Flip's - Wilmington, NC

Posted By Michael Stern on December 28, 2010 5:14 AM

Moist, redolent of smoke, and rich as bacon, hacked into a fine hash that is mostly cream-soft but speckled with chewy little nubbins, Flip's barbecue is a Cape Fear classic. Opened in 1950 by Leonard "Flip" Watts and taken over in 1986 by Bob Church, who remains its chief cook, host, and welcoming ringmaster, the roadside smoke house is one big, airy room with booths and a counter. Barbecue aficionados will feel a warm glow the moment they enter, inhale, and take a seat. Flip's room tone is the deferential hush that is unique to so many great Tarheel barbecue parlors.

The Q comes on a plate or in a bun. Cole slaw -- a sprite, mustardy condiment -- is optional on the sandwich; a plate includes crunchy, tubular hush puppies and two side dishes from a list that includes baked beans, green beans, French fries, Brunswick stew, deep-fried corn nuggets, fried okra, fried squash, boiled potatoes, and slaw. At Mr. Church's insistence, we sampled fried macaroni and cheese. "I originally made it for kids," Church told us. "But they want their macaroni and cheese just plain. It's the adults who like this." It is wonderful indeed, far better than the state-fair food one might expect, arriving in crunchy little triangles that give no hint of their noodly interior until your teeth sink through the crust and find the creamy, salty orange essence and itty-bitty Kraft elbow macaroni.

Regarding sauce: Flip's is fantastic, in the Eastern North Carolina phylum, meaning vinegar is its prominent note and it is much more hot than sweet. It is thicker than minimal sauces that are only vinegar and pepper; and it pairs perfectly with the hacked-up pork. Still, the meat is so good as-is, it is a delicious dilemma to decide whether to sauce or not to sauce.

Dessert? Banana pudding is a creamy swirl of custard, Cool Whip, banana slices, and softening vanilla wafers: an ideal denouement for an ideal meal.

Overall Rating

Barbecue Plate

Barbecue Sandwich

Banana Pudding

Fried Mac & Cheese

Corn Nuggets

Brunswick Stew

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Posted By Michael Rountree on December 2, 2011 10:08 PM

I used to live behind Flip's and, being without a car, I would eat here quite often. It is very good food, and they have a nice selection of sides. My only complaints: it's a little expensive for the amount of food that you get. Their portions are relatively small compared to other BBQ establishments in the area. Also, the Brunswick stew is too watery. But the important thing is, they have some of the best tasting BBQ I have ever had. Definitely try it out if you're in the area.

Overall Rating

Barbecue Plate

Barbecue Sandwich

Corn Nuggets

Brunswick Stew

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Posted By Heidi E. on June 17, 2011 9:49 PM

We were racing out the door for a two-night trip to Wilmington and I realized I hadn't checked with Roadfood about where we should go! I'm so happy I remembered.

Flip's closes a little earlier than you might expect for dinner, but we made it just in time. Actually, the super-friendly owner (who had probably been up since dawn) kept the place open a little longer than usual so we could enjoy our dinner there.

I was so happy to be eating pulled pork in North Carolina again, and Flip's did not disappoint me one bit. The pork is so moist, and the creamed corn nuggets really added a new but comfortable and fun and really good-tasting side dish to my plate. And the banana pudding was probably the creamiest I'd ever tasted.

We held ourselves back from going the next day for dinner, too, so we could experience other restaurants on our trip, but that was not an easy decision!

Overall Rating

Barbecue Plate

Corn Nuggets

Banana Pudding

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Posted By Jennifer H on March 8, 2011 12:58 PM

I've been going to Flip's since I was a small child. I have to say that poor Flip would hate to see this place the way it is now. Terrible customer service; the food is awful nowadays, and it just plain stinks in there too. What a shame to see a great place like that get ruined.

Overall Rating

Barbecue Plate

Barbecue Sandwich

Brunswick Stew

Fried Mac & Cheese

Corn Nuggets

Banana Pudding

Baked Beans

Sliced Barbecue Sandwich

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Posted By Aaron Metcalf on February 26, 2011 7:03 PM

Flip's was a wonderful, pleasant experience. The owner/cook and server Bob Church is a great guy to talk to, and the food he serves is extraordinary.

I ordered the pork ribs and pulled pork BBQ with fried okra and green beans. The BBQ ribs fell off the bone. The pulled pork was juicy with a great mix of seasonings and spice. The BBQ sauce is a classic East Carolina vinegar-based mixture but with a good blend of spices that get the taste buds going.

For dessert I had the pleasure of tasting the cool and refreshing banana pudding. I must say it's better than Grandma's.

Overall Rating

Barbecue Plate

Barbecue Sandwich

Banana Pudding

Corn Nuggets

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Posted By Janet Smith on January 26, 2011 9:19 PM

I was visiting my boyfriend, who had just moved to Wilmington, when we read about this place and decided to try it. It was great. I got the barbecue sandwich (with tasty coleslaw on top and baked beans on the side) and my boyfriend got the sliced BBQ sandwich and corn nuggets. Everything was amazing. My boyfriend had to order another sandwich, he loved it so much, and the corn nuggets were great, too; very addictive.

We were the only two people in the place at the time and Mr. Church was very nice and welcoming. I can't wait till I visit again because I hear his chicken is amazing, too!

Overall Rating

Barbecue Sandwich

Corn Nuggets

Baked Beans

Sliced Barbecue Sandwich

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Posted By Steve Anderson on December 31, 2010 9:56 PM

I was on a motorcycle trip around New Year's and, as is my habit, I looked up Roadfood recommendations for the area I was riding through. I saw Michael's review of Flip's, though I hadn't noticed it was posted just a couple of days earlier. As a BBQ lover, I HAD to go.

The place was everything Michael said. Awesome BBQ, mac & cheese to write home about, terrific sweet tea, and a wonderful dog to boot! A home town BBQ joint -- Allman's in Fredericksburg, VA -- has long been my favorite, but Flip's is now up there on my list.

Owner Bob was the perfect host, and he was amazed by how much of an impact the Roadfood review had. He said their website (http://www.flipsbbq.com/) had 32,000 hits the Tuesday after Michael posted his review.

I will definitely be back, and I'll bring friends with me next time!

Overall Rating

Barbecue Plate

Fried Mac & Cheese

Corn Nuggets

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