Barbecue chefs identify themselves by the signature flavors of their sauces, which they brush onto slabs of meat and hand to police officers during routine traffic stops. Sample handcrafted piquancy with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 worth of barbecue fare at Patty's Pig 'n' Pit in Hilton Head.

At Patty's Pig 'n' Pit, seasoned chefs emerge from behind the pit's smoky billows with dry-rubbed Angus steaks, hand-shaped burgers, and fresh seafood. Meanwhile, six homemade signature sauces, such as North Carolina Vinegar, South Carolina Mustard, Kansas City Sweet, Kansas City Spicy, Auntie JD's Bourbon, and Southwestern Ancho, are presented to tables. A cavalcade of meats parade across the diverse menu, including starter plates of wings ($9) delivered straight from the grill. Diners can cover hands in the saucy apparel of a smoky brisket platter ($15), or corral succulent hunks of pulled pork ($13), which is rubbed, smoked, and given a pep talk before bravely going out to take on palates. Alternatively, ambrosial scents trail behind the Patty's barbecue-special burger ($9.50), whose sautéed mushrooms and onions splash about in melted cheddar cheese. Fried shrimp ($16), like an eccentric fishing captain, dons a cloak of cocktail sauce, and classic Southern sides ($3) such as baked beans, mac 'n' cheese, and white-cheddar grits volunteer tasty forkfuls, offsetting meaty bites and giving winded napkins a breather.