Wholly Smokin’ — Restaurant in Florence

Dined here with my family during a brief weekend trip to South Carolina to visit my grandfather. There were some hits and misses with the food that left me with a 3.5-star experience, but that good ole southern hospitality pushes it up to 4 stars.

Our server Infinite was very accommodating and helpful in helping my family and me with our dining choices. He was attentive and on point throughout our meal despite working on a busy Saturday night.

My family and I started with the deviled egg and fried green tomato appetizers, and they were absolutely delicious. It was a score because there was only one order of deviled eggs left and I got them. For my entrée, I got the 2 meat platter with 1/2 rack of ribs, chicken tenders, 4 cheese spicy mac & cheese, and warm baked potato salad. I absolutely loved the chicken tenders, the honey mustard sauce that came with it was amazing; sweet, tangy, and thick. The baked potato salad and mac and cheese were both good; however, they were a touch too greasy. Their ribs came out dry but they have two sauces you can ask to have bought to your table. Their house sauce is bottled and their spicy sauce comes in servings of small ramekins. They also have a bottle of vinegar mustard sauce on every table, which is weird to me. I feel like they should just have every sauce they offer bottled on the table like most other bbq places I've been to, but I digress. After I slathered the ribs in sauce they were still a little tough to chew, so on a future visit, I may go for their burnt ends or brisket instead. It should also be noted that they serve rolls 2 for $1, but they don't come warmed up.

I ended the meal with the most delicious slice of Reese's peanut butter pie. It was heavenly, and probably my favorite part of the meal. All in all, it was a pretty alright experience, and I can see why Wholly Smokin' is one of the more popular places to dine...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Wholly Smokin’ BBQ and Ribs, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget! From the inviting atmosphere to the mouth-watering flavors, this place is a true gem for BBQ lovers.

I ordered the pulled pork, which was nothing short of spectacular. The pork was tender, juicy, and infused with a smoky richness that tantalized my taste buds. It was perfectly complemented by a side of mac and cheese, creamy and rich with a delightful cheesy goodness, and the collard greens, which were cooked to perfection, balancing the richness of the meal with their earthy, savory notes.

My daughter opted for the Texas grilled cheddar toast and mac and cheese. The toast was a hit – perfectly grilled with a generous layer of melted cheddar that was both crispy and gooey. It was a delightful combination of textures and flavors that paired wonderfully with the creamy mac and cheese.

What truly sets Wholly Smokin’ BBQ and Ribs apart is their attention to detail and quality ingredients. Every dish we tried was a testament to their commitment to creating unforgettable food experiences.

The service also deserves a shout-out. The staff were friendly and attentive, ensuring that our dining experience was enjoyable from start to finish.

In summary, Wholly Smokin’ BBQ and Ribs offers not just food, but a culinary adventure. It’s a place where every dish is prepared with care and every bite leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended for anyone looking for top-notch BBQ in a...

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 ½ 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...