Living in South Carolina, you eat barbecue with the people who know the most about it and have the longest history of preparing it. We're talking authentic barbecue — good, tender, juicy, smoke-filled pieces of meat, prepared on pits that can each cook up to 2,300 pounds at a time, smothered in your choice of four different sauces: mustard, vinegar and pepper, light tomato and heavy tomato. The sauces are sometimes mopped on during the cooking process or can be served on the side, a subject of much debate among barbecue pit-masters.

Sauces are like religion, politics and college sports in the South; everyone has a stated and unbreakable opinion. It's the sauce that determines what kind of barbecue you're eating in the Palmetto State. When we say "barbecue" around here, we're always talking about pork. Beef, chicken and other critters can be barbecued, grilled or cooked with or without sauce, but only pork – most often pulled pork cooked in a smoky pit – is barbecue.

More often than not, South Carolina barbecue restaurants are a family affair. Some are second- and third-generation owned, others are named in memory of family members or built as the realization of a parent's dream. The stories behind South Carolina's barbecue restaurants are nearly as flavorful as the food itself. Folks come to South Carolina's barbecue restaurants for more than just a meal, but a true Southern experience.

Here are seven surefire ways to taste true barbecue in Upstate South Carolina; all you have to do is make your way to the table.

Little Pigs BBQ

One can never say you don't get enough food at Little Pigs. They serve heaping helpings of delicious meat, cooked to the point of tenderness when it falls off the bone, either shredded or chopped and served with or without the buns.

1401 N. Main St., Anderson, SC; 864-226-7388

261 Market St., Seneca, SC; 864-885-1133

Heavenly Hogs BBQ

Appropriately named for the heavenly flavor of the pulled pork and ribs, served alongside options like chicken strips and burgers to satisfy any palate.

1328 S. Walnut St., Seneca, SC; 864-710-4394

Brasstown Creek Gathering Place BBQ

The simple fact is that people LOVE Brasstown Creek Gathering Place BBQ. There are good restaurants, homey restaurants, and then there are places like this one, where owners and family pour their heart and soul into the entire operation. Great BBQ in a beautiful, family-friendly setting.

275 Brasstown Rd., Westminster, SC; 864-647-2458

The Smokin’ Pig

The Smokin' Pig Restaurants have four very unique locations in Pendleton, Easley, Anderson and Williamston, each featuring a menu of barbecued ribs, brisket and pork platters in a shack-like atmosphere.

The walls and thick wooden tables are scribed with thousands of signatures of who was there last; like scribbles of namesakes of who someone loved back in high school.

6630 Clemson Blvd., Pendleton, SC; 864-646-5150

701 S. Pendleton St., Easley, SC; 864-442-5074

1696 Evergreen Rd., Anderson, SC; 864-841-2323

720 Anderson Dr., Williamston, SC; 864-841-2323

The Pompous Pig

Fine meats smoked to loving perfection; sides prepared like Momma used to make; sauces are the real deal, especially the mustard sauce; Southern sweet tea like it’s supposed to be made; and outstanding service by staff.

3320 N. Main St., Anderson, SC; 864-231-7447

Creekside Bar-Be-Que

The dishes are overflowing with flavor. Bring a healthy appetite – just for the sides. The portions could be a meal in itself. This is a true BBQ restaurant. The smoker outback is always working hard.

1115 Salem Church Rd., Anderson, SC; 864-260-9093

Circle M Barbecue

At Circle M BBQ in Liberty, pit-master Marion Martin, the Picasso of Pork, smokes whole pigs, only using hickory wood coals in the 12- to 24-hour cooking process. This pit BBQ brings to the table a taste unlike any other. In addition to the hand-pulled BBQ pork, they offer smoked ribs and chicken.

345 Martin Sausage Rd., Liberty, SC; 864-375-9133