Smoky Oak Taproom
1234-C Camp Rd, Charleston, SC, 29412
Smoky Oak Taproom Menu
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Address :
1234-C Camp Rd
Charleston, SC, 29412 - Phone (843) 762-6268
- Website https://smokyoak.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Very Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Drew E.
Good food. We went on a Sunday morning when kids apparently eat free so it was a bit of a zoo. Will be back to try it without all the kids.
(3)Erin C.
We seriously eat here once a week. The food is awesome, the serving size is enormous. Dont skip the ice cream at the end, definitely get onion rings... burgers are awesome too. Kids eat free on Sundays!
(4)Will B.
Went with my entire family.(14 people) Food was great! Great portion. Stuff jalopeano's were great! Had the wings and brisket! All the food came out fast even though it was packed!
(5)Lisa B.
We are here all the time and love the food, service, and atmosphere. One of our favorite places. Good for happy hour or for family lunch. Great all around!
(5)A C.
Stopped into this place on our way from Charleston to Savannah. We weren't hungry at all, but knew that we'd regret not trying some Carolina BBQ. It did not disappoint! We orders 2 sandwiches (brisket & pulled pork) as well as mac and cheese, fried okra and coleslaw. Everything was SOOOO good and so cheap!! I loved the mustard bbq sauce and the mac and cheese was the best I've ever had - smokey, cheesy and delicious. We love places with a local feel and this definitely had it. I'm pretty sure the smoker just sits in the parking lot - awesome.
(5)Anita M.
Visited Charleston again and this city never disappoints. Tonight, our friend took us to the Smoky Oak Taproom. For a Thursday evening, the place was hoppin'! I had the Tomato Basil soup and Grilled Cheese... I know, there were so many things to choose from. My husband had the special which was a fabulous Ribeye steak dinner for $12! I liked this restaurant a lot. I do have ONE little complaint. Restaurant cleaning towels are gross anyway... but young women tucking in their pants, then wiping the tables... with them... super gross and not very hygenic. The hostess gave our table a quick swish with the towel and then tucked it in her pants... touching her upper cheek. OK, I have said my piece. If not for that... I would give them a full-on 5 stars! The food and service, even with the crowd was good and the food very good. But really... can you design another system for cleaning the tables that doesn't involve tucking in the bums? No Bums on towels.
(4)Ann C.
My husband and I recently moved to James Island from Memphis and we were excited to discover a good neighborhood restaurant/sports bar. Coming from a BBQ city we were hesitant to try the BBQ but the beef ribs were the Friday special and my husband really liked them. I tried the hot wings and they were some of the best I've ever had. Atmosphere-wise its a great neighborhood sports bar option. Our 2nd trip was for college football Saturday. There are plenty of TVs. Bartenders and waitstaff were friendly and attentive. The patio area was also nice and there's cornhole!
(5)RJ C.
the place is fantastic for an excellent beer selection and as a bonus the food is great too? heaven?! i had the brisket sandwich today, never had better!! delicious, friendly and not expensive. yahoo
(5)Flagrante D.
Without a doubt the most favorable hand formed burger Ive had in a long time. IMO better than Charleston Burger Company.
(5)Mandie M.
Our absolute favorite restaurant. We drive two hours and eat clean all week so we can pig out at this place. The atmosphere is awesome, almost like an old biker shop and the food is made with soul and care. The beer selection is also filled with local and seasonal options and the staff is down to earth. You haven't had real southern BBQ until you hit this joint.
(5)Ryan H.
On Tuesdays they have half price burgers that are already a deal at less than $5. And what a big and juicy burger. We took advantage of the deal because taking a little break from booze. 2 people. Total bill was less than $6 with tax!!! Tipped over 50% so waiter would get a normal tip. He was very attentive. Less than $10 for the wife and I to eat one of, if not the best, local burger. Cha ching!$
(5)Grace N.
Good bbq and other barbecued meats. Food specials every night and really cheap drinks. The crowd can be questionable though.
(4)Phoebe H.
Love this place! They have an amazing select of beer and the service was excellent. Stacie took care of us and was very attentive and friendly. Has a great neighborhood feel and a lot of regulars. I will definitely be back!
(5)Corinne M.
I wanted some classic BBQ on my trip to the SC low country. I found it at Smoky Oak Taproom thanks to Yelp reviews. I'm sorry to say its not the best BBQ I ever had, but it was really good,inexpensive and really ht the spot. A decent beer selection as well. Its a very casual, low-key place. I wish I had my college friends with me on this trip so I could get drunk at their bar and then stumble over and pig out on their BBQ. We had the Smoky Oak "experience" which was a ton of food, could probably feed 3-4 people. Great sauces.
(4)Vicki C.
We had the most wonderful experience at smokey Oak! We had the patio booked last Friday for a rehearsal dinner for about 40 people and 10 children. The staff went out of their way before the dinner, during the dinner and after! They were there for every request from extra spoons to ice cream for the kids! Oh, and the food was wonderful, and all came out in a timely manner!
(5)Drew T.
Awesome BBQ. Collard greens are perfect, so is the fried okra. Top BBQ spot in charleston area. In order, I would say the ribs, then pulled pork, then beer can chicken are tops. I'd skip the brisket next time, but the sausage is good. Mac and cheese is average. Fries are dynamite. Dessert next door was obscenely large portion. 1 sundae is easily enough for 3 people. Service is top notch!
(4)Rebecca B.
Great beer selection, fantastic bbq (brisket is delicious, and the rice and hash is too) and great service and fun decor
(5)Kevin M.
This place is phenomenal. I probably shouldn't, but every time I come here with a friend, we overdose on "the experience". It's half a chicken, half a rack, brisket, pulled pork, cornbread, and three sides. It's too good to be true, followed by food coma, and not being hungry the next day. Everyone has a cheat day per week, but I save up every month for this. I LOVE this place.
(5)Clayton E.
Simply put, the beer is great, the service is mediocre, and the food sucks. Been here a few times with the same results.
(2)Drew C.
Tons of beer, great BBQ, awesome atmosphere, and plenty of TVs. All the makings of a great dude's bar! If you like beer, they have it! Maybe 30 on tap with at least as many bottles. Cool menu with descriptions of tapped beer too. BBQ isn't the absolute best in Charleston, but it's a close second. Delicious to say the least! Split the sampler with someone and you'll easily both eat your fill with leftovers. Place looks like a cool combo of rockabilly, greaser, and moonshiner. Great spot to have drinks, eat your fill, and enjoy the game!
(4)Danielle C.
This is our favorite BBQ joint in Charleston. We get the "Smoky Oak Experience" which allows us to taste a good portion of the meats, 3 sides and their killer corn bread. My son is obsessed with their mac and cheese and sausage, which I don't blame him since we all are. Definitely try the collard greens, they are amazing. It's always a good meal when we go to Smoky Oak.
(5)Rafael R.
Good beer selection. Food was a mixed bag. I had fish tacos, which were just okay. Kid's meals are a lot of food for the price but the chicken fingers were big chunks of greasy chicken.. Atmosphere can be terrible depending on what you are looking for. Extremely noisy, which is okay for a bar but it pretends to be a restaurant. I brought my family and that was a mistake. There was a patron cackling extremely loudly in a very obnoxious way that was bothering everyone in the restaurant including my kids and they were doing nothing to stop it.
(2)Betsy A.
While visiting Charleston, we wanted to find a place to drink good craft beer, enjoy delicious Carolina BBQ, and watch the NFC game. Mission accomplished! Bar tenders super friendly and attentive. Good, authentic food. Not only all TV's tuned to the game but audio too! Only thing preventing a 5 star is they didn't have ALL beers on tap listed on the menu--an apparent regular occurrence. If it's a "regular occurrence," I believe it's predictable and fixable, right management?!
(4)Paul B.
Awesome barbecue!! The best beer can chicken....soo moist and flavorful. Could use some options on menu that lower calorie (yes, crazy suggestion for barbecue place)..Fantastic beer selection. Will return often.
(4)Kevin W.
I was skeptical when I came to this place but yelp has rarely lead me astray. This is one of the times that it was a good choice. I came on a thursday night and it was steak special. I got a juicy steak that had to be over 1lb, side salad, baked potato, and drink specials. Everyone in the place looks like they were having a good time. The food was pretty good, the prices are great, and the atmosphere is awesome. This is one of the few places open at night in this location.
(4)Rachel G.
Came here on a Saturday with my parents and their neighbors. The rib special was $15 for a whole rack and $10 for half rack. I believe both come with 2 sides. Baked beans were stellar, mac and cheese could have been more creamy and less gloppy. The ribs were falling off the bone and had that great smoky flavor. We also shared a burger and that was delicious. Only complaint is that it was so juicy the bun was soggy when it got to the table, I hate a soggy bun. All in all a great meal and they have TONS of beers. Finished off the meal with an ice cream from next door. Definitely worth going for the ribs when they're on special.
(4)Jade L.
Best meal we had while visiting South Carolina. This place is definitely a hidden gem. We tried the touristy restaurants and none could hold a light to this place. We ordered the pulled pork platter and pulled pork sandwich. I was originally going to get the brisket, but they were out unfortunately. My pulled pork platter came with two sides (I chose collards and baked beans) and corn bread. The corn bread was like none I have ever tried before. The texture was not that of the typical fluffy or dense cornbread...it was in a category of its own. Very, very good by the way. The collards were the best collards I have ever eaten in my life. It had a real kick to it...I think they add some kind of vinegar. The meat came out naked, so we had fun trying all their different sauces. My favorite was the mustard one. Our server Sherwood was great! I asked him, while ordering, what rice and hash was and he ended up bringing us a side of it to try out for ourselves. I'm not done just yet. The prices were astronomically CHEAP! Our bill came out to something like $15!!!! For two big plates of food and sides you can't beat that. This place would kill any LA or OC restaurant if they were to ever come out to my neck of the woods.
(5)Megan R.
Excellent selection of all your favorite southern foods with 5 choices of diff BBQ sauces. Get the pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries & amazing mac 'n cheese. Great selection of beer & awesome authentic feeling atmosphere. I plan to take all my beach guests to this off the beaten path gem!
(5)Steven H.
Mixed bag here. On the positive side, the beer selection is excellent. The beer flight is a good way to get a sampling of four of the many tap offerings they have. The menu is typical BBQ with a few unique twists, such as the cajun fried chicken liver appetizer. Portions are more than adequate but the overall quality of the food is variable. Pulled pork was very good, but the dry rub ribs required a firm hand gripping a Crocodile Dundee knife to separate, not exactly "fall off the bone" as one earlier reviewer noted. Once seated, service was fast and friendly, though they don't have a good system in place for taking names as people queue up outside the door, which is a problem as one of the locals told me they're always busy.
(4)Chris D.
My favorite James Island watering hole. The staff are friendly, the q is good, especially the brisket, and the ribs. I love the "experience" great to share with some friends!
(4)M. F.
Beer selection excellent!! Don't go here if you're vegetarian or vegan. I had the 3 veggies plate & all 3 veggies had meat. Disappointed :( The Lima beans were mushy, but green beans & collard were good. Loved the sweet potatoes fries.
(3)Josh A.
Figured I would try it out today while coming back from surfing. Got the large bbq sandwich w/ hash and rice as the side. BBQ was good w/o sauce and the mustard sauce was average, not enough spice to it. Hash wasn't great, again though, not enough spice kind of bland. The waitresses were good looking and nice. Price wasn't too much, around $12 for the combo with a nice micro brew. Oh yeah, the cool thing about it, was the strong smoke smell that hits you in the face when you walk in. Melvins is better, but a bit more pricey.
(3)Jeffrey S.
Really nice atmosphere if not a little on the loud side. Dry rub ribs were a little dry but great flavor. The whole shebang chili was VERY flavorful but very sweet. Beer selection was excellent. Service was above average. Exceptional burger deal on Tuesdays. Would go back in a heartbeat!
(4)Dawson H.
The bathrooms do kind of smell. The food is amazing. I had the BBQ sandwich. That was good. They had about 6 different sauces to choose from. The portions are big enough to feed the world. I'm full but satisfied. Good place.
(4)Stephanie M.
Smoky Oak was recommended to my husband and I by our neighbor. The first time we went after spending a Sunday morning at James Island County Park. It is definitely tucked back in a neighborhood and we never would have found it without the rec. I am so thankful for finding out about this hidden gem-it has quickly become our favorite lunch spot. You can't go wrong with any thing on the menu. But after trying every single barbecue joint in town, I can strongly argue that this is hands down the best barbecue in Charleston. We like to go on Sunday's for lunch. The place is quiet, kids eat free on Sunday, and they have $2 mimosas and $3 bloody mary's. They have the best selection of beers in Charleston. And they even have a really good wine list. But we don't come here for the drinks. We come here for the amazing food. Their beef brisket platter is a staple. And you can't go wrong with any of the sides. But we prefer the collards and mac & cheese. Their beef brisket is true brisket-tender and juicy. And the sauces are all good. And the piece of honey soaked corn bread with the platter is literally icing on the cake. My 4 yo son chows down on their pulled pork and mac & cheese. And my husband tends to try something new each time and has always had great food each time. A pleasant surprise for us one time was the tacos on the appetizer menu. Simply delicious. You must try Smoky Oak Taproom if you are a barbecue fan and love a good hole in the wall type of place. I highly recommend it!
(5)melissa n.
Went here with a big group on Boxing Day. Nice casual atmosphere with several tv's (so you can watch your favorite team) and lots of interesting beer choices. They also have a full range of cocktails. The BBQ wings were excellent! We really enjoyed the St. Louis style ribs. The beef brisket was incredibly tender, but the pulled pork was my fave. They offer 4 sauce choices ranging from vinegar to classic KC spicy. The fries were on the salty side, but we all ate lots of the onion rings and cole slaw. It's a fun place for a large or small group. You should definitely check it out before the line gets too long.
(5)Perry M.
WOW! What a find! The food is great and the portions are completely ridiculous - way more food than a normal person can consume. Highly recommended and worth looking for.
(4)Marietta M.
I ordered a whole ribs to go, with corn bread & 2 sides, dirty rice & onion rings, also requested 2 kinds of BBQ sauce, mustard & sweet tangy. Very disappointed when I got home because onion rings are missing, I only got 1 BBQ sauce which is mustard. I was so upset, did not bother to go back, but I did call to let them know that they messed up on my order. it's not worth to drive back and waste time, I will not comeback again to this joint.
(1)Adriana L.
DEFINITELY a fan. We went there for dinner on a Sunday night and the place was pretty full, but we got seated pretty quickly. We ordered the artichoke dip appetizer and everyone was raving for the pita bread, crunchy and soft at the same time. I had the baby ribs - WOW - and everyone else had the brisket. Our son got the cheese quesadilla which seems to use the same pita bread from the appetizer, so he was pretty happy. My ribs were really terrific, smoky and crunchy on the outside but falling off the bone soft - how they did that is beyond me. There are several sauces on the table for you to try, and I liked Chef's Red the best, although everyone else seemed to like the sweet mustard the best (it was a bit too sweet for my taste). The highlight for me really was the fried okra. Oh, I could eat a pound of that at once. A must-try if you are an okra fan. My husband was also in awe with the beer selection - there was a ton to choose from! Did not disappoint a beer aficionado as him, so if you like good food and good beer, this place is a must-go. The only thing that was unpleasant for me is that it was awfully noisy. I mean, it's a sports bar, so you expect it to be loud, but it was almost beyond the bearable level of decibels. Maybe we were sitting too close to a speaker, I don't know... It was really too loud for me. Noise like that drives me crazy, so if you are like me, bring some earplugs but do go; it's totally worth it. Food-wise doesn't get any better than that. I wish we were closer to get some more of that awesome okra and ribs more often!
(5)Loren P.
It is a bar atmosphere but don't let that discourage you. The BBQ is some of the best in the charleston area. It is off the beaten path but worth the drive from wherever you will be coming from. I have taken multiple people here and now every time they come to town they all request a visit.
(5)Mary T.
Awesome pub food, craft beer selection and laid back atmosphere. Nuf said. We will definitely travel outside of Charleston to eat some great food and drink some great beer again.
(5)Claire P.
A definite hit. The beer list at Smoky Oak is insane, with all kinds of fun craft beers and seasonal stuff. Bar is cool to just hang, or if you want a bite, try the BBQ Chicken Pizza, or the ribs, which are the BEST! Go get some!
(5)Josh S.
Awesome food, with an awesome Atmosphere. There is a reason this place stays busy....Go for the Brisket and a cold beer.
(4)Dani C.
The pulled pork sandwich was delicious and probably the best BBQ I've ever had. The dirty rice was tasty as well. However, this is your typical, sticky, divey BBQ place. Not exactly pleasant to dine in... I would suggest take out but the food is good.
(3)Todd W.
I very much enjoyed this place. Their food was delicious, plenty of beer on tap and available in bottles. The atmosphere was great and the staff was really friendly. I was just passing through and stayed with a friend for the night and he recommended this place and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a chill place to grab some good tasty BBQ and some good beer.
(4)Calvin W.
A great addition to the bbq scene in the Charleston area and the location couldn't have come sooner to James Island where there aren't that many great food places. They have a great selection of pulled pork with some good mustard, vinegar, and tomato based sauces to choose from. ...and they have BRISQUETTE!! And do a pretty decent job of making it tender with some nice bark for flavor. You enter the place and you smell the smoky goodness, in addition to some really friendly people. from $7-$25, there's something to fill your carnivore palette. they also have a good beer selection on tap.
(4)Mj M.
Best burgers, friendly staff and great beer.
(5)King L.
I seek out the best barbecue in almost all areas I travel throughout the United States I couldn't get a consensus of what was good in Charleston because every place had its share of negative reviews. My love of craft beer brought me to Smoky Oak Taproom which has more of a bar feel than a barbecue feel. No smells of sweat burning smoke greeted me in the parking lot as I approached, so i am not sure how and more importantly when they cook their foods. The concept of Q and craft beer alone gets the three stars but the food in no way distinguished itself as anything worth going back for. The ribs were large and meaty but the taste did not exceed by much what you would get at Tony Roma's; no semblance of a dry rub was detected. Sonny's has a more complex variety of sauce offerings. The red was sweet and watery and the mustard was mustardy and watery. I liked the Mac N' Cheese and collared greens but that is not why I came. The beers were a little on the pricey side. I might return if I lived within a five mile radius but not quality Q by any stretch. Also, please change the oil in the fryer so I could actually taste the fries instead of stale oil.
(3)Brad T.
Some of the best BBQ I have had. I got the pulled pork platter and was impressed. All the sides I tried were great and the beer selection was impressive. This is my new favorite BBQ joint in Charleston!
(5)Jaclyn R.
4 Stars for the bar - probably even 5 stars. Tons and tons of beers and a fun environment. We love that they are constantly adding new kegs and have all the great seasonals and new craft beers every week. The food is OK. My husband really likes it but its not something I really crave - I think other BBQ in the area is better but again its just my opinion. Trivia night on Thursdays are fun and the outside deck is also great. Totally recommend!
(4)Marc M.
Best beef brisket I've ever had. Ate lunch and was still full around dinnertime. If I'm ever back in town, this is where I'll be headed.
(5)Steve P.
Quirky place in an old strip shopping center, facing away from the main road in a spot that used to be a wig shop, far away from everything. A complete recipe for business failure... ...except that the quirky thing works! The atmosphere is cool. It's not far from ME... The food was great and the place was packed! Cant wait to go back! If you're thinking it may not be worth driving 15-20 minutes from the new bridge, you'd be wrong.
(4)Suzanne M.
Love this place. Have to stop myself from going more than once a week. Feels really authentic. When you live downtown, you can forget all food isn't made with reductions or "essences". We've tried many of the barbecue options, and the beer menu is very interesting. The staff is excellent, everyone has a great understanding of the menu, able to make recommendations, and have a great attitude. I plan to take visitors here for "real" southern food.
(5)AJ S.
In an altogether bizarre location in the backwoods lies a gem of a barbecue joint. There's nothing I don't like about Smoky Oak. Zillions of delicious beers on tap with carefully curated, constantly changing special menus. Then there's the food. The ribs are falling off the bone-tender, sticky with glaze. Try the fried mushroom appetizer for an interesting morsel to dip into all the great sauces. The pizzas come absolutely loaded with toppings and are baked to perfection. Sweet tea is just the right amount of sweet. It hit every mark! But watch out- the menu might give you anxiety because everything sounds like a must-try.
(5)David K.
Great selection of craft beer on tap! I will be back.
(4)Michelle N.
The pulled pork was juicy and delicious and I enjoyed the bbq sauces on the table, especially the peppery vinegar one. The collard greens were bacony and flavorful. My only complaint would be that the stuffed jalapenos were stuffed with only crab, no cheese. I guess if I had read the menu more clearly I would have realized this. They would have been so much better if they were stuffed with cheese!
(4)Martin E.
Super casual, great food, could not complain if I tried! We loved it! Amazing BBQ and even better sides! Zero complaints.
(5)Richard M.
I have to admit I did not eat in. I did a take out but waited on the food and sat at the bar. I could tell the owners put some thought into the decor. Kind of 50's auto-retro or something. Lots of old Pontiac Chiefton hood ornaments around. It looked like a BBQ place and smelled like a BBQ place. I got the small pulled pork sandwich. Meat and sauce were on the side in the take out box. It was excellent pork. Well done and a little smoky. The red sauce was OK. Not spicy enough for me and a little too 'sticky sweet'? Out of curiosity I ordered the fried chicken livers tossed in cajun cream sauce. I'll take a pass on these next time and stick to the BBQ pork. I'll return to try some more. Good solid BBQ without the chain numbness you find in other BBQ joints which have multiple stores. Oh, very interesting menu with something for everyone and some surprises.
(4)Melissa S.
Great unexpected surprise! With an address like 1234 Camp Rd, and a location that doesn't even face the main road, I had relatively low expectations for this unpretentious bar. Little did I know though until my first visit, that they had a great assortment of reasonably priced beers, excellent live music that I didn't have to yell over to flirt with the guy sitting next to me, friendly staff, sociable patrons, and a good floor plan. I have yet to try the food, but they do offer 1/2 appetizer specials for the ladies throughout the week in addition to adult trivia on Wed. nights. I had a great first visit and look forward to returning soon!
(4)CHRISTY L.
We hit up this spot for an appetizer and some brews and it was the perfect spot to do both. We sat up at the bar and had great service from both bartenders. Amazing selection of beers on tap and some VERY tasty stuffed jalapenos with pimento cheese and a tempura-like batter. I definitely look forward to coming back here whenever I'm on James Island. It was a nice find, tucked away from the craziness that is Folly Road.
(4)Susan H.
Woke up on Sat and took some time trying to figure out where and what we wanted to eat. We are into craft beers and after searching found Smoky Oak due to their surprising selection. Not the largest selection we have seen but very respectful list considering the location. We called ahead to see if our dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio. Will answered the phone and replied "we love them, bring them!" As others have stated, it is tucked away in a little residential area and not much to it from the outside. As soon as we walked in, Will came up to us and asked if i was the one that called. I said yes and he said he would take care of us. Immediately after seating us and giving us the menu, he came back out with ice water for the dogs. But we loved sitting outside in the beautiful weather with the dogs so already we were happy. We had fun trying their beer selection and decided to try the tacos with pulled pork. Let me just say, the pulled pork is about the best I have ever tasted and I sampled pulled pork from all over the country. For an entree we shared the pulled pork and rib plate. Almost too much food for just the two of us but we were able to clean the plate. The ribs were good but not sensational. I would again suggest the pulled pork between the two. The sweet potato fries were very yummy. I wanted to try the ice cream from the shop next door but was just too full. What I want to rave on for a couple lines is the above expectations we had for service from Will. He made sure we had everything we needed. He was quick to give me a couple of beer samples before I committed to a drink and he even gave us onion rings when I couldn't decide between them and sweet potato fries. So, yes, I would recommend Smoky Oak and we are going back Wed night when duck is their special of the night.
(5)Rebecca G.
While not everything on the menu here is great, the beer selection is phenomenal. The beer menu is a great way to introduce yourself to a large selection of craft beers (which you can even try in "flights"). It can be a little noisy here after 6, but that's part of the atmosphere. As far as the food goes, stay away from the pizza. It's greasy and disgusting. That being said, the chicken and bacon quesadilla is wonderful and the burgers are delicious. The barbecue and ribs are great as well (I highly recommend the chipotle BBQ sauce). Desserts - the "better than your mama's" chocolate cake and the peanut butter pie are HEAVENLY. I can never say no to dessert at Smoky Oak, even after I've gorged myself on quesadillas. The ice cream from neighboring Sweet Magnolia is very good as well (try Killa Vanilla - best vanilla ice cream ever!) I highly recommend this bar to anyone looking for some great comfort food or a fun new beer.
(4)Ken S.
More like 4 1/2 stars really......great ribs and sides (onion rings to die for, collards, and black eyed peas). best beer selection on James Island. Fast and efficient service. Its a fun place with very good BBQ and any sports game you want to watch on their screens. I'm not usually a fan of S.C. BBQ (vs. Memphis or St. Louis or KC style) but this place could change my mind. Worth a trip to a strip mall just off Folly Road with lots of parking.
(4)Robert E.
Best beer list EVER! Best pulled pork nachos Ever!
(5)Alison L.
Food is awesome and the service is even better! One of our favorites to check out for Brunch! The Mimosa's are to die for!
(5)Emily H.
The food and service are always on point anytime I've been here. Sure, you might need a nap after eating, but isn't that what BBQ is all about??
(5)Christy B.
Great prices! Friendly environment! The BBQ and friend shrimp are awesome! Can never go wrong with the Mac n' cheese!
(5)Ryan M.
I live in Ohio and this place makes me want to move down to Charleston! This is some of the best BBQ I have ever had. When I get there it is very stylish. The menu was simple and straight forward. I didn't drink but if I wanted a beer they had a very large selection. I ordered the brisket platter. This came with two sides and a cornbread muffin. My sides were okra and and something with rice, which I didn't care for much, so they swapped it with Mac and cheese. When the food came out it was literally a platter! A little tear came to my eye it was so beautiful. So much food. They have 5 different sauces on the table which were all wonderful. All this for a good price. The meat was soooo tender. I'm a big believer in a stronger smoke flavor and this one was the best I have received from a restaurant. I didn't want to ever get full. If the owner sees this please open up another location in Cincinnati. We love our BBQ up there and you would do well!
(5)Brad S.
We had just landed in South Carolina and was recommended to The Smokey Oak -type bbq restaurant and bar from our local friends. We're looking for a quick place to get a bite and this place fit the bill. There were three of us and we all elected on the rib-eye special which came with salad/veggies and a baked potato. For the price, you couldn't beat it, but I admit that I'm a better cook than what was served. Eg: there could have been a better grill marks (or better seared on the outside) and cooked evenly. I had ordered my steak rare, but it was served rare, well and medium rare. Interesting. They also have a good selection of beers and liquor you could imagine. Great local hangout, but keep the expectations at a minimum. Parking; plenty, Service: slow, but with a smile.
(3)Lily H.
I went here starving after zumba and needing to replace my burned calories. It was packed, so I thought "neighborhood loves it! Must be great!" We ordered pulled chicken nachos as a starter. They were tasty but the pulled chicken was definitely not pulled. It was just big hunks of chicken. I ordered the pulled pork plate with two sides - collards and rice & hash. The rice and hash was probably my favorite thing. It was a good, traditional version of a familiar dish. The collards were good, more sweet than I'm a used to. I would have liked a little more heat to balance out the sweet, for sure. The BBQ itself was dry and really chopped up. I had to add a good bit of BBQ sauce to it. I was a fan of their mustard based BBQ sauce, though! Also, their cornbread muffin was a huge no for me. It was really really spongy/springy. The cornmeal was either extremely fine or not making up the majority of the dough or something else traumatic happened I don't know. I never leave cornbread on my plate but I did here. I'd go back and try it again, especially since the neighborhood seems to really like it, but I was not super impressed my first time around.
(3)Samuel A.
Food. Average. You want BBQ, go to the Swig. You want an averaged priced beer, go here.
(3)Keith H.
The Carolina Mustard here is simply amazing! This is certainly a BAR-BQ place, meaning that it is a BAR that does BBQ very well! A staple for many "East Side" James Islanders, Smoky Oak Taproom does not hide anything. A good beer list, which rotates fairly frequently (not daily or weekly). Naked barbeque with a beautiful bevy of sauces to put on yourself and it always seems (although this is not true) that half of the menu is fried food. This is a great place. I know that because, when my friends and I are always deciding on a place and flip through the list of new Charleston restaurants.... many times we just say "Smoky Oak?... YES! Smoky Oak!" Been here many times and will go back again and again. The mac and cheese is very good, so is the fried chicken! People love the sausage and the very reasonably priced sandwiches. The Carolina Mustard that they have is simply amazing... wait, did I already say that? It's because it's THAT good! Good amount of outdoor seating and just enough TVs to watch a game if you're in the right spot. Prices seem to have gone up in the last 6-12 months, but likely to pay for their renovations? Not sure.
(4)Rick T.
This review is based solely on the beer and the staff that served us this afternoon. To start off with the bartender let me look over the extensive craft list and then proceeded to let me sample a few local brewery's beer and some NC stouts. I always opt local and had some Freehouse IPAs which had the right hoppyness which I enjoy when knocking back a cold one. She then told us about the food and we did have some nachos that were pretty good. So looking for a place to have a few cold ones with plenty of parking come here. I always remember great service and nice people ! Next time I'll have to try the food.
(4)Christine B.
Cute place. Great beer list. Food is really heavy, which I guess is to be expected from a bbq joint. Definitely left something to be desired... Brisket was so bland and blackened catfish was surprising too spicy. the veggie sides (collard and green bean) were no semblance of a fresh vegetable (Not sure if it's on purpose) Complete mush and drenched in whatever it is. I might be spoiled by the bbq at hometeam. Anyway, I like the atmosphere but probably won't go back because it's a little out of the way for something not mind blowing. I'm giving three stars because I'm not a bbq expert so maybe it's just my preferences.
(3)Phillip M.
Had a great time spending the day at Charlestown Landing working up a big appetite. This place was the bomb with their ribs and wings combo and kids eat free. We all left stuffed and happy! Will have to hit the AYCE oysters soon!
(5)Kristen H.
We went here last night, Friday. We waited a long time to be served our food. When we finally got it they forgot the child's plate!! (Which was a simple grilled cheese) the Pulled Pork was cold, and the pimento burger had a weird taste. Probably will not go back again. Like the setting but the food not so much!!!
(3)Tom P.
Great food, fun atmosphere, good selection of craft beers, staff is fun and friendly, I always get the bbq lunch and have ordered take out bbq by the pound from here many times, awesome smoky flavor. This place also hosts a lot of cool events and is a real neighborhood favorite.
(5)Amy L.
We stopped by on a Monday for my boyfriends birthday and it was more crowded than I expected. We had a party of six and service was a little slow. The table had mixed reviews. One order was wrong, one burger was not cooked at requested temp (sent back, still came back to underdone, not even more cooked than the first!). But the rest of table found their food was pretty good. We had the battered mushrooms, chicken livers, and potato skins for apps and they were all pretty good. The sides were okay, nothing to rave about. The birthday boy split the Smoky Oak Experience- a massive platter of pretty much every kind of meat offered. He was pretty happy with it, but again, he didn't leave raving. All in all no one was too upset with their food but it didn't inspire a return trip. The waitress took the burger off the bill which was nice, and apologized for slow service. But overall, it was mostly just pretty good. I would say it's a good choice for something casual and cheap, but not for those with high expectations. I got the vegetable platter and was liked the mac and cheese's smoky flavor, which set it apart. The fries were good, and the green beans were pretty good. The corn bread wasn't very good. Overall, mediocre is a fitting word.
(3)Adam S.
I really can't find much of anything to say that's negative about this place. I know that's kind of a bizarre way to frame a review, but that's how I arrived at the five star rating. Food, service, prices, ambiance, are all good. I mean, they have homemade pork rinds as an appetizer here. That alone won me over. They had chicken fried steak on special when we popped in and it was really quite good. My brisket was decent. It had a good flavor. Maybe cut a little thin for my liking. They have a nice array of sauces. The mustard sauce is on the sweet side. I actually mixed it with the hot vinegar sauce and it worked well. Definitely a nice place to grab some que, and it looks like a good place to grab drinks (if you're into that sort of thing)...
(5)Rich G.
I love going to local places and enjoying good food. There is some serious inconsistencies with this place. I ate here on Sunday and the half rib and pulled pork combo just flat out sucked. The ribs had no flavor, the pork was mushy and the dirty rice was terrible. The pork and ribs were cold when they got to us. (They should give uncle bens a try if they can't figure out how to make it homemade). The service was terrible. I had to hunt down my server to order another beer. It took our server 10 minutes to get our bill after I got the mgr involved. Not a very good dining experience.
(2)Lydia O.
Good food and fast service. Great beer on tap. I've never had a bad meal here.
(4)Greg B.
Gluten-free friendly with menu indications and an aware staff. Coming from a former BBQ pitmaster, this place is a very good BBQ joint. Dozens of micro brews on tap, friendly service, cool, country casual motif. Meats were nicely smoked, tender and flavorful. They use a Southern Pride smoker. Brisket was sliced thin but still tasty. Pulled pork had bark and was moist and delicious. Ribs were over done but still good and moist. Fall off the bone is NOT properly cooked ribs but still enjoyable. A little pull would be better but locals probably get what they want. House sauces were well made. Would definitely return and recommend to BBQ fans.
(4)Timothy P.
If the rating were based solely on the food, this would be a five star review! Make no mistake that the food here is fantastic and the portions are generous. Had the cup of chili with the whole shebang as an app and it was fantastic. Great flavor and a true beef chili (no kidney beans here!). Even the corn muffin was superb. Followed with the beef brisket sub and onions rings and was not disappointed. The sub had great flavor (the smokey beef was not overpowered by the horseradish) and the onion rings were exceptional-- definitely made on site with just the right amount of batter and onion. My wife had vegetable quesadilas and was equally impressed. The kids had chicken strips and finished their entire meal.. a feat to say the least. I tried the fried chicken and it was phenomenal, falling apart in your mouth rather than the chewy strips you get elsewhere. I had to remove a star for the service. Our server was very nice and I really appreciated that she checked on us during our meal, but there was a lot left to be desired. We hardly had a fork in our apps and the main course was served, creating a log jam of plates on our table we had to juggle in order to eat. Clearing the empty app plates never happened, so we stacked them under our main dish. My wife ordered a margarita, which tasted nothing like a margarita. Tasted like tequila water and lime (but hey, I figure it's blasphemy to go to a tap bar and order a drink so I let it slide). It was left unconsumed on the table. My son ordered Sprite and got seltzer. I actually prefer him drinking seltzer so we let that one go too. The worst, however was dessert. Not the desserts themselves (they were awesome! Definitely try the cheesecake, the crust is out of this world), but our server placed dessert in front of everybody except my wife, then informed her they were out of what she ordered. We had no problem with them being out of what she ordered (plenty of other treats on the menu), but it should have been addressed before dessert was served. It also took way too long for her new choice to be served. Did I mention it was Mother's Day? I tipped 20+ percent regardless, based solely on the fact that our two kids ate free (we were pleasantly surprised to find out that 1 child per adult eats free on Sunday). Our server may have thought everything went great, but there is a lot of room for improvement. We will definitely return. I will put up with just about anything to get my fork back in their food!
(4)Laura C.
We live on James Island & have eatten here numerous times. After today we'll be taking a break The service is lacking (completely empty glasses). Ordered burgers & requested A1 Steak Sauce with them.When she brought them to the table no steak sauce.We also at this point requested refills on iced tea.FIVE MINUTES passed finally another server walked by & we asked her for the things we needed.Another female brought our drinks & steak sauce. My husband told the server the collards where cold & extremely sweet. He requested fried okra.She apologized & brought out hot sweet collards.My husband said he didnt care for the & just wanted to take them off the bill because we had all finished our burgers. She brought the bill & didnt take the collards off! More waiting for her to have them taken off. Burgers where great,iced tea was great. Macaroni and cheese pretty good.
(3)Lori S.
After a somewhat disappointing culinary experience in other Charleston restaurants, our road trip was redeemed with this final-night visit to Smoky Oak, which was recommended by several Charleston Yelpers. It did not disappoint. It had the best beer selection we'd seen all trip, including some local brews that we really loved (and wished we could take home with us). The food was fantastic. Delicious crunchy pork rinds, tacos and BBQ. This might sound odd, but the lima beans were some of the best I've ever had. We loved our food and the local's-hangout atmosphere. It was pretty dead in there on a Monday night, and our server was friendly and attentive. A great experience, highly recommended.
(5)J T.
We had our rehearsal dinner catered by Smoky Oak, and the guest couldn't stop talking about how great the food was. Very reasonably priced, especially for the quality. The staff/management were very accommodating and helpful, which was such a relief during a week when so many crazy things were happening. I highly recommend them to cater your next event.
(5)B H.
Best bbq on james island. Family friendly. Great food, beer on tap selections and good prices. We visit weekly with my 2 young kids. And look forward to going everytime. Brad Hauss, Charleston SC
(5)Ian R.
Charleston is known for its great restaurants - and for good reason. On this quick trip, I've had some great meals, highlighted by Hall's Chophouse. That's why it's baffling to me that great BBQ can't be found here. It's the south, after all. Tonight, we tried this place because it was rated among the best of the BBQ options in Charleston. When BBQ in DC is better than the best Charleston has to offer, something is clearly wrong. Smokey Oak Taproom was a disappointment. If you're hoping to order chicken, and want white meat only, don't bother asking - they won't do it, even for an up charge. I went with the BBQ grilled chicken sandwich and it came out undercooked on a soggy bun. The Mac and Cheese was fine, but hardly memorable. The chili was luke warm and served with stale corn bread. Even the BBQ sauces were underwhelming - add some Tabasco, or something. There was also some drama when we arrived as the hostess tried to seat us, but was overruled by the manager because the kitchen was backed up (even though tables were available). Not a good experience, but shout out for a great beer selection.
(2)Ruby G.
With Charleston hosting a plethora of BBQ joints it's hard to find a place that hits all the spots. The food, crowd, and atmosphere at Smoky Oak are the best on James Island for sure. My favorite appetizer is the bacon wrapped jalapenos. Whole jalapenos are split, stuffed with crab meat, wrapped in bacon, then deep fried. I'm not usually a "rancher, " but these are delicious dipped in a cool, creamy ranch. Be careful though, the spiciness can linger. The macaroni and cheese is very delicious with it's unique smoky flavor. The beer can chicken is delish! The crowd is always happening and you can usually catch some live music on the weekends. The bar is decorated with very cool classic car memorabilia. Smoky Oak is a great plave for fun, family, or both! It does diappoint me that the took there black bean soup off the menu. :-(
(4)Collin S.
Dogfish Head 90 Min IPA on tap?! Thank you, may I have another! A few weekends ago I took a trip to meet up with my lovely lady in Charleston. Her flight was delayed, and I was pretty hungry, so I decided to find a place that had brisket in the area since living in Columbia, good brisket is hard to come by. Enter Smoky Oak. I have no idea where my GPS was taking me - on an overcast night, the barrier islands can be near pitch black. After about 25 minutes driving from downtown Charleston, I arrived to a dimly lit parking lot and shopping center, but I could smell delicious meat and I could hear a little music. Remarkably friendly staff, but most importantly really, really good barbecue and a great selection of craft brews on tap. As I said above, they have Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA --on tap--. That's pretty rare, even up in the DC/MD/VA area where I'm from (and Dogfish Head is close-by). Delicious beans and macaroni as well. Definitely worth a trip if you're into good beer and barbecue and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Charleston. I am looking forward to another trip next time I'm in town.
(4)Cassandra K.
Even before we walked in, the smell was amazing. Got the blackend chicken quesadilla as an app. It did not disappoint. For main course, had a build your own 10 ounce burger with pimento, grilled onions, bacon (omg so good) and chilli. Could have left off chilli as it has a slight sweet bbq flavor that I didn't care for, but mixed on the burger seemed to work with the smoky bacon. Service was pretty good. what made everything better was the price! It was $36 for two with appetizer (which was actually a main course, not an App) and two sides (not included in price for burgers). less than expected for the HUGE burger and mountain of sweet potato fries. Definately coming back for the pizza I saw with mozzarella, feta, smoked gouda, provolone...
(5)Pam B.
Smoky Oak has some of the best BBQ around and it is reasonably priced. Also has a large bar area and outdoor seating with corn hole.
(4)Kevin P.
First off me and my girlfriend came here at 10pm for a late night snack.... They don't close till 1am.. No one greeted us at the door, we picked where to sit and I had to ask someone for menus. The lady threw menus at the table and left didn't even ask what drinks we wanted or anything! I will never be returning here at all!
(1)Wendy W.
Since they have added a couple of items that I can eat (do not eat beef, pork or chicken) I have come to like eating here. We used to live close enough to walk and would come here regularly for drinks but then I'd have to eat a sandwich when I got home. Not anymore, several non-bbq items to choose from . That said, if you like BBQ (SC style, very different from what you are used to if you are not from here), beer and sports in a family friendly even though its really a bar atmosphere this is the place for you. My spouse loves it, loves their BBQ and all the sauces. Never had to wait more than 5-10 minutes for a place to sit, bar or table. Staff is super.
(4)Claire S.
Came here yesterday when they opened for an early lunch on our trip! It was pouring rain out so my monsters & I could not eat outside but the place was relatively empty bc it was early and the servers were nice & helpful & brought crayons. Ordered pork rinds as an app (mainly for the LO to munch on as he loves these) and we were all eating them they were so good & came w a yummy dipping sauce!! I had their Tuesday special, chicken fried steak w rice & gravy & green beans, holy smokes this was a huge hunk of meat! I couldn't finish it , but I tried bc it was mega Delish. Also tried Hubby's brisket, it was really good, not best ever but really really good. I loved the Mac n cheese the little guy had as a side. Really everything was super yummy, I would maybe plan a jog afterwards lol. We'll be back next time we r in Charleston!
(5)Lindsey T.
The best bbq I've had in charleston!!! So good!! And bold your own Bloody Mary's yum!
(5)Jerry C.
Rustic decor sports bar. Alot of space for large groups. Bq was ok. Pizza was really good. The sweet potato fries were really good. It's worth a try, but lower expectations if you've BQ connoisseur.
(3)Tim R.
Brisket, pulled pork, dirty rice, mac n' cheese - all delicious. Highly recommended for the BBQ lovers out there.
(5)Frank G.
Wife and I went on a Thursday night. Wow, crowded, busy. Good food, great prices. It's a Bar first, restaurant second. We sat outside, which was less noisy than the inside. But a bar is a bar is a bar. Like I always say, would I go back and take my family...Yes. Try it, you'll like it. FrankG
(4)Eric E.
We were treated to excellent service and outstanding food last night. The ribs were cooked to perfection and the pulled pork was marvelous. This is one restaurant that I'll be taking the family to again and again.
(4)Larry J.
Best BBQ is Charleston by far. Brisket was moist. Fell apart as you ate it. The beer can chicken was fantastic. My wife had pulled pork, it was juicy and the house made bbq sauces were delish.
(5)sig s.
Unbelievable smoked meats with Southern comfort foods that make you want to slap your Mama. The beer selection is top notch.
(4)Jessica B.
Ok I'm sure some people will disagree with my rating but let me explain. I've been here a bunch and I'm consistently disappointed with the service. I bartend myself so I understand being busy, but every time I go to the bar for a drink I get skipped over again and again. More than once I've had a friends come inside to see why I was taking so long and got served immediately. I've had the food and it was awesome but they really need to work on the bartender's attentiveness cause it's really lacking. You'll get a much better tip from me if you would just look up from the phone you're playing on and get me a beer and a shot in a halfway decent time frame.
(2)Victoria N.
My husband and I went here and we both agreed it will become one of our staples. Really great barbeque, a great beer list, awesome atmosphere and my most favorite part is that it has every kind of barbeque sauce I could ever want. Which is super important because my husband loves the sweet barbecue sauce and I am all vinegar barbecue. Also, the service was super fast -- I really don't think I've ever gotten my food faster. And they have a great patio!
(4)Saba S.
Good food and great service. I had the bacon cheeseburger which comes with just beef, cheese, bacon, and bun. I added tomatoes and guac. I put the Chipotle BBQ sauce on the burger to finish it off. It was an above average burger with tender juicy meat and a crispy bun. What was also delicious was a batch of the deep fried mushrooms and their horseradish ranch sauce...or at least thats what I thought it was. Very very good! I had to try one of their beers and decided on the SON OF A PEACH, which was a wheat bear with a strong hue of peach. Highly recommended to sweeten your palette. I will be back and would like to thank Samantha my waitress for her great suggestions and great service. Enjoy!!!
(4)S A.
This is definitely a bar, with some seating for meal patrons versus an actual restaurant. We went to Smoky Oak while visiting Charleston, based on the great Yelp reviews. The food was good (I didn't try the ribs though), but nothing really stood out. We had beef brisket with mac and cheese and fried okra. Aside from the mac and cheese being a bit oily, all was good. Having a bunch of sauces at the table to play with was a lot of fun, but that's about as much as I can say as a northerner looking for a great Charleston BBQ spot.
(3)Beth B.
Delicious!!!! Their honey mustard wings are out if this world. Delicious and rather large. Their ribs were good, but not amazing. The sides were all very good. I will definitely be going back on my next trip to Charleston.
(4)Belinda Z.
The brisket, ribs and chicken were tasteless - they tasted as if the meat was boiled prior to grilling, which would remove a lot of the flavor...when I asked how they cooked it I was told it was braised (plus poor meet quality). The beer battered mushrooms were ok. Great beer selection! So drink up prior to getting served! I'm sure this way anything in the menu will taste better.
(2)Chris F.
Smoked Pulled pork Cuban sandwich...sub pepperjack..Oh My Lands!!
(5)Stephen W.
This place rocks!!! We come often. Great bbq. Love the Cajun chicken livers appetizer.
(5)Phil N.
Lots of good eats but not always consistent. Normally I like the pulled pork but last time tasted like it was steamed - watery and a bit bland. However, I will continue to make this one of my regular nosh locales. The ribs are my favorite and the $12 Thursday night steak - money. Tons of beers on tap make this a fantastic place to go. Gets crowded as loud, but worth it.
(4)Emeril B.
Love this place. Best BBQ in town. Great beer specials. The staff is very well trained and very friendly. Have eaten here a dozen times have tried many different menu items and have never been disappointed.
(5)Russ C.
Went there this Sunday afternoon with my family after my daughter's soccer game. Sat down and them waited and waited and waited and never did anyone acknowledge us much less take our order. We waited for 10 mins and then got up and walked out. If I could leave something less than 1 star, I would. We will never ever go there again.
(1)Robert T.
Visited this place with my mom for dinner. Walking in from the parking lot the smell was amazing, which is always a good sign. After placing our order we received our meals quickly; mom had the 1/2 chicken and I had the large barbecue platter. My mom & I were both impressed by the quality & quantity. Our waitress was very friendly too. We'll definitely be going back!
(4)JP S.
These folks have got it together. No long wait to be seated. Food was right out just minutes after the order went in. LOTs of food for the price. A great value. The signature nachos were a meal in themselves. Burgers to order a la carte. Sides are plentiful. So if you have a micro-appetite, a single entree is good for 2. Servers are all well trained and quite friendly. SaleebScore: Food: 8/10, Service 9/10, Value 10/10. Noise: 5/10 Outdoor seating. dB: a bit on the loud side w/ hyperactive bar scene and blaring TVs above.
(4)