King's Barbecue -- Petersburg, VA

Many years ago a friend put me onto King’s Barbecue in Petersburg, Virginia. I knew that King’s had multiple locations, but the one where my wife and I always stopped was on Washington Road (US 1) just west of the intersection of I-85 and US 1 south of Petersburg (where the southern toll entrance for the old Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and Bland Ponder’s Texaco station used to be). King’s was a friendly, family-owned place that served barbecue made from Smithfield shoulders. You could have it sliced or “minced” (Virginians consider “chopped” to be a derogatory, low-class term). Either way, you had to add your own sauce, but there was no denying that it was delicious.

While en route back to North Carolina from D.C. recently we were startled to find that King’s had become “Eley’s Barbecue.” Worried that another gustatory icon had vanished into history, I tried to find out what happened. Today I finally talked to the owner of what used to be “King’s Barbecue No. 2,” who confirmed that the King family still owns it and that it serves the same food that was served at the Washington Road location, which was sold a few months ago. This restaurant is located at 2910 South Crater Road, which is located between I-85 and I-95 near the vortex where they merge. This location is a few miles north and east of the Washington Road location and is easily accessible from both interstates.

The Crater Road restaurant is the ONLY restaurant still owned and operated by the King family. Accept no substitutes!

unc65-
First of all, Welcome to Roadfood!

I appreciate you letting us know about the new situation with King's Barbecue. I only made it to the King's you mentioned and that was all the way back in 2001. Even though I didn't find it exceptional, it was still pretty good. The next time I am driving through the area, now I will know where to go!