Jerry and Amber Coker are bringing their passion for barbecue and love for community together with the opening of the second location of their restaurant, The Twisted Pig, in Summerton on Oct. 4. The couple, who previously operated a successful food trailer and a restaurant in Lugoff, are excited to expand their business to Jerry’s hometown.
“I’m originally from Summerton, and that’s why we chose it for the second location,” said Jerry Coker. “Summerton is a special little town, and I’d like to draw people here to see it. It’s an old town, but it’s special, and I want to share that with others.”
The Twisted Pig started as a food trailer after Jerry had a life-changing heart attack in December 2021. With Amber’s full support, Jerry decided to follow his passion for cooking and barbecue, something he had always loved. “After the heart attack, I was like, ‘Let’s just do this,’” Jerry said. “Amber was right there with me, saying, ‘I got your back.’”
Jerry’s approach to barbecue is more than just about food; it’s about bringing people together. “Everybody’s got their favorite barbecue, and that’s okay,” he said. “But the biggest thing for us is trying to bring people together as a community and offer them a place to be.”
The Cokers hope The Twisted Pig will not only draw locals but also attract visitors from surrounding areas. “I want people from all over to come and see what Summerton is about,” Jerry said. “I’d love to see other businesses grow, too. We want to be part of making Main Street better.”
The new location will feature brisket and ribs, items not commonly found in the area, and an all-you-can-eat buffet. “We’ll also have our ultimate cheeseburger, which stands out because it’s topped with pulled pork barbecue,” said Amber. Their young daughter, Andi Layne, occasionally helps out by waiting tables, making the restaurant a true family business.
The Twisted Pig’s grand opening will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, with hours of operation from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The couple is excited about the future of their growing business. “We’re still hands-on right now,” Jerry said. “But we’re looking for a chef, a manager—people who can help us grow this thing out even more. We have dreams of expanding, maybe opening in Sumter next, but for now, we’re focused on Summerton.”
Ultimately, for Jerry and Amber, The Twisted Pig is about more than just barbecue; it’s about creating a space for the community to come together. “That’s really what barbecue is about—bringing people together,” said Jerry. “We just want to make people happy and give them a place to enjoy good food with good company.”
Summerton residents and barbecue lovers alike are sure to be drawn in by the Cokers’ vision and commitment to both their craft and their community.
