Lewis Barbecue Greenville — Restaurant in Greenville

This month’s edition of Southern Living included a list of the top BBQ joints in each Southern State. The magazine asks readers to submit their favorite establishment and when the votes are tallied, the best BBQ joint is declared. Lewis Barbecue in Greenville (and Charleston) was declared Southern Living’s best in SC for 2025. Well that was great news for us because our first destination for Easter Break was Huntsville AL, and lucky for us our travels passed through Greenville SC.

Our trip began on a beautiful Monday morning, and we arrived at Lewis Barbecue just before noon. Thankfully they are open on Mondays! Upon entering the parking lot, the path leads you around the rear of the building to find the best parking. In the rear of the building is where the smoker is located and the glorious smelling smoke from that smoker is spilling out as you drive past and exit your vehicle. The exterior of the restaurant is also quite appealing and gets high marks on my wife's visual test. We can already tell, Lewis Barbecue means business.

Seating is available inside and out and on this day either was great, but we chose inside to be close to the drink dispenser. We did a little research ahead of time and discovered that the El Sancho Loco was the deal of the day on Mondays. For $15/ each we were able to get the El Sancho Loco, a sandwich on a brioche bun (containing brisket, BBQ Pulled Pork and sausage!) plus a side and a drink. It's a steal! We waited in a short line for the next available Meat Cutter. When we arrived at the Meat Cutter, he immediately provided each of us with a sample piece of brisket. It was beautiful with great bark and tasted even better! Our order included sides of Tangy Coleslaw, Cowboy Pinto Beans, Mac n Cheese and Tallow Fries. The order was out in under 5 minutes and looked amazing! Cards are accepted here.

This won't be a surprise when I say “you know what I'm here for.” I separated each of the 3 meats from the sandwich so that I could taste them solo. The BBQ Pulled Pork had noticeable smoke in it and bark. The flavor was good but lacking in intensity, very mild and a bit on the dry side. Fortunately there was sauce to the rescue!

Their sauces are each unique and provided in little cups from a dispenser. Please pour slowly, that white T-shirt will appreciate it. The flavors are Original Red, Tangy, Hatch Green Chile, and Secret. I doused the BBQ with Original Red and it was quite enjoyable.

Reading about Lewis Barbecue and watching some YouTube videos before going, revealed that the aim is Texas inspired in SC. So it came as no surprise to me that their brisket is really where it's at. I don't typically order brisket out because my focus is BBQ Pulled Pork, but Lewis is the only place I think I've tried that serves their brisket chopped and not in slices. It was very tender and juicy and the star of the El Sancho Loco! The brisket required no sauce.

As for the rest of the food, each was good, but to me, none were a home run. My final impression was satisfied. When I return to Greenville, (which hopefully will be soon) I'll make it a point to stop by again… for...

Hello John,

After having lived for many years in Houston and Central Texas I became a raving fan of good Texas BBQ, including brisket. I have spent many hours waiting in a line for some Franklin BBQ.

Currently my construction work takes me to Atlanta Georgia. Over the Thanksgiving weekend I decided to drive up to Asheville and help with cleaning up after hurricane Helene.

I love traveling around and Googling to find good BBQ. Today on my way back to Atlanta I thought I would like to find some good BBQ between Asheville and Atlanta. I found Lewis BBQ in Greenville. It was not the route I would have taken to get back to Atlanta but after reading the reviews and seeing the menu I decided to make this a stop on my way back to Atlanta.

I got here just in time to get the last meal of chicken fried steak to eat at your restaurant and then a lot of everything else to take back to Atlanta.

I just wanted you to know that the food I ate at the restaurant was excellent. I can't wait to try the brisket, pulled pork, turkey, and sausage.

As much as I enjoyed the food I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant. The restaurant is really nice, really clean and has a nice modern/retro/rustic feel. Your employees are so great. I was treated really well. The workers that helped me were so friendly.

You have a really great concept including great food, a great restaurant and great employees who represent what you are trying to do. I can imagine also that the employees must really enjoy working in this great environment. This place to me just shows great leadership in all the details. I wish there was a Lewis BBQ wherever my work takes me.

I call Utah home and in Provo Utah we have a BBQ restaurant called R&R BBQ and the pitmaster learned his craft at Franklin's. It was interesting to Google your restaurant and yourself and see that you also were part of the early start up of what is now the world famous Franklin BBQ.

I also learned that you are opening a restaurant in Atlanta in the summer of '25. You are going to be very successful with the concept if it is anything like Lewis BBQ of Greenville. Good food in a great restaurant with great and friendly workers. Wow!!! I am so glad I detoured today to come to Greenville and get some of...

5/25/25 Perfectly prepared Texas Style BBQ and delicious sides in a family friendly venue with plenty of seating inside and outside. Pet friendly outdoors on the patio and kid friendly greenspace off the patio. Love this place anytime but especially Spring and Summer. Try the brisket, pulled pork and housemade Texas Hot Guts sausages along with Turkey Breast, Ribs & daily specials. Restaurant open Sunday-Thursday 11 am - 9 pm Friday-Saturday 11 am - 10 pm. Full bar with cocktails by the glass or pitchers, with a rotation of draft beers, a variety of canned beers, hard seltzers and wines by glass or bottle. Happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Lines seem long but the staff service is fast and there's plenty of room and seating. Come on over and join us.♥️

5/24/24 We enjoyed dinner here on Friday night, it was our first visit. The dining room is large and clean with plenty of room indoors and outdoor as well. The crowd included all ages from infants to elderly and it was very busy. From entry to the order area we stood in line 45 minutes. Once we reached the meat cutters we were quickly served. All the staff members were friendly and helpful. Micah and Anna Katherine were especially welcoming and prompt to fill our order and check us out. They answered our questions and gave us everything we asked for and more. The El Sancho Loco sandwich was our main dish it has brisket, pulled pork and the housemade sausage on a bun. Our sides were the collard greens, creamy potato salad, and green chile corn pudding everything was delicious! Drinks, plastic dinnerware, napkins and sauces are self service. You don't take a seat till you have your order tray. We were given an extra sheet of butcher paper to eat on rather than two trays which made for a messy dining experience. We ordered takeout for family at home and picked it up as we left. All in all great food and atmosphere especially the corn hole games on the lawn which many were playing. If you want good BBQ come try Lewis Barbecue at 214 Rutherford St. In Greenville. You're...