So you love barbecue? You’re not alone! But how much do you love it? That’s the question! Enough to embark on a day-long road trip to discover hidden gem hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints across the state? Come along with us from Saluda all the way to the Outer Banks to pay a visit to some of the best BBQ restaurants in North Carolina!

For an interactive experience, we’ve partnered with our friends over at Roadtrippers so you can better plan your trip. Check out the map below!

The Most Delicious North Carolina Road Trip Takes You To 9 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Restaurants on Roadtrippers

1. Green River Bar-B-Que - Saluda
Green River Barbeque, 131 US-176, Saluda, NC 28773, USA
Google/Nick Berdeguez
Google/Abe Buckner
There's a large smoked selection at Green River including pork, chicken, turkey, brisket, baby back ribs, and even trout. Green River has been getting taste buds in the Saluda area all charged up for BBQ since 1984. Learn more about Green River Barbecue when you check out their official website.
2. Ray's Country Smokehouse Grill - Gastonia
Ray's Country Smokehouse-Grill, 219 S Broad St, Gastonia, NC 28052, USA
Google/Ray's Country Smokehouse-Grill
Google/Ray's Country Smokehouse-Grill
While Ray's serves up all sorts of American favorites (burgers, sandwiches, and more) their BBQ is off the chain and cooked to perfection, whole hog and in-house. Learn more about why you should visit Ray's Country Smokehouse.
3. Jon G's Barbecue - Peachland
Jon G's Barbecue, 116 Glenn Falls St, Peachland, NC 28133, USA
Google/Jon G's Barbecue
Facebook/Jon G's Barbecue
There's a reason this small town BBQ joint always has a line out the door on Saturday mornings: It's the only day they're open and they usually sell out by noon! We can say the wait is worth it to get a taste of the best Texas-style BBQ served in North Carolina. Get here early, or prepare to mozy right along to the next hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint on this road trip. Learn more when you visit Jon G's Barbecue online. And watch the video below to learn a bit more about the story of Jon G's Barbecue!

4. Stubbs and Sons BBQ - Carthage
Stubbs and Sons BBQ, 2440 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Sanford, NC 27332, USA
Google/Eddie Taylor
Google/Tommy Young
Authentic Eastern North Carolina BBQ is piled high on the plate at Stubbs & Son. Their Carthage location fits the bill for a perfect hole-in-the-wall dining experience. Be sure to pair your meat with some handmade cole slaw and some hand cut fries! Curious to learn more? Head on over to Stubbs and Sons BBQ online.
5. Grady's Barbecue - Dudley
Grady's Barbecue, 3096 Arrington Bridge Rd, Dudley, NC 28333, USA
Google/W H

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This little roadside kitchen serves up everything from burgers to wings to hamburger steaks (yum!), but it's their Eastern North Carolina BBQ that steals the show. Come see what makes this tiny spot so very popular! Check out a sneak peek of the menu when you visit Grady's Barbecue online.
6. B's Barbecue - Greenville
B's Barbecue, 751 State Rd 1204, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
TripAdvisor/djremosnyc
Google/Chef Dave Food Critic
No BBQ road trip through Eastern North Carolina would be complete without a stop at B's. With 42 years of slow cooking whole hogs, B's has the best barbecue in all of North Carolina. Get here early, because they sell out consistently! When it comes to the best bbq in North Carolina, you can't go wrong with a trip to B's Barbecue.
7. Bunn's Barbecue - Windsor
Bunn's Barbecue, 127 N King St, Windsor, NC 27983, USA
Google/Chloe Tuttle
Google/Jarrod Miller
Eastern North Carolina BBQ at its finest is found at Bunn's in the small town of Windsor. From the charming locale (inside an old gas station) to the tasty cornbread and the cole slaw that's soaked in vinegar, the added extras here are what makes this spot so wonderful — well, those and their slow-cooked BBQ! Come see for yourself! Learn more when you check out the Bunn's Barbecue Facebook page.
8. Currituck BBQ Company - Barco
Currituck BBQ Company, 4467 Caratoke Hwy, Barco, NC 27917, USA
Google/Tom Chan
Google/caz stinson
If burnt end briskets aren't a taste you've acquired yet, then not to worry. The extensive menu at this roadside BBQ joint includes everything from pulled pork, chicken, and pulled beef brisket to ribs, rotisserie chicken, burgers, and even chicken livers. There's something for everyone here! Learn more when you visit the Currituck BBQ Company website.
9. Sooey's BBQ and Rib Shack - Nags Head
Sooey's BBQ & Rib Shack, 3919 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959, USA
Google/G-Ro
Google/Brandon Lee
Pulled pork (Eastern style), slow-smoked ribs, Southern fried chicken, and beef brisket are what keeps people coming back time and again to this Outer Banks staple that's been around for nearly 20 years. Find it in Corolla, Duck Head, and this Nags Head location. There's a lot to love about this North Carolina barbecue joint!

This just may be our tastiest road trip yet! Do you love barbecue enough to make a weekend of sampling all of these great hole-in-the-wall North Carolina BBQ joints? How many of these have you already discovered? At least B’s, right?

What do you think are the best BBQ restaurants in North Carolina? Tell us all about them!

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best BBQ in North Carolina

Beth C. | February 09, 2023

What are some of the foods that North Carolina is famous for?

Whether you're traveling through North Carolina or have recently relocated there, you might be curious about some of the foods that North Carolina is famous for. Below is a list of iconic and famous North Carolina foods:

  • Barbecue
  • Pimento cheese
  • Fresh peaches
  • Shrimp
  • Biscuits
  • Fried chicken
  • Boiled peanuts
  • Muscadine grapes
  • Red-eye gravy

 

What are the best restaurants in North Carolina?

North Carolina really is a foodie's dream come true. With all kinds of restaurants, from mom-and-pop shops to holes-in-the-wall to downright luxurious eateries, there's no shortage of places to have a quality meal in the Tar Heel State. Some of the best restaurants in North Carolina include the following:

  • Herons in Cary
  • Stanbury in Raleigh
  • The Fearrington House Restaurant in Pittsboro
  • Lantern in Chapel Hill
  • Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen in Cary
  • Chef's Palette in Cary
  • Restaurant X in Davidson
  • Hawthorne & Wood in Chapel Hill
  • Market and Moss in Chapel Hill
  • Rey's Restaurant in Raleigh
  • Enrigo Italian Bistro in Cary
  • Elements Restaurant in Chapel Hill
  • Bosphorous Restaurant in Cary
  • Curate in Asheville
  • MACHETE in Greensboro
  • Oakleaf in Carrboro

 

For related content, check out our list of incredible hole-in-the-wall restaurants in North Carolina.

 

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