Pull up to Lewis Barbecue at 464 N Nassau St and the first thing you’ll see are massive custom-made smokers that pitmaster John Lewis welded himself.
The “All Hail the King” mural watches over the parking lot while smoke wafts through the air creating that thick haze that signals serious barbecue.
Walk inside and John Lewis himself is slicing Central Texas barbecue cut-to-order at the counter, bringing his LA Barbecue Austin pedigree to Charleston’s Restaurant Row.
What Makes Lewis Barbecue Special
John Lewis spent years making a name for himself at LA Barbecue in Austin before opening this Charleston location in 2016, and the Michelin Guide noticed with a Bib Gourmand.
The brisket arrives in near-melting slivers with the kind of smoke ring and bark that separates good from great, sold by the pound with your choice of lean, fatty, or mixed. The beef ribs – weekend only – weigh anywhere from 1-2 pounds each and represent essential ordering according to Michelin inspectors.
The huge bar and backyard patio keep you entertained year-round with honky tonk music while free fixin’s include pickles, pickled red onions, white bread, and three house-made barbecue sauces.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
Lewis opened this spot in 2016 after building his reputation in Austin, bringing true Central Texas barbecue methodology to South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
He custom-designed and welded the smokers himself rather than ordering equipment, showing the kind of commitment that comes from understanding smoke and beef at a molecular level. The restaurant expanded to Atlanta and Greenville after Charleston success proved that authentic Texas barbecue could thrive outside the Lone Star State.
The operation ships nationwide through Goldbelly for people who discovered it on Charleston vacations and need their fix back home.
Food Highlights
- Brisket: The $35/lb Central Texas-style brisket arrives in beautiful near-melting slivers sliced to order – specify lean, fatty, or mixed for your preference. 🥩
- Beef Ribs: The weekend-only beef ribs weigh 1-2 pounds each creating the kind of essential order that Michelin inspectors specifically mention in their review. 🦴
- Green Chile Corn Pudding: The #1 side represents cheesy cornbread casserole with diced hatch chiles delivering flavor without overwhelming heat in a way that steals the show. 🌽
- Mac & Cheese: The super creamy mac and cheese has been called “easily among the best I’ve had anywhere” by skeptical Texas BBQ veterans who came in doubting. 🧀
- Pulled Pork: The slow cooked Boston Butt gets just a little bit of tangy barbecue sauce letting the smoke and meat quality shine through. 🐷
- Texas Hot Guts Sausage: The housemade sausage smoked on a custom sausage smoker packs mostly beef with a little pork and a nice kick of heat. 🌭
Atmosphere
The Nassau Street location creates that Texas by way of the Lowcountry vibe with gravel patio, picnic tables, and firewood stacked to the roof.
Inside you order at the counter where John Lewis slices meat in front of you, then grab a spot at one of the many indoor or outdoor seats. The honky tonk music and casual energy combined with that unmistakable Charleston charm creates something special – it feels southern, it feels inviting, and it somehow still manages to give you that Texas-style “this is about the meat” energy.
No reservations means you show up hungry and ready to wait if it’s peak hours, but the line moves steadily and the huge space handles crowds well.
Bottom Line
Visit Lewis Barbecue because John Lewis brought legitimate Central Texas barbecue technique and custom-welded smokers to create the only Michelin Bib Gourmand BBQ spot in Charleston.
The brisket, beef ribs, and green chile corn pudding prove this kitchen respects smoke, beef, and proper Texas methodology. The mac & cheese, pulled pork, and Texas hot guts sausage show the range from sides to meats maintains consistent quality.
Since 2016, this Nassau Street spot has become the place where Charleston locals and tourists line up for barbecue that holds its own against anything in Texas – cut-to-order, sold by the pound, with those custom smokers creating the magic. Order through Toast. 🌟
Address: Lewis Barbecue
464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 805-9500
Hours: Sun-Mon: 11 AM – 9 PM | Tue-Sat: 11 AM – 10 PM
Features: Michelin Bib Gourmand | Custom-welded smokers | No reservations | Huge bar and patio | Ships nationwide | Atlanta and Greenville locations