10 Best BBQ Joints In North Carolina, USA

1. Midwood Smokehouse - Plaza Midwood, Charlotte

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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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.