North Carolina BBQ - Raleigh area

Hi there.

We will be in the Raleigh area this weekend, and I have a dilemma.

I want to go to one or two local bbq restaurants- so it will be Allen and Sons in Chapel Hill, and Clyde Coopers, because Murray's is closed on the weekend. This will have to be on Saturday. I want to also try the nearby towns, but after doing research have found that I can't do the Wilson/Goldsboro route on the same day as Lexington, (too long of a trip) and I wanted to try both styles.

In Wilson/Goldsboro we picked out Wilbers (of course) and either Mitchells, Parkers or Bills. In the Lexington area- Honeymonks- Lexington #1, and maybe Jimmy's and Smokey Joes.

If I only have one day,in which direction do you recommend we go?
If we have a day and a half- I think we will have to go to Lexington on Saturday, because most of the q places there are closed on Sunday.

Can anyone here help with my choices?

Thanks,
Verysleepy

LEXINGTON!!!! Should have chosen Bullocks in Durham...family style is great with brunswick stew, fried chicken and BBQ.

Hi there.. Thanks for the response. We still might do Bullocks... but I learned my lesson last month when we were in the Austin Texas area.. so many places (Lockhart, Taylor, etc).. so little time! Somehow, I still want to get to go to Wilber's in Goldsboro, as I have heard so many good things about it... and Mitchells and Parkers in Wilson around it. If we go to Lexington- have heard that really only Lexington #1 is truly up there.. whereas Goldsboro/Wilson has a number of places. We might just have to flip a coin.

Thanks

Stick with Allen & Son and definitely make a trip to Lexington. Stay with the places that are still wood burners and skip the gassers. They put an enormous amount of time and effort into cooking real barbecue. You won't be disappointed.
Your choices in Lexington are solid ones. You may additionally consider The Barbecue Center, Whitley's, Cook's, Southern, and Smiley's. Just a short drive from Lexington is Backcountry in Linwood, Speedy Lohr's in Southmont and Arcadia, and Tar Heel in Reeds. I can recommed a couple to skip in Lexington if wish. Traveling between Raleigh and Lexington you may consider Blue Mist in Asheboro.

Jim in NC is right on the money. However, I have found Allen & Sons to be inconsistent--although outstanding when it is "on". The 2 places I always try to get to when I get back through NC (I lived there for 55 years) are "Lexington # 1" and "Wilber's" so I can get the best of Lexington style and of eastern style. Bullock's and Blue Mist are alright, as are the Raleigh places, (Cooper's, Murray's, Barbecue Lodge, etc.) but they don't come close to "Wilber's" or "Lexington # 1.

Get by "Big Ed's" in Raleigh's City Market for the best in southern style food, especially breakfast. "Angus Barn" is one of the best steak houses in the U.S., with an outstanding wine cellar. "42nd Street Oyster Bar" in downtown Raleigh is also very good. And "Char-Grill" burgers can't be beat.

Thanks... but you have me eating a few too many meals in 2 days. ahhahahah.

So.. if you had the choice, and could only chose.... Wilber's or Lexington #1? I am a fan of the dry kind of bbq, and not a big slaw eater, if that makes a difference. I wouldn't mind tasting some chicken if either of them serve it.

Thanks
Verysleepy

Here's a link to East Carolina que.

http://www.newsobserver.com/front/columnist/story/1485813p-7636619c.html

Another question I've been meaning to ask for a long time about Allen & Son. Seems like everyone who posts says go to the NC86 outlet because they burn logs instead of, well. . . some say 15-501 is electric; some say it's gas. I drive by 15-501 a few times a week, and the parking lot is always full (I went to to the outfitter next door yesterday and had a hard time parking). I guess the locals don't mind the gas/electric/whatever . . . ? Or is this part of the mythology? How many of the posters have even been there?

Lexington #1..Honey Monks...no comparison. Truly the best BBQ in North Carolina.

OK- here goes- the results of my very unscientific studies performed this weekend. We were able to get in 8 different BBQ restaurants in the Raleigh area this weekend- WHEW.

Saturday we took the Raleigh/ Western Route- bbq at Clyde Coopers, Allen and Son's (Chapel Hill Branch- towards Hillborough, Lexington #1 (Honeymonk's,) Smokey Joe's- Lexington, and finished the day at Jimmy's in Lexington. At all places we sampled the bbq sandwich without the slaw... and the winners to me were clearly- Allen and Sons, Clyde Coopers, and Lexington #1 in that order. Allen and Son's had the best flavor without applying extra sauce. Clyde Coopers was real good though, and tossed in some free hot pork rinds. Coopers was also the least expensive in the bunch- which is odd considering it is in the heart of Raleigh's downtown. Jimmy's was our last stop- so maybe that had something to do with the fact, that I thought our Q sandwich tasted like Chicken.

Sunday was the Wilson/Goldsboro route, as we went to Mitchell's, Parkers and Wilbers. All 3 had various strengths. Mitchell's had attentive service, and good chopped Q- though the chicken was a bit dried out. The banana pudding was the best I have ever had in my life. Parkers served- yes.. once again, the best fried chicken I have ever had. The bbq was tasty too. The very last stop on the weekend was at Wilber's, and I have no idea how we managed to eat any of the enormous pork sandwich. It was succulent, and tasty though, but different than all the rest. It truly had a pungent taste- not unpleasant, but tangier than all the rest. Was great though- too bad we were not hungrier.

All in all we had a great time, but just a wee too full right now, back here in NY. A month ago we did the Taylor/Lockhart bbq pilgrammage, with equal results- and no.. not able to eat for a week after. Great food out there, even from this jaded New Yorker!

Thanks for your help

North Carolina Q without the slaw, especially Lexington style with the red slaw, is like a bagel without cream cheese. And the sandwich leaves off another item almost as important as the Q itelf--huspuppies!

Slaw I just do not like, and won't eat... but who said you can't eat hushpuppies with a sandwich? Some of these places put out a basket of piping hot hushpuppies before you even order. I found the savory ones at Allen & Sons to be good, and the almost sweet one's at Wilbers to be addicting.

Oh.. and we wound up ordering the sandwiches because the portions were a bit smaller. It is mighty difficult to eat all that Q in 2 days without eliminating a few things. Buns could go- but not the hushpuppies!