Have beening eating at Bessinger's since I can remember and I am 65. Always GREAT !!!

Okay, here's the thing. I'm from NC and we Tarheels would probably qualify as "BBQ snobs" with our eastern and western styles, but even as a western NC BBQ snob I gotta say that if Bessinger's represents the best of SC BBQ, then it doesn't hold a candle to EITHER of the NC styles. Even the eastern style NC BBQ tops it. If you're from NC and are used to the best of either the eastern or western NC styles, don't waste your time going here-you'll only be disappointed in the BBQ.

The BBQ itself? Okay, but you don't get a distinct smoky flavor in the meat, or at least I didn't from the pork I had there. And the BBQ I had was pretty dry even with the sauce they put on it-granted, it was from their Sunday buffet, but still you don't expect BBQ to dry out that quickly even under a heat lamp unless it was pretty dry to begin with. The sauce? Pretty bland if you ask me-no real zing to it, but what can you really expect from a sweetish mustard-based sauce anyway?

To be fair, the rest of the buffet was decent Southern homecooked fare. Their lima beans and mac and cheese were pretty tasty, the roast beef was tender and the turkey was also serviceable, though the dressing was pretty bland. Unfortunately I didn't try the hushpuppies. But the BBQ was nothing to write home about, and since the place is raved about as a BBQ joint and I consider myself a BBQ connoiseur, I'd have to give their BBQ just an okay rating.

I am love their BBQ. I am not a huge fan of georgia mustard but there is very good, and the red or the memphis style is great too! Just the right amounbt of smoke if you as me. Very good over all. The slaw is a real treat on top.

When of my favorite BQ Rest. in US.

Ranks up there with Jacks Stack in Martin City, Mo and Salt Lick outside of Austin Tx (way outside)

Great down home southern sides, like hash over rice, green beans, okra, catfish stew, etc

Top notch sweet tea and that is impt in the south

BQ pork sand is the best I have had anywhere,....... Sauce, non better

If in Charleston you must go to Bessengers

We eat Bessingers probably more than we should. This restaurant is casual so there is not problem bringing the little one. We have eaten a lot of different things and they are all good... BBQ, Hamburgers, Turkey Sandwiches and fries. They also have a buffet on one side of the restaurant.

Make sure you order the onion rings... They are delicious!!