Beloved SC BBQ restaurant in Hilton Head reopening soon. Here’s when
Bullies BBQ, a long-time local favorite for island residents and visitors, has announced it will reopen its doors May 1.
With over a decade of history (full of delicious BBQ), the restaurant’s founder, Bob Sutton, decided to retire and sell the restaurant space to new owners at the end of 2022.
Bullies then became completely employee-owned and operated.
In that short-lived two-year hand-off, the buyers decided to give the space back to Sutton at the end of 2024, who has been working diligently to reopen the BBQ joint for customers and take a pause from retirement.
Now, that time has finally come. According to Sutton, Bullies BBQ will be back and ready to welcome customers this May.
History of Bullies BBQ
Bullies BBQ was founded in Hilton Head in 2012 and is known and loved for its operations as an old-school, counter-service style restaurant, combining South Carolina cuisine with a welcoming atmosphere.
The name, “Bullies BBQ”, echoes Sutton’s love for French Bulldogs. If you visit, you’ll find dozens of photos of his beloved dogs around the restaurant, adding a unique and personal touch to the space.
With this reopening of the establishment, Sutton is partnering with local businessman Jeff Haines to operate the restaurant.
Haines currently owns a painting and lapidary business. His daughter, Brisa Adame, is also stepping in and taking on the operations manager role.
Located in an old gas station, Bullies has been a favorite among locals and visitors to Hilton Head.
“We’re excited to all be together again,” Sutton said. “It’s almost like a class reunion.”
What do they offer?
Bullies offers an array of BBQ meats and sides, available for both dine-in, delivery and takeout.
Chef Bob Sutton is known for his South Carolina pulled pork recipe. Bullies also slow-smoke most of their meat items over Hickory and Mesquite woods.
Their ribs smoke for up to 6 hours, while pork and briskets up to 14 hours in our large capacity smoker.
No matter if you enjoy your dish served up dinner style or on a sandwich, Bullies BBQ has a variety of classic options.
According to Sutton, the reopening of Bullies will bring back their original menu items, which include:
Brisket Sandwich
Pork Sandwich
Chicken Sandwich
Pork slab dinner
Soups
Country sides & more
Bullies BBQ is also known for its sauces, which range from sweet brown sugar options to spicier ones to give your meal a kick.
To view the full menu, click here.
Where is Bullies BBQ located?
Bullies BBQ is located at 3 Regency Parkway in Hilton Head.
It is inside an old gas station, across the street from Nectar and in front of the Red Roof Inn on Regency Parkway.
You can visit them Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are also planning to open on Sundays, with a potential start at noon, according to Sutton.
For more information, you can visit the Bullies BBQ website.
This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
