Spartanburg Restaurant Named to South’s Best New Barbecue Joints List by Southern Living

Smoking Butt Heads shines as Southern-style Barbecue Tradition in Spartanburg

In a recent highlight of the South’s Best New Barbecue Joints by the pre-eminent regional publication, Southern Living, a popular local barbecue eatery from Spartanburg made an impressive showing. Ranked as a significant contender, Smoking Butt Heads, located at 111 W. Main St. in downtown Spartanburg, displayed its unique southern-style barbecue charm. The establishment was featured alongside several other distinguished smokehouses stretching from Texas to Virginia.

The comprehensive list of the South’s best barbecue joints, curated by Robert Moss, contributing barbecue editor, includes a total of 22 select restaurants that stand out in the sunny South. Moss’s selection criteria centered not just on the quality of food but also on the overall dining experience, the restaurant’s location, food presentation, uniqueness of sauces, and authenticity of Southern flavors.

The Art of Barbecuing at Smoking Butt Heads

Securing the coveted 16th spot on Southern Living’s list, Smoking Butt Heads joins four other South Carolina restaurants from Columbia and Charleston. Inspired by competition-style barbecued meats and homemade sides such as mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, and more, the restaurant opened in the historic Greenewald’s Building in August 2023.

The culinary force behind Smoking Butt Heads is Todd Smith, the proprietor with over a decade of experience in barbecue competition. He and his team have been competitors on the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) circuit, bagging regional and national titles since 2014.

Mouthwatering Menu at Smoking Butt Heads

The menu at Smoking Butt Heads features a spread of smoked meats, including the popular St. Louis-style ribs, prime burnt ends, pork medallions, hot links, and brisket. The most sought-after item on their menu is The Judge’s Plate, a feast of all their award-winning meats served with homemade cornbread and a side. Additional culinary delights include the brisket egg roll and wings for starters, and house-made banana pudding and peach cobbler for dessert.

Best BBQ in South Carolina 2024 by Southern Living

The honor of being named South Carolina’s Best BBQ in 2024 earlier went to Henry’s Smokehouse in Greenville, another feather in the cap for Carolina’s barbecue tradition. Meanwhile, the South’s Best New Barbecue Joints of 2024 list also featured other reputable names, with Palmira BBQ from Charleston taking the top spot, followed by significant mentions of City Limits Barbecue from Columbia and King BBQ from Charleston, among others.

Accomplishment for Spartanburg

The inclusion of Smoking Butt Heads in this distinguished culinary list is a testament to the city of Spartanburg’s thriving barbecue scene and a marker of pride for the local restaurant industry. As it stands, the recognition by Southern Living magazine puts Spartanburg on the map for some of the best barbecue experiences in the South.