Southern Living Names West Columbia Spot The South’s Best BBQ Joint
Big news for barbecue lovers in South Carolina! Southern Living magazine just crowned a West Columbia restaurant as the absolute best BBQ joint in the entire South.
This exciting announcement has put City Limits Barbeque on the map as a must-visit destination for anyone serious about smoked meats.
Let’s look at why this local spot earned such impressive recognition from one of the South’s most respected publications.
1. Methodist Park Road Establishment Takes Crown in 2025 Rankings
City Limits Barbeque has secured the premier position on Southern Living’s recently unveiled ranking of the South’s finest barbecue establishments.
The recognition comes from contributing editor and barbecue authority Robert F. Moss, who evaluated countless smokehouses across the region before selecting the 1119 Methodist Park Road location as the standout winner.
2. Breaking the Mold: When Regional Styles Collide
What sets this establishment apart is pitmaster Robbie Robinson’s refusal to choose sides in barbecue’s great regional debates.
Instead of adhering strictly to Carolina traditions or Texas techniques, the restaurant masterfully weaves both approaches into its menu. Texas-style brisket shares space with Carolina-style pulled pork, creating a bridge between two distinct barbecue philosophies.
3. Obsessive Details That Define Excellence
The commitment to craft extends far beyond standard expectations. Moss specifically highlighted Robinson’s decision to grind and smoke house-made brisket hot dogs, along with slow-roasted marrow bones that provide dipping jus.
These aren’t typical offerings at most barbecue joints, yet they represent the meticulous mindset that elevates good food into something memorable.
“That over-the-top intensity is what takes City Limits from good to great,” Moss noted in his assessment.
4. National Recognition Continues Mounting
This latest accolade adds to an impressive collection of honors. The James Beard Foundation has twice named Robinson and City Limits as finalists, placing them among the country’s most respected culinary talents.
The New York Times further validated the restaurant’s approach by including it among America’s top 50 dining destinations for 2024, describing it as “the place students of regional smoked meat dream of.”
5. South Carolina’s Growing BBQ Dominance
The Palmetto State’s barbecue scene continues strengthening its national reputation.
Eleven South Carolina locations earned spots on this year’s Southern Living list, a notable increase from the eight that made the cut in 2023. This upward trajectory reflects the state’s deepening pool of talented pitmasters and dedication to wood-fired traditions.
6. Dreher Road Institution Holds Its Own
Hite’s Bar-B-Que claimed the 22nd position on the same list, proving West Columbia’s barbecue legacy runs deeper than a single restaurant.
Operating since 1957, the Dreher Road establishment maintains old-school methods in its screened pit house out back. Whole hogs, ribs, and chickens cook over all wood-fired pits, with a towering stockpile of split oak and hickory testifying to their unwavering commitment to traditional techniques.
