Cradle of ‘Cue: 21 Stops on North Carolina’s Historic Barbecue Trail
Starting in Ayden with famed Skylight Inn and finishing in Murphy with Herb’s Pit BBQ, the North Carolina Barbecue Society Historic Barbecue Trail spotlights 21 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 ‘cue tends to be vinegar-based, while Western- or Lexington-style is generally more ketchup-based. 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
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1 Skylight Inn
AydenSee on map
Founded in 1947, this small destination sells pork sandwiches with slaw and corn bread, plus sodas and iced tea. Just look for the replica of the Washington, D.C., capitol building on top of the Skylight Inn.
2 B’s Barbecue and Grill
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2 B’s Barbecue and Grill
GreenvilleSee on mapThe McLawhorn family owns and operates this classic ‘cue joint. They close for the day when they run out.
3 Wilber’s Barbecue
3 Wilber’s Barbecue
GoldsboroSee on mapPraised by presidents, North Carolina governors, and many other elected officials who have become fans, Wilber’s features famed “spicy hot” sauce and a full menu that enhances the pit-cooked barbecue pork.
4 Grady’s Barbecue
4 Grady’s Barbecue
DudleySee on mapSteve 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.
5 Stephenson’s Barbecue
5 Stephenson’s Barbecue
Willow SpringsSee on mapStephenson’s was founded by hog farmer Paul Stephenson back in 1958. His chopped barbecue and sauce have been popular ever since.
6 Hursey’s Barbecue
6 Hursey’s Barbecue
BurlingtonSee on mapThe Hursey family has been cooking whole hogs for many decades and started selling to the public in 1960. Cooked in open pits over hickory and oak, Hursey’s barbecued pork is renowned for being perfectly moist and sauced.
7 Stamey’s Barbecue
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7 Stamey’s Barbecue
GreensboroSee on mapC. Warner Stamey started this Triad family tradition and grandson Chip carries it on at two locations. The smiling service, cole slaw, hushpuppies, sweet tea, and homemade cobbler are equally famous.
8 Fuzzy’s Bar-B-Q
8 Fuzzy’s Bar-B-Q
MadisonSee on mapFuzzy’s features Western-style barbecue 7 days a week, except Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trays, plates, sandwiches and other ‘cue specialties are all on the menu.
9 Hill’s Lexington BBQ
9 Hill’s Lexington BBQ
Winston-SalemSee on mapJoe Allen Hill, a Lexington native, started Hill’s Lexington BBQ in 1951, along with his wife, Edna. Look for Winston-Salem’s own Texas Pete Hot Sauce on the tables.
10 Real Q
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10 Real Q
Winston-SalemSee on mapFormerly Little Richard's, Richard Berrier's Real Q now has two popular Winston-Salem locations, including the original and classic Country Club Road location and a more modern outpost on Gumtree Road. BBQ sandwiches, trays and plates all come with Richard’s tangy secret sauce.
11 Speedy Lohr’s BBQ of Arcadia
11 Speedy Lohr’s BBQ of Arcadia
LexingtonSee on mapSpeedy Lohr’s is located between Lexington and Winston-Salem and features classic Lexington-style barbecue. It’s named in honor of owner Roger Lohr’s father, Paul “Speedy” Lohr.
12 Smiley’s Lexington BBQ
12 Smiley’s Lexington BBQ
LexingtonSee on mapWith a variety of names and owners through the years, Smiley’s has been a Lexington landmark for more than six decades. Current owner Steve Yount has continued the tradition with a classic Lexington-style ‘cue experience.
13 Lexington Bar-B-Q Center
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13 Lexington Bar-B-Q Center
LexingtonSee on mapKnown 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.
14 Richard’s Bar-B-Q
14 Richard’s Bar-B-Q
SalisburySee on mapOriginally T&F Bar-B-Q, which opened way back in 1935, Richard’s Bar-B-Q is actually known for serving tasty Eastern-style ‘cue. It remains a North Main Street classic for barbecue.
15 Wink’s Barbeque
15 Wink’s Barbeque
SalisburySee on mapOriginally named for “Wink” Wansler, Wink’s is another favorite Salisbury ‘cue destination. Just look for the sign that says “The King of Barbecue.”
16 M&K Barbecue & Country Cooking
16 M&K Barbecue & Country Cooking
Granite QuarrySee on mapFounded by Myron and Kathy Thomas in 1990, M&K features classic ‘cue and other country-style fare. Myron was once a long-distance truck driver and knows good ‘cue and country cooking.
17 Bar-B-Q King
17 Bar-B-Q King
LincolntonSee on mapOwner 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.
18 Switzerland Café
18 Switzerland Café
Little SwitzerlandSee on mapOpen 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.
19 Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge
19 Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge
ShelbySee on mapA family-owned operation since 1946, this is a Shelby institution. The pork is cooked on cedar overnight and the “Barbecue Sause” is popular in-house and at home at Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge.
20 Herb's Pit Bar-B-Que
20 Herb's Pit Bar-B-Que
MurphySee on mapOpen 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.
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