Taste the best BBQ in the Triangle
When you use the letters “BBQ” in North Carolina, this refers to a specific way of smoking pork, as opposed to other parts of the country where a BBQ is a party where food is served, but can be anything from hot dogs to steaks. It’s even different from its “cousins” found in Kansas City, Memphis, and Texas. In the Raleigh-Durham area, eastern-style barbecue rules supreme over Lexington-style, with one major difference. Eastern-style does not include any tomato-based products, while Lexington-style mixes the vinegar base with ketchup. So, if you are new to the area, traveling to the area, or just simply looking for some new joints to try, here are some of the places where you can find the best BBQ in the Triangle.
Located in the warehouse district of Raleigh, The Pit is a staple of the downtown dining scene, serving authentic whole hog, pit-cooked barbecue. All of the pigs are sourced from North Carolina farms. The menu also offers a twist on traditional North Carolina cuisine, including a wide variety of barbecue proteins (including tofu), fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, and cornbread.
Sam Jones joined the Raleigh restaurant scene in 2015. However, the Jones family is famous in the Greenville area for their generations of pitmasters, starting with Sam’s grandfather, who was known for his wood-fired pits. The menu is simple and focused on the delicious, tangy flavors of eastern-style barbecue, as perfected by the Jones family over the years.
Looking for old-fashioned, no-frills, flavorful BBQ? Look no further than Clyde Cooper’s BBQ. They have been serving eastern-style barbecue to downtown Raleigh diners since 1938. This award-winning restaurant has amazing, classic eastern-style barbecue and a side of nostalgia throughout the building. Try it if you want to sample some of the best BBQ in the Triangle.
Situated in the heart of Knightdale, Prime BBQ was founded by champion pitmaster Christopher Prieto in 2020. Since its establishment, this has become a popular choice for some BBQ with a twist. Prieto creates a savory mix of weekly features, such as a mix of traditional eastern-style and Puerto Rican flavors. The savory mix of meats are big hits for patrons. See why it’s consistently named among the best BBQ in the Triangle.
Aviator Brewing Company in Fuquay-Varina isn’t known solely for their hand-crafted beers. In 2011, they added their SmokeHouse to smoke pork, ribs, brisket, wings, and chicken. Today, they’re serving up mouthwatering meals served with house made sauces—including their MocoLoco ghost pepper sauce, if you’re brave.
Located in Boxyard RTP, a food court and market at the Research Triangle Park, Lawrence Barbecue is the work of Jake Wood, an award-winning pitmaster and classically trained chef who started his restaurant to honor his grandfather. They offer pulled pork, brisket, sticky ribs, and smoked chicken leg quarters that will make your mouth water.
Nothing screams “authentic” like the Blue Note Grill, a Durham hot spot for live music and North Carolina BBQ. Try a pulled pork BBQ sandwich topped with slaw, and grab southern favorites like fried okra, collards, pimento cheese dip, and more. This is a must-visit if you want a genuine taste of North Carolina or to taste some of the best BBQ in the Triangle.
Find outstanding BBQ wherever you go
One of the staple foods of a native North Carolinian’s diet is no doubt barbecue. While the debate rages on as to which sauce reigns supreme, Raleigh’s central location gives our residents the opportunity to taste the best of both in our own backyard. While the list above includes the best of our city’s BBQ scene, there are tons of other little BBQ shacks all over the Triangle making a whole pig for diners to enjoy.
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