Best bbq I've found in North Carolina is Lexington #1, on Business Route 85 in Lexington N.C., which is off I-85 between Greensboro and Charlotte. Try the pork shoulder with some of the crust mixed in, and a side of red slaw. Other places folks have recommended to me in Lexington are Smokey Joe's & Jimmy's. But I'm so hooked on Lexington #1 that I keep going back there whenever I'm passing through. Someone recently recommended Bullock's, just off I-85 and Durham. I'll second that - fine BBQ, served family style - Lot's of southern grace and hospitality. Other than that, just get off the Interstate and take some back roads. You're bound to run into some mighty good bbq every town or two. Another Carolina institution are the fish camps. Fish camps fry fish. Lots of fish. Grand Daddy of all fish camps is Lineberger's Fish Fry in Gastonia, NC, about 7 miles South of Gastonia and I-85 as the crow flies. Bring your appetite and then some. Enjoy, Holly Moore
Barbecue
North Carolina Barbecue
Lexington #1 is probably the best "Lexington" style NC barbecue. For some of the best "Eastern" NC barbecue try Allen and Sons on HWY 86, about a mile north of I-40 exit 266.
The differences between "Eastern" and "Lexington" style barbecue:
Eastern style is whole hog; Lexington is usually shoulder.
Both sauces are thin, but Lexington style is sweeter, with tomato as
an ingredient; Eastern sauce has no tomato, just vinegar and peppers.
You should try some of each- both styles are great. Have fun!
Jim RobbinsHolly M. wrote: [stuff about Lexington, NC BBQ snipped] HM>Someone recently recommended Bullock's, just off I-85 and Durham. I'll HM>second that - fine BBQ, served family style - Lot's of southern grace HM>and hospitality. I totally agree-- Bullock's has to be one of the best (not to mention most famous) BBQ place in the Triangle area. Most everyone in Durham knows where it is, so just ask. However, watch out-- they're closed on Mondays & if you go anytime after about 11:45 (for lunch) you will have _quite_ a wait!!! HM>Other than that, just get off the Interstate and take some back roads. HM>You're bound to run into some mighty good bbq every town or two. True, but don't git lost! HM>Another Carolina institution are the fish camps. Fish camps fry fish. HM> Lots of fish. Grand Daddy of all fish camps is Lineberger's Fish Fry HM>in Gastonia, NC, about 7 miles South of Gastonia and I-85 as the crow HM>flies. Bring your appetite and then some. Unfortunately, if you're driving to Asheville from Durham, you probably won't get anywhere near Gastonia-- I-40 is the most direct route from Durham to Asheville. However, there are some great fishcamps around the Hickory/Newton-Conover area off 40, the most memorable being the Startown Fishcamp _somewhere_ (and unfortunately I don't remember, but you can stop & ask) off 40. If I remember correctly though, it's only open on weekends.... Alas, I agree with Holly-- enjoy!!!! CWH
I forget the name of the place, but there's a bbq "shack" in Dillsboro NC, just a little ways west of Asheville. The walls are decorated w/ the autographs of a lot of famous people who found the place before I did. It's great cue and well worth the ride. Even though I can't remember the name of the place, it's not hard to find. Dillsboro is NOT a bid place and anybody should be able to direct you to the right place. There's also a very neat secondhand bookstore on the edge of town that has 1st editions and autographed copies from some of the south's more famous writers like Thomas Wolfe and Wm Faulkner.