Fort Mill BBQ Company has been around for two years, but recently revamped its menu. I took my family there for lunch during spring break to check out the new offerings.
The restaurant looks the same, just the menu has changed a bit. It's still a counter service restaurant offering quick food for customers. The day we visited was the first day the new menu was offered, and if the wait staff was struggling to adjust to the change, they didn't show it. Our order was taken quickly, and although a line formed behind us, those customers were taken care of promptly as well.
We grabbed our own drinks, and I said a quiet "Thank you, Lord" for my ice-cold fountain Diet Coke with free refills. Sometimes, it's the little things that make me happy.
The new menu has plenty of the old favorites, including the signature barbecue platter and sandwich (with or without coleslaw), homemade macaroni and cheese, and smoked wings. There also are new treats, including a chef and turkey salad, hot dogs, brats and Italian sausages, and a fried bologna sandwich.
"It's more than just barbecue," said owner Bob Bowman.
I went with the basic pulled pork sandwich, with coleslaw, and a side of macaroni and cheese. My husband had the same, but added collards to his platter. Our food came quickly. From walking in the door to getting our food, it had taken about 10 minutes.
My husband fancies himself an Eastern North Carolina barbecue connoisseur. (No joke, people. He actually started a Facebook page dedicated to Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue. With more than 2,000 members, it's clear he's not alone in his passion.)
He grew up in Eastern North Carolina near Wilber's Barbeque in Goldsboro, N.C., which some would call the Holy Grail of Eastern North Carolina barbecue. So my husband knows his vinegar-based sauces. He was eager to try the one at Fort Mill BBQ.
It would be blasphemy to say Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue isn't my favorite. It might even incite divorce proceedings. So I'll just say on this day, I decided to go with Fort Mill BBQ's sweeter sauce. The restaurant also offers a mustard-based sauce and a signature sauce that includes ketchup, mustard and vinegar.
The pork sandwich was fantastic. The pork was chopped well and had a slightly smoky taste. The sweet sauce that topped the 'cue just made it all the better. My macaroni and cheese was comfort food to the max. Cheesy and definitely homemade, this was as good as you'd find in any Southern grandma's kitchen.
My husband also complimented the pork, but I held my breath a little as he tried the sauce. He's fond of his own vinegar-based sauce and doesn't often find other Eastern North Carolina sauces up to snuff.
This one, however, hit the spot. It had enough salt, he said, not too much vinegar and just enough heat.
"I could eat this pretty regularly," he said.
The collards also got his seal of approval. The collards are sweet, not spicy, and come in a large bowl. You won't be going home hungry from Fort Mill BBQ Company.
For something different
For children, the restaurant offers standard fare: chicken tenders, corn dogs and cheeseburgers.
My children's meals were served cold, but the problem was quickly addressed by the manager who offered us free meals on our next visit. Accidents happen, and this one was quickly resolved.
For diners looking for something a little out of the ordinary, the new menu offers Smokey the Sausage, a chipotle cheese-stuffed smoked sausage, and a Deluxe Philly, a classic Philly sandwich with bacon and smoked sausage added.
All platters come with your choice of side, and there is no shortage of options. In addition to the sides we chose, customers can order from 11 other Southern classics, including fried okra and hushpuppies.
Lighter choices included salads and soups.
Prices were good for lunchtime, between $5.99 and $9.99 for pork platters, depending on how much food you want. Desserts, including ice cream floats and brownie a la mode, are also new to the menu. Lunch specials are available daily.
Owner Bowman, a Fort Mill resident, hopes to set up spirit nights with local schools where a portion of the night's proceeds go to the school's Parent Teacher Organization.
Fort Mill BBQ Company is changing things slightly with a new menu, and those changes are definitely in the right direction.
