My Last Plate of BBQ

Posted: March 9, 2010

Everybody's talking about barbecue. I got an e-mail from Kelcey Carlson's husband, Dave Kent, this morning saying he was looking forward to eating today at a Sandhills restaurant profiled by Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason. The Pik N Pig has quite a following.

At a party recently I met a gentleman who works at The Pit in Raleigh. He raved about the taste of their barbecue and the national following the restaurant has attained in just a few years of operation.

Two weeks ago I spoke at a Cary banquet catered by Danny's Barbecue. That was a nice meal. I even got to spend some time with Danny himself.

At the gym last week, several guys in the dressing room were debating their favorite barbecue. One declared Wilber's in Goldsboro "the King of Q." Another shouted: "Hursey's in Burlington is the best." A third chimed in saying: "You haven't tasted REAL barbecue until you've dined at Parker's in Wilson." Yet another preferred Speedy's in Lexington.

What about you? Where would you go if you were eating your last plate of barbecue.

I'll start. My last plate of barbecue would be at Allen & Sons in Pittsboro or Chapel Hill. They have incredible barbecue, mouth-watering cole slaw and one of the best hush puppy recipes in America.

105 Comments

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If I have to pick a restuarnt it would probably be the Pic N Pig in Carthage but the absolute best BBQ would be that cooked by the Providence Fire& Rescue in Caswell Co., NC. Those guys cook a mean Pig. If you are anywhere near there April 24th and 25th they have their annnual Springfling Festival and they will be cooking, it would be well worth the trip. And on Sunday American Idol runner up Josh Gracian will be preforming. All entertainment is free.

uncfan89
March 12, 2010 3:34 p.m.

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I was raised on Eastern NC BBQ. I have had Parker's, Bill's, Garner's, Bum's, B's and Skylight. Parker's and B's are very good. I have even enjoyed Lexington BBQ off of old HWY 64 even though it is not in Eastern NC. However, I made a stop at Allen and Sons yesterday after reading Bill Leslie's blog and thoroughly enjoyed a BBQ sandwich WITH slaw. This was, by far the best BBQ sandwich I have ever had. Maybe next week I will stop and try the BBQ without the slaw.

Tar River Roots
March 11, 2010 6:46 p.m.

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I agree.... Allen and Son's in Pittsboro/Bynum is the best. Jimmy is continuing James Allen's tradition of fantastic Barbeque.

robenatee
March 10, 2010 4:14 p.m.

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I love Wilber's, but the best thing on the menu is the chicken gravy!!! OMG...dip a hushpuppy in that stuff. YUM!!

onetufteacher
March 10, 2010 12:25 p.m.

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I'll stick with Parker's in Wilson.

Also want to mention that there is outstanding BBQ down in Florence, SC, at Rogers'. They know what they're doing. The BBQ really is wonderful, and they have the best home-style veggies/sides I've had.

CarolinaBluesman
March 10, 2010 7:23 a.m.

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I would say I see a lot of ne places to try! In Southeastern NC how about Joe's BBQ in Whiteville NC. Pretty good! In Florida, Sonny's BBQ was excellent but not so much in NC. Bill's, Parkers, McCalls of Clayton and Goldsboro, are all good too. B's in Greenville, The Pit and Coopers all have me thinking of a trip. I may have to answer the question after some taste testing!

phillip1923
March 10, 2010 6:55 a.m.

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Parker's in Wilson!

jrbraswell
March 10, 2010 6:20 a.m.

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My last plate of barbecue would be from City Barbeque in Columbus, OH. It's fantastic. Their hush puppies and banana pudding ain't too bad either.

stopsheeple
March 10, 2010 1:52 a.m.

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I have had BBQ from several places: Coopers, White Swan, Wilber's, BBQ Lodge, Kings, Ole Time, Smithfields and even a few in Lexington. My brother had me try Texas bbq a few years ago while out there. But, the only place I keep going back to since 1979 when I came to NC from GA as a kid is Stamey's in Greensboro. Hushpuppies are out of this world and so is the slaw. The bbq is the best I have had in 31 years.

mlslawter75
March 9, 2010 11:28 p.m.

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B's Barbeque in Greenville is absolutely the best. I have tried Parker's and Gardner's and many more but B's has them beat. I learned about them commuting back and forth from RMT to Greenville while going to school at ECU. In the mornings the smoke from the pit fills the valley adjacent to the restaurant and that makes your mouth water.