The history of the South Carolina Dukes BBQ empire

Image by TheDigitel A simple pate of 'que and side at the Dukes in Ridgeville.

If you're even a passing fan of BBQ in South Carolina, you'll have at some pointed noticed a Dukes BBQ.

And if you've been to more than one of the dozen or spots that carry the name, you'll likely have wondered: What's the deal with the not-so-chainy chain?

Well, over at theĀ Charleston City Paper, Robert Moss has a nice profile of the regional family BBQ empire, whose roots date back to the 19th century - and is still actively growing (and occasionally dying out) today.

Read that report here.