Moe's Original BBQ in Myrtle Beach — What to Order and What to Expect

What Moe's Original BBQ serves and where to find it

Moe's Original BBQ is a counter-service barbecue restaurant in Myrtle Beach that specializes in slow-smoked meats, sides, and sandwiches. The restaurant sits on North Kings Highway and operates as a casual spot where you order at the counter, grab a table or take your food to go, and eat without table service. The menu centers on brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken smoked over oak and hickory, along with traditional sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread.

Moe's is one of several barbecue restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area, but it stands out for its focus on whole-hog smoking and its willingness to sell meat by the pound rather than forcing you into preset platters. You can build your own meal by choosing your protein, sides, and bread, which makes it easier to share or to eat lighter if you prefer. The space is casual and family-friendly, with a counter where you can watch some of the prep work and a dining area with picnic-style seating.

Key Takeaways

• Moe's sells smoked meats by the pound, so you can order exactly how much brisket or pulled pork you want rather than buying a full platter.
• The restaurant operates as counter service, meaning you order and pay at the front before sitting down to eat.
• Sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and baked beans come in individual portions or by the pound, and cornbread is baked fresh daily.
• Moe's is located on North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach and is open for lunch and dinner most days, though hours vary seasonally.
• The restaurant has limited seating inside but allows takeout, making it a good option if you want to eat at your hotel or a nearby beach access point.

The smoked meats and how they are prepared

Moe's smokes all its meat in-house using oak and hickory wood, a process that takes anywhere from eight to sixteen hours depending on the cut. The brisket is trimmed and seasoned with a dry rub before smoking, and it comes out with a dark bark on the outside and a pink smoke ring just under the surface. The pulled pork is similarly smoked whole, then shredded by hand, and it has a tender, almost buttery texture that falls apart when you bite into it.

Ribs at Moe's are smoked until the meat pulls cleanly from the bone but still holds together when you pick them up. The chicken is brined before smoking, which keeps it moist even after hours over the fire. All the meats are sold by the pound, so a half-pound of brisket costs less than a full pound, and you can mix and match proteins on a single plate. The restaurant does not use a sauce-heavy approach; instead, the smoke flavor and the quality of the meat are meant to stand on their own, though sauce is available on the side if you want it.

Sides, bread, and what to order together

The side dishes at Moe's are made fresh daily and include mac and cheese (creamy and rich), collard greens (cooked with a bit of smoke flavor), baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread. The cornbread is baked in-house and comes out warm; it is slightly sweet and crumbly, and it pairs well with the pulled pork or brisket. You can order sides individually or by the pound, and most people order two or three sides to go with their meat.

A typical order might be a half-pound of brisket, a quarter-pound of pulled pork, mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. The restaurant also sells sandwiches — pulled pork or brisket on a bun — which are good if you want something lighter or easier to eat. Iced tea, lemonade, and soft drinks are available, and the restaurant does not serve alcohol, so it is a good choice if you are traveling with children or prefer not to drink.

Pricing and portion sizes

Moe's prices meat by the pound, and the cost varies depending on what you order. Brisket and ribs tend to be on the higher end, while pulled pork is usually less expensive. A half-pound of meat is usually enough for one person as a main course, especially if you add two sides and cornbread. A full pound of meat can feed two people or one person with a very hearty appetite.

Sides are also priced by the pound or as individual servings, and a pint of mac and cheese or collard greens typically costs between five and eight dollars. Cornbread is usually two to three dollars per piece. If you are feeding a family or a group, you can order a family pack or a catering box, which bundles meat and sides at a slight discount. Prices are posted on the menu board at the counter, and the staff can tell you the exact cost before you commit to an order.

When to go and what to expect in terms of wait times

Moe's is busiest during lunch (around noon to one o'clock) and dinner (around six to seven o'clock), especially on weekends and during the summer season. If you arrive during peak hours, expect a line at the counter and a wait of fifteen to thirty minutes before you get your food. The restaurant moves the line fairly quickly because the staff has the routine down, but the smoking process means the meat is already cooked and ready to portion out.

If you want to avoid a wait, go early in the afternoon (around two or three o'clock) or late evening (after eight o'clock). Weekday lunches are usually less crowded than weekends. The restaurant is open year-round, but hours may shift seasonally, so it is worth checking ahead if you are visiting in the off-season. Takeout orders can be called in ahead of time, which is useful if you want to grab food and eat it elsewhere — at your hotel, a nearby park, or on the beach.

Parking and location details

Moe's Original BBQ is located on North Kings Highway, which is one of the main commercial strips in Myrtle Beach. The restaurant has its own parking lot with space for about fifteen to twenty cars, which is usually adequate except during the busiest times. If the lot is full, street parking is available nearby. The location is about a ten-minute drive from the downtown Myrtle Beach boardwalk and about five minutes from many of the mid-range hotels along Kings Highway.

The restaurant is easy to spot from the road and has clear signage. If you are using GPS or a map app, search for "Moe's Original BBQ Myrtle Beach" and it will take you directly to the address. The neighborhood is commercial and busy, so it is not a scenic destination, but it is convenient if you are staying nearby or passing through on your way to another part of town.

How Moe's compares to other barbecue in the area

Myrtle Beach has several barbecue restaurants, each with a different style and focus. Some places emphasize Carolina-style whole-hog barbecue with a vinegar-based sauce, while others lean toward Texas-style brisket or Memphis-style ribs. Moe's sits somewhere in the middle — it smokes whole animals and sells by the pound like a traditional barbecue joint, but it does not push a particular regional style or sauce philosophy. The meat quality is consistent, and the sides are well-made, which makes it a reliable choice if you are not sure what you are in the mood for.

Compared to chain barbecue restaurants, Moe's is smaller and more local, which usually means fresher meat and more control over the smoking process. Compared to high-end barbecue restaurants in other parts of South Carolina, Moe's is more casual and less expensive, which makes it a good option if you want good barbecue without a long sit-down meal or a big bill. The trade-off is that there is no table service and the dining space is basic, but many people prefer that casual approach when they are on vacation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order Moe's barbecue for a large group or event?

Yes. Moe's offers catering and family packs for groups. You can call ahead to discuss quantities, pricing, and delivery options. The restaurant can provide meat, sides, and cornbread in bulk, and they can often accommodate orders for the same day if you call early enough. Catering orders are usually less expensive per pound than individual orders.

Does Moe's have vegetarian or vegan options?

The menu is meat-focused, but the sides — collard greens, baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread — can be ordered without meat. These sides are substantial enough to make a meal on their own, though the restaurant is designed around barbecue, so the vegetarian options are limited compared to a full-service restaurant.

What are the hours of operation?

Moe's is typically open for lunch and dinner, but hours vary by season. Summer hours are usually longer, and winter hours may be shorter. It is best to call ahead or check the restaurant's website or social media to confirm hours before you visit, especially if you are traveling in the off-season.

Can I eat at Moe's if I have a food allergy?

The staff can tell you what is in each dish and how it is prepared, which is important if you have a serious allergy. However, because everything is cooked in the same kitchen and smoked in the same smoker, there is always a risk of cross-contact. If you have a severe allergy, ask to speak with a manager about preparation and ingredients before you order.

Is there a kids menu?

Moe's does not have a formal kids menu, but you can order smaller portions of any meat and side. A quarter-pound of pulled pork with mac and cheese and cornbread is usually a good size for a child, and it costs less than a full adult portion. The casual, counter-service format also makes it easy to customize an order for a picky eater.