Swig & Swine celebrates 10 years with $10 pork plates this Memorial Day
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
Ten years ago this month, owner Anthony DiBernardo bet on himself and set out to pursue his dream of owning his own restaurant that showcased his love for smoking meat. He teamed up with a couple of experienced Charleston restauranteurs and renovated a former car wash and tire shop along Savannah Highway, turning it into a humble barbecue spot serving everything from pulled pork, ribs, and house-made sausages to smoked turkey, chicken, and brisket.
A few years later, DiBernardo doubled down on his bet and bought out his partners, becoming the sole owner of what was quickly becoming one of the most popular and fastest-growing barbecue restaurants in the Southeast. Southern Living recently named Swig & Swine to its list of the Top 50 BBQ Joints in the South. It was awarded the Legendary BBQ Restaurant of the Year by Certified Angus Beef at their annual conference and DiBernardo himself was named Restaurateur of the Year during the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s 2021 Stars of the Industry awards.
Now, with five locations (not counting a satellite kitchen at Commonhouse Ale Works in Park Circle), DiBernardo has little time to reflect. But late last month, while on a flight to New York City to participate in the 4th Annual Jeff Michner Foundation BBQ Benefit in Queens, the hardworking pitmaster had a moment to share some of his thoughts on the wild ride that has been the last decade.
“Never in a million years did I think it would turn out this way,” he said about the success Swig & Swine has seen in recent years. Already in 2024, DiBernardo has opened new restaurants in Myrtle Beach and Monks Corner to go along with existing ones in Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, and the original spot in West Ashley, which will always hold a special place in his heart.
“The O.G. will always be the place I slept on a cot for months and the one where my parents told me how proud they were of me. So yeah, it will always hold a special place,” said DiBernardo, who also lives in West Ashley and, where he presumedly sleeps in an actual bed. But with how busy he stays, it’s a wonder he has time to sleep at all. Beyond opening and running five restaurants while balancing family life, DiBernardo is also devoted to giving back. His recent trip to New York was to raise money for the family of a fallen brother in BBQ who died young, leaving behind a wife and child. Locally, he helped launch the hugely popular Holy Smokes BBQ Fest, which raises money for Hogs for the Cause to help families affected by pediatric brain cancer. Swig & Swine has also helped raise funds for Surfers Healing, Camp Happy Days, Toys For Tots, Ronald McDonald House, Charleston County schools, and many, many more organizations and causes.
For DiBernardo, giving back is just part of the recipe for success, along with hospitality and making darn good barbecue.
“I firmly believe the basis of our success has been our commitment to genuine hospitality and our commitment to our communities,” he said.
Before getting into the restaurant game, DiBernardo cooked aboard a nuclear submarine in the U.S. Navy. So it’s only appropriate that Swig & Swine celebrate it’s 10 year anniversary on Memorial Day. On Monday, May 27, Swig & Swine is offering $10 pork plates all day to commemorate 10 years in business.”
While the brand continues to grow and find success, it doesn’t mean it has always been easy. Like many restaurants across the country, COVID-19 hit Swig & Swine hard. But DiBernardo and his team pushed through and came out the other side stronger than ever.
“Walking away was never an option,” said the former submariner-turned-restauranteur. “The commitment I feel to our now 170-plus team members to continue pushing the brand to be the best it’s ever been keeps me in the game. Being able to support my family and providing a means for others to support theirs is still the one thing that means the most to me.
So, what will the next 10 years look like for Swig & Swine? If the last decade was any indication, then betting on Swig & Swine and DiBernardo is probably a smart move.
DiBernardo remains humble about what he’s accomplished and hopeful about what’s ahead. “I hope the next 10 years will be full of happy guests and team members.”
