North Carolina's best

These are the elite of Nort Carolina BBQ, some eastern and some western (or Lexington) style. They all cook only with hardwood coals. Some of the others in the state cook with wood, but most cook with gas. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!
In order by my definition of level of excellence--

Western (Lexington) Style: Lexington # 1, Lexington; Stamey's in Greensboro; Bridges BBQ Lodge in Shelby; Allen & Sons, Chapel Hill

Eastern Style: Wilber's in Goldsboro, Skylight Inn in Ayden, Murray's in Raleigh.

This is pretty much the list I would make, though I've only been to 14 of the 28 bbq temples reviewed in Bob Garner's first book * as the best of the state. I've made numerous visits to the pits selected by Hillbilly, with the exception of Murray's which I still haven't visited.

Fuzzy's in Madison, North Carolina is included in my list of best western North Carolina pits. Since 1954 Fuzzy's has cooked their ham and shoulders over hickory coals. They serve a wonderful Lexington Dip style sauce for annointing.

There are a few other highly regarded places that may belong in a "best of" list, but I haven't had the pleasure of visiting them to find out. Short Sugar's Drive-In in Reidsville may very well belong among the best. And perhaps, Mitchell's in Wilson, but I haven't eaten enough eastern, whole hog que at Mitchell's to make that judgement yet.

* North Carolina: Flavored by Time, (1996)

Allen & Son (Hwy 86) is mixed-style, (pork shoulders but with a vinegar (no tomato) sauce) but certainly one of NC's finest.

Don't confuse Murray's BBQ in Raleigh (very good, pit-cooked cue) with Don Murray's (avoid at all costs).

I think people are in such a hurry to get to Lexington, they pass right by a restaurant that serves up the best Lexington style BBQ I've had in the region - Jed's in Thomasville.

This place gets over looked because it's so close in proximity to Lexington, NC but not actually in Lexington, that people and reviewers just whiz on by in their cars.

I suggest stopping on route 68 in Thomasville and giving Jed's a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and will make it a regular stop.

We've had a number of people tell us they think ours is better than Lexington BBQ.

Carolina BBQ in Statesville? Excellent in my book.

quote:

Originally posted by Hazelmn

Carolina BBQ in Statesville? Excellent in my book.

I have tried Carolina twice this year, and it was dreadful both times. The second time was just to give it another chance, and there will be no third.

I was in Wallace, NC last weekend - on I40 about 35 miles west of Wilmington. Skipped golf one day to make the 70 mile oneway drive up to Ayden. Having been to most of the spots on Hillbilly's list above, I was most anxious to add the Skylight to my personal list of Meccas.

It was truly outstanding, even better than Wilber's in my opinion. Those crispy bits of skin in the medium-fine chop are unique in my experience, and delicious. However, be warned that reheating in a microwave will turn those crispy morsels into soggy globs.

I would rate Skylight as my top Eastern, and Honey Monks as my overall favorite.

For pork, my vote would be Lexington #1. For chicken, Keaton's, near Statesville. Just don't ask me to choose between the two.

Are you sure about that Jed's address? I want to try it on the way back to FL from VA, and a Google search turned up 3 Jed's, with the Thomasville one being on 109, I believe. Seems like 68 is on the other side of NC!?

Heard about this group on the local News tonight. Lists some great places & also lists upcoming festivals for Que

http://ncbbqsociety.com/index.html

My Top Tier:

Allen and Son - Chapel Hill
Bridges Lodge - Shelby
Lexington #1 - Lexington

My 2nd Tier:
Jimmy's - Lexington
Parker's - Wilson
Carolina - Statesville


Ones I haven't yet tried, but suspect they would be in the mix:
Skylight
Wilber's
Stamey's

HadYourPhil,

Jed's doesen't pit cook their pork over wood coals. Lotsa other joints in the area that make real barbecue.

I stopped at Jed's last week on my way from VA to FL. It is definitely off I-85. Thought the pork was very tender and juicy. Jim in NC is right.. no evidence of a wood fire. But the slaw was likewise good as were the hush puppies. Sauce was a BIG disappointment, resembling hopped-up ketchup. I did bring some pork back with me to FL and tried other sauces on it, which were better.
Would've added a picture, but can't figure out how, and apparently the "upload photos" button above is something else.
Good 'cue rankings above!!