Updated October 2026 · 10 picks
Texas brisket, Carolina pulled pork and ribs worth the wait. These are the Upstate barbecue joints locals line up for.
Pitmaster John Lewis brings Central Texas-style barbecue to the former Tommy's Ham House, slicing prime brisket and 'hot guts' sausage to order onto butcher paper. Green chile corn pudding is the must-order side, and a big patio and full bar make the line worth it.
(2,295 reviews) · 214 Rutherford St, Greenville, SC 29609 · (864) 513-6045 · lewisbarbecue.com
View listingThe Charleston favorite's Holland Park location serves smoked pork, brisket and wings with a full bar and late-night hours. A screened porch, kids menu and direct Swamp Rabbit Trail access make it a crowd-pleaser.
(1,206 reviews) · 815 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607 · (864) 686-7427 · hometeambbq.com
View listingA longtime Greenville institution, Henry's hickory-smokes its chopped pork and St. Louis-cut ribs and serves classic Upstate hash and rice. Choose between a mild tomato sauce and a spicy mustard sauce.
(1,828 reviews) · 240 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, SC 29609 · (864) 232-7774 · henryssmokehouse.com
View listingFamily-run for more than two decades, Mike & Jeff's cooks its pork and spare ribs over an open wood fire for upward of 16 hours. It's an old-school, no-fuss stop for serious smoke flavor.
(905 reviews) · 2401 Old Buncombe Rd, Greenville, SC 29609 · (864) 271-5225 · mikeandjeffsbbq.com
View listingWhat started as a seasoning blend became one of the Upstate's best Central Texas-style joints, known for wood-smoked brisket, sausage and scratch sides. It's open only Thursday through Saturday and favorites sell out, so go early.
(1,260 reviews) · 1301 N Main St, Fountain Inn, SC 29644 · (864) 409-2379 · eatbobbys.com
View listingWholy Smoke pairs wood-smoked barbecue with Southern country cooking and giant turkey legs. The family spot reopened in 2026 after a long fire-related closure.
(1,145 reviews) · 447 W Butler Rd, Mauldin, SC 29662 · (864) 729-8883 · wholysmokemauldin.com
View listingA Greer staple for more than 20 years, Mutt's is known for its barbecue buffet, train-themed decor and easygoing family atmosphere. It's a reliable pick when you want to load up on pork, sides and banana pudding.
(2,781 reviews) · 101 West Rd, Greer, SC 29650 · (864) 848-3999 · muttsbbq.com
View listingFork Grove cooks everything over wood, from brisket and ribs to turkey and house-made sausage. It's a worthwhile drive toward Lake Hartwell for true wood-fired 'cue.
(598 reviews) · 1721 Highway 187 S, Anderson, SC 29626 · (864) 225-2425 · forkgrovebbq.com
View listingRun by a pair of Clemson grads half a mile from campus, Roller Mills hickory-smokes pulled pork, baby back ribs and half chickens and offers five house sauces. Scratch sides like sweet potato crunch and mac and cheese earn just as much praise; it's open Wednesday through Saturday.
(216 reviews) · 323 Old Greenville Hwy, Clemson, SC 29631 · (864) 722-2003 · rollermillssmokehouse.com
View listingJust off I-85, this local favorite serves chopped pork, ribs and Brunswick stew without any fuss. It's a go-to for Spartanburg folks who want classic Carolina barbecue.
(659 reviews) · 6 Fairview Church Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29303 · (864) 515-9877
View listingHow we picked: places that show up again and again in local and national coverage (Michelin Guide, Southern Living, Visit Greenville SC and others), cross-checked to make sure they're open in 2026.
Cover photo: José Ignacio Pompé on Unsplash.
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