Barbecue is a staple in the South. It’s typically beef or pork slowly smoked over a charcoal, woodburning, or gas grill, often marinated with secret ingredients. It can be served chopped or pulled. The sauce is key and many BBQ lovers will argue over which is best: vinegar-based, sweet tomato, or a mustard sauce. The Lexington area has a few BBQ joints worth trying. Be sure to bring your appetite!
Maurice’s Piggie Park
“With roots back to 1939, Maurice’s Piggie Park has been serving people in the Midlands of South Carolina since 1955. Our BBQ history goes back through five generations of the Bessinger family, with three generations currently working in the restaurants,” said Chris Bennett, VP of Catering and Operations. “You can find brothers Lloyd and Paul Bessinger Sr, working daily in the kitchens and smokehouse, as well as the next generations of cousins serving in different roles across the company.”
The menu has a lot of options with foods like brisket, burgers, BBQ, chicken, and wings. Sides include potato salad, coleslaw, brisket baked beans, and macaroni and cheese. “Maurice’s Piggie Park is well known for our authentic South Carolina style barbecue, cooked over wood coals 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as our famous mustard-based Southern Gold BBQ Sauce,” said Bennett. “We offer a quick and convenient way to experience true SC BBQ at our eight Midlands locations, along with catering services across the state.” He said popular dishes include the Pitmaster Plate featuring BBQ pulled pork, smoked ribs, Carolina hash and rice, and homemade coleslaw, with sweet tea and banana pudding.
What makes it stand out? Bennett said, “Our commitment to wood-fired pit cooking methods, along with our secret family recipes of southern dishes and BBQ Sauces, creates a flavor that is often imitated, but never duplicated. After our main kitchens and headquarters were lost in a fire in the fall of 2024, we continued to work to come back stronger than ever – a testament to the resilience of our family and staff, as well as all the community support we have received. Today, we remain both a beloved local hotspot and a must-visit destination for travelers looking for genuine South Carolina BBQ.”
Hudson’s Smokehouse
Hudson’s Smokehouse is locally owned by Clint Hudson and Clay Hudson. “Our father started Hudson’s in 1995 as a catering company and small pick-up location on Platt Springs Road,” Clint Hudson said. “We have been part owners since 2008; full owners when he passed in 2014.”
The extensive menu includes foods such as ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, and more. Some of the most popular dishes are barbecue, hash, and ribs. Sides (some are seasonal) include items like field peas, collard greens, BBQ baked beans, and fried okra. Veggie plates are also an option. They have a children’s menu listed as “Piglet Plates.” They offer dine-in, catering, delivery, and take-out.
Their covered patio is available for private parties and is the perfect spot for rehearsal dinners, business luncheons, banquets, showers, holiday/birthday parties, or even if you just need a large reservation. It seats up to 75 people and is equipped with weather curtains, polar fans, and heating systems so the outside elements are kept out.
What makes it stand out? Hudson said, “We cater, we deliver, or you can pick up. We also offer a full menu and a buffet. Most places don’t offer both, along with beer and wine. ‘Taste the south in your mouth!’”
Driftwood Smokehouse
There’s a new barbecue restaurant in town that opened a few months ago. Driftwood Smokehouse is locally owned by brothers Paul and Cody Bessinger, who have been fishing on Lake Murray since childhood and long envisioned opening a lakeside restaurant. Paul Bessinger, Jr. said, “This restaurant represents a dream brought to life, with a focus on a creative and expanded barbecue menu. Since opening this March, the community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with guests embracing both the food and the atmosphere as a go-to spot for lake views, live music, and gathering with friends and family.”
What can guests expect during their dining experience? Plenty of atmosphere and a lot of food options. “Driftwood Smokehouse and the Outpost is the newest hot spot on Lake Murray, focused on craft barbecue that blends traditional wood-fired smoking techniques with a more modern, chef-driven menu. Located on the Leesville side of the lake, it’s a true destination for Lexington residents, offering an elevated dining experience with a full bar that goes beyond a typical BBQ stop,” Bessinger said. “The menu features classic smoked meats like brisket and ribs, as well as ribeye steaks, tacos, and fresh seafood, along with creative sides, like Tex-Mex style Cowboy Beans and Street Corn, that reflect a contemporary take on Southern barbecue.”
What makes it stand out? Bessinger said, “Driftwood Smokehouse sets itself apart by combining generations of barbecue tradition with a fresh, modern approach to craft barbecue. Set on the beautiful waters of Lake Murray, it offers not only authentic wood-smoked meats from the on-site smokehouse, but also a full dining experience with scenic views, live music, and an inviting atmosphere.”