While enroute to Charleston, SC from Atlanta, I stopped by to get some southern soul food... I've never been to a buffet style restaurant. Being first timer, I asked the guy working behind the buffet and he told me, grab a plate, grab the foods you want and sit down anywhere and enjoy. So that's what I did... for the first plate, I got the green beens, greens, baked Mac-n-cheese and fried chickens. On the other side, they have some salad and dessert... when I tried to get my own drink, I was told that they would get the drink for me, so i returned the cup, found myself a seat and that's when other waitress came by and asked me what I wanted to drink, I went with Diet Coke. For 2nd plate, I went with the pulled pork options and corn. Green Beans - definitely not the same green beans you'll get in north, I couldn't determine why this green beans were different, but it was a new taste for me... must try if you stop by... ended up getting this 3x. Collar Greens - I'm used to the long boiled version of the greens, here it seemed like they boiled it and pan fried it with butter and bacon. Definitely new kind of greens for me, like the green beans, ended up getting 3 servings :) Fried Chicken - is it me or did I miss something? I only found white meat, where's the dark meats??? While the chicken was crispy, some portions of the meat were dried. Pulled Pork - I tried all three (vinegar, hickory smoked and mustard) - they all had their unique flavors, but unfortunately I was not fan of the pulled pork. Their BBQ sauces were ok, maybe it's the southern style, but it wasn't what I'm used to... and even with the sauces on top of the pulled pork it did not help. But for under $13 with a drink, not bad. Definitely my first southern family buffet experience and would like to find other joints like this to explore. From what I understand, you can find similar restaurants in Columbia, so when I can come back to visit, will have to visit Columbia and explore!! Pulled Pork - they have 3 kinds - Carolina's (vinegar), mustard and hickory smoked. To be honest, I was not a fan of all three... even adding the BBQ sauce did not help. I expected this place to be a southern bbq joint with ribs, etc, but read more

Shealy's Bar-B-Que House - Barbeque Near Me - Leesville, South Carolina

Food great. Service great and buffet well stocked. Atmosphere perfect and will return.

Love Shealys. Food is always hot and fresh. Waiters are always there to keep table clean and tea glass full.

Sorry for this slow post. 2 1/2 days ago we drove to Batesburg for some country eats. Naturally I love their green beans and veggies, so they were the first on the plate! I even tried their jambalaya which was surprisingly spicy good. Friday they had fried whiting which is a very good fish that I prefer over most of the fried fish you are offered in today's restaurants. Their 3 types of bbq were offered along with ribs which are excellent with their red rib sauce. After that, any red blooded American knows I couldn't leave without getting a tall cone of their vanilla ice cream. You can get hurt bad here if you don't go for small portions, so be careful!!! read more

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We stopped for take out BBQ at Shealy's. The have a separate entrance for take out. Order plates with BBQ and or fried chicken. You get three sides and a roll as well. Food is good. They specialize in the mustard based Carolina BBQ sauce. read more

Shealy's Bar-B-Que House - The outside of Shealy's BAR-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Leesville, South Carolina

Only a buffet is offered here so if you're not hungry, don't go! I think I tried just about everyone on the buffet and it was delicious. They're chicken is very popular but the pulled pork with their three different sauces was the winner for me. Next door is a little boutique and you can pick up a bottle (or two) of their bbq sauce to take home. Servers were very friendly and quick to pick up dishes in between trips to the buffet. Very relaxed atmosphere and great for singles, groups or families. Plan ahead though since the wait to get seated could be awhile. read more

It's the best bbq I've ever had. The sides were extremely good, Rice, Hash, & Gravy, collards and cucumber onion salad each were tasty. Thanks for the recommendation. read more

I. Love. This. Place!!!!!!!!!! We get there early when we go because it gets super super busy. The food has always been amazing! Their fried chicken is on point and I love the BBQ. The workers are always so nice, they keep your drink filled and the plates cleared. It's been around forever and runs like a fine tuned machine! I appreciate the southern food even though buffets aren't my first choice. They still have gloves on the wall that they prefer you to wear when handling the spoons which I really appreciate. They are closed Sunday and Wednesday...I wish they were open all week!! read more

The food is meh. The chicken good but don't touch that corn it's straight out the can just like them string beans. If I was to recommend anything it that milk gravy with their bread.. Scrumdilly yum yum read more

Love their fried chicken. Potato salad is like mashed potato salad. It is not my favorite We usually get take out. They have so many options, it is hard to choose. BBQ and hash are good. You can't leave Shealy's hungry. read more

If you are into buffets, and you don't mind gnat, black flies, unidentifiable insects etc. then this is probably a winner, winner chicken dinner for you..... If however, you are a hard-working, US tax PAYING citizen I'd say that many people have been rubbed the wrong way. Some people consider their food to be good or tasty, but when you deep fry it, and then add another layer and deep fry again, and repeat two more times,... Dousing everything in butter is tasty, but it is far from healthy as one can get. My husband and his family ate there regularly for a very long time but since his heart attack, everyone is making healthier choices. It would be nice to see this family company and business go with the tides and the times and do a little updating of both their menu, as well as their personnel. read more

It's like home. Been going there forever!! 50 years believe it or not. When it's good it's amazing. When it's not....well ,I can understand a negative review. Overall it's usually delicious,and in my opinion the best country/bbq buffet experience you'll find anywhere close. They do have daily features that are pretty tasty. Thursday is pork chops and Friday has fish n ribs. I know Monday or Tuesday is hamburger steak and one other day is roast beef. They always have the pulled pork and fried chicken of course. Veggies are usually the same with an occasional veggie soup etc. Huge salad bar and dessert bar. If you catch them on the right day than you'll be hooked. That's just the way it is. They do try hard to keep it fresh and clean. Seriously, they do work hard at this. The girls that bring you fresh drinks and anything else you may want are usually sweet and accommodating to any reasonable request. Just know they are closed on Wednesday and Sunday. ENJOY!! read more

Great southern cooking bbq. Food is always fresh on the buffet and consistent quality and taste. We always enjoy when we go for dinner. read more

Shealy's Bar-B-Que House - Pulled pork, country fried steak, creamed corn, limas, green beans and the best baked beans around! - Barbeque Near Me - Leesville, South Carolina

Absolute BEST barbecue restaurant in the midlands! Worth the line, every time! Best green beans! Big tables for a crowd. We drive an hour to eat here at least twice a year every year! read more

I have struggled with whether to even do this review for some time. After all, this was a Roadfood recommendation. For those of us who lived before the internet, Roadfood was a food lover's must have travel book. Jane and Michael Stern traveled across the U.S. and wrote a book about interesting restaurants they found that were worth trying. I packed my copy on many a trip in the '80s and '90s. So, to write a less than stellar review about a place their website recommended saddens my heart. I have no quarrel with the food. It was fine. Who can be disappointed with all you can eat BBQ, although that consisted of two varieties of pulled pork and BBQ chicken for our visit. No, my very unsettling feeling was with the dining "experience". Many years ago someone disparaged one of my favorite local buffets by equating it to "hogs feeding at the trough", a description that I thought was very unfair and untrue. My visit to Shealy's after watching the total eclipse brought that review back to mind, although the Shealy's experience seemed more like cows being moved through the milking barn at a dairy. The parking lot was crowded and parking spaces were hard to come by, but the line inside wasn't too bad. When you go in the door you turn left down a hallway and then turn right towards the register where you pay first. Reminiscent of the entry layout of many a Morrison's Cafeteria. On the outside wall at that first corner is a sink, soap and papers towels where you get to wash your hands. This should have been a clue to me of what lay ahead because after you pay you immediately enter the buffet line. When you finish filling your plate you look for a seat. Seating consists of many rows of 4 folding tables with metal folding chairs to sit in. Kind of like a school cafeteria. Seating is close and when we finally found something I prayed no one would want to sit on either side of me because it would have been tight eating. I enjoyed my food including the dessert choices, but this may have been the most unsettling and uncomfortable dining experience I have ever had. If ever I get back this way again, the only way I would stop is if we hit it on an off time when the parking lot was almost empty and there would be lots of room inside. Otherwise I will give someone else a try. read more

Shealy's Bar-B-Que House - And I fell to temptation again. It all smells and looks good. - Barbeque Near Me - Leesville, South Carolina

I have been coming here for years since 1979 when I was a paramedic at Lexington. The food has always been great. The green beans taste just like the ones my grandmother canned. It's an hour from where I live now but I wanted my grandsons to see and experience places I've been when I was younger. I was very much worth the trip and it was a big hit with them. read more

Yess everyday all day good food I drive an hour to get shealy's Bar- B-Que the best around town for

Don't listen to the 1-star reviews, they're all by trolls. If you want actual good BBQ, Potato Salad, and Hash and Rice, go here. Granted, I haven't eaten at the buffet yet, as I only get carryout (1 hour away), but it's the best food I've ever had. Not to mention, the food comes out quickly, and the workers are super friendly. And the smell as soon as you walk in... Jesus almighty... You might as well be in heaven. read more

highly overrated. from talking with locals, this place has gone down hill badly the last few years. It survives purely on people that go out of habit or nostalgia for the glory days. Literally the only items I liked were fried chicken (but the white meat was inedible dry and stringy) and pulled pork. Vegetables have sugar in them, mac and cheese was cold and clumpy and we were there close to opening... If you are not a native of this area, don't waste your money. This is not the same place it was when Andrew Zimmer did his show here. read more

If I could score as a minus I would. The service that I received can't even be referred to as any type of customer friendly service. It took three calls in waiting on hold only to be put into an answering machine. Call back so could explain that I needed curbside service was questioned can't I walk? It's none of their business to ask about my medical conditions. Obviously I was unable to walk in and that's what drove my requesting curbside service. They were rude condescending and screwed up the order royally. I'm sure that farm boys barbecue in Chapin South Carolina will be more than happy to accommodate as they know how to set up and run a business where you don't even have to worry about curbside service because they have something called a drive-through. amazing anyway, I would never recommend Chili's anymore, obviously they don't care about their customers and are only worried about their bottom line again the employees are pitiful. Sorry to have to write some thing so negative as I would always prefer to let good customer service shine through. read more

Good food, large buffet, large dining room Salad bar & desert bar. Soft serve ice cream Pricey for family on weekends read more

This is only the second time going to Shealy's and it was as good as twenty years ago. We took the whole family here on our way to Saluda to see our grandson's football game. The barbeque, chicken, hamburger steak, vegetables, and banana pudding were all great. We will have to make another trip - hopefully sooner than our last visit! read more

We love Shealy's BBQ, always have! I'm not a huge BBQ fan but my boys love it. I go for the veggies. Take my advice and go early for two reasons. 1. The line to get in is sometimes wrapped around the building especially on Saturdays and 2. you will be so full from this yummy buffet that you will need to walk it off. They also have a great take out with it's own entrance. read more

It's pretty bad when you drive an hour and half to eat bbq and it was really nothing special! The best thing on the menu was the fried chicken, green beans, corn and apple cobbler! Want make this trip again . I tried just didn't care at all for the hash or bbq read more

I love this restaurant!! The food, the service the atmosphere are just the absolute best. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. The are a staple in our community. People come from miles away to experience this quality down home restaurant, with a wonderful ambiance. If you have never experienced this, restaurant, you don't know what you're missing, you need to go. read more

Great food. Great service. Always friendly and they appreciate their customers. So glad the carrot and raisin salad plus ambrosia are back

On a stay in SC whilst we avoided Florence, my genius husband put the Waze directions in wrong. Plagued by hunger, we picked something that would be an authentic down home SC experience based on the name and we weren't let down. I know this isn't pertinent but I feel like this is how you find some of the hidden gems Panelboard cattle call lines to the cashier window greet you. I was a bit apprehensive but we paid the required Hamilton and were let in. It's like a baptist church basement with a kitsch feel. Ignore the noodle or side dishes (except for the collards) and get yourself some BBQ. The vinegar and pepper was exceptional and that accounted for 90% of my time there, brisket was fresh and there some kind of saucy honey pork with a name I can't recall but was delish as well. Collards were amazing so the pot liquor was more on point than I've ever had it. You can enjoy your meal under framed photos of the W. himself eating in a 10 gallon cowboy hat. You'll have to deal with the locals looking at you wondering who in Tarnation you are. But the BBQ is worth it. Bonus: they sell $3.50 jars of their sauce on their way out along with licorice and horehound candy. This is the deep south l expected and was not disappointed! read more

The only reason this review is not 5 stars is that their policy includes the "right" to charging you for uneaten food. This is a little ridiculous given that you may not like something you added to your plate or maybe you just got too full to finish everything or wanted to save a little stomach room for dessert. They want to lower food costs, but this is still ridiculous. I pay. I decide how much to eat, not you. It is a buffet, after all. Otherwise, i enjoyed everything i tried. It is a very good restaurant. read more

It's shealys. Locals you know. If your from the city and are In sc for some unknown reason shealys is the place to go best bbq buffet in town read more

They never have bbq chicken or ribs. Everything else is pretty good but there needs to be more focus on bbq

Whoever the cook is, I hope you win the lottery. AMAZING These Togo plates are always PACKED also ! Thank yall read more

Can't beat Shealy's, it is remarkable food with a great atmosphere. I always went on a Saturday when I was in town but was surprised to find out when I went on a different day that they changed their menu depending on the day. The staff is very attentive and friendly. If you are around it is definitely worth a visit. read more

We've been coming to Shealys Barbeque the last fifteen years..always an excellent buffet. You pay per person $12.00 plus tax. And it's all you can eat, (couldn't do this everyday lol!). This is a full service buffet from hash & rice chopped bbque with the mustard blend to the vinegar blend sauce, spare ribs, vegetables, corn on the cob, fried chicken,fried gizzards,(if you like them?) and a ton of desserts & several different various salads. And you can't be any more southern than this! The food is always excellent when you have that sudden urge to get a lot of bbque, this is the place! read more

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This has been a place that's been recommended over and over since I've lived in Lexington. We finally decided to go. The buffet has lots of options for sure, except I wasn't all that impressed. Items on the buffet were good, but nothing stood out as being absolutely exceptional. I enjoyed the fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and a dessert that reminded me of a layered chocolate eclair. The salad bar selection was wonderful. I would have liked a mild sweet bbq sauce as the bbq sauce options were all too spicy for my kids. I did like the old hickory bbq sauce. I really wanted to like the banana pudding, but it's made with that fake banana flavored pudding instead of vanilla pudding. The kids enjoyed the ice cream cones. I will be back, as the food was good and a nice variety. Customer service was great and they kept our drinks filled and our dirty plates picked up. read more

Legendary. I can't imagine how you could come here and not appreciate how terrific this food is. Maybe those who don't get it are looking for something else. Maybe they don't know what S.C. barbecue is and are expecting Chili's. I've eaten at similar places around the South and this is one of the best examples. I loved all of it. The friendly staff, the quality, selection, preparation of the food and the value. You can see by the pictures what they have. I tried a good deal of the offerings. I'll just give a few comments/tips. The white meat fried chicken is dry. Stick to the dark meat. The mustard pork is amazing. I liked the other two but you must try this barbecue. It's quintessentially S.C. and this is what bbq is about here. Don't skip the cold salads. They're great. Save room for desserts because they're better here than most of the buffets I've ever been to. Absolutely ignore the negative reviews. read more

Food always good and always seems to be busy no matter when you go. Been coming to Shealy's since I was a child.

Holy BBQ! Now keep in mind this review is coming from a Californian, but this was an amazing BBQ experience. I was reluctant at first because it's buffet style. But this place is so busy, that the food is constantly coming out fresh. Great sauces, stews, meats, beans, greens, deserts. This place was everything I could hope for. Anytime I'm in the neighborhood, I'm stopping by this place. read more

I would like to sincerely thank the staff at Shealy's for helping me out when I had an episode of heat exhaustion this evening. They were caring and attentive. God bless y'all and again, thank you. The Avant family read more

When you have a craving for a fresh delicious barbecue sandwich, you may want to skip Shealy's. Who serves delicious hot barbecue on an ice cold burn? Why not warm the buns, even if you don't touch them. After all this is a Restaurant and not a gas station right. Then we ask about the chicken sandwich... Do you know they ask if you want a chicken leg or thigh on a bun... Not deboned, just a piece of chicken on a bun and that is their chicken sandwich! I see a lawsuit with a bone involved in their future! read more

It gets five stars because of the ongoing institution that Shealy's has become. I'll start off by saying that you may not like this place if you are a pampered city folk that wouldn't ever admit to enjoying some good country cooking. And that's okay, different strokes for different folks. With that being said, let us talk about the beauty of Shealy's. "Pay your way in, eat your way out". You pay a flat fee before you eat and they even have a sink for hand washing right in the line. Once you get in, you grab a plate and start down the buffet. Don't worry, you can make return trips, just remember to grab a clean plate each time. Fill your plate and grab a seat at the long community tables throughout the restaurant. You won't be able to eat alone with your group at Shealy's unless the place is unusually non-busy. I've never seen it without a crowd. A server will come by and take your drink order, and I'll recommend the sweet tea. If you are going country, you might as well go the whole 9 yards. The food is South Carolina. I grew up in the state but have since moved away and when I go back for a visit, Shealy's reminds me of what I left behind. It's hard to decide which is better; the barbecue pork, or the fried chicken. I recommend that you try both. Don't forget the brown hash, which I honestly am not sure exactly how that is made but it works very well over white rice. Try the white sausage gravy over the green beans. And don't fill up on bread! Leave room for desert because you'll have your pick including banana pudding, cobbler and soft soft ice cream. Shealy's really is an institution. It's been around as long as I can remember and I am getting up there in the years. If you are from a urban area in the northern United States and are uptight and pretentious, you will not like this restaurant. However, if you have an open mind and want to try some super fine country cooking, you should definitely try Shealy's! read more