The Low Down on Barbeque

[Ken Massingale]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ubTQfr_tyY

[Tar Heel]

At least they know that NC is THE place to eat REAL BBQ (well, as

long as it is EASTERN NC style, not that stuff they serve west of Raleigh. )

[clowman]

That was pretty good.. Honestly... white BBQ Sauce? Never even heard of that....

[Glennbear]

Thanks for posting the link Ken, I am a displaced yankee who has not lived in Dixie long enough to form a qualified opinion yet but I recently completed a 1200 mile journey through VA, NC, TN, GA and AL. The regional BBQ variations are truly amazing. IMHO the best BBQ in the world is served at the North Carolina Woodworker picnic but that is not so much a reflection on the caterer as it is on the fellowship which accompanies the meal

[ScottM]

Glenn, as another displaced Yankee my only comment is I wish I had found NC BBQ 20 years sooner. Not sure of any places in Southside VA but Grand Pa's Kitchen in Littleton is pretty good. Weldon (Roanoke Rapids ) has Ralph's BBQ which is ok too.

[Alan in Little Washington]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

At least they know that NC is THE place to eat REAL BBQ (well, as

long as it is EASTERN NC style, not that stuff they serve west of Raleigh. )

Naw!!! You will get as many opinions on BBQ as there are types, but on the authoritative Schaffter BBQ scale (100 = best, 0 = worst)

Texas Style (especially beef brisket, sliced beef, and ribs)= 95+
Memphis Style (wet over dry rub, beef and ribs)= 85+
NC BBQ= 10

If you want good great BBQ in NC go to:

1. Sonny's BBQ (site loads slowly) (Charlotte (3), Concord (1), Mooresville (1)) Also many locations from here to FL where they started.
2. Red, Hot, and Blue (Raleigh (2)) '07 & '08 North Carolina Woodworker picnic caterers
3. Bar-B-Cutie (Greenville (1), Jacksonville (coming soon)) Growing chain, many in TN where they started. "Get your bootie to Bar-B-Cutie"
4. Virginia BBQ (Viginia locations (11), Raleigh (coming soon)) Smaller establishments, but decent brisket)

All of the above also sell pulled pork.

[toolferone]

You know I like ALL kinds of BBQ. It just depends what I am in the mood for. I am just happy I live in a place that has so many wonderful choices for us!

[Tar Heel]

Originally Posted by Alan in Little Washington

Naw!!! You will get as many opinions on BBQ as there are types, but on the authoritative Schaffter BBQ scale (100 = best, 0 = worst)

Texas Style (especially beef brisket, sliced beef, and ribs)= 95+
Memphis Style (wet over dry rub, beef and ribs)= 85+
NC BBQ= 10

If you want good great BBQ in NC go to:

1. Sonny's BBQ (site loads slowly) (Charlotte (3), Concord (1), Mooresville (1)) Also many locations from here to FL where they started.
2. Red, Hot, and Blue (Raleigh (2)) '07 & '08 North Carolina Woodworker picnic caterers
3. Bar-B-Cutie (Greenville (1), Jacksonville (coming soon)) Growing chain, many in TN where they started. "Get your bootie to Bar-B-Cutie"
4. Virginia BBQ (Viginia locations (11), Raleigh (coming soon)) Smaller establishments, but decent brisket)

All of the above also sell pulled pork.

Alan, that opinion definitely reflects your non-native North Carolina status. There is not one place in your list that can be considered NC BBQ by a true NC native.. As long as there are places like Parker's in Wilson and Greenville, Bill's in Wilson, Wilbur's in Goldsboro, Kings, in Kinston, BBQ Lodge in Raleigh, B's BBQ in Greenville, all of the ones in Lexington and Shelby, Allen & Son's in Chapel Hill, Bullock's in Durham, Stamey's in Greensboro, etc., etc., etc. even Smithfield BBQ, true NC BBQ cusine will never be topped by any of those chains. Use the Shaftfter scale with NC natives only and the result won't be anywhere near the results you posted. I've seen the TV program on the food channel that shows those same results. The same can be said for whatever region you want to consider. The results will always favor the local area as long as you use it only with local people. Sampling a cross section of people with no regional preferences is not a true test as what is the "best" BBQ or anything else for everyone. "Best" is always going to be determined for a local area by local people.

[jerrye]

Was that actually CALIFORNIA shown for Florida?!?!?!?:rot flm:

[Ken Massingale]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

Alan, that opinion definitely reflects your non-native North Carolina status. There is not one place in your list that can be considered NC BBQ by a true NC native.. As long as there are places like Parker's in Wilson and Greenville, Bill's in Wilson, Wilbur's in Goldsboro, Kings, in Kinston, BBQ Lodge in Raleigh, B's BBQ in Greenville, all of the ones in Lexington and Shelby, Allen & Son's in Chapel Hill, Bullock's in Durham, Stamey's in Greensboro, etc., etc., etc. even Smithfield BBQ, true NC BBQ cusine will never be topped by any of those chains. Use the Shaftfter scale with NC natives only and the result won't be anywhere near the results you posted. I've seen the TV program on the food channel that shows those same results. The same can be said for whatever region you want to consider. The results will always favor the local area as long as you use it only with local people. Sampling a cross section of people with no regional preferences is not a true test as what is the "best" BBQ or anything else for everyone "Best" is always going to be determined for a local area by local people.

Very well said...

[clowman]

I like Lexington BBQ, in Lexington, NC. Located right off of highway 64. Mmmmmmm.. 2 chopped sandwiches with slaw... I get em every time I go by there.

[scsmith42]

Speaking personally, I'd have to rate our own NCWoodworker Ivey's BBQ as the best "Native" NC BBQ that I've had.

HOWEVER, being a displaced Texan, I can attest to the wise and discerning recommendations from the estimatable Alan in Little Washington!

[rcflyer23]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

Alan, that opinion definitely reflects your non-native North Carolina status. There is not one place in your list that can be considered NC BBQ by a true NC native.. As long as there are places like Parker's in Wilson and Greenville, Bill's in Wilson, Wilbur's in Goldsboro, Kings, in Kinston, BBQ Lodge in Raleigh, B's BBQ in Greenville, all of the ones in Lexington and Shelby, Allen & Son's in Chapel Hill, Bullock's in Durham, Stamey's in Greensboro, etc., etc., etc. even Smithfield BBQ, true NC BBQ cusine will never be topped by any of those chains. Use the Shaftfter scale with NC natives only and the result won't be anywhere near the results you posted. I've seen the TV program on the food channel that shows those same results. The same can be said for whatever region you want to consider. The results will always favor the local area as long as you use it only with local people. Sampling a cross section of people with no regional preferences is not a true test as what is the "best" BBQ or anything else for everyone "Best" is always going to be determined for a local area by local people.

There is a good one in High Point, called Carter Brothers and the grandmother makes the cakes and they are Unbelievable. Sonny's BBQ "Great" BBQ I had to disagree it is good and I will eat it but I have yet to find any place in Concord that is as good as Carter Brothers.. There is a place in Mooresville that is very good also called Lancasters. Again like alot have said it just depends on where you are and the style you like. For me I love them all so it really doesn't matter, however the vinegar based is usually my favorite.

[jeff...]

Can't resist... so I'll toss in my two cents worth. Most BBQ I've had is a wee little bit to sweet for this guy. So I like to spice it up a bit with some good ole hot sauce, along with a big tall glass of sweet tea and I'm good. Being a displaced yankee and all, I must admit NC BBQ is the best I've had, ain't no one got nothing anything on NC for BBQ.

[JackLeg]

If you're ever passing through Albemarle, Whispering Pines BBQ and Log Cabin BBQ are THE places to eat. Similar to eastern NC, no sauce added, red slaw or white, good cornbread, and great tea.

Both restaurants are on Hwy 52 North of town and within 2 miles of each other. Whispering Pines been there since 1947 and the same family still owns it. Hickory smoked, of course.