The Smoking Pig

Disappointed with takeout. Stopped to pick up a couple pounds of bbq. Containers were only ²⁄₃ filled and yet you pay $ 13 each. Poor value for the money. Hope this does not mean that success has spoiled them.

Best bbq in the upstate. There is a reason why this place is always packed. The bbq is amazing & the service is always wonderful.

Unilocal brings out the best and worst of people. Some of the reviews for here are ridiculous. Trashing a restaurant because the Dr Pepper wasn’t perfect and needed to be changed, or because of the price (have you kept up with the cost of meat lately?) and because the dinner roll wasn’t great (seriously? that’s what you remember about this place?) are the last things you should be concerned about when eating BBQ. Regardless of where you are from The Smoking Pig (2) will impress. If it doesn’t you lost your taste buds. Keep in mind, this isn’t a high end restaurant rather a glorified shack with throw away plates and great food.
We normally go to their other location, but took a trip to the sticks (Williamston) to see if this smaller, more remote, hole in the wall compared to their more well known and popular restaurant. Yes, we left our Downtown Greenville hotel and ventured here just to try the BBQ — and we’d do it again. You should, too. This is what real South Carolina BBQ tastes like.
While it isn’t the most attractive BBQ restaurant it has culture, friendly service and some of the best BBQ you’ve ever had. Most of the sides are as good as the BBQ. For starters, the sweet potato fries are some of the best I’ve had (say yes to the sugar on top) and I’ve only been to a few thousand restaurants the past few years. The Brunswick belongs in that category, too. In fact, with portions as large as they are here, and the number of quality sides it’s going to be a stretch to finish the sides. Do give the sweet potato casserole a try, too.
What cracks me up the most is those who complain about the price. Keep in mind, while the building might have been build in the 70s (or much earlier), the price of food has skyrocketed, and if you want quality food you have to pay for it. This isn’t fast food, rather top-​notch BBQ and it’s priced well. In fact, it should be higher. Meat isn’t cheap.
With that said, we aim for a combo every time. Doing so, enables us to try several meats and the pulled pork, chopped chicken, brisket and ribs all impress. (In addition, there’s several sauces to capture all taste buds.) The meats are tender, lean and packed with taste, just the right amount. You wont find meat so smokey that it’s overwhelming, nor will it be too weak. This family has mastered perfection and has priced it at a bargain.

A few months ago… a girlfriend took me out to the country to where we could buy the freshiiest fruits and veggies grown at the farm right there. For lunch she said we HAVE TO go to THE SMOKING PIG nearby in Williamston. Just a small place… was packed for Lunch! Ordered our meal at the walk-​up window inside. Had the PULLED PORK with 2 sides. HUGE selection of sides! Had the creamed stuffed potatoe as one of my sides. So rich… still took half of meal home for hubby to try! Once he tried their food… we knew we would be going for our next BarBQ meal here! When we went on a Friday night a couple weeks later… line coming out door & down sidewalk. Only waited about 20 minutes & well worth the small wait! Both of us had the pulled pork and I tried the sweet potatoe casserole as one of my sides. DELICIOUS! Waitress was left a larger tip than we normally would leave since she was so friendly, attentive but not overly. We believe this drive from Laurens is about 20 – 25 miles… worth the drive!!! Open Thurs, Friday & Saturdays. Taking friends from upnorth there this weekend!!! We love little places like this with great food!

Delicious ribs! Everything is a little too sugary for my taste, but the ribs are very good.

Disappointed– pulled pork was charrred and dry. Okra was dry and over fried. Dinner roll looked like it was store bought.

We had glazed ribs, okra, sweet potato fries. All was very tasty, but the ribs were dry and tough. Couldn’t finish the meat. Okra is awesome as well as the fries.

If you’re going to have BBQ, this is the place. THE BEST BBQ I’ve ever had. Meats have nice smoke flavor, moist and well cooked. Sauces are outstanding complement whether you like vinegar, spicy, mustard or sweet. Sides are pretty standard plus some exceptional peach cobbler. Service is friendly and attentive. Short or no wait. Don’t waste your money going anywhere else!

Excellent Carolina Style BBQ…
The staff was as nice as they could be. I had pulled pork and think that it was as good as it gets. My wife had chopped chicken and I have to admit that this will be the next thing I try from here. It was smoked to perfection and as tender as any chicken you have ever eaten.
The stew was excellent also…
I completely enjoyed the meal and would go back in a flash.

Good food! Large portions. Not for the faint at heart. A meat eaters paradise. Overall. Should be five stars but gave it four ONLY because we ordered two orders of dry ribs but only had only left. Running out of a particular item is two fold: positive — a hot item well liked negative– isn’t a good thing when you are not able to get it. I highly recommend. Servers are attentive and make rounds quite often. Owner or manger checks with every customer to ensure everything ok. Always a good sign for me that they are in touch with the customer. The family and I will definitely be back to eat at this hidden jewel of the Upstate.

Our most favorite BBQ restaurant we have ever eaten at. We prefer this location over the original one located in Pendleton. We come here at least every other Friday, sometimes more. Never had any fat in the pork and it’s always smoked perfectly every time. We are thankful they changed their slaw recipe back to the original! Smoking pig, don’t fix something that isn’t broken! Keep everything the way it has always been! Yum yum! Oh, and the service has always been very good! Drinks never fall below half full, my pet peeve!

NO better bbq anywhere! Have called in take out around a dozen times and never been disappointed. My new favorite is the BBQ Dogs. A grilled weiner topped w/​pulled pork, slaw and choice of BBQ sauce.(i love all the sauces on them). The plate comes w/​2 of the bbq dogs and 1 side. They are huge! Add another side or two and 2 ppl can share one plate. I love the fried okra and brunswick stew. The stuffed potato casserole is awesome too. The fried corn in season when they have it is great. The coleslaw is some of the best as well as the potato salad. I have also had thier ribs, beef brisket, chicken and pulled pork. all awesome! I haven’t tried any of their desserts yet but plan to do so in the future. All the sauces are great. I have had the regular, mustard, and the hot. The hot is VERY hot, so I recommend putting a little of the hot mixed into the regular if you are on the super heat sensitive side.LOL. I didn’t know they had home made pork skins until I read the reviews so I fully plan on asking for some with my take out order next time!

Great place for Carolina style bbq. The ribs and brisket are awesome. If you like hot and spicy, you’ll love their hot bbq sauce. Will be back for more!!!

Great food. Good service. Chicken, pork, skins-​all good.

The smoking pig is one of the best in the State and the best in Williamston. The portions are BIG and the cost is very good. I am glad i dont have to drive almost to Clemson to get great pulled pork anymore. The food is just as good at both places.