News Summary City Limits, a popular barbecue restaurant in West Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized as the best BBQ joint in the South by Southern Living. This commendation highlights the restaurant’s dedication to quality and innovation in barbecue. From its beginnings as a food truck to a vibrant eatery, City Limits offers a diverse weekend menu featuring Texas-style dishes and traditional South Carolina BBQ. With exceptional food quality and unique offerings, City Limits has solidified its reputation as a premier barbecue destination, attracting enthusiasts from all over. City Limits Named Best BBQ Joint in Southern Living’s Top 50 List South Carolina’s City Limits, a popular barbecue restaurant located in West Columbia, has earned the title of the best BBQ joint in the South according to Southern Living’s annual Top 50 list. This recognition highlights City Limits’ dedication to quality barbecue and innovative cooking techniques, positioning it as a standout in the competitive Southern barbecue scene. Transformation from Food Truck to Established Eatery City Limits began its journey as a food truck, serving customers for seven years before establishing a permanent location in a unique compound dubbed “Smoky Hollow.” The transition to a brick-and-mortar establishment has allowed the restaurant to expand its operations and create a vibrant dining experience featuring an indoor dining room and a second-story eating porch. Weekend-Only Counter Service The restaurant operates a weekend-only counter service, with a menu that changes based on the day. Saturdays feature Texas-style barbecue, including favorites such as brisket, beef ribs, and house-made sausages. Sundays offer a distinctive menu with pit-smoked hot dogs made from fresh-ground brisket and traditional South Carolina-style whole hog BBQ served once a month. Signature Dishes and Unique Offerings City Limits is celebrated for its exceptional food quality. The restaurant’s brisket stands out with a deep red smoke ring, while the beef ribs are known for their tenderness and flavor. A particularly unique menu item is the pork shoulders prepared using a “burn-barrel” style over direct heat, complemented by a Pee Dee-style “chop sauce.” Other notable offerings include a slow-simmered hash featuring black and red pepper, finished with mustard sauce, and contemporary dishes such as brisket corndogs and beef ‘n queso sandwiches made from pit-smoked prime rib. Commitment to Quality and Flavor City Limits prides itself on its commitment to quality, which is evident in the homemade sides they offer, including pickled onions, candied jalapeños, and charro beans. The spareribs are cooked over hardwood coals and seasoned only with salt, allowing the pronounced smoky flavor to shine through, emphasizing the restaurant’s philosophy of let the quality of ingredients speak for itself. Recognition and Industry Insights Robert Moss, Southern Living’s Contributing Barbecue Editor, curates the annual Top 50 list based on personal visits and qualitative experiences, focusing on the restaurant’s overall culinary experience rather than a scoring system. This year’s recognition for City Limits showcases the successful blend of traditional South Carolina barbecue practices with innovative flavors and techniques. Conclusion In summary, City Limits has solidified its reputation as a premier barbecue destination in the South, transforming from a food truck into an acclaimed restaurant that draws barbecue enthusiasts from all over. With a diverse menu, a commitment to quality, and a unique dining atmosphere, it is no wonder that it has achieved such high praise from Southern Living, highlighting the evolving barbecue culture in South Carolina. Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic Southern Living: Top BBQ Joint Wikipedia: Barbecue New York Times: North Carolina Barbecue Encyclopedia Britannica: Barbecue 247Sports: South Carolina BBQ
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