I am more of a fan of vinegar based BBQ but this wasn't half bad. I had the rotisserie chicken
(4)
Beth A.
Bessingers catered my friends' wedding on Folly Beach on Halloween 2014. I booked the event several months ahead and was a bit nervous since I don't live in Charleston and had not heard of Bessingers. Drew was incredibly helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. When he arrived in more than enough time to get set up we were impressed. Then the food was delicious and the clean up was nothing because we didn't have to lift a finger! And the price for amazing service and great food was also amazing! Great value!!! We will recommend and use Bessingers again!
(5)
JOANNE W.
After living here for 18 yrs., this is like going to the McDonald's of b-b-q. Hometeam on Sullivan's Island or West Ashley is what that subject is about.
(2)
Vicki S.
I've been eating here since I was a kid (over 35 years!) LOVE the cheeseburgers and onion rings. YUM!!!
(4)
Robin T.
Outstanding BBQ. I had the Little Joe pork sandwich basket and will be back to sample more from their menu...
(5)
Margaret C.
I was skeptical about their status as the best 'que' in SC but their 'que' was really good! Loved our meal and will be making this place a "must eat here stop" for our next trip down here!
(5)
Tricia M.
Bessinger's is awesome and as a matter of a fact, legendarily epic!! Do not go to Bessinger's expecting a typical, tomato-based sauce as found in most other BBQ establishments. This sauce has a good down-home quality about it that makes it not only a thoroughly enjoyable mustard base sauce, but a FANTABULOUS barbecue sauce; especially for pork, chicken, ribs and hot dogs. I actually found it addicting. I live in Florida so I had to purchase a few bottles of sauce to bring home. I must have dipped a spoon in the jar ten times or better right after I opened it. I love those Charleston folks. Those sweet accents and wonderful service made the experience there as good as the sauce! Barbecue sauce making is an art. In fact, I'd go as far to say that BBQ sauce is a religion and Bessinger's is a holy place!
(5)
Colleen M.
Honestly the only reason I went here was because I had family in town and they read that this place has some of the best barbeque and they were right. I'm usually picky about pulled pork but their pulled pork and barbeque sauce was AMAZING! The buffet is definetly worth the money and is delicious!!
(5)
Paulette H.
This was the worst place I've ever eaten. I understand that is a subjective statement because everyone has a different idea of what is good and bad but upon leaving the restaurant I asked my husband what he thought (without voicing my opinion) and he said he didn't like it and would never go back. That comment coming from a man who is never critical and loves BBQ.
(1)
Tristan B.
Good BBQ. The pork here is quite supple, scrumptious, and juicy. The house BBQ sauce (mustard based) is decent. It is a little too mustardy for my tastes. The steak fries here are really really really good. Crispy, tender, yummy. The sweet tea is excellent. Definitely not for non-sweet tooths of the world. Overall pretty good. Will come back and try one of their other sauces.
(4)
David W.
I had a brief stay in Charleston and was lucky to find this place the first day. I ate here every day at least once because it was so good. The sauce, the sauce, the sauce!! The onion rings are more like onion donuts! Gotta dip em in the sauce! The pulled pork, chicken, beef. It was all good. I will miss this place very much after I leave.
(5)
Ginger K.
The outside of this place makes it look like it is going to be huge! which maybe it is... but we went on weekday and were most likely the first customers of the day I think we arrived at 10:30 AM when they opened because it was a must stop at BBQ joint on our vacation to do list. We ordered 2 sandwiches and drinks. I feel that it was over priced for what we got. I did like the chopped pork sandwiches. I loved the mustard base sauce so much that I came home and taught myself how to make a similar sauce! but without the sauce the sandwich would have been super dry. So the sauce wins. The price loses. The decor of the place reminded me of cracker barrel. I would go back if I was in the area.. but I would not make it a destination.
(3)
Marissa H.
Mixed reviews...I think the best part was that the left-over chicken was fantastic the next day in a sandwich, bahn mi style! Ordered BBQ combo platter: 1/2 chicken - lots of it, mainly white meat which was a nice change. Sweet & smoky with a wet sauce thrown on top at the end. Pulled chicken - the same as 1/2 chicken only without the skin. Still good. Ribs - a little different sauce than chicken but very dry. Disappointing really as that should have been the signature piece in the platter, but the chicken was far better. Decent amount but not flavorful, didn't really "fall off the bone" & wasn't too my liking. Coleslaw - I make better. This was too runny & there was a layer of mayo on the bottom of the to-go cup. Nice to have a veggie option but it needed more flavor/kick. Mac 'n Cheese - I liked it! Baked, not overly cheesy (not much cheese at all actually). Chewy but with a good texture. I'd order it again. Corn Bread - well, if you look at my pictures you'll notice the bread isn't corn bread, but the dinner roll which was the other option. Don't know if they ran out of it or messed up. But the dinner roll was pretty good - nothing special. Onion Ring - massive, 1 ring & that's all you need for a long time! Greasy, dough fried like a donut & massive enough to be an onion-encased donut! I actually really liked it & I don't like onion rings. Yeah for that! $17.12 for all of this to-go. Would I go back? Probably not...too many other BBQ places to try in Charleston. But it is located well to grab while headed to the airport.
(3)
Chris S.
Enjoyed a tasty pork sandwich with fries and an onion ring.
(4)
August W.
The service and food availability is always so so. I must say I was truly disappointed by the food and customer service the last time I ate at Bessingers. I was headed out of town to Jacksonville to visit my sister and stopped by Bessingers on my way down Savannah highway. My sister is obsessed with Bessingers and Melvin's (their family resturaunt on James Island) so I figured I'd surprise her with her favorite meal upon arrival. I ordered three Big Joe Beef Baskets with extra sauce. The energetic and very delightful cashier placed my order correctly, but when I received my food it was incorrect and less than satisfactory. When I finally received my correct order after a lengthy wait I hopped in the car and headed to Florida. I began to eat my food in the car when I realized there was NO barbecue sauce on my sandwich or in my bag!!!! Literally three barbecue sandwiches accompanied by huge steak fries and onion rings with not a drop of sauce! DRY and DISGUSTING doesn't begin to describe the experience. And to add insult to injury I called and spoke to the manager who was unapologetic and slightly rude. He informed me that the sandwiches that my family and I have grown to love over the last 15+ years have ALWAYS been served that way, which is not the truth. If only his sandwiches were as saucy as his response to my complaint this review would have been completely different.
(1)
Kaity J.
I'm always trying to find a delicious BBQ treat. This place was decent. Good, traditional Southern-style atmosphere, which I appreciated. As far as I could tell, here's your "To Try" list for Bessinger's: 1)Pulled pork 2)Chicken 3)Onion ring (Yep, there's just one...but it's huge and delicious) 4)Sweet tea The brisket was not so tasty, as in not good at all, and is the main thing keeping this place from being a star up. All in all: not bad, not great.
(3)
Charlie F.
I went here for lunch because (a) I could walk to it from my hotel and (b) the yelp reviews. Was a little surprised to see that this is actually two restaurants - the "sandwich" side and the "buffet" side that is only open weekend nights. Counter person was very kind in explaining the menu options which include platters and sandwiches. I ordered the pulled pork platter with macaroni & cheese, steak fries and cornbread. Included with the meal is one battered onion ring and a jalapeno pepper. BBQ pork was very good (just not as good as Eastern NC BBQ) Tried both of the sauces, but I liked it better without any sauce. Could have used some vinegar though! Homemade Macaroni & Cheese was great, and the steak fries were good too. Large hunk of cornbread was a great addition to the meal. I don't like onions, so I can't offer an opinion on the onion ring. Though the meal was a little pricey for a self serve meal. Overall positive experience.
(4)
Rusty C.
Great barbecue. Loved the mustard based sauce.
(4)
Chris S.
Bessinger's is THE BEST BBQ in the state!!! I love their southern style mustard-based bbq sauce. And their onion rings are so good they could serve them on the desert menu! I always order the Big Joe Pork...simply delicious. This is a family-owned-and-operated restaurant. I've met the owners and they are the nicest folks. Their staff is always wonderful and shows off their southern hospitality. Whenever my family from up north come to visit...they always request we hit up Bessingers while they're here. :-)
(5)
L C.
Best BBQ Buffet in South Carolina, period. And i have been allover the state trying BBQ and occasionally, the buffets. BBQ is great.. has that smokey flavor and the mustard is provided on the side. Chicken, turkey, collards, mac n' cheese and the list goes on... it's got to be the best soul food buffet i have ever eaten at. Period. It gets even better... the desserts are HOMEMADE. Yes, homemade. Try any of them and i promise you... you'd be asking yourself why more buffets can't do this. And the price of around $12 without a drink is just a unbelievable steal and deal. Only problem with this place; it is not worth going there 6 days of the week. Prices are too high for a sandwich and platter. Eat there for the buffet only. Trust me. More food for just a few bucks more.
(5)
Rian B.
Bessingers is the best BBQ I've ever had. They slow cook the pork in their BBQ pits in the back of the restaurant and use only the finest cut of meat. I eat here on a regular basis and recommend it to my friends. The staff is friendly, the management is all about excellence, and the atmosphere is charming. This family owned business has been up and running successfully for a long time. I've been noticing how they have been getting national coverage over the past few years too - people magazine and a visit from Andrew Zimmern (from the travel channel) and his crew. You can eat either on the sandwich shop side or the buffet. Both great options! I've been going since I was a kid, and I will continue the tradition with my own children one day.
(5)
Dale A.
BBQ pulled pork with sauce is good but most else is average buffet food. Based on review average I was expecting more.
(3)
Meredith J.
We really enjoyed Bessinger's. Easy to order and the food was delicious! We had the beef and pork platters with mac and cheese and potato salad on the side. Everything was delicious! We even bought some sauce to take home and cook with. I also liked the added touch of the onion ring on the side.
(5)
James R.
Bessinger's tries to come off like a local BBQ joint, but it's quality is more like a chain than a mom and pop. My wife and I have been enjoying a summer "BBQ tour" of BBQ places within an hour or two from our home in Mt. Pleasant. Between June 9, 2012 and yesterday (June 28), we have visited 7 different locations. The experience has been eye-opening. When you get to sample that much BBQ in such a short amount of time, you can really compare products. We have been writing about our experiences after each visit ( destination-bbq.com ). Anyway, we had gone out blueberry picking and decided to have lunch locally, and if we're eating out, it might as well be BBQ. We picked Bessinger's because it was on the route back home. Having eaten a lot of BBQ lately, we didn't have much expectation for Bessinger's and they didn't let us down. It simply is not very high quality BBQ. Mind you, for us, it is all about the BBQ itself, but even the sides we tried (baked beans and collards) were bad, really. The onion ring, however, was tasty. I equate this to McDonald's. If you want a real burger, you wouldn't go to McDonald's. Similarly, if you want real BBQ, don't waste your money at Bessinger's. However, if you're just looking to fill your belly and the actual quality of the food doesn't matter, McDonald's or Bessinger's will suffice.
(2)
Andrew S.
I was driving back up from New Orleans to my home and tried to schedule a "Carolina's BBQ Road Trip". Bessinger's was unfortunately one of my stops. I guess everybody has an off day/gets a bad piece of meat, but I figure the kid working the flattop could care less/wasn't taught any better/doesn't know any better than to serve lame bbq. Ordered the BBQ Plate Combo with Ribs, Pulled Pork and Brisket, my friend ordered the same with Chicken instead of pork. Ribs: "Fall off the bone", about average if we're trying to claim to be non-chain bbq Pork: Dry, mustard sauce was good, but the actual meat didn't have a noticeable flavor Brisket: Awful. I was actually insulted they put this out. They slice it like a thick deli roast beef, then warm it up on a flat top/griddle? What the hell? Who does this!?!? It was dryer than and chewier than the inside of my shoe. Chicken: You know... the chicken wasn't actually bad. In my experience its usually dry/bland, but this might have been the best thing on the plate. Sides: Beans-Canned with a little added molasses/liquid smoke Cornbread- Dry/no butter Potato Salad- "Deli-style", light on flavor, super sweet Mac and Cheese- Counter girl suggested this... I think I compared it to a "Over cooked baked ziti, with no sauce, or mozzarella cheese" I dont know what kind of cheese they used, but it was dry, flavorless and decidedly un-cheesy. Onion Ring- Yes its huge, and I guess its okay? Its almost like an onion cake. So yeah, It's always sad to see a bunch of great yelp reviews and have a poor experience. Sure, some of it might be due to bad quality control, but there are some things (Brisket) that is going to be bad each and every time if they don't find a better method.
(2)
Jonathan V.
I love Bessinger's mustard style BBQ. Got a plate which came with the huge onion ring (love it!), we also got hash and rice, and beans. Got a side of Carolina cole slaw, and that was the only thing I didn't like.
(4)
Jackie L.
Honestly? I'm reluctant to give even 3 stars. I'm coming from ATL bbq, so maybe I'm spoiled. Ordered a few items for pickup when some family came into town and here are our thoughts: First off, they were out of brisket. Totally out, and the order taker didn't know this when I called (she was very apologetic about it when she called me back, which was nice...but I wouldn't expect a big bbq joint to be out of brisket on a Tuesday afternoon). The pork was tasty but the sauce (original) was not. Too vinegary for me and I'm pretty sure that's NC style, not SC. Ribs fell off the bone (good!), but were way overcooked (bad!). We ordered chicken, which I didn't try, but the others said it was ok. Mac n cheese should be solid at a bbq joint, but it tasted more like buttered noodles. Not cheesy. Not creamy. Buttery. Corn was buttery, too. It was sweet and crisp, but the salty butter covered the natural deliciousness. Coleslaw was awesome. Very fresh and was my favorite side. Now the onion rings... They receive rave reviews on here, so we got two orders (8 rings). I think a more appropriate description would be onion donuts. The batter is sweet and had the fluffy/dense consistency of a donut. And they're the size of donuts. They were good, but not great. I probably won't be back. Hometeam BBQ is better. Two last things: 1) The service was slow (called ahead and arrived about 5 min late. Still had to wait 10+ minutes with about a dozen staff and no other customers in sight). 2) Prices on website are out of date.
(3)
Clay P.
Visited the sandwich side of restaurant & had the pulled pork sandwich with fries, onion ring and a side of collard greens. Really good pulled pork, solid (but plain) collard greens and so so fries. The onion ring was a very nice surprise - basically a french beignet sweet bread with onion tucked inside - different but really good. I'll be back when I get back out to Charleston.
(4)
Marc S.
Good pulled pork and sweet tea.
(4)
James K.
Wow.. I have been deprived of good BBQ for a LONG time living in Atlanta! sorry ATL folks.. but the east GA/SC boys know how its done. We actually happened on Bessingers when driving on 17 looking for eats. Edisto Island is a great place to vacation, but a lot of the restaurants arent open early in the week. What can I say? hrmm.. the decor is what you'd expect for a bbq place.. large wooden booths and a sit yourself style atmosphere. The pork is pulled and chopped apparently.. it snot minced or anything but its cut well enough that you dont have to use a knife or anything. The meat is HIGH QUALITY.. this is what I cant stress enough for the folks in Atlanta.. you have to use better meat! The sauces are 2 as someone else said. I dont think thats a negative. "only having 2" is 1 more than you get at most places I've been.. My favorite was the mustard based sauce. The pork plate comes with 2 sides, a bread (AWESOME CORNBREAD!) and a funnel cake like onion ring. If you are in west charleston near the citadel mall and its lunch time.. you MUST check this place out!
(5)
Ken W.
Disclaimer: I've been eating here since it was "Piggy Park" and they had car-hops. Someone once said, "Never order french onion soup in a Chinese restaurant." I am forever amazed to be in line with whole families who come into this place and order burgers and salads. It happens often enough that we usually joke about it while waiting. We sat beside a group who did this just this past Saturday. I wonder if they just didn't bother to read the giant yellow letters on the barn outside. Never had a burger there. Never will. Restaurant has two parts: a sandwich shop ($) and a buffet ($$). If you're looking to stuff yourself with BBQ to the point of hospitalization, the buffet is your place. I'm not sure if it strictly fits the definition of "soul food" but everything they serve is straight out of my grandmother's cookbook (and if a woman raised on a depression-era farm in Creston, SC can't cook "soul food", I don't know who can). BBQ, hash, vegetables, ribs, chicken, salad. No flash, just good food. Desserts are worth saving room for. Buffet gets a little crowded at times. They're not open all the time. The sandwich side is where I spend all my time. While everyone rightfully raves about the SC "mustard based" BBQ, the most under appreciated menu items are their onion rings. DO NOT leave this place without eating one (or three). They are huge and unlike anything I've ever had anywhere. Being raised on them, I have been trying to find a better onion ring and can't. If you can, avoid the lunch/dinner rush. Otherwise, you'll end up waiting in line to order, then again to sit down. Bessingers is a monument to South Carolina BBQ. It's heritage traces back to the old-time names like Sweatman and Dukes. The BBQ is pulled pork, saturated with a yellow, mustard-based sauce. The sauce can be a little off-putting to BBQ freaks from other parts of the country, but it is worth the try. There are actually (at least) two Bessingers BBQ's in South Carolina. There is this one and "Maurices" out of Columbia. They are brothers, I believe. Maurice tried his hand at politics and mass-merchandising, so those chain BBQ joints are his. This one IS NOT part of the chain. The food is vaguely similar between the two, but I have always thought of this restaurant as the one true Bessingers.
(5)
Madeleine P.
This place is my all time favorite place to visit in charleston. The food is great! We've been to the sandwich shop and the buffeteria. The best night for the buffeteria is Sunday. The sweet potatoe casserole and the hash over rice are amazing. Bottom line this place has great food but needs a major facelift. Also if you see tommy bessinger, one of the owners don't expect a hello. Personally if I owned this place I'd go around and ask how people's meals were but obviously he thinks differently. Other than that a must go to in Charleston. The person that wrote a review comparing this place to McDonald's obviously knows nothing about good bbq food
(5)
Jon C.
Growing up in the north i never touch BBQ that was not vinegar based. Ventured into Bessingers some time ago and i was really surprised how much I liked the mustard based. Great food and service from what seems to be locally owned family restaurant. I'm hooked, will definitely be back for more. A must have if your in Charleston!
(5)
Gregory N.
Always on the look-out for BBQ places when I travel. If I come back to Charleston, I won't be back to Bessingers. We went on a Sunday afternoon, where you can either go to the buffet dining area or to a separate sandwich area. The buffet is only served Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We made the bad choice of going to the buffet line as we figured it would be a great value. Wrong! If I had a do-over, I would go to the sandwich section. Here at the buffet, there were no ribs and no brisket. Only pulled pork, which wasn't bad but nothing to write home about. Other meat choices were pathetic, country fried steak that was so overcooked that it looked like a hockey puck with crust on it, fried chicken (at a BBQ joint?!) and beef stew (again, this is a BBQ joint, right?). They had a bunch of sdes, but nothing stood out. I liked the corn best, but it probably came out of a can. When I went through the line, there were barely any mashed potatoes left and they were stiff-like. Later on I went back for mashed potatoes and they were too runny, the complete opposite of what they had before. That's weird, there must be no quality control on Sunday. Skip the numerous desserts and save yourself the consumption of empty calories. They are colorful, but your can find better desserts at a fund raising bake sale at a school or church. If you're visiting, don't go. Spend a little more money at a nice restaurant in town. Your tastebuds and your tummy will thank you.
(1)
Nancy C.
After many locals recommended this as the best BBQ in Charleston, we made sure we stopped by before we left town. Lunch for two = $25!!! That was for two chopped pork sandwiches or a normal size bun, two sides, (potato salad and onion rings) and two soft drinks!!! The onion rings had way toooooo much coating, it was more like dough; not good. The pork sandwiches were heavily drenched in the house BBQ sauce which made for a soggy bun; didn't think it was more than OK. The young woman who took our order seemed bothered to do so.
(1)
Jocelyn A.
We went to the Friday night rib buffet. I have to admit I was very impressed with the quality for the cost. The buffet was only around $11 and it included as many ribs as your heart could desire. The ribs were meaty and had a great smoke flavor. The side dishes were great, especially the mac n cheese and hushpuppies. I also really liked the meatloaf. The desserts however, are terrible.
(4)
Giancarlo B.
Everyone knows I love the Texas Ribs and BBQ in Clinton , MD well call me a Polygamist but I love Bessinger's too! Yes I am a cheat and have been cheating on Texas Ribs and BBQ for four years! There I said it! Now there is some local lore about the Bessinger's and two brothers, sort of a Mondavi-esque family feud but who cares both serve up some really AWESOME Q. I like Bessinger's mustard based sauce (mustard based sauce is the deal in Eastern SC) it is so darn good you can drink it like a Pepsi! The pulled pork is killer good, juicy and full of flavor! you will love it love it love it!!! Their ribs are out of this world and you'll wanna rub the cole slaw on your face. Gimme some sweet tea with that and all that's missing is a country girl! If you go to Charleston and you don't go to Bessinger's you should be spanked (by a country girl) and then transported to Bessinger's for the very best in Charleston. If I had one place to eat here it would be Bessinger's! GO! GO ! GO!
(5)
AJ S.
Place was packed for a car show, and we decided to stop in since it smelled so good outside. My dad and I shared a rib platter with fried okra, cole slaw, and italian green beans. Everything was just okay except for the onion ring that comes with everything. It was humongous and diffed in some fluffy, sweet batter. Worth going just for a plate of those!
(3)
David R.
For a good burger, this is the place to go.
(4)
Deb B.
Second best BBQ in SC! The price can add up if you want all of the trimmings and all of the trimmings are GOOD! Go here if you want great SC BBQ with a pleasant and nice staff. The whole family does good BBQ, but Bessinger's is the best of them all.
(4)
Evan T.
The food is decent, the barbeque market is fairly big in Charleston and this place is only subpar in my opinion. I also feel for what they offer the prices are a little on the steep end. I can get the same menu cooked a little better at Home Team or Market Street Saloon. I would look other places if I were you. Lunch for two cost me about $35 and we left a little hungry.
(2)
Dave F.
Wow! Extraordinary, mouthwatering grub! This is a family owned business, steeped in the pride and tradition of 3 generations serving family and friends, and it shows in the quality of the food. At the risk of using a cliche', "The secret's in the sauce." The Bessingers have spent 3/4 of a century perfecting their sauces, and it shows. Check 'em out -- you won't regret it . . . If you're like me, you'll need to get some sauce to go!
(5)
Josh A.
This is another great que joint that's part of the Bessinger family. Their sauce is some of the best around, and you can find it in select grocery stores, such as Piggly Wiggly. This place has an awesome buffet on Sundays from lunch. It's around $10 and has a multitude of different things to eat on it. Definitely give it a shot if you're in the area.
(4)
Vicente G.
The food was good, but not amazing. Perhaps I'm not used to the low country bbq style. I had the ribs with mac and cheese and greens. You definitely get your money's worth. There was enough food for 3 people, suffice it to say that I did not clear my plate. The ribs were good and the greens were decent, but I'm used to gooey mac and cheese. This mac and cheese, although tasty, had the consistency of cooked custard - must be a regional thing. Anyway, I still recommend trying this place out, especially if you're from out of town so you can get a good example of the regional bbq.
(3)
Sylvan F.
Very disappointing visit as this place had come highly recommended. We order the ribs, pork and BBq chicken. The pork was good but the ribs and chicken were both severely overlooked and therefore extremely dry. Also had the cole slaw, collards and the beans. The cole slaw was very good but the others were not edible at all. They lacked flavor and did not seem to be fresh at all.
(1)
Drew M.
This is it. It's weird, but when I first tried their pulled pork with its mustard based sauce I was a little disappointed. They must put heroin in there or something because after a while I started craving it! Every time I go to Charleston I'll end up here, or at their kinfolk's Melvin's. I can't say I like one over the other (they are both amazing), but since this is the place that opened up my world to the mustard based awesomeness, I'll put my stars here.
(5)
Henry M.
Had the Big Ben BBQ pork basket with steak fries and onion ring. This is my first mustard based BBQ sauce (guess too much time in North Carolina). Sauce had very good taste and great sandwich. Ask for an extra bbq sauce to dip the fries. The onion ring with hush puppy batter was an excellent surprise. Need a BBQ fix?... Bess is your place.
(4)
Jeremy W.
My northern palate is just not used to the way some southern dishes are prepared. Went to Bessingers and had the pulled pork sandwich, which was slathered with the "yellow" Carolina type bbq sauce, not good! The onion rings appear to be dipped in cake batter and are so huge they looked as though they have been steroid injected, not good! 2 people in my group had the hot dog and a salad, which faired higher points than my meal. If you have a discriminating palate, keep looking - Bessinger's doesn't answer the bell.
(2)
Scottie B.
This was the best BBQ I've ever had. The pork was smoky and moist and the chicken was fall off the bone tender without being dry. The BBQ sauces were authentic tangy, mustardy SC style BBQ, but had a little something going on flavor-wise that was hard to place, but heavenly. I will have dreams about this BBQ.
(5)
Lori O.
Great pork bbq and great ribs combined with okay-to-good sides and delicious tea. Cornbread is crumbly and as sweet as cake. Just a warning for those folks who don't like it so sweet (like me). The corn was pretty good, nicely salted, but it's hard to mess up corn. The green beans are the flat beans (what I grew up calling "pole beans") and pretty tasty. The cinnamon apples would have been tasteless if it weren't for the sweetness of the sauce. There. Now I got that out of the way. On to the real reason you'll go: the barbeque! Pulled pork is super good, sauced just enough to be moist but not overpowering (of course more sauce is available), nice and smoky, and the rib meat falls off the bone. If I lived in Charleston, I'd go back to take out the meat and the tea, then make my sides or get them from somewhere else.
(4)
dan d.
Meh. I wasn't that impressed. The food was good but nothing special. The pulled pork was pretty good but I only had two sauces to choose from. The corn bread was good, the apples weren't and the mac and cheese tasted eeirely similar to bread pudding.
(3)
Dominic J.
What a GEM!!! This is by far the best of the best on many levels - being in business for decades like the Bessinger family has been should be the first clue that this is one hot spot. I had anticipated my recent Charleston trip for so long because of all the great things I've heard about Bessinger's and it lived up to the hype, and then some! I was not properly informed that the Onion Rings are the show-stopper but let me say WOW! I've never had, nor have I seen, anything like it. The chopped pork plate w/two sides for $10 has so much food it puts most buffets to shame (ok, maybe that's a stretch but I've paid more and gotten a lot less with a lot less satisfaction so I can stretch if I want to!) I must admit, I was let down by the collard greens...In all, this is a must and do it right w/some sweet tea! If you go to Charleston and do not go to Bessinger's you probably should be deported. Oh and do save room for dessert, you're only cheating yourself if you don't...
(5)
Chris R.
After 4 years away from SC I realized how much I missed the BBQ. Bessingers is an excellent choice!
(5)
Nick T.
We stopped here hoping for some awesome bbq, but i was more bloated than satisfied. We got the buffet, and it wasnt anything too exciting. the desserts were bangin tho!
(3)
Matilda S.
Only place open in the area after 9pm, which is a good thing when you are traveling... however, the food is about average. I did not say that since I am vegetarian din I did not eat much, but my fiance was pretty disappointed. In my desperate attempt to have a full serving of vegetables, I had some pretty good fried okra and I tried the greens (yes cooked with some pork, but I was starving after traveling the whole day!), which were simply disgusting. The mac & cheese was the least remarkable experience: it seemed like it had been sitting in the back of the store the whole day but I would blame that to the late hour.
(2)
Chad E.
For the first time, we stopped in and picked up some barbecue to go. Ordered two pounds of the stuff (comes in a large styrofoam cup), which comes with lots of mustard sauce to take with you. Now it doesn't come with any buns, so you need to have some of those at home, but it's also a bit more cost-effective. Try it out if you don't have time to sit in the restaurant and dig in.
(4)
Johnnie M.
The best BBQ in Charleston....in my opinion.
(5)
Brian B.
I would go for the onion rings alone--purely decadent! Pulled pork and mustard BBQ were outstanding as well...
(4)
Frances C.
To be fair I only tried the pork bbq and I definitely prefer a good North Carolina style, but I wasn't impressed. The fried okra wasn't memorable either. It was cheap, and definitely felt like I got my money's worth. I would go back if somebody else wanted to go, but probably won't on my own.
(3)
merri charlotte s.
awsome bbq place! has been there 4evr! love mustard bbq sause!
(5)
Ken P.
Simply fantastic onion rings super good pork brisket is top notch must stop while in Charleston Home style sides best sweet or plain tea in the south You can taste the tradition in everything they serve Banana pudding pretty pretty pretty good as Larry David would say!!!
(5)
Amanda H.
So here's the thing - I eat a lot of BBQ. Do I love it? No - but my spouse does. But I do appreciate a delicious pork that can stand alone. I enjoy a good sauce. I REALLY enjoy a good mac and cheese. The first time I stopped in here with some friends, I was blown away. The sides were great, the pork was yummy, the service was great.... And then I came last weekend on Father's Day. The experience was the complete opposite. For starters, their cook was apparently out. I understand everyone needs time off, but you should definitely have a back up who knows the recipes. The place wasn't super busy, but the service was just spotty. Our waitress seemed to be around when we were fine but disappeared anytime we actually needed refills. We did the buffet and what a disappointment it was! I couldn't even eat the mac and cheese. The most delicious things in the restaurant were the salad bar and the jello - definitely not what I went to a BBQ joint for. The pulled pork was cold in some spots, hot in others, drenched in sauce, and just unappetizing. They had a chicken option (some kind of pan chicken?) that was super dry. I was so disappointed. Either their backup cook needs a lesson in cooking or my taste buds all of a sudden died. Then comes the bill. $40.00 for two terrible buffets and two (almost always empty) drinks. When we asked why it cost so much more this time than the last time we went, the cashier couldn't give us an answer...I was not thrilled. Honestly, I may give them one more chance but I doubt it. Swig and Swine is right across the way and always provides a delicious (and affordable) plate of goodness.
(3)
Kara D.
I have been going to Bessinger's my whole life. It has definitely grown and been updated. First of all, I'll put it out there that I am a vegetarian and I love this restaurant. I like that now they have different flavors of bbq. I felt terrible admitting it at first, but I do like the Hickory better than the original! The sweet tea and onion rings are my favorites. I normally order a grilled cheese and just lap up the sauce with it! Between that, potato salad, and banana pudding, I never go hungry! My husband and I had Bessinger's cater our outdoor wedding. I was a little worried at first, since it is isn't the "fanciest" of options, but I was pleasantly surprised! A few of the options we had were a fruit and vegetable tray, salad, pulled pork, green beans, black beans and rice, banana pudding, lemonade, and sweet tea. They also were very accommodating in not adding any meat to any of our side options.
(5)
Tasha L.
Well, it was BBQ. Was it great? No. The cornbread was hard as a rock and collards tasted strange. The pulled pork was okay, and the sauces adequate. The onion was good. The place was clean and service decent, so they get a star for that. Otherwise, I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)
Frank G.
Hyped up! Tourist attraction. But once you get over all that, you find out that it's just an OK place. Ribs are OK, not great. Sauces are not that great. What happened to the good old plain BBQ sauce, where the ribs were drenched in it? Food is OK, not great. I can think of so many other places that do BBQ better. Go, get over the hype, then go find a better place to get Ribs. There are many. Oh yea, price is a little high for what you get, plus no service, all self! Frank G
(3)
Starr E.
The food was really good. I enjoyed the fried fish, and chicken. The chicken just fell right off of the bone as did the BBQ ribs. The ribs were oh so yummy. The sides were just not that tasteful however. I think that $15.00 for a buffet is kind of over kill.
(3)
Glenn V.
To express a little bias ahead of my review, I just have not found a place where I really enjoy the BBQ in Charleston. From Bluffton to Spartanburg, Clemson to Columbia there have been spots I've hit and really enjoyed, just not yet for Charlestown. I'm somewhat aware of the mustard, vinegar, tomato based argument and find the passion of opinions quite fascinating yet I've only experienced the mustard option and the vinegar option out of state. (Correction, Middleton Place had a stellar mustard based pulled pork sandwich.) I've eaten barbeque fare in many states, but what makes SC barbecue so unique is that every Charlestonian swears by it as the gold standard, I thought that was St. Louis? Not surprisingly, these are the same folks that tell me they never left SC, proudly expressing no intention nor desire to ever consider leaving, if only for a quick little get away, the legal kind. Alrighty then, moving on. The location does quite well, the family has a long history which does make me glad as all of the workers and friends that I know really love it, friends that would most certainly make Bessingers their last meal on earth, I just don't get the fascination.
(2)
Clare W.
This was a wonderful restaurant. The Mac & cheese was sooooo good. My friend ordered has over rice and devoured it. It was clean and a good environment for laid back bbq. A great place!
(5)
Frank C.
Never, ever use take out with these people. Good food in-house but your take-out (my last 3 have been wrong) will never be right.
(2)
Paula B.
Bessinger's has two parts to the restaurant: one is the buffet side that personally I have never been to - but if you drive past on a Sunday during buffet hours, the parking lot is packed. The other side to Bessinger's is the "sandwich shop," as I call it. You order from the counter and take a seat, then they call you a couple of minutes later when it's ready. The last time I went a couple of months ago they gave us a buzzer instead of calling out our name. I always get the Little Joe basket that comes with a good portion of steak fries and one onion ring. The sandwich is saucy with that wonderful mustard sauce mixed in with the pulled pork. Nothing else. It is perfect as-is! The onion rings are enormous, super thick and coated with a pancake-like batter. They are crisp and hot and even better when dipped in the mustard BBQ sauce. My mom swears by their cheeseburgers (yes in a BBQ restaurant, but that's what she likes.) My dad has had their platters before with ribs, brisket, etc. but I haven't tried those. There aren't servers, just counter folk, and they come out and clean up the dining area. The drive through is very fast, faster than ordering at the table usually. Just make sure to ask for a cup of BBQ sauce if you want some.
(5)
Berdeen M.
I had the Little Joe basket. Loved the steak fries and onion ring. The sandwich could've had more of the sauce in it. Without it it was a little bland. It would be nice to have some of the sauce on the table to add myself. The girl at the register needs a lesson in being more professional. In the middle of me ordering she asked another girl if she had made her lunch order.
(3)
Blake P.
Good bbq w/o all the frills. I used to eat at Maurice's in Columbia all the time and this place might be a little better. Most everything was above average I'd say and the hash and rice was really good. Bbq was a little dry but I wasn't overly offended by that. It gets 3 stars instead of 4 b/c of the ill placed, disgusting meatballs on the buffet. Really? This is a bbq place in the state that invented bbq, according to bbq historians.....can the meatballs.....thanks.
(3)
Amy Lauren S.
We went here on a Saturday because it's pretty hyped up, we heard a lot about it before visiting. It's been on TV, and on the walls, there are pictures of celebrities and political figures who have eaten at Bessinger's. Seeing the menu, I kinda figured out Bessinger's wasn't my usual type of cuisine. I don't eat meat, but I do eat seafood, and planned to order the vegetable plate. Turns out, even all the vegetables (collards, green beans, baked beans) contain meat! I had to ask the cashier about various ones, and she had to ask the rest of the staff. Also, the cinnamon apples are no longer on the menu, but the website listed that they were. I ended up ordering a kids grilled cheese with added tomatoes on wheat bread. It came on white bread but I didn't really want to send it back. I just ate it, and it was definitely a kid's grilled cheese. My fried okra was more bread than okra, too. My husband got a bacon cheeseburger and fries and an onion ring, we also got an order of rings to share. The onion rings are more like huge pieces of cornbread, they are almost all bread and very deep fried. There's a reason why ordering ONE onion ring is an option- because if you're just one person eating there, you will not want more than 1-2. He ate one and I ate 2, we threw the others away. He said his burger was okay, but nothing too special. It's a popular place and tourists and visitors ask about it, so now we can comment. I do think they could improve by having vegetables that do not contain meat, and maybe adding a veggie burger option to the menu. I probably won't ever return to Bessinger's. I liked the onion ring, but I can always just go through the drive-thru and order one.
(2)
Sydney G.
I love their barbeque, fries, mac and cheese, and OMG that onion ring that's really more of an onion donut. Their mustard BBQ sauce is one of my faves in Charleston. I have friends from out of town who always want to go here when they're visiting. I'm not a huge fan of the buffet, though, so I wouldn't recommend doing that. One thing that really makes me mad is that they REFUSE to do a burger topped with pulled pork. I mean, how is that not one of their specialty items?? I've asked numerous times and they won't do it. What happened to the customer is always right??
(4)
Clorinda K.
The food was good even though I did not get what I ordered. This is a walk up to order restaurant. I ordered by name and meal number. The girl behind the counter looked at me like I wasn't speaking English. I told her three times that I wanted the BRISKET sandwich. Finally a co worker came by and took my order since she was looking at me like a deer in headlights. My husband brought the food to our table after our number was called and I started to eat and realized I was eating a pulled pork sandwich not brisket. The place was crowded. I didn't want to wait in line to complain then wonder if anyone spit in my food. I just ate it and vowed not to return. We go to Melvins which is not too much farther away and have same owners. The place is much better run and has better atmosphere and the food is great!
(3)
Steve M.
The ribs were delicious,fried tomato was great and the chicken was off the charts.and the price were a bargain,
(4)
Brandon H.
I'm usually not a huge fan of BBQ that doesn't involve a buffet, but Bessinger's is good enough to overcome that hurdle. Not EPIC status pulled pork BBQ, but this is a great spot to hit up if you need a BBQ sandwich and some fries. The onion ring is a thing of beauty, and I don't even like onion rings.
(4)
Bill S.
Before writing this review I took a look at the other reviews to see why in the world this place is only rated 3.5 stars...I was shocked...come on people be serious..."I'm a vegetarian and went to a bbq place and was disappointed because even their veggies were cooked in meat"...."I went there and tried a burger"...COME ON BE SERIOUS! I took my wife here about 15 years ago (She is from TX) and she was pre disposed not to like it...as a matter of fact she told me that she purposely was not going to give in....TX vs SC pride. Immediately after the first bite...she looked at me and said WOW..ever since it has been one of her favorites as well. Here is what to order: Plate of BBQ, Hash and Rice, choose your sides...prepare to have everything taste like is was cooked on or around meet...put on a little yellow sauce...eat your pork w/ the hash and rice...enjoy the onion ring (never had one like it anywhere) And now write a review! I lived in Charleston for 20 years and just the thought of going made my mouth water! Can't speak to the buffet side as I never tried it. Also, for a couple of you, if you want to complain about the price...go price brisket, divide it by the size of the piece you want then add sides, a soft drink, oh yeah and by the way staff, a building, government robbery, etc and see what price you come up with. Bet you can't touch it! BTW if you need the mustard sauce recipe...I've got one that is crazy close...can't name my source but just trust me
(5)
Genevieve B.
We were told by locals in the area that this was the best BBQ in town and they weren't lying! Most people will write about how good and tender the meat is, which it was. I, however, am going to rave about the giant onion ring donut you get with every order. I will dream of this onion monstrosity all the days of my life. It was all deliciously decadent!
(5)
Camy C.
Came here on a Sunday night because all the other BBQ buffets were closed!! :( It was kind of empty but the service was very friendly and nice (albeit a bit young). The buffet had a nice salad bar with cold mayo based salads like shrimp salad, potato salad, imitation crab meat salad, macaroni salad, etc and greens with lots of toppings. I focused on the hot food though. The hot food section included 2 soup selection (didn't particularly like the okra soup - too tomato-ey for me). Proteins included fried chicken (YUMMY! nice crispy skin and juicy meat), pulled pork (too dry for me. even the mustard based bbq sauce couldn't salvage it enough for me), fried catfish (the bf liked this a lot), roast chicken, and roast beef. Sides included collard greens, sweet potato, hash, rice with sausage. It was good enough of a selection for two hungry travelers but there wasn't much that I had tried that I wanted to stuff more into my stomach (very rare for me at a buffet). There were bread and multiple types of desserts laid out at the end of the buffet already plated. We didn't try any. Dinner buffet was $13 per person.
(2)
Clay L.
While I have not tried the BBQ (plan on coming back for another visit), I did try the sandwhich side of the restaurant. The food didnt blow me away, but the food wasnt bad either. I tried a bacon cheeseburger and an order of onion rings. I've had better burgers but, this was a good average burger. The onion rings I didnt enjoy at all, way to bready for my liking. If you enjoy 90% bread with a litlte onion hidden between the fried bread, these onion rings are for you. They reminded me of huge circular hushpuppies instead of actual onion rings.
(3)
Katie H.
I came here looking for some southern sweet tea and bbq and it did not disappoint. The pulled chicken and mac and cheese were delicious. So was the tea! The cornbread was dry though. Overall I would recommend
(4)
Brandon L.
I can't speak to the buffet or any other menu items but the brisket is overpriced, stingily portioned, and easily worth missing. Several times (at least five) I bought the ~$9.00 beef brisket tray with fried okra and corn bread. Before tonight, on those visits, the okra good and the corn bread better, but the brisket was barely passable--fairly dry with little flavor. Tonight when I got the brisket tray I was disappointed to find an even smaller portion than usual-there were three, thinly sliced pieces about 1.5 " wide and 4.5" long. In my opinion that's not enough for the $9 price tag. The okra and corn bread were decent as usual. I don't think I'll be going back any time soon, no matter how convenient. I'd be better off going to Home Team BBQ who has brisket with flavor and moistness. EDIT: While I have not returned to Bessinger's since my visit discussed in this review, I gave them an extra star because the manager/owner reached out to me via Yelp Message in order to make things right. I respect and appreciate that.
(3)
Ashley B.
This place is pretty good! I love the huge portions and they always have homemade goodies as you check out such as, brownies and cookies. Defiantly not my favorite bbq joint but still tasty and friendly. Oh yea, the big onion ring is crazy delish!
(4)
Dusty M.
I ordered the pulled pork basket with Mac n Cheese and okra as my fixins. With the basket comes the option of corn bread muffin or a roll. I opted for the corn bread and that was one delicious muffin let me tell ya. The pulled pork and okra were also very good. Here's why I didn't give them 5 stars; the Mac n Cheese was dry and seemed like it was nothing more than macaroni with a slice of melted cheese on top. Doubt I'll get the mac n cheese again but the rest was great. Oh yeah, and the onion donut that comes with the meals and I hate onion rings but this onion ring was very good...more of a donut with that thick breading.
(4)
Michael B.
I'll preface my review by saying that I've only been one time, and it was on the buffet side of the restaurant -- not the sandwich shop. Sadly, this one visit did not leave me with the urge to return. I've lived in Charleston for most of my adult life -- 20 years. I've had plenty of southern food and tons of BBQ. What I ate at Bessinger's was by far my least favorite. The BBQ was dry, the grits were hard, and I'm pretty sure the shrimp was frozen. I know it's a BBQ restaurant, but living on the coast, you don't expect to find anything but the freshest seafood. The fried catfish was edible, and the vegetables were prepared in a typical southern style...overcooked with lots of butter. My son said his favorite thing on the menu was his Coke. :-( I might give the sandwich shop a chance someday, but if you're looking for good BBQ in Charleston, I'd go somewhere else.
(2)
Vicky H.
Economical and Great BBQ! I'd recommend going on the Saturday evening buffet. I believe it starts at 5pm. It features a large variety of meats, a nice salad bar, a soup or two, and several vegetables. They have rice, hash, and macaroni and cheese. Honestly, if you enjoy fresh fish, the fried fish is out of sight!
(5)
Anthony G.
BBQ is barely worth mentioning. The rest is just bad. Driest cornbread ever! Staff is courteous and pleasant, food is not good.
(2)
Kayla M.
Everything was gross. I tried, I really did. I tried to choke down a little of everything from the buffet. Couldn't do it. The potatoes tasted like they were covered in sugar. And the fried chicken was too greasy and seasoned. The ribs are nothing but greasy fat, with no meat. The only maybe okay thing was the peppered baked chicken. The deserts were also cringeworthy, I couldn't bring myself to do. They mostly just have cheesecake and a cup of lemon jello. The place was clean and everyone who worked there was completely nice!
(1)
Sean C.
I have found my spot for BBQ in Charleston. Bessinger;s BBQ is perfect! I went to school in Texas, and those folks know a thing or two about BBQ. When I moved here I tried Home Team BBQ and it was ok but it did not meet my expectations for BBQ. I have eaten at Bessinger;s several times now and i will continue to come here everytime i want BBQ. Their brisket platter is spot on. The coleslaw if really good, and i love the baked beans. The booths are big and roomy so you can be comfortable even in a big group. The BBQ sauces are flavorful. The brisket doesn't actually need sauce, it stands on its own. It is that good. My wife loves the chopped pork platter and they nail it. The pork is so delicous. We always finish the night off with a banana pudding for two and we are really satisfied. Neat atmosphere, nice people, amazing food! You have to try Bessinger's, it only takes 1 meal and you will be hooked!
(5)
Ursula H.
This place is supposedly rated number one in the state. I do not know what all the hype is about. I went later on a Sunday afternoon upon arriving in Charleston. I was eager to try all this BBQ the state was raving about. We were immediately ushered through the buffet before sitting down to eat. The salad bar was amply stocked and had delicious items. My main issue was with the main course bar. The fried catfish was very tasty being some of the best fish we have ever had. The fried chicken livers were way overcooked and inedible. Now onto what should be the star of my plate...the pulled pork. It was dry and cold. Pulled pork should be moist. It had sat on the buffet line for too long. It had no flavor and no amount of delicious mustard sauce could fix that. This is the number one bbq restaurant and it needs to get its priorities straight and serve better BBQ pork.
(2)
Alex K.
Great atmosphere, great food, and reasonable prices. I personally love the BBQ, the burgers, and the Big Chick sandwich. I love the dining room appearance and the sauce station. Hickory Red Sauce is my favorite. Also always enjoy sitting on the front porch swing after eating. Highly recommend! PS also tried their newly added Brisket, and it may be the best I ever had.
(5)
James V.
Sweet, sweet Bessinger's, how is it possible that I haven't written a review for you yet? I am so sorry, baby! I guess I could say that I've just been too busy, but we both know that's a lie. Whenever I'm in Charleston, I'll always make time for you. And one of these days, I'm going to stop running around with all of those second-rate restaurants when I slip one of those giant onion rings on your finger and ask you to be my one and only restaurant, now and forever.
(5)
Cat C.
Tried it on the urging of friends who called it a Sunday institution in town. It was gross. Can't touch Lone Star or any of the really amazing old school bbq's in SC. They couldn't keep the food stocked or drink orders straight. Expensive for the poor quality, especially for children at $8. When every other kids meal in town is $5... and they won't eat anything because the food is terrible. Miserable experience, not worth it.
(2)
Kelly L.
Terrible. Ordered from the counter, not Buffett. The best thing I can say is that At least the ribs were not greasy.
(1)
P P.
Love it! I have always loved BBQ and this place ranks pretty high for me. The ribs were excellent and the pulled pork with Spicy Mustard Sauce was awesome. Now when I drive into town for a vacation I always stop for a bite and for a pound of pork to eat the first few days. On my way out of town I grab 2 lbs to share with my friends. Even warmed in the microwave it is good, but eat it in the restaurant for the best experience. The pulled pork is pulled to small pieces, and some prefer larger, but still awesome. The ribs are excellent, pink hickory smoked on the inside, pull off the bone just right, don't fall off like over cooked ribs. I am sure the sides are good, buy why waste your time when you can eat more pork!
(5)
Michael H.
Was really looking forward to eating at Bessinger's after I heard they offered buffet. At 5:00 on a Sunday afternoon I was surpised that the parking lot was not full but entered building full of anticipation. Upon entering hostess greeted me and asked if she could help me. I informed her that I was interested in buffet and she instructed me to help myself to buffet line and a seat and that a waitress would be by to get my drink order. I was half through my meal when a waitress finally came to my table and apologized that she had not seen me sitting there. This was kind of surprise since there were only three tables with people at them including one almost beside me. She bought my tea and check; apologized again and told me if I needed anything to let her know. She never came back to my table. I finished my meal and got ready to leave. I did leave a tip but was wondering why I am tipping her. I should have tipped the busboy instead since he seemed to be the only one paying attention. When I got to hostess stand there was no one present. I waited about five minutes when my waitress came and asked me if she could help me that the hostess must be in the bathroom. She acted like she did not even know me. Very strange. Now I know why there were no cars in parking lot. Food was only OK Fish was fresh Chicken kinda old. Maybe it was fresher at lunch. Or maybe leftover from lunch. Am not eager to go back but if I do it will be from the to go area. I am in food and beverage business and understand the importance of customer service. I know that Bessinger's is a big name in the South Carolina barbeque industry but being from Eastern North Carolina I was not impressed.
(2)
Christopher G.
Went here last year when visiting my Daughter last year... Old school southern authentic BBQ at its best! Tender and delicious hand pulled pork, and moist brisket, both smoked on site for hours. Some of the best que Ive ever had. Get their killer beer battered onion rings too. Its a little shabby inside, not the cleanest joint around, and prices are a little high, but if its all about the meat, this place cant be beat! Oh, and no unsweetened tea in this joint, and if you ask for it, youll get a look of blasphemy.
(4)
Kenneth H.
Good Q and a damn good onion ring. The ring is like a Vidalia onion and a Crazy Crab hushpuppy hooked up on a hot summer night and made sweet love.
(4)
Dallas T.
Good BBQ. Not amazing, but good. Pork and brisket were both A-OK. Their mustard-based sauce was better than their tomato-based one.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Kathleen M.
I am more of a fan of vinegar based BBQ but this wasn't half bad. I had the rotisserie chicken
(4)Beth A.
Bessingers catered my friends' wedding on Folly Beach on Halloween 2014. I booked the event several months ahead and was a bit nervous since I don't live in Charleston and had not heard of Bessingers. Drew was incredibly helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. When he arrived in more than enough time to get set up we were impressed. Then the food was delicious and the clean up was nothing because we didn't have to lift a finger! And the price for amazing service and great food was also amazing! Great value!!! We will recommend and use Bessingers again!
(5)JOANNE W.
After living here for 18 yrs., this is like going to the McDonald's of b-b-q. Hometeam on Sullivan's Island or West Ashley is what that subject is about.
(2)Vicki S.
I've been eating here since I was a kid (over 35 years!) LOVE the cheeseburgers and onion rings. YUM!!!
(4)Robin T.
Outstanding BBQ. I had the Little Joe pork sandwich basket and will be back to sample more from their menu...
(5)Margaret C.
I was skeptical about their status as the best 'que' in SC but their 'que' was really good! Loved our meal and will be making this place a "must eat here stop" for our next trip down here!
(5)Tricia M.
Bessinger's is awesome and as a matter of a fact, legendarily epic!! Do not go to Bessinger's expecting a typical, tomato-based sauce as found in most other BBQ establishments. This sauce has a good down-home quality about it that makes it not only a thoroughly enjoyable mustard base sauce, but a FANTABULOUS barbecue sauce; especially for pork, chicken, ribs and hot dogs. I actually found it addicting. I live in Florida so I had to purchase a few bottles of sauce to bring home. I must have dipped a spoon in the jar ten times or better right after I opened it. I love those Charleston folks. Those sweet accents and wonderful service made the experience there as good as the sauce! Barbecue sauce making is an art. In fact, I'd go as far to say that BBQ sauce is a religion and Bessinger's is a holy place!
(5)Colleen M.
Honestly the only reason I went here was because I had family in town and they read that this place has some of the best barbeque and they were right. I'm usually picky about pulled pork but their pulled pork and barbeque sauce was AMAZING! The buffet is definetly worth the money and is delicious!!
(5)Paulette H.
This was the worst place I've ever eaten. I understand that is a subjective statement because everyone has a different idea of what is good and bad but upon leaving the restaurant I asked my husband what he thought (without voicing my opinion) and he said he didn't like it and would never go back. That comment coming from a man who is never critical and loves BBQ.
(1)Tristan B.
Good BBQ. The pork here is quite supple, scrumptious, and juicy. The house BBQ sauce (mustard based) is decent. It is a little too mustardy for my tastes. The steak fries here are really really really good. Crispy, tender, yummy. The sweet tea is excellent. Definitely not for non-sweet tooths of the world. Overall pretty good. Will come back and try one of their other sauces.
(4)David W.
I had a brief stay in Charleston and was lucky to find this place the first day. I ate here every day at least once because it was so good. The sauce, the sauce, the sauce!! The onion rings are more like onion donuts! Gotta dip em in the sauce! The pulled pork, chicken, beef. It was all good. I will miss this place very much after I leave.
(5)Ginger K.
The outside of this place makes it look like it is going to be huge! which maybe it is... but we went on weekday and were most likely the first customers of the day I think we arrived at 10:30 AM when they opened because it was a must stop at BBQ joint on our vacation to do list. We ordered 2 sandwiches and drinks. I feel that it was over priced for what we got. I did like the chopped pork sandwiches. I loved the mustard base sauce so much that I came home and taught myself how to make a similar sauce! but without the sauce the sandwich would have been super dry. So the sauce wins. The price loses. The decor of the place reminded me of cracker barrel. I would go back if I was in the area.. but I would not make it a destination.
(3)Marissa H.
Mixed reviews...I think the best part was that the left-over chicken was fantastic the next day in a sandwich, bahn mi style! Ordered BBQ combo platter: 1/2 chicken - lots of it, mainly white meat which was a nice change. Sweet & smoky with a wet sauce thrown on top at the end. Pulled chicken - the same as 1/2 chicken only without the skin. Still good. Ribs - a little different sauce than chicken but very dry. Disappointing really as that should have been the signature piece in the platter, but the chicken was far better. Decent amount but not flavorful, didn't really "fall off the bone" & wasn't too my liking. Coleslaw - I make better. This was too runny & there was a layer of mayo on the bottom of the to-go cup. Nice to have a veggie option but it needed more flavor/kick. Mac 'n Cheese - I liked it! Baked, not overly cheesy (not much cheese at all actually). Chewy but with a good texture. I'd order it again. Corn Bread - well, if you look at my pictures you'll notice the bread isn't corn bread, but the dinner roll which was the other option. Don't know if they ran out of it or messed up. But the dinner roll was pretty good - nothing special. Onion Ring - massive, 1 ring & that's all you need for a long time! Greasy, dough fried like a donut & massive enough to be an onion-encased donut! I actually really liked it & I don't like onion rings. Yeah for that! $17.12 for all of this to-go. Would I go back? Probably not...too many other BBQ places to try in Charleston. But it is located well to grab while headed to the airport.
(3)Chris S.
Enjoyed a tasty pork sandwich with fries and an onion ring.
(4)August W.
The service and food availability is always so so. I must say I was truly disappointed by the food and customer service the last time I ate at Bessingers. I was headed out of town to Jacksonville to visit my sister and stopped by Bessingers on my way down Savannah highway. My sister is obsessed with Bessingers and Melvin's (their family resturaunt on James Island) so I figured I'd surprise her with her favorite meal upon arrival. I ordered three Big Joe Beef Baskets with extra sauce. The energetic and very delightful cashier placed my order correctly, but when I received my food it was incorrect and less than satisfactory. When I finally received my correct order after a lengthy wait I hopped in the car and headed to Florida. I began to eat my food in the car when I realized there was NO barbecue sauce on my sandwich or in my bag!!!! Literally three barbecue sandwiches accompanied by huge steak fries and onion rings with not a drop of sauce! DRY and DISGUSTING doesn't begin to describe the experience. And to add insult to injury I called and spoke to the manager who was unapologetic and slightly rude. He informed me that the sandwiches that my family and I have grown to love over the last 15+ years have ALWAYS been served that way, which is not the truth. If only his sandwiches were as saucy as his response to my complaint this review would have been completely different.
(1)Kaity J.
I'm always trying to find a delicious BBQ treat. This place was decent. Good, traditional Southern-style atmosphere, which I appreciated. As far as I could tell, here's your "To Try" list for Bessinger's: 1)Pulled pork 2)Chicken 3)Onion ring (Yep, there's just one...but it's huge and delicious) 4)Sweet tea The brisket was not so tasty, as in not good at all, and is the main thing keeping this place from being a star up. All in all: not bad, not great.
(3)Charlie F.
I went here for lunch because (a) I could walk to it from my hotel and (b) the yelp reviews. Was a little surprised to see that this is actually two restaurants - the "sandwich" side and the "buffet" side that is only open weekend nights. Counter person was very kind in explaining the menu options which include platters and sandwiches. I ordered the pulled pork platter with macaroni & cheese, steak fries and cornbread. Included with the meal is one battered onion ring and a jalapeno pepper. BBQ pork was very good (just not as good as Eastern NC BBQ) Tried both of the sauces, but I liked it better without any sauce. Could have used some vinegar though! Homemade Macaroni & Cheese was great, and the steak fries were good too. Large hunk of cornbread was a great addition to the meal. I don't like onions, so I can't offer an opinion on the onion ring. Though the meal was a little pricey for a self serve meal. Overall positive experience.
(4)Rusty C.
Great barbecue. Loved the mustard based sauce.
(4)Chris S.
Bessinger's is THE BEST BBQ in the state!!! I love their southern style mustard-based bbq sauce. And their onion rings are so good they could serve them on the desert menu! I always order the Big Joe Pork...simply delicious. This is a family-owned-and-operated restaurant. I've met the owners and they are the nicest folks. Their staff is always wonderful and shows off their southern hospitality. Whenever my family from up north come to visit...they always request we hit up Bessingers while they're here. :-)
(5)L C.
Best BBQ Buffet in South Carolina, period. And i have been allover the state trying BBQ and occasionally, the buffets. BBQ is great.. has that smokey flavor and the mustard is provided on the side. Chicken, turkey, collards, mac n' cheese and the list goes on... it's got to be the best soul food buffet i have ever eaten at. Period. It gets even better... the desserts are HOMEMADE. Yes, homemade. Try any of them and i promise you... you'd be asking yourself why more buffets can't do this. And the price of around $12 without a drink is just a unbelievable steal and deal. Only problem with this place; it is not worth going there 6 days of the week. Prices are too high for a sandwich and platter. Eat there for the buffet only. Trust me. More food for just a few bucks more.
(5)Rian B.
Bessingers is the best BBQ I've ever had. They slow cook the pork in their BBQ pits in the back of the restaurant and use only the finest cut of meat. I eat here on a regular basis and recommend it to my friends. The staff is friendly, the management is all about excellence, and the atmosphere is charming. This family owned business has been up and running successfully for a long time. I've been noticing how they have been getting national coverage over the past few years too - people magazine and a visit from Andrew Zimmern (from the travel channel) and his crew. You can eat either on the sandwich shop side or the buffet. Both great options! I've been going since I was a kid, and I will continue the tradition with my own children one day.
(5)Dale A.
BBQ pulled pork with sauce is good but most else is average buffet food. Based on review average I was expecting more.
(3)Meredith J.
We really enjoyed Bessinger's. Easy to order and the food was delicious! We had the beef and pork platters with mac and cheese and potato salad on the side. Everything was delicious! We even bought some sauce to take home and cook with. I also liked the added touch of the onion ring on the side.
(5)James R.
Bessinger's tries to come off like a local BBQ joint, but it's quality is more like a chain than a mom and pop. My wife and I have been enjoying a summer "BBQ tour" of BBQ places within an hour or two from our home in Mt. Pleasant. Between June 9, 2012 and yesterday (June 28), we have visited 7 different locations. The experience has been eye-opening. When you get to sample that much BBQ in such a short amount of time, you can really compare products. We have been writing about our experiences after each visit ( destination-bbq.com ). Anyway, we had gone out blueberry picking and decided to have lunch locally, and if we're eating out, it might as well be BBQ. We picked Bessinger's because it was on the route back home. Having eaten a lot of BBQ lately, we didn't have much expectation for Bessinger's and they didn't let us down. It simply is not very high quality BBQ. Mind you, for us, it is all about the BBQ itself, but even the sides we tried (baked beans and collards) were bad, really. The onion ring, however, was tasty. I equate this to McDonald's. If you want a real burger, you wouldn't go to McDonald's. Similarly, if you want real BBQ, don't waste your money at Bessinger's. However, if you're just looking to fill your belly and the actual quality of the food doesn't matter, McDonald's or Bessinger's will suffice.
(2)Andrew S.
I was driving back up from New Orleans to my home and tried to schedule a "Carolina's BBQ Road Trip". Bessinger's was unfortunately one of my stops. I guess everybody has an off day/gets a bad piece of meat, but I figure the kid working the flattop could care less/wasn't taught any better/doesn't know any better than to serve lame bbq. Ordered the BBQ Plate Combo with Ribs, Pulled Pork and Brisket, my friend ordered the same with Chicken instead of pork. Ribs: "Fall off the bone", about average if we're trying to claim to be non-chain bbq Pork: Dry, mustard sauce was good, but the actual meat didn't have a noticeable flavor Brisket: Awful. I was actually insulted they put this out. They slice it like a thick deli roast beef, then warm it up on a flat top/griddle? What the hell? Who does this!?!? It was dryer than and chewier than the inside of my shoe. Chicken: You know... the chicken wasn't actually bad. In my experience its usually dry/bland, but this might have been the best thing on the plate. Sides: Beans-Canned with a little added molasses/liquid smoke Cornbread- Dry/no butter Potato Salad- "Deli-style", light on flavor, super sweet Mac and Cheese- Counter girl suggested this... I think I compared it to a "Over cooked baked ziti, with no sauce, or mozzarella cheese" I dont know what kind of cheese they used, but it was dry, flavorless and decidedly un-cheesy. Onion Ring- Yes its huge, and I guess its okay? Its almost like an onion cake. So yeah, It's always sad to see a bunch of great yelp reviews and have a poor experience. Sure, some of it might be due to bad quality control, but there are some things (Brisket) that is going to be bad each and every time if they don't find a better method.
(2)Jonathan V.
I love Bessinger's mustard style BBQ. Got a plate which came with the huge onion ring (love it!), we also got hash and rice, and beans. Got a side of Carolina cole slaw, and that was the only thing I didn't like.
(4)Jackie L.
Honestly? I'm reluctant to give even 3 stars. I'm coming from ATL bbq, so maybe I'm spoiled. Ordered a few items for pickup when some family came into town and here are our thoughts: First off, they were out of brisket. Totally out, and the order taker didn't know this when I called (she was very apologetic about it when she called me back, which was nice...but I wouldn't expect a big bbq joint to be out of brisket on a Tuesday afternoon). The pork was tasty but the sauce (original) was not. Too vinegary for me and I'm pretty sure that's NC style, not SC. Ribs fell off the bone (good!), but were way overcooked (bad!). We ordered chicken, which I didn't try, but the others said it was ok. Mac n cheese should be solid at a bbq joint, but it tasted more like buttered noodles. Not cheesy. Not creamy. Buttery. Corn was buttery, too. It was sweet and crisp, but the salty butter covered the natural deliciousness. Coleslaw was awesome. Very fresh and was my favorite side. Now the onion rings... They receive rave reviews on here, so we got two orders (8 rings). I think a more appropriate description would be onion donuts. The batter is sweet and had the fluffy/dense consistency of a donut. And they're the size of donuts. They were good, but not great. I probably won't be back. Hometeam BBQ is better. Two last things: 1) The service was slow (called ahead and arrived about 5 min late. Still had to wait 10+ minutes with about a dozen staff and no other customers in sight). 2) Prices on website are out of date.
(3)Clay P.
Visited the sandwich side of restaurant & had the pulled pork sandwich with fries, onion ring and a side of collard greens. Really good pulled pork, solid (but plain) collard greens and so so fries. The onion ring was a very nice surprise - basically a french beignet sweet bread with onion tucked inside - different but really good. I'll be back when I get back out to Charleston.
(4)Marc S.
Good pulled pork and sweet tea.
(4)James K.
Wow.. I have been deprived of good BBQ for a LONG time living in Atlanta! sorry ATL folks.. but the east GA/SC boys know how its done. We actually happened on Bessingers when driving on 17 looking for eats. Edisto Island is a great place to vacation, but a lot of the restaurants arent open early in the week. What can I say? hrmm.. the decor is what you'd expect for a bbq place.. large wooden booths and a sit yourself style atmosphere. The pork is pulled and chopped apparently.. it snot minced or anything but its cut well enough that you dont have to use a knife or anything. The meat is HIGH QUALITY.. this is what I cant stress enough for the folks in Atlanta.. you have to use better meat! The sauces are 2 as someone else said. I dont think thats a negative. "only having 2" is 1 more than you get at most places I've been.. My favorite was the mustard based sauce. The pork plate comes with 2 sides, a bread (AWESOME CORNBREAD!) and a funnel cake like onion ring. If you are in west charleston near the citadel mall and its lunch time.. you MUST check this place out!
(5)Ken W.
Disclaimer: I've been eating here since it was "Piggy Park" and they had car-hops. Someone once said, "Never order french onion soup in a Chinese restaurant." I am forever amazed to be in line with whole families who come into this place and order burgers and salads. It happens often enough that we usually joke about it while waiting. We sat beside a group who did this just this past Saturday. I wonder if they just didn't bother to read the giant yellow letters on the barn outside. Never had a burger there. Never will. Restaurant has two parts: a sandwich shop ($) and a buffet ($$). If you're looking to stuff yourself with BBQ to the point of hospitalization, the buffet is your place. I'm not sure if it strictly fits the definition of "soul food" but everything they serve is straight out of my grandmother's cookbook (and if a woman raised on a depression-era farm in Creston, SC can't cook "soul food", I don't know who can). BBQ, hash, vegetables, ribs, chicken, salad. No flash, just good food. Desserts are worth saving room for. Buffet gets a little crowded at times. They're not open all the time. The sandwich side is where I spend all my time. While everyone rightfully raves about the SC "mustard based" BBQ, the most under appreciated menu items are their onion rings. DO NOT leave this place without eating one (or three). They are huge and unlike anything I've ever had anywhere. Being raised on them, I have been trying to find a better onion ring and can't. If you can, avoid the lunch/dinner rush. Otherwise, you'll end up waiting in line to order, then again to sit down. Bessingers is a monument to South Carolina BBQ. It's heritage traces back to the old-time names like Sweatman and Dukes. The BBQ is pulled pork, saturated with a yellow, mustard-based sauce. The sauce can be a little off-putting to BBQ freaks from other parts of the country, but it is worth the try. There are actually (at least) two Bessingers BBQ's in South Carolina. There is this one and "Maurices" out of Columbia. They are brothers, I believe. Maurice tried his hand at politics and mass-merchandising, so those chain BBQ joints are his. This one IS NOT part of the chain. The food is vaguely similar between the two, but I have always thought of this restaurant as the one true Bessingers.
(5)Madeleine P.
This place is my all time favorite place to visit in charleston. The food is great! We've been to the sandwich shop and the buffeteria. The best night for the buffeteria is Sunday. The sweet potatoe casserole and the hash over rice are amazing. Bottom line this place has great food but needs a major facelift. Also if you see tommy bessinger, one of the owners don't expect a hello. Personally if I owned this place I'd go around and ask how people's meals were but obviously he thinks differently. Other than that a must go to in Charleston. The person that wrote a review comparing this place to McDonald's obviously knows nothing about good bbq food
(5)Jon C.
Growing up in the north i never touch BBQ that was not vinegar based. Ventured into Bessingers some time ago and i was really surprised how much I liked the mustard based. Great food and service from what seems to be locally owned family restaurant. I'm hooked, will definitely be back for more. A must have if your in Charleston!
(5)Gregory N.
Always on the look-out for BBQ places when I travel. If I come back to Charleston, I won't be back to Bessingers. We went on a Sunday afternoon, where you can either go to the buffet dining area or to a separate sandwich area. The buffet is only served Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We made the bad choice of going to the buffet line as we figured it would be a great value. Wrong! If I had a do-over, I would go to the sandwich section. Here at the buffet, there were no ribs and no brisket. Only pulled pork, which wasn't bad but nothing to write home about. Other meat choices were pathetic, country fried steak that was so overcooked that it looked like a hockey puck with crust on it, fried chicken (at a BBQ joint?!) and beef stew (again, this is a BBQ joint, right?). They had a bunch of sdes, but nothing stood out. I liked the corn best, but it probably came out of a can. When I went through the line, there were barely any mashed potatoes left and they were stiff-like. Later on I went back for mashed potatoes and they were too runny, the complete opposite of what they had before. That's weird, there must be no quality control on Sunday. Skip the numerous desserts and save yourself the consumption of empty calories. They are colorful, but your can find better desserts at a fund raising bake sale at a school or church. If you're visiting, don't go. Spend a little more money at a nice restaurant in town. Your tastebuds and your tummy will thank you.
(1)Nancy C.
After many locals recommended this as the best BBQ in Charleston, we made sure we stopped by before we left town. Lunch for two = $25!!! That was for two chopped pork sandwiches or a normal size bun, two sides, (potato salad and onion rings) and two soft drinks!!! The onion rings had way toooooo much coating, it was more like dough; not good. The pork sandwiches were heavily drenched in the house BBQ sauce which made for a soggy bun; didn't think it was more than OK. The young woman who took our order seemed bothered to do so.
(1)Jocelyn A.
We went to the Friday night rib buffet. I have to admit I was very impressed with the quality for the cost. The buffet was only around $11 and it included as many ribs as your heart could desire. The ribs were meaty and had a great smoke flavor. The side dishes were great, especially the mac n cheese and hushpuppies. I also really liked the meatloaf. The desserts however, are terrible.
(4)Giancarlo B.
Everyone knows I love the Texas Ribs and BBQ in Clinton , MD well call me a Polygamist but I love Bessinger's too! Yes I am a cheat and have been cheating on Texas Ribs and BBQ for four years! There I said it! Now there is some local lore about the Bessinger's and two brothers, sort of a Mondavi-esque family feud but who cares both serve up some really AWESOME Q. I like Bessinger's mustard based sauce (mustard based sauce is the deal in Eastern SC) it is so darn good you can drink it like a Pepsi! The pulled pork is killer good, juicy and full of flavor! you will love it love it love it!!! Their ribs are out of this world and you'll wanna rub the cole slaw on your face. Gimme some sweet tea with that and all that's missing is a country girl! If you go to Charleston and you don't go to Bessinger's you should be spanked (by a country girl) and then transported to Bessinger's for the very best in Charleston. If I had one place to eat here it would be Bessinger's! GO! GO ! GO!
(5)AJ S.
Place was packed for a car show, and we decided to stop in since it smelled so good outside. My dad and I shared a rib platter with fried okra, cole slaw, and italian green beans. Everything was just okay except for the onion ring that comes with everything. It was humongous and diffed in some fluffy, sweet batter. Worth going just for a plate of those!
(3)David R.
For a good burger, this is the place to go.
(4)Deb B.
Second best BBQ in SC! The price can add up if you want all of the trimmings and all of the trimmings are GOOD! Go here if you want great SC BBQ with a pleasant and nice staff. The whole family does good BBQ, but Bessinger's is the best of them all.
(4)Evan T.
The food is decent, the barbeque market is fairly big in Charleston and this place is only subpar in my opinion. I also feel for what they offer the prices are a little on the steep end. I can get the same menu cooked a little better at Home Team or Market Street Saloon. I would look other places if I were you. Lunch for two cost me about $35 and we left a little hungry.
(2)Dave F.
Wow! Extraordinary, mouthwatering grub! This is a family owned business, steeped in the pride and tradition of 3 generations serving family and friends, and it shows in the quality of the food. At the risk of using a cliche', "The secret's in the sauce." The Bessingers have spent 3/4 of a century perfecting their sauces, and it shows. Check 'em out -- you won't regret it . . . If you're like me, you'll need to get some sauce to go!
(5)Josh A.
This is another great que joint that's part of the Bessinger family. Their sauce is some of the best around, and you can find it in select grocery stores, such as Piggly Wiggly. This place has an awesome buffet on Sundays from lunch. It's around $10 and has a multitude of different things to eat on it. Definitely give it a shot if you're in the area.
(4)Vicente G.
The food was good, but not amazing. Perhaps I'm not used to the low country bbq style. I had the ribs with mac and cheese and greens. You definitely get your money's worth. There was enough food for 3 people, suffice it to say that I did not clear my plate. The ribs were good and the greens were decent, but I'm used to gooey mac and cheese. This mac and cheese, although tasty, had the consistency of cooked custard - must be a regional thing. Anyway, I still recommend trying this place out, especially if you're from out of town so you can get a good example of the regional bbq.
(3)Sylvan F.
Very disappointing visit as this place had come highly recommended. We order the ribs, pork and BBq chicken. The pork was good but the ribs and chicken were both severely overlooked and therefore extremely dry. Also had the cole slaw, collards and the beans. The cole slaw was very good but the others were not edible at all. They lacked flavor and did not seem to be fresh at all.
(1)Drew M.
This is it. It's weird, but when I first tried their pulled pork with its mustard based sauce I was a little disappointed. They must put heroin in there or something because after a while I started craving it! Every time I go to Charleston I'll end up here, or at their kinfolk's Melvin's. I can't say I like one over the other (they are both amazing), but since this is the place that opened up my world to the mustard based awesomeness, I'll put my stars here.
(5)Henry M.
Had the Big Ben BBQ pork basket with steak fries and onion ring. This is my first mustard based BBQ sauce (guess too much time in North Carolina). Sauce had very good taste and great sandwich. Ask for an extra bbq sauce to dip the fries. The onion ring with hush puppy batter was an excellent surprise. Need a BBQ fix?... Bess is your place.
(4)Jeremy W.
My northern palate is just not used to the way some southern dishes are prepared. Went to Bessingers and had the pulled pork sandwich, which was slathered with the "yellow" Carolina type bbq sauce, not good! The onion rings appear to be dipped in cake batter and are so huge they looked as though they have been steroid injected, not good! 2 people in my group had the hot dog and a salad, which faired higher points than my meal. If you have a discriminating palate, keep looking - Bessinger's doesn't answer the bell.
(2)Scottie B.
This was the best BBQ I've ever had. The pork was smoky and moist and the chicken was fall off the bone tender without being dry. The BBQ sauces were authentic tangy, mustardy SC style BBQ, but had a little something going on flavor-wise that was hard to place, but heavenly. I will have dreams about this BBQ.
(5)Lori O.
Great pork bbq and great ribs combined with okay-to-good sides and delicious tea. Cornbread is crumbly and as sweet as cake. Just a warning for those folks who don't like it so sweet (like me). The corn was pretty good, nicely salted, but it's hard to mess up corn. The green beans are the flat beans (what I grew up calling "pole beans") and pretty tasty. The cinnamon apples would have been tasteless if it weren't for the sweetness of the sauce. There. Now I got that out of the way. On to the real reason you'll go: the barbeque! Pulled pork is super good, sauced just enough to be moist but not overpowering (of course more sauce is available), nice and smoky, and the rib meat falls off the bone. If I lived in Charleston, I'd go back to take out the meat and the tea, then make my sides or get them from somewhere else.
(4)dan d.
Meh. I wasn't that impressed. The food was good but nothing special. The pulled pork was pretty good but I only had two sauces to choose from. The corn bread was good, the apples weren't and the mac and cheese tasted eeirely similar to bread pudding.
(3)Dominic J.
What a GEM!!! This is by far the best of the best on many levels - being in business for decades like the Bessinger family has been should be the first clue that this is one hot spot. I had anticipated my recent Charleston trip for so long because of all the great things I've heard about Bessinger's and it lived up to the hype, and then some! I was not properly informed that the Onion Rings are the show-stopper but let me say WOW! I've never had, nor have I seen, anything like it. The chopped pork plate w/two sides for $10 has so much food it puts most buffets to shame (ok, maybe that's a stretch but I've paid more and gotten a lot less with a lot less satisfaction so I can stretch if I want to!) I must admit, I was let down by the collard greens...In all, this is a must and do it right w/some sweet tea! If you go to Charleston and do not go to Bessinger's you probably should be deported. Oh and do save room for dessert, you're only cheating yourself if you don't...
(5)Chris R.
After 4 years away from SC I realized how much I missed the BBQ. Bessingers is an excellent choice!
(5)Nick T.
We stopped here hoping for some awesome bbq, but i was more bloated than satisfied. We got the buffet, and it wasnt anything too exciting. the desserts were bangin tho!
(3)Matilda S.
Only place open in the area after 9pm, which is a good thing when you are traveling... however, the food is about average. I did not say that since I am vegetarian din I did not eat much, but my fiance was pretty disappointed. In my desperate attempt to have a full serving of vegetables, I had some pretty good fried okra and I tried the greens (yes cooked with some pork, but I was starving after traveling the whole day!), which were simply disgusting. The mac & cheese was the least remarkable experience: it seemed like it had been sitting in the back of the store the whole day but I would blame that to the late hour.
(2)Chad E.
For the first time, we stopped in and picked up some barbecue to go. Ordered two pounds of the stuff (comes in a large styrofoam cup), which comes with lots of mustard sauce to take with you. Now it doesn't come with any buns, so you need to have some of those at home, but it's also a bit more cost-effective. Try it out if you don't have time to sit in the restaurant and dig in.
(4)Johnnie M.
The best BBQ in Charleston....in my opinion.
(5)Brian B.
I would go for the onion rings alone--purely decadent! Pulled pork and mustard BBQ were outstanding as well...
(4)Frances C.
To be fair I only tried the pork bbq and I definitely prefer a good North Carolina style, but I wasn't impressed. The fried okra wasn't memorable either. It was cheap, and definitely felt like I got my money's worth. I would go back if somebody else wanted to go, but probably won't on my own.
(3)merri charlotte s.
awsome bbq place! has been there 4evr! love mustard bbq sause!
(5)Ken P.
Simply fantastic onion rings super good pork brisket is top notch must stop while in Charleston Home style sides best sweet or plain tea in the south You can taste the tradition in everything they serve Banana pudding pretty pretty pretty good as Larry David would say!!!
(5)Amanda H.
So here's the thing - I eat a lot of BBQ. Do I love it? No - but my spouse does. But I do appreciate a delicious pork that can stand alone. I enjoy a good sauce. I REALLY enjoy a good mac and cheese. The first time I stopped in here with some friends, I was blown away. The sides were great, the pork was yummy, the service was great.... And then I came last weekend on Father's Day. The experience was the complete opposite. For starters, their cook was apparently out. I understand everyone needs time off, but you should definitely have a back up who knows the recipes. The place wasn't super busy, but the service was just spotty. Our waitress seemed to be around when we were fine but disappeared anytime we actually needed refills. We did the buffet and what a disappointment it was! I couldn't even eat the mac and cheese. The most delicious things in the restaurant were the salad bar and the jello - definitely not what I went to a BBQ joint for. The pulled pork was cold in some spots, hot in others, drenched in sauce, and just unappetizing. They had a chicken option (some kind of pan chicken?) that was super dry. I was so disappointed. Either their backup cook needs a lesson in cooking or my taste buds all of a sudden died. Then comes the bill. $40.00 for two terrible buffets and two (almost always empty) drinks. When we asked why it cost so much more this time than the last time we went, the cashier couldn't give us an answer...I was not thrilled. Honestly, I may give them one more chance but I doubt it. Swig and Swine is right across the way and always provides a delicious (and affordable) plate of goodness.
(3)Kara D.
I have been going to Bessinger's my whole life. It has definitely grown and been updated. First of all, I'll put it out there that I am a vegetarian and I love this restaurant. I like that now they have different flavors of bbq. I felt terrible admitting it at first, but I do like the Hickory better than the original! The sweet tea and onion rings are my favorites. I normally order a grilled cheese and just lap up the sauce with it! Between that, potato salad, and banana pudding, I never go hungry! My husband and I had Bessinger's cater our outdoor wedding. I was a little worried at first, since it is isn't the "fanciest" of options, but I was pleasantly surprised! A few of the options we had were a fruit and vegetable tray, salad, pulled pork, green beans, black beans and rice, banana pudding, lemonade, and sweet tea. They also were very accommodating in not adding any meat to any of our side options.
(5)Tasha L.
Well, it was BBQ. Was it great? No. The cornbread was hard as a rock and collards tasted strange. The pulled pork was okay, and the sauces adequate. The onion was good. The place was clean and service decent, so they get a star for that. Otherwise, I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)Frank G.
Hyped up! Tourist attraction. But once you get over all that, you find out that it's just an OK place. Ribs are OK, not great. Sauces are not that great. What happened to the good old plain BBQ sauce, where the ribs were drenched in it? Food is OK, not great. I can think of so many other places that do BBQ better. Go, get over the hype, then go find a better place to get Ribs. There are many. Oh yea, price is a little high for what you get, plus no service, all self! Frank G
(3)Starr E.
The food was really good. I enjoyed the fried fish, and chicken. The chicken just fell right off of the bone as did the BBQ ribs. The ribs were oh so yummy. The sides were just not that tasteful however. I think that $15.00 for a buffet is kind of over kill.
(3)Glenn V.
To express a little bias ahead of my review, I just have not found a place where I really enjoy the BBQ in Charleston. From Bluffton to Spartanburg, Clemson to Columbia there have been spots I've hit and really enjoyed, just not yet for Charlestown. I'm somewhat aware of the mustard, vinegar, tomato based argument and find the passion of opinions quite fascinating yet I've only experienced the mustard option and the vinegar option out of state. (Correction, Middleton Place had a stellar mustard based pulled pork sandwich.) I've eaten barbeque fare in many states, but what makes SC barbecue so unique is that every Charlestonian swears by it as the gold standard, I thought that was St. Louis? Not surprisingly, these are the same folks that tell me they never left SC, proudly expressing no intention nor desire to ever consider leaving, if only for a quick little get away, the legal kind. Alrighty then, moving on. The location does quite well, the family has a long history which does make me glad as all of the workers and friends that I know really love it, friends that would most certainly make Bessingers their last meal on earth, I just don't get the fascination.
(2)Clare W.
This was a wonderful restaurant. The Mac & cheese was sooooo good. My friend ordered has over rice and devoured it. It was clean and a good environment for laid back bbq. A great place!
(5)Frank C.
Never, ever use take out with these people. Good food in-house but your take-out (my last 3 have been wrong) will never be right.
(2)Paula B.
Bessinger's has two parts to the restaurant: one is the buffet side that personally I have never been to - but if you drive past on a Sunday during buffet hours, the parking lot is packed. The other side to Bessinger's is the "sandwich shop," as I call it. You order from the counter and take a seat, then they call you a couple of minutes later when it's ready. The last time I went a couple of months ago they gave us a buzzer instead of calling out our name. I always get the Little Joe basket that comes with a good portion of steak fries and one onion ring. The sandwich is saucy with that wonderful mustard sauce mixed in with the pulled pork. Nothing else. It is perfect as-is! The onion rings are enormous, super thick and coated with a pancake-like batter. They are crisp and hot and even better when dipped in the mustard BBQ sauce. My mom swears by their cheeseburgers (yes in a BBQ restaurant, but that's what she likes.) My dad has had their platters before with ribs, brisket, etc. but I haven't tried those. There aren't servers, just counter folk, and they come out and clean up the dining area. The drive through is very fast, faster than ordering at the table usually. Just make sure to ask for a cup of BBQ sauce if you want some.
(5)Berdeen M.
I had the Little Joe basket. Loved the steak fries and onion ring. The sandwich could've had more of the sauce in it. Without it it was a little bland. It would be nice to have some of the sauce on the table to add myself. The girl at the register needs a lesson in being more professional. In the middle of me ordering she asked another girl if she had made her lunch order.
(3)Blake P.
Good bbq w/o all the frills. I used to eat at Maurice's in Columbia all the time and this place might be a little better. Most everything was above average I'd say and the hash and rice was really good. Bbq was a little dry but I wasn't overly offended by that. It gets 3 stars instead of 4 b/c of the ill placed, disgusting meatballs on the buffet. Really? This is a bbq place in the state that invented bbq, according to bbq historians.....can the meatballs.....thanks.
(3)Amy Lauren S.
We went here on a Saturday because it's pretty hyped up, we heard a lot about it before visiting. It's been on TV, and on the walls, there are pictures of celebrities and political figures who have eaten at Bessinger's. Seeing the menu, I kinda figured out Bessinger's wasn't my usual type of cuisine. I don't eat meat, but I do eat seafood, and planned to order the vegetable plate. Turns out, even all the vegetables (collards, green beans, baked beans) contain meat! I had to ask the cashier about various ones, and she had to ask the rest of the staff. Also, the cinnamon apples are no longer on the menu, but the website listed that they were. I ended up ordering a kids grilled cheese with added tomatoes on wheat bread. It came on white bread but I didn't really want to send it back. I just ate it, and it was definitely a kid's grilled cheese. My fried okra was more bread than okra, too. My husband got a bacon cheeseburger and fries and an onion ring, we also got an order of rings to share. The onion rings are more like huge pieces of cornbread, they are almost all bread and very deep fried. There's a reason why ordering ONE onion ring is an option- because if you're just one person eating there, you will not want more than 1-2. He ate one and I ate 2, we threw the others away. He said his burger was okay, but nothing too special. It's a popular place and tourists and visitors ask about it, so now we can comment. I do think they could improve by having vegetables that do not contain meat, and maybe adding a veggie burger option to the menu. I probably won't ever return to Bessinger's. I liked the onion ring, but I can always just go through the drive-thru and order one.
(2)Sydney G.
I love their barbeque, fries, mac and cheese, and OMG that onion ring that's really more of an onion donut. Their mustard BBQ sauce is one of my faves in Charleston. I have friends from out of town who always want to go here when they're visiting. I'm not a huge fan of the buffet, though, so I wouldn't recommend doing that. One thing that really makes me mad is that they REFUSE to do a burger topped with pulled pork. I mean, how is that not one of their specialty items?? I've asked numerous times and they won't do it. What happened to the customer is always right??
(4)Clorinda K.
The food was good even though I did not get what I ordered. This is a walk up to order restaurant. I ordered by name and meal number. The girl behind the counter looked at me like I wasn't speaking English. I told her three times that I wanted the BRISKET sandwich. Finally a co worker came by and took my order since she was looking at me like a deer in headlights. My husband brought the food to our table after our number was called and I started to eat and realized I was eating a pulled pork sandwich not brisket. The place was crowded. I didn't want to wait in line to complain then wonder if anyone spit in my food. I just ate it and vowed not to return. We go to Melvins which is not too much farther away and have same owners. The place is much better run and has better atmosphere and the food is great!
(3)Steve M.
The ribs were delicious,fried tomato was great and the chicken was off the charts.and the price were a bargain,
(4)Brandon H.
I'm usually not a huge fan of BBQ that doesn't involve a buffet, but Bessinger's is good enough to overcome that hurdle. Not EPIC status pulled pork BBQ, but this is a great spot to hit up if you need a BBQ sandwich and some fries. The onion ring is a thing of beauty, and I don't even like onion rings.
(4)Bill S.
Before writing this review I took a look at the other reviews to see why in the world this place is only rated 3.5 stars...I was shocked...come on people be serious..."I'm a vegetarian and went to a bbq place and was disappointed because even their veggies were cooked in meat"...."I went there and tried a burger"...COME ON BE SERIOUS! I took my wife here about 15 years ago (She is from TX) and she was pre disposed not to like it...as a matter of fact she told me that she purposely was not going to give in....TX vs SC pride. Immediately after the first bite...she looked at me and said WOW..ever since it has been one of her favorites as well. Here is what to order: Plate of BBQ, Hash and Rice, choose your sides...prepare to have everything taste like is was cooked on or around meet...put on a little yellow sauce...eat your pork w/ the hash and rice...enjoy the onion ring (never had one like it anywhere) And now write a review! I lived in Charleston for 20 years and just the thought of going made my mouth water! Can't speak to the buffet side as I never tried it. Also, for a couple of you, if you want to complain about the price...go price brisket, divide it by the size of the piece you want then add sides, a soft drink, oh yeah and by the way staff, a building, government robbery, etc and see what price you come up with. Bet you can't touch it! BTW if you need the mustard sauce recipe...I've got one that is crazy close...can't name my source but just trust me
(5)Genevieve B.
We were told by locals in the area that this was the best BBQ in town and they weren't lying! Most people will write about how good and tender the meat is, which it was. I, however, am going to rave about the giant onion ring donut you get with every order. I will dream of this onion monstrosity all the days of my life. It was all deliciously decadent!
(5)Camy C.
Came here on a Sunday night because all the other BBQ buffets were closed!! :( It was kind of empty but the service was very friendly and nice (albeit a bit young). The buffet had a nice salad bar with cold mayo based salads like shrimp salad, potato salad, imitation crab meat salad, macaroni salad, etc and greens with lots of toppings. I focused on the hot food though. The hot food section included 2 soup selection (didn't particularly like the okra soup - too tomato-ey for me). Proteins included fried chicken (YUMMY! nice crispy skin and juicy meat), pulled pork (too dry for me. even the mustard based bbq sauce couldn't salvage it enough for me), fried catfish (the bf liked this a lot), roast chicken, and roast beef. Sides included collard greens, sweet potato, hash, rice with sausage. It was good enough of a selection for two hungry travelers but there wasn't much that I had tried that I wanted to stuff more into my stomach (very rare for me at a buffet). There were bread and multiple types of desserts laid out at the end of the buffet already plated. We didn't try any. Dinner buffet was $13 per person.
(2)Clay L.
While I have not tried the BBQ (plan on coming back for another visit), I did try the sandwhich side of the restaurant. The food didnt blow me away, but the food wasnt bad either. I tried a bacon cheeseburger and an order of onion rings. I've had better burgers but, this was a good average burger. The onion rings I didnt enjoy at all, way to bready for my liking. If you enjoy 90% bread with a litlte onion hidden between the fried bread, these onion rings are for you. They reminded me of huge circular hushpuppies instead of actual onion rings.
(3)Katie H.
I came here looking for some southern sweet tea and bbq and it did not disappoint. The pulled chicken and mac and cheese were delicious. So was the tea! The cornbread was dry though. Overall I would recommend
(4)Brandon L.
I can't speak to the buffet or any other menu items but the brisket is overpriced, stingily portioned, and easily worth missing. Several times (at least five) I bought the ~$9.00 beef brisket tray with fried okra and corn bread. Before tonight, on those visits, the okra good and the corn bread better, but the brisket was barely passable--fairly dry with little flavor. Tonight when I got the brisket tray I was disappointed to find an even smaller portion than usual-there were three, thinly sliced pieces about 1.5 " wide and 4.5" long. In my opinion that's not enough for the $9 price tag. The okra and corn bread were decent as usual. I don't think I'll be going back any time soon, no matter how convenient. I'd be better off going to Home Team BBQ who has brisket with flavor and moistness. EDIT: While I have not returned to Bessinger's since my visit discussed in this review, I gave them an extra star because the manager/owner reached out to me via Yelp Message in order to make things right. I respect and appreciate that.
(3)Ashley B.
This place is pretty good! I love the huge portions and they always have homemade goodies as you check out such as, brownies and cookies. Defiantly not my favorite bbq joint but still tasty and friendly. Oh yea, the big onion ring is crazy delish!
(4)Dusty M.
I ordered the pulled pork basket with Mac n Cheese and okra as my fixins. With the basket comes the option of corn bread muffin or a roll. I opted for the corn bread and that was one delicious muffin let me tell ya. The pulled pork and okra were also very good. Here's why I didn't give them 5 stars; the Mac n Cheese was dry and seemed like it was nothing more than macaroni with a slice of melted cheese on top. Doubt I'll get the mac n cheese again but the rest was great. Oh yeah, and the onion donut that comes with the meals and I hate onion rings but this onion ring was very good...more of a donut with that thick breading.
(4)Michael B.
I'll preface my review by saying that I've only been one time, and it was on the buffet side of the restaurant -- not the sandwich shop. Sadly, this one visit did not leave me with the urge to return. I've lived in Charleston for most of my adult life -- 20 years. I've had plenty of southern food and tons of BBQ. What I ate at Bessinger's was by far my least favorite. The BBQ was dry, the grits were hard, and I'm pretty sure the shrimp was frozen. I know it's a BBQ restaurant, but living on the coast, you don't expect to find anything but the freshest seafood. The fried catfish was edible, and the vegetables were prepared in a typical southern style...overcooked with lots of butter. My son said his favorite thing on the menu was his Coke. :-( I might give the sandwich shop a chance someday, but if you're looking for good BBQ in Charleston, I'd go somewhere else.
(2)Vicky H.
Economical and Great BBQ! I'd recommend going on the Saturday evening buffet. I believe it starts at 5pm. It features a large variety of meats, a nice salad bar, a soup or two, and several vegetables. They have rice, hash, and macaroni and cheese. Honestly, if you enjoy fresh fish, the fried fish is out of sight!
(5)Anthony G.
BBQ is barely worth mentioning. The rest is just bad. Driest cornbread ever! Staff is courteous and pleasant, food is not good.
(2)Kayla M.
Everything was gross. I tried, I really did. I tried to choke down a little of everything from the buffet. Couldn't do it. The potatoes tasted like they were covered in sugar. And the fried chicken was too greasy and seasoned. The ribs are nothing but greasy fat, with no meat. The only maybe okay thing was the peppered baked chicken. The deserts were also cringeworthy, I couldn't bring myself to do. They mostly just have cheesecake and a cup of lemon jello. The place was clean and everyone who worked there was completely nice!
(1)Sean C.
I have found my spot for BBQ in Charleston. Bessinger;s BBQ is perfect! I went to school in Texas, and those folks know a thing or two about BBQ. When I moved here I tried Home Team BBQ and it was ok but it did not meet my expectations for BBQ. I have eaten at Bessinger;s several times now and i will continue to come here everytime i want BBQ. Their brisket platter is spot on. The coleslaw if really good, and i love the baked beans. The booths are big and roomy so you can be comfortable even in a big group. The BBQ sauces are flavorful. The brisket doesn't actually need sauce, it stands on its own. It is that good. My wife loves the chopped pork platter and they nail it. The pork is so delicous. We always finish the night off with a banana pudding for two and we are really satisfied. Neat atmosphere, nice people, amazing food! You have to try Bessinger's, it only takes 1 meal and you will be hooked!
(5)Ursula H.
This place is supposedly rated number one in the state. I do not know what all the hype is about. I went later on a Sunday afternoon upon arriving in Charleston. I was eager to try all this BBQ the state was raving about. We were immediately ushered through the buffet before sitting down to eat. The salad bar was amply stocked and had delicious items. My main issue was with the main course bar. The fried catfish was very tasty being some of the best fish we have ever had. The fried chicken livers were way overcooked and inedible. Now onto what should be the star of my plate...the pulled pork. It was dry and cold. Pulled pork should be moist. It had sat on the buffet line for too long. It had no flavor and no amount of delicious mustard sauce could fix that. This is the number one bbq restaurant and it needs to get its priorities straight and serve better BBQ pork.
(2)Alex K.
Great atmosphere, great food, and reasonable prices. I personally love the BBQ, the burgers, and the Big Chick sandwich. I love the dining room appearance and the sauce station. Hickory Red Sauce is my favorite. Also always enjoy sitting on the front porch swing after eating. Highly recommend! PS also tried their newly added Brisket, and it may be the best I ever had.
(5)James V.
Sweet, sweet Bessinger's, how is it possible that I haven't written a review for you yet? I am so sorry, baby! I guess I could say that I've just been too busy, but we both know that's a lie. Whenever I'm in Charleston, I'll always make time for you. And one of these days, I'm going to stop running around with all of those second-rate restaurants when I slip one of those giant onion rings on your finger and ask you to be my one and only restaurant, now and forever.
(5)Cat C.
Tried it on the urging of friends who called it a Sunday institution in town. It was gross. Can't touch Lone Star or any of the really amazing old school bbq's in SC. They couldn't keep the food stocked or drink orders straight. Expensive for the poor quality, especially for children at $8. When every other kids meal in town is $5... and they won't eat anything because the food is terrible. Miserable experience, not worth it.
(2)Kelly L.
Terrible. Ordered from the counter, not Buffett. The best thing I can say is that At least the ribs were not greasy.
(1)P P.
Love it! I have always loved BBQ and this place ranks pretty high for me. The ribs were excellent and the pulled pork with Spicy Mustard Sauce was awesome. Now when I drive into town for a vacation I always stop for a bite and for a pound of pork to eat the first few days. On my way out of town I grab 2 lbs to share with my friends. Even warmed in the microwave it is good, but eat it in the restaurant for the best experience. The pulled pork is pulled to small pieces, and some prefer larger, but still awesome. The ribs are excellent, pink hickory smoked on the inside, pull off the bone just right, don't fall off like over cooked ribs. I am sure the sides are good, buy why waste your time when you can eat more pork!
(5)Michael H.
Was really looking forward to eating at Bessinger's after I heard they offered buffet. At 5:00 on a Sunday afternoon I was surpised that the parking lot was not full but entered building full of anticipation. Upon entering hostess greeted me and asked if she could help me. I informed her that I was interested in buffet and she instructed me to help myself to buffet line and a seat and that a waitress would be by to get my drink order. I was half through my meal when a waitress finally came to my table and apologized that she had not seen me sitting there. This was kind of surprise since there were only three tables with people at them including one almost beside me. She bought my tea and check; apologized again and told me if I needed anything to let her know. She never came back to my table. I finished my meal and got ready to leave. I did leave a tip but was wondering why I am tipping her. I should have tipped the busboy instead since he seemed to be the only one paying attention. When I got to hostess stand there was no one present. I waited about five minutes when my waitress came and asked me if she could help me that the hostess must be in the bathroom. She acted like she did not even know me. Very strange. Now I know why there were no cars in parking lot. Food was only OK Fish was fresh Chicken kinda old. Maybe it was fresher at lunch. Or maybe leftover from lunch. Am not eager to go back but if I do it will be from the to go area. I am in food and beverage business and understand the importance of customer service. I know that Bessinger's is a big name in the South Carolina barbeque industry but being from Eastern North Carolina I was not impressed.
(2)Christopher G.
Went here last year when visiting my Daughter last year... Old school southern authentic BBQ at its best! Tender and delicious hand pulled pork, and moist brisket, both smoked on site for hours. Some of the best que Ive ever had. Get their killer beer battered onion rings too. Its a little shabby inside, not the cleanest joint around, and prices are a little high, but if its all about the meat, this place cant be beat! Oh, and no unsweetened tea in this joint, and if you ask for it, youll get a look of blasphemy.
(4)Kenneth H.
Good Q and a damn good onion ring. The ring is like a Vidalia onion and a Crazy Crab hushpuppy hooked up on a hot summer night and made sweet love.
(4)Dallas T.
Good BBQ. Not amazing, but good. Pork and brisket were both A-OK. Their mustard-based sauce was better than their tomato-based one.
(3)