Owner Has Re-purposed Location Into Restaurant Focusing on Smoked Meats, Oysters, & Great Adult Beverages

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer / Restaurant Review

After several years of offering up a variety of seafood entrees and oysters, Blu Oyster on Johns Island pivoted recently, reopening as Blu Smoke Pit an upscale BBQ sports bar located at 1804 Crowne Commons Way on Maybank Hwy. But seafood lovers don't lose heart, because Blu still serves up oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller, and chargrilled oysters for guests who crave their signature shellfish items. 

Owned and operated by Rick Agius of Black Sheep Hospitality in Charleston, Blu Smoke Pit joins his popular food and beverage group that includes Garage 75 (1175 Folly Road James Island) and Zeppelin Pizza Co. (2817 Maybank Hwy Johns Island), giving Agius three very unique eateries wrapped around a sports bar concept.

Featuring 24 big screen TVs, an oversized covered patio, and two bar areas, Blu Smoke Pit is a welcoming oasis for lunch and dinner, serving up your favorite starters, handhelds, and wings alongside a half dozen preferred smoked meat entrees that come complete with two sides, pickled onions, pickles, and bread.

Furthermore, having formerly operated Smoky Oak Taproom for 13 years on James Island before it closed during COVID, Agius and his qualified pit-masters know a few things about smoked meats. Enjoy a full pound of moist and seasoned chopped or sliced brisket for just $23. For the same money you can savor a 1/2 rack of fall off the bone ribs with all the fixings.

Stealing a famous quote from the Colonel, Blu Smoke Pit's smoked meats as well as their smoked wings, sliced turkey, and house made sausages are 'finger licking good', especially when paired with any of their three sauces (white, mustard, & mild red).

Their sides are more reminiscent of an old school barbecue joint or a backyard family reunion picnic. All 10 ideally complement the main entrees. Blu Smoke Pit's Mac & Cheese is the cheesiest (pun intended). And I would never say no to their seasoned Brussel Sprouts (all the current rage), collard greens, or their succulent blend of brisket & beans. Safe to say, these guys know BBQ!

Maybe you're just coming in to watch the game with your besties. Whether you prefer to dine on a few pop in your mouth delectables or a heartier handheld, seven seems to be the magic number when it comes to appetizers and sandwiches. Among the appetizers that go great with a cold beer are Blu Smoke Pit's Potato Skins blanketed under cheddar, bacon, green onion, and a slather of bbq sauce. Dip them in sour cream or blue cheese dressing for an extra measure of 'yum yum'. 

I can personally vouch for their lightly battered Fried Mushrooms, brought out with their homemade horsey sauce. You can't say 'nay' (pun intended) to that! Want something warm and salty, I suggest the oversized Giant Bavarian Pretzel. Baked golden brown, soft & chewy pull apart morsels that are further enhanced by dunking them in either the accompanying beer cheese or slightly spicy grain mustard. If you want to go a bit more high-brow in this laid back upscale sports bar, maybe opt for their Spinach & Artichoke Dip that comes warm with fried pita chips.

The sandwiches have what is best described as an all-American feel with a hint of smokiness for an added kick, and all come with fries. Their 'All You Need' is a juicy half pound all beef smoked burger drooling with American cheese, with or without bacon. One of their fast favs has become the Wicked Caesar Wrap, an ample blend of smoked turkey, bacon, and crisp romaine lettuce swirled in Caesar dressing in a folded wrap. Big time delicious and refreshing! 

Blu Smoke Pit's Brisket Philly is their take on the traditional cheesesteak, substituting smoked brisket, caramelized onions & mushrooms on a fresh hoagie topped with provolone before being drizzled in horsey sauce. Let's just call this the 'new Charleston cheesesteak'. Totally awesome baby!

Go ahead, bring in the whole family, especially if you're all meat eaters. Blu Smoke Pit offer up two family style platters, aka the Carnivore Code and the Carnivore Euphoria each serving 3-4 and 5-6 respectively. Platters teeming with brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and turkey, as well as two or three pints of sides. Feed your crew for about $16 per person, and you're damn well eating good in the Crowne Commons neighborhood! 

You couldn't have an upscale BBQ sports bar without an eclectic array of potent potables. Blu Smoke Pit pour up a dozen signature cocktails including the tempting Daisy Duke, a blend of Gosling Dark Rum, grenadine, and Dr. Pepper for an additional 23 flavors, among them cherry, licorice, and vanilla. Ooh la la!. 

Want something truly effervescent and countrified then order a Butcher Holler, a straight up Kentucky Rye mixed with sparkling cider and ginger beer. A great adult sipping drink. Of course there's always the Smoky Dog, Dirty Midnight Martini or Bloody Pitmaster that all begin with a punch of Tito's Vodka.

Blu Smoke Pit carry a dozen ice cold brews on tap including a local favorite from Two Blokes (Mt. Pleasant) as well as a chilled Silver Gate prosecco. Another dozen plus beers in bottles and cans, with Park Circle Pale Ale from Commonhouse Brewery over in North Charleston and Bed of Nails (a traditional traditional English brown) out of Asheville. Overall, a good mix of lagers, IPAs, ambers, and the lone Guinness Stout.

While it's not extensive Blu Smoke Pit offer up choice wines from California and Europe that might entice fruit of the vine lovers. Eight selections currently (4 white & 3 red), as well as a very subtle Miraval Studio Rosé from the Côtes de Provence region of France. Whether you enjoy by the glass or bottle, you won't be disappointed in their list of wines.

Doubling in population in just over a decade, roughly 28K people live on Johns Island, where the average individual income is 90K. Drive along River Road and Maybank Hwy and you'll discover new housing communities, alongside business parks, and other assorted professional businesses, with the dozen of more shops in Crowne Commons becoming somewhat the center point in Johns Island.

Why do I say this. Johns Island is growing. The demographic for professionals aged 25-54 is booming, and they need places like Blu Smoke Pit to unwind, enjoy good food and drink, meet up with friends, watch the latest sports and more. Blu Smoke Pit is modern, yet very unassuming. It projects a very welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you live or work on Johns Island, or just visiting, and are looking for a comfortable and safe environment to have lunch or dinner, maybe catch the game while throwing back a beer or two, then I highly recommend Blu Smoke Pit. Although they specialize in smoked meats and bar fare, they offer up enough variety to satisfy a wide range of tastes.

Open 11am until 10pm every day of the week. Blu Smoke Pit host happy hour 3-6pm weekdays, with drink specials and half off oysters. During the work week they host trivia night, as well as 1/2 off wine and oysters on Wednesday night. What's not to like about Blu Smoke Pit. Stop in for lunch, pop in on the way home from work, or maybe enjoy dinner or the game on the weekend. 

If a 1950's era Cadillac is parked on the left at the host station when you walk in the door, then you are in the right place. Just a nod to a simpler time in America, and one of a few decorative icons placed around the restaurant. Lots of good reasons to visit Blu Smoke Pit, but once you taste the food and experience the sports bar vibe, they'll be on your radar on a regular basis. Hell yes they can host large parties and provide catering. Start your culinary journey at https://blusmokepit.com/