Googies & Juna Bar-B-Que: Whole Hog and Sides in Hemingway

What Googies & Juna serves and where to find it

Googies & Juna Bar-B-Que is a whole-hog barbecue restaurant in Hemingway, South Carolina, about 40 miles northeast of Charleston in Williamsburg County. The restaurant specializes in traditional pit-cooked pork—the whole animal, not just ribs or pulled shoulder—which is the backbone of Lowcountry barbecue tradition. You order at the counter, and the meat comes chopped or sliced, served on a plate or sandwich with your choice of sides.

The restaurant sits on a quiet stretch of road in a rural part of the state where barbecue joints have operated for decades, often run by the same families. Googies & Juna has become a destination for people willing to drive from the coast or from Columbia for authentic pit barbecue cooked the way it was done before restaurants became chains. The space is casual—expect picnic tables, simple decor, and a focus on the food rather than the setting.

Key Takeaways

• Googies & Juna cooks whole hogs over wood pits, a method that produces meat with smoke flavor throughout rather than just on the surface.
• The restaurant serves chopped or sliced pork with traditional sides like hash and rice, collard greens, and cornbread—the standard Lowcountry barbecue plate.
• Hemingway is a 40-minute drive from Charleston and about an hour from Columbia, making it a worthwhile road trip for serious barbecue seekers.
• The restaurant operates with limited hours and may close on certain days, so calling ahead before you go is a practical step.

The whole-hog cooking method and what it means for flavor

Whole-hog barbecue is not the same as barbecue made from a single cut like brisket or ribs. When a pit master cooks an entire hog—head to tail—the different parts finish at different times and have different textures and fat content. The shoulder is tender and pulls apart; the belly has more fat and chew; the ribs stay firm. When the meat is chopped together after cooking, you get a mix of all those textures and flavors in every bite.

The smoke from the wood fire penetrates the whole animal over many hours, so the meat tastes smoky throughout, not just on the edges. This is the barbecue style that defined the Pee Dee region of South Carolina for generations. Googies & Juna follows that tradition, which means the barbecue you get there tastes like the barbecue people in Hemingway have been eating for decades, not like a modern interpretation of it.

What to order and how the plate comes together

The main order is chopped or sliced pork. Chopped is the traditional choice—the meat is finely minced and mixed with the cooking juices, so it holds together and absorbs sauce evenly. Sliced pork gives you larger pieces and a different texture. Both come with sauce on the side, which at most Pee Dee barbecue restaurants is thin, vinegar-based, and meant to complement rather than mask the smoke flavor.

The sides are where the plate becomes a full meal. Hash and rice—a mixture of pork organ meat, rice, and spices, cooked until it becomes a thick, savory dish—is the traditional pairing with barbecue in this part of South Carolina. Collard greens, cornbread, and sometimes mac and cheese round out the plate. These sides are not afterthoughts; they are part of the barbecue tradition and worth ordering even if you are not sure about them. Many people who grew up eating barbecue this way consider the sides as important as the meat.

Hours, location, and what to know before you go

Googies & Juna is located in Hemingway, which is in Williamsburg County, inland from the coast. The drive from Charleston takes about 40 minutes; from Columbia, about an hour. The restaurant is not in a shopping center or on a major highway, so using GPS or calling ahead for directions is practical. The address and phone number are worth confirming before you leave, because rural restaurants sometimes change hours or close without much notice.

The restaurant typically operates during lunch and dinner hours, but days and times can vary. Calling ahead is the best way to confirm they are open and to ask about any specials or whether they have run out of meat for the day. Whole-hog barbecue restaurants often cook a limited amount each day, and once it sells out, they close the kitchen. Arriving early in the day increases your chances of getting what you want.

Why Hemingway matters in South Carolina barbecue history

Hemingway and the surrounding Pee Dee region have a long history of whole-hog barbecue. The tradition grew out of rural pig farming and the need to use the entire animal. Barbecue restaurants in this area have been family operations for generations, and many still cook the same way their founders did. The style is distinct from the mustard-based barbecue of the Midlands or the lighter vinegar sauces of the coast—Pee Dee barbecue is its own thing.

Visiting Googies & Juna is not just eating barbecue; it is experiencing a regional food tradition that has survived because people in the area still value it and restaurants still cook it the traditional way. This matters because barbecue styles are disappearing as restaurants close or change their methods. Places like Googies & Juna keep the tradition alive by cooking the way they always have.

What to expect in terms of cost and payment

Whole-hog barbecue restaurants in rural South Carolina are typically inexpensive. A plate with meat, two or three sides, and cornbread usually costs between $10 and $15, depending on how much meat you order and which sides you choose. Drinks and dessert are separate. Most rural barbecue restaurants operate on a cash or simple card system; some may not have online ordering or reservations, so showing up ready to order is the normal way to do it.

Pricing can vary based on what is available that day and whether the restaurant is running a special. Calling ahead gives you a chance to ask about current prices and whether they have any particular sides or meat preparations available. Because these restaurants often cook a set amount each day, knowing what to expect helps you plan your order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Googies & Juna a good destination if I am not from South Carolina?

Yes. If you want to understand what whole-hog barbecue tastes like in its original form, this is the kind of place to visit. The food is straightforward, the portions are generous, and the experience is authentic. You do not need to be from the area to appreciate it, though locals will be there, which is usually a good sign.

What is the difference between chopped and sliced pork?

Chopped pork is finely minced and mixed with the cooking juices, so it holds together and tastes consistent throughout. Sliced pork gives you larger pieces and a firmer texture. Both are cooked the same way; the difference is in how it is cut and served. Try chopped if you want the traditional presentation.

Do I need a reservation?

Most rural barbecue restaurants operate on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. Calling ahead to confirm they are open and to ask about wait times is a good idea, especially on weekends. Because they cook a limited amount each day, arriving early increases your chances of getting what you want.

What should I order if I have never had Pee Dee barbecue before?

Order chopped pork with hash and rice and collard greens. This is the traditional plate and gives you the full experience of the regional style. Ask for sauce on the side so you can taste the meat first, then decide how much sauce you want. Cornbread comes with most plates and is worth eating.

How far is Hemingway from major South Carolina cities?

Hemingway is about 40 minutes from Charleston, an hour from Columbia, and about 90 minutes from Myrtle Beach. It is inland and not on the way to most tourist destinations, so visiting requires planning it as a specific trip. Many people combine it with other stops in the Pee Dee region or make it a day trip from Charleston or Columbia.