and the sauce was really flavorful. The greens were really flavorful but not spicy to me at all. The beans were also really good. I was pleased to see some sides on the menu that were vegetarian/vegan. I don't live in SC so I likely won't be back. But if I did live in the area, my money would prob go to a bbq place that sold 1/2 chickens. read more

Their smoke ribs and potato salad are delicious. Also the customer service is amazing!

Great service! Friendly staff, clean and the most amazing bbq I have ever had. The Mac and cheese is scrumptious! The wings are loaded with flavor and the meat is to die for. Highly recommend this place if you're in town. Will definitely come back. read more

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i'm upset that i'm JUST learning about this institution! first off, mrs sharon is an absolute gem! she greeted us with such love and explained the menu to us including some of her top recommendations. the entire team provided exceptional service and made us feel like family from the start. the place is truly amazing as it's covered from ceiling to floor with historical art and references, too many to mention. the music selection was AMAZING! but we're here for the food and when i tell you this hit on every level! the brisket was flavorful and super tender. the ribs were seasoned to perfection and had just the right about of give. their vegan collards and kale are literally the best i've ever had. can't wait to come back and try some of their additional offerings. read more

Railroad Bbq - Brisket 2 Slices Ribs Collards & Kale Spicy Mac & Cheese Cornbread 2pc - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

This was our third time to railroad, and we took some friends to introduce them to some delicious BBQ! Brisket was super tender and very tasty! I got the two meats combo: brisket and ribs. Next time it's all brisket.! All the sides were great. My Texas toast was kind of blah though....just dry toast. I guess that'll teach me...always get corn bread in the south. read more

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Amazing food and catering service for our tailgate party! The cornbread was to die for, and everyone also especially raved about the brisket, pulled pork, mac & cheese, sweet tea and banana pudding. Highly recommend! read more

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This restaurant gets a 10 for cleanliness. The ambiance is perfect and the latrines are cleaned to the max. The service was good, the Turkey Wings are excellent. My family has 10 items on the menu so that we could mix and match. The meat is seasoned well, the only thing they are lacking is perfecting the side dishes. The Lemonade was homemade almost forgot. You can`t dock this restaurant any points because its well managed and super clean and the prices are fair. The chicken wings are impeccable. read more

Beautiful staff, beautiful atmosphere, and beautiful tasting food. Staff was friendly and helpful. read more

Stopped in for a simple lunch and got the Passenger, which was a decent pile of pulled pork bbq on a bun topped off with Cole slaw and a side of baked beans. This place is really nice to go as the food is very good and the interior is very welcoming. Be patient trying to find a good parking space though. read more

Beans were good, and shredded chicķen was good too. I did not like the coleslaw and turkey wing was tough but the sauces are good. The wait is not that long for BBQ everything just got cold really fast. The staff is cool I enjoyed viewing everything on the walls. Prices are slightly lower than expensive. read more

This small but conveniently located spot has the best BBQ that I have tasted in the Carolinas. The flavor is rich, and the meats are always perfectly cooked...tender and moist. The meats are so flavorful that no BBQ sauce is needed. But the sauces are great, too. The service has always been fast and friendly, and you can conveniently order online. The prices are not cheap, but the quality is worth the price. The ribs are my favorite dish here and they never disappoint. If you like bold, flavorful, tender, moist BBQ, this is the place worth the trip any time you are in the Columbia area. The inside is cosey and neat with historical items that decorate the walls. read more

First time going to this place after hearing others rave about it. It did not disappoint! We sampled multiple foods and it was all delicious. The service was fast and the location was convenient. The decor inside was also really cool. While waiting on the food I sat at a table and read article after article on the walls and table. If you're looking for great bbq this is the place! When we go back the most difficult thing will be trying to just pick one plate. read more

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Best BBQ we have had in a while! Was visiting Columbia to go to the zoo, and saw this 4.8 start bbq joint and thought it would be the place to try. I had the smoked pork plate, husband had the beef brisket. The Smokey charred bits on the brisket were so good and flavorful. Side were great, and not too large. Large slice of of country style corn bread for each of us came out at the perfect temperature. And the homemade banana puddling was the perfect end to a bbq meal. Great food, friendly staff, and pleasant atmosphere. Will be back next time we're in town! read more

Railroad Bbq - Banana Pudding - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

First time here and it did not disappoint! Mac n cheese and the Ribs were my favorite! Also, shout out Sharon for taking care of us! read more

Railroad Bbq - 2 meat plate !!! - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

I was concerned we would get sick due to the food not being at a safe serve temperature. The chicken mess was cold and I really couldn't describe what it looked like, but definitely did not look like pulled chicken. I will avoid eating here in the future. read more

Full disclosure... I'm from OHIO which basically means we don't understand southern BBQ - so I just got majorly educated in all the good ways. Ribs, brisket... and all the sides. Ohhhhh and we've heard of the Carolina BBQ ok I get it now!!!! And all the people were so friendly it is awkward to northern people who don't get it LOL. Seriously- all the good flavors!!! Chill vibe on the back patio and on the way out we ran into one of the kitchen girls - Ashley- so super sweet and invited us back! Also- the wings were perfectly smoked with only the best dipping sauces! read more

Railroad Bbq - Ribs 1\4 Rack - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Absolutely a gem of a place. We interacted with four different staff members & each one was friendly & helpful. The brisket was incredible & the house made mustard bbq sauce was the best I have ever tasted. Going back for lunch tomorrow. read more

Railroad Bbq - Our meal - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

I have ate here before and it was worth coming back but today was not that day. I ordered the pull pork sandwiche with side of beans and it was disgusting. I could tell when she bought it to the table it was not going to be good. The pork had zero flavor and the bottom bun was soggy. This must've been cooked in an oven or something absolutely no wood smoke flavor and the beans straight from a can. I tried to add some flavor with barbecue sauce it was like trying to make unsweetened tea to sweet tea. I took three bites and just left it on the table that was $20 basically donated to keep the lights on. I will try it again it based off of my previous experience but probably won't do anything that is supposed to be actually cooked on a smoker with wood flavor so just the wings. The restrooms were clean! read more

Railroad Bbq - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Amazing food, cool atmosphere. It's fun to look at all the historic memorabilia on the walls.

What can I say about this place? It's awesome!! The food, the atmosphere, the people! I wish I wasn't starving otherwise I'd have pictures, the service was friendly the Banana pudding is the best I've ever had!! Will definitely come through just to eat here again! read more

Food is AMAZING!!! My mouth is watering now..can't wait to place my next order!! This is the BEST BBQ in Columbia.

I saw this restaurant on Yelp and on Google and all sites have it at 4.8 or above. I don't know why it wasn't a 5, because this place is awesome. The amount of food you get, the prices, the atmosphere, and the friendly service is awesome! From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place is great. The smell greets you and it just goes up from there. It is a very iconic place and has a lot of history across the walls and tables. It even has charging ports to charge your devices at the Very cool and I am glad I found this place. It will be my new go to for great BBQ! I highly recommend you try it. read more

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Aims of the best tasting bbq I've had in a while, with some of the friendliest, most helpful staff to boot. Perfect lunch experience. Restaurants in the area should stop in for lunch and learn what good service, great food, and great pricing looks like. The parking lot is small, but was not full so I got free parking right up front. They have a bunch of tables and bench seating, and quickly combined some to accommodate our group of 6. The cashier/waitress was friendly and helpful. She made ordering a breeze. The menu is standard bbq fare... brisket, pork, chicken, ribs, and all the sides you'd expect. I went for the pork and the brisket. Bother we're amazing. The collard greens was some of the best I've ever had. The max and cheese was solid. The drinks have free refills, which is a nice touch. The cornbread was sweet, but apparently they are switching up to a new recipe in the next few days. Absolutely nothing to complain about. So happy to stumble upon this hidden gem. Run, don't walk here. read more

Stopped here this evening while on a business trip. WOW.... amazing food, amazing atmosphere, and amazing staff. We even got to experience the train rolling by before we left. Everything we ate was so good, with rich flavors, and plenty to take home to eat later. Don't walk, run to try their food!! read more

Railroad Bbq - Brisket, Ribs, Potato Wedges, and Mac n cheese!! - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina