This isn't the "old" Sweatmans, but it is definitely a great barbecue restaurant! Lunch can get busy in the Fall hunting season, so arrive early, if you are in a hurry. Been eating there for 40+ years and never disappointed!
While waiting in the car with grandchildren, my daughter went in and placed an order to go. She spent well over $100. We decided to eat outside on the picnic table, so I went in and got plates. Those ladies were super nice where you order food. Then I went to get some sauce to put on my barbecue sandwich and was told I would have to pay because it was a to-go order. I said but we're eating it outside on your picnic table and spent over $100. I will not be back. The mac and cheese was so dry the three children wouldn't even eat it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Jasper Solt
On Saturday, October 5th, 2024, my family and I visited Sweatman’s Bar-B-Q, located at 1427 Eutaw Road in Holly Hill, SC, about a 45-minute drive from Charleston. For years, I had wanted to visit Sweatman’s after reading about it in Southern Living Magazine as one of the best barbecue spots in the South. Unfortunately, it seems that this is no longer the case.
My son and I ordered the large BBQ Pork Dinner, substituting Mac and Cheese and Baked Beans for the Rice and Hash. My daughter chose the Half-Chicken BBQ dinner with an additional side of ribs. We all had Cokes, which were served in cans.
As for the food, it was decent but unremarkable. The portions were noticeably small, and nothing about the meal stood out. For my daughter’s meal, she expected to receive a breast, thigh, drumstick, and wing as part of the Half-Chicken BBQ dinner. However, she was only served a thigh and a wing. To be honest, if the food quality had been better, she probably would have complained, but since it didn’t meet her expectations, she just ate what was served and let it slide.
One aspect that really stood out (and not in a good way) was the presentation. Despite ordering for dine-in, all of our meals were served in styrofoam clam trays with plasticware, as if we had ordered takeout. This was not a mistake, as all other patrons in the restaurant were served the same way. While I understand that this approach may make things easier for the staff, it cheapened the dining experience, especially for a restaurant with such a storied history.
Later in the day, we happened to run into someone who grew up visiting Sweatman’s often, as she was from Holly Hill. She mentioned that the restaurant today is a far cry from what it once was, attributing the decline to the passing of the original owners. The restaurant is under new ownership these days, which seems to have greatly impacted the overall quality.
There are numerous restaurants in Charleston serving great barbecue that, in my opinion, far surpass what you will receive at Sweatman’s. While it may have been a standout destination in the past, it no longer lives up to the hype.
I, for one, had entered the restaurant knowing I was also going to have dessert while there. After the less-than-great dining experience, we decided to leave and drove straight to one of their competitors' restaurants and had dessert at that location, so glad we did this.
There is plenty of free parking and the staff was nice, .... It was the food.
Sorry, Sweatman’s — we will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 5
Jim Murdock
Great food , a real treat to get sweatmans kind of a drive from Summerville but well worth the drive . Go get you some .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heather Sweet
I loved it. The food was so good! Best bbq in SC. I will most definitely eat there again soon.
Old school family barbecue place. The people were super friendly and the food was great. I got the 1/4 chicken and the pulled pork. Both were really good. The hash and rice were, very tasty. If you are in the area it is worth a stop.
Sweatman's ribs are delicious! This BBQ place prepares and serves some of the best ribs in Orangeburg County! And the banana pudding is made fresh and it reminds me of my late father-in-law's tasty dessert. The customer service is great and the staff are courteous and efficient. My husband and I are never disappointed. When you get that hankering for great ribs, Sweatman's is the place to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dwayne Ford
Food is always the good, be sure to ask for extra sauce. Ribs are banging
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Laura Huber
Place your order at the counter, and you can either dine in or take out.Rustic atmosphere in the old farmhouse.Excellent authentic SC Lowcountry style Barbecue and fixings. Very pleasant staff.Only open Fridays and Saturdays, so plan your trip accordingly. Very popular with out of state travelers, and conveniently located off both I 95 and I 26.
Kid-friendliness: Who doesn't like BBQ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Plate, Pulled Pork Plate with Mac and Cheese and Green Beans, Small Pulled Pork Plate, Mustard Based BBQ Sauce, BBQ Sandwich, Hash
Oscar Sweatman
Best BBQ I've had my whole life. Look forward to it every time we travel out this way. The pulled pork with hash and rice is amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Plate, Pulled Pork Plate with Mac and Cheese and Green Beans, Large Pork Plate, Mustard Based BBQ Sauce, Hash, Hash & Rice
I have been wanting to stop at this place for a while and it did not disappoint. The food was worth stopping for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Half Chicken, Banana Pudding, Ribs
This isn't the "old" Sweatmans, but it is definitely a great barbecue restaurant! Lunch can get busy in the Fall hunting season, so arrive early, if you are in a hurry. Been eating there for 40+ years and never disappointed!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Plate, Small Pulled Pork Plate, Hash, Banana Pudding
This place is fantastic
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
While waiting in the car with grandchildren, my daughter went in and placed an order to go. She spent well over $100. We decided to eat outside on the picnic table, so I went in and got plates. Those ladies were super nice where you order food. Then I went to get some sauce to put on my barbecue sandwich and was told I would have to pay because it was a to-go order. I said but we're eating it outside on your picnic table and spent over $100. I will not be back. The mac and cheese was so dry the three children wouldn't even eat it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
On Saturday, October 5th, 2024, my family and I visited Sweatman’s Bar-B-Q, located at 1427 Eutaw Road in Holly Hill, SC, about a 45-minute drive from Charleston. For years, I had wanted to visit Sweatman’s after reading about it in Southern Living Magazine as one of the best barbecue spots in the South. Unfortunately, it seems that this is no longer the case.
My son and I ordered the large BBQ Pork Dinner, substituting Mac and Cheese and Baked Beans for the Rice and Hash. My daughter chose the Half-Chicken BBQ dinner with an additional side of ribs. We all had Cokes, which were served in cans.
As for the food, it was decent but unremarkable. The portions were noticeably small, and nothing about the meal stood out. For my daughter’s meal, she expected to receive a breast, thigh, drumstick, and wing as part of the Half-Chicken BBQ dinner. However, she was only served a thigh and a wing. To be honest, if the food quality had been better, she probably would have complained, but since it didn’t meet her expectations, she just ate what was served and let it slide.
One aspect that really stood out (and not in a good way) was the presentation. Despite ordering for dine-in, all of our meals were served in styrofoam clam trays with plasticware, as if we had ordered takeout. This was not a mistake, as all other patrons in the restaurant were served the same way. While I understand that this approach may make things easier for the staff, it cheapened the dining experience, especially for a restaurant with such a storied history.
Later in the day, we happened to run into someone who grew up visiting Sweatman’s often, as she was from Holly Hill. She mentioned that the restaurant today is a far cry from what it once was, attributing the decline to the passing of the original owners. The restaurant is under new ownership these days, which seems to have greatly impacted the overall quality.
There are numerous restaurants in Charleston serving great barbecue that, in my opinion, far surpass what you will receive at Sweatman’s. While it may have been a standout destination in the past, it no longer lives up to the hype.
I, for one, had entered the restaurant knowing I was also going to have dessert while there. After the less-than-great dining experience, we decided to leave and drove straight to one of their competitors' restaurants and had dessert at that location, so glad we did this.
There is plenty of free parking and the staff was nice, .... It was the food.
Sorry, Sweatman’s — we will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 5
Great food , a real treat to get sweatmans kind of a drive from Summerville but well worth the drive . Go get you some .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I loved it. The food was so good! Best bbq in SC. I will most definitely eat there again soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Plate, Slaw, Baked Beans, Ribs
Good old fashion
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Old school family barbecue place. The people were super friendly and the food was great. I got the 1/4 chicken and the pulled pork. Both were really good. The hash and rice were, very tasty. If you are in the area it is worth a stop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Plate, Small Pulled Pork Plate, Half Chicken, Hash, Hash & Rice, Banana Pudding
Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Husband loves this place,it's finger licking good,plus you can buy the BBQ sauce and use it on your grill food, taste so good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Plate, Slaw, Banana Pudding, Baked Beans
Sweatman's ribs are delicious! This BBQ place prepares and serves some of the best ribs in Orangeburg County! And the banana pudding is made fresh and it reminds me of my late father-in-law's tasty dessert. The customer service is great and the staff are courteous and efficient. My husband and I are never disappointed. When you get that hankering for great ribs, Sweatman's is the place to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is always the good, be sure to ask for extra sauce. Ribs are banging
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Place your order at the counter, and you can either dine in or take out.Rustic atmosphere in the old farmhouse.Excellent authentic SC Lowcountry style Barbecue and fixings. Very pleasant staff.Only open Fridays and Saturdays, so plan your trip accordingly. Very popular with out of state travelers, and conveniently located off both I 95 and I 26.
Kid-friendliness: Who doesn't like BBQ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Plate, Pulled Pork Plate with Mac and Cheese and Green Beans, Small Pulled Pork Plate, Mustard Based BBQ Sauce, BBQ Sandwich, Hash
Best BBQ I've had my whole life. Look forward to it every time we travel out this way. The pulled pork with hash and rice is amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Plate, Pulled Pork Plate with Mac and Cheese and Green Beans, Large Pork Plate, Mustard Based BBQ Sauce, Hash, Hash & Rice
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