Some of state's favorite barbecue restaurants no longer in business

Some of North Carolina's most iconic barbecue restaurants were forced to close down in the past year, but that doesn't mean the classic barbecue scene in the state is fading away.

One of the restaurants that was forced to close its doors last August was Jack Cobb and Son Barbecue in Farmville.

"I didn't think it would be this sad,"said Rudy Cobb, the son in Jack Cobb and Son. "I didn't think it would affect me."

His sons did not want to continue in the restaurant business, and he couldn't find anyone else to take his place.

"I just figured it was time to give it up," Cobb said. "It's like you lost your wife or lost your son or something."

Additionally, Wilber's Barbecue in Goldsboro was forced to close in March for not paying its taxes, Bill Ellis Barbecue in Wilson closed in January after its owner died and Allen and Son Barbecue closed in December.

Bill Ellis Barbecue closes after more than 55 years in Wilson

The owner of Wilber's does plan to re-open, though. He told customers in March that he hoped cutting costs could help the restaurant return.

Department of Revenue shuts down Wilber's Barbecue in Goldsboro

Looking to keep the barbecue scene in North Carolina alive, Jim Early, the founder of the North Carolina Barbecue Society, continues to look to promote barbecue tourism in the state.

Early said he's trying to find new restaurants to put on North Carolina's Historic Barbecue Trail, including restaurants like Pik-N-Pig in Carthage and Sam Jones Barbecue near Greenville.

The owner of Sam Jones Barbecue said he plans to open another location in Raleigh and stick with traditional, wood-cooked barbecue.