City Limits Barbeque in Columbia: Slow-Smoked Meat and Sides Done Right

What City Limits Barbeque Serves and Where to Find It

City Limits Barbeque is a Columbia restaurant that smokes brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken over oak and hickory wood, serving them with traditional sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. The restaurant sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area with other restaurants, shops, and bars within a few blocks.

The menu centers on meat by the pound or on sandwiches, with combo plates that let you mix proteins and sides. Sauce comes on the side, and the kitchen will adjust smoke levels or cooking times if you call ahead. The space is casual—order at the counter, find a seat in the dining room or on the patio, and bus your own table.

Key Takeaways

• City Limits smokes its meat fresh daily, so arriving before 2 p.m. gives you the widest selection before popular items sell out.
• The restaurant accepts walk-ins and phone orders, and larger groups should call ahead to ensure enough smoked meat is held back.
• Devine Street location puts you near other Five Points dining and shopping, making it easy to combine a meal with browsing nearby stores.
• Sides like mac and cheese and collard greens are made in-house and change seasonally, so regulars check what is available each visit.

Smoked Meats and How They Cook Them

The brisket is smoked whole, then sliced to order—ask for thick or thin slices depending on whether you want it for a sandwich or on a plate. Pulled pork comes from the shoulder and shreds easily; the kitchen pulls it fresh rather than holding it in a warmer all day. Ribs are trimmed and smoked until the meat pulls cleanly from the bone, and chicken is smoked skin-on so the exterior stays firm while the inside stays moist.

All meat is smoked over a mix of oak and hickory, which gives a balanced smoke flavor without overpowering the meat itself. The kitchen starts smoking before dawn to have meat ready by lunch service. If you have a preference for how much smoke flavor you want or how tender you like your meat, calling ahead lets the pit master adjust the cook time or wood mix for your order.

Sides, Sauces, and What Pairs With What

Mac and cheese is creamy and made with multiple cheeses; collard greens are cooked with smoked meat stock so they carry flavor on their own. Cornbread is slightly sweet and crumbly, and baked beans have a tangy sauce with visible pieces of meat. Sides rotate seasonally—summer might bring coleslaw or potato salad, while winter adds items like sweet potato casserole.

The house sauce is tomato-based and moderately spicy, with a slight vinegar tang. A second sauce, usually thinner and more vinegar-forward, works especially well on pulled pork and ribs. Both come on the side so you control how much you use. The restaurant also stocks hot sauce and a milder mustard-based sauce for those who want options beyond the house blends.

Ordering Options and What to Expect

Walk-ins order at the counter and pay before sitting down. The line moves quickly during lunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and dinner (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.), though wait times can stretch during peak hours on weekends. Phone orders can be placed during business hours, and the kitchen will hold meat for pickup within 30 minutes of your call.

Larger groups—eight people or more—should call ahead so the pit master knows to smoke extra meat and the kitchen can have everything ready at once rather than making people wait for stragglers. Takeout containers are sturdy and seal well, so meat stays warm for a short drive. The patio is first-come, first-served, and the dining room has a mix of tables and high-top seating.

Five Points Location and Nearby Parking

City Limits sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a historic area of Columbia known for independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. Street parking is available but can be tight during lunch and weekend evenings. A small lot behind the restaurant has a handful of spaces, and a larger public lot one block over on Heyward Street is free and usually has room.

The neighborhood is walkable, so if you arrive early or have time to kill, you can browse nearby bookstores, vintage shops, or coffee roasters before or after your meal. Several bars and other restaurants are within a two-block radius, making Five Points a natural stop if you are spending an afternoon or evening in that part of Columbia.

Hours, Payment, and Dietary Considerations

City Limits is open for lunch and dinner most days, though hours vary by season and day of the week—calling ahead confirms they are open before you drive over. The restaurant takes cash and card payments at the counter. Smoked meat is naturally gluten-free, though sides like mac and cheese and cornbread contain gluten; the kitchen can tell you which sides are safe for a gluten-free diet.

Vegetarian options are limited—sides can make a meal, but the restaurant is built around smoked meat. If you are bringing someone who does not eat meat, calling ahead lets the kitchen prepare extra sides or suggest nearby restaurants in Five Points that might work better for a mixed group.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time should I go to get the best selection?

Arriving between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. usually gives you the full range of meats and sides without a long wait. Brisket and ribs sometimes sell out by mid-afternoon on busy days, so earlier is better if those are what you want.

Can I order ahead for a large group?

Yes—call the restaurant directly and tell them how many people are coming and what meats you want. They will smoke extra and have everything ready so your group does not have to wait for food to come off the smoker.

Do they have anything for people who do not eat meat?

Sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and baked beans can form a meal on their own, though the restaurant is primarily a barbeque spot. If you are bringing a vegetarian, calling ahead lets the kitchen know to prepare extra sides.

Is there parking at City Limits?

A small lot behind the restaurant has a few spaces, and street parking is available on Devine Street. A larger free public lot is one block over on Heyward Street and usually has room, especially during off-peak hours.

What is the difference between the two sauces?

The house sauce is tomato-based and moderately spicy with vinegar undertones. The second sauce is thinner and more vinegar-forward, working especially well on pulled pork and ribs. Both come on the side so you can use as much or as little as you like.