Sometimes my job is a lot of standing around and waiting, which is not easy if you are standing on a very hard concrete factory floor. This day I was escorted and to boot I could only go into certain parts of the factory. My escort had to stay with me the entire time. I am back after an unsuccessful attempt to make a code change the previous day. After evaluating things I saw the error of my ways and planned to be back in the factory bright and early 7AM the next morning.
We made our code changes and the integrator that I was there to support vanished for almost two hours; leaving me and my escort with lots of time to talk. It turns out he is a good ole country boy and knows a few things about cooking pig. So we talk about everything related to smoking pig. He even passes along his own vinegar sauce recipe for me to try. It was apparent that the machine was running well, the change at least did not have a negative impact; don’t know if there was a positive impact yet. So discussion turned to what I would eat for lunch. It was suggested that I drive a short bit out of my way and check out Carolina BBQ in New Ellenton, SC. I was told that it is a family run business and the love of the pig could be tasted in the prepared meat!
After a breakdown meeting of what we accomplished on the machine I headed to my vehicle and started the drive back to Charlotte. However, I first programmed into my GPS the location for Carolina BBQ. It was a bit off my route probably adding additional 30-minutes to my trip.
Again like most BBQ places, not fancy; and at first glance once inside I was a little worried it might just be an average bbq joint. After I saw the word buffet that made me feel a as I could at least try various stuff. One in the serving line I saw the pork and it looked very-very good; so without hesitation I piled it on. They had hash and I got a good serving of it too. Then I saw these things that look like fried okra but more orange. It turned out to be fried sweet potato bits and man were they good! And some very nice looking hush puppies! They had three sauces, two of which were some kind of a mustard sauce and then my favorite a vinegar based sauce. I did not try the mustard sauces but I am sure you South Carolina BBQ eaters would probably enjoy it.
Once I sat down and started to eat the que, WOW. This place lives up to exactly what it was billed and more. The pork was awesome; it was moist and smoked just right. The flavor was exactly what I expect from a good barbecue house. I’ve eaten a lot of que in South Carolina, but this has to be one of the best. I will without question return to Carolina BBQ. I cannot rate it as high as my favorite place Bill Ellis in Wilson, NC. But the que is of similar quality and flavor. You will not go wrong with this stuff!
And the hash… it was better than the hash I had the night before at Mot’s in Augusta, GA.
Like all good BBQ restaurants they had banana pudding. However, I cannot rate it more than average at best.
While I was eating and older gentleman came over and sat down and start conversation with me. I think his name was John or Bob Epps. Went to the University of South Carolina and played ball there in the early 60’s. The man also knew his BBQ so we have an enjoyable 30-minute or so conversation about everything from our daughters and pharmacy schools to BBQ.
If you are in the area of New Ellenton which is outside of Aiken, SC then I suggest you give this place a try. You will not be disappointed.
I give Carolina BBQ a 9 on the Barbecue-san scale.
Carolina BBQ
109 Main Street
New Ellenton, SC29809