Sweatman's BBQ was a whole different kind of bbq for me.

They do a buffet or a one-time plate. Since I was on the go (as always), I just went with one plate.

But clearly the buffet is popular - look at that line!

My plate was so, so good. There's the pulled pork, slaw, pork rind, rice hash...

And there's Carolina gold bbq sauce!

I don't even know what this rice hash was, but it was divine. And the Carolina gold? Amazing. To cap it all off, I had some banana pudding that was out of this world.

Poogan's Porch is named after a beloved pup. But the food isn't for the dogs.



"Tucked away on charming Queen Street, Poogan’s Porch is Charleston’s oldest independent culinary establishments, with a fresh approach to Lowcountry cuisine. Recognized by Martha Stewart Living, Southern Living and The Travel Channel among many others, this beautifully restored Victorian house is the perfect southern spot for daily brunch and dinner.
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Since opening in 1976, Poogan’s Porch has been a favorite of well-known celebrities, politicians, tourists and locals alike who rave about this Southern institution. Whether it’s a warm homemade buttermilk biscuit and sausage gravy, a bowl of she-crab soup, or our signature buttermilk fried chicken, your meal at Poogan’s Porch will be unforgettable."


The menu features fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese fritters, and everything I love from southern food.

So, I started with a biscuit and butter - just wow. I wish these were as prevalent up north as they are down here.

For my main dish, I went with shrimp and grits (one of my all-time favorites). The grits were a bit more watery than I prefer, but with the tasso ham gravy, peppers, onions, and sausage, you can't go wrong.

To round out my BBQ tour, I went to Scott's BarBQue to experience some whole hog bbq.


I ordered some pork, slaw, and potato salad.


This pork is characteristic of others in the area. Smoky, and the peppery & vinegary bbq has some kick to it.

It's tough for me to pass up a chocolate shop.


While walking around Charleston, South Carolina, I stumbled upon Christophe Artisan Chocolatier.


This shop is well-known for their handpainted chocolates - many of which inspire galactic images for me.


But they also have classic truffles - like vanilla bean, star anise and more.


And they have more than chocolate: coffee, croissants, macarons, pastries and more.


So I wanted to try a few different things.


First, I went for a praline macaron! Can never go wrong with a macaron.


Then I tried the salted caramel hand-painted chocolate.


Finally, I tried a canele, which is a small French pastry flavored with rum and vanilla with a soft and tender custard center and a dark, thick caramelized crust. It takes the shape of a small, striated cylinder up to five centimeters in height with a depression at the top, according to Wikipedia.


Everything was delicious.


But how can you go wrong with chocolate?


Have you been here?


What's your favorite?

Based in Bridgeport, Mountain State Spirits features two drinks:

"We created our Bourbon Ratafias to elevate one of North America’s finest beverages, Bourbon. Bourbon’s unique character is highlighted with the finest quality ingredients and old-world techniques to create a cordial like no other. Drinkable straight or mixed in cocktails, our Bourbon Ratafias are sure to please the most discerning palate."

There's hazelnut honey and walnut maple. I may or may not have gotten one of each to try!

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit - besides having the cutest name - serves up piping hot biscuits in Charleston, South Carolina.


"Small grab & go eateries inspired by Callie’s Charleston Biscuits, our Callie's Hot Little Biscuit locations serve a variety of piping hot Callie’s award winning biscuits, pimento cheese sandwiches, and a range of other delicious and locally inspired breakfast, lunch, and late night treats. Pop in and grab a signature biscuit bowl filled with slow cooked grits and a french press coffee, shop our shelves filled with favorite pantry must-haves, or stock up on our full range of frozen and refrigerated Callie’s Biscuits products."


When I recently visited Charleston, South Carolina, one of my first stops for breakfast was at Callie's Hot Little Biscuit.


This shop, located at the City Market, opened early, and I was one of the first in line.


The menu features tons of delicious little biscuits. I ordered a trio of biscuits: cheese and chive, blackberry and sharp cheddar. I added sides of pimento cheese and blackberry jam to try with them.


This is my dream - bites of a bunch of different things - so I can mix and match.


I gotta say: No one does biscuits like the south. These things are GOOD. I especially loved the pimento cheese with the chive biscuit. Goooodness. Have you been?

Hill's Lexington BBQ spearheads another Carolina-style BBQ: Lexington.


“Started by Joe Allen Hill in 1951, Hill’s Lexington Barbecue in Winston-Salem is the first to have the name “Lexington Barbecue,” thus their claim to being the “original” Lexington barbecue. At the time they opened there were a few small side street barbecues in Lexington operated by Stamey, Beck and Swicegood. But none called their barbecue place “Lexington Barbecue.”

Joe Hill, who came from Lexington, conceived the idea to bring Lexington-style barbecue cooking to Winston-Salem. Joe, along with his wife Edna, started the business on its present site.
The sauce is hot, peppery, spicy, thin (Gene says it penetrates the meat better), light reddish brown and has a strong finish by itself, but not so on the meat. It just fits.

The chopped barbecue consists of generous pieces that are not basted while cooking. It’s very lightly sauced in the kitchen. It’s a good mix of outside brown and has a good smoky taste, a rich flavor and nice texture. It’s perfect with sauce and slaw. (SOURCE)"

I ordered chopped pork BBQ, potato salad and hush puppies.

First, look at these weird lil hush puppies.

And my entree came out with some white onion that was pickled a bit and the potato salad in the middle.

The BBQ was already very seasoned and tasty, but I got some more of the peppery, vinegary sauce to add to it.

And you can't finish a meal without banana pudding.