Scott's Bar-B-Que - Hemingway, SC

Attraction: Scott’s Bar-B-Que
Location: 2734 Hemingway Hwy, Hemingway, SC 29554
Industry: Restaurant
Website: https://thescottsbbq.com/

Deep in rural Hemingway sits a modest country store that happens to serve what many consider the finest barbecue in all of South Carolina—and that’s saying something in a state famous for its ‘cue.

Since 1972, the Scott family has been perfecting the art of whole hog barbecue using techniques that echo the very history of American barbecue itself.

What started as a weekly side business has evolved into a pilgrimage destination that attracts BBQ enthusiasts from around the world, all drawn by the promise of authentic wood-fired perfection.

Whole Hog Mastery & Signature Offerings

Legendary Pulled Pork: Entire hogs slow-cook overnight over wood coals in handbuilt cinder block pits, resulting in incredibly tender meat with deep smoke penetration. The pork showcases the pure essence of wood-fired cooking, with natural pork flavors enhanced by hickory, oak, and pecan smoke.

Vinegar-Pepper Sauce: Their secret family sauce recipe features a vinegar and pepper base that perfectly complements the rich pork without masking its natural flavors. The tangy heat provides the ideal counterpoint to the fatty richness of the whole hog.

Fresh-Cut Wood Process: Behind the building, massive piles of freshly cut logs await splitting. The wood burns in custom metal barrels pierced with truck axles, creating the perfect coals that get scooped into the pits below—a labor-intensive process that sets Scott’s apart.

Spare Ribs: Generous portions of pork spare ribs receive the same overnight smoking treatment, developing incredible tenderness while maintaining satisfying texture and bone-deep flavor.

Crispy Pork Skins: Sold in bags at the store, these cracklins provide the perfect crunchy complement to the tender pulled pork, offering textural variety and pure porky satisfaction.

Simple Sides: Commercial-quality beans, coleslaw, and potato salad keep the focus squarely on the star attraction—the perfectly smoked pork that draws people from hundreds of miles away.

Authentic Rural Atmosphere

Unchanged Since the ’70s: The combination convenience store and BBQ joint maintains its original character, with scattered magazine articles and awards displayed casually among regular convenience items. Nothing fancy, nothing pretentious—just authentic rural South Carolina.

This South Carolina Farm Has Unicorns That Will Make Your Kids Believe In Magic

Discover More

Working Pit Room: The visible smokehouse operation out back allows glimpses into the traditional whole hog process, with pit masters tending coals and monitoring temperatures through the night. The pungent wood smoke announces your arrival from blocks away.

Cash-Only Operation: Hand-written signs and no-nonsense policies reflect the old-school approach that prioritizes tradition over modern conveniences.

Outdoor Seating: Plastic tables outside provide the primary dining area, where you can watch the constant stream of BBQ pilgrims arriving for their fix of legendary ‘cue.

Other Considerations

Limited Hours: Open Wednesday through Saturday only, from 9:30 AM until they sell out (usually by 5:30 PM). The limited schedule adds to the mystique and ensures maximum freshness.

Remote Location: Hemingway’s tiny population (573) means you’re making a special trip, but the hour-plus drive from Charleston or Myrtle Beach becomes part of the pilgrimage experience. The overflow parking lot hints at how popular this tiny place has become.

No-Frills Pricing: Plates and sandwiches remain remarkably affordable despite the restaurant’s legendary status, reflecting the family’s commitment to serving their community rather than capitalizing on fame.

Historic Significance: This is where renowned pitmaster Rodney Scott learned the craft before opening his own Charleston restaurants. The techniques and flavors here represent generations of barbecue tradition.

South Carolina BBQ Association Recognition: Scott’s earned the SCBA’s highest distinction as “100-Mile BBQ”—barbecue worth driving 100 miles to experience.

Bring a Cooler: Most customers buy extra for home, and the restaurant accommodates take-home orders perfectly. The pulled pork freezes beautifully for future enjoyment.

Scott’s Bar-B-Que
📍 2734 Hemingway Hwy, Hemingway, SC 29554