Great Charlotte and NC Barbecue Debate Thread

[KJHburg]

Well after the reading the passionate responses in the FreeMore thread about good or great barbecue in Charlotte I thought maybe we need a thread to fight it out I mean discuss.  I mean Barbecue, Religion and Politics are the 3 hot button topics in NC.   Lets use this thread to discuss our favorites in Charlotte, the region, the Carolinas and across the country.  I am from Charlotte but went to college in eastern part of the state ECU but lived in Texas too.  So I like a wide varieties of barbecue from eastern NC style chopped pork and western NC style (Lexington) to Texas brisket to Alabama barbecue like at Dreamland.   

Since Jim Noble of Noble Smoke took some of his inspiration from Lexington BBQ I went there today and got a behind the scenes look at the smokehouse by a family member.  I was so hungry and it looked so good before I could snap a photo of my BBQ plate I had consumed it.  Lexington should be first trip to understand NC BBQ and only 50 miles or so from Charlotte up I-85.  In fact the most congested part of Lexington was the parking lot of Lexington BBQ   http://www.lexbbq.com/   It was great barbecue and a place where your ice tea never goes below half full.  Monday is the least busiest day and there is curb service too. 

I like Noble Smoke for their brisket and smoked turkey which I actually prefer over pork despite my NC roots. 

anyway photos of the Lexington BBQ right off I-85 business today and thanks for my tour fellow UPer.   The pig has honey bees on it as the restaurant is locally called Honey Monks. 

Lets get the great Barbecue debate started.  I like Judges up in Morganton too and down east Parkers and B's.  

 

 

Edited October 1, 2019 by KJHburg

[tozmervo]

Alternate thread title: "Barbeque digression thread -- Save UP!"

[Rufus]

Before it closed, I would have gone to my grave saying that Wilber's in Goldsboro was the best BBQ in the state, as well as the best Brunswick Stew. 

Being from Raleigh, I was raised on that and Bill Ellis in Wilson, well before Ed Mitchell opened the Pit in downtown Raleigh. I will always miss both Bill Ellis and Wilber's (which may reopen!)

[KJHburg]

8 minutes ago, Rufus said:

Before it closed, I would have gone to my grave saying that Wilber's in Goldsboro was the best BBQ in the state, as well as the best Brunswick Stew. 

Being from Raleigh, I was raised on that and Bill Ellis in Wilson, well before Ed Mitchell opened the Pit in downtown Raleigh. I will always miss both Bill Ellis and Wilber's (which may reopen!)

as a poor college student I never made it to Wilbers in Goldsboro and had to get rides to local Greenville places.   But I hear great things about Wilbers.   Down in eastern NC every town has a hot spot and there is a great BBQ all over Pitt County home on Gville. 

[kermit]

I am a dyed in the wool Parker’s (Wilson only) guy for family reasons, but honestly B’s outside of Greenville might be the best there is.

If it ain’t pork, or if it’s on a bone then it ain’t worth talking about.

This thread does deserve a soundtrack:

 

 

[KJHburg]

this is pretty good eastern NC style Barbecue in Charlotte Bubba's BBQ on Sunset.  

http://bubbasbarbecue.com/

By the way here is my favorite Texas BBQ place for brisket and smoked turkey.  About 20 miles outside of San Antonio in rolling ranch lands.

https://www.texaspridebbq.net/

don't miss it if you are ever in the Alamo City! 

Edited October 1, 2019 by KJHburg

[11 HouseBZ]

I'll join the fray with my favorite, Bodacious BBQ in Longview Texas. Rated as number 4 in the state of Texas according to Texas Monthly. 

https://www.texasmonthly.com/s/the-golden-age-of-barbecue/

https://bodaciousmobberly.com/

Now, we don't live Texas and this is the NC bbq thread. Lexington is probably my NC favorite, I just don't get to make it out there much anymore. I do want to try Noble Smoke due to somebody constantly saying the brisket and turkey are good. One question KJ, is it at least served on paper?

[videtur quam contuor]

I was at Lexington once and the menu had peach cobbler listed. I, a foolish out-of-towner, asked if it was a good choice. The waitress pointed at the counter and said "Marjorie there made it" I ordered the cobbler. You should order it too, and ask no questions.

[KJHburg]

25 minutes ago, 11 HouseBZ said:

I'll join the fray with my favorite, Bodacious BBQ in Longview Texas. Rated as number 4 in the state of Texas according to Texas Monthly. 

https://www.texasmonthly.com/s/the-golden-age-of-barbecue/

https://bodaciousmobberly.com/

Now, we don't live Texas and this is the NC bbq thread. Lexington is probably my NC favorite, I just don't get to make it out there much anymore. I do want to try Noble Smoke due to somebody constantly saying the brisket and turkey are good. One question KJ, is it at least served on paper?

Noble Smoke has plates and I don't think the Charlotte market is ready for brisket on paper yet LOL.  It might stain their Oxford shirts or designer dresses.  My favorite spot in Texas does serve on brown Butcher paper as you state.  

Edited October 1, 2019 by KJHburg

[InSouthPark]

I've had lunch at Lexington BBQ and to honest, it was nothing special.  Good, yes, but I have good BBQ at many places.  Something people rave from rooftops from?  I don't get it in the least.   Oh well, not for me to debate since I am transplant for the 21 years I guess.   Excited to try some Noble Smoke however. I enjoy trying anyone's passion and that truly seems to be the case with Jim and this restaurant.   I never can remember to try Sweet Lews even though I hit up the Noda/PM breweries frequently :-(

[grodney]

2 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Noble Smoke has plates and I don't think the Charlotte market is ready for brisket on paper yet LOL.  My favorite spot in Texas does serve on brown Butcher paper as you state.  

I'd love to see somebody do it, though!  No plates, no sauce, no utensils, BYOB.....just like my happy  place.....Kreuz BBQ in Lockhart TX.  If I had the money or balls, I'd do it myself.

For the uninitiated.....at Kreuz, like many central-ish TX BBQ places, you physically walk into the pit room to order (and pay for!) your meat....as much or as little as you like.  Then if you want sides, that's a separate transaction at a separate counter.  It is heaven.

 

[KJHburg]

How's this for Texas Barbecue open only 4 days a week until it runs out. Free beer while you wait.  The best barbecue is west Texas outside of Lubbock in the small town of Wolfforth.

Served on butcher brown paper (as discussed Charlotte is not quite ready for this yet LOL)   Lots of awards for Evie Mae's and it lived it up to its reputation.  Loved the menu of paper that can be changed by the minute on availability.   I got my brisket and smoked turkey no problem of course I raced there from the bison herd 2 hours away. 

https://www.eviemaesbbq.com/

[videtur quam contuor]

Those hours mean they can work a single shift of employees, ~40 hours over four days. Far easier scheduling, employees have 3 days off per week, a great benefit, good environment, they work very well together as they know and trust each other. Anyone in the restaurant business knows employee scheduling can be a nightmare. Plus owners sleep well.