My wife and I were driving home from running some errands and noticed a ton of smoke coming from a…read morebuilding while waiting at the light on Waters and Henry. I rolled down the windows because I could tell somebody was making BBQ, and the smell made us both perk up. We drove by and said to one another that we should try that sometime, because it smelled amazing, then we made it one street down and both agreed we needed to turn around and try it today.
There was free parking at the church across the street, and the second we parked and crossed Waters to check the place out, we were greeted by clouds of decadent-smelling smoke billowing out from the screened porch attached to the building. I told my wife that I hoped we would smell like that smoke all day.
The place was packed when we walked in, but it turned out everybody had ordered and was just waiting for their food to come out, so another customer told us to wait by the register, and about 15 minutes later we ordered a large combo plate and were given a ticket with a number to be called out when our food was ready.
10-15 minutes after we ordered, our number was called, and we took our bag (which felt like it weighed 5 lbs) and walked it back to our car across the street.
We opened up the container just to get a sample before heading home, and ended up eating nearly the entire meal in the car, trying our best not to spill sauce everywhere but really not caring either way.
The combo plate came with two chicken legs, about 3/4 of a rack of pork ribs, a side of baked beans, and two slices of classic white bread. It usually comes with potato salad, too, but neither of us are huge potato salad fans. However, we will try it next time, because I imagine they could put a shoe in a container and it would taste amazing given their cooking skills.
The pork ribs were the most tender ribs I've ever had in my life. I've always said that it doesn't matter how easily the meat falls off the bone, but rather how easily it melts in your mouth when you've taken a bite. These ribs melted in your mouth.
The chicken was equally delicious. The meat was tender and juicy, and--somehow--there was actually crispy skin on part of it, which had audible crunch when bitten into.
The sauce was incredible. You can ask for it to be put on your ribs and chicken, or--like we plan to next time--buy a bottle to go. It's a mix of mustard and vinegar based, which is hands down my favorite. I grew up in upstate SC where you can find both options, but having them all in one was a dream come true.
The baked beans were a great, sweet break from the chicken and ribs, and a slice of classic white bread is always great for soaking up extra sauce.
I can't recommend this spot enough. Oh, and local, family-owned! We will 1000% be back.
