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Wholly Smokin' Downtown

4.3 (520 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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Business Info

WHOLLY SMOKIN' DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Wholly Smokin' Downtown

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Two meat plate Brisket and Pull pork
Joseph M.

The service was excellent. Parking is easy and close. I was able to sit down immediately. The food was great and a must try. BBQ in Florence done right

Brisket with fried okra and limas/corn (sides not GF)
Hunter K.

For a bbq place it's refreshing to have one that is so in-touch with food allergies. The menu is clearly marked "GF", and it's quite an extensive option. Service was prompt even though it got steadily busier into the evening. The place was well kept and had a warm atmosphere.

statues that is outside nearby
Ana H.

We were nearby this town for a trip and we chose this place after a long day. We are so GLAD that we chose this. This place on a Sunday afternoon was quiet and quaint and full of flavor in their food. Most of the party ordered the burnt ends wrap with fries. They all loved the wrap and the fries were crispy/hot/salty. Everything you want fries to be. I ordered the quesadilla - pulled pork. I think you can also order a chicken option. The cheese in the quesadilla is pimento cheese and it was everything and more. They do have a salsa that is corn and beans - I am not a huge fan of beans so I did try to eat around it - it does come on the side. It is an appetizer/shareable but I got it as a meal and it was DELICIOUS. This place is a great stop!! Must try.

Front door
Andrew K.

Looking at the menu online, I was expecting a standard decent-but-basic stop for lunch. What a delight to find such a thoughtful, quality place. From the decor to the servers to the fact that there was live music playing when we walked in, it was a great surprise. They were serving barbecue brunch when we arrived, but also had their regular fare. The chicken bog was simple and tasty. The mac & cheese, fried okra, and collard greens were the standouts for our visit. We didn't end up trying the barbecue itself. Next time we're back in this part of the world I'll look forward to some burnt ends. Thanks, team!

Menu
Helen L.

This place was amazing. Went down with my husband to South Carolina on a whim for our anniversary. I found this place on Yelp as we both wanted bbq it was phenomenal. The service and food. We got the fried green tomato's with pimento cheese and red pepper bacon jelly. It was so tasty. Then I got the pulled pork platter with collards and warm potato salad my husband got the ribs with Mac and cheese and potato salad. Everything was so good I hope I can go back one day.

3 Meat Sampler
Jonathan C.

if i could bump this up to give a half star i would here's the breakdown of the experience and ratings to match wholly smokin' is a dope spot in downtown florence. i'm sure it wasn't as busy on a saturday night due to the race being in town but i was a little nervous coming in and only seeing three tables seated during prime dining hours. the aesthetic is signature southern BBQ, no frills with tons of accolades on the wall. our server was absolutely amazing! she'd been with the restaurant for years and gave great recommendations as well as being knowledgeable about the menu and providing excellent service. the food is where we find the struggle i knew i was in for a tough time once the plate hit the table. i think im going to give up on trying brisket at larger establishments. this brisket was tougher than shoe leather and it was sliced thin. it was dusted with some great spice rub and served with au jous but neither one of those things could save it. brisket was a 0/5 the burnt ends were ok but were on the tough and dry side as well. the sauce made up for it but it lacked tenderness. burnt ends were 1/5 the pulled pork was ok. it definitely needed sauce as was on the colder side upon arrival at the table. pulled pork was 1/5 now the star of the show were the sides and the dessert that wasn't pictured the spicy baked beans were AMAZING! i'm usually reluctant to order baked beans because they're just a sugary smushy mess but these were great! they had a great kick to them as well as great texture. beans were 5/5. the collards were amazing as well. vinegary and bright with a good little bit of spice to them. they were cut on the larger side but i'm good with that. collards were a 5/5 overall it's a dope spot and i might come back just for the sides.

Cozy and very clean interior. You can see the full bar in the back.

Just enjoyed a fantastic lunch at Wholly Smokes. I've rarely given five stars but this place exceeded expectations and deserves every star. It's a cute barbecue joint right downtown with on-street parking. Our food was served promptly and piping hot. The menu offers a number of great options at better than reasonable prices considering the portion size. Our server Tim, was attentive and his recommendations were spot on. If you find yourself in Florence SC and you like barbecue, don't miss this spot - Best of the Best.

Fried green tomatoes
Bob S.

I stopped in at lunchtime and had the burnt ends sandwich, mac & cheese, and fried green tomatoes. The fried green tomatoes were the best I've ever had! The mac & cheese was good, but nothing special. The burnt ends sandwich was good. I would have liked a little more smoky flavor to it. But I would definitely eat here again when in Florence. Service was OK but no one really checked in to see how my meal was.

2-meat sampler with burnt ends and a  1/2 rack of ribs, along with mac & cheese and the creamy slaw.
Beth W.

We were passing through Florence, SC on our way to the beach, and I was so excited for my friend (visiting from Wisconsin) to try some real Southern BBQ. After checking reviews, we decided to stop at Wholly Smokin' BBQ, and while the food, unfortunately, missed the mark for us, I cannot say enough good things about our server, Infinite. Let me be clear--Infinite is hands-down one of the best bartender/servers I've ever encountered. He was welcoming, engaging, attentive, and brought such a warm and genuine energy to our visit. If I were rating service alone, this would be a 5-star review without hesitation. Full stop. Now, about the food--we ordered the 2-meat sampler with burnt ends and a 1/2 rack of ribs, along with mac & cheese and the creamy slaw. Sadly, everything was underwhelming. The ribs were tough and overcooked--nowhere near the "fall-off-the-bone" experience you expect from Southern BBQ. I couldn't even cut them easily with a knife. The slaw had a strange aftertaste, and the mac and cheese lacked flavor and creaminess--it just felt flat. We told Infinite everything was "fine" at the time because he was so attentive and kind, and we genuinely appreciated his service. But in all honesty, the food did not live up to the hype. That said--if you're in town, I still recommend grabbing a drink at the bar, especially if Infinite is working. His service alone made the stop worthwhile. But absolutely skip what we ordered.

Flight!
Steve C.

Came here on Wednesday night, only a handful of patrons. They have a nice selection of craft drafts and I started with a flight of beer. Had the two meat platter. I chose the pulled pork (very good) and burnt ends (not so much). The burnt ends came soaked in a sauce that tasted like a combination of barbecue sauce and mole sauce - these were definitely a disappointment. Both my sides, coleslaw and spicy beans, were tasty. Got a banana puddin' for dessert and IMO, it was the star of the show.

Nashville HOT Fried Chicken Sandwich Combo (3 fried chicken tenders, tossed in Nashville HOT sauce), with a side of Mac & Cheese
Neriah F.

Our waitress was incredibly sweet, ensured we had everything we needed and even entertained my random questions and commentary. She also made sure to check in often while passing to make sure that our table was fine and didn't need anything extra. The sandwich I ordered was definitely something I would order again, it was freshly cooked so the chicken was very hot as you were biting into it. The spice level was surprisingly comforting considering I have a moderate spice tolerance, not too high and not too low. The sweet tea they served us was very fresh and tasted delicious. I would definitely recommend. The ambiance was fairly homey, it wasn't quite nor loud and it felt like you were just a piece in a crowd, it was very nice. Overall, I can see myself recommending and returning to this restaurant on a later date.

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2 months ago

Best southern food - peach cobbler was the perfect dessert and I'm so glad I went. Truly an amazing experience

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5 months ago

Best bbq, Dargan devil eggs are scrumptious and the best collards ! Always enjoy my sit downs and takeouts. Only way WHS bbq so yummy

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3 months ago

Service was okay, food was fantastic! I wouldn't bring children recommended if you're looking for some cozy bbq

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Ask the Community - Wholly Smokin' Downtown

Order at counter?

They seat you and wait on you. There is indoor and outdoor seating as well as a bar.

Is there a place to pull a 32 foot RV in?

I do not believe so. This is in a cutesy, historic downtown area of Florence. where, as far as we saw, there is only street parking.

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Wholly Smokin' Downtown - bbq - Updated May 2026

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