Cradle of ‘Cue: Stops on North Carolina’s Historic Barbecue Trail

Starting in Ayden with famed Skylight Inn and finishing in Murphy with Herb’s Pit Bar-B-Que, the Historic Barbecue Trail created by the North Carolina Barbecue Society spotlights more than 15 stops that specialize in roasting pig the old-fashioned way – slowly, over pits of wood or charcoal. Both distinct styles of barbecue, Eastern and Lexington, are represented on the trail and continue to cause heated debates along the way over which tastes better.

Eastern-style uses the whole hog – without ketchup – while Western- or Lexington-style is just shoulders. And, yes, you’ll also see it spelled two ways: barbecue and barbeque – or often just ‘cue or Q. Whatever the style or spelling, you’ll find it still tastes great in the Tar Heel State at these select Trail members.

1 Skylight Inn

1 Skylight Inn

AydenSee on mapSee on map

Founded in 1947, this small destination sells pork sandwiches with slaw and corn bread, plus barbecue chicken, sodas and iced tea. Just look for the replica of the Washington, D.C., capitol building on top of the Skylight Inn.

2 Bum's Restaurant

2 Bum's Restaurant

AydenSee on mapSee on map

A full-service restaurant, Bum's serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is one of the only barbecue joints in eastern NC with a buffet table filled with freshly prepared vegetable sides such as black-eyed peas, collards and stewed rutabaga.

3 B’s Barbecue

3 B’s Barbecue

GreenvilleSee on mapSee on map

The McLawhorn family owns and operates this classic ‘cue joint. They close for the day when they run out.

4 Wilber's Barbecue

4 Wilber's Barbecue

GoldsboroSee on mapSee on map

Whole hogs are cooked all night over oak embers on open pits, and there's a drive-thru here for diners in a hurry.

5 Grady’s Barbecue

5 Grady’s Barbecue

DudleySee on mapSee on map

Steve and Gerri Grady opened Grady's Barbecue on July 4, 1986. Their classic ‘cue and sauce have kept patrons quite patriotic about it ever since.

6 Stephenson’s Bar-B-Que

6 Stephenson’s Bar-B-Que

Willow SpringSee on mapSee on map

Stephenson’s was founded by hog farmer Paul Stephenson back in 1958. His chopped barbecue and sauce have been popular ever since.

7 Hursey’s Bar-B-Q

7 Hursey’s Bar-B-Q

BurlingtonSee on mapSee on map

The Hursey family has been cooking whole hogs for many decades and started selling to the public in 1960. Hursey’s barbecued pork is renowned for being perfectly moist and sauced.

8 Stamey’s Barbecue

Plate of barbecue and sides with Stamey's Barbecue written on plate

8 Stamey’s Barbecue

GreensboroSee on mapSee on map

C. Warner Stamey started this Triad family tradition, and grandson Chip carries it on at two locations. The smiling service, coleslaw, hushpuppies, sweet tea and homemade cobbler are equally famous.

9 Fuzzy’s Bar-B-Q

9 Fuzzy’s Bar-B-Q

MadisonSee on mapSee on map

Fuzzy’s features Western-style barbecue seven days a week, except Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trays, plates, sandwiches and other ‘cue specialties are all on the menu.

10 Real Q

photo: Visit Winston-Salem

10 Real Q

Winston-SalemSee on mapSee on map

Formerly Little Richard's, Richard Berrier's Real Q serves up BBQ sandwiches, trays and plates. They all come with Richard’s tangy secret sauce.

11 Lexington Bar-B-Q Center

11 Lexington Bar-B-Q Center

LexingtonSee on mapSee on map

Known as Lexington’s oldest barbecue joint still cooking on pits, the ‘cue at the Bar-B-Q Center is custom-ordered, depending on your preference for browned bit, fat and more. There’s also curb service.

12 Bar-B-Q King

12 Bar-B-Q King

LincolntonSee on mapSee on map

Owner Steve Abernethy has been serving pit-smoked barbecue, hand-pattied burgers and hand-breaded onion rings at Bar-B-Q King since 1971. Order at the counter, hear your order get hollered back to the cooks and enjoy your plate of food within minutes.

13 Switzerland Café

13 Switzerland Café

Little SwitzerlandSee on mapSee on map

Open seasonally from spring through fall, Switzerland Café has one of the largest wood-fired smokehouses in North Carolina. Try the Applewood-smoked trout – it’s a favorite among diners.

14 Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge

14 Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge

ShelbySee on mapSee on map

A family-owned operation since 1946, this is a Shelby institution. The pork is cooked on hickory overnight and the sauce is popular in-house and at home at Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge.

15 Hubba Hubba Smokehouse

15 Hubba Hubba Smokehouse

Flat RockSee on mapSee on map

Order your chicken, pork butts, ribs and brisket at the Hubba Hubba Smokehouse window, then grab a seat in the outdoor courtyard complete with picnic tables and gardens or in the fully enclosed room off the courtyard.

16 Herb's Pit Bar-B-Que

16 Herb's Pit Bar-B-Que

MurphySee on mapSee on map

Open since 1982, Herb’s is known as the only barbecue restaurant west of Asheville using open pit cooking. The pork is known for being smoky and the sauce sweet.

Cradle of ‘Cue and the North Carolina Historic Barbecue Trail are registered trademarks of The North Carolina Barbecue Society, Inc.

Updated January 9, 2023
About the Author
Cele and Lynn Seldon

Cele and Lynn Seldon

Cele and Lynn Seldon miss the sunsets and walks on the beach in Oak Island, where they basked in the North Carolina sunshine for 15 years.

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