FLORENCE — When you think of the best barbecue in the South, what comes to mind?
Is it the big cities of Austin and Dallas? Or maybe some of the more rural areas of North Carolina?
What about Florence, South Carolina?
According to Southern Living Magazine, the Pee Dee county could be a strong contender.
Elliott’s BBQ Lounge in Florence was recently ranked at number one on Southern Living Magazine’s list of the top 50 best new barbecue joints in the South right now.
The list was made up of restaurants that have opened in the South since Southern Living last released a ranking of new barbecue restaurants, which was in 2024.
This time around, Elliott’s BBQ Lounge is ranked number one on the list of newcomers.
“First places don’t come around too often for anyone, so that’s definitely an honor to be named number one,” owner Elliott Moss told The Post and Courier.
Elliott’s BBQ Lounge, located at 551 W Lucas St. in Florence, opened in 2025 and is embedded in Seminar Brewing. It specializes in whole hog barbecue — a rarity.
“We’re one of the few places in the country, much less South Carolina, doing whole hog barbecue,” Moss said.
Southern Living also highlighted its sweet-glazed baby back ribs, thick pork steaks and smoked salmon. The restaurant doesn’t feature a buffet or serve brisket, further setting it apart, Moss said.
Getting a Southern Living ranking isn’t anything new to Elliott’s BBQ Lounge, though.
It was just a few months after opening that Elliott’s BBQ Lounge made it onto Southern Living’s list of top 50 barbecue joints in all of the South, and earlier this year, Moss was recognized by Southern Living magazine as one of the top five people shaping Southern barbecue.
