9 Authentic BBQ Spots In Raleigh, NC
Raleigh's Best Authentic BBQ
If you enjoy delicious barbeque, we've got you covered! Follow along to find the best places to enjoy barbeque in Raleigh, NC.
Barbeque and grilling out has been a staple meal in the South for longer than you can imagine. With tender meats and delicious flavors, BBQ is a fan favorite, bringing families and the community together over an exceptional meal.
There are multiple ways of barbequing and an abundance of seasonings to use; there's no right or wrong way. For those that don't know, barbeque is the low and slow method of cooking meat over indirect heat. Traditionally, BBQ consists of beef and pork cuts, but poultry such as chicken and turkey are common in some areas.
WARNING: Mouth-watering content up ahead
If your mouth isn't already watering, continue reading to find the most authentic BBQ restaurants in Raleigh, NC.
Chapters
1. Ole Time BBQ
Location: 6309 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27606
One of the best "hole in the wall" spots in Raleigh, NC, to enjoy delicious BBQ. They are located off Hillsborough St. and have served the community for 28 years. Stepping into the restaurant, you will feel as if you're stepping into someone's home. There's a welcoming atmosphere with laughter, friends, and family. Feel free to stop by for lunch and dinner, or contact them for any catering needs, deliveries, tailgates, or pig pickings!
Upon seating, you will be greeted with a basket of warm hushpuppies to start you off. The menu includes sandwiches, lunch and dinner plates, combination dinners, sides, BBQ pork trays, bowls, vegetable plates, and more. The fan favorite is the combinations dinner served with two sides. Options include:
- BBQ pork and chicken pastry
- BBQ pork and Brunswick stew
- BBQ pork and 1/4 fried chicken
- BBQ pork and 1/2 BBQ chicken
- BBQ pork and St. Louis-style ribs
Needless to say, Ole Time BBQ is a hidden gem that serves up great authentic BBQ. If you have the chance, check it out and let us know what you think.
Hours
Sunday: CLOSED
Monday - Saturday: 10 AM - 8 PM
2. The Pit
Location: 328 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Pit Barbeque serves authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked barbeque that everyone can enjoy. They have genuinely encompassed traditional North Carolina BBQ while also making it their own and serving up delicious renditions. The pigs used to give you the joy of tasting their barbeque are all raised in North Carolina using free-range farming practices.
At the Pit, they serve contemporary twists on southern favorites, beef brisket, baby back ribs, barbeque turkey, fried chicken, and a cant-miss barbeque tofu dish for those with dietary restrictions. Their "famous plates" are a favorite on the menu, consisting of various meat options served with two sides. They also have a full bar complete with wine, beer, spirits, and more to pair with your meal.
Accolades:
- Food Network's "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" rib challenge
- Competed on"Chopped"
- Featured on The Travel Channels "Man V Food"
- Featured on ABC's "Good Morning America" and "The Morning Show" on CBS
- Featured in Bon Appetit, Southern Living, Men's Health, GQ, Imbibe, Delta Sky, and Food Network Magazine's
Hours
Sunday - Thursday: 11 AM - 10 PM
Friday - Saturday: 11 AM - 11 PM
3. City BBQ
Location: 9424 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
With three on-site smokers, you are sure to smell barbeque smoke from blocks away. At City BBQ, they are known for putting their whole heart into every step of the smoking process. From picking out wood to carving to order, they are dedicated to giving you the best and most authentic barbeque possible. The method of creating their world-famous BBQ starts with loading the fireboxes with local hickory and giving it time to turn into charcoal and smoke. From there, they control the airflow and wait until the heat is just right before putting the meat on. By taking their time and letting the meat cook low and slow, they ensure every customer is happy and wants more.
The beef brisket is the most award-winning menu item. Pitmasters at City BBQ have perfected the tender and juiciness of the meat, making it mouth-watering and delicious for all. They credit the flavor and popularity to smoking the brisket for up to 18 hours.
Other menu items include sandwiches, ribs, chicken, sides, fresh salads, meats by the pound, desserts, party packs, and more, along with their five signature sauces to choose from.
Hours
Sunday: 11 AM - 8 PM
Monday - Saturday: 11 AM - 9 PM
4. Sam Jones BBQ
Location: 502 W Lenoir St, Raleigh, NC 27601
At both North Carolina locations, whole hogs are smoked on-site, chopped, and served daily. The world-famous BBQ that Sam Jones BBQ serves started back in the summer of 1947 when Pete Jones opened the Skylight Inn. Being known as a standard in Eastern NC barbeque, National Geographic published a book titled "Back Roads America" and essentially proclaimed the Skylight Inn some of the country's best BBQ. Pete passed in 2006, and his legacy was continued through his son Bruce, nephew Jeff, and grandson Sam Jones. Eventually, his grandson opened Sam Jones BBQ with the help of a past skylight employee, and the BBQ is still loved and cherished today.
The menu at the Raleigh Location includes "from the pit," smokehouse plates, small plates, smokehouse sandwiches, salads & potatoes, a kid's menu, sides & stuff, and more! The smokehouse plates include two sides, your choice of bread, and various meat options.
Check out Sam Jones BBQ to get a true taste of authentic barbeque and be engulfed in the history that makes it what it is.
Hours:
Sunday: 11 AM - 8:30 PM
Monday - Saturday: 11 AM - 9 PM
5. Clyde Coopers BBQ
Location: 327 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Clyde Cooper BBQ is a family-friendly restaurant that has been open for over 85 years. They have truly tested the time of Raleigh and continue to be one of the best restaurants in Raleigh. It wasn't until recently that they started accepting cards for payment. At Clyde's, they cook with wood only or wood and gas. Their methods have gained them recognition throughout the years, and they were even voted among the top 10 BBQ restaurants in America, and their fried chicken won best in the Triangle.
They are known for serving the best sandwiches, finger-lickin' ribs, BBQ, yummiest mac & cheese, crave-able fried chicken, and other southern comfort foods. They have three styles of pork barbeque; chopped, coarse, sliced, and tender beef brisket dipped in au jus sauce.
Not only do they serve delicious food, but they also have their own line of pink BBQ merch, are dog friendly, and are an event venue. For more information, check out their website.
Clyde's is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11-3:30 PM. However, if the downtown area is slower for the night, they may close earlier, and if downtown is busy, they will stay open later! It's always a good idea to call Clyde's before making the trip out.
Hours
Sunday - Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday - Saturday: 11 AM - 3:30 PM
6. The BBQ Lab
Location: 4120-140 Main at North Hills St, Raleigh, NC 27609
As the sister location of Bensons 'Redneck BBQ Lab,' the BBQ Lab in Raleigh, NC, offers some of the same award-winning barbeques and has quickly become one of the best restaurants in Raleigh. Some of the favorites on the menu are smoked pulled pork, brisket, turkey, and bone-in smoked pork chops. My personal favorite is the BBQ bolognese pasta! To ensure you have the best experience and fresh meat, they hand chop and pull their meat to ensure every bite is tender, juicy, and flavorful. Additionally, they serve pastrami beef ribs every Thursday and Sunday.
Hours
Sunday: 11 AM - 9 PM
Monday - Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday - Saturday: 11 AM - 9 PM
7. Chop Shop BBQ & Grill
Location: 210 E Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
While this restaurant may be connected to a Shell gas station, it is absolutely delicious! The owner started the Chop Shop as a food truck that was only available at the NC State Fairgrounds in 2013. In 2018, he was able to start selling out of the store, and the rest was history. The plates are a house favorite, and the options include:
- Pulled pork: a hefty serving of pork, served with one side, coleslaw, and hushpuppies
- Chicken salad: our homemade recipe, served with one side, coleslaw, and hushpuppies
- Smoked chicken: two seasoned thighs, served with one side, slaw, and hushpuppies
The sides consist of mac & cheese, cowboy beans, Brunswick stew, fries, hushpuppies, cucumber salad, banana pudding, potato salad, broccoli salad, and coleslaw. They also serve sandwiches and family packs. Family packs are intended for 2-4 or 4-6 people and include meats, sides, hushpuppies, etc.
Hours
Sunday - Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday - Thursday: 12 PM - 8 PM
Friday: 12 PM - 4 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
8. Midwood Smokehouse
Location: 409 W. Johnson St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Midwood Smokehouse is a newer restaurant but quickly becoming a favorite. They serve apps, salads, sandwiches, barbeque plates, combo platters, tex-mex tacos, sides, desserts, and drinks! Barbeque plates come with either one or two sides, and options include:
- Carolina Pork: hickory-smoked chopped pork, lightly dressed in Eastern NC Vinegar sauce
- Prime Beef Bricket: Texas-style slides USDA prime beef brisket
- Chicken barbecue: hickoe3ry-smoked springer mountain pulled chicken tossed in barbeque sauce
- Burnt ends: caramelized cubes of brisket tossed in cola barbeque sauce
- Smoked half chicken: tende3r fall apart split chicken with your choice of barbeque sauce
- Barbeque seasoned salmon: served on a bed of barbeque buttered corn and topped with an avocado and tomato pico
- Saint Louis-style pork ribs: quality smoked ribs served dry or sauced
Hours
Every Day: 11 AM - 9 PM
9. Longleaf Swine
Location: 300 East Edenton St, Raleigh, NC
Longleaf Swine cooks whole-hog BBQ "the old school way" and strives to bring the best BBQ to Downtown Raleigh. The brick-and-mortar started as a food truck between two friends, owner Adam, and Pitmaster Marc. While their food truck was successful, they strived for more, and that's what they accomplished. Today, the slow cooking and wood fire brings delicious and tender meats to the area that everyone enjoys. Marc's food is influenced by training in the Texas Tradition and a long love and childhood immersed in the Carolina Style Finished that defines the Longleaf Swine Flavor.
"The best ribs I've ever experienced (yes, they are an experience). I was sad when I was full because I wanted to keep eating them. I also got the mac & cheese thinking, 'Ya, Ok. A basic Side." HA. Jokes on me because I ate more than half before my family was ready for dinner. Sorry, not sorry, family! Unreal food, the juiciest meats!!! *chefs kiss*
The menu includes sandwiches, meats by the 1/2 pound, smalls (pimento cheese & oyster crackers), sides, desserts, a lunch menu, and more! Customers love the sandwiches; pulled pork sandwich, brisket melt, collard green melt, Smashburger, and smoked chicken salad sandwich.
Hours:
Sunday: 11 AM - 10 PM
Monday - Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday - Saturday: 11 AM - 10 PM
Authentic BBQ In Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
Barbeque in Raleigh and North Carolina is a Southern tradition that will continue to be carried out. Whether you're barbequing at home, hosting a tailgate or family gathering, visiting a BBQ food truck, etc., the meats and menu items in the Raleigh area will surely have you traveling back for more. Everyone who lives in or visits Raleigh should experience one of these delicious restaurants to enjoy the Southern tradition fully! The BBQ restaurants in the area are award-winning, world-famous, family-friendly, and more, with exceptional staff and a welcoming atmosphere. We highly recommend checking out one of these restaurants next time you're in the mood for authentic BBQ in Raleigh.
Check out our other guides about Raleigh, including the best brunch spots in Downtown Raleigh.
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Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!