Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

Login Options

7:09 a.m. • 2-10-12

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Rain.
    • Hi: 58° F
  • Sat: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 54° F
  • Sun: Clear.
    • Hi: 43° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Marketplace Links

Social Links

Main Menu

Bill Leslie

Bill Leslie's Carolina Conversations

"People are always asking me where to take vacation. What’s a cool place? What’s the most scenic drive?" WRAL News Anchor Bill Leslie attempts to answer those questions and others in his Carolina Conversations blog.

RSS Feed

Lexington Landslide

Pure heaven. The Nirvana of pigmeat. The apotheosis of pork. That's how one critic, Shinola, describes the food at Lexington Barbecue. Apparently, our readers agree. Lexington, known locally in Davidson County as Honeymonks, scored a landslide victory in our barbecue poll for the best restaurant serving western flavored pork.

Stamey's, the consistently popular spot in Greensboro, finished second in the Best of the West poll. Woodland's in the High Country at Blowing Rock finished third. Earlier, our blog readers chose Hog Heaven of Durham as the top spot for Down East Barbecue. Hog Heaven also has a strong reputation for chicken and dumplings.

Some of you complained that a lot of good restaurants were left out of the poll. You're right but we had to limit the restaurants to the ones that were nominated in our call for entries last week. Rules aren't fun but necessary.

Some of the most fun I had with this contest was learning about a Fuquay-Varina comedy duo that penned and performed a terrific song about barbecue. Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have become internet sensations with a road trip series featuring famous foods and restaurants across the country. For lots of laughs and a good education to boot check out their Web site and click on the interstate highway sign.

Today's question: where should Rhett and Link go next in their Alka-Seltzer sponsored Great American Road Trip?

Read More Posts from this Blog
e-mail print friendly

9 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.


page 1
sort order: oldest first | newest first

Sorry, Bill the sanitation rating at Hog Heaven scares me!

Been eating with Wayne at Lexington BBQ for over 30 years, It's still the best, and most consistent I've ever eaten. Yes, Woodall's in Boone is good,but it's not consistent. Bullocks in Durham isn't bad for local BBQ. The best BBQ is by the local guys who buy local shoulders and do it themselves.

Those guys should go to El's in Morehead and have shrimpburger; they won't even have to get out of the car!

Shane's is good. It's a chain (there is one in Burlington as well). It reminds me more of Memphis style. Our family loves it, but it's not the same as Lexington BBQ.

I'm surprised appgrad95 picked Lexington over Woodlands!

Bill, your voters got it right! Lexington BBQ in Lexington is the best! I've been stopping there to eat, on my way to the mountains, since I was a kid and was making the trip to Boone with my grandparents. 30+ years and still my all-time favorite BBQ!

-Brandon Keith

I didn't get any comments on Shane's. Is it good?

I'm not sure I know who Rhett and Link are; however I have 2 options for them. #1: Drive the old Route 66. #2 In the fall, take a road trip up north to see the leaves change all up and down the eastern seaboard. That would be a gorgeous drive!!!

I would love to try Stamey's next time I go to Greensboro.

Bill, question, Did anyone rate "Shane's Rib Shack in Raleigh ?

I believe it is western style.

page 1
sort order: oldest first | newest first

Featured Blogposts

  • Hoops 4 Hope on Feb. 15, 2009

    The Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation is sponsoring Play 4Kay events on Hillsborough Street starting Feb. 8 to support Hoops 4 Hope and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

  • Heart

    Showering your loved ones with goodies is always fun to do on Valentine's Day, but not if it leaves you drowning in debt! With a little planning and creativity, you can show your loved ones you care and stay within your budget.

  • scotty and mr wuf

    American Idol and Garner native Scotty McCreery performs at N.C. State's Hoops 4 Hope. The circus is in town. And Olympic-level table tennis stops in Cary. Here's what's happening this weekend.

Other Recent Blogposts