Main Course Food Truck: Barbecue and Southern Comfort Food in Charleston

What Main Course Food Truck Serves

Main Course Food Truck operates in the Charleston area as a mobile smokehouse, serving barbecue and Southern comfort food from a converted truck. The menu centers on smoked meats—brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken—along with traditional sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and baked beans. Sandwiches and platters make up the core offerings, with daily specials that rotate based on what's been smoked that day.

The truck sources its meats fresh and smokes them on-site using traditional methods. Unlike a fixed restaurant, Main Course operates from different locations around Charleston on different days, so you'll need to track their schedule before heading out. The food is served casual-style—order at the window, eat at picnic tables if available, or take it with you.

Key Takeaways

• Main Course serves smoked barbecue and Southern sides from a food truck that moves to different Charleston-area locations throughout the week.
• The menu focuses on smoked meats sold as sandwiches and platters, with traditional sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and baked beans.
• You can find their current location and daily schedule on their social media pages or by calling ahead to confirm they're operating that day.
• Prices are typically lower than sit-down smokehouse restaurants, and the casual setup makes it a good option for lunch or casual dinner.

Finding the Truck's Current Location

Main Course doesn't operate from a single fixed address. Instead, the truck parks at different spots around Charleston—parking lots, street corners, and event venues—on a rotating schedule. Your best bet is to check their social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram are the most reliable) or call their phone number directly to find out where they'll be on the day you want to go.

Many food trucks post their location the night before or the morning of operation, so checking early in the day gives you the most current information. Some regular customers follow their schedule closely enough to know the pattern—for example, certain locations on certain days of the week—but that can change seasonally or with special events.

What to Expect When You Order

Service at a food truck is faster than a restaurant but not instant. You'll order at the window and pay there, then either wait for your food or step aside while they prepare it. Depending on how busy they are and what you order, you might wait anywhere from five to twenty minutes. Peak lunch hours (around noon to 1 p.m.) and dinner hours (around 5:30 to 7 p.m.) tend to draw lines.

Most food trucks don't have indoor seating, so you'll eat at picnic tables nearby if they're available, or take your food with you. Bring cash or confirm they take cards before you order—not all trucks accept both payment methods. Portions are generous, and the food comes hot and ready to eat.

Barbecue Sandwiches and Platters

The pulled pork sandwich is a standard order—tender, smoky meat piled on a bun, often with coleslaw and sauce on the side. Brisket sandwiches showcase the meat's texture and flavor, while rib platters come with multiple bones and your choice of two or three sides. Smoked chicken is leaner and milder than the pork or beef, making it a lighter option if you want something less rich.

Platters come with cornbread and your choice of sides. The mac and cheese is creamy and rich, collard greens are cooked Southern-style with a savory depth, and baked beans have a slight sweetness. Cornbread is buttery and crumbly. These sides are what make the meal feel like authentic Low Country barbecue rather than generic smoked meat.

Pricing and Value

Food truck prices are generally lower than sit-down smokehouse restaurants. A pulled pork or brisket sandwich typically costs less than fifteen dollars, while a full platter with meat and two or three sides runs between fifteen and twenty dollars. Sides ordered separately are usually three to five dollars each. These prices reflect the lower overhead of a mobile operation compared to a restaurant with rent, utilities, and a full staff.

The portions are substantial enough that many people find a sandwich and one side filling, or split a platter between two people. If you're feeding a group, calling ahead to ask about bulk orders or catering options is worth trying—some food trucks will prepare larger quantities if you give them notice.

When Main Course Fits Into Your Day

Main Course works best for lunch or casual dinner when you don't need table service or a full restaurant experience. The food is ready quickly enough for a work lunch break if you know where the truck will be. For dinner, it's a good option on nights when you want barbecue but don't want to commit to a sit-down meal or spend more money.

The truck also appears at local events, festivals, and markets around Charleston, so you might encounter it while you're already out doing something else. Following their social media makes it easy to spot when they'll be at a venue you're planning to visit anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out where Main Course will be tomorrow?

Check their Facebook or Instagram page first—most food trucks post their location the night before or early morning. If their social media isn't updated, call their phone number directly. They can tell you exactly where they'll be parked and what time they open.

Can I order ahead or do I have to wait in line?

Most food trucks operate on a first-come, first-served basis and don't take phone orders. However, it's worth calling to ask—some will hold food if you're running late, or let you know how long the current line is so you can time your arrival.

Do they take card payments or only cash?

Payment methods vary by truck and can change. Call ahead or check their social media to confirm whether they accept cards, or bring cash to be safe. Many food trucks have moved to accepting both, but it's better to know before you order.

Are there vegetarian options?

Main Course is a barbecue truck focused on smoked meats, so vegetarian options are limited. Sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and baked beans can be ordered separately, but the menu is built around meat. If you're vegetarian, this may not be the best fit.

Can I order for a group or event?

Some food trucks offer catering or bulk orders if you call ahead with enough notice. Contact them directly to ask about feeding a group—they may be able to prepare a larger quantity or meet you at a specific location for an event.