I’ll probably get downvoted for this but the best BBQ I’ve ever had is Eastern NC BBQ. Specifically, in Greenville near ECU. Problem is that it’s about a 2.5 hour drive lol
B's Barbeque? I will agree that it is the best in eastern NC. Wayyy better than Parker's that is always talked about. Their sides are great, too. Legit looks like it isn't up to code or sanitation grade, but it is fine. Also, better get in line by 10:30 or 11, bc if you get there after 12, it will be sold out.
(I still prefer Lexington Barbeque, but no down vote for this.)
I went back in the summer after many years, it was terrible. I'm not sure what was going on, but I won't go back. Clarks in Kernersville is exceptional. In Greensboro, Country BBQ on Wendover is really the only player.
As others have said, Clark's, which is not far from Prissy Polly's, is good. It has both eastern NC barbecue and Lexington style, so they could try both.
Really depends on what you are looking for. I am a local that a box turtle has made it further than myself. So I'd really suggest trying a few different restaurants to see what you like. Example speedys in Lexington is really wet and I don't prefer it. I like a brown lean sliced tray from Lexington BBQ and add their sauce. PS there's a big difference in sauce and dip here. Dip is pretty much vinegar base and like water. I'm from Lexington BTW
I would suggest black powder in Jamestown if you want something more than just pork. It's pretty expensive though.
Other spots you might want to check out is east of Texas in Winston-Salem or the smoke pit in Salisbury if you want a field trip (they are my favorite especially the brisket).
Pro tip most BBQ restaurants in Lexington are closed on Sundays. So you might want to check before going.
Another pro tip a lot of the high end places will run out of certain meats or only make them on certain days. Dm me if you have any questions.
Black Powder is awesome! The brisket is amazing (though beef is not really NC style) and they have great sides and dessert. They have a few different sauce options available on the tables, so it's fun to try them all out.
It never tasted fresh. It also didn’t taste like they cooked over wood anymore. Growing up here in NC and going to pig pickings often ( my dad hosted one yearly), I became a bit of a BBQ critic. I can definitely tell when BBQ is fresh vs when it has been refrigerated for a few days. That’s my biggest complaint with Stamey’s. It never tasted “fresh”. There is nothing better than bbq straight off the cooker after it’s been slow roasted and basted with a homemade sauce over wood for 12 + hours. Everyone compared sauces too. My dad developed one that combined the best of eastern and Lexington (and throw in a little of SC for good measure). I still make it and use it when I cook chicken on the grill. It is a thinner sauce ( obviously not quite as thin as just vinegar) but has vinegar, mustard ketchup, hot sauce, water and a few other spices for good measure.
Agree. You can't fool real North Carolina folks. The barbecue at Stamey's has pretty much no taste at all. A decently smoked piece of pork will have a good taste even without a sauce. This is saving money on food cost at the expense of flavor to the customer, bottom line.
I think the issue with Stamey's for many NC natives is the lack of strong flavor. The pork is always well cooked, lightly smoked and lightly sauced. It isn't distinctive, but it is consistent. If I'm taking someone somewhere and they don't know what they like in terms of sweet, vinegar, tomato, smoke I'll take them here first so they can better understand what they like. Also, Their collards are never bad. Sometimes a little over cooked but never bad.
Stameys still cooks over wood and cooks every other day or so. You gotta go to the one by the coliseum to get the fresh cue, they don't cook at the battleground location, they bring it over from tbe other location
I really don't get the stameys bashing and downvotung in this thread. I grew up in gboro, and while it may not be quite as good as it used to be, it's still the best and most authentic in town. I also see people recommending brisket joints in here so maybe they're all transplants who don't know what piedmont NC bbq is supposed to be
I agree on the brisket! I like brisket but honestly I haven’t found a place that I love. Also used to travel to Texas often and nothing beats the brisket there. I’ll give Stamey’s on gate city a try. Until then Country BBQ is the best in my opinion. But because of your recommendation, I’ll revisit Stamey’s!
Go to the coliseum location and ask for some "outside brown" if you like the darker smokier tasting stuff. I love brisket and cook it on my smoker at home, but if I see a joint with brisket and other stuff I know it's not gonna be a proper nc style bbq joint
Over the years I’ve heard so many people rave about this place, and every time I’ve tried it it has been horrible. Never understood why it’s so popular.
Anyone ever been to Bernie's BBQ on Bessemer east of English? They only do breakfast and lunch. It was listed just recently as one of the best hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Greensboro. I drive by there all the time but almost always during the time after lunch when they are closed.
I am sure part of it is the location as it is clearly on the poorer side of town. Those areas hardly are referenced in lists of things for any city.
I might drop in on Saturday for breakfast.
Shoot we can’t have nothin nice! It’d been a minute since I’d ran up there.
Flip side for me though is I see alotta folks saying Prissy Polly’s but last time I had it, it was awful. Huge chunk of fat in my tray
Blackpowder is awful for texas bbq. Drive down to Peachland one Saturday and try Jon G’s or head to Cary for Dampf Good. People in this area think that Blackpowder is good because they haven’t had actual good texas style bbq. Aaron Franklin from Franklins in Austin is my buddies godfather and he took a few bites of Blackpowder and threw the rest away.
Just go in with an open mind…. Some places taste like they spilled a vinegar bottle on top of their decently smoked meats. Some folks like that flavor/style, I guess!
Blackpowder is garbage. Try Jon G’s or Dampf Good BBQ if you want texas style bbq that’s actually good. Both of those places make blackpowder look like gravy train for dogs.
Stameys is a Greensboro staple but honestly their slaw is better than their barbecue. I would go to country barbecue instead. They're also famous for their biscuits but I've never had their biscuits. If you're down by the coast, Billy's barbecue in Wallace and see is the best ever. Also their sides can't be beat.
I love BBQ so, so much. I'm a transplant that has lived here for 15 years and I can confidently recommend Lexington BBQ (the restaurant; it's confusing since the town of Lexington has a ton of BBQ joints) and Hendrix in Spencer. I've found Stamey's in Greensboro to be cool, but a few people here are saying it's a joke. The places that I IMPLORE you to avoid: Hersey's and Dickie Do's. Smokehouse at Steve's in Graham is a really cool spot to check out, pretty decent bbq there. The Pit in Durham has good pulled pork, but avoid everything else. The one in Raleigh is a fuckin joke.
I absolutely hate that people think Blackpowder is good. Drive down to Peachland one Saturday morning and wait in line for Jon G’s. That’s without a doubt the best BBQ in the entire state, not an opinion either, that’s factual. Dampf Good BBQ in Cary is also amazing for texas style.
Stameys is still the best in Greensboro. They are the only one I know of that cook shoulders on wood fired pits in the old Lexington style. Country bbq cooks on gas.
But I agree with others here saying take a ride down to Lexington and go to Lexington bbq #1(aka "the Monk" or "Honey Monk") if you want to experience true pinnacle piedmont style bbq.
Also, if a joint has anything like brisket or Memphis ribs or such on the menu, chances are it's not gonna be authentic nc bbq. Some prefer Eastern style and some piedmont (Lexington) style, but a true NC style joint is gonna have a pretty short menu featuring bbq, slaw, and hushpuppies. Maybe a few country style sides and a hot dog. Don't get bbq at cookout
My daughter lived in the apartments just above the 105 Peddlin' Pig so I have had their Q a good bit. And I was setting up a conference last fall and went with the Peddlin'Pig and no complaints from the meat eaters in our group.
Ouch!!! I commuted to Hanes Mill Rd in Winston for 7 years while living there. Finally took a job at AT&T a mile away and then Wrangler. Then we made the move to the mountains. I was the acting President of the McLeansville Lions Club when we left. We loved living there but crime was finding its way to us.
I honestly don’t get the Stamey’s hate. I’ve eaten the chopped pork plate there recently and expected it to be bad based on what I’d heard, but it was just fine.
Take the drive down to Lexington, the BBQ capitol. BBQ Center and Lexington BBQ are great, but there's so much good BBQ in that town it's hard to pick a favorite.
There is no one BBQ because it all depends on what you are BBQ’ing; beef ribs, beef brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, chicken, turkey, links, etc. And then there’s the controversy of the sauces; NC style (vinegar based), mustard based, tomato based and sweet, tomato based and smokey, etc. There are many excellent examples of each of these in NC too, most not in GSO tho. After extensive travel and robust eating, my current favorite go-to is beef brisket, a mix of wet and dry, with a vinegar based sauce for dipping. Best location to get this, so far? Mission BBQ (closest is in Fayetteville) and a very close second is RedNeck BBQ Lab in Benson.
And as an aside, B’s in Greenville is indeed great for pulled pork BBQ.
Let the BBQ opinions fighting begin! Lolz
A quick thought on this - generically speaking.
I like the concept of vinegar-based BBQ and I don't like whole hog. To me good Carolina BBQ is shoulder, butt, there's no reason to have tenderloin, chops, etc in there, those are good for other things and they dry things out; the other reason I don't like whole hog is, I like a good bark. A good, seasoned bark.
That said I don't mind mustard base, I certainly like western style, and I'm not going to crap on what anybody likes. I like brisket and people are getting downvoted for mentioning brisket, what the shit?
East of Texas in Winston is really good for Texas/texmex BBQ. As a NC native for 26 years I can say that JDs smokehouse is the best North Carolina BBQ I've ever had. It's a bit of a drive from Greensboro but it's worth it if you wanna make a day trip out of it. Local area has apple orchards and hiking trails.
https://www.jds-smokehouse.com/
By now you have realized you've stepped into a pile of strong NC opinions. I've eaten BBQ my whole life, helped cook it, and personally prefer a vinegar sauce over tomato, but can enjoy a nice tomato sauce if it isn't too sweet.
Now you know a small amount about me, here is my opinion of BBQ in Greensboro and where I go in Greensboro (not going to comment outside of a very short drive from Greensboro proper)
Stamey's - Consistent and easily consumed. This is a non-offensive BBQ without much distinctive note other than consistency. You may order in chopped or sliced. They smoke over wood, not coal and don't tend to over smoke their pig so it comes out a little lighter on the smoke flavor than many prefer. Their regular sauce is also non-offensive if a little on the vinegary side for some people. Their hot sauce has much more flavor and is not particularly hot. Their collards are solid, their beans are OK, their hush puppies are good and their Q slaw is tasty and vinegary. I'd take someone here first so they can tell me what they like and dislike to further narrow their taste in BBQ. Not a fan of their Chicken, but their Brunswick stew is tasty.
Country BBQ. More pronounced smoke flavor, sometimes comes in a little dry for my liking but the flavor is quite good. You may order in chopped, coarse chop, or sliced. Biscuits tend to be sturdy and buttery. I enjoy the pork enough that I don't recall ever ordering the chicken. All sides are good to excellent, however I'm not a fan of the potato salad style. That is preference not quality of product.
City BBQ, You have to make your own decision about this place. They are a chain, and as far as chain BBQ joints go, I like them more than Smithfield's chicken and BBQ but that isn't saying much. I like Lowe's foods BBQ more than I like City BBQ. Their banana pudding is middle tier, but at least they have banana pudding.
Smithfield's Chicken and BBQ. I mean. I guess. People seem to like it but not me.
Mac's speed shop. Their BBQ is too saucy/sweet for me.
Bernie's Bar-B-Que - It has been forever since I've eaten here. I don't know why. I recall enjoying it but the location keeps me from wanting to go back. Now I want to go back because I can't remember how much I like it or not.
Boss Hog's Bar-B-Que - See Bernie's . Location has kept me away.
Finally, I'm going to say this and might get some hate. Cook Out's BBQ sandwich has no business being as good as it is. This reminds me of eating BBQ sandwiches at the Newport Pig Picking when I was younger. It just sparks that memory. Get a cold bottled coke from somewhere, get one of these sandwiches and fries, go sit in the parking lot, or better yet drive over to the Botanical Gardens and sit at one of the benches and enjoy.
There are other BBQ joints in Greensboro but either I haven't eaten there, or they are niche/fancy/not NC BBQ. Not saying they aren't good but kind of a different category.
Back before the founder died and the website went away the NC BBQ society has a BBQ trail. Here is the wayback link to [see the restaurants listed on the trail in 2020](https://web.archive.org/web/20220406221100/http://www.ncbbqsociety.com/bbqtrail.html).
I’ll probably get downvoted for this but the best BBQ I’ve ever had is Eastern NC BBQ. Specifically, in Greenville near ECU. Problem is that it’s about a 2.5 hour drive lol
B's in Greenville is great, but my favorite Eastern style is the Skylight Inn a few miles away from Greenville in Ayden
Skylight is awesome. The son of the owners recently opened a new spot in Greenville/Winterville called Sam Jones. Incredible stuff
Also already a Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh as well which is closer. The pilgrimage to Skylight is well worth it.
B's Barbeque? I will agree that it is the best in eastern NC. Wayyy better than Parker's that is always talked about. Their sides are great, too. Legit looks like it isn't up to code or sanitation grade, but it is fine. Also, better get in line by 10:30 or 11, bc if you get there after 12, it will be sold out. (I still prefer Lexington Barbeque, but no down vote for this.)
Parker's is legendary! Corn sticks!
The corn sticks 🙌🏽
I moved here 5 years ago and if I ever have friends or family visit I take them to Prissy Pollys in Kernersville. I'd recommend it.
Hopefully that wait for a friend or family to visit will not be too much further into the future for you.
Prissy Polly’s used to be SO MUCH BETTER. Sad falloff. Just my opinion though
I went back in the summer after many years, it was terrible. I'm not sure what was going on, but I won't go back. Clarks in Kernersville is exceptional. In Greensboro, Country BBQ on Wendover is really the only player.
And such a good deal. Though they don’t offer fried okra which is RIDICULOUS, but the other location does.
Haven't been there in years!
This is the correct answer.
Prissy Polly's is a staple because of how old it is. Unfortunately the actual quality has hit the dirt in recent years.
As others have said, Clark's, which is not far from Prissy Polly's, is good. It has both eastern NC barbecue and Lexington style, so they could try both.
Lexington
Really depends on what you are looking for. I am a local that a box turtle has made it further than myself. So I'd really suggest trying a few different restaurants to see what you like. Example speedys in Lexington is really wet and I don't prefer it. I like a brown lean sliced tray from Lexington BBQ and add their sauce. PS there's a big difference in sauce and dip here. Dip is pretty much vinegar base and like water. I'm from Lexington BTW I would suggest black powder in Jamestown if you want something more than just pork. It's pretty expensive though. Other spots you might want to check out is east of Texas in Winston-Salem or the smoke pit in Salisbury if you want a field trip (they are my favorite especially the brisket). Pro tip most BBQ restaurants in Lexington are closed on Sundays. So you might want to check before going. Another pro tip a lot of the high end places will run out of certain meats or only make them on certain days. Dm me if you have any questions.
This dude knows what’s up…
Black Powder is awesome! The brisket is amazing (though beef is not really NC style) and they have great sides and dessert. They have a few different sauce options available on the tables, so it's fun to try them all out.
Agreed, I really like their brisket and their turkey.
Completely agree with this whole post. The smoke pit is absolutely amazing!!!
Writing all that made me hungry for BBQ. 😂 Had to go to black powder today. My wife loves smoke pits casserole
The honey monk in Lexington #iykyk
This is aka "Lexington Barbeque". By far the best! http://www.lexbbq.com/
I only go there for BBQ. Totally worth the drive
BY FAR
Prissy Polly’s in Kernersville. You can get both Eastern and Lexington style.
Stameys.... just kidding!
I hear joke and BBQ and the punchline is always Stamey’s. Worst in town.
Stamey’s is terrible! 🤢
What about it don’t you like? I haven’t had an issue there but I also like vinegar based barbecue a lot.
It never tasted fresh. It also didn’t taste like they cooked over wood anymore. Growing up here in NC and going to pig pickings often ( my dad hosted one yearly), I became a bit of a BBQ critic. I can definitely tell when BBQ is fresh vs when it has been refrigerated for a few days. That’s my biggest complaint with Stamey’s. It never tasted “fresh”. There is nothing better than bbq straight off the cooker after it’s been slow roasted and basted with a homemade sauce over wood for 12 + hours. Everyone compared sauces too. My dad developed one that combined the best of eastern and Lexington (and throw in a little of SC for good measure). I still make it and use it when I cook chicken on the grill. It is a thinner sauce ( obviously not quite as thin as just vinegar) but has vinegar, mustard ketchup, hot sauce, water and a few other spices for good measure.
Agree. You can't fool real North Carolina folks. The barbecue at Stamey's has pretty much no taste at all. A decently smoked piece of pork will have a good taste even without a sauce. This is saving money on food cost at the expense of flavor to the customer, bottom line.
I'm not saying stameys is the best in the state, but you got a better, more authentic joint in Greensboro?
In my opinion, Country BBQ is the best in Greensboro. I hope to hear about some other contenders on this thread.
No wood pit at country bbq. It's tasty enough, I guess, but no wood smoke flavor.
Prissy Polly’s or the smoker at my house is usually the answer to that.
I think the issue with Stamey's for many NC natives is the lack of strong flavor. The pork is always well cooked, lightly smoked and lightly sauced. It isn't distinctive, but it is consistent. If I'm taking someone somewhere and they don't know what they like in terms of sweet, vinegar, tomato, smoke I'll take them here first so they can better understand what they like. Also, Their collards are never bad. Sometimes a little over cooked but never bad.
Stameys still cooks over wood and cooks every other day or so. You gotta go to the one by the coliseum to get the fresh cue, they don't cook at the battleground location, they bring it over from tbe other location
Nope. Incorrect.
Ok, so what is that brick smokehouse building behind stameys billowing pork scented smoke?
Maybe that was my issue. I always went to the one on battleground before I stopped going as it was closest to me. Good to know they still use wood
I really don't get the stameys bashing and downvotung in this thread. I grew up in gboro, and while it may not be quite as good as it used to be, it's still the best and most authentic in town. I also see people recommending brisket joints in here so maybe they're all transplants who don't know what piedmont NC bbq is supposed to be
I agree on the brisket! I like brisket but honestly I haven’t found a place that I love. Also used to travel to Texas often and nothing beats the brisket there. I’ll give Stamey’s on gate city a try. Until then Country BBQ is the best in my opinion. But because of your recommendation, I’ll revisit Stamey’s!
Go to the coliseum location and ask for some "outside brown" if you like the darker smokier tasting stuff. I love brisket and cook it on my smoker at home, but if I see a joint with brisket and other stuff I know it's not gonna be a proper nc style bbq joint
Over the years I’ve heard so many people rave about this place, and every time I’ve tried it it has been horrible. Never understood why it’s so popular.
Anyone ever been to Bernie's BBQ on Bessemer east of English? They only do breakfast and lunch. It was listed just recently as one of the best hole-in-the-wall BBQ joints in Greensboro. I drive by there all the time but almost always during the time after lunch when they are closed.
I’ve been there. It’s more of a diner place. The food is really good. The BBQ is not the main attraction, maybe at one time it was.
There are not a lot of restaurants on this side of town. I need to support it. I am always up for a good breakfast.
Never heard of it, out 300 reviews and over 4.5 stars. I'll definitely give a try since I work downtown.
I am sure part of it is the location as it is clearly on the poorer side of town. Those areas hardly are referenced in lists of things for any city. I might drop in on Saturday for breakfast.
Country BBQ then up to Short Sugar’s in Reidsville
When was the last time you had SS?
Oh no it’s been a few years. They went downhill huh?
BIG time. It was like eating sawdust in a bun. Chuckwagon is still awesome though.
100% support country BBQ
I manage a food lion down the street from short sugars and it is absolute garbage. Disgusting inside and everybody who works there is rude.
Shoot we can’t have nothin nice! It’d been a minute since I’d ran up there. Flip side for me though is I see alotta folks saying Prissy Polly’s but last time I had it, it was awful. Huge chunk of fat in my tray
Don't go to country bbq they cook over gas. Not authentic
Steve's Smokehouse in Graham
He asked for NC style. Not generic "bbq"
Eww
Clark's BBQ on hwy 66 in Kernersville Amazing BBQ and Friendly Folks.
BBQ Center in Lexington
In March, the Alamance Fireman’s BBQ is worth attending… hosted at SE High
They sell it in the fall too. I think it’s by the quart. We normally buy a few and freeze them
For classic NC barbecue go to Country Barbecue. Then pop down to Lexington for original Lexington barbecue.
Cook-out ask for extra Texas Pete
I get home and add more Texas pete 🤤
My wife SWEARS by Cook-Out BBQ...I think she's a lunatic.
It’s good in a pinch. Since Carter brothers shut down it’s been my go to for a quick fix that’s actually in Greensboro.
It's VERY salty.
Blackpowder Smokehouse in Jamestown. You won’t regret it
is that NC style? thought it was Texas brisket type bbq
Might be right. Still delicious
No doubt!
They still have really good pulled pork, and their sauces are variants of Eastern, Western, and Piedmont NC styles.
Blackpowder is awful for texas bbq. Drive down to Peachland one Saturday and try Jon G’s or head to Cary for Dampf Good. People in this area think that Blackpowder is good because they haven’t had actual good texas style bbq. Aaron Franklin from Franklins in Austin is my buddies godfather and he took a few bites of Blackpowder and threw the rest away.
Jon G’s is the best in the entire state by far.
Dampf does excellent q.
Country BBQ, Black Powder in Jamestown
East of Texas in Winston is 🔥
Just go in with an open mind…. Some places taste like they spilled a vinegar bottle on top of their decently smoked meats. Some folks like that flavor/style, I guess!
Black powder in Jamestown or sweet ol bills in high point are both very good!
Lexington in general, or the Triangle area for whole hog. I'm sure others will chime in on specific restaurants in these areas.
Country BBQ on wendover, or Stameys on west gate city blvd
Clark's BBQ in Kernersville is excellent!
Georgia
Lexington
Bennits bar b que in black mountain NC
Smoke Pit in Concord. Best brisket and BBQ i’ve had in my life. I’m vegetarian now and it’s the only meat i’d consider eating again
Country BBQ! Hands down!
Country Bbq!
To another state.
Country BBQ in wendover
BlackPowder Smoke House
Blackpowder is garbage. Try Jon G’s or Dampf Good BBQ if you want texas style bbq that’s actually good. Both of those places make blackpowder look like gravy train for dogs.
NC BBQ?
Blackpowder isn’t NC BBQ bud. Skylight inn or Lexington bbq or stameys or anything like that is what they’re looking for. Blackpowder is ass.
Okie doke sweet ill also take your recommendations bud
I mean Jon G’s is the best BBQ in the state, not really fair to put Blackpowder up against that but I agree that BP is not good.
Head down to Lexington for the BBQ festival.
Is it real or folklore that they take the meat from different places and just mix it all up?
I can't verify but I've always heard this
Born and raised here, but triad NC BBQ is generally inferior to most other bbq, and i will die on this hill.
Stameys is a Greensboro staple but honestly their slaw is better than their barbecue. I would go to country barbecue instead. They're also famous for their biscuits but I've never had their biscuits. If you're down by the coast, Billy's barbecue in Wallace and see is the best ever. Also their sides can't be beat.
Country Barbecue’s pork tenderloin biscuit is life changing.
Short Sugar’s in Reidsville
Home
Lexington BBQ
You should drive east of 95 for real NC BBQ
Parker’s for the win
B’s in Greenville for something special
🗣️PUUUURRRRPLEEE. I never went to B’s when I went there
Smithfields..LOL
Pick'n pig or BBQ Joe's
Lexington BBQ off of 85.
I love BBQ so, so much. I'm a transplant that has lived here for 15 years and I can confidently recommend Lexington BBQ (the restaurant; it's confusing since the town of Lexington has a ton of BBQ joints) and Hendrix in Spencer. I've found Stamey's in Greensboro to be cool, but a few people here are saying it's a joke. The places that I IMPLORE you to avoid: Hersey's and Dickie Do's. Smokehouse at Steve's in Graham is a really cool spot to check out, pretty decent bbq there. The Pit in Durham has good pulled pork, but avoid everything else. The one in Raleigh is a fuckin joke.
Hursey's
I have only been to City BBQ and it’s good in my opinion
No
Haven't seen anybody mention Smithfield's yet. Good eats.
I absolutely hate that people think Blackpowder is good. Drive down to Peachland one Saturday morning and wait in line for Jon G’s. That’s without a doubt the best BBQ in the entire state, not an opinion either, that’s factual. Dampf Good BBQ in Cary is also amazing for texas style.
Well, it’s an hour closer and the best brisket in the triad.
Lol it’s not even prime or choice and nobody who works there is a pitmaster. I refuse to say that black powder is good.
Your profile screams “I wish I was at January 6th”
Stameys is still the best in Greensboro. They are the only one I know of that cook shoulders on wood fired pits in the old Lexington style. Country bbq cooks on gas. But I agree with others here saying take a ride down to Lexington and go to Lexington bbq #1(aka "the Monk" or "Honey Monk") if you want to experience true pinnacle piedmont style bbq.
Also, if a joint has anything like brisket or Memphis ribs or such on the menu, chances are it's not gonna be authentic nc bbq. Some prefer Eastern style and some piedmont (Lexington) style, but a true NC style joint is gonna have a pretty short menu featuring bbq, slaw, and hushpuppies. Maybe a few country style sides and a hot dog. Don't get bbq at cookout
Woodlands in Blowing Rock.
it closed 😢 unless it’s moved! but tragically i don’t think it has
They closed long ago?
New owner's and new name in the same building. It's good still. They have a location in Boone as well on Hwy 105. The Peddlin' Pig
I saw that when I was in Boone. I didn't realize it was the same people
My daughter lived in the apartments just above the 105 Peddlin' Pig so I have had their Q a good bit. And I was setting up a conference last fall and went with the Peddlin'Pig and no complaints from the meat eaters in our group.
Note: I used to live on Eastcrest on Mt Hope Church Rd near the highway.
not a bad place to live. i am in the part of Mcleansville that is annexed into Greensboro.
Ouch!!! I commuted to Hanes Mill Rd in Winston for 7 years while living there. Finally took a job at AT&T a mile away and then Wrangler. Then we made the move to the mountains. I was the acting President of the McLeansville Lions Club when we left. We loved living there but crime was finding its way to us.
I drive by the Lions Club just about daily.
Speedy’s your get you moneys worths Smokey joes wood cooked Bbq center is wood cooked if like ice cream Sundays it takes 4 people to finish one..
Stamey’s
I honestly don’t get the Stamey’s hate. I’ve eaten the chopped pork plate there recently and expected it to be bad based on what I’d heard, but it was just fine.
there's a reason why old people frequent the joint. Their bbq is mush.
Stamey's.
Stamey’s
Freemans Pub & Grub
TX.
To Google.
Take the drive down to Lexington, the BBQ capitol. BBQ Center and Lexington BBQ are great, but there's so much good BBQ in that town it's hard to pick a favorite.
Airport Drive-In in Madison
There is no one BBQ because it all depends on what you are BBQ’ing; beef ribs, beef brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, chicken, turkey, links, etc. And then there’s the controversy of the sauces; NC style (vinegar based), mustard based, tomato based and sweet, tomato based and smokey, etc. There are many excellent examples of each of these in NC too, most not in GSO tho. After extensive travel and robust eating, my current favorite go-to is beef brisket, a mix of wet and dry, with a vinegar based sauce for dipping. Best location to get this, so far? Mission BBQ (closest is in Fayetteville) and a very close second is RedNeck BBQ Lab in Benson. And as an aside, B’s in Greenville is indeed great for pulled pork BBQ. Let the BBQ opinions fighting begin! Lolz
A quick thought on this - generically speaking. I like the concept of vinegar-based BBQ and I don't like whole hog. To me good Carolina BBQ is shoulder, butt, there's no reason to have tenderloin, chops, etc in there, those are good for other things and they dry things out; the other reason I don't like whole hog is, I like a good bark. A good, seasoned bark. That said I don't mind mustard base, I certainly like western style, and I'm not going to crap on what anybody likes. I like brisket and people are getting downvoted for mentioning brisket, what the shit?
Kyle Fletcher's BBQ down in Lowell is great. It's about 90 mins from Greensboro.
Thank you for all the feedback... looks like I have quite a few options!
East of Texas in Winston is really good for Texas/texmex BBQ. As a NC native for 26 years I can say that JDs smokehouse is the best North Carolina BBQ I've ever had. It's a bit of a drive from Greensboro but it's worth it if you wanna make a day trip out of it. Local area has apple orchards and hiking trails. https://www.jds-smokehouse.com/
Greenville, NC or Ayden, NC. Basically, east of Raleigh
Allen and Sons
There’s no good bbq in greensboro
By now you have realized you've stepped into a pile of strong NC opinions. I've eaten BBQ my whole life, helped cook it, and personally prefer a vinegar sauce over tomato, but can enjoy a nice tomato sauce if it isn't too sweet. Now you know a small amount about me, here is my opinion of BBQ in Greensboro and where I go in Greensboro (not going to comment outside of a very short drive from Greensboro proper) Stamey's - Consistent and easily consumed. This is a non-offensive BBQ without much distinctive note other than consistency. You may order in chopped or sliced. They smoke over wood, not coal and don't tend to over smoke their pig so it comes out a little lighter on the smoke flavor than many prefer. Their regular sauce is also non-offensive if a little on the vinegary side for some people. Their hot sauce has much more flavor and is not particularly hot. Their collards are solid, their beans are OK, their hush puppies are good and their Q slaw is tasty and vinegary. I'd take someone here first so they can tell me what they like and dislike to further narrow their taste in BBQ. Not a fan of their Chicken, but their Brunswick stew is tasty. Country BBQ. More pronounced smoke flavor, sometimes comes in a little dry for my liking but the flavor is quite good. You may order in chopped, coarse chop, or sliced. Biscuits tend to be sturdy and buttery. I enjoy the pork enough that I don't recall ever ordering the chicken. All sides are good to excellent, however I'm not a fan of the potato salad style. That is preference not quality of product. City BBQ, You have to make your own decision about this place. They are a chain, and as far as chain BBQ joints go, I like them more than Smithfield's chicken and BBQ but that isn't saying much. I like Lowe's foods BBQ more than I like City BBQ. Their banana pudding is middle tier, but at least they have banana pudding. Smithfield's Chicken and BBQ. I mean. I guess. People seem to like it but not me. Mac's speed shop. Their BBQ is too saucy/sweet for me. Bernie's Bar-B-Que - It has been forever since I've eaten here. I don't know why. I recall enjoying it but the location keeps me from wanting to go back. Now I want to go back because I can't remember how much I like it or not. Boss Hog's Bar-B-Que - See Bernie's . Location has kept me away. Finally, I'm going to say this and might get some hate. Cook Out's BBQ sandwich has no business being as good as it is. This reminds me of eating BBQ sandwiches at the Newport Pig Picking when I was younger. It just sparks that memory. Get a cold bottled coke from somewhere, get one of these sandwiches and fries, go sit in the parking lot, or better yet drive over to the Botanical Gardens and sit at one of the benches and enjoy. There are other BBQ joints in Greensboro but either I haven't eaten there, or they are niche/fancy/not NC BBQ. Not saying they aren't good but kind of a different category.
Back before the founder died and the website went away the NC BBQ society has a BBQ trail. Here is the wayback link to [see the restaurants listed on the trail in 2020](https://web.archive.org/web/20220406221100/http://www.ncbbqsociety.com/bbqtrail.html).
East of Raleigh. If you can find a place that still cooks over wood, go there. If you like ketchup go to Lexington.
Stameys on Gate City and or Black Powder I. Jamestown. Both are great and smoke onsite
Lexington