Big D's House of BBQ in Columbia — Slow-Smoked Meat and Sides Worth the Wait

What to expect at Big D's House of BBQ

Big D's House of BBQ sits on a corner lot in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, a brick building with a no-frills interior and a reputation built on meat smoked low and slow over hardwood. The restaurant operates as a counter-service spot where you order at the front, grab a number, and wait for your food — sometimes 20 to 30 minutes during lunch or dinner rush, which is normal for a place that doesn't hold finished plates under heat lamps.

The menu centers on brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken, sold by the pound or in sandwich form. Sides include mac and cheese, collard greens, baked beans, and cornbread. Sauce comes on the side, letting you control how much you want. The space fills up quickly, especially on weekends, and seating is limited — many people take their orders to go or eat standing at high-top tables.

Prices run moderate for barbecue: a half-pound of meat typically costs between $8 and $12, and a sandwich with two sides runs roughly $12 to $15. Cash and card are both accepted. The restaurant does not take reservations, so arriving during off-peak hours (mid-afternoon on weekdays) means shorter waits.

Key Takeaways

• Big D's is a counter-service barbecue restaurant in Five Points where you order at the front and wait for your food to be prepared fresh.
• The menu focuses on brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken sold by the pound or as sandwiches, with sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread.
• Sauce comes on the side so you can choose how much to use, and the restaurant accepts both cash and card.
• Waits during lunch and dinner can run 20 to 30 minutes because meat is smoked to order rather than held under heat, so arriving mid-afternoon on weekdays is faster.
• Seating is limited and there are no reservations, making it better suited for takeout or quick meals at high-top tables.

The meat and how it's cooked

Big D's smokes its meat in-house using hardwood, which gives the finished product a distinct bark and smoke ring. The brisket comes out tender with a peppery crust, and the pulled pork shreds easily without falling apart. Ribs are meaty and pull cleanly from the bone. The chicken is less common on barbecue menus but here it's smoked until the skin crisps and the meat stays moist.

The restaurant does not rush the process, which is why waits happen even when the place is not packed. Meat that has been smoking for 12 or more hours cannot be hurried once an order comes in — the kitchen finishes what's on the smoker and slices or pulls it fresh. This approach means you're not eating meat that sat finished for hours, which is a trade-off many barbecue lovers accept willingly.

Sides and what pairs well

The mac and cheese is creamy and rich, made with a cheese sauce rather than a baked casserole, and works as a buffer against the smoke and salt of the meat. Collard greens are cooked down with a savory broth and offer a lighter, slightly bitter contrast. Baked beans have a mild sweetness and hold their shape. Cornbread is dense and slightly sweet, good for soaking up sauce or eating alongside the meat.

A typical order might be a half-pound of brisket with mac and cheese and collard greens, or a pulled pork sandwich with beans and cornbread. The portions are generous — a half-pound of meat is substantial — so ordering one meat with two sides is usually enough for one person, or can be split between two.

Location and hours

Big D's House of BBQ is located at 2020 Greene Street in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area with other restaurants, shops, and bars nearby. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner most days of the week, though hours vary by season and day — calling ahead or checking their social media before visiting is wise, especially on Sundays or holidays when hours may shift.

Parking is available on the street or in nearby lots, and the Five Points area is accessible by car or on foot if you're staying nearby. The neighborhood itself is worth exploring before or after your meal, with coffee shops, vintage stores, and galleries within a few blocks.

When to go and how to avoid long waits

Lunch rush typically runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner rush from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Arriving at 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. on a weekday usually means a much shorter wait. Weekends are busier overall, but Saturday and Sunday mornings before 11 a.m. tend to be quieter than midday. Friday evenings draw a crowd as people finish their work week.

If you're ordering for a group, calling ahead to give a heads-up can sometimes help the kitchen prepare, though Big D's does not take formal reservations. Takeout orders move through the line just as quickly as dine-in orders, so taking your food to go is a practical option if seating is full.

What makes Big D's different from other Columbia barbecue spots

Columbia has several barbecue restaurants, each with its own style and focus. Big D's distinguishes itself through its hardwood smoking method and its willingness to make customers wait for fresh-cooked meat rather than serving from a holding bin. The sauce-on-the-side approach also appeals to people who want to taste the smoke and seasoning without heavy sauce masking it.

The Five Points location puts it in a neighborhood known for local businesses and community gathering, rather than a strip mall or highway corridor. That setting attracts a mix of longtime regulars and visitors exploring the neighborhood, creating a different atmosphere than some of the older, more established barbecue joints elsewhere in the city.

Dietary considerations and customization

Big D's menu is meat-forward, so vegetarian options are limited — collard greens, baked beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread are the main plant-based sides, though they may be cooked with meat stock or lard depending on the recipe. Calling ahead to ask about preparation is the safest approach if you have dietary restrictions.

The restaurant can usually accommodate requests like extra sauce, no sauce, or specific cuts of meat if you ask at the counter. Portion sizes are flexible — you can order a quarter-pound instead of a half-pound if you want a smaller amount, or combine multiple meats in one order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the wait usually?

During lunch and dinner rush (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.), expect 20 to 30 minutes. Mid-afternoon on weekdays is usually 5 to 10 minutes. Waits happen because meat is smoked fresh, not held finished.

Can I order online or call ahead?

Big D's operates as a walk-up counter service, so online ordering is not available. You can call to ask about current wait times or give a heads-up if you're ordering for a large group, but formal reservations are not taken.

Is there parking?

Street parking is available on Greene Street and nearby side streets, and several small lots serve the Five Points area. The restaurant itself does not have a dedicated lot, but parking is usually available within a short walk.

What if I have a gluten allergy?

The meat itself is gluten-free, but sides like cornbread contain gluten, and sauces may have gluten-containing ingredients. Call ahead to ask which sides are safe for your needs, as preparation methods vary.

Do they cater or sell meat by the case?

Big D's operates as a restaurant rather than a wholesale operation, so large catering orders or bulk meat purchases are not standard. Call to ask if they can accommodate special requests, but expect to order from the regular menu.