NC BBQ suggestions along and/or off I-40

Hey all: I'm heading on a road trip, part of which is taking me westword along I-40 from Raleigh to the border into TN--through Greenboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, etc. I'm not particularly found of the "vinegar" based BBQ which is a regional preference---I know, I know :)--- I've been reading though the forums, too, but any suggestions would be appreciated! Off the beaten path and time is not the issue...I would be willing to drive for the right place!

It probable that you won't find much bbq worth driving for outside the respective vinegar-based styles of East and West Carolina bbq. There migh be some one-off places like Jim's Famous BBQ in Chapel Hill (Memphis style, a former Red Hot & Blue; but likely a non-Carolina bbq shop would work only in a town like Chapel Hill, with a large number of non-native-Carolina residents, and Jim's still gets only mixed reviews). You might find more non-vinegar places closer to Asheville and the TN border.

It seems that the books and article and web discussion of bbq in North Carolina doesn't talk much of locations in the western part of the state, maybe around Statesville.

Chapel Hill - Allen & Son. Eastern style but not in the strict traditional sense.
Burlington - Hursey's and Carolina Barbecue and Seafood. Adequate but not special.
Greensboro - Stamey's. Good.
Kernersville - Clark's. Excellent.
Winston Salem - Little Richard's. Excellent. (NOT the store in Clemmons) Hog's Wild. Good to very good.
Advance - Snook's. Good. Lots of non-barbecue options.
Mocksville - Deano's. Good to very good.
Cool Springs - Keaton's. Chicken.
Statesville - Little Pig's. Only if the barbecue is fresh off the pit.
Newton - Little Pig's. Consistently fair. Building is 1960-cool as is the one in Statesville.

All of the above are real log burners. More options arise as you venture farther from I-40. I'm not aware of any real barbecue joints once you pass the Newton area until you get to Newport, TN.

Keaton's near Statesville. Taking out the vinegar sort of narrows the field.

I can not recommend Keaton's enough. My one visit there was one of the best meals of my life. It is also very convenient to I-40.

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