North Carolina Barbecue Stops Locals Refuse To Keep Close To Home
North Carolina takes its barbecue seriously, and locals know where to find the real deal. From the vinegar-based sauces of the east to the tomato-tinged flavors of the west, this state has perfected the art of slow-smoked pork over generations.
These beloved spots have earned their reputation through decades of dedication, wood-fired pits, and recipes passed down through families who refuse to cut corners.
1. Skylight Inn BBQ
If you’re searching for authentic whole hog barbecue, this Ayden landmark delivers exactly what you need. Since 1947, the Jones family has been cooking entire pigs over hickory wood, creating meat that’s tender, smoky, and unforgettable.
The restaurant’s distinctive dome shape makes it easy to spot from the road. Inside, you’ll find no fancy decorations or complicated menus just perfectly chopped pork mixed with their signature vinegar-based sauce. The cornbread comes out hot and slightly sweet, balancing the tangy meat beautifully.
Locals say arriving early is smart because they close when the meat runs out. That dedication to quality over quantity explains why people drive hours just to taste what many consider the gold standard of Eastern North Carolina barbecue.
2. B’s Barbecue
When you pull up to this tiny Greenville spot, you might wonder if you’re in the right place. The building looks more like a shed than a restaurant, but locals know better than to judge by appearances. Since 1978, this family operation has been serving oak-smoked pork that brings people back week after week.
Everything here follows old-school Eastern NC traditions. The pork gets chopped fine and dressed with a vinegar-pepper sauce that cuts through the richness perfectly. They only serve lunch, and once the day’s batch is gone, the doors close.
No credit cards, no frills, no compromises just honest barbecue done the way it’s been done for generations.
3. Grady’s Barbecue
How do you know a barbecue place is doing things right? Check if they’re still cooking whole hogs over wood fires like Grady’s has been doing since 1986. Located in the small town of Dudley, this spot proves that patience and tradition create incredible flavor.
The smell hits you before you even park your car. Inside, the menu keeps things simple with a focus on that perfectly smoked pork, accompanied by homemade sides that taste like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house. The coleslaw provides a cool, crunchy contrast to the warm, smoky meat.
It’s the kind of place where regulars know everyone’s name, but newcomers get treated like family too.
4. Stamey’s Barbecue
Did you know some barbecue pits have been smoking meat since before your grandparents were born? Stamey’s brick pits date back to 1930, making this Greensboro institution a living piece of culinary history. The Lexington-style approach here means pork shoulders cooked low and slow, creating meat that falls apart at the touch of a fork.
Their red slaw has achieved legendary status among fans. Unlike the mayonnaise-based versions you might expect, this tangy, ketchup-tinged cabbage adds a sweet-tart punch that complements the smoky pork beautifully. Wash it down with their sweet tea, served ice-cold in generous portions.
The dining room still has that classic cafeteria feel where conversation flows easily between tables.
5. Lexington Barbecue
Are you ready to taste what defines an entire regional barbecue style? Known affectionately as ‘The Monk,’ this Lexington establishment sets the standard that others try to match. Owner Wayne Monk built his reputation on pork shoulders cooked over oak coals for hours until the meat achieves that perfect tenderness.
The sauce here leans slightly sweeter than Eastern versions, with a tomato base that creates a beautiful glaze on the meat. It’s not overly thick or sugary just balanced enough to enhance the natural pork flavor without covering it up. The hush puppies arrive golden and crispy, perfect for soaking up extra sauce.
First-timers often become lifelong fans after just one meal here.
6. Parker’s Barbecue
Since 1946, this Wilson landmark has been proving that size doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Parker’s serves crowds of hungry customers daily while maintaining the same whole-hog traditions that built their reputation decades ago. The meat texture here strikes that perfect balance not too dry, not too wet, with just enough vinegar tang to keep you reaching for more.
Beyond the barbecue, their fried chicken has its own devoted following. The Brunswick stew deserves special mention too, thick and hearty with vegetables and meat simmered together until every spoonful tastes like comfort in a bowl.
The large dining room handles busy lunch rushes with practiced efficiency, getting food to tables quickly without feeling rushed.
7. Allen & Son Barbecue
It’s not often you find a place that bridges the great Eastern-Western barbecue divide, but Allen & Son manages exactly that. Located in Pittsboro, this spot cooks pork shoulders over hickory wood, creating deep smoky flavors that satisfy purists from both camps. Their sauce represents a brilliant compromise, blending the vinegar punch of Eastern style with subtle tomato sweetness from Western traditions.
The result tastes uniquely delicious rather than confused or watered down. Meat arrives at your table with a gorgeous smoke ring visible around the edges, proof of hours spent over real wood fires. The Brunswick stew here includes a generous amount of meat mixed with vegetables in a slightly spicy broth.
Expect a wait during peak hours because quality takes time.
8. Hursey’s Bar-B-Q
When a family runs the same barbecue joint since 1945, they’ve clearly figured something out. Hursey’s in Burlington continues the tradition started generations ago, cooking pork shoulders over hardwood coals until that distinctive pink smoke ring appears. That ring isn’t just pretty—it signals meat that’s been kissed by real wood smoke for the right amount of time.
The texture here leans toward the chunkier side compared to finely chopped Eastern styles. Each bite delivers satisfying substance along with smoky, savory flavor. Save room for their famous banana pudding, which has converted countless barbecue fans into dessert believers. The vanilla wafers soften perfectly in the creamy pudding, creating layers of texture and sweetness.
Portions run generous, so consider sharing if you want to taste everything.
9. The Pit Authentic Barbecue
Though younger than many entries on this list, The Pit in Raleigh has earned respect by honoring traditional methods while creating a more contemporary dining experience. The restaurant sources whole hogs from local farms and cooks them over oak wood, staying true to Eastern North Carolina techniques. What sets this spot apart is the attention paid to every detail, from the quality of ingredients to the presentation on your plate.
The menu expands beyond basic barbecue plates to include creative sides and regional specialties. Their collard greens get cooked with just the right amount of smokiness, and the mac and cheese arrives bubbling hot with a crispy top layer. The bar program features local craft beers that pair beautifully with smoky meats.
It’s barbecue tradition meeting modern hospitality standards.
10. Wilber’s Barbecue
Are you driving along Highway 70 near Goldsboro? Pull over when you spot Wilber’s, because locals have been doing exactly that since 1962. This spot serves Eastern North Carolina barbecue with all the proper fixings, cooking whole hogs over wood until the meat practically melts. The vinegar-based sauce here packs enough tang to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming the natural pork flavor.
Wilber’s also bottles their sauce for customers who can’t bear to leave without taking some home. The fried chicken runs a close second to the barbecue in popularity, crispy outside and juicy inside. During busy times, the dining room fills with a mix of travelers and locals who’ve been coming here for decades.
Service stays friendly even when the place is packed.
11. Bunn’s Bar-B-Q
If you blink while driving through Windsor, you might miss Bunn’s, and that would be a real shame. This tiny spot has been serving barbecue since 1938, making it one of the oldest continuously operating barbecue restaurants in the state. The building itself looks like it belongs in another era, which somehow makes the food taste even more authentic.
They cook pork the old-fashioned way and chop it by hand, creating texture that machines simply can’t replicate. The sauce follows traditional Eastern recipes mostly vinegar with peppers and spices, no tomato in sight. Portions might seem modest compared to some places, but the quality makes every bite count.
Cash only here, so come prepared and ready to taste history on a plate.
12. Smiley’s Lexington BBQ
How does a town become known as the barbecue capital of North Carolina? Places like Smiley’s in Lexington help answer that question. This restaurant follows the Western North Carolina tradition of smoking pork shoulders over hickory coals, then serving it with that characteristic reddish sauce that bridges sweet and tangy. The name might sound cheerful, but the approach to barbecue here is seriously dedicated to quality.
Their red slaw adds color and crunch to every plate, while the hush puppies arrive hot enough that you might need to wait a moment before biting in. The sweet tea flows freely, perfectly sweetened to balance the savory meat. Regulars often order the barbecue tray, which includes generous portions of meat plus your choice of sides.
Expect a crowd during lunch hours when locals flood in.
13. Short Sugar’s Pit Bar-B-Q
When you hear a name like Short Sugar’s, you know you’re in for something special. This Reidsville institution has been serving barbecue since 1949, earning a reputation that extends far beyond the local area. The restaurant got its unusual name from founder Eldridge Rushing’s nickname, and the quirky title perfectly matches the unpretentious, delicious food served here.
They prepare pork shoulders using traditional methods, creating meat with beautiful bark on the outside and tender, juicy flesh inside. The sauce leans toward the Lexington style with a hint of sweetness that doesn’t overpower. Their Brunswick stew deserves special attention thick, meaty, and seasoned just right. The drive-in setup adds to the nostalgic charm, though indoor seating is also available.
Come hungry because the portions here don’t disappoint.
14. McCall’s Barbecue & Seafood
It’s rare to find a place that excels at both barbecue and seafood, but McCall’s in Goldsboro pulls off this combination beautifully. The barbecue side follows Eastern North Carolina traditions with whole hog cooked over wood and dressed in vinegar sauce. Meanwhile, the seafood menu offers fried fish, shrimp, and other coastal favorites that give customers delicious variety.
This dual focus means families with different preferences can all find something to love. The barbecue maintains proper smokiness and tenderness, while the seafood arrives crispy outside and flaky inside. Sides include both barbecue standards like coleslaw and hush puppies, plus seafood accompaniments like french fries and tartar sauce.
The casual atmosphere makes it perfect for a relaxed meal where nobody needs to dress up or worry about fancy etiquette.
15. Hill’s Lexington Barbecue
Are you in Winston-Salem craving authentic Lexington-style barbecue? Hill’s delivers exactly that without requiring a drive to Lexington itself. Since opening decades ago, this spot has maintained the traditional approach of cooking pork shoulders over hickory coals until they reach that perfect state of tenderness. The sauce here features that signature reddish color from tomato, balanced with vinegar to keep things from getting too sweet.
The red slaw provides the classic accompaniment, its tangy-sweet flavor profile complementing the smoky meat perfectly. Hush puppies arrive in a basket, golden and slightly sweet, ideal for soaking up any extra sauce on your plate. The dining room stays busy during meal times with a steady stream of locals who know quality when they taste it.
Takeout orders move quickly if you’re in a hurry.
