Posted by Michael Stern on October 29, 2006
A big lot with two rows of car slips, order-matic menus, and trays mounted on articulated arms so you can pull dinner right up to the side of your vehicle, Bar B Q King is a mid-century treasure. While many customers eat in their car, phone-ahead service is popular, too: call in your order, then arrive to pick up meals packed in the sturdy cardboard boxes that have become the BBQK trademark.
Our first visit, we made the mistake of asking the car hop for a “pork sandwich.” What we got was a perch sandwich. We ate it anyway, and it was marvelous – moist, sweet white meat so satisfying it reminded us of the best pork, but encased in a golden crust. In fact, the perch was so good, we then ordered trout, shrimp, and oysters – all fried in that only-in-the-South soulful way that’s guaranteed to convert even a diehard fish frowner.
What we learned from our experience – other than to recommend BBQK as a fine fried-fish restaurant – is that if you want smoked pork hereabouts, you don’t say “pork”; you say “barbecue.” Pork is all there is. It is available sliced or minced (the latter really is pulverized, the former “hacked”); and it, too, is superb – tender, succulent, veiled in a subtle sauce that does not overwhelm the meat’s fundamental fineness.
Overall: Worth planning a day around
15 out of 15 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
Reviewers "Must Eats" List
Slaw
(N/A)
Barbecue Sandwich
($4.00)
Barbecue Tray
($6.00)
Perch Sandwich
($5.00)
"This close shot of barbecue in a tray hints at just how tender pork can be. Trays include a couple of hushpuppies, beans and slaw. A "plate" gets you French fries."
Michael Stern
"Below this sign are rows of car slips for front-seat dining, but there is no seating inside the restaurant."
Michael Stern
"Bar-B-Q King features the classic curb service ordering method: speak into the microphone next to the menu on the stand and the food is soon delivered to your car."
buffetbuster
"This plump and delicious fish sandwich looks just right on the dashboard of a car!"
Michael Stern
"The essential companion to central North Carolina barbecue: fine, crisp slaw. It comes on trays and plates and is automatically included in sandwiches."
Michael Stern
"A fine meal on a soft seeded bun: chopped barbecue and slaw. Bar B Q King also offers its pork sliced, which is very good but not as succulent."
Michael Stern
"Bar B Q King has no tables; dining is strictly in car, and orders are placed via the Servus Fone equipment at each car slip."
Michael Stern
