Here Are the 7 Most-Recommended BBQ Restaurants in North Carolina, According to Our Readers

It is no secret that North Carolinians love their barbecue, and one might say the long history of eating this smoky, tender treat has made them connoisseurs. So when they offer up their most-recommended barbecue restaurants, you might want to pay attention. Without further ado, here are seven of the best BBQ restaurants in North Carolina, hand-picked by our readers.

1. Parker's Barbecue, Wilson

Parker’s Barbecue and Chicken has been a local favorite for more than 75 years. It was established in 1946 and continues to be one of the best places to get barbecue in North Carolina. The sides are made from scratch, and their recipes have truly lasted the test of time. Make sure you bring cash, because they don’t accept cards! Visit the website of Parker's Barbecue to see the full menu.

2. Prissy Polly's BBQ Restaurant, Kernersville

Prissy Polly’s has everything you would expect from an excellent barbecue restaurant. Some of our favorites are the southern sides of collards and fried okra, and the onion rings are out of this world. We're also big fans of their website, where you can order online and swing by to pick it up yourself.

3. Morris Barbecue, Hookerton

Morris Barbecue has been a staple for those in the Hookerton area since 1956. It’s still a family-run business, now run by the grandson and great-granddaughter. Their sauce is so good that they began selling it by the bottle (or the gallon!), and we must say: it makes an excellent addition to your fridge. You can slather that on anything. 

4. Wilbers BBQ, Goldsboro

Wilber’s staff cooks whole hogs all night long in open pits over glowing oak embers, and they've been doing it this way since 1962. From plates with sides to pulled pork sandwiches and chicken wings, you really can't go wrong with anything off the menu at Wilber's.

5. The Redneck BBQ Lab, Benson

Since 2017, The Redneck BBQ Lab owners have focused on North Carolina barbecue with a scientific twist, featuring innovations and new recipes. Every month is something different, seamlessly blending their sauces and rubs with new flavors to create something new. Meats come on the bone, boneless, or on bread, and you can complement your orders with juicy homemade sides.

6. Little Richard's Barbeque, Multiple Locations

Founded in 1991, Little Richard's offers a total of five cozy barbecue houses in the area, so more folks can experience the smoky love of their famous hickory-smoked barbecue. From pitmaster plates to sandwiches and sides, you'll find yourself returning every week to eat your way through the menu. Find your nearest location and head over now.

7. JD's Smokehouse, Connelly Springs

The family-owned restaurant and catering service offers some of the best barbecue in North Carolina. All of the smoked meats are dry-rubbed; they've mastered the low-and-slow method, and the plates come with two sides, sauce, and bread. It might sound bizarre, but trust me: make the banana pudding one of your sides.

Have you chosen one of the most recommended BBQ restaurants in the state to try? And if that's not enough, take the most delicious North Carolina road trip to nine hole-in-the-wall barbecue restaurants. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.