Dukes Barbecue — Restaurant in Charleston

Why do y’all keep closing before your posted closing time? I recently moved down here from up north... So I want to start out by saying Dukes has the best Barbecue I’ve ever had in my life! The first time I ever tried it, we were on a trip to Walterboro. I couldn’t believe how much better it was then the Barbecue from up north... So I was ecstatic to discover that there was a Dukes less than 2 miles from our house in Charleston. Needless to say... We now get takeout from there at least every week or two. I’ve never had anything from there that wasn’t delicious. The Mac & Cheese could be seasoned a bit more? But it honestly complements the Barbecue. And the Hush puppies? Forget about it.... Them alone is worth the trip! They are INCREDIBLE!!!

This should and would be a 5 star rating except for one thing... Despite what their hours say? They close up early whenever they want to! This has happened to us at least 5 times in the past couple months alone! I just tried to go through their drive thru at 8:30pm, and the blind was down. The lights were all on, and I could see worker inside. So I parked and tried to go inside... But the doors were locked, even though it was clearly posted that they close at 9pm. I excused this in the past bc things were still new with these new Covid policies! Even though they have been closed over a hour before their posted time in the past! This is becoming habitual... And appears to just be laziness at this point? They have lost hundreds of dollars of business from me alone this summer! So I can’t imagine how much this practice has cost them? If it states online and on their door that they close at a certain time? They should honor that! No matter how good the food is... You can’t get it when they close early like this. I will attempt to contact management tomorrow. Even though they’re only open a few hours on Sundays, and are closed on Mondays! (Why close on Monday’s?) Hopefully this can be rectified? And I will give Dukes the 5 stars that they deserve... Because the food along with their reasonable prices...

This place used to be good... Last few times I took my family the buffet was a joke. It was a weekday night and the food was cold . especially the fried food .all the cake was dug into right out the middle and they only had corners of each cake left that looked like they where mixed up with a spoon .just a pan of moosh...I asked if we could get a fresh strawberry shortcake on the bar and the young Oriental looking lady copped a huge attitude and didn't even answer me..instead she snatched the tray of strawberry shortcake and walked to the back...we then went back to the table to wait because she was taking awhile to come from the back and when we went back up it still wasn't out as if she wanted us to forget we asked for it. Also they had three tongs in the seafood area one fish night and everyone was going straight to the fish from the chicken to the French fries.. I asked the lady if they had more tongs for the fish she said use the chicken tongs..what about customers who are allergic? Do y'all not believe in cross contamination? Also do not go two hours to closing they will not put new food on the bar Andi literally pay to have limited options of cold buffet food ..they have no bread options except hush puppies and instead of frying more they 86 them so then my entire family doesn't get one bread options with dinner...they need...

I am a 78 year old disabled veteran. I wear my disabled veteran hat to show my pride in serving. It was very visible to everyone inside. As a part of my handicap, I cannot stand or walk any distance. Yesterday, my wife and I sent to Dukes for lunch. As usual, I went in and sat down while my wife stood in line to pay. A young employee told me I had to leave the table and go stand in line because a part of five was going to sit at my table. There was no reservation sign on the booth which was designed for four people, not five. I tried to explain my handicap to her but she returned to the cash register. A minute later, she returned and demanded I leave the booth for a party of 5. Not wishing any confrontation, I signaled for my wife and we left without dining. To be honest, the young lady was not rude or demeaning, but she was not going to let me sit at the booth. Perhaps the party of 5 were some of her folks. Anyways, except for this one occasion, we are always treated and fed well at Dukes. Hopefully, we'll return in the future. Maybe on Memorial Day where I can wear my...