When most people visit North Myrtle Beach, they’re trying to get some sand, surf, and sun. However, since the city is in South Carolina, you can also find some incredible BBQ joints. While pulled pork, brisket, and baked beans might not sound like “beach food” at first, I’m telling you, these places are worth a visit for your fill of southern deliciousness.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the sauciest, juiciest, and meatiest barbecue restaurants in North Myrtle Beach.
Old South BBQ
Although founded in 2013, Old South BBQ harkens back to a simpler time when barbecue was about fun, family, and getting your hands dirty. The owner, Butch Rives, has that old-fashioned vibe, which he infuses into every batch of slow-cooked and slow-smoked meat. The meats are prepared just outside the restaurant, so you know they’re authentic.
Another way to tell the quality of the barbecue here is to read online reviews. Sites are full of locals and visitors raving about everything from the sauce to the sandwiches to the fries to the sauce, and did we mention the sauce? While the meats are delicious on their own, Old South BBQ sauce really kicks it up a notch (or three).
The menu here is pretty simple, yet it hits all the traditional barbecue favorites. You can chow down on brisket, baby rack ribs, and pulled pork. If you’re not quite in the mood for saucy goodness that’s fall off the bone good, you can order a hot dog, a burger, or a barbecue quesadilla.
Since we made such a big deal about the homemade sauces, Old South BBQ offers four kinds:
- hot vinegar-based
- mild vinegar-based
- mustard-based
- sweet-spicy red
Each one provides a unique flavor to your meats, so be sure to sample them all to determine which one you like the best. When picking your sides, you can choose between slaw, barbecue beans, corn on the cob, or hand-cut fries.
Bar-B-Que House
HWY 17 North cuts right through North Myrtle Beach, and several of these BBQ restaurants are along this thoroughfare, including Barbeque House. Billed as the “Best BBQ on the Beach,” this restaurant actually has three locations in the state, all oceanfront, with outdoor seating, and perfect for locals and tourists alike.
The specialty at Barbeque House is hickory-smoked meats, including brisket, ribs, chicken, and pulled pork. As with other high-quality barbecue joints in the city, the secret is in the sauce. This restaurant offers four unique sauces, including:
- Eastern North Carolina vinegar-based sauce
- Lexington, Virginia-style red sauce
- South Carolina mustard sauce
- Barbeque House sauce (mild or spicy)
No matter what you choose, you’re sure to appreciate the bold and succulent flavors that come through. Basically, you can get a tour of southern barbecue without leaving the restaurant.
If you’re not sold on their sauces already, the House sauce is award-winning. Barbeque House also won awards for other achievements, such as “Best BBQ,” “Best Hush Puppies,” and “Best Sweet Tea.” So, be sure to try everything to see if it’s up to your standards.
Along with the sauces, barbecue restaurants are also judged on their side selection. Fortunately, this place has you covered with mac n’ cheese, hush puppies, corn nuggets, coleslaw, green beans, and even okra. While you won’t find potato salad or French fries on the menu, these sides are more than sufficient to crush your appetite.
Mission BBQ
Unlike the other restaurants we’ve seen so far, Mission BBQ is a national chain with restaurants in over a dozen states. So, if you like what you sample during your trip to North Myrtle Beach, you can find a local Mission BBQ to get the same flavors back home.
At first glance, the name may conjure images of an old Spanish mission or church. So, you might think that the barbecue might have exotic spices or sides to help fit with the aesthetic. Instead, however, the name stems from the founders’ mission to feed and honor first responders. The first Mission BBQ opened on September 11th, 2011, and has been aggressively expanding ever since.
With so many locations across the USA, the barbecue must be pretty good. First, the restaurant slows cooks and smokes every piece of meat, so each piece is dripping with flavor. You can find all your barbecue favorites here, including:
- Brisket
- Pulled Pork
- Barbecue Turkey
- Sausage
- Pulled Chicken
- Baby Back Ribs
Each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail, so you’re sure to appreciate the time and energy that went into your meal. If you’re not sure what to get, try a meat sampler so that you can get the best of everything and not make a final decision.
The sides are also just as delicious as the meats, and you can get mac n’ cheese, green beans, French fries, baked beans, and even baked cheesy potatoes. So if you’re on a mission to get some great barbecue during your stay, you need to visit Mission BBQ.
Brisket
If you’re a barbecue buff, you know that American barbecue is unofficially divided into zones, including Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas. While most BBQ restaurants on this list focus on Carolina sauces and meats, Brisket does things the Texas way.
For those in the know, Texas barbecue focuses mainly on beef, such as brisket and short ribs. So, if you’re looking for some tasty and succulent steer, you’ve come to the right place. However, just because the restaurant is named Brisket doesn’t mean you can’t find some other favorites as well. Here, you can sample ribs, sausage, pulled pork, and chicken. On top of all that, you can find Frito pie, fried green tomatoes, barbecue sandwiches, and even salmon.
Brisket also specializes in smoking its meats the traditional Texas way. Better yet, you can order whole briskets and turkeys to make holiday cooking a breeze. Not only will your guests be impressed, but you don’t have to do the dishes afterward!
Logan’s Roadhouse
Founded in 1997, Logan’s Roadhouse is one of the oldest chains on this list. However, while there are quite a few Logan’s restaurants around, they’re almost exclusively in North and South Carolina (with one spot in Augusta, Georgia).
Logan’s also isn’t a traditional “barbecue” joint. Instead of spending hours smoking meats and cooking them low and slow, Logan’s focuses on a family-friendly atmosphere and various down-home dishes.
In addition to barbecue plates, you can order steaks, salads, chicken dishes, burgers, and seafood. There’s something for everyone!
As you can see, while the Grand Strand may not be at the top of national barbecue lists, maybe it should be! With so many special places offering great food for meat enthusiasts, we’re sure you’ll love the BBQ houses on this list as much as we do.
Happy eating!