A Sad Decline from a Local Legend Carolina BBQ used to be the place. Back in the day, everyone knew about it -- people would drive from all over just to get a plate. Now? I wouldn't drive across the street for it. The food has lost every bit of the flavor that made it famous. The BBQ is bland, fatty, and feels like it's been sitting around waiting for someone to remember what seasoning is. The potato salad? Completely flavorless -- someone forgot that mustard exists. And the hush puppies, once crispy little bites of heaven, now taste like fried bread that gave up halfway through. And all that grease makes it slide right thru. It's honestly sad to see a local legend fall this far. The place that used to set the standard for good southern BBQ now feels like it's coasting on nostalgia alone. Carolina BBQ didn't just lose its spark -- it lost its taste, too. And the parking lot? Please save your tires and park elsewhere. I have attached a picture for reference. read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - Hope it gets fixed. - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

This place was very clean, warm and inviting. The bbq was delicious. We ate the buffet. My only issue was I wish the food was hotter. The hush puppies were just OK. We really enjoyed our meal. Love the staff. read more

Cold food but friendly service. I won't be back after the last time. Nothing was full except the hash which I don't eat.

I took one star away only because they didn't have ribs (they don't do ribs or fried chicken). However don't miss out just because of that I did go close to closing and everything was still so tasteful. The collards were tender and well seasoned the hash and rice with the chopped BBQ was delicious, creamy Mac and cheese crispy fried squash, the variety of sauces are perfect, one to fit each unique taste pallet. The buffet is only 12 dollars and you'll definitely become a regular I can't wait to go back again!!! read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - ows a plate of food - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

Its been a very long time since we have been here, quite a bit pre pandemic. The meat was so tender and they still have a great selection of sides available. Tea and banana pudding was great too. The best bit in all that time the price is only $13 a plate with drink and dessert. Where can you go post pandemic for that price these days? Would I go again - oh yes, its consistently good here. read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - BBQ pork with hash n rice and a selection of veggies - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

The food was warm and the taste was great and the service was good. The ambiance was the typical BBQ style seating with a lot of tables to accommodate a large number of customers. read more

My favorite Aiken-area BBQ place (I said what I said). The sweet potato tots, hash, and pork BBQ are always elite.

Delicious bbq and chicken. If you have the opportunity, please stop. This place has been around since I was a little girl. The folks are very nice. read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

Local Favorite !! I grew up eating here in this family run restaurant along with friends and family. New owner and staff are really nice and the food they serve holds true to what has made this little BBQ spot a success for over 30 plus years. Just a simple selection of all you can eat 'que with rice and hash, yams, greens along with slaw and potato salad. Hush puppies too ! Had an additional sauce which was a sweeter take with a touch of vinegar in a mustard base. Verdict was good along with their traditional mustard based accompaniment. All on the counter for as much as you want to add.... A great trip back to my early years and still looking forward to my return visit. read more

See all

It had been over 10 years since I had been back here and it was as good as I remember! If you are looking for some true Carolina style BBQ look no further. We ordered a BBQ sandwich and small BBQ plate (which are not small and I'm NOT upset). The service was quick despite the crowd of people coming to order and we had our food within 5 minutes. If you're in the Aiken or New Ellenton area and you've never been, this will be your new favorite spot. read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - Small BBQ plate with Mac n' Cheese, Fried Okra, hush puppies, and BBQ mash - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

Food was in a buffet style served by the most uninterested person ever . It was so bland I threw in in the trash and went somewhere else for lunch. Don't know how this placed recieved the 100 mile bbq designation bit it bmdefinately wasn't worth the 50 miles I drove. read more

Heard this place had changed owners. The food seemed a little different than in years past. We had the lunch buffet. Pulled pork, hush puppies, and slaw were pretty good. The macaroni and cheese was really dry and flavorless. The hash had an off flavor and texture. Hope the new owners work on some of these things. read more

Oh man, I so wish I lived nearby cause this is my new favorite restaurant. It was just what I needed after not eating all day while I was sightseeing, and it was conveniently located along my route from Charleston to Atlanta. It's a buffet, and I was in fried food heaven. They had basically all the fried vegetables one could imagine, from corn fritters (and also spicy corn fritters) to fried squash, okra, hush puppies (so good) etc. They also had several types of meat including pulled pork which was excellent and some type of pork stew over rice that I wasn't familiar with but it was delicious. Then they had the cold items (coleslaw, potato salad, pickles, and a number of other things). There is also a dessert buffet including three types of puddings/cobblers and ice cream, but I didn't try those. Plenty of seating, in two large rooms. I went at a weird early dinner time and there were still a number of other people there, including those getting to-go orders. Bbq sauce had several types and enjoyed them. Staff was friendly and helpful, recommending different things when I didn't know what they were. Only suggestion is that they could do with replacing the labels on the buffet, as the old hand-written ones were looking a bit unappealingly grimy. Otherwise, it was the perfect southern on-the-road meal for this starving traveler! read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - I'm eating all the fried things - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

See all

This restaurant has closed. It was buffet style, average, highly salted food served at picnic tables. It was barely hanging on during the pandemic. read more

I found this place to be more of a Soul Food Restaurant, then a BBQ Restaurant. The food was very good and very inexpensive!

The sauces was mediocre at best. The potato salad was bland. Okra was lukewarm. Coleslaw was not good. Pork was decent. Not enough choices on buffet. I guess they have chicken too! But it's not on the buffet. You have to ask for it. Everyone was friendly. read more

Hands down the best bbq place in town. The food was delicious. I felt like it was made by god himself. Every mouth full of food was delicious. The yams, greens, hush puppies, corn, rice, pulled pork, white rice, and sauce were a 10 out of 10. Not only was the food excellent but the staff were very friendly, helpful and great company. Oh and on top of all of the great food, they also have very good desert ( ice cream, banana pudding). If you are visiting Aiken or Augusta, then you are required by God himself to visit this place and enjoy the good food and company. If you are in Atlanta then you are commanded by Jesus himself to drive yourself to Aiken and try the best BBQ in town. I am very full and pleased. read more

Still the best Q + hash&rice around. Meat doesn't need a sauce as it's flavorful and not dry. Chicken skins ftw.

Previous crowd, who built the place from 1969 forward...5 Stars. The new owners...not so much. Averages out to a 3, and that's me being generous. Sales of iconic local places, like this one used to be, happen quietly for a reason. But locals notice...it's not the same. It's not even close. If you're local...and honest...you're sad, and for the right reasons. read more

All you can eat for $9.50. Not bad! I tried this place first compared to their competition, Duke's, just because well I'm from North Carolina and I'm all about UNC. Let's say, I ate three plates worth, so I know what I'm talking about. I fully got that BBQ taste and experience because I thought I wasn't going to get the chance to eat again for that day. So, this is what I felt Carolina kind of fell short. I felt that the selection wasn't that big. I get it, if you do good with one thing and have all you can eat then do it. But the problem for me was that some of the items were a little on the dry side in my opinion. I don't really like to soak my BBQ in sauce, and I feel like good BBQ you don't really need to add anything extra. It would be delicious either you add sauce or not. It, any BBQ dish, can stand by itself. However, the price point $9.50 for all you can eat BBQ is definitely a plus. I feel what they did really good with was their greens and their friendliness. I also thought their dessert cart was huge. I didn't eat any of it, but know that I eyed it for a while... but I didn't give in on the temptation. I enjoyed Carolina's. Nice name choice. The staff was very friendly. You definitely want to come early if you don't want any lines, if you do come late then I would say to load up on your plate so you don't have to go back into the line. This place is okay, I've had better, but for $9.50 it's a steal at any BBQ spot. read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

Best BBQ in Aiken. So many gluten free and dairy free options. Just call and ask and they are happy to help. Our social circle always debated which was better dukes or Carolina bbq and while my vote goes to Carolina all around the genera consensus was that Carolina had better meat hands down but that if you were going in for the Buffett then Dukes had more (and some better) sides. read more

I've been going for classic BBQ here many years. Always a great buffet. love their pork rinds and shredded pork.

Their pulled pork and sides are so delicious. It's family friendly and has plenty of room for you to sit together.

Great BBQ! Family oriented, affordable pricing. Clean establishment. Service is fast.

Love, love, LOVE Carolina BBQ!!!!! I have been eating there for more years than I care to count. So glad they put pork rinds back on the menu. read more

One of the best bar-b-que places in the south! The hash is unmatched. Great pulled pork!

Ambience. C Service. A Food. A Price. A ($10 all you can eat) I love this hole in wall all you can eat homemade BBQ buffet. Everything made fresh. Cleanand lots of plastic throwaway utensils and styrofoam plates and cups. And lots of tables. Cafeteria style pickup buffet line. If they're out or low of anything they will call the order to recook. Overalll I enjoyed all the food. My fave was pretty much everything. However, standout was the chopped pork and hash. Turnips. And fried chicken skin with bits of meats attached. Loved the peach cobbler and banana pudding. Loved all homemade sauces and favorite was the spicy vinegar pepper sauce. Mmm. $10 all you can eat! Includes tea and dessert! I'm a fan. I'll be back! read more

See all

I recently moved to Aiken from Atlanta. I love that yellowish/orange BBQ sauce. I'm on a quest to find the best BBQ in the area. This was my first experience. Carolina BBQ is a bare bones restaurant. No frills. You almost feel like you are impeding on a family's dinner in their home. No carpet. No decorations except Clemson football memorabilia. Country music. My wife and I got the buffet. The BBQ was good. Pulled pork. Two kinds of BBQ sauce: standard SC mustard based sauce and a pepper/mustard based sauce. What made Carolina BBQ stand out is the sides: rice, hash, mac n cheese, hush puppies, collard greens, green beans, cole slaw, banana pudding, etc. Not my favorite BBQ joint, but definitely good. read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

See all

After trying all the BBQ places in, and near, Aiken, I highly recommend this one! The selection on the buffet isn't as large as other places, but the seasoning on all of the items is much better compared to even restaurants 2 miles down the road from this one! I now crave this place more often than I would like to admit! read more

Wow! Been too long since I managed to score some small town SC BBQ. This place is a great lunch spot minutes from Savannah River Site. The buffet style service makes it quick and you will no doubt feel the urge to loosen your belt a notch when walking out. The BBQ, hash, fried okra, pork rinds, and corn fritters were my favorite followed by the greens and chicken. I hear from some former locals to expect a line on Saturdays! If you find yourself in the area for lunch, make sure to check this place out. It's SC BBQ thru and thru. read more

0000 Home sweet home. Still the best bar b que and hash . 4 quarts of hash and 2 pounds of pork packed and heading back to Louisville, Kentucky. They also have the best hush puppies. read more

Best bbq in town and possibly the world. Go here over dukes unless you like dry barbecue and shitty sides.

This is a great place to eat REAL BBQ. I never knew about this place until my husband told me about it. He grew up in New Ellenton and remembers when it opened up in 1969. In 2017, we decided to visit and was very glad it was still in business. The BBQ, hash and rice, mac and cheese, snapped beans, sweet potatoes tots and fried squash was the best that I have ever had from a BBQ restaurant. It is real southern style food. The people there were very friendly and caring. We have been back several times since then and will be back again, especially for their banana pudding! read more

Enjoyed our visit. They are serving dinner again and have survived the pandemic. The best vanilla ice cream.

Some of the best BBQ around. A long time staple in my families dine-out rotation. Hole in the wall, out of the way, strange hours, and limited selection of sides, but what they do in the smokehouse is all that matters. They make great pulled pork BBQ and amazing sauce that you just eat until you can't put another fork full into your mouth. Great option if you need a BBQ fix to go, as they have a separate walk in section for orders. They also deliver to the gates at SRS if you call in your order early. read more

Carolina Bar-B-Que - Baked chicken. Ask for it! - Barbeque Near Me - New Ellenton, South Carolina

See all

Don't go for dinner because they are in such a hurry to get out the door early everyone had to ask for food and it is a buffet for goodness sake. read more

I believe this is the best barbecue restaurant in the entire area. Have been eating here for many years and never been disappointed. Very basic, it's a buffet with barbecue pork and chicken and many vegetables as well as rice and hash. And cannot believe anyone would be disappointed with the place, the food and the value. If you have not tried it, I highly recommend you do. First time I've been back since all of the Covid restrictions, and everything was as good as before!! read more

Great food. Love the side dish of collards in addition to the Barbecue Sandwich Plate. Good portions.

Being a Southerner, I'm picky with my 'cue. My reviews speak for themselves. BBQ is something I have a passion for. Someday in the future, it may be my demise. Until then, laissez les Bon temps rouler! When I say this is legit, you can take it to the bank. I liked it better than Scott's and Sweatman's. Yes, that Scott's and Sweatman's. Why? You can actually taste the smoke, and it's not over bearing. You can even see the smoke ring in the pork. Since I'm from the Lowcountry, mustard based is my choice. While their sauce was great, I found myself eating the pork w/o it. I can still smell the smoke on my fingers.... Oooooooh baby.... Their sides were equally as good. Collards were some of the best I've had, outside of my gmaw's. Mac and cheese was REAL with burned edges, not velveeta crap. The sweet tea was almost as sweet as my mom makes it, so basically the sweetest you'll ever have. This is one of those little BBQ spots you diligently hunt for on the back roads. At least I do. It's easily in my top 3 of all time. Can't go wrong for $9 either. GO THERE NOW! read more

I used to work at the Savannah River Site, so, like all employees there, I had Carolina BBQ once a week (at least). Buffet style BBQ at prices that have resisted inflation. Nice perfectly cooked pulled pork with not a lot of seasoning but just enough to make it perfect for eating without sauce. If you want sauce, they have two home sauces and a couple of hot sauces. The sides are plentiful with mac and cheese, hash and rice (I can't find hash ANYWHERE up here in NoVA), fried okra, hush puppies, potato salad, cole slaw. Sweet tea is on every table and they even have unsweetened tea available. The deserts are awesome (usually peach cobbler and bannana pudding). It's making me cry just thinking about how far away this place is. When I go back home I make an hour detour just to go have my old favorite again. I haven't been there since Thanksgiving 2008. The decor isn't great (it's a South Carolina BBQ joint, what do you expect?), but at least the bathrooms were finally remodeled. For less than $7 for all you can possibly eat of the best food within 100 miles. read more