Favorite BBQ joints in NC?

Bruce H. wrote:
> I know you guys are tired of BBQ posts but please help me out--I'll be
> in North Carolina in a couple weeks and would like to try some of the
> best BBQ joints in the state. I'm interested in sampling all three of
> the NC BBQ styles--eastern, Lexington and western.
> Thx,
> Bruce
>

True devotees of genuine NC bar-b-que *never* tire of sharing information concerning the best places for newcomers to sample the fare.  In Shelby, NC, _the_ place to go is Alston Bridges BBQ (near the Cleveland Memorial Hospital, Grover Street---ask anyone where the hospital is; this is my very small, quaint, friendly hometown!!).  You will find the most delectable hush puppies, BBQ slaw (the red kind, not the faux-BBQ, white style!), and *BEST* chopped pork bar-b-que ANYwhere!!!!!  They serve beef BBQ, sliced versions of both-- but the ultimate is the chopped pork.  (If you go, tell them Albert Suttle's niece, Billiee from Atlanta, recommended you stop by; they're remember him-- he owned/ran THE drugstore, Suttle's, in Shelby forEVER, and he frequented Alston's---as does his widow, sons, and NIECE, whenever I'm in town!!!---You may think this is a strange thing to do, but it is de rigeur in small, Southern towns--to show you are "in the know"!!!!!!)

Enjoy; yours will be a truly memorable experience, I assure you!!  ): ): ): bp-p