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

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

If you're in the area are looking for a nice ride, you will not be disappointed. Shealy's is a local South Carolina barbecue buffet. The food - there's plenty of pulled pork, fried chicken, collards, green beans, lima beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn bread, etc. There's also a complete salad bar and of course desserts and ice cream. Beverages are included. The atmosphere - it's a buffet. Tables are long - sit where there's an open seat. The service is very good. .I was there for lunch and think was a good value for all of the food available. As others have suggested, don't overload your plate there's plenty of good food to try. read more

Food was excellent; however ,the seating was odd and needs to be updated with separate tables/booths. Service was good. :)

Food is amazing!! Order "pulla bone" from the server. It's made to order, breaded and fried chicken breast without the bone. Not on the buffet. Service was impeccable! Our server was extremely friendly and made us feel at home. Bought more bbq sauce to take home. read more

Having heard great things about Shealy's I was expecting a little more. I am handicapped, in a wheelchair, and almost couldn't even get in the restaurant. Fortunately I went with someone or I couldn't have. There are only four handicapped parking spots, and we had to park way in the back. Then we had to go into the restaurant in a very convoluted way because wheelchairs won't fit in the regular entrance. So go prepared if you're in a wheelchair. The hot food buffet was limited for me as I have Celiac disease so I have to eat gluten free. The only vegetables I could have were the green beans and lima beans, which were very bland. I was about ready to dive into what I thought were collard greens when my companion, who had eaten there many times before, told me they were turnip greens. So that was a no for me. The pulled pork was the best I've ever had. It was cooked to perfection with no pieces of fat in it whatsoever. They had the traditional South Carolina mustard, the black pepper and vinegar (which tasted like pure vinegar to me), and the hickory smoked bbq, which I thought was the tastiest. They had traditional South Carolina style hash, which was delicious. Their fried chicken was all white meat and very dry. I am still wondering where the dark meat pieces went because they never showed up. There was a salad and dessert bar on the other side of the restaurant. I never saw them because of my limitation with the wheelchair. Everyone was friendly, and our waitress was super. I'd go back, but I sure wish they had some fried okra on that buffet! read more

Shealy's Bar-B-Que House - My first plate! - Barbeque Near Me - Leesville, South Carolina

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This place is great. Best BBQ buffet in SC. The rice and gravy and BBQ is amazing. Give it a try, you'll be back.

Shealy's has been around since before I was born. It is a very decent buffet with plenty to choose from. I recommend for people out of town and for a quick take home meal for a big family or just get a plate to go if it's just you. Wish they still had fried livers, they were my fav.. read more

Awesomeness continued in spite of all that's going on and serving the community with a delicious meal.

4 stars for a unique experience. Never been to park-style, sit anywhere, family seating before. As far as food goes, I wasn't actually very impressed by any of it, with the exception of the fried chicken. With the way everyone talks about this place and how busy it always is, I was expecting too much maybe? It's definitely cost effective. Maybe that's the real draw... read more

Affordable place for my family of 5. Ribs really good on Fridays pulled pork good. Sides could be better IMO. We will be back

Always good food! Price is a bit high but it is all you can eat. But for seniors, we don't eat that much so it's an expensive dinner.

Went for an all you can eat breakfast with my cousin. Set up buffet style, you grab a plate and fill it with delicious southern food - grits, biscuits, sausages, etc. There is also fresh fruit and other foods available. We sat down and a server came to take our beverage order. As we ate, she came around and refilled our coffees and orange juices. We both went back for a little more food and then called it quits because we were stuffed. The cost for both of us - for all you can eat food and drinks - was only $18.94. Unbelievably cheap. read more

We are here Friday night! I love this place and always have! Great food all you can eat! Great servers never let you go without anything. It's a crowded place but so worth it. read more

Amazing! So full Cutest little country restaurant, wish it was in our city! The deserts were fantastic also. OMG the coconut desert . So friendly from checking in/paying first to the buffet and drink refills! Great service And a Pokémon gym! read more

Labor Day- fast, friendly service. Food was hot and delicious. Everyone was doing their part to maintain distancing and cleanliness while being in public. read more

I travel a lot on business to rural places all over the southeast - manufacturing plants, power plants, construction sites, etc. Wherever I go, it's my mission to find and try the local bbq joints. Shealy's is by far the gold standard of country bbq restaurants. That mustard based sauce is magnificent on the pork with some Cole slaw on the side. Hash and rice? Wow, you can't get that from those wanna-be's in NC that just pour vinegar on meat and think they know how to cook a hog. You get a bunch more options on the buffet too - vegetables, mac and cheese, fried chicken, banana pudding, cobbler, ice cream and salad bar. Go to this place if you are nearby! read more

This is by far the best BBQ and buffet I've had the pleasure of eating at!! Good hot and delicious food, a wide variety, friendly service, and salad bar and tons of yummy desserts! It's a great price and includes all you can eat and all you can drink!! Go and enjoy, pace yourself because you'll need too!! read more

Ostentatious bbq buffet with ample veggies, full blown salad bar and a plethora of deserts. They have bacon on the buffet so hardy that a full grown man couldn't eat but three sticks. Pulled pork in three varieties vinegar, hickory or Carolina gold mustard. Ribs, fried chicken, gizzards chicken fingers and hash and rice round out the meat selections. Saturday morning breakfast buffet is equally resplendent. Come hungry! read more

I've known about Shealy's for several years and finally made it by there while passing through the area. It was well worth the wait. Some of the best bbq you'll find anywhere as part of an all you can eat buffet. What more could you possibly want? read more

As usual the best in town. Try to hit Rib night. Great salad & Desert bar. Service is always outstanding. It seem we always meet the nicest people from all over. Give it a try you will be glad you did. Tell it like it is. JH read more

I love this place. Everything is always very good. I wanted their pasta for the 4th of July, so I got off from work and headed straight there. It was not a disappointment. read more

From my hometown of Batesburg-Leesville, SC this place has the BEST SAUCE IN THE SOUTHEAST!!!! Very underrated because it's mustard based, but it's the haters that die faster than lovers!!! The chicken wings are the best in SC. They're medium-sized greasy wings with crunchy breading. No sauce on em, they're not in the style of Buffalo Wild Wings, or places like that. They're very unique. The menu itself is southern cuisine at it's finest!! You won't find another place like this for states, if you find any at all. The red velvet cake is ON POINT!!! The main thing everyone rave about here is the barbeque pork. I don't eat pork so I can't comment on that, but from what I heard it's addictive. Go there and make this small town favorite something on Food Network. read more

So dissatisfied when I opened my to go box, and there were no chicken or the yeast roll I paid extra for. Im hoping the refund is made. I was looking forward to a pulley bone. I didn't pick up the order and wasn't able to leave work to get order corrected. I've had boxed macaroni and cheese better than the processed cheese and noodles they call macaroni. read more

This is the BEST BBQ in the entire Southeast!! It is worth the drive from Atlanta or Charleston for this place. It is a buffet style with Chicken, liver's, gizzards and BBQ. Every "southern" dish your grandma made is served here. I get myself ready a few days in advance for Shealy's and there's not a visit that goes by where I don't have to unbutton my pants on the drive home! This is down home, stick to your ribs, make your mouth water BBQ. I can't stress enough that if you're on I20 outside of Columbia, SC, find Shealy's! read more

Shealy's is a gut busting good time, that I only allow myself to enjoy annually. Located in Batesburg-Leesville, it's about a 45 minute drive to the South Carolina's Bar-b-que mecca from my home in Columbia, but well worth it. Unlike many of the places in Columbia, Shealy's is still pretty affordable to take a family to with the buffet coming in at $11.98 (several of the Columbia big names charge $15++/person). The buffet is huge! Hot bar, salad bar, desert bar, and beverage all come with your purchase. They have all the favorites like green beans, mac & cheese, butter beans, and cream corn (to die for) as your sides. They have a couple rotating hotplates like jambalaya, chicken & dumplings, etc, but above mentioned staples are always on the bar. Their ribs are great, and finished with either a red sauce or a yellow mustard bbq sauce. As far as your BBQ choices it's shredded whole hog, and you can get a pepper vinegar base or traditional SC Yellow Mustard sauce. I prefer to mix the two. Good white rice with amazing old school made hash. The hash reminds me of my Papas. The BBQ is worth the drive, but... Shealy's should be called BBQ House and Fried Chicken Spot. Shealy's has the best fried chicken I've ever had. The end of the hot bar has a mountain of fried chicken (Breast, thighs, wings & legs), fried gizzards, and livers, but the star of this show is the pulley bone. These you have to ask your waitress for. The glorious pulley bone is the juicy, tasty, white meat around the wish bone. Pro tip, get a little bowl of their white gravy (right after the rice and hash, before the fried chicken), add a couple squirts of Texas Pete, and drag that pulley bone meat through it. It is amazing. Pulley bones and white gravy from Shealy's are "Last Meal" worthy. Salad bar has lots of choices, but lets face it I'm not at Shealy's for the healthy stuff. Desert could be great, but why waste the room? Say it with me: "Pulley bone & gravy." You will not regret it. read more

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Shealy's Bar-B-Que in the off-the-beaten path location of Bateburg-Leesville (their official address is in Leesville, but for some reason it seems that part of the charm of this spot is the convergence of these two rather small and backwoods-y towns). Located over an hour from my childhood home in Lexington, SC, it was always a treat when the family would decide to take a trip out to the world famous All You Can Eat Buffet. Very few guests from out of town would be able to escape the experience that occurs within the walls of this old establishment. Even fewer would leave the occasion unsatisfied. From the moment you walk in the front door, you realize you're in for a unique experience, from the pictures on the walls showing the humble beginnings of this source of southern pride to the sink that's located right within the turnstiles to get to where you pay. Okay, maybe they're not turnstiles, but there is a rather theme-park-esque line set up to get to the cashier, pay, and ultimately begin stacking your plate high with piles of delicious country cookin' (can't have no extra g's when talking about Shealy's). I hate lines, have always hated lines, but I remember sitting in this line as a kid and only finding myself getting more and more excited as the anticipation would build regarding the oncoming meal, as opposed to the boredom that could come upon me quickly when waiting in line for a roller coaster or water slide. Yes, I'm saying I would get more excited about this meal than I would waiting for a thrill ride (and although I'm using the past tense here to make me seem a little less childish at present...I still get that excited). But the real moment of realization doesn't actually occur until you walk through the doorway into the restaurant-proper. All at once you are greeted to the experience through almost every sense your body has at its disposal. Your eyes, of course, dart everywhere as you drool over the steam rising off the buffet tables that are lined so thick on each side that you can barely see the food, but you can't help but also need to see all the people sitting at the picnic-tableclothed-tables around the room. People watching at this establishment is yet another important part of the whole because this is where all classes of the South Carolina lifestyle converge. If you don't see something happening around you that makes you smile, you're grumpier than Ebenezer at Christmas. But then you pick up your plate and the moment you've been waiting for is finally about to be realized. Unfortunately, this is the moment where you also begin to understand that not all is perfect in the land of BBQ. As you get your first glance down the valley of buffet items, you realize that there is absolutely no way you can fit all of the necessary food items onto your plate. Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese, Fried Chicken, Chicken Gizzards, Mashed Potatoes, Lima Beans, Corn, Fried Fish, Country Fried Steak, Ribs, Hash, Giblet Gravy, Pork Rings, Corn Bread, and much much more lie between you and the ultimate goal at the end of the line...the Shealy's Carolina Gold Pulled Pork Barbeque. Just smelling that mustard-based barbecue sauce causes the world to melt away as I enter a childlike state of absolute need. Ultimately, you choose what you can fit, making a minor amount of space available for the non-meat food items, but mostly covering your plate in chicken and pig. That's when you and your family finally get down to the table, seated right in the middle of the people-watching action (because this is a family-style seating restaurant, folks) and dig in. This is where my mind usually goes blank, kids. I get so intimately involved in the feast, that I sometimes lost absolute awareness of what's going on around me. The only thing that I'm aware of for the next 30 minutes or so is the fireworks going off in my mouth. Added to it all is the liquidy refreshment that is a giant glass of Sweet Tea, and you know you've made it somewhere special. By the time you're done with your first plate, you begin to feel disappointed. Not in the food, however. No, you're disappointed that you're already beginning to feel full and are coming to the understanding that this experience may have to end soon. And, you've also having to make yet another tough decision. Should you get seconds and risk filling up completely, or should you hit the dessert table... My answer is always BOTH. And that's true for one simple reason...Banana Pudding. If you aren't from the South, you haven't had banana pudding, and since this experience is all about the South, you need to have that vanilla wafer and banana-chunk filled dessert. It's simply a must. Of course, there's also the soft-serve ice cream dispenser that offered no end of happiness for me as a child... There's more to this review, but Yelp cut me off. Go here for the rest: http://fatmogul.com/travel-review-shealys-bar-b-que-in-batesburg-leesville-sc/ read more

The best in BBQ you will find! Yummy! They also have a great buffet that can't be beat. The greenbeans are so good. read more

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

Raised in California, one of my first memories is of going here at night during a trip to my grandpa's hometown of Lexington (about half an hour from B-L); I thought it was gigantic as a three year old, and a little disappointed when I saw it later in life and saw it was REALLY small! My favorite thing was the pulled pork, ESPECIALLY because of the yellow mustard BBQ sauce - I tried bringing some home for my BIL to try but it burst on the airplane :(. I don't eat pork anymore, but both the salt and pepper and mustard sauced pulled pork was AMAZING. At least until something changed - the quality here, I'm afraid, has been going down. It saddens me because of the found childhoos memories, but everything tastes BLAND now, even with shaking on a tad of salt it just doesn't taste the like it used to. I AM going to try ordering a bottle of their sauce from their site for shipping though, I'd be plesed as punch to be able to do some chicken in it! read more

This place is huge, and it's filled with delightful All You Can Eat offerings, including bbq hash. Worth the side trip.

Shealy's BBQ is probably one of the favorite and more well-known southern bbq buffets in South Carolina, and for good reason - it has an incredible spread of Southern food (and desserts!) that I haven't seen matched at any of the bbq restaurants I've been to so far (but they don't have one of my favorites, hush puppies, what's up with that??). However, regarding the taste of the food, I think I've had better flavored food at a lot of the other southern bbq buffets I've been too. One thing they specialize in is their pulley bone chicken - a piece of fried chicken cut around the pulley bone. Where is that, may you ask? I previously had no idea before going to Shealy's, but I found out it refers to the wishbone area of the chicken. This piece of chicken was cooked pretty well; it was pretty juicy despite being white meat, and the texture of this chicken piece was a bit chewier than eating a chicken breast, if that makes any sense. Interesting, but I still prefer my dark meat. =) It is deep within the SC countryside, almost a one hour drive away from Columbia, with at least twenty to thirty minutes of that drive off the I-20 exit. But the drive is good in a way, because by the time you get there, you will definitely have developed an appetite for the food, and it is all-you-can-eat! =) The restaurant itself is very large, with at least three large areas to seat everyone (you get assigned area to sit in after you pay), but it still fills up very quickly. When we got there, we still waited in line for about ten-fifteen minutes or so before getting a seat, but the line moves pretty quickly. For more details about the food, as well as photos of both the restaurant and some of the dishes offered here, you can visit my food blog, http://epicurious-eats.blogspot.com/ read more

What can I say, wanted to be impressed since so many locals love this spot. But alas... it was mediocre at best. Went to the pick up/to go area (which is on side of building). There is a station for hand sanitizer as you walk in, there was 1 person in line in front of me. Waited for 10 minutes to get served. There were 1/2 dozen employees working, talking amongst themselves or standing around. Unfortunately several customers behind me left since it was taking so long. But was not even noticed since there is a steady stream of activity. They have a nice selection of items to choose from, prices are reasonable. Food is displayed behind glass warming area, nothing is marked noting what it is , so you have to ask, which was annoying to my server. She actually rolled her eyes. They have Fried chicken. Pulled pork, Ribs for proteins and rice/gravy, Mac cheese, baked beans, Lima beans, collards, and several other options for sides. A choice of roll or corn muffin comes with your meal. I chose a combo meal of Fried Chicken and pulled pork with my sides Lima beans, corn and chicken noodles. My hubby got a combo with fried Chicken, pulled pork, and double Mac n cheese. The Fried Chicken -they give you a choose of white or dark meat and don't charge extra for chicken breast , she went to the back to get fresh - so points for that. The chicken has a nice coating, was cooked very well, still juicy but so salty. The south tends to over salt everything. It's too bad since that is the only flavor you can taste. The pulled pork was good, but nothing stood out as excellent. I've had better. They use a mustard based bbq sauce. I prefer a ketchup based sauce myself, I think it has more flavor. The Lima beans were as expected, overcooked with loads of butter and salt. The corn was saucy almost like a scallop? The Mac n cheese was inedible. Overcooked pasta with some glutinous cheese product on top. The chicken noodles had shredded pieces of chicken and egg noodles in a chicken gravy. Again salty. Most of our meal we threw away. Won't be returning any time soon. read more

I can only comment on the sauces as I had them shipped to me. I wanted to try some authentic mustard based bbq sauce and someone on the internet recommend Shealy's to me. I spoke with a sweet lady on the phone who helped me with my order. I received the mustard sauce and the vinegar sauce. I put both on some pulled pork I made and they're both rich in flavor. The mustard bbq is a great alternative to break up the monotony of traditional bbq sauce that those of us on the west coast are relegated to eating. I didn't expect to truly enjoy the pepper sauce, but it's got just enough heat and a better flavor than Tabasco that I think I'll put some on my scrambled eggs tomorrow. Not sure if that'd be a sin in S.C., but seems like a good idea to me. If the bbq is prepped as well as the sauce, then I'd venture it's excellent and I hope one day to make it out to South Carolina to try it in person. read more

If amount of food offered is a measure then they are top notch. Go pig out! Unfortunately the food quality is average at best. The tables are all joined together mess hall style. Not a place to sit and enjoy a peaceful meal with your family. read more

Really good country cooking buffet. Some of the best string beans I've ever had. They're really good!!!!Butter beans really good as well. I've always enjoyed Shealy's sauce and I buy it all the time in the store but there BBQ is just ok to me. Really didn't have much of a smoke flavor and was kind of greasy. Ribs on the other hand were really good . I really enjoyed them great smoke flavor and cooked to perfection. Dessert bar is also fantastic. If in the area, I will definitely come back again. I could eat those string beans everyday. read more

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

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It's excellent - - Different - I had Shrimp and Grits with bacon bits sprinkles. Delicious !!!

Look. I know that going to a restaurant 30 minutes before close is setting yourself up for disappointment... especially an all you can eat restaurant. And for your birthday, you want a really smooth experience--and I was so pleased having spent my birthday dinner at Shealys. They made us feel right at home, having been from out of town. It's nice to go somewhere different in your state and receive the same great service. Our waitress was kind, the cashier was incredibly sweet as well. Al talked with us, and we haven't gotten to the best part... the food! There is a reason Shealys is famous. If you're in the area, you have to try it. Batesburg-Leesville is such a cute town, it's well worth the stop. We ate dinner Thursday and came back for the country breakfast on Saturday and we were delighted both trips! read more

The wait is a little annoying but I've been going here since a child and it never fails to fill me up to have me wanting more. Staff is always nice and timely read more

I am so upset with how we were treated this evening. After paying $41 for dinner we got our plates our 2 year old starting throwing up. The manager did say she gave an exception and let us put our plates in to go boxes but would not let us get dessert or anything. They watched us like a hawk and made sure we only put what we had on our plates. There were 4 of us and they gave us 3 to go boxes. I called back and spoke with the manager to see if there was anyway we could come back another night and she said no that they made an exception for us by letting us take our food home. So basically we paid $41 to eat at a buffet where we got a small plate and nothing else. We will never go back!!! They must need the money more than we do. read more