Stanton's Barbecue & Fish Camp: Low Country Cooking in Goose Creek

What You'll Find at Stanton's

Stanton's Barbecue & Fish Camp sits in Goose Creek, about 20 minutes north of Charleston, and serves the kind of food that defines the Lowcountry—whole hog barbecue, fried fish, shrimp, and sides that taste like someone's grandmother spent all day cooking. The restaurant is casual and unpretentious, with picnic tables inside and out, and the menu reads like a working person's dinner: pulled pork by the pound, ribs, fried catfish, deviled crab, and hushpuppies that come in a basket.

The barbecue is smoked on-site, and the smoke itself tells you something is happening in the kitchen. Stanton's has been operating since the 1980s and has built a reputation among people who know the difference between barbecue that's been sitting under heat lamps and barbecue that came off the pit that morning. The fish and seafood are fried to order, not pre-breaded and frozen, which means your meal takes a few minutes longer but tastes like it came from a dock, not a distributor.

Key Takeaways

• Stanton's smokes whole hog barbecue on-site and serves it by the pound alongside traditional Lowcountry sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread.
• The restaurant offers fried fish, shrimp, and deviled crab prepared fresh to order, not pre-cooked, so expect a short wait during busy times.
• The setting is casual—picnic tables, no table service, order at the counter—which keeps prices reasonable and the atmosphere relaxed.
• Stanton's is located in Goose Creek, a 20-minute drive north of downtown Charleston, making it a destination rather than a casual stop.

The Barbecue and Meat Offerings

The pulled pork is the anchor of the menu. It comes tender enough to fall apart with a fork, with a smoke ring that shows it spent real time in the pit. You can order it by the half pound or full pound, and it comes with your choice of two sides. The ribs are meaty and fall off the bone without being mushy, and the brisket, when available, has the kind of bark that comes from hours of smoke and careful temperature management.

Stanton's also serves chicken—both halves and quarters—smoked the same way as the pork. The meat stays moist because it's not overcooked, and the skin picks up enough smoke to taste like it belongs on a barbecue menu, not a rotisserie. Sauce is available on the side, but most people who know barbecue eat it plain to taste the smoke and the meat itself.

Fish, Shrimp, and Seafood

The fried fish comes as catfish, flounder, or whiting, depending on what's fresh. Each piece is hand-breaded and fried in cast iron, which gives it a crust that cracks when you bite into it and stays crispy even after it cools slightly. The fish is mild and flaky, and the breading doesn't overwhelm it—a sign that the kitchen respects the ingredient.

The fried shrimp are whole and substantial, not the tiny frozen kind that disappear in your mouth. The deviled crab is a Lowcountry specialty: crab meat mixed with spices and breadcrumbs, formed into a cake, and fried until golden. It's rich and briny and tastes like the coast. All the seafood comes with hushpuppies, which are fried cornmeal balls that are slightly sweet and crispy outside, soft inside.

Sides and What to Order Them With

The sides at Stanton's are not afterthoughts. The collard greens are cooked with enough seasoning that they taste like something, not like boiled leaves. The mac and cheese is creamy and made with real cheese, not a powder packet. The red rice—a Lowcountry staple—has tomato and sausage cooked into it and tastes like it came from a family recipe that's been made the same way for decades.

Cornbread comes in a cast-iron skillet and is buttery and slightly sweet. The french fries are hand-cut and fried crispy. Most people order two sides with their meat, and the combination matters: barbecue with collards and mac and cheese is a classic pairing, while fried fish goes well with red rice and hushpuppies. The portions are generous enough that two people can share an entree and two sides and leave satisfied.

Pricing and What to Expect

Stanton's is affordable. A half pound of pulled pork with two sides runs less than $15. A plate of fried fish or shrimp with two sides is in the same range. Ribs cost a bit more, and whole hog barbecue by the pound is priced by weight. Drinks are cold and simple—sweet tea, unsweet tea, lemonade, and soft drinks. There's no alcohol license, so bring nothing or plan to drink what they serve.

The restaurant operates on a cash-and-carry model for most orders, though they do take cards. You order at the counter, pay, and find a seat. During lunch on weekdays, the line moves quickly. On weekends and around dinner time, expect a wait, especially on Saturdays. The food is worth the wait, but plan accordingly if you're on a schedule.

Location and Hours

Stanton's is located at 3656 Highway 17 in Goose Creek, which is north of Charleston proper. If you're staying downtown, it's a 20-minute drive, so it's a destination meal rather than something you stumble into. The drive itself is worth it if you're interested in real Lowcountry barbecue and seafood, and Goose Creek itself has other attractions—the Goose Creek Swamp offers kayaking and nature walks if you want to make an afternoon of it.

Hours vary by season and day, so call ahead or check their social media before you go. The restaurant is closed some Mondays and Tuesdays, and holiday hours change. It's the kind of place that operates on its own schedule, which is part of its charm but means you should confirm before making the drive.

Why Stanton's Matters in the Lowcountry Food Scene

Stanton's represents a kind of restaurant that's becoming rarer: a place that does one thing—barbecue and fried fish—and does it well, without trying to be trendy or appeal to every palate. The food is cooked the way it's been cooked for generations in the Lowcountry, and the restaurant doesn't apologize for that or try to reinvent it. The smoke comes from real wood, the fish is fried fresh, and the sides taste like they were made by someone who knows how to cook.

In a region where Charleston's restaurant scene has become increasingly refined and expensive, Stanton's remains unpretentious and accessible. It's the kind of place where construction workers, families, and people driving through stop to eat, and everyone leaves satisfied. That consistency and respect for the food itself is what keeps people coming back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a reservation?

No. Stanton's operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You order at the counter and find a seat. During busy times—Saturday afternoons and dinner hours—expect a wait, but the line usually moves steadily.

Can I get barbecue by the pound to take home?

Yes. You can order pulled pork, ribs, brisket, or chicken by the pound and take it with you. Call ahead if you want a large quantity so they can set it aside for you.

Are there vegetarian options?

The menu is meat-focused, but you can order sides separately—collard greens, mac and cheese, red rice, cornbread, and french fries. It's not a full meal, but it's an option if you're dining with a group.

Is the restaurant family-friendly?

Yes. It's casual, loud, and full of families, especially on weekends. Kids do well here because the food is straightforward and the atmosphere is relaxed. High chairs are available.

What's the best time to go if I want to avoid a wait?

Weekday lunches, especially Tuesday through Thursday, are usually quieter than weekends. If you go on a Saturday, aim for early afternoon or late evening to miss the dinner rush.