We're heading thru NC and SC thru Greenville to Marietta SC xmas week. Can anyone rec. a good BBQ place not too far from the highways.

Can anyone fill this Yankee in on the different types of Southern BBQ. Got a favorite?

Thanks ahead;
Sherry

I can't believe all the tar heels on this board havne't chimed in yet. Probably because this question has been asked and answered a lot already (do a search using north carolina and barbecue or bbq).

In a nutshell, you'll get great BBQ in eastern NC (vinegar-based, pork BBQ, awesome) right off of I-95, say in Rocky Mount or Wilson.

Oh, and you'll get a lot more about this, but the 3 basic carolina styles, all slow raosted prok barbecue are distinguished mainly by the sauce used:

Eastern (NC) style has a more tangy vinegar-based sauce.

Western (NC) style has a light tomato-based sauce, may still have some tang, but not as much as eastern style.

SC style is mustard-based sauce.

You can get it pulled, sliced, or chopped, as a "plate" or as a sandwich; usually it's accompanied by cole slaw, hush puppies, and great iced tea . . . and banana pudding in the somewhat unlikely event that you have room for dessert.

I don't think I have ever eaten any "bad" BBQ. It's all pretty good to me. However, one good way to decide if a BBQ place is worth stopping for, check the parking lot at lunch time. If it's full, there's a very good chance it's pretty good.

If you find that it seems a little dry, it's quite alright to add more sauce.

I like the sweeter Carolina style sauce. It seems to have more ketchup and brown sugar flavor.

One horrible thing has happened to BBQ places. They have started cooking in a regular oven and adding smoke flavoring. It's NOT the same. You want real PIT BBQ. You should be able to smell the meat cooking out in the parking lot.

If you are taking I-85 through NC here are a few places to stop:

Creedmoor, NC (just north of Durham): Bob's BBq, just off the highway exit.

Durham, NC: I-85 at Guess Rd exit Hog Heaven. I-85 at Hillsborough Rd exit (though you might have to exit onto 15-501 to get to Hillsborough Rd. my mind is blanking right now): Bullock's BBQ. Note: Bullock's is closed for most of July. It's not on Hillsborough Rd., turn at the Eckerd's and go down the road 1/4 mile.

Hillsborough, NC: I-85 at highway 86 exit Allen & Son's. Several miles down the road. By the train tracks. If you reach I-40 you've gone too far.

Greensboro: Near the Coliseum is Stamey's.

I-85 at Lexington: you've hit the motherload.

I-95: Ralph's in Roanoke Rapids, 1 mile from the hwy, Exit 176 (I think).

Not the best in the state but the best on I95 that we have found in a half dozen trips to Florida at xmastime.

More good choices than I could ever imagine.
Thanks;
Sherry