North Carolina is a captivating tourist destination all year round thanks to its multitude of landscapes, historic sights, and prosperous art scene. It is also remembered for is its mouthwatering barbecue, which has been a big part of the state’s history. Over a hundred years, two distinct types of barbecue preparation have been developed in the state. These are the Eastern and Western styles. The difference between them depends on how the pork is cut and what type of sauce poured on top. Eastern style makes use of a whole pig that is slow-cooked, chopped, and highlighted with a thin vinegar sauce. Western or Lexington style only uses a pork shoulder that is slow-cooked, pulled, and drizzled with a barbecue sauce incorporated with ketchup. Find out which of the two styles suit your tastebuds when you visit the best BBQ joints in North Carolina, USA.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Midwood Smokehouse - Plaza Midwood, Charlotte
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
There are picnics and there are picnics. Which one do you want when it comes time to watch some football? #WeSmokeTheGoodStuff
Posted by Midwood Smokehouse on Saturday, September 1, 2018
This lively barbecue restaurant sports a roadhouse-style setting that serves regional specialties along with a wide range of sauces and meats. Their cooking preparation is mainly inspired by the traditions of both Texas and Carolina. Try their bacon-wrapped jalapenos, which is one of their best-sellers, and their banana pudding for dessert. Midwood Smokehouse also sells a bottle of specialty rubs and sauces.
Midwood Smokehouse
Address: 1401 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205, United States
Website: Midwood Smokehouse - Plaza Midwood, Charlotte
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 11am - 9pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 10pm
2. Lexington Barbecue - Lexington
Established back in 1962, Lexington Barbecue soon rose to legendary status amongst barbecue restaurants in the whole of North Carolina. Known domestically as “Lexington’s number 1”, the restaurant is famous for its incomparable pit-cooked barbecue and tasty sandwiches. They employ their very own Lexington-style preparation, where they make use of pork shoulders and slow-cook it for about half a day over hickory and oak coals. Their special barbecue sauce is enriched with tomato ketchup that imparts a sugary-sweet taste in every bite.
Lexington Barbecue
Address: 100 Smokehouse Lane, Lexington, NC 27295, United States
Website: Lexington Barbecue
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm (closed on Sun)
3. Buxton Hall Barbecue - Asheville
Buxton Hall Barbecue features the Eastern-style of North Carolina barbecue. They smoke a whole-hog for 18 hours over hardwood while incorporating vinegar in their preparation, which brings out its juicy and luscious flavors. The restaurant also has a selection of Southern favorites such as the pit-smoked chicken and catfish. Accompany your food with a choice of cocktail selections and have a very pleasant dining experience.
Buxton Hall Barbecue
Address: 32 Banks Ave., Asheville, NC 28801, United States
Website: Buxton Hall Barbecue
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 8pm; Fri - Sun: 11:30am - 9pm; Sun: 11:30am - 8pm (closed on Mon)
4. The Redneck BBQ Lab - Benson
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Practice what you preach...#EatMoreRibs #MyHotTexasMessSawse #CompRedandGrandChampionBlend #BBQ #Smoked #NCBBQ
Posted by The Redneck BBQ Lab on Friday, February 19, 2021
Enjoy a bite of the traditional North Carolina barbecue you know and love but mingled with the twist of modern science. This restaurant is known not only for its reasonably priced and delightful meals but also for its courteous personnel. The cooks prepare the food every single day by trimming and seasoning all of the meat by hand. Even their cornbread is baked from scratch every morning. A bottle of their distinct barbecue sauce is also available for sale. The restaurant is available for dine-in, to-go, delivery, and catering services.
The Redneck BBQ Lab
Address: 12101-B NC Hwy 210, Benson, NC 27594, United States
Website: The Redneck BBQ Lab
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 8pm
5. City Barbeque and Catering - Kildaire Farm Road, Cary
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Originally a doughnut shop transformed into a barbecue joint in Ohio, City Barbeque has since then blossomed into the successful smokehouse chain it is today. They can now be found in about 41 other locations, all of which are open for dine-in, delivery, and catering services. Until today, the establishment makes use of the traditional recipe and techniques it has employed since its conception. It certainly stood the test of time since hungry customers still flock to their restaurants for a bite of their classic barbecue. Try their LoLo’s Pulled Pork sandwich, which is pork meat marinated in Swine Wine and drizzled with creamy slaw.
City Barbeque and Catering
Address: 1305 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511, United States
Website: City Barbeque and Catering
Opening hours: Sun: 11am - 8pm; Mon - Thu: 11am - 8:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm
6. Mission BBQ - Jacksonville
Experience the authentic American barbecue experience when you dine at Mission BBQ. Their founders, Bill and Steve, journeyed across different states to research the diverse styles each area employs in preparing barbecue. Since then, they have perfected their very own brand of American barbecue by incorporating all that they have learned from every region. Have a sample of their succulent, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork that is perfect with cornbread and your choice of sides. Their cheesy potatoes and mac and cheese are also greatly recommended.
Mission BBQ
Address: 1638 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546, United States
Website: Mission BBQ
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11:30am - 8pm
7. The Original Q Shack - Durham
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
HUGE thanks for voting us best BBQ in Durham! We are so grateful for your continued support. Don’t forget to pre-order...
Posted by The Original Q Shack on Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Do you fancy a hearty brunch or a filling dinner? Then The Original Q Shack is the one for you. They serve North Carolina’s Western-style and Texas-style barbecue that includes a wide variety of sides and snack bites. Try their fork-tender beef brisket— its aroma alone is enough to convince you to order seconds ahead of eating. A selection of sauces accompanies the meat, which gives the customer the option to adjust the tanginess of their food. Enjoy your meal inside the establishment or on the array of picnic tables set up outside.
The Original Q Shack
Address: 2510 University Dr, Durham, NC 27707, United States
Website: The Original Q Shack
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
8. The Pit Durham - Durham
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Today is #NationalBarbecueDay and we're celebrating the only way we know how: whole-hog and pit-cooked. Come join the party!
Posted by The Pit Authentic Barbecue in Durham on Thursday, May 16, 2019
The Pit Durham is a must-try restaurant that serves the signature dish of the state, the authentic North Carolina barbecue. The meat they use is traditionally prepared using a whole hog that is cooked in a pit over charcoal and wood. They serve both the Eastern and Western-style North Carolina barbecue, which comes with a choice of two side dishes per order. The restaurant also has an extended menu of Texas-style brisket, ribs, turkey, chicken, and their special barbecue tofu.
The Pit Durham
Address: 321 W Geer St Durham, NC 27701, United States
Website: The Pit Durham
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
9. Haywood Smokehouse - Dillsboro
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Haywood Smokehouse - Dillsboro on Monday, October 1, 2018
Have a remarkable barbecue dining experience when you dine at Haywood Smokehouse. They remain faithful to the idea that great meat should stand on its own. Thus, they don’t incorporate sauces on the meat during the smoking process. The restaurant primarily makes use of the traditional style of barbecue preparation in North Carolina, which is why collard greens, coleslaw, and cornbread are a staple to their menu. They have now expanded their repertoire by adding Cajun, Tex-Mex, and other regional cuisines to their menu.
Haywood Smokehouse
Address: 403 Haywood Rd, Dillsboro NC 28725, United States
Website: Haywood Smokehouse
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 8pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
10. Speedy's BBQ Inc. - Lexington
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Founded way back in the 1970s, Speedy’s BBQ Inc. remains as one of the principal barbecue joints in North Carolina until today. Their secret to being one of the best places to acquire a meal of delicious barbecue would probably be thanks to their commitment to the “3 Q’s” which are quality, quantity, and quick service. They remain to be one of the few restaurants that still offer curb service in North Carolina. Drive by and try their huge portions of scrumptious Lexington-style barbecue that is sure to satisfy the biggest of appetites.
Speedy's BBQ Inc.
Address: 1317 Winston Rd., Lexington, NC 27295, United States
Website: Speedy’s BBQ Inc.
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 9pm (closed on Sun)
Must-try restaurants for meat lovers
Embark on an exciting food trip when you visit North Carolina. Get to know their own method of preparing the classic American favorite as you eat your way through juicy and tender meat. We’ve narrowed down the best barbecue joints in North Carolina, so be sure to check them out whenever you go hunting for a delicious barbecue to fill your hungry tummies.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
10 Best Things to do in Oak Island, North Carolina in 2020Trip101 Editorial -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
